Ale's journey: The rise of an adventurer

Inside the carriage, two rows of seats, each capable of holding three to four passengers, were aligned in the direction of travel. The seats, though modest, were padded simply, offering minimal comfort for the long journey ahead. On either side, rectangular windows framed openings, allowing the passengers to admire the snowy landscape slowly drifting by outside.

At the front of the compartment, a small window provided a glimpse of the driver’s silhouette, offering a partial view of the road ahead. This small detail added a touch of connection to the journey and the outside world, a subtle reminder of movement even while confined within the cabin.

The carriage was nearly full; several passengers had already settled in, lost in their thoughts. Some were travelers dressed in simple, worn clothing, likely merchants or laborers familiar with the harsh realities of travel. Their faces told stories of fatigue, marked by the trials of the road and the challenges of daily life. A group of three adventurers stood out with their well-maintained leather armor and weapons at the ready. Their sharp gazes scanned their surroundings with an instinctive vigilance, prepared to react at the first sign of danger, even on a journey reputed to be safe.

Ale greeted the other passengers with a polite smile and a nod. A few responded with the same courtesy, a faint smile on their lips or a barely perceptible nod, while others remained silent, their eyes fixed on the icy, white landscape, lost in the contemplation of the winter scenery.

As soon as Ale settled into his seat, the driver stood up to secure the inside of the carriage. He raised a safety bar, locking the entrance halfway to block the cold wind howling outside. With a confident gesture, he pulled a thick curtain that sealed the upper part of the doorway, transforming the cabin into a warm cocoon, almost completely insulated from the biting cold of winter. However, the three side windows remained open, allowing the gentle rays of the winter sun to stream in. These rays bathed the interior in a soothing, golden light, providing a welcome warmth and slightly easing the chill of the freezing temperatures outside.

"Alright, off we go!" The driver gave a firm snap of the reins on the backs of the Hippogriffs, and the magical creatures let out a low rumble of acknowledgment. The carriage started smoothly, the sound of the Hippogriffs' hooves echoing off the cobblestones of the city. The rhythmic, metallic clatter grew louder as they left the southern gate of Eldoria, blending into a softer melody as the wheels finally touched the snowy ground beyond the city walls.

As the carriage pulled away, the landscape outside stretched before the passengers' eyes, revealing a vast plain blanketed in a pristine layer of white. The fields that had once been fertile were now covered in thick snow, creating a stark contrast against the bare trees, their black, twisted branches standing like ghostly silhouettes against the gray sky. A few scattered houses dotted the landscape, their roofs sagging under the weight of the snow, with thin trails of white smoke lazily drifting up from their chimneys.

Ale watched this wintry scene with a pensive expression, the remaining snowflakes dissolving into light vapors under the faint but persistent light of the winter sun. Inside the carriage, the quiet murmur of conversations began to fill the air, breaking the heavy silence of the journey. Perhaps it was boredom or simply the need to pass the time, but some of the passengers, mostly merchants, started an animated discussion.

"Are you also headed to the port city of Luminis to get some Eldor fruits?" one of the merchants asked, his voice laced with a mix of excitement and impatience.

"Yes, I tasted some thanks to Baldwin the merchant, and I have to say the flavor is unforgettable," replied another, nodding. "I’m convinced these fruits will sell like hotcakes!"

"Exactly!" added a third merchant, joining the conversation. "Now that a large shipment has arrived by ship, I want to be among the first to snatch them up and resell them in the markets before everyone else rushes in."

"Yes, yes, like you, I can't wait for the cargo to reach Eldoria. It's far too slow, and the market might be saturated by then!" the first merchant agreed.

Ale listened to their exchange with a neutral expression, his gaze still turned toward the outside. A fleeting thought crossed his mind: "Bam must be happy. He'll finally get to taste those golden fruits he's been looking forward to." Yet, despite the merchants' enthusiasm, Ale couldn't shake off a lingering suspicion about these fruits. The memory of their strange effects left a bitter impression, a sense of unease that he couldn't quite dismiss.

The road linking the city of Eldoria to the port city of Luminis is one of the busiest in the Empire. Luminis, being the kingdom’s main port, is the gateway for goods arriving from all over the world. It's where the highest-quality products, rare spices, exotic fabrics, and other treasures from distant lands make their entry. To secure these goods at the best prices, merchants don’t hesitate to travel directly to the source, hoping to strike the best deals before they even reach the markets of Eldoria.

Along this trade route, many villages and small baronies have seen their prosperity grow, fueled by the constant flow of travelers and goods. This strategic route, both a vital artery and an economic link, has given rise to waystations built approximately every 30 kilometers. These waystations are not mere rest stops for carriages but have evolved into thriving hubs of life and services. They offer travelers comfortable inns, hot meals, and stables where magical creatures can rest and regain their strength.

