Free Web NovelChapter 210: Trip to the capital
The carriage set off from Selvarum Manor, the horses moving at a steady pace as the afternoon sun shone over the horizon. The silence inside the carriage was broken only by the sound of the wooden wheels creaking on the dirt road and the horses’ hooves pounding the ground.
Victor gazed out the window at the green hills stretching ahead. His mind was full of thoughts of what awaited them in the capital, but he also felt a pang of nostalgia as he remembered the friends he had left behind.
Aluella, sitting next to him, took his hand and squeezed it gently. "It’s going to be okay, Victor. We’re in this together."
Victor smiled, comforted by Aluella’s words. "I know. It’s just... we left a lot behind. But like I said, it’s not goodbye forever."
Wanda, sitting on the other side of the carriage, leaned forward. "And we have an important mission ahead of us. We mustn’t forget that."
"True," Victor replied, straightening up in his seat. "Let’s focus on what lies ahead." ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm
The caravan they were traveling with consisted of several other wagons and carts carrying goods and passengers. The group was led by an experienced merchant named Hektor, a stocky man with a thick beard and a wise look. He had accepted Victor and his friends into the caravan in exchange for protection, knowing that having skilled warriors at his side could be useful on an often dangerous road.
At nightfall, the caravan stopped in a clearing sheltered by tall trees that provided a natural shelter from the cold winds. Fires were lit, and soon the smell of roasting meat filled the air, mingling with the woody scent of the surrounding trees.
Victor and his friends joined the other travelers around one of the fires. Hector was there, telling stories of his many travels.
"I’ve seen it all on these roads," he said, biting into a piece of meat. "Bandits, wild creatures, monsters, and even ghosts, if you believe the stories of the ancients."
Wanda, always curious, leaned forward. "Ghosts? Have you ever seen a real one? I’ve always wanted to see one."
Hector laughed, his eyes shining in the firelight. "Not with those eyes, no. But I know people who swear they’ve seen them. And on a dark night, with a full moon, it’s easy to believe anything that moves in the shadows."
Aluella looked at Victor, her eyes reflecting the firelight. "Do you think we’ll be in any danger on this journey?"
Victor shook his head thoughtfully. "There is always danger, Aluella. But we’ll take care of each other."
The night passed quietly, the sounds of the surrounding forest serving as a soundtrack to the travelers’ sleep. Victor slept with his hand on the hilt of his sword, ready for any eventuality.
On the second day of the journey, the caravan made its way through a dense forest where the sunlight barely penetrated the treetops. The gloomy atmosphere had everyone on alert, watching for any suspicious movement.
Victor, Aluella and Wanda rode alongside the wagon, preferring to keep moving and observing their surroundings.
"Something doesn’t seem right," muttered Victor, his eyes scanning the shadows between the trees.
"I feel it too," Aluella replied, her heightened senses picking up small sounds that might go unnoticed by others.
Wanda nodded. "Let’s stay alert. I don’t want to be surprised."
On the third day, as the caravan made its way through a narrow valley, the tension began to build. The valley was known to be a favorite place for bandit ambushes, and all the travelers were on high alert.
Suddenly, a cry was heard ahead of the caravan.
"Bandits! We’re under attack!" Hector’s voice echoed through the valley, causing a stir among the travelers.
Victor drew his sword and ran forward, followed closely by Aluella and Wanda. They found Hector and other guards fighting a group of armed bandits. The bandits, dressed in rags and armed with swords and bows, were numerous and well organized.
"Protect the carriages!" shouted Victor, entering the fray with determination. His sword flashed as he delivered precise blows, knocking down the attackers one by one.
Aluella, with her agile and precise movements, fought alongside Victor, her blade dancing like an extension of her own body. Wanda, meanwhile, used her magic to disarm and incapacitate the bandits, casting spells of paralysis and confusion.
The battle was brief. With the help of Victor, Wanda, and Aluella, the caravan managed to repel the bandits. Hektor, covered in sweat and blood, approached Victor with a look of gratitude. "You saved our lives. I can’t thank you enough."
Victor, still panting, just nodded. "It was a team effort. We’re here to help."
With the threat of the bandits gone, the caravan continued its journey. However, the atmosphere was more tense, with everyone more alert and prepared for any further attacks.
On the fourth night, as they camped by a river, Victor stepped away from the group to reflect. He looked up at the starry sky, feeling the weight of responsibility on his shoulders. Aluella approached silently and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Are you all right?"
Victor smiled, though his look was serious. "Yes, I’m just thinking about what awaits us in the capital. We have to be ready for anything."
"We will be," Aluella said firmly. "We’re together, and that’s what counts."
Wanda joined them, bringing a small bottle of wine she had found among the caravan’s supplies. "Let’s drink a toast," she suggested with a mischievous smile. "To our adventures and to what’s to come."
They lifted the flask and drank, feeling the warmth of the wine spread through their bodies. They laughed, shared stories and memories, strengthening the bonds that bound them together.
On the fifth day of the journey, the caravan faced its greatest challenge. While crossing a mountainous region, they were surprised by a landslide that blocked the way. Wagons and carts became stuck, and panic spread among the travelers.
"We’ve got to get these rocks out of the way," said Hector in despair. "But it will take days."
Victor analyzed the situation, his eyes scanning the unstable terrain. "We must find another route. If we stay here, we’ll be vulnerable to more attacks."
Aluella and Wanda agreed. "Let’s explore the area," Wanda suggested. "Maybe we can find an alternate route."
They ventured into the mountains, moving carefully to avoid more landslides. After hours of searching, they found a narrow passage that might serve as an alternate route.
"It’s not ideal, but it might work," Victor said, assessing the path. "Let’s get back and warn the others."
Back at the caravan, they explained the situation to Hektor and the other travelers.
"We must proceed with caution," Victor warned, his firm words echoing in the clearing where the caravan had temporarily stopped. "The passage is narrow and the ground unstable. But it’s our best chance to keep moving."
Hektor nodded, visibly relieved but aware of the challenges they still faced. "Let’s organize the groups and start moving the wagons. Victor, Aluella, Wanda, lead the way and make sure the path is safe."
With a nod, Victor, Aluella and Wanda prepared for the task ahead. They knew that the responsibility of leading the caravan would fall on their shoulders, and any mistake could be fatal.
As they made their way through the narrow passage, Victor walked ahead, his senses alert for any sign of danger. The wind howled between the rocks, creating a haunting sound that echoed through the mountain peaks. The tension grew with each step, but Victor remained calm, guided by an instinct to protect himself.
"Aluella, watch for any sign of slipping," he instructed, his voice low but firm.
Aluella, with her natural agility, moved like a shadow, her eyes constantly scanning the surrounding terrain. "Understood, Victor. Nothing goes unnoticed by me."
Wanda, for her part, used her magic to stabilize small areas where the ground seemed more unstable. Her hands glowed with a soft light as she cast reinforcing spells, solidifying the path ahead. "This should help prevent further landslides," she said, her voice carrying a tone of concentration.
The caravan began to move, slowly but surely, through the narrow passage. The wagons creaked as they were pulled and the horses whinnied nervously, but the advance continued. The travelers remained silent, their faces marked with determination.
Hours passed as the caravan moved inch by inch over the mountain. Finally, as the sun began to set, they emerged on the other side, exhausted but relieved. The view was breathtaking - a green valley stretched out below, bathed in the golden light of dusk.
"We made it," Victor said, allowing himself a brief smile. "We’ll camp here tonight. Everyone needs to rest."
The caravan quickly organized itself and set up camp in the safe valley. The fire was lit and the smell of food filled the air, a welcome comfort after the day’s ordeal. Victor, Aluella and Wanda sat together, sharing a simple meal and discussing their next steps.
"Our journey is still long," Victor pondered, looking at the map Hektor had rolled out on a flat stone. "We’re halfway to the capital of Athínas, and the rumors of bandits in the area are not encouraging."
Aluella nodded, her eyes fixed on the map. "We must be prepared for any eventuality. The safety of everyone here depends on us."
Wanda looked thoughtfully into the fire. "I have some protective spells we can use. It will give us an advantage if we are attacked again."
Victor smiled, feeling a surge of gratitude for his companions. "We are ready. Let’s rest and continue tomorrow. Every day brings us closer to our goal."
Night fell over the camp, bringing a temporary calm. The travelers slept, regaining their strength for the challenges ahead. Victor, however, stayed awake for a while, reflecting on the responsibility he carried.
He looked up at the stars, feeling a deep connection to the night sky. The stars shone with a mysterious intensity, as if offering guidance. Victor knew that whatever the obstacles, he and his companions would find a way to overcome them.
At dawn on the sixth day, the caravan was on the move again. As they crossed the verdant valley, the landscape began to change. Dense trees gave way to open fields and rolling hills. The weather seemed milder as well, with a light breeze bringing a touch of freshness.
As they rode, Victor couldn’t help but admire the beauty of the Kingdom of Athínas. It was a constant reminder of why he fought - to protect these lands and the people who inhabited them.
"Our journey is almost over," Wanda commented as she watched the horizon. "We’re only a few days from the capital."
"Yes," Victor replied, his thoughts turning to the preparations that would be needed when they arrived. "But we can’t let our guard down. There are still many dangers ahead of us."
The terrain became rockier again, with steep cliffs rising on either side. The road narrowed and Victor felt a sense of foreboding. He looked at Aluella, who nodded, aware of the potential danger.
"Let’s keep our eyes open," Victor warned, increasing his vigilance. "Anything suspicious, report it immediately."
The caravan moved on, moving cautiously along the narrow road. The silence was oppressive, broken only by the sound of horses’ hooves and the creaking of wagon wheels.
Suddenly, Victor stopped, his eyes fixed on a lone figure ahead. A man stood in the middle of the road, his face hidden by a hood. He looked harmless, but Victor knew that appearances could be deceiving.
"Who’s coming?" Victor shouted, his hand instinctively moving to the hilt of his sword.
The man raised his head, revealing an enigmatic smile. "Do not be afraid," he said, his voice calm but with a warning tone. "You are approaching dangerous territory. Allow me to give you some advice."
Victor narrowed his eyes and studied the stranger. "And what would that advice be?"
"There is a group of mercenaries camped up ahead," the man replied, his gaze serious.
