The journey this time was quieter than their previous travels. Liora spent most of her time meditating, deepening her resolve and striving to better understand the powers bestowed upon her by the ancient beasts she had summoned.
She prepared herself rigorously, anticipating that the upcoming trials would be far more grueling—both physically and emotionally—than anything she had faced before.
Each moment of introspection brought clarity but also weight; she knew that maintaining her moral compass amidst such challenges would require immense strength.
Elowen, too, seemed different from her usual self. The normally sharp-tongued and spirited mentor had grown unusually pensive, often lost in thought as they traveled. While Liora immersed herself in meditation within the carriage or under the shade of a tent during rest stops, Elowen wandered off alone, pacing slowly while wrestling with her own memories.
Her silence was palpable, yet it carried an air of nostalgia rather than sadness—a quiet reflection on days long past. Occasionally, when mealtime rolled around, the two women shared light-hearted conversations, though these exchanges were brief respites from the otherwise contemplative atmosphere enveloping them.
Their shared solitude was magnified by the arduous nature of the terrain. The path ahead featured steep inclines that forced their horses to move at a sluggish pace, tiring quickly and necessitating frequent breaks.
Despite the physical toll, the natural beauty of Thalvoria remained a constant source of solace. Streams glittered like liquid silver beneath the sun's rays, wildflowers bloomed vibrantly despite their untamed surroundings, and lush green grass swayed rhythmically, whispering encouragement to those who passed through.
The harmonious interplay between warm sunlight and gentle breezes created an environment conducive to both concentration and reminiscence, further drawing each traveler deeper into their respective thoughts.
Amidst this tranquil backdrop, the carriage driver broke the silence one afternoon. "We've covered two-thirds of our journey," he announced cheerfully. "At this rate, we should arrive within another day. You can already see the great green wall of trees ahead."
Liora stirred from her meditative state, curiosity piqued by the unfamiliar phrase. Leaning out of the carriage window, she gazed toward the horizon—and gasped.
True to the driver's words, a vast expanse of towering trees stretched endlessly before them, so densely packed that they formed what appeared to be a colossal green-and-brown barrier against the sky.
For someone seeing it for the first time, the sight was nothing short of breathtaking. "Elowen, come look!" Liora exclaimed excitedly, practically bouncing in her seat. "Isn't this incredible? Are these trees real, or is this some kind of illusion?"
Elowen glanced up briefly, her expression unimpressed. "Yeah, yeah... If you say it's amazing, I'll take your word for it," she replied dryly, clearly unenthused. Undeterred by Elowen's lack of enthusiasm, Liora continued marveling at the view.
To her, the towering forest symbolized not just the nearing destination but also the countless possibilities awaiting beyond its borders. She couldn't help but feel a spark of hope amidst the uncertainty looming over their mission.
After indulging in the breathtaking view of the towering green wall of trees, Liora retreated back into her meditative state. The serene ambiance of Thalvoria's landscape had always been conducive to introspection, and she sought solace in focusing inward, preparing herself mentally for whatever lay ahead.
However, her tranquility was abruptly shattered as the carriage came to an abrupt halt. A cacophony of raucous voices erupted from outside, accompanied by the unmistakable clinking of weapons.
Peering cautiously out of the carriage window, Liora's heart sank at the sight before her. A band of rough-looking men—numbering between thirty and forty—had surrounded their vehicle.
Their unkempt appearances, scarred faces, and menacing grins left no doubt about their intentions. One particularly burly figure stepped forward, brandishing a gleaming machete with alarming confidence.
He approached the driver, his voice dripping with arrogance. "Who do you think you are, passing through our road without asking permission? We own this path. Hand over all your valuables, or we'll take them ourselves after sending you to the next world."
Liora's eyes widened in alarm. Without hesitation, she scrambled out of the carriage, her staff clutched tightly in trembling hands. She positioned herself protectively beside the driver, her voice wavering but resolute.
"W-who are you people? D-don't hurt him! I-I won't let you harm anyone!" Her words hung awkwardly in the air, met initially with stunned silence from the bandits. For a brief moment, it seemed as though they might reconsider their hostile stance.
But that illusion was shattered when laughter erupted among the group—loud, mocking laughter that echoed across the plains. The bandits doubled over, some even collapsing onto the ground, pounding their fists against the earth as they howled with mirth.
Liora felt her courage crumble under the weight of their ridicule. Each jeer and snicker chipped away at her resolve, leaving her paralyzed with self-doubt. Just as despair began to creep in, Elowen emerged from the carriage, her presence commanding and composed.
Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Liora, she surveyed the scene with an expression that bordered on boredom rather than fear.
Yet, instead of instilling fear in the bandits, her appearance only fueled their amusement further. One of the thugs shouted gleefully, "What luck today brings! Not one, but two goddesses riding together in this carriage! Tonight will indeed be entertaining."
His declaration ignited another wave of rowdy cheers and lewd suggestions from his companions, who eagerly imagined the debauchery they believed awaited them.
Before the situation could escalate further, a commanding voice boomed through the chaos, silencing every bandit instantly. "Enough!" The command carried such authority that even the most unruly members of the gang froze mid-laugh, heads bowed submissively as they parted to make way for their leader.
Emerging from the rear ranks was a towering brute of a man—his muscular frame, scarred visage, and piercing glare marking him as someone not to be trifled with. It was clear he commanded absolute loyalty from his followers.
With slow, deliberate steps, the leader approached Liora's group. When he was close enough, he did something utterly unexpected: he dropped to one knee, bowing deeply with visible trepidation.
His voice quavered slightly as he spoke. "Forgive us, Miss Verdant Blade. These worthless scum have no idea whom they've crossed. Please spare our lives—we promise never to return to this life of crime. Give us a chance to redeem ourselves."
His actions sent shockwaves through both sides. Liora exchanged bewildered glances with the driver, while the bandits gawked at their boss in disbelief. Even Elowen raised an eyebrow, mildly amused by the turn of events.
Finally breaking the silence, she addressed the kneeling man directly. "If I ever hear so much as a whisper of trouble caused by any of you here again, consider yourselves fertilizer for the wild plants around these parts. Understand?"
The leader practically threw himself onto the ground in response, saluting fervently. "Yes, ma'am! Perfectly understood!" Rising to his feet, he turned sharply toward his men. "Move aside, all of you! You've wasted enough of Miss Elowen's precious time already."
To those still frozen in confusion, he delivered a swift kick, barking orders. "Get moving, you fools! Or would you prefer being buried alive—not as corpses, but as fertilizer?" Terrified, the remaining bandits scattered like leaves in the wind, fleeing in disarray.
With the threat neutralized, Liora and Elowen returned to the safety of the carriage. The driver urged the horses onward once more, eager to leave the unsettling encounter behind.
Once they were safely out of earshot, one of the bandits dared to question their leader. "Boss, why did we just let them go? That was a golden opportunity slipping right through our fingers!"
In response, the leader slapped the insolent subordinate hard across the face, his tone laced with fury. "You idiot! Do you have any idea who that woman in green was? That was Miss Elowen—the Verdant Blade, the Green Mage herself!"
"She could annihilate every single one of us in the blink of an eye. Be grateful she accepted my apology. And if she calls upon the forces of Verdantia, there'd be nothing left of us!" He paused, glaring at his men with a mix of frustration and determination.
"I'm done with this outlaw nonsense. I'm finding honest work, and you're free to join me or stay on this suicidal path. But mark my words—if Miss Elowen comes back for revenge, none of you will survive to tell the tale." With that, he strode off decisively, followed by most of his gang, who now shared his conviction.
The rest dispersed in different directions, united only by their newfound fear of becoming plant food—and their desperate desire to live.
As the carriage rolled steadily forward, Liora glanced at Elowen, her admiration tempered by lingering questions. "Why they didn't scared of my threat? How… how did they know who you are?" she asked hesitantly.
Elowen smirked, leaning back against the seat. "The bluff will only work if you have deep and broad reputation to back it up. Let's just say my reputation precedes me, kid. Some things are better left unsaid—or unexplained." Despite the tension of the encounter, a small smile tugged at Liora's lips.
Whatever challenges awaited them beyond the horizon, she knew one thing for certain: having Elowen by her side made even the most daunting obstacles seem surmountable.
As twilight descended, casting long shadows across the plains of Thalvoria, Liora and Elowen decided to make one final stop before continuing their journey the next day.
The dimming light signaled the approach of night—a time when travel would become perilous due to the lurking dangers that thrived in darkness. Knowing they were close to their destination, they opted for a brief but meaningful rest under the canopy of stars that blinking slowly into place above the forested horizon.
A soft wind passed through the trees and over the grass, rustling tents and cloaks, whispering lullabies from the realm of Thalvoria. allowing themselves a moment of respite amidst the quiet beauty of nature. Their carriage was parked just beyond the reach of the trees, tucked beside a narrow brook that glittered under moonlight.
