Threads of Fate

The forest slowly gave way to a long, sunlit expanse of prairie, and the prairie grass ripples moved with the current. Kael and Lira walked toward the silence, both stunned to see the death of the other. At Kael's feet lay the Starforged Blade, ready for judgement in the wake of its fight with the Riftspawn Alpha, the Blade's light having been quenched.

Arms stretched above her head, Lira froze the scene. "So, what's next on the 'save the world' checklist? More creepy ruins? Maybe another flesh-melting riftspawn?"

Kael smirked, though his tone was thoughtful. "The system's Rift Detection might give us a lead. But first, we need to find supplies."

As if on cue, a distant silhouette appeared on the horizon—a caravan, its colorful banners rippling in the wind. On the other hand, the location was a welcome break from the dreary one of the wood and the none's due to being no stranger to any of it or to the battles.

Lira covered her eyes with her hand, frowning. "A traveling caravan out here? That's... odd."

Kael nodded. "Let's check it out."

The caravan was a colourful array of wagons with red, blue and gold colours. Merchants went 'wild and loose' and swarmed from place to place pollacking more or less with the clatter of crates and the push of stalls. A few tourists lined up in a scrum bartering money for items such as high quality spices and high quality souvenirs.

As Kael and Lira drew closer, a g p figure in a wide-brimmed hat and silver-thread cloak appeared from the s p's nose. His steely green stare glowed with inquisitiveness when he made a dramatic bow.

"Greetings, tired souls, to the best caravan in all of the land beyond the Ruined Peak!" the man declared, his voice smooth and practiced. "I am Cassian, merchant extraordinaire and purveyor of rare wonders. How may I brighten your day?"

Lira arched an eyebrow. "Rare wonders, huh? Got anything that doesn't cost a small fortune?"

Cassian grinned, spreading his arms. "As for the grit-grinders (such as yourselves), there is no doubt that we can arrive at a solution which will be agreeable to all of us."

Kael stepped forward, his tone polite but direct. "We're looking for supplies. And maybe some information. Did you hear reports of stunning lights and iridescent lights, ground shaking, or wrinkle movement?"

Cassian's smile flickered for a second before settling, though it was not as affectful a smile as the first they saw each other. "Ah, the curious sort. You'll find tales aplenty in these lands, friend. But if it's rifts you're after. perhaps I can help. ".

Before he could explain, a great loud ringing sound brought their focus to a stop. Out of one of the wagons, a miniature silhouette came tumbling down, clinging on for dear life to the weight of a box which, it seemed, contained mechanisms. The figure—a teenage girl with a shag of black curly hair and pockmarked cheeks—panted in exasperation with the set down a crate.

"Ryn," Cassian called, his tone exasperated. "What have I told you about overloading yourself?"

Ryn scowled, brushing her hands on her oil-stained overalls. "I'm fine, Cassian. And not to mention, someone has to help out that mess you call a clockwork automaton.

Lira snorted, clearly amused. "You've got a walking catastrophe for a mechanic? This just keeps getting better."

Kael, however, was intrigued. He approached Ryn and observed her belt, on which a set of tools was attached and a strange looking item that she was repairing. "You're an artificer?"

Ryn raised her gaze, her amber gaze piercing him, as if to examine him. "What's it to you?"

Kael raised his hands in a placating gesture. "Just curious. They're extremely rare to find in this area, on the fringes of the cities.

"Okay," the interrogator machine said, picking up a bolt wrench and tightening a bolt. "Cities are overrated."

Cassian sighed, turning back to Kael and Lira. "Forgive her manners. She's brilliant but... a touch prickly. Now, about those supplies."

Whispering, while bartering Cassian, Ryn lingered close by and once in while interjected with biting comments or voices crept out of her mouth. In spite of her hard exterior, Kael couldn't help admiring her ingenuity on more than one occasion. The machine she built—a small machine of whirring gears and blinking stones—made a quietwhoosh that surprisingly was pleasant.

Eventually, the conversation turned back to rifts. Cassian leaned in, his voice low. Unsolved problems in and around the Skyshard Cliffs have been suggested and debated. Lights in the sky, noises in the air—normal rifting behaviour.

Kael exchanged a glance with Lira. "How far?"

"A day's journey west," Cassian replied. "But tread carefully. Falls are dangerous and the natives say the clefts are. different."

"Different how?" Kael asked, his tone sharp.

Cassian hesitated, then shook his head. "You'll have to see for yourselves."

"Getting ready to go," Ryn went over to Kael and kept it under her sleeve, eyes unreadable. She showed off the miniaturized device that she has been crafting. "Here," she said gruffly. "It's a pulse stabilizer. Could be useful when playing around with rift energy. ".

Kael accepted the device, studying it closely. "Thanks."

Ryn shrugged, looking away. "Don't mention it. Just don't break it."

Lira smirked as they walked away. "Looks like you've made a new friend."

Kael shook his head all to the astonishment of everybody, and with a little smile, went in the corner of his mouth. "She's... interesting."

However, while they travelled further west, the endless golden flatlands that lay ahead of them, Kael couldn't help but have the sense that their paths had converged for a purpose. The course of fate was weaving something profound, and this vast manifestation was starting to come into view.