The sun broke over the hills, casting long golden rays onto the cobblestone road that wound down toward the city gates. Snake's Coil was now behind them, and ahead lay their next stop—Emberrest, a fortified city built atop volcanic stone, its towering black-and-red walls glinting like obsidian in the morning light.
The caravan exhaled in relief. After days of cultist ambushes, nighttime beast attacks, and near-constant tension, the sight of Emberrest felt like a promise of safety, however brief.
Jaxon stood at the front of the group, eyes scanning the ramparts. "Heavily guarded."
"Good," Kade said. "Means they're expecting trouble."
The guards at the gate stopped them briefly, inspecting every wagon and asking pointed questions. But when Lady Arwen presented her seal, their attitudes shifted. A horn was blown, and the massive gates creaked open.
Inside, Emberrest pulsed with life. Lava-powered forges hissed along the merchant district, and arcane lamps glowed with swirling orange light. Despite the looming mountain nearby, the city bustled with markets, mages, and mercenaries.
Elias gawked at a group of elemental smiths forging weapons from living flame. "This place is… insane."
Reed's griffon hopped beside him, just as wide-eyed. "Don't touch anything," Reed warned, as the griffon tried to snap at a sizzling meat skewer from a passing cart.
They made their way to a large inn carved into a slope of volcanic rock—The Emberhearth Roost—where Lady Arwen arranged rooms for the group. It was well-defended and built to survive firestorms and magical assault. Just the kind of place they needed.
That night, as they sat in the common hall around a long table, Sinthia broke the silence. "This isn't over, is it?"
Elias shook his head. "We haven't even touched the real threat yet. Malrek's still out there."
Jaxon leaned back, arms crossed. "And we're not ready. Not for him. Not for whatever the Burning Spiral is."
A cloaked man at a nearby table turned slightly, as if listening.
Kade's chains stirred.
Reed stood, lifting a mug. "Then we use this city. Rest. Train. Rebuild. The next time we run into the cult…"
He let the silence finish the sentence.
Everyone raised their mugs in agreement.
Later that night, as the city slept, Jaxon stood alone on the rooftop of the inn, staring at the distant volcanic mountain glowing red under the moonlight.
They had made it this far.
But the road was only getting darker.