Kaiser and Aria walked down the mountain of tombs, which extended endlessly behind them. The weight of the place held on to them like a second skin, but each step drove them farther away from the cemetery's uncanny beauty.

  Years of solemn visitors who had climbed to pay their respects or bury their dead had left an uneven dirt path that wound down the slope. The only sound that followed them now was the gentle crunch of boots on gravelly ground. Kaiser turned his head back one more time, seeing the last rows headstones stretching into the mountain, like soldiers standing in formation. The low sun sent long shadows and suffused the graves with a warm, nearly apocalyptic light. It was beautiful in a way he didn’t have words for but that felt deeply unsettling.

  Silence remained between them, the atmosphere thick with unspoken thoughts. The trees surrounding the path were sparse, the once-dense forest of webs and looming shadows had completely vanished, replaced by an open expanse where the ground was dry and cracked in some places. A gentle breeze stirred the air, but it carried no comfort—only the lingering scent of earth and faint decay.

  Kaiser tried to distract himself by focusing on the road ahead, but the image of the cemetery stayed with him. It was a place unlike any he had ever seen, and the absurdity of it all weighed heavily on his mind. He wasn’t in his world anymore—he was sure of it then.

  It took more than an hour of walking, but eventually a view of the base of the mountain?appeared and the dirt path broadened into a flatter trail. The cemetery finally faded behind a covey of tall trees and retreated into the distance, and Kaiser felt a strange fusion of relief and comfort.

  “Good riddance,” he mumbled to himself.

  Aria, half a step ahead of him, cocked her head?slightly. “What did you say?”

  “Nothing.” He shook his head. “Just happy to be out of there.”

  She gave a small hum of agreement, though her expression didn’t change.

  They followed the trail as it wound through a large clearing. The landscape was different here, less oppressive but still strange in its own way. The ground was dotted with lonely trees, their twisted branches reaching towards the sky like hands looking for something to grab on to. The silence of the graveyard had followed them, broken only by the faint rustle of leaves in the wind.

  The dirt path they followed began to gradually alter, widening and smoothing with each step they took. The barren, uneven terrain turned into what seemed?a more well-trodden road, its surface further compacted with the passing of innumerable feet, hooves and wheels.

  The path curved gently to the left, revealing a narrower trail merging with their own. Though smaller, it bore the same signs of wear—packed earth, scattered stones, and tufts of grass creeping along its edges where footsteps rarely fell. Like tributaries joining a river, the two paths became one, widening into a single road stretching into the distance.

  He glanced at Aria, who walked slightly ahead, her pace steady and purposeful. If the fusion of the paths meant anything to her, she didn’t show it.

  Slowly, however, from within the silence came a sound—a distant rumble?that deepened each passing second. Kaiser slowed down, his brow knitting. “Do you hear that?” he asked, his voice low.

  Aria cocked her head toward the sound. “I do.”

  As they walked, the sound grew clearer—wooden wheels creaking, the weary thud of hooves striking earth. At first, there was nothing in sight, but then a small dot appeared on the road behind them. It swelled with each passing second, approaching faster than their steady pace, the rhythmic beat of hooves growing sharper with its advance.

  Kaiser’s eyes narrowed as the outline sharpened—a sturdy, enclosed carriage drawn by two powerful horses, their glossy coats glinting with sweat. The sigil on the side, though, meant nothing to him.

  For him, it was just another potential threat. When the caravan finally came to a halt a few paces behind them, the horses tossed their heads, breaking the brittle silence with sharp snorts. The wooden frame groaned under the weight of whatever—or whoever—was inside.

  Kaiser stepped in front of Aria out of reflex, his hand squeezing firm into a fist. "Remain behind me."

  Aria tilted her head, “Bandits don’t usually travel in caravans this fancy,” she said softly, though her hand lightly touched his arm to stop him from advancing further. “Wait.”

