Another month bled into the last as the caravan pressed on toward Argentis. The rainy season had descended in full force, and the party endured relentless downpours that turned the roads to grasping mud. The path was treacherous, but the sturdy, scaled horses they rode navigated the mire with little trouble. Beyond the weather, their journey was punctuated by several attacks from magic beasts, each one swiftly repelled by the armed escort of mercenaries. Though they couldn't wield mana, the mercenaries were seasoned fighters. More than thirty of them traveled with the caravan, their steel and sinew making short work of any beast that dared to assault them. However, everyone knew this was a temporary peace. The closer they drew to the Aethelgard Kingdom, the more numerous and powerful the magic beasts would become. At that point, mortal strength would be of little use. Thankfully, three Rank 1 Archons from the Veridian Academy were also among their number, assigned to escort the children safely to Argentis. Thus far, the Archons had not needed to intervene. But when they did, all the children were certain it would be a spectacle of terrifying power. Throughout the past month, Alaric had maintained his rigorous daily routine, training his body and honing his fighting skills without fail. Joric had gathered his cronies to pick a fight with Alaric on a few occasions. Each time, they were soundly thrashed, leaving Alaric’s pockets heavier for their trouble. Eventually, the boys learned to leave him alone. Due to the stark class disparity, none of the other children in the party made any effort to befriend him. The isolation stung at first, but he learned to accept it. All that mattered was growing stronger and focusing on his path to becoming a Magus. While the children kept their distance, the mercenaries were another story. Alaric was a prospective Magus, after all. Who wouldn't want to foster a good relationship with a man who might one day wield incredible power? On this particular evening, Alaric sat sharing a meal and a smaller bonfire with a few of them. Chewing on a piece of roasted meat, he turned to the man on the log beside him. "Rick, you're from Argentis, aren't you? What's it like?" Rick was a middle-aged mercenary with a receding hairline and a wicked scar that cut across his left eye, a detail Alaric found impressive. He tore a strip of meat from the bone with his teeth and laughed. "I've been lucky enough to see most of the kingdoms in the Southern Concord," he said, his voice a low rumble. "But I can say, hand on my heart, that Argentis is the grandest place I've ever laid eyes on!" Alaric’s eyes brightened. "What’s it really like?" Rick drained a copper cup of wheat ale before answering. "Hmm, where to even begin?" He mused for a moment, then continued, "There's the River Aurei, which flows right through the heart of the city. It splits it in two: the North Ward and the South Ward." "The North Ward is where the nobles have their manors, and the royal palace is there, too. The South Ward is mostly taken up by the Veridian Academy campus. Hmm… what else?" Rick trailed off, searching his memory. A female mercenary named Lyla, sitting beside him, rolled her eyes. "You idiot. How can you forget the Argent Bridge?" "That's right!" Rick slapped his thigh with an embarrassed laugh. "The Argent Bridge! The most famous landmark in the whole city!" "What's so special about it?" Alaric asked, leaning in with curiosity. This time, Lyla answered. "The Argent Bridge spans the River Aurei, connecting the North and South Wards. It's a thing of magic, they say, built by dwarves in the old days." "Every time the twin moons, Caelia and Noctua, grace the night sky, the bridge comes alive. It glows with a light of its own, reflecting their splendor on the water." "Whoa," Alaric breathed, his eyes wide. "Wrought by magic?" The mercenaries around the fire nodded, launching into stories of the sights and sounds of Argentis. The more Alaric listened, the more he burned with the desire to finally arrive in the magnificent city. The conversation eventually shifted to the Archons. One of the men, deep in his cups, slurred, "Archons are everywhere in Argentis. Respected by everyone. I've even heard whispers of a secret neighborhood there, one only a Magus can enter." "Really?" Alaric asked, his excitement palpable. The mercenaries all nodded in confirmation. "I can't wait to enter Veridian Academy and start my training!" Alaric clenched his fists, his voice filled with determination. Lyla watched him with a small chuckle. "When you become a powerful Magus, don't forget to hire us if you need any work done." Alaric suddenly understood their friendliness, but he didn't mind. Their intentions were harmless enough. He nodded. "Of course." His easy agreement earned him satisfied nods from the mercenaries around the small campfire. They talked for a long while after, and even coaxed Alaric into trying ale for the first time. They had grown to like the boy. Unlike the other children in the caravan, he was neither arrogant nor overbearing. The company was easy and comfortable. Across the main camp, Joric and a few other boys glared daggers at Alaric as he laughed and drank with the sellswords. A brown-haired boy with a face full of freckles gnashed his teeth. "Joric, are we just going to let him get away with this? That scumbag took my sword! It was a family heirloom, damn it!" Joric shot the boy a cold look and snorted. "Then why don't you go over there and ask for it back?" The freckled boy fell silent, his face paling. He could still feel the phantom ache in his backside from the last time Alaric had kicked him. Seeing the boy's cowardice, Joric scoffed. "Didn't think so." His gaze returned to Alaric, who was already swaying slightly from the ale. The magic beasts will grow more dangerous as we near the borders of the Aethelgard Kingdom, he thought. A glint of cold malice flashed in his eyes. The chaos of a beast attack would be the perfect cover. That lowly peasant dared to take my money and humiliate me? I'll make sure he dies.

Chapter 5: A Temporary Peace