Dan led the caravan while I remained at the back, acting as an escort. Riding side by side with one of the original three Verdenkind in the group, we moved at a pace that was neither fast nor slow. The Verdenkind rode alongside one of the sword-carrying peon handlers, who was injured by the Stonegale. We advanced steadily, and after a couple of hours, we were still in the woods. There had been no attacks, but I had a feeling we were about to exit the forest. Once we did, those 30 Cleor would have been what could be described as easy money.

  To be frank, if the circumstances were even the slightest bit different, I would have doubted Dan's word about paying me 30 Cleor just for escorting them out of the woods to the next city. It was a substantial amount for such a short task. Escorting jobs typically didn't fetch that much unless the threat level was incredibly high. Given what they likely believed my level to be, 30 Cleor for such a brief assignment was excessive to the point of suspicion, had it not been for one crucial detail: their dead comrades.

  With their comrades dead, not only did the group have less manpower in case of another attack, but the fact that they refused to leave the bodies behind introduced additional risks. Carrying corpses carried the risk of attracting monsters drawn by the smell of death. They couldn't afford to linger where they'd been, yet they hesitated to move as they were, fearing that the scent would draw more monsters. Leaving the corpses behind wasn't an option either, out of respect and perhaps for practical reasons, such as ensuring proper rites for their fallen.

  Thus, it felt more like I was contracted for these 30 Cleor because of the risk brought about by carrying the corpses rather than the inherent risk of the caravan being attacked again by another monstrous creature. This made sense; the smell of death could attract predators far more reliably than the mere presence of a moving group. Dan, the leader, wasn't confident in bearing this risk alone, especially with reduced numbers and injured men. In essence, the 30 Cleor was a premium paid for the added security against the dangers associated with transporting their fallen comrades, rather than just the journey itself.

  As we pressed on, the woods began to thin, and I couldn't help but think that if we could just get out of the forest without incident, then those 30 Cleor would indeed be easy money. It was in that exact moment I heard a feeble voice saying, "It was impressive."

  "Huh?" responded the Verdenkind leading the horse they were both riding. "What did you say?"

  "I wasn’t talking to you," he said, each word sounding like it hurt.

  The one speaking was a young man, barely older than twenty, with a bowl haircut and dark blonde hair.

  "I was talking to her," he said, staring at me. "You were impressive earlier…"

  "It’s Miss Magician," the Verdenkind added, "that’s how she wants to be referred to."

  "I see," the injured peon nodded.

  "Actually, I’m fine with you calling me by my name," I rectified before introducing myself. "My name is Arianna."

  "Arianna… that’s a good name," he said, sounding a little inebriated, as proven by him allowing his head to rest on Verdenkind's back.

  The Verdenkind didn’t seem to mind as he added, "Especially for a magician."

  "Thanks."

  The man took a moment to gather his energy to once again say, "Miss Arianna, you were impressive earlier, with your little staff… When the bear was done chewing my arm, I saw you defeat them. I’ve never seen anything like that."

  Well, well, well. What am I supposed to reply to that with? Thanks? Nah, that’d be too awkward. So, choosing something else, I said, "Thanks. You too were impressive, shielding your friend from that creature’s attack," deflecting the awkward praise back.

  "Me… impressive, huh? I don’t know about that. What I just know is that it hurts. It hurts so bad I feel like I could die."

  "It’s normal that it hurts," commented the Verdenkind. "It got your entire arm."

  To which he replied, "And you’re not making me feel any better."

  "Well, sorry for that, I guess."

  The peon gave a weak chuckle, wincing immediately from the pain. "At least I can still laugh… kind of."

  "You'll live," his comrade said, trying to offer some reassurance. "Just hang in there until we get to the city. The city’s temple should have proper medical facilities to take care of you."

  "I hope so," he murmured.

  A strange, semi-awkward silence took place. It was a few minutes into that silence when he asked, "Say, Miss Arianna, do you have a spell that makes the pain go away like magicians in stories?"

  I shook my head, saying, "I'm not that kind of magician."

  Disappointment was clear on both his face and in his voice as he said, "I see... at least I tried. I guess I have no other choice but to sleep to forget the pain." He buried his head onto the back of the Verdenkind.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  "Hey, you better not die on me, Eric."

  "Don't worry. I just want the pain to stop, so I'mma take a short nap."

  His words, "Don't worry," sounded eerily final, as if he might not make it at all. Regardless of that depressing sight, we pressed on. Eventually, we made it out of the forest without any additional monster encounters. As we did, before us spread an ever-expanding prairie, its vastness bringing back memories I immediately fought off.

  The prairie was a sea of tall grasses swaying gently in the breeze, dotted with patches of wildflowers. It stretched out endlessly, creating a serene yet desolate landscape. The sight was beautiful, yet it held an underlying emptiness that tugged at my past. I forced those memories back into the recesses of my mind and focused on the present.

  Following the road, we moved swiftly across the prairie, the caravan maintaining a steady pace. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows and painting everything in a warm, golden hue. As we traveled, I kept my senses alert, watching for any signs of danger. Despite the serene surroundings, I knew that this world rarely offered such peace without a hidden threat.

