Fate's Forge

Chapter 3

The Eastern Wastes stretched out before them like a vast, unending blanket of pale dust and scattered shrubs. The caravan trundled along, wagon wheels carving fresh tracks in the soft earth, while handcarts creaked under the weight of belongings too precious to leave behind. Mathen Cutter, with his dark hair tied back from his weathered face, guided the train with steady hands and an even steadier heart.

"Look at 'em go," he chuckled, watching a gaggle of children dash ahead, their laughter a bright ribbon weaving through the air. "Not a care in the world."

"Let 'em be, Mathen," Alix replied, her green eyes shimmering with mirth. "They've earned a bit of freedom after all that cooping up in preparation for this journey."

Jas walked alongside Luka, who seemed to embody the very spirit of excitement the caravan was soaked in. The young boy's feet barely touched the ground as he skipped and hopped around imaginary foes, brandishing a stick as if it were a mighty sword. Jas couldn't help but smile, a rare warmth spreading through him as he watched Luka's antics.

"Race you to the front!" Luka called out, already darting forward with boundless energy.

"Hey, no fair!" another child protested, abandoning their game of tag to chase after Luka.

"Slowpokes!" Tia piped up, her small legs pumping twice as hard to keep up with the others, her Necromian heritage giving her an ethereal grace despite her youthful appearance.

As the sun began its descent, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, the chill of the coming night sent shivers through the group.

As the various families prepared to start their cook fires, a group of children ran up to Jas.

"Do the magic Jas! Please?" They all begged.

"Okay, one moment," Jas said.

Once he finished preparing the fire pit, he pulled out a match and struck it. Jas theatrically held the lit match above his head and with a small burst of magic from Fireweaver the flame shot down from the match and lit the fuel in the fire pit. Then with a small hand movement and another burst of magic several small fireballs flew up from the fire and arched over to the prepared fire pits of the other families lighting them all at once to the cheers of all the children and many of the adults too."

"Thanks Fireweaver," Jas thought to the fieles.

"Anytime," Fireweaver responded.

"Tonight, we feast like kings!" Bram declared from his position near the cookpot, stirring what would be a humble but satisfying stew. His words were met with approving nods and the rumbling of hungry stomachs.

"Ovelia, how many times have I told you, he's got a way with food that could make even a demon smile," Alix said, sharing an amused glance with her friend.

"Let's hope we never have to test that theory," Ovelia replied, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she set the tableware with practiced efficiency.

"Anyone seen Remy today?" Jas asked casually, scanning the horizon with a keen eye.

"Not yet," Luka answered between breaths, returning from his victorious sprint. "But I bet he's watchin' us right now!"

"Maybe so," Jas agreed. He'd make sure there was a little extra food left out tonight-just in case the wary boy decided to venture closer.

As the stars began to twinkle overhead and the tents began to go up, the caravan felt more like a moving village than a band of refugees fleeing war. They were families, friends, interwoven by shared dreams of safety and new beginnings.