They left Loxra when the sun was already high enough to shorten the shadows along the stone road.
The supply wagon moved at the center of the formation—large, heavy, and packed full. Two old horses pulled it with steady steps, as if they had made this journey too many times to feel nervous anymore. Sitting atop the wagon, Arnold checked the food sacks one last time, a piece of dry bread clenched between his teeth.
"If we die," he said casually without looking back,
"at least we'll die full."
Daren snorted.
"Your priorities are always wrong."
At the front, Kael walked without hurry. His steps were calm, his shoulders straight, his eyes fixed forward. He didn't look like someone entering dangerous ground—and that, more than anything, made it hard for Eiran and Ruen to look away.
Eiran walked several dozen steps behind, his breathing still struggling to match the unit's pace. Ruen stayed quiet at his side, his gaze locked on Kael's back.
They hadn't gone far—
Kael stopped.
Not suddenly.
Not dramatically.
He simply stopped.
And the entire formation stopped with him, as if a single breath had been pulled tight.
"How much longer are you planning to pretend you're shadows?" Kael asked without turning around.
Eiran grimaced.
He and Ruen stepped out from the brush.
"Afternoon, Captain," Ruen said, resigned.
A few of the soldiers turned their heads.
Bram shook his head slowly.
"These kids really don't learn."
Lys smirked.
"At least they're consistent."
Kael looked at the two of them.
"You followed on foot?"
"Yes," Eiran answered quickly.
"We didn't want to be a burden."
Kael glanced at the supply wagon.
"Get on."
"…What?"
"The wagon," Kael repeated, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"You won't be safe outside the formation."
Arnold patted the wooden side.
"Hop on. If you fall, that's the road's fault, not mine."
Eiran and Ruen climbed up without another word. The formation moved again, smooth and seamless.
No lecture.
No punishment.
That somehow felt heavier.
The Oldreach did not welcome them.
Ancient trees stood packed together, their trunks dark and twisted, roots spreading like veins that had long forgotten how to make room for people. The air felt heavier—not with moisture, but with a silence that had settled too deeply.
"Here," Sereth murmured as he walked,
"sound doesn't travel the way it should."
"And tracks," Kareth added,
"lie."
On the outer edge of the formation, Helden walked at the front. His shield was slightly raised, his steps steady, his body always positioned to take whatever might come first. He didn't speak, didn't turn, and didn't need reminders.
Eiran watched him for a moment—then his eyes drifted back to Kael.
Varek walked near the center, wooden rosary slowly turning in his large fingers.
"Stop praying, Priest," Daren said.
"If there's a god here, he left a long time ago."
"Oh," Varek replied gently,
"I'm not praying for us to survive."
He looked into the forest.
"I'm praying for them to be forgiven."
Bram chuckled.
"He's at it again."
The path narrowed.
From between the trees, a group of men stepped out—thin, dirty, armed with mismatched weapons, hunger sharp in their eyes.
Bandits.
Their leader stepped forward, clapping slowly.
"Nice wagon," he said.
"And nice guards."
His gaze settled on Kael.
"You're a handsome one," he sneered.
"This isn't a place for nobles to cry."
One of the bandits laughed loudly.
"Even if you're knights, you're not much better than us!"
"We grew up fighting!"
"We live by blood!"
Kael stepped forward alone.
The bandit raised an eyebrow.
"Huh? Just you?"
He glanced at the soldiers behind Kael.
"You don't need those big men?"
Bram whistled.
"Well, Captain, the bandit has a point."
He lifted his axe slightly.
"I wanted some fun too."
Daren grinned.
"Why's it only the pretty guy going down?"
Lys laughed softly.
"Ah. This is going to be boring. Too quick."
Kael exhaled slowly.
"Leave," he said.
The bandit laughed.
"We're hungry."
"We're desperate."
"We—"
Kael moved.
And the world seemed to skip.
He vanished from where he stood—and appeared behind them.
No flash.
No sound.
Just bodies collapsing almost at the same time, as if their legs had forgotten how to stand.
A few seconds later, Kael was back where he'd started.
He mounted his horse and glanced back with an easy smile.
"Did I look impressive?"
"You looked stupid," Daren replied.
"Too fast," Bram added.
Lys clicked her tongue.
"Told you. Not fun."
Eiran swallowed.
"Ruen," he whispered, eyes still fixed on Kael,
"that was… amazing."
Ruen nodded immediately, without hesitation.
"That's our teacher."
For a brief moment, pride drowned out fear.
They moved more slowly after that.
The sun drifted lower, light cutting through the trees at a slanted angle, shadows stretching across ancient roots. Sereth looked up at the sky.
"We camp," he said.
No one argued.
The camp went up quickly—well-practiced motions. Helden took position at the perimeter, shield planted in the soil. Arnold unloaded supplies, counting them again with quiet satisfaction. The fire crackled to life.
Eiran sat atop the wagon, watching Kael from a distance.
"One day," he said quietly to Ruen,
"we have to be like that."
Ruen smiled faintly.
"Step by step."
Deep within the Oldreach,
something shifted.
And this journey had already gone too far
to be called a simple investigation.