The horses grazed quietly, the driver already curled under a blanket beside the wheels. Inside their canvas tent, Liora and Elowen sat on soft travel mats, a small lantern between them casting flickers of amber light across their faces. The evening air was cool and soothing, carrying with it the faint scent of wildflowers and freshly turned earth.
Birds chirped softly in the distance, their melodies blending harmoniously with the rustling leaves stirred by gentle breezes. It was during this tranquil interlude that Liora initiated a conversation, her curiosity piqued by the enigmatic aura surrounding her mentor .
"Elowen," she began hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper, "how did you build such an incredible reputation? Did… did you have to kill many humans along the way?" Elowen chuckled at the question, her tone laced with amusement yet tinged with seriousness.
"Not a single soul, Liora," she replied firmly. "I've interrogated spies, disciplined unruly soldiers who disobeyed orders or slacked off, and taught lecherous men a lesson when they harassed women. But no, I've never taken a human life—not once."
She paused briefly before adding, almost as an afterthought, "Though I can't say the same about demons." Liora laughed awkwardly at the remark, though there was a flicker of relief in her expression.
Encouraged by Elowen's candor, she pressed further. "Were you always like this? Or was there something—some event—that made you stop hesitating when facing your enemies?" Elowen let out a soft laugh, shaking her head slightly.
"Of course not, Liora. I wasn't always this way. Like you, I used to doubt myself, worry endlessly, and feel fear gripping my heart. These changes didn't happen overnight. Life has a way of forcing us to rethink our values, adapt to new realities, and grow stronger over time."
"Slowly but surely, we evolve while still holding onto certain principles that define who we are." She paused, searching for the right words to articulate her thoughts.
"It's hard to explain, really. Sometimes I feel like I've changed completely, yet other times I realize I'm still fundamentally the same person. I apologize if this sounds confusing—I'm still learning too. In fact, I think everyone is. All of us—human beings—are constantly growing and evolving until the day we leave this world."
Liora listened intently, her eyes reflecting admiration for Elowen's honesty and wisdom. After a thoughtful pause, she responded warmly. "Thank you, Elowen, for sharing your perspective. And please don't apologize—it means so much to me that you're willing to open up like this."
Both women shared a soft laugh, joining the music of crickets and the rustling leaves outside, their bond deepening with each passing moment. Liora then continued, her voice steady and resolute.
"I think I've come to understand something important. Change is inevitable, especially given everything we've faced so far. But I've decided that I won't let these experiences transform me into someone unrecognizable."
"Instead, I'll strive to mature—to become wiser and more capable without losing sight of my true self." Elowen beamed with pride, her smile radiating warmth and encouragement. "I'm genuinely proud of you, Liora. You're on the right path, and I have no doubt you'll succeed."
Liora laughed sheepishly, scratching the back of her head. "Haha, thank you, Elowen! Though I'm not entirely sure how long it'll take me to get there."
Elowen burst into laughter, her reaction exaggerated as she playfully smacked her forehead. "Oh, Liora, you're priceless!"
Once their laughter subsided, Liora grew solemn again, her gaze fixed on the horizon. "The hardest part for me," she confessed, "is dealing with situations where I need to act decisively against fellow humans."
"Back home in Sanctora, crime was virtually nonexistent. Sure, some people could be annoying—especially when they drank too much—but their actions rarely crossed the line into true wrongdoing. Here, though, I've encountered different kinds of people… ones who clearly deserve firm consequences. My mind tells me what needs to be done, but my heart holds me back."
Elowen placed a reassuring hand on Liora's shoulder, her touch both comforting and grounding. "It's okay, Liora. You're still in the process of finding your footing. Take it step by step. Yes, time is pressing, but rushing only leads to mistakes. Little by little, progress adds up."
Moved by her mentor's words, Liora embraced Elowen tightly, her gratitude spilling forth in heartfelt thanks. "Thank you, Elowen. I hope you'll never tire of giving me advice—or hearing my apologies and expressions of gratitude."
Elowen returned the hug with equal warmth, her voice steady and sincere. "Forever, Liora. As long as I live." With that, they retired to their tent, settling down for the night.
Underneath the vast expanse of starlit sky, they drifted off to sleep, ready to face the final leg of their journey toward Verdantia—the kingdom that awaited them with challenges and opportunities alike. The fire outside crackled low, steady and safe. Tomorrow would bring new challenges. But tonight, there was peace.