Kashgar

Dawn arrived slowly, caressing the horizon with a soft orange hue that grew brighter with each passing moment. Sunlight seeped through the carriage's curtains, replacing the chill of the night with a soothing warmth. The morning air was refreshing, carrying the scent of dew and damp earth, whispering of new beginnings. The carriage wheels continued to move automatically, following the predetermined path.

Sana was the first to awaken. In the stillness of the morning, she gazed at Arga, who remained sound asleep beside her. His breathing was steady, his face more peaceful than it had been the night before. Something stirred within her a feeling that shouldn't exist, a sentiment that should have died long ago. Yet now, inexplicably, it resurfaced.

Unconsciously, her fingers lifted, gently brushing against Arga's face. Her fingertips traced the strong line of his jaw before stopping on his warm cheek.

"He's so handsome," she murmured in her heart. "If only I had met him earlier... I would have made him my husband."

But as the thought crossed her mind, her chest tightened. Her eyes widened, her hand trembling as she quickly pulled it back.

"What are you thinking, Sana? He's the same age as your children ... and you're as old as his mother." Her inner voice spoke sharply, tearing at her consciousness. "Get a grip! This is just a fleeting emotion. An illusion that will pass."

She clenched the blanket, trying to suppress the turmoil now pulsing in her chest. But the more she resisted, the stronger the feeling grew drawing Sana into a storm she never anticipated.

Not long after, Arga began to stir. He shifted his body, and as his eyelids fluttered open, he looked momentarily disoriented before fully realizing where he was. Startled, he glanced at Sana, who still leaned against the seat beside him. As if unwilling to wake her, he carefully extricated himself from the warmth that had provided him comfort.

At the other end of the train, Nico was still fast asleep, his mouth slightly open, snoring softly. The sight nearly made Arga smile. He turned his gaze to the window, his eyes capturing a landscape that was slowly transforming. From the silent hills and mountains emerged cobblestone roads, with the towering gates of a city visible in the distance.

"This is Kashgar," he murmured to himself. The city he had only heard about in Nico's stories now stretched out before him.

Sana, no longer pretending to sleep, moved slowly, stretching her stiff muscles. She rubbed her eyes and turned to Arga. "Are we there yet?" Her voice was husky, still wrapped in sleep.

Arga nodded softly. "It seems so."

The morning's tranquility was suddenly broken by Nico, who woke with a small shout. "Are we there?!" he exclaimed enthusiastically, nearly jumping out of his seat.

Arga and Sana exchanged glances before nodding in unison. A faint smile graced their faces. The journey had been exhausting, but beneath it all, something new was emerging, something slowly growing between them.

"Nico, did you fall asleep last night and leave the saddle to guide the horse? Is that true?" Arga asked, his tone curious. His eyes were still drowsy as Nico nodded slowly, trying to process the question.

"Then how could the horse follow the direction we wanted and even navigate through the night without guidance? It's like... the horse deliberately brought us here," Arga continued, furrowing his brow. He looked at the horse with intrigue. "I know this because I once studied warhorse training just one of the disciplines I learned at the academy."

Nico, now fully awake, scratched the back of his head in confusion. "I don't know much about horses, but if what you're saying is true, the horses here must be incredibly smart. This is really strange," he muttered. Nico quickly grabbed a small notebook from his bag, jotting down every anomaly they had encountered. Arga merely smiled faintly, letting his friend remain engrossed in his thoughts.

Soon, the towering Gates of Kashgar appeared before them, a sight that could leave anyone speechless. Surrounded by high mountains, steep cliffs, and jagged rocks, the city resembled an impregnable natural fortress. There was only one entrance, guarded by fully armed sentries. Their discipline seemed unshakable; every visitor was thoroughly inspected.

As Arga's group drew closer, their attention was captured by a crowd gathered at the gate. In the middle of the commotion, a woman draped in a brown cloak was stopped by one of the guards.

"Remove your cloak and show your face," one of the guards ordered sternly. However, the woman remained silent, brushing away the guard's hand as he attempted to pull back her hood. The tension escalated. The guard appeared ready to use force, but before he could, the woman raised a small plaque. The sunlight reflecting off the plaque caught everyone's attention.

Upon seeing the plaque, the guard's demeanor instantly shifted. His previously stern face softened in an instant. He stepped back respectfully, allowing her to pass without a word.

Arga, Sana, and Nico watched the scene unfold with puzzled expressions. They exchanged glances, trying to make sense of what they had just witnessed.

When it was their turn, Nico handed over a small plaque given to them by Kirana. The guard's reaction was almost identical. After a brief inspection, they were allowed to enter without much questioning.

"Wasn't the plaque that woman had the same as the one Kirana gave us?" Sana asked, her voice laced with curiosity.

Nico nodded in agreement, but Arga shook his head, examining their plaque more closely. "No, ours looks ordinary. The woman's had a dragon motif. It's likely meant for someone of high status here," he replied, his eyes still fixed on the plaque in Nico's hand.

Though they had entered the city, their curiosity remained unsatisfied. The questions lingered in the air, awaiting answers.

Inside the city, the atmosphere felt different from anywhere they had been before. The streets were clean and meticulously organized, surrounded by grand buildings adorned with traditional carvings full of detail and stories. The city's inhabitants were busy with their activities, yet there was an almost perfect sense of order and harmony. The air in Kashgar felt fresher, carrying a rare sense of tranquility. Above the city, the blue sky stretched endlessly, serving as a natural canopy that completed its beauty.

This city...," Sana murmured, her eyes fixed on the scenery around them. "Far more orderly than Soltera."

Arga nodded slowly, though his mind was elsewhere. "Let's hope there are no bandits or criminals here like before," he said softly. "I'm sure we can figure out a way to find help for Kirana in this place."

Yet, his tone carried a hint of doubt that was hard to conceal. The events at the gate still haunted him that plate, the woman in the brown cloak, and the respectful gazes of the guards. Everything held a mystery demanding answers.

Ahead of them, Nico walked a few steps ahead. His small notebook was open, his hand busy jotting down interesting details he encountered. His mind was brimming with wild theories about the plate and this city.

Sana let out a long sigh, feeling the tension between them slowly ease, absorbed by the peaceful atmosphere of Kashgar. However, the calm was soon disrupted when Nico suddenly jumped in front of them, halting Arga and Sana in their tracks. His face was serious, his breathing ragged.

"Listen to me...! Listen to me...! This is a big problem," he exclaimed urgently.

Startled, Sana immediately asked, "What happened?" Meanwhile, Arga only moved his mouth, echoing the same question silently.