TWILIGHT ACCORD : Escorting the Merchant Caravan
Chapter Nine
Escorting the Merchant Caravan
The sun had just begun its descent, casting long shadows across the cobblestone streets of Velmora. The bustling city, once alive with the activity of the day, was now winding down. Kael and Mara walked side by side, their cloaks drawn close to avoid drawing attention. Their path was quiet, the soft sounds of distant chatter blending with the rhythmic clatter of carts and horses' hooves. It was their first full day as adventurers, and already, they found themselves caught in the intricacies of city life.
"Let's get this done," Kael muttered, his thoughts already on the task ahead.
Zerai, their newest ally and guide through the city, walked ahead, humming a carefree tune. His mischievous grin was enough to set Kael slightly on edge, though it wasn't out of malice—Zerai simply had a way of making everything seem far too easy.
"This job's as simple as they come. An escort mission. Merchant caravan. We make sure they don't get robbed on the way to a trade exchange. You guys up for it?" Zerai, asked.
Kael hesitated for a moment before nodding. "We are ready," he said, his voice steady despite the uncertainty of what was to come.
Zerai led them through the guild doors, where a few seasoned adventurers exchanged stories and shared drinks. The air was thick with the smells of leather, salt, and the faintest hint of smoke from the hearth in the corner.
A heavy-set merchant, adorned in a crimson sash and gold-fringed tunic, greeted them with a wave. His bald head gleamed under the guild's light. He clapped his hands together, a grin spreading across his face.
"Ah, you must be the adventurers I've heard about," he boomed, his voice full of authority. "The name's Vorn. I'm the one in need of some muscle for a little trip. We'll be leaving the city tomorrow at dawn. Are you ready?"
"We're ready," Kael said, and Mara gave a subtle nod, still hidden beneath her hood.
---
The following morning, Kael and Mara joined Vorn and the caravan at the gates of Velmora. The merchant wagons, drawn by sturdy, shaggy horses, were ready to depart. Alongside them were a dozen guards, each armed with various weapons. Their leader, Vorn, briefed them once more before they left the city.
"Alright, keep close and be ready. We'll be passing through some remote areas. The road can get dangerous. Bandits have been known to make their move around here, especially in the less-traveled spots. Stay alert."
Kael couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more to Vorn's words than he let on. Still, he pushed the thought aside. They had a job to do.
The caravan began to roll through the city gates, the sound of the wheels crunching against gravel filling the air. As they moved past the last row of homes and onto the open plains, the vastness of the landscape unfolded before them—rolling hills dotted with trees and wildflowers, and in the distance, the jagged mountains where the winds howled.
They passed through small villages along the way, the occasional curious glance from villagers who eyed the merchant caravan with a mix of respect and wariness. The world beyond Velmora seemed simpler, quieter—but Kael couldn't shake the sense of danger that seemed to cling to every corner of the city and its outskirts.
As the day wore on, the caravan's pace slowed. The road narrowed, winding between dense forests that seemed to close in on them. The sun began its descent, casting a golden glow over the forest's edge. It was then that Kael first noticed the tension creeping in.
Zerai, walking ahead with the caravan's guards, looked back and gave Kael a grin that didn't quite match the situation. "We're about to get some excitement," he said, his voice almost gleeful.
Before Kael could respond, a loud shout broke the air.
"Ambush!" someone yelled, followed by the unmistakable sound of metal clashing against metal.
Kael's heart skipped a beat. In the space of a heartbeat, the bandits revealed themselves—emerging from the thick trees and attacking the caravan from all sides. Kael's eyes darted around, his hand instinctively reaching for his sword.
Zerai was already in motion, his body a blur as he sped forward to meet the attackers with unnatural speed. His movements were so fast that Kael barely had time to follow them. A bandit lunged at him with an axe, but Zerai was already there, a crackling electric aura surrounding him. With a single punch, he sent the bandit flying backward into the dirt, his body twitching as the electricity coursed through him.
Kael's attention snapped back to the fight at hand. One of the bandits was charging toward Mara, and instinctively, Kael stepped between them. He didn't draw his sword. There was no need. The bandit raised his sword to strike, but Kael sidestepped, his body moving faster than the man could react. He swept the bandit's legs out from under him, sending him sprawling to the ground.
Another bandit rushed at him, but Kael was already in motion again. He used Aethra's Sight to predict the bandit's attack, dodging just as the sword swung toward him. With a quick feint and a twist of his body, Kael knocked the bandit to the ground, disarming him in the process.
The fight continued for mere moments, and before long, the remaining bandits were either incapacitated or retreating into the woods. Kael's heart still raced, his senses heightened as he surveyed the area.
Zerai, looking far too relaxed for the chaos around him, leaned against a tree, grinning ear to ear. "Well, that was fun. Bandits are always a good way to stretch my legs."
The caravan guards were catching their breath, some nursing small cuts and bruises, but none seriously hurt. Vorn approached Kael, his face a mixture of shock and admiration.
"That was… impressive," Vorn said, his voice low. "I honestly didn't expect someone your size to be able to move like that. You and your friend are something else. Not many adventurers would have handled that so well."
Kael, still processing the speed of the fight, merely shrugged. "We just did what we had to do."
Zerai chuckled, stepping forward. "Don't let the kid's size fool you. He's got speed and brains, even if he doesn't look the part."
Kael shot him a sidelong glance, a bit annoyed by the constant teasing. But it was the truth—he hadn't expected to be so quick on his feet. A part of him was still coming to terms with the power that Aethra's Sight had unlocked in him, though he didn't yet fully understand it.
---
By nightfall, the caravan had safely made it to the trade exchange—a small but lively village on the outskirts. The merchants unloaded their goods, and the adventurers were given a bit of time to rest.
As Kael sat near the fire, his mind wandered back to the fight. Despite his quick movements and the clarity Aethra's Sight provided, he knew he was far from understanding the full extent of his abilities. It was still all too new to him, and he couldn't shake the feeling that there was much more to this journey than simply being fast or strong.
Zerai, as usual, was leaning back with a carefree grin. "Well, that was a good warm-up. I gotta say, I'm impressed. You guys are gonna make a fine team."
Kael, though still processing the day's events, nodded slowly. "We've got a long way to go."
Zerai's grin widened. "You'll get there. But for now, enjoy the rest. Tomorrow's another day, and I've got a feeling Velmora's got more surprises in store."
---
As Kael stared into the flickering fire, the weight of his thoughts grew heavier. Velmora was proving to be more than just a city—it was a place brimming with secrets and dangers. But that night, he allowed himself a moment of respite. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, and they would be ready.
Continue to chapter X...