  Kaiser glanced over his shoulder at her, his brows knitting together. Her fingers lingered briefly on his forearm—a small, steadying gesture that was meant to tell him to stand down. Aria’s attention was elsewhere, her gaze fixed on the sigil painted on the side of the caravan.

  It was a rose, but unlike any Kaiser had seen. The petals were made of jagged rays of light, sharp and radiant, cutting outward like the blazing points of a star. The symbol seemed to shimmer faintly, even in the dimming light, as if it were more than just paint.

  “We’re safe,”?Aria said, her voice low and reverential. Her grip fell from Kaiser’s arm, her?body noticeably relaxing while the tension in his remained. “That’s the symbol of the Liberatorium?of the South.”

  “The what?” Kaiser frowned, not having the slightest idea of what she was talking about.

  She glanced toward him, her expression unreadable as the faintest smile tugged at the corners of her lips. “Later,” she said, shaking her head. “Just… trust me on this one.”

  Kaiser remained in front of Aria, his guard still up despite her reassurances. His eyes were fixed on the doors of the caravan, waiting to see who or what would step out.

  The creature to step from the caravan was unlike anything Kaiser had ever seen: an enormous, anthropomorphic toad. He stood well over two meters tall, and?his rotund body was draped with flowing purple garments that faintly sparkled in the light. His dotted skin resembled a green, darker streaks around his wide, bulbous hands and thick, webbed fingers curling as he got out of the wagon.

  But it was his head that really got noticed. His face was broad and flat, like a toad, with two bulging eyes protruding from either side of?his head. They shimmered as they caught light, their dark irises swirling with curiosity and joy. His gaze, though, felt strangely direct, as if it could see in any direction he wished to.

  His wide, toothless mouth was framed by an enormous white beard, thick and bushy, spilling down his chest like a waterfall of snow. His mustache was longer, curled out in big, almost silly spirals?that bounced slightly when he moved. The beard itself was meticulously maintained, with an air of pride in its presentation, lending him the dignified appearance of a sage—or perhaps an eccentric elder.

  “Ahhh!” the creature roared, his voice loud and deep yet warm. He flung out his long arms as if greeting old friends. “Travelers on the road! Always a pleasant sight. Greetings! I am Glunko, lowly merchant and seller of fine wares!” He walked all the way into the road, bowing low with an over-the-top flourish, his mustache swaying around him. “And who do I have the pleasure of meeting today?”

  Kaiser parted his lips, but before he could speak, Aria moved closer, her voice light and melodic. “I’m Aria,” she said cheerfully, her lips quirked in a smile that Kaiser knew was fake. “And this is Dio.” Kaiser gave her a sidelong look, his eyebrows raising somewhat at the alias. She avoided eye contact with him, focusing solely on Glunko, her grin unwavering. Realizing that it was probably best to act along, Kaiser forced a nod. “Dio,” he repeated, holding out his hand. “It is a pleasure to meet such a fine merchant.”

  Glunko’s wide grin nearly doubled, and he let out a resounding laugh that startled the horses. “Dio! A good name, firm and straightforward. And Aria! How delightful to meet you both!” He took Kaiser’s hand in his long fingers, shaking it so vigorously that Kaiser felt his arm rattle. “Oh, I know already—good people, good people!”

  Kaiser withdrew his hand discreetly, attempting not to flinch at the power of the shake. Glunko next addressed Aria, bowing slightly as if she were royalty. “And a woman, on the road too. Always a good sign! The road can be rough, but it’s good to those who meet it with grace and courage.”

  “Thanks,” Aria replied, her tone sugary, but Kaiser noticed the briefest shift in her body language, as though she was holding herself just a little tighter. She cocked her head slightly, examining Glunko but otherwise remaining silent. Glunko, unaware of the nuances of her body language, clapped his hands together, his smile unwavering.

  “Well, my friends, what brings you to this lonely stretch of road? Mercenaries, explorers, nomads? Or maybe… something more mysterious?” He wiggled his long fingers theatrically, lowering his voice into a conspiratorial whisper.

