Break time

The caravan rolled out of the city gates just as the morning sun crested over the horizon, casting a golden glow on the sprawling procession. 

Ethan sat on the back of one of the wagons, his new armor glinting faintly in the light. Lia was seated beside him, her hands clasped tightly around the strap of her satchel, her gaze darting nervously to the unfamiliar faces around them. There were only servants around them but they were still quite intimidating.

The steady rhythm of wagon wheels rolling against the dirt road filled the air, mingling with the soft murmurs of conversation between the servants and the occasional barked orders from the guards. 

Ethan kept his posture relaxed, though his eyes flicked constantly across the caravan, cataloging faces, movements, and potential threats. Intimidating or not, everyone here was either a potential ally—or an obstacle.

Up ahead, Lyra rode alongside a cluster of guards at the head of the procession. She was chatting casually with one of them, though even from this distance, Ethan could see the way her gaze darted occasionally to the trees lining the road. She was watching for trouble, just as he was.

The road stretched onward, bordered by patches of dense forest that grew thicker as they moved further from the city. The golden light of dawn gave way to the softer, cooler tones of mid-morning, and the caravan slowed slightly to navigate a series of uneven inclines.

A sharp whistle from one of the guards broke the steady rhythm of the journey, and the caravan came to a halt. Murmurs rippled through the group as guards dismounted, their hands resting lightly on the hilts of their weapons.

"What's happening?" Lia whispered, her voice barely audible.

Ethan tensed, his hand instinctively brushing the hilt of his dagger. He scanned the trees, the shadows between the branches suddenly feeling darker, more menacing. "Stay close," he murmured. "And don't move unless I tell you to."

From his vantage point, he could see Lyra dismounting her horse, her expression sharp and focused as she spoke to one of the guards. The man nodded, then gestured toward the forest. A scouting party, most likely.

Ethan's pulse quickened as his gaze swept over the caravan. This could be it—the moment something finally goes wrong. Whether it was bandits, beasts, or something else entirely, trouble was clearly brewing. And whatever it was, Ethan had to be ready.

Unfortunately for him, the next two minutes poured a bucket of cold water on him. The group of guards who went into the forest returned with a huge boar, a majestic being shot straight through the heart with a single arrow. Its size was unlike anything Ethan had seen before, its tusks gleaming like polished ivory as its lifeless body was hauled into view.

"False alarm," one of the returning guards called out, his voice carrying a hint of smugness. "Looks like breakfast came to us today."

Ethan exhaled slowly, forcing himself to relax as he watched the massive creature being dragged toward the rear of the caravan. So much for the ambush, he thought, sighing inwardly. The current plan was to run the opposite direction in the middle of a commotion but for that, the commotion needed to happen.

A group of servants quickly began to process the boar, and their practiced movements were efficient and methodical. Knives flashed as they worked, stripping away the thick hide and carving the massive creature into manageable portions. 

Small fire magic spells ignited under hastily assembled cooking stations, and the aroma of roasting meat began wafting through the air, mingling with the earthy scent of the forest.

Lia leaned closer to Ethan, her wide eyes darting toward the sizzling chunks of boar being seared to perfection. 

"They're really fast," she whispered, her voice tinged with awe. "Master, how do I learn spells like these? I am your servant. Will I be offered these skills down the line? I want to cook nice meals like this for you every day."

What was this idiot talking about? Ethan chuckled, "I want to know the same thing. A place to learn magic."

As the servants distributed freshly cooked portions of boar, the mood in the caravan grew even lighter. The guards ate with gusto, and even the nobles enjoyed their portions with a mix of satisfaction and mild detachment.

Up ahead, Lyra sat astride her horse, nibbling delicately on a small piece of boar as she observed the scene. Her piercing green eyes met Ethan's for a brief moment, her expression inscrutable. She raised an eyebrow as if to say, What are you looking at, Rutgard?

Ethan immediately turned his attention back to Lia, handing her a small plate of food that one of the servants had passed along. "Eat," he said softly. "You'll need your strength." He too tore a big chunk with his teeth and gulped down the delicious meat.

"Are you finally enjoying a decent meal?" A sneering voice sounded from behind him.

Ethan frowned, turning around to see a young man, probably his age walking over to him.

His finely tailored clothing and perfectly polished boots screamed nobility, but there was an air of superiority in the way he carried himself that grated immediately. His smirk widened as he drew closer, his piercing blue eyes locked onto Ethan.

"Didn't mean to disturb your feast," the young man continued, his voice dripping with mockery. "It's just rare to see someone enjoy a meal with such… enthusiasm."