Even though the express carriage drawn by the powerful Plains Hippogriffs is capable of covering 100 kilometers in a single stretch without faltering, it almost always makes a stop at each waystation. These strategic pauses allow passengers to disembark at their intermediate destinations and make room for others to board if seats have become available.

The waystations also play a crucial role as departure points for local carriages, which serve the nearby villages and small towns. This well-organized transport network ensures a seamless connection between the major trade routes and the more remote regions of the Empire, enabling villages to thrive through their direct access to the flow of goods and information. Thanks to these waystations, residents of isolated areas can easily reach the major economic centers while enjoying the safety and comfort of organized travel.

The carriage had been traveling for over two hours, and as the journey progressed, the number of merchants on board kept increasing. They all shared the same goal: to reach the port city of Luminis and get their hands on the famous golden Eldor fruit. Other travelers disembarked gradually at each waystation, giving up their seats to the eager traders who were determined to secure their share of this new modern-day gold rush.

Finally, the vehicle came to a halt in front of a bustling waystation, the last stop before the barony’s waystation where Ale was to disembark. The driver announced a thirty-minute break to let the magical creatures rest, and immediately, all the passengers left the carriage to stretch their legs. Ale followed the flow of travelers into the waystation, finding himself in a crowded hall buzzing with life. The tables were packed with patrons, servers rushed about carrying trays laden with drinks, and a long queue stretched in front of the counter. The place felt like a tavern in Eldoria at its peak, filled with laughter and lively conversations.

The merchants' discussions all revolved around the same topic: the golden Eldor fruits and their dreams of wealth. "I'm telling you, once those fruits hit the market, they'll sell like hotcakes!" exclaimed one of them, pounding the table with his fist in excitement. "I've already reserved an entire batch! When I get back to Eldoria, I'll be a rich man, no doubt about it!" added another, his eyes gleaming with greed. "Baldwin told me these fruits are going to shake up the market. The nobles will all want a taste, and the profits will skyrocket! Imagine the fortune!" chimed in a third, his hands trembling slightly with excitement.

Ale listened to these conversations with a mix of curiosity and caution. The merchants' enthusiasm for the Eldor fruits seemed contagious, but he couldn't help but wonder if all this frenzy might eventually bring trouble.

Along this trade route, many villages and small baronies have seen their prosperity grow, fueled by the constant flow of travelers and goods. This strategic route, both a vital artery and an economic link, has given rise to waystations built approximately every 30 kilometers. These waystations are not mere rest stops for carriages but have evolved into thriving hubs of life and services. They offer travelers comfortable inns, hot meals, and stables where magical creatures can rest and regain their strength.

Even though the express carriage drawn by the powerful Plains Hippogriffs is capable of covering 100 kilometers in a single stretch without faltering, it almost always makes a stop at each waystation. These strategic pauses allow passengers to disembark at their intermediate destinations and make room for others to board if seats have become available.

The waystations also play a crucial role as departure points for local carriages, which serve the nearby villages and small towns. This well-organized transport network ensures a seamless connection between the major trade routes and the more remote regions of the Empire, enabling villages to thrive through their direct access to the flow of goods and information. Thanks to these waystations, residents of isolated areas can easily reach the major economic centers while enjoying the safety and comfort of organized travel.

The carriage had been traveling for over two hours, and as the journey progressed, the number of merchants on board kept increasing. They all shared the same goal: to reach the port city of Luminis and get their hands on the famous golden Eldor fruit. Other travelers disembarked gradually at each waystation, giving up their seats to the eager traders who were determined to secure their share of this new modern-day gold rush.

Finally, the vehicle came to a halt in front of a bustling waystation, the last stop before the barony’s waystation where Ale was to disembark. The driver announced a thirty-minute break to let the magical creatures rest, and immediately, all the passengers left the carriage to stretch their legs. Ale followed the flow of travelers into the waystation, finding himself in a crowded hall buzzing with life. The tables were packed with patrons, servers rushed about carrying trays laden with drinks, and a long queue stretched in front of the counter. The place felt like a tavern in Eldoria at its peak, filled with laughter and lively conversations.

The merchants' discussions all revolved around the same topic: the golden Eldor fruits and their dreams of wealth. "I'm telling you, once those fruits hit the market, they'll sell like hotcakes!" exclaimed one of them, pounding the table with his fist in excitement. "I've already reserved an entire batch! When I get back to Eldoria, I'll be a rich man, no doubt about it!" added another, his eyes gleaming with greed. "Baldwin told me these fruits are going to shake up the market. The nobles will all want a taste, and the profits will skyrocket! Imagine the fortune!" chimed in a third, his hands trembling slightly with excitement.

Ale listened to these conversations with a mix of curiosity and caution. The merchants' enthusiasm for the Eldor fruits seemed contagious, but he couldn't help but wonder if all this frenzy might eventually bring trouble.