  “Wanderers,” Kaiser shot back, his voice steady but neutral. “Just passing through.”

  Glunko nodded sagely, his mustache twitching. “Ah, wanderers! The world’s soul you are. Never static, never stopped. I ask—do you look for anything in particular? A treasure? A purpose? Or simply a meal? I have goods for every need!” He waved grandly at the caravan behind him. “Exotic spices, fine weapons, rare tomes… and for the weary wayfarer, food to fill the belly!”

  Kaiser’s stomach rumbled at the mention of food. His face turned slightly red as Glunko erupted in laughter. “Ah, hunger! The truest of needs! Do not worry about that, my good Dio, for Glunko never allows a wayfarer to go hungry. Come, come let us break bread and tell road stories!”

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  Kaiser hesitated instinctively, but Aria laid a hand on his arm lightly. “He’s harmless,” she said quietly, with a note of amusement. Glunko beamed; his obliviousness was almost endearing.

  “Harmless? Oh, darling, I should certainly hope so! My only weapons are my silver tongue—and perhaps a sturdy frying pan if the need arises!” He laughed again, slapping his belly in joy.

  Kaiser found himself exhaling slowly, the pressure in his?shoulders lifting. There was something disarming about Glunko’s uncomplicated enthusiasm and his sincere pleasure at meeting new people. Yet as they trailed him toward the caravan, Kaiser stole a look at Aria and wondered what went behind that cheery facade she was putting on.

  For now, however, they had found a rare thing on the road: a moment of rest. And as Glunko started rummaging around his caravan, listing off the merits of the various goods he possessed, Kaiser permitted himself to relax — at least a little.

  As soon as Glunko disappeared into the caravan, the brief moment of quiet between Aria and Kaiser stretched out, but only for a bit before Kaiser cleared his throat. “You seemed awfully trusting of that guy,” he said, keeping his tone light but laced with curiosity. “Do you know him?”

  Aria swivelled her head, ever so slightly, a smile escaping her lips. “Not personally,” she replied, her voice calm. “But I know where he is from. He hails from the Southern Liberatorium. His crest—the Shining Rose—is a mark of someone who we can trust."

  Kaiser raised an eyebrow, trying to act as though he understood. “The Northern Liberatorium,” he repeated slowly, as if testing the words. “Right… makes sense.”

  Aria’s head tilted, and she narrowed her eyes at him. “You don’t even know what the Liberatoriums are, do you?

  Kaiser’s chest tightened. He felt a pang of embarrassment but quickly covered it with a shrug. “I wasn’t looking at the emblem, to be honest,” he muttered. “I was more focused on the giant frog man stepping out of a fancy caravan.”

  She didn’t laugh. Her sharp gaze lingered on him, and he could feel her suspicion. “You’re lying.” she said simply, her tone flat and dry. “Why don’t you just admit you don’t know?”

  “I know enough,” Kaiser shot back, though even he winced at how defensive he sounded.

  Aria shook her head, a wisp of a sigh escaping her. “Sometimes I think you’d rather stumble around clueless than just ask a question.”

  Before Kaiser could reply, Glunko’s voice blared out, shattering the argument.

  “Ah-ha! Found it!” the merchant bellowed, emerging from the caravan with an armful of what looked like… wool?

  He almost trotted right up to them the bulk of his purple coat swaying with every step. “I’m terribly sorry, my friends! This is all I have left to share—a fine delicacy from the marshlands! Kralak!”

  Kaiser blinked, his gut churning at the view of the weird, stringy substance. It was gritty, very much like cotton, with a subtle pale gray tinge. “That’s… food?” he asked, his voice heavy with skepticism.

  “Oh, absolutely!” Glunko exclaimed, his grin wide. “The finest! A true treat for those with discerning tastes.”

  Before Kaiser could speak his doubt, Aria interjected with a gasp of genuine excitement, her face lighting up. “Kralak! I haven’t had this in years!” she said, her voice filled with childlike glee. For the first time since Kaiser had met her she seemed genuinely happy and all her characteristic serenity and reserve completely shattered.

