The wagons moved slowly through the narrow pass, their wooden wheels creaking over frozen earth.
Frost clung to the edges of the canvas covers, and the horses' breath came in thick, cloudy puffs in the pale pre-dawn chill.
Inside the front wagon, an woman merchant rubbed her gloved hands together near a lantern, trying to warm her fingers.
Her name was Lila, and she'd made this trip a dozen times—Draken Duchy to the northern frontier and back again.
It was supposed to be easy. A routine delivery of spices, fabric, and some enchanted trinkets. Light cargo. Quick turnaround.
...And it was.
At least on the surface, Lila knows that anything can happened in the north, that's why she had picked five professional escorts guard.
If anything happens, she knows that they can take care of it.
Lila opened the small, frost-rimmed window of the wagon and glanced back.
