The road stretched on for two more days.
They traveled under the vast sky and along twisting trails. The land slowly transformed, with fields gradually changing into rough terrain. Hills rose and fell like waves turned to stone. Arguments would ignite and fizzle out quickly. Meals were taken in tired quiet or interrupted by small grumbles. At night, their sleep was lighter than before. Every unfamiliar sound triggered anxieties that lingered in the back of their minds.
On the third morning, a stone wall appeared in the distance.
Grayward, Clara announced as they got closer.
The town sat low on the horizon, its outer walls worn by weather but still standing. A wide gate stood open, the road leading inside smoothed by countless carts and travelers.
Clara paused near the entrance and faced the group.
From this point, she said, we'll join a caravan. In two days, we should be near Xane Cave.
A wave of relief spread through them.
Carkhat sighed. At last.
Dary stretched. A bed, she said. And decent food.
Even Garry felt his muscles relax. The thought of sleeping inside, of warmth that wasn't shared with the damp ground, felt like a luxury.
They walked through the gate.
Instantly, something felt wrong.
The streets were deserted.
There were no merchants shouting.
No carts clattering on the stone.
Only the sound of their own footsteps.
Shutters were tightly closed over shop windows. Doors were either bolted shut or hanging open, creaking softly in the breeze. Fabric banners drooped from poles, their colors faded by dust.
Dary slowed down. Where did everyone go?
They moved deeper into the town. Their boots echoed too loudly. A market square opened before them. Stalls were abandoned, crates overturned, scraps of cloth scattered across the ground as if people had left in a hurry.
Garry's uneasiness grew.
This place feels… off, he whispered.
I don't like this, Dary said. We should go.
Clara shook her head. Not yet.
She looked around, her eyes moving from alley to rooftop. Something happened here. We need to find out what.
We won't get involved, Clara added quietly. We'll just observe.
They continued reluctantly.
Minutes dragged by. Twenty, maybe more.
Then—
A sound.
Faint at first.
Shouting.
Angry voices, distant but clear.
They followed the sound through narrow streets, turning corner after corner until they reached the town's central square.
Hundreds of people were gathered there.
Men, women, and even children. Their faces were tight with anger and fear. Some held banners. Others raised clenched fists. Symbols were painted quickly on cloth and boards, dark and crude.
Garry's breath caught.
He recognized them.
The markings.
I've seen those before, he said softly.
Acarme turned to him. Where?
At the academy, Garry said. In the market area. On Sunday
Acarme frowned. You're right. I remember now.
They stood at the edge of the crowd, unnoticed for the moment.
Garry couldn't clearly heard what the people were shouting only catch what certain words. Rage. Accusation. Desperation.
He looked at Clara. Do you know what this is about?
Clara's expression didn't change. No.
Then, more firmly, But I know at least one thing. We stay out of it.
Dary glance toward the road past the square. That way's blocked.
The road was blocked by bodies packed together, banners raised high. There was no way through without pushing into the crowd.
Silence fell over the group.
We can't stay here, Cael said.
Clara nodded. No.
She motioned them away from the square, guiding them down a narrow side street. Once they were out of sight, she pulled a map from her pack and spread it across a crate.
She studied it for a long moment.
Then she looked up.
We go around, she said. Through the Zaren Forest.
Carkhat's eyebrows rose. That'll take longer.
A week, perhaps more, Clara replied. But we have time.
Cael hesitated. What about supplies?
That's a problem, Clara admitted.
They searched the town for nearly an hour.
Every shop was closed.
Every door was locked.
There was not a single merchant left.
Finally, Clara folded the map away.
We leave, she said. We'll set up camp outside the town.
She paused, then added, From now on, we ration what we have. We'll have to depend on what we find along the way.
Garry nodded. I've done that before.
They left Grayward behind, its silent streets watching them go.
A few miles away, they made camp.
That night, sleep evaded them, and they had trouble sleeping good.
And when the sun rose again, they headed toward the shadowed trees of the Zaren Forest.