  Kaiser stared at her, dumbfounded. “You’re excited about eating… that?”

  “Of course!” Aria replied, clutching a bundle of the wool-like substance to her chest. “Kralak is amazing. I promise you’re going to love it.”

  “Ah, a lady of taste! Really nice to meet someone who cares about the small stuff," he said warmly. Glunkp distributed to each of the individuals a piece of Kralak, and a thin steel stick that curved at the end to hold the food in place.

  Kaiser reluctantly took his share, holding it between his fingers as though it might bite him. “So… what do we do with this?”

  “Simple!” Glunko said, already skewering his portion and holding it over the fire. “You melt it! Kralak transforms when heated—it becomes a delectable honey-like nectar. The aroma alone is enough to make a grown man weep!”

  Kaiser raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. He watched as Glunko’s bundle of wool began to change, the fibers shrinking and curling as a golden-white liquid began to pool at the bottom of the plate. The smell hit him almost instantly—a rich, sweet aroma so intense it made his mouth water.

  Following him, Aria had already impaled her share and was busy broiling it over the fire. She held her plate carefully, and even though the liquid was still steaming, she brought it to her lips and took a small sip.

  Her eyes fluttered closed, and she let out a soft sigh of contentment. “Perfect," she said, with a smile gracing her lips.

  Kaiser frowned at his own plate, reluctant to even begin. “It smells… okay, I guess,” he admitted grudgingly. “However, it seems as if the thing that you'd scrape off a random plant you might find on a field.”

  Glunko roared with laughter. “A common reaction for first-timers! he said, his mustache quivering with delight. “But I assure you, once you taste it, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it!”

  With a sigh, he finally brought his plate to his lips and took a cautious sip. The taste was unlike anything he’d ever experienced—sweet and rich, with a hint of something floral. It covered his palate and warmed his throat as it slid down. He blinked, surprised. “It’s… not terrible,” he admitted reluctantly.

  Glunko clapped his hands together, beaming. “A convert! Wonderful! See, my friends, food is the great uniter. No matter where we come from or who we are, a good meal can bring us together.”

  Kaiser couldn’t help but smile at the merchant’s enthusiasm, even as he took another sip of the strange, honey-like liquid.

  The fire crackled merrily between them as Kaiser leaned back, slowly but surely getting full. Aria, meanwhile, continued her relentless consumption of Kralak, her enthusiasm defying all reason. Kaiser found himself staring, unsure whether to be impressed or alarmed.

  Aria skewered another massive portion of the wool-like food and held it over the flames, the heat melting it into a golden-white liquid almost instantly, the aroma filling the air again. Without hesitation, she lifted the plate and drank it in one swift motion, barely reacting to the steam rising from the molten meal.

  “You know,” Kaiser said, breaking the silence, “at some point, I think you stopped eating and started devouring.”

  Aria glanced at him, her expression briefly innocent before her lips curled into a playful smile. “This is too good, it's not my fault," she cooed, “You should try enjoying something for once.”

  “I did try it,” Kaiser muttered, holding up his half-empty plate. “And it was fine. But that much? How are you even still upright?”

  Glunko, who had been watching Aria with wide, glimmering eyes, clapped his hands together, his booming laugh echoing across the quiet road. “Ah, young lady! A true connoisseur! I haven’t seen someone enjoy Kralak this much since my own childhood!”

  Aria, undeterred, skewered another portion. This time, even Kaiser had to admit it looked absurd—she was melting what seemed like an entire sheep’s worth of Kralak. As the food began to bubble and soften, she lifted it to her lips and drank deeply, ignoring the heat entirely.

  Glunko let out an enthusiastic cheer, clapping his hands. “Marvelous! Simply marvelous! You, my dear, have the heart of a gourmand. A rare quality indeed!”

  Kaiser couldn’t help but chuckle at the scene. For all his grumbling, there was something endearing about the way Aria lit up, completely abandoning her usual reserved demeanor. By chance, a real smile appeared on his face—a smile that even he did not realize as having occurred.