"Well," the old man continued, his shoulders sagging slightly under the weight of the story he was about to share, his tone a mix of resignation and bitterness, "according to the tales, a wise mage with a long white beard came to the region, drawn by the suffering of the people. He took pity on them. After weeks of investigation, he uncovered the presence of a River Spirit, an ancient and powerful being, forgotten by men, but whose anger had been simmering for centuries."

He paused briefly, his eyes hardening with the weight of a dark emotion. "This Spirit, enraged by the plundering of its waters, the decimation of its fish, and the ruin of its domain by generations of humans, swore vengeance. It summoned endless torrential rains, a punishment meant to bury the barony beneath floods until all life was wiped from the land."

The old man took a deep breath before continuing. "But the mage didn't come empty-handed. He offered a way out... or rather, a curse disguised as a solution. To quell the Spirit's fury, the people had to agree to a monthly ceremony. Ten children were to be sent into the Spirit's service, accompanied by ten oxen, twenty pigs, and thirty goats as offerings. Only after receiving a hundred human servants would the Spirit lift the curse."

A funeral-like silence fell over the room, as if the very breath of every person present had been stolen by the gravity of the old man's words. The murmurs that had rippled through the room vanished suddenly, replaced by a heavy sense of despair and helplessness. "So today... it's the day of the sacrifice?" someone whispered in a trembling voice, as though afraid of the answer.

Ale, stunned by what he had just heard, clenched his fists. "If that’s true, then this Spirit is anything but divine... It’s a malevolent Spirit," he thought to himself, anger simmering beneath his calm exterior.

About twenty minutes later, Ale returned to the carriage. The Hippogriffs, after their well-deserved rest, seemed revitalized, their muscles relaxed and their energy renewed thanks to the special magical herbs they had been fed. As the carriage resumed its journey southward, the rumblings of the storm grew louder and more distinct. First, there were a few isolated drops, then a fine drizzle that gradually turned into a pounding downpour, until the storm was in full force, lighting up the sky with blinding flashes. Despite the thunderclaps and sheets of rain, the Hippogriffs kept a relatively steady pace, barely slowed by the mud and splashes.

Magical devices attached to their harnesses created a subtle barrier around the creatures, muting the deafening sounds of the storm. These enchantments prevented the Hippogriffs from being startled by the furious rumbling of the thunder, keeping them calm and focused on their run. Their saddles were also imbued with waterproof spells that caused the rain to slide off before it could even touch their coats, ensuring they stayed dry and maintained a stable body temperature despite the rain's relentless assault.

Inside the carriage, the mood grew darker in sync with the storm raging outside. The passengers' faces were tight, their expressions tense, as conversations dwindled to frustrated murmurs. "Damn it, another 20 kilometers in this miserable weather!" one man grumbled, hitting his seat in frustration.

"The barony is cursed, I tell you! We should take a different route!" snapped another traveler, his voice laced with an exasperation that seemed to resonate with several other passengers. The collective pessimism weighed heavily on the air, each person silently cursing the ill-fate that seemed to have befallen this region.

Half an hour later, the carriage finally came to a stop in front of the barony's waystation, under a relentless downpour that hammered the roof of the wagon with unyielding force. Unlike the usual bustle of the previous waystations, this one seemed deserted, almost ghostly. Only a few carriages were parked in the adjoining stable, and the place was shrouded in an eerie silence, broken only by the pattering of raindrops striking the soaked ground. The atmosphere felt heavy, like a suffocating weight, and even the glow of the torches that struggled to pierce the darkness seemed to waver against the morose and unsettling vibe.

Ale stepped off the carriage, his foot barely touching the ground before the vehicle sped off again, racing southward as if trying to escape the storm that was growing louder and more menacing. The hooves of the Hippogriffs pounded against the muddy road, leaving Ale standing alone in the face of the raging elements. He turned his gaze to the signpost standing in front of the waystation, indicating that the barony was just three kilometers away.

Without a moment's hesitation, he decided to continue on foot. With a fluid motion, he raised his hand and murmured the incantation, "Ventus Umbra." Instantly, a wind spell activated, creating an invisible barrier above his head. The torrential rain slid off this magical shield, leaving him completely dry despite the deluge pouring down all around him.

Next, Ale softly spoke, "Vigor Flux," and a surge of energy coursed through his body, instantly boosting his endurance and physical capabilities. His muscles tightened, his breathing steadied, and a newfound warmth flowed through his veins, amplifying his strength and speed.

Feeling the energy thrumming within him, Ale broke into a run, darting through the storm like an arrow shot from a bow. He raced straight toward the barony, his silhouette quickly vanishing into the curtain of rain. Lightning streaked across the sky, momentarily illuminating his path with a cold, white light. His footsteps were nearly silent, muffled by the roar of the thunder, as he disappeared deeper into the pouring rain.