Chapter 3 Joining the Caravan

The road appeared shortly after sunrise.

Two deep grooves carved through the dirt where wagon wheels had passed repeatedly through the forest, the packed earth hardened by years of travel.

Boot prints and hoof marks overlapped the tracks in uneven layers, some fresh enough that the edges had not yet softened. A crouch beside the impressions revealed how recent the traffic was. Loose soil brushed aside easily, exposing the clean edges left by the last wagon to pass through.

Whoever had traveled this road had not gone far.

Standing again, he followed the tracks.

The forest gradually thinned as the path widened beneath steady steps. Sunlight slipped between the branches more easily here, scattering patches of warmth across the ground while birds returned cautiously to the canopy above. The oppressive quiet of the deeper woods faded with every step forward.

Movement appeared ahead after several minutes. Three wagons rolled slowly along the road pulled by thick-necked draft animals with broad shoulders and heavy hooves. Canvas coverings stretched over wooden frames while merchants sat beneath the shade, their goods secured in crates tied carefully to the wagon beds.

Several armed figures walked beside the wheels, scanning the tree line with the practiced attention of people used to dangerous roads. One of the guards noticed him first.

One of the guards noticed him first. A hand lifted. “Stay where you are.”

The caravan slowed while the wagons creaked to a halt. The other guards shifted positions beside the wheels, their spears lowering slightly as they studied the stranger emerging from the forest.

He stopped several paces away from the lead wagon.

The nearest guard stepped forward while the others remained in place. Broad shoulders filled the leather armor he wore, reinforced by small metal plates stitched across the chest.

His eyes moved quickly across Victor’s clothing and gear before pausing on the dried blood along one sleeve.

“You look like you had a rough night,” the man said.

Victor glanced down to acknowledge the stains before his attention returned to the guard.

“That’s a fair assesment.” He said pointing toward the woods. "Some wolves about kicked my ass."

A quiet murmur passed through the merchants seated in the wagons. One leaned forward slightly while another pulled a crate closer, as if preparing to defend it.

The guard raised an eyebrow. “You came out of that forest alone after wolves?”

“They stopped chasing.” He said, relaxing his posture slightly.

The man studied the answer for a moment before some of the tension left his shoulders. “Well,” he said, “either you’re lucky or you’re dangerous.”

"I almost died, and you think i'm lucky?" A faint laugh escaped with the words.

The guard’s gaze drifted once more toward the forest before returning. “Either way we’re headed to Thistledown. If you’re walking that direction you might as well travel with us.” The offer received a brief pause of consideration.

Civilization meant information, and information meant understanding the rules of this place faster.

"If you'll have me, I would appreciate the help." Victor hesistated before deciding to ask. "Where are we, I think i ran further than I should have."

"Were travelling through the Sylvaer Forrest, headed toward Thistledown," The guard stepped aside and gestured toward the wagons. "Stay close. The road gets worse after sunset.”

The caravan lurched back into motion as the draft animals leaned into their harnesses. Wooden wheels groaned softly while dust lifted from the packed earth beneath their hooves.

He fell into step beside the final wagon, watching how they worked together. Offering help when he could.

Several merchants continued watching from their seats, curiosity only half hidden. A few whispered quietly while others simply studied the stranger who had walked out of the forest alone.

An older merchant eventually leaned over the side of the wagon nearest the road. A wide hat shaded most of his face, though the curiosity remained obvious. "You a hunter?” the man asked, analyzing the new face.

He gave a slight shake of his head. “I'm... uh, a traveler.” He tried to sound convining, hoping the old man wouldn't call him out.

The merchant glanced back toward the forest. “Not many travelers come out of there alive.”

Victor offered no argument. Afraid he'd said to much already.

The wagons rolled forward while the guards maintained their loose formation around the caravan. Eyes drifted constantly between the road and the tree line, hands resting near weapons even while walking.

One of the younger guards eventually moved closer.

He looked newer to the road than the others, though the way his attention moved suggested experience growing quickly.

“You from around here?” he asked.

"I'm from way down south. Small village, you deffinetally haven't heard of it." He said while fidgetting with his overly long hair.

The guard studied the answer briefly.

The younger man after giving it some thought laughed quietly. “Fair enough.” "You sound pretty harmless to me."

They walked in silence for several minutes while the road curved gradually through the thinning forest. Trees spread farther apart until scattered fields began appearing beyond the roadside.

The change in air came first.

Smoke drifted faintly across the breeze while the scent of turned soil replaced the damp rot of the forest floor. Low stone walls bordered narrow plots of farmland stretching toward distant hills.

The guard noticed his attention on the landscape. “First time seeing the valley?” he asked. He pointed toward the distant hills. “Thistledown sits about two hours ahead. Small place, but it’s the biggest stop between the river and the mountains.”

Victor gave a small nod to acknowledge the information, his first sign of civilization. Only a few hours away. “Busy place?”

“It's busy enough,” the guard said. “Merchants pass through most weeks, and the guild keeps the roads clear enough that people still risk traveling them.” His gaze drifted briefly toward the forest behind them.

“Usually.”

The road continued forward beneath the wagons while the valley opened wider ahead. Fields and distant farmhouses gradually replaced the dense walls of trees that had surrounded the road earlier that morning.

For the first time since arriving in this world, the quiet no longer felt empty.

The caravan rolled would continue toward Thistledown in the morning.

"For now let's set up camp." The caravan leader said, pointing out the sun had already began to set.

After camp had been setup and the fire lit, conversation had died to a low rumble.

Victors Systems Panel flashed.

[ OBJECTIVE:SURVIVE ]