  After what felt like an hour of eating and laughter, Aria finally leaned back, her plate empty. Her energy spent, she let out a soft yawn and stretched her arms, the firelight dancing on her face. Moments later, she slumped to the side, fast asleep on the grass.

  Kaiser sighed, standing up and brushing off his uniform. He got to her, and lifted her into his arms with care. Her weight was barely noticeable, and her expression was peaceful, almost childlike.

  “Out like a light,” he muttered, shaking his head.

  Glunko was starting to clean up the mess from the meal when Kaiser came up. “Thank you for the food,” Kaiser said sincerely. “I don’t have much to offer, but…” He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small pouch. Opening it, he frowned when he found it empty.

  Undeterred, Kaiser unclipped one of the gold medals still attached to his tattered military uniform. The medal gleamed faintly in the firelight, a symbol of his past victories. He held it out to Glunko. “Here. It’s not much, but it’s all I’ve got.”

  Glunko's eyes bulged and he stepped back, shaking his head with a negative sigh. “No, no, my friend!’ he exclaimed, his deep voice filled with earnestness. “I could never accept such a thing! That medal carries a story, a history far more valuable than gold. Please, keep it.”

  Kaiser frowned. “It’s just a piece of metal. Consider it payment for your kindness.”

  Glunko smiled warmly, his expression softening. “Your kindness is payment enough,” he said. “Besides, I can tell you’re no ordinary travelers.”

  Kaiser tilted his head. “What do you mean?”

  Glunko moved in closer just a little, his eyes, large, sparkling with wisdom and mischief. “I have tested your hand earlier you see,” he said. “I used nearly all my power, and yet, you barely flinched. That tells me you’re no stranger to hardship. You carry yourself like a Liberator.”

  There it was again—that word. Liberator. Kaiser’s brow furrowed, but he kept his face neutral, unwilling to reveal his ignorance. “What gave it away?” he asked, his voice steady.

  Glunko gestured to Kaiser’s torn uniform. “Your appearance, for one. Even tattered, that coat carries a certain prestige. And the way you hold yourself—like a man who’s fought battles most of us can only imagine.”

  Kaiser nodded slowly, choosing his words carefully. “You’re observant.”

  Glunko chuckled. “A merchant must be, my friend. So, tell me, from which Liberatorium do you hail?”

  “The Sothern one.” Kaiser replied smoothly, though the answer was a guess.

  Glunko's smile spread, his massive hand closing over his chest. “An honor, truly. The Northern Liberatorium produces the finest among us. And your companion…” He nodded toward Aria, still asleep in Kaiser’s arms. “She must be a Liberator as well, yes?”

  Kaiser hesitated for a moment before nodding. “Yes. We're coming back from the mission… bringing some people back to be buried at back of the mountain cemetery close by.”

  For the briefest moment, Glunko’s smile faltered. His gaze softened for a moment with a touch of sadness, but then he quickly regained his composure and his tone remained strong. “

  “You have my deepest respect,” he said. “Liberators are owed a great debt, but those who bring peace to the dead… they deserve something greater. A selfless act, indeed.”

  Kaiser shifted slightly, uncomfortable with the praise. “We’re just doing our job.”

  Glunko nodded solemnly, then clapped his hands together, his jovial demeanor returning. “And now, you wish to go to a town, no? To clean up and rest?”

  Kaiser nodded. “That’s the plan.”

  “Then allow me to offer you a ride!” Glunko said, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. “My caravan may not be the fastest, but it’s warm, comfortable, and free of charge for esteemed Liberators such as yourselves.”

  Kaiser didn’t hesitate. “We’ll take it. Thank you.”

  With that, Glunko began preparing the caravan, humming a cheerful tune as Kaiser settled Aria inside. As the night deepened, the road ahead seemed less daunting, and for the first time in a long while, Kaiser felt a small sense of ease.