Chapter 175 - 170: The Northern Road
The caravan left the gates of Valenor just as the morning sun climbed above the eastern horizon.
The city slowly disappeared behind them.
Stone walls gave way to open fields, and the neatly paved streets became a wide dirt road stretching toward the north. Farmers were already hard at work, tending crops that swayed gently in the cool breeze. A few paused to watch the long line of wagons pass, offering friendly waves to the travelers.
John returned the greeting with a small smile.
There was something comforting about seeing ordinary people living peaceful lives.
It reminded him what places like the Royal Library—and expeditions like this one—were meant to protect.
---
The expedition settled into a steady rhythm.
Commander Gareth rode near the front of the caravan on horseback, speaking occasionally with the lead scouts.
Behind him came two supply wagons loaded with food, tents, climbing equipment, and spare tools.
The third wagon carried the Royal Library’s archives, maps, and preservation supplies.
John naturally found himself walking beside it.
Every now and then, he glanced toward the wagon to make sure the document cases remained secure.
Miriam’s words echoed in his mind.
*"Protect what cannot be replaced."*
---
Lythriel stretched her arms as they walked.
"I forgot how slow caravans are."
Aerion glanced at her.
"They’re not slow."
"They’re careful."
"That’s the same thing."
She muttered.
John chuckled.
"If we rushed, we’d probably lose half our supplies."
"And the other half would end up at the bottom of a ravine."
Sylvara added with a laugh.
Lythriel sighed dramatically.
"Fine."
"I’ll try to be patient."
---
Around midmorning, Commander Gareth called for the first short break.
The wagons stopped beside a shallow stream.
Some people refilled their waterskins.
Others stretched their legs.
The guards used the opportunity to inspect the wheels and harnesses.
John knelt beside the stream and splashed cool water across his face.
The journey had barely begun, yet it already felt different from his previous travels.
There was no urgency.
No desperate chase.
Everything was organized.
Disciplined.
Professional.
---
As John filled his waterskin, someone approached from behind.
"You must be John Davis."
John turned.
Standing before him was a young man with sandy-brown hair and kind gray eyes. He looked to be in his mid-twenties and wore the uniform of the Royal Exploration Guild.
John nodded.
"That’s me."
The man smiled and extended a hand.
"Eric Rowan."
"Surveyor."
John shook it.
"Nice to meet you."
"I’ve heard about you."
John blinked.
"You have?"
Eric laughed.
"The librarians have been talking."
"They said Aldric finally found someone willing to spend hours comparing dusty manuscripts without falling asleep."
John rubbed the back of his neck.
"I didn’t realize that was unusual."
"It is."
Eric replied.
"Most people last about twenty minutes."
The two shared a laugh.
---
"What exactly does a surveyor do?"
John asked.
Eric crouched beside the stream and picked up a small stick.
Using the damp soil as a canvas, he began drawing.
"My job is to make maps."
He sketched a winding river.
"A traveler sees a road."
He added nearby hills.
"A surveyor measures it."
Then he drew several small symbols.
"We record elevation."
"Distances."
"Landmarks."
"Water sources."
"Dangerous terrain."
John watched with genuine interest.
"So future travelers can follow safely."
"Exactly."
Eric smiled.
"A good map saves lives."
John found himself appreciating yet another profession he had never truly considered before.
Every member of the expedition had a purpose.
---
The break ended after fifteen minutes.
The caravan resumed its journey.
This time, Eric walked beside John for a while.
"You’ve traveled before."
It wasn’t a question.
John nodded.
"A little."
"You walk differently than most scholars."
John laughed softly.
"I’ve never really thought of myself as a scholar."
"Maybe not."
Eric replied.
"But you’re wearing the Royal Library’s cloak."
"I suppose I am."
---
By noon, the landscape had changed.
The farmland became less frequent.
Rolling grasslands stretched across the horizon.
Occasionally, small patches of woodland interrupted the open terrain.
Commander Gareth signaled another halt.
This one would be longer.
Lunch.
---
The expedition gathered in small groups.
Portable cooking pots were quickly set over simple campfires.
The efficiency impressed John.
Within minutes, hot soup and fresh bread were being passed around.
Lythriel accepted her bowl eagerly.
"I could get used to this."
Sylvara smiled.
"It’s only the first day."
"I know."
"But it’s a good first day."
---
Nearby, John noticed another familiar figure sitting alone beneath a tree, quietly reading from a leather-bound notebook while eating.
Darius Voss.
It was the first time John had seen him clearly.
He appeared to be in his late thirties.
Dark brown hair, neatly tied behind his head.
Sharp green eyes scanned the pages before him with unwavering concentration.
Unlike many scholars John had met, Darius wore practical travel clothes rather than formal robes.
His equipment looked well-used.
Not decorative.
Experienced.
John remembered Aldric mentioning his name.
One of the kingdom’s foremost historians.
For a brief moment, John considered introducing himself.
Before he could move, Commander Gareth called everyone together.
---
"I have a few announcements."
The commander waited until the camp grew quiet.
"We’ve made good progress."
"If the weather remains favorable, we’ll reach Riverside Village before sunset."
A murmur spread through the group.
Gareth continued.
"We’ll spend the night there."
"It will be our final stay in proper lodgings."
"After tomorrow..."
He looked toward the distant northern horizon.
"We’ll begin camping."
Several newcomers exchanged nervous glances.
The experienced explorers simply nodded.
---
After lunch, the journey resumed once again.
The afternoon passed peacefully.
Birds flew overhead.
The weather remained pleasant.
The road was wide and well maintained.
It almost felt like an ordinary trip.
Almost.
Late in the afternoon, one of the scouts riding ahead suddenly raised his hand.
The caravan slowed.
Commander Gareth rode forward.
John watched from a distance.
After a brief conversation, the commander returned.
"What happened?"
Someone asked.
"Nothing dangerous."
Gareth answered.
"A merchant wagon lost a wheel about half a mile ahead."
"We’ll stop and help."
Several guards immediately climbed down from their horses.
John exchanged a glance with Lythriel.
She smiled.
"I like him."
"Gareth?"
"He didn’t even hesitate."
John nodded.
Neither would he.
Helping travelers on the road was simply the right thing to do.
---
When they reached the stranded wagon, they found a merchant family struggling to lift one side of their cart.
One wheel had completely broken apart.
Before anyone needed to ask, members of the expedition were already moving.
The engineers inspected the axle.
The guards helped stabilize the wagon.
One carpenter retrieved spare tools.
John and Aerion assisted by carrying replacement timber from the supply wagon.
Within half an hour...
The damaged wheel had been replaced.
The grateful merchant bowed repeatedly.
"I don’t know how to thank all of you."
Commander Gareth smiled.
"Travel safely."
"That’s thanks enough."
As the expedition continued northward, John looked back at the merchant family waving from the roadside.
No treasure had been found.
No monsters had been fought.
Yet...
He couldn’t help but smile.
Sometimes, the smallest acts left the strongest impressions.
Ahead, the outline of Riverside Village began to appear in the distance, nestled beside a winding river and surrounded by green hills.
It would be their last peaceful night before the true wilderness began.
And beyond that wilderness...
The Ashen Peaks waited patiently, guarding secrets that had slept for centuries.
---
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