Eastern City

Caspian slept for almost an entire day, rousing only when the air in the room felt suffocating. And, of course, hunger eventually forced him out.

He slipped into the tavern silently, ate, and spent the next day in a quiet corner, listening for any useful news. The whispers were faint, fragmented, but they only confirmed what he already knew the empire was collapsing.

He had to leave.

At dawn, Caspian rose. It was time to make his way to the capital. His life depended on it.

Still, there was a hesitation in the way he dressed the capital held no wealth of good memories for him.

His fingers lingered over the slight crack on his stomach. Heat pulsed beneath his palm. He sighed and fastened the outer layers of his clothes, letting the fabric conceal the slight glow.

He left the key in his hand as he walked to the counter. The tavern keeper was where he always seemed to be behind the counter.

Caspian dropped the key onto the wood. The clatter was unnecessarily loud in the quiet gloom of the tavern.

His gaze flickered to the man. Even in the darkness, the tavern keeper's figure was unsettling. His irises, sharp and knowing, seemed to pierce the shadows. Caspian suppressed a shiver. At least this is the end of their karma.

"Blessings for your hospitality," he muttered, offering a polite farewell.

The man didn't respond.

A few awkward seconds passed. Caspian's hands clenched and unclenched.

"I'll take my leave now."

Something shifted in the tavern keeper's face. Caspian had the strange feeling that he wanted to say something.

But he didn't.

Then, just as he turned

"You wish to go to the capital."

Caspian stilled. Slowly, he turned back to face the man.

"I will go with you."

The words sounded like they'd been wrenched from him, as though they were painful to say. Caspian almost found it amusing but life had taught him to be cautious.

"I'm visiting a sister there," the man added. "The roads are perilous. I can offer you protection. And I have a camel."

The words, though seemingly an offer, came in that same deep, raspy voice more haughty than pleading.

Caspian raised a brow. A Bold claim for a tavern keeper at this forsaken corner of the empire.

He did not know this man at all, and he did not seem trustworthy. Good sense told him to decline.

"I plan on leaving now," Caspian said.

"The camel is ready." The response came without hesitation.

Caspian nodded.

So much for all my self-acclaimed survival skills.

In his defense, a camel would shorten the journey significantly.

He would never admit that his decision was also, in part, driven by curiosity.

This man was strange. And Caspian wanted to know why.

Caspian watched as the man hoisted a small bag onto the camel's back.

He really was efficient. Caspian had to give him that.

Ownership of the tavern had been handed off, and in just a few minutes, the man was fully prepared to leave. Almost too efficient.

Caspian exhaled. "What do you answer to?"

A name was a serious commitment to a person. Had they really reached that point?

"Seti," the man answered.

"Well, I am Caspian," he said. Seti only nodded in response.

In one fluid motion, Seti mounted the camel and looked back.

Caspian approached, running his fingers over the dark, shaggy fur. The warmth of the beast's body pulsed beneath his palm. It had been some time since he'd ridden one of these creatures.

That much was obvious when he failed to hoist himself onto the saddle smoothly.

The journey began at a slow, rolling pace. The sun had only begun its ascent, its weak morning rays spilling over the horizon. They moved so leisurely that Caspian struggled to keep his silence. He could have covered more ground on foot at this rate.

He needn't have worried.

By the ninth morning hour, they picked up speed. By noon, they were moving so fast that Caspian could barely think.

Wind whipped against his face, so fierce he was sure he'd have whiplash. His hair lashed into his eyes, stinging so badly they ached.

What sort of lunatic had he paired himself with?

And worse he couldn't complain. That would make him seem… make him seem… gahhh.

The sun was merciless, heat rolling off the dunes in waves. Sweat pooled beneath his clothes, tracing every curve of his body. Fine desert sand irritated his nose, clinging to his skin. The roads were remote and empty, nothing but vast, open wilderness stretching in every direction.

Seti did not stop. His posture remained rigid, unbothered by the heat.

Caspian shuddered to think of how much worse it must be under the thick turban wrapped around the man's head, beneath the heavy leather layers he wore. Compared to him, Caspian was practically underdressed.

And yet, Seti rode on without a word.

Caspian clenched his jaw. He had a feeling this was going to be a long journey.

Seti only slowed their pace as they neared the outskirts of Akhum, the great eastern city. The sun had dipped low, its once-scorching rays now faded into hues of orange and violet. In the distance, the city gates loomed—high stone structures that seemed to merge with the sky.

"We should stay in the city for the night" he heard Seti say "I have ready accomodation"

"Yes that works" Caspian voice was so hoarse it was barely audible.

Caspian barely felt the shift in pace. His lower body was numb, his back stiff from hours of effort not to lean into Seti's form. His throat felt like sandpaper. He was battered, exhausted, and every breath he took carried the weight of their relentless journey.

By the time they reached the city gates, the camel had slowed to a trot. Caspian reached for his flask, gulping down water with a desperation he didn't bother hiding. They joined a long line of caravans and horses, all waiting for entry.

Then, suddenly—Seti tensed.

Without a word, he turned and handed Caspian a strip of cloth.

"Tie it."

Caspian blinked, confused, but took it. His mother had been from the East—this was something she had taught him. He made quick work of securing the fabric over his face, concealing his features.

As they moved forward, the undercurrents of tension in the air became unmistakable.

Through the endless line of caravans, carriages, and weary travelers, there was an eerie stillness. None of the usual rowdy bustle that Easterners were known for. No merchants shouting deals, no travelers arguing, no children laughing.

Just silence.

His stomach twisted. Everything had changed.

By the time the moon hung high in the sky, they had reached the front of the line.

It was finally their turn to enter

When a harsh voice rang out.

"No more entry!"

The words came from the guards stationed at the gate, their voices blending together in an unyielding decree. There were at least twenty of them, fully covered from head to toe, only their sharp, watching eyes visible. They brandished their spears, their stance rigid and unwavering.

Caspian nearly groaned aloud from the injustice of it all. But his frustration was cut short because Seti didn't stop.

Instead, he pressed forward.

"We bid you halt or face death!"

The command came sharper this time, the weight of it final. Caspian didn't doubt for a second that they meant it. His heart hammered. He reached out, fingers twisting into Seti's robes.

Seti took another step forward.

Caspian's pulse raced as he caught sight of a guard poised to strike. He could feel the weight of countless eyes on them.