The road that Kole’s brother had mentioned was only an hour’s jog away. Paved with aged, cracked stone, the ancient highway was twice as wide as the suburban streets in Nolan’s old neighbourhood and endlessly longer. It separated the vibrant landscape into mirror halves, a forgone expanse that shot off into the horizon and disappeared into the distance.

“Our father’s carriages should be just up ahead.”

Why did he get so serious all of a sudden?

They ran on for several minutes before the road degraded into a mess of earthen holes and crumbled cobblestone. Many of the nearby flowers had been sheared down, their severed stems littering the broken road like bodies on a battlefield.

“Why is there so much blood?” Jason’s voice cracked on the last word. “I don’t see any people.”

Nolan stressed his spiritual sense to the limit. “That’s because they’re all in the fields.” He turned to the young man. “This should be where you guys were ambushed?”

“That’s correct. We moved the fallen away from the road so as not to inconvenience any fellow travellers.” The young man glanced up at Kole, a strange sadness in his eyes. “Hold on, Brother.” He quickened his pace.

Nolan was grateful for the surrounding flowers that masked the stench of death with a sweet floral fragrance. Several hazy outlines soon came into view, an imposing sight at the centre of the roadway. There were five large carriages with two muscular horses tethered to each, at least twenty armoured men patrolling the area with their weapons drawn.

Aside from a portly figure garbed in loose silks and soft furs, the rest hurriedly formed a line and blocked off the road the moment that they caught sight of the approaching group. As they fell within range of his spiritual sense, Nolan was shocked to find that most of the warriors were at the fifth level of Body Nourishment. Four were at the first level of the Profound Entry stage, and one was even at the second level.

Why is everyone so strong out here?

“Sir, I’ve returned!”

The richly dressed man pushed his way past the armed men, who’d lowered their weapons after confirming that the new arrivals weren’t enemies. Anxiously accepting the child into his arms, the man exclaimed, “Kole, your father has let you down terribly!” Without any regard for the surrounding people, his eyes streamed with wetness as he held his son to his chest. His arms shook from relief as lines of trickling tears dampened the heavy, walnut mustache that shaded his fat upper lip.

Kole gasped as a couple of his wounds were agitated. “Ah—father...”

The man had been too emotional to notice the minor injuries that covered his son’s body. Kole’s hand had most likely been broken and some of the tears in his clothing afforded glimpses of blackening bruises and scaly scabs despite showing signs of first-aid treatment.

Seeing this, the man’s face flushed with a feral redness, his mouth creaking with the grind of gnashing teeth. “Those bastards!” His angry gaze fell upon the young man. “Boy. The men who did this, are they dead?”

The young man shot a look at Nolan, who held up a single finger. With a look of surprise, he said, “Only one, sir.”

Kole’s father caught the subtle signalling. “I see some new faces.”

The young man filled his father in on the details surrounding Nolan and his group.

“Oh?” The man looked at Quin with skepticism. “You managed to kill someone at the first level of the Profound Entry stage? That’s quite impressive.”

“He poisoned his weapon,” Nolan cut in. “We both did.” It would be better if they thought Quin to be the stronger of the two.

“Must be a powerful poison that could slay such a foe so quickly.”

Nolan received his stare with a smile. “We wouldn’t be here if it weren’t.”

“I suppose so.” He gently handed Kole to his brother. “Boy, take Kole to the medicinal carriage and see to those wounds. Re-bandage him with strips of spirit silk and be careful with his hand. Damn that Vea, if she were still here then I wouldn’t have to rely on your shoddy skills.”

“Sir.” The young man’s face darkened as he ran off to the carriage furthest from where they stood, though his father was too focused on Kole.

Turning to Nolan with a tired smile, the fat man held out his pudgy hand. “My name is Remus, a humble trader that operates throughout the province. If it weren’t for you then my precious son would’ve been dogged to death by those mongrels, so it appears that I am in your debt. If there is anything you desire of me just say the word.”

Nolan traded grips with the man, introducing himself and then the rest of the group.

“Kam told you about our unfortunate encounter with those bandits, yes? Seeing that you came from that direction, you should know that the battle wasn’t an easy one. I lost half of my mercenaries and my only healer.” Remus anxiously glanced into the fields. “Considering the way that bandits usually operate it’s likely that there’re more roaming about.”

“Is it common to encounter bandits?” Quin asked. “Does this area have many?”

“Not usually, else I’d of brought more mercenaries along.” A light sweat had touched upon the rotund man’s brow. “Regardless of how many others they might have, we must leave this area at once. You can find a spot on one of the carriages while Kole is undergoing treatment.”

They departed a few minutes after Remus ordered his men to prepare to set off. The fat merchant had surprised Nolan and his group by having one of his mercenaries deliver a change of clothes for each of them just before they stirred the horses into motion. They ended up sitting next to Kole and the young man, Kam, who’s younger brother slept in his arms with his childish face twisted in discomfort.

Two simple wooden benches had been carved into the walls, which faced one another on either half of the carriage. It was a tad cramped due to the dozen large crates that gave off a neutral smell of dry leaves and freshly cut grass, alongside which were bundles of bandages and jars full of medicinal pellets.

The kid had said that there’d been around twenty bandits, but after hearing of the incident from his father Nolan was convinced that the actual number was much higher. If they encountered such a group alone in the wilderness then it went without saying that their reality would turn into a living nightmare.

I hate to think it, but thank god that happened earlier.

They didn’t talk much throughout most of the ride, their ears heavy with the jittering of the carriage and the clopping of the horses’ hooves.

Once his brother had settled, Kam pulled out a simple oval locket and began to polish it with a rag. Looking closely, the scratched silver was flecked with dried blood.

Nolan could see from his troubled expression that Kam had a lot on his mind. An articulate “V” was engraved into the centre of the locket, which he was willing to bet had belonged to the healer named Vea. Don’t tell