Contentions

Under Rain and Lantern Light

The days of travel had settled into a monotonous rhythm—eat, travel, rest, repeat. Though the uneventful journey brought some relief from the looming threat of patrols, it also left Alara restless. She longed for something, anything, to break the tedium. She had spent much of her time lost in thought, her mind drifting to the true purpose of their mission. Anger had become her shield—a tool to keep her focused. She let her fury burn hotter than her grief; it was the only way she could keep moving without being overwhelmed by sorrow. She owed it to her people, herself, and her brother to keep fighting. The memory of his face fueled her rage and each time she thought of King Tiberian, her resolve hardened.

Rasa, on the other hand, remained vigilant throughout the journey. As they traveled, her eyes constantly scanned the path ahead, her posture tense and cautious. She looked up at Alara every so often, her gaze protective, as if ensuring everything was still alright.

Rasa's voice broke through Alara's thoughts, gentle but insistent. "Alara? Are you getting tired? Do you need to rest?"

Alara blinked, refocusing on the dusty road ahead. She gave Rasa a small smile. "No, I just need to stretch my legs." She glanced at Rasa thoughtfully before adding, "You could take the horse if you'd like."

Rasa shook her head quickly. "You know I prefer to walk."

Alara smirked. "Are you scared of the horse, Rasa?" she teased playfully.

A faint blush crept up Rasa's cheeks, and she looked away, muttering something under her breath. Alara laughed softly, slowing her pace to match Rasa's, throwing an arm around her shoulders.

"It's alright. I won't make you ride," Alara said, her tone gentle. "But what are you thinking about? You seem far away."

Rasa's expression grew serious. "I'm just thinking about what's ahead. Making sure we're ready for whatever comes next."

Alara nodded, her thoughts echoing Rasa's concerns. She felt the weight of the unknown—the uncertainty of what awaited them in Vernan and beyond. "I've been wondering about that too," she said before giving Rasa a mischievous grin. "I'm going to check with Rufus. You stay here with her for me."

Rasa's eyes widened in alarm, and she reached out instinctively. "Wait, Alara—" But Alara was already running ahead, her laughter trailing behind her as she sprinted to the front of the caravan.

Rasa's heart pounded as she watched Alara run off, leaving her alone with the horse. She bit her lip, half-annoyed and half-panicked, as she did her best to keep her distance from the animal.

At the head of the caravan, Rufus was riding on one of the wagons alongside another merchant. When Alara approached, Rufus turned to her with a look of surprise. "Your Highness? Is something amiss?"

Alara shook her head, climbing onto the wagon with his assistance as the two men shifted to give her room. "No, I just wanted to know—how long until we reach Vernan?"

Rufus nodded. "We were just discussing it, actually. We should be there by nightfall."

Alara's face lit up with excitement. "Finally!" she said, stretching her arms above her head.

Rufus chuckled at her enthusiasm. "It's not much farther now. You might even be able to see it soon."

Alara nodded. "I understand. Thank you, Guildmaster." She paused and asked, "What chance of being discovered once we reach town?"

He considered the question momentarily before replying, "We should be able to go mostly unnoticed in town. It's a trading city, and as long as there's coin to be made, most people mind their own business." He then pointed toward a large stone structure barely visible on the horizon. "But over there, that's the Vernanala—the fortress that gives the town its name. It's best to stay far away from it. The soldiers there are fiercely loyal to the crown, and bribery is out of the question, even in the worst-case scenario."