CHAPTER 22: JOURNEY TO ASHENHOLD

Soon enough, Edward and Aeris climbed into the caravan, the heavy wooden wheels creaking as the horses were urged forward. The village gradually receded behind them, its simple rooftops and winding streets swallowed by the dense forest lining the road. Edward pressed his hand against the side of the wagon, staring out through one of the small openings.

The forest rolled past in endless shades of green, sunlight filtering through the canopy in scattered beams, dust motes dancing lazily in the light. He lingered on the village until it was swallowed entirely by the trees, a faint ache stirring in his chest. That place, for all its simplicity, had been home—even if only for a brief time.

He turned then to Aeris, who sat stiffly across from him, her posture so rigid it seemed painful. Her back was straight, her hands folded neatly on her lap, and her eyes closed as though relaxing would be a crime against her own discipline. Edward tilted his head, studying her silently.

"How long till we get to Ashenhold?" he asked, his voice cutting through the quiet hum of the moving caravan.

Aeris’s eyes shot open, sharp and piercing. They lingered on him for a moment, assessing, calculating, before she answered simply, "Four hours."

"Not too bad," Edward thought, turning his gaze back to the passing scenery until a sudden realisation hit him.

"Dammit! I forgot to tell the Chief about the pact thing Selene had mentioned before her death..." He lingered for a moment, thinking about what to do, until his eyes landed on Aeris.

"Hey..." he began speaking out loud, the girls attention turning toward him with a questioning look. "I forgot to tell your father, but Selene had mentioned something about making a pact? I’m not sure if that’s of any importance—"

"A pact?!" the girl cut him off, leaning forward in her seat, "Who with? What else did she say?"

"She didn’t say. She only mentioned that it happened accidentally when she was a kid"

The girl eyed him quietly for a couple of moments before speaking.

"There are no accidental pacts"

"What are those pacts anyway?" Edward pressed, having no idea what that meant.

"There is a group of cultists called Church of the Crimson Oath. They make pacts with evil spirits, becoming their vessels in exchange for power. Of course, the price they eventually pay is their lives as the spirit takes over their body... though it hasn’t happened in hundreds of years. Most people are too weak for the spirit to fully manifest, and they die during the early stages."

"...I see," Edward replied in a calm voice, though his mind burned with unease.

"I will send a letter to father when we arrive at Ashenhold. That information is of great importance. If the Church of the Crimson Oath is near the village, he needs to inform the capital"

"Seems like the whole pact thing was more important than I thought" Edward noted before turning toward the window.

For the next stretch of time, the journey fell into a monotonous rhythm. Forest after forest blurred by, the same endless shades of green punctuated occasionally by clearings or winding streams. Edward watched the landscape pass, his mind wandering freely, weighing the recent events—the confrontations, the summoning, the lessons he had yet to learn.

Aeris remained silent throughout, her eyes occasionally flicking toward him, but her posture never wavered. She seemed like a living statue, radiating control and awareness even in the smallest gestures.

Hours passed with the gentle rocking of the caravan until finally, a clearing appeared. Edward’s eyes widened as he spotted an outline in the distance.

A town.

It sprawled across the landscape like a patchwork of red and brown brick, chimneys puffing smoke into the sky. Narrow cobbled streets weaved between clusters of bustling buildings, each shimmering with the restless energy of life within. The contrast with the simple village he had left was staggering. Even the Chief’s residence, stately as it had been, now seemed dwarfed in comparison.

Edward’s mind raced as he observed the town: the height of the buildings, the intricate designs on window shutters, the balance of stone and brick that suggested careful planning rather than casual construction. Merchants shouted across the streets, children darted between legs and carts, and the air was thick with the scent of smoke, roasting meats, and spices mingling in a lively perfume.

The caravan creaked as it rolled over the uneven cobblestones, the hooves echoing off the brick facades. Edward leaned forward, peering through the opening, taking in every detail.

Finally, the caravan stopped in front of a large townhouse, constructed of red brick, its wooden doors polished and reinforced with iron bands. A person leading the horses called out, "We’re here!"

Without a moment’s hesitation, Aeris rose and stepped from the wagon, her movements precise and economical. Edward hesitated briefly, taking in the scale and liveliness of the town, before following to catch up.

Stepping out, he felt the difference immediately. The town exuded a sense of order and purpose. The streets were narrow but well-maintained, the buildings aligned with careful consideration, and even the residents carried themselves with a confidence and pride absent from his village. It seemed far more advanced than the simple medieval life he had known here, alive with the energy of commerce, politics, and industry.

"You coming?" Aeris asked, already at the door, her voice low but impatient.

Edward blinked, momentarily distracted by her presence. She was tall, composed, and exuded a quiet authority even in her casual stance. Her cold gaze swept over him once, then she stepped inside.

He followed quickly, closing the heavy oak doors behind him.

Immediately, the warmth of the interior hit him, and the scent of burning wood filled his senses. The hearth glowed brightly, flickering shadows dancing along the polished floor. The room radiated comfort, a stark contrast to the cool, disciplined exterior Aeris had maintained throughout the journey.

Aeris moved with purpose toward the corridor, and Edward followed. She did not glance back, her movements measured and precise. Soon, they arrived at the main hall of the townhouse, the space grander than anything Edward had seen in his village. Polished floors reflected the warm light, tapestries depicting scenes of past glories and battles hung on the walls, and the faint scent of incense lingered in the air.

Aeris pointed him toward a door along the wide corridor. "Your room is this way. I will come fetch you when it’s time to meet the Chief," she said briefly, her eyes scanning the hall for any disturbances before she continued down the corridor to her own quarters.

Edward nodded, silently following the direction she had given him.

The room he entered was modest but comfortable. A single bed with neatly arranged linens, a carved wooden desk, and a narrow window letting in a slice of sunlight. For a moment, he let himself take in the simplicity and functionality of the space.

It was a significant improvement from the cramped, shabby room he had rented at the inn in the village.

He set his bag down, letting the quiet of the room wash over him.

The sunlight streaming through the window caught his face, warming his skin and illuminating the dust motes dancing lazily in the air. Edward leaned against the desk, his thoughts drifting toward the journey ahead.

Ashenhold, a city he had no knowledge of, with problems he had yet to understand. But one thing remained clear. This new world was far larger and far darker than he had imagined.