  As the sun began its descent towards the horizon, casting the sky in shades of orange and pink, we finally arrived at a spot where we could see the city of Wexlow up ahead. Compared to the small village I stayed in, Wexlow was a sprawling metropolis, its walls towering and imposing even from a distance.

  Within the walls, the city bustled with life. Smoke rose from countless chimneys, and the sounds of commerce and daily life could be faintly heard even from our vantage point. The main gate, a massive iron structure, stood open, welcoming travelers and traders alike.

  "We made it," Dan said with a mix of relief and exhaustion in his voice. The caravan had successfully crossed the prairie and reached the relative safety of the city Wexlow.

  I glanced at the injured peon, who seemed to be holding on, though his pallor had worsened.

  "Hang in there, buddy! We're almost to proper medical care," the Verdenind reminded him.

  Dan led the caravan towards the city's gate, guarded by guards posted at the entrance. As we approached, one of the city guards, dressed in a blue and silver knight uniform, a noble family sigil on their chest stepped forward, signaling for us to halt.

  "State your business," he demanded, his eyes scanning our ragtag group.

  "Handlers’ Business, Brother," Dan replied, holding up a very sketchy-looking document, slipping in a little something, that brought a smile on the guard’s face. "We were attacked by monsters on the way. We need to get to the city's temple immediately."

  The guard pretended to inspect the document and the carriages before nodding.

  Upon receiving the guard's approval, we entered the city, and the atmosphere changed immediately. Despite being so late into the afternoon and almost into the evening, the noise of the bustling market, the clatter of horse hooves on cobblestones, and the mingling scents of food and smoke filled the air. It was a stark contrast to the quiet of the prairie and the tension of the forest.

  As we moved through the streets, drawing two or three curious glances from the townsfolk, Dan moved over to check on the group’s injured peon who, despite remaining "conscious," was in immense pain.

  Slowing his horse down, Dan approached, reaching for a small pouch hanging on his waist, which he handed to his Verdenkind friend, Dan said, "Proceed ahead to the temple. You know where it is, right?"

  "Straight ahead, near the main square."

  "Yep. Take care of everything, I’ll join you later when I’m done with our client."

  The man nodded and took his leave. Left with just the two of us riding side by side, Dan looked my way, making a grimace before reaching into another small pouch on his waist that he handed to me.

  "Here, 30 ? as promised," he said with a forced smile.

  I took the pouch and nodded, not bothering to count. Looking at him, I asked, "Do you regret it?"

  "You mean that offer I made?" He chuckled self-deprecatingly, "Yes, but at the same time, I realized today, after what happened, that those 30 ? are nothing compared to our lives."

  "I see. Then it was a pleasure doing business." I was just about to take my leave when I remembered something I ought to ask. "Say, since you’re already familiar with the city, could you suggest an inn for me to stay? Ideally a place that is respectable, with a good non-smelling bed, and ideally a bathtub."

  Dan scratched his head, a bemused expression crossing his face. "You know, Miss Magician, with the way you're talking about respectable inns and non-smelling beds, it sounds like you're planning to spend that money before you even leave my sight."

  I couldn't help but laugh at his observation. "Well, I wouldn't dream of squandering it all in one place," I replied with a playful grin. "But a comfortable bed and a nice bath sound like heaven after a day like today."

  He chuckled, shaking his head. "Fair enough. I might do the same later once I’m done with this mess on my hand. Anyway, I'd recommend the Silver Griffin Inn. It's not too far from here, and I heard they have some of the comfiest beds in the city. As for the bathtub, I don’t know, but I think they should have that."

  I nodded appreciatively. "Sounds perfect. Thank you for the recommendation."

  He smiled, a genuine smile this time. "No problem. If you need anything else while you're in town, feel free to ask. You will be able to find us at the temple, I think we’ll be stuck there for a while."

  With a nod of agreement, Dan bid me farewell. "Take care, Miss Arianna. And thank you again for your help."

  I returned the sentiment with a small smile. "Likewise, Dan. Safe travels to you and your companions."

  He smiled self-deprecatingly then nodded before riding off to tend to his duties. I, on the other hand, 30? richer than I was earlier in the day, made my way to the Silver Griffin Inn, eager for a hot bath and a comfortable bed. Gotta rest and recuperate before my next journey.

  After searching for a couple of minutes, I eventually found the Silver Griffin Inn. From the outside, it looked quite the respectable establishment. It wasn't as luxurious as I imagined, but it appeared neat and well-kept. Dismounting my horse, I attached him to a nearby pillar telling him, "to apologize for today I’m going to get you the finest hay," before approaching the entrance.

  As I was about to enter, something prompted me to pause. With a sudden realization, I took off my hood, folding it neatly before tucking it under my arm, before making my way in. The interior of the inn was warm and inviting, with soft lighting and the sound of chatter filling the air. A cozy fireplace crackled in one corner, casting flickering shadows across the room. The furnishings were plush and comfortable, and a large, polished counter stood at the center of the room.

  As I approached the counter, a friendly-looking innkeeper greeted me with a warm smile. "Welcome to the Silver Griffin Inn. How can I assist you today, miss?"

  Returning the smile, I replied, "I'm in need of a room for the night, preferably one with toilets and a bathtub."

  The innkeeper smiled as she nodded. "You came to the right place, Miss. We have several rooms available. If you wish, I can show you to one of our finest suites."