The first day passed without incident. The road wound along the coast before turning inland. Salt air faded behind them. Rolling hills stretched beneath a wide blue sky. Wild grass and scattered oak trees covered the slopes. They passed farms enclosed by low stone walls. Abandoned cottages with ivy crawling over their roofs. Birds scattered from the roadside whenever the group approached. Insects hummed in the grass.
By midday, the sun had climbed high. The road turned into a ribbon of heat. Dust clung to their boots and rose in pale clouds with every step. Sweat gathered beneath Kaelen's collar. His pack rubbed against his shoulders. The straps had begun to chafe his skin. He adjusted them twice. Then he forgot about the discomfort.
Aliar had started talking.
He had been talking since they left the inn that morning. Kaelen was beginning to suspect the man considered silence a personal enemy.
