Six days of travel had passed without incident.
The journey from the Kaiser estate toward Lyra's shrine followed well-maintained roads through forests and rolling hills, passing through small villages where the carriage stopped briefly for supplies before continuing.
The guards at the helm maintained vigilance, their eyes scanning the treeline for bandits or wild animals that might threaten their charges.
Inside the carriage, an uneasy rhythm had developed.
Rhys spent most of his time staring out the window, watching the countryside pass with the interest of someone who'd spent their childhood locked away.
Slyph hovered near his shoulder, her green aura providing soft light when the forest canopy blocked the sun.
Father Caelen maintained his contemplative silence, occasionally offering observations about the religious significance of landmarks they passed, but otherwise content to let the journey unfold without unnecessary conversation.
