The cart creaked forward without a sound from its wheels, the grass parting beneath it like mist. The stranger simply nodded at Lucian's request and extended a gloved hand, gesturing them aboard.
Merry stepped up first, patting the side of the cart before climbing inside. "This one feels different," she muttered. "Less like transport. More like… passage."
Cadrel grunted as he followed, eyes scanning the perimeter. "It better not be one-way."
Alice lingered near the rear, still clutching the stone flower between her palms. She looked at Lucian. "Are you sure we're ready for Vel Quen?"
"No," Lucian answered truthfully. "But it's waiting. And I think we need to know why."
She nodded once and climbed aboard.
+
Lucian was the last to sit. As soon as he did, the cart moved—not with a lurch, but a smooth glide, like they'd merged with a river current they hadn't noticed before.
The forest around them grew quiet.
It didn't feel like they were in danger.
