The caravan creaked gently as it rolled along the quiet dirt path, flanked by thinning trees and golden tufts of wild grass. No one spoke for a while, the only sound being the rhythmic clatter of wheels and the occasional snort of the horses. Seraphine sat near the front, her eyes fixed ahead but her mind wandering elsewhere.
It was Ronan who finally broke the silence.
"Well, since we'll be traveling together for a bit, why don't I introduce my crew to you?" He gestured toward the large man seated at the rear. "That mountain of muscle there is George. He's been with me from the very start. Looks scary, right? But don't be fooled—he's probably the kindest soul I've ever met."
George gave a small grunt, lifting his hand in a brief wave.
Ronan continued, pointing next to a scrawny, bright-eyed boy barely in his teens. "That's Leo. He's tagging along thanks to a request from my father—learning the ropes of trade and how to not get swindled. Or at least that's the plan."
Leo gave a sheepish smile and muttered, "Still working on that last part."
Ronan chuckled and gestured toward a man cloaked in gray, who had barely looked up since they started moving. "That's Sven. He's not much of a talker, but give him a market stall and he'll wring a discount out of a stone. Sharp mind, sharper tongue—when he chooses to use it."
Sven gave Seraphine a brief nod, acknowledging her presence.
"And last but not least," Ronan said, his tone softening as he looked toward the young woman seated near the back, her fiery red hair tucked behind her ears. "That's Rose. We found her not long ago—she was with a circus group that got attacked by bandits. Since then, she's been traveling with us."
Rose looked up and offered Seraphine a gentle smile tinged with sadness.
George stretched, cracking his knuckles as he glanced at Seraphine. "Alright, now that you know about us, how about you return the favor? Got anything interesting to share?"
Seraphine smiled faintly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I'm Seraphine, a knight from the Ironwood Guard. Not much to say beyond that. I don't really have any particular likes or dislikes… just doing my duty and trying to keep things peaceful."
George leaned forward slightly, grinning. "So, Seraphine, do you have anyone you're fond of? You know, someone special?"
She blinked at him, momentarily caught off guard. Then she chuckled. "No, I'm not really looking for that sort of thing right now."
George groaned dramatically. "Ah, come on! You're young! You've got time, energy, and no kids to look after. If not now, then when? Love's not going to wait forever, you know."
Seraphine smirked and shrugged. "Maybe. If I ever meet someone worth taking a risk for."
George snorted and clapped Ronan hard on the back, making the merchant jolt in surprise. He gave him a sly side glance as if to say, Your move.
Ronan quickly stood up. "Alright, alright! That's enough fun for one evening. The sun's dipping low, and we've got some tents to pitch before it gets dark."
The group gradually came to a halt near a small clearing. As they began unpacking and setting up camp, the mood softened. The day's warmth was fading, replaced by a cool, crisp breeze. A few small lanterns flickered to life, casting a gentle glow around the campsite.
Seraphine sat near the edge of the firelight, her gaze fixed on the flickering flames. The others chatted quietly or busied themselves with chores, leaving her with her thoughts.
From somewhere behind, Han whispered just loud enough for her to hear, "Not a bad start, huh?"
She didn't respond immediately, but a small smile tugged at the corner of her lips.