They continued their journey along the familiar path, traversing steep roads between hills and ravines now shrouded in morning mist. The night air had grown cold and biting, the sound of a flowing stream breaking the silence among the three.
The sky above remained dark, but the stars that usually adorned the night sky were now obscured by thin clouds gathering in the air. Lucian felt inside his vest, beneath his long cloak, retrieving a small pocket watch. It showed three in the morning. Mue had been right; they would reach the capital before dawn.
Soon, the silhouette of the Imperial capital's gate appeared in the distance. Little activity was visible at this hour; only a few guards stood watch before the city gates.
Mue frowned. He thought entering through the main gate at this time would arouse suspicion, and considered a different approach. He glanced back at Lucian and Nue, nodding subtly to indicate an alternative route.
