Chapter 18 – Night Blossom

Daytime at the Argwager residence always had a distinct atmosphere; a mix of the bustling servants moving deftly and the majestic silence of the palace's stone walls. However, that afternoon, there was a different pulse of energy. The sun had shifted high in the sky, bathing the courtyard in warm, golden light, yet the northern air's chill still bit at the skin.

A large horse-drawn carriage, far more luxurious than a military scout carriage, was prepared in the main courtyard. Four sturdy dark brown horses pulled it, their coats gleaming under the sunlight. The carriage itself was made of sturdy oak wood with intricate carvings of the Argwager family crest on its side, its windows layered with magic crystals that would ward off cold and disturbance. This was not merely a mode of transport; it was a representation of the Duke Argwager's status.

Alex stood beside the carriage, wearing a thick, dark gray wool travel cloak with the Argwager emblem embroidered on his chest. A small leather bag hung at his waist, containing a journal, a pen, and some emergency potions. He had bathed thoroughly; the smell of defeat that Orvin had mocked was now replaced by the scent of herbal soap and spring freshness. His mind, though still pondering the new task awaiting him, was now lighter. There was a kind of euphoria, a burning curiosity behind his youthful calmness. This was an adventure. A real adventure, without a safety net.

A middle-aged man with a thick mustache and a leather hat, whom Alex recognized as Roldan, the family's head coachman, was already seated on the driver's bench. Behind him, inside the carriage, three young servants were busy arranging supplies—two girls Alex knew as Lena and Mira, and a boy named Finn. They were a small team, assigned to cater to his every need on a journey that might take several days.

"Ready, Young Master?" asked Roldan, his voice hoarse but friendly. He had served the Argwager family for decades, and his expression was always calm, like an undisturbed lake. Alex nodded, a faint smile gracing his lips. "Certainly, Roldan. Always ready." He stepped into the carriage. The interior was spacious and comfortable, with plush cushions, a small folding table, and a mini bookshelf already filled with several volumes. Lena and Mira bowed respectfully. Finn, who was younger, just smiled nervously.

"Everything is ready, Young Master," said Lena, her voice soft like a spring breeze. "Food supplies, water, potions, clothes... we've made sure nothing is lacking." "Good," Alex replied. "Thank you, Lena." The carriage door closed from the outside, and a moment later, a gentle jolt was felt as the horses began to move. The journey had begun.

The beginning of the journey felt smooth. The carriage traveled at a constant speed on a well-maintained gravel road. Alex watched the familiar northern landscape recede—hills that still held remnants of snow on their peaks, towering pine forests, and a few farmhouses emitting thin smoke from their chimneys. The atmosphere inside the carriage was warm and comfortable.

"Young Master," Finn's voice broke the silence, "is this... a long journey?" Alex turned.

Finn was a timid boy, often hiding behind Lena or Mira if something was even slightly surprising. "Perhaps a few days, Finn," Alex answered gently.

"Why? Are you bored?" Finn shook his head quickly. "No, Young Master. It's just... I've never been this far from the palace." Mira, who was bolder, chuckled softly.

"This will be a fun experience, Finn. I'm sure Young Master Alex will keep us safe."

"Of course," Alex echoed, nodding at Mira. A sense of responsibility warmed his chest. This was his team, small and perhaps untrained for battle, but they relied on him. This was part of his new role.

They passed several small villages still slumbering in spring's peace, with the faint aroma of baked bread and burning wood. The interactions within the carriage flowed lightly. Lena asked if Alex needed warm herbal tea, Mira told stories about palace kitchen gossip, and Finn, after a few hours, began to feel comfortable enough to enthusiastically point out birds outside the window. Alex listened, sometimes responding with a smile or a brief comment, enjoying the cheerful atmosphere. This was 'the interactions that shaped me,' as he once noted in his journal. This was home, in a different form.

As afternoon began to give way to evening, the scenery began to change. The gravel road turned into a narrower dirt path, and the pine forests were replaced by broad-leaved trees that were beginning to show their greenery. The air felt softer, not as cold as the north. Roldan slowed the horses. "We will be entering the Aethelbloom plains shortly, Young Master," Roldan said from the driver's bench. "I suggest we set up camp before it gets completely dark. That place... is very vast and sometimes misleading at night." Alex nodded. He remembered reading about Aethelbloom. A giant green meadow that was a natural wonder—a vast expanse of wildflowers blooming year-round, their colors changing with the seasons and lunar cycles. A beautiful place, yet untouched by human intervention.

A few minutes later, the carriage slowed to a complete stop. Alex opened the window curtain. They were at the edge of a seemingly boundless plain, covered in a shimmering golden-green carpet under the twilight glow. And amidst the green, small white flower petals began to glow faintly, like stars fallen to earth. "Night Light Flowers," Lena whispered, her eyes sparkling with awe. "They only bloom perfectly when the moon shines brightly." Alex felt a strange sensation. There was a strong magical aura in this place. He had read that Aethelbloom was one of the places where natural energy was so pure that certain flowers could absorb moonlight and re-emit it.

This was a sacred, mysterious, and undeniably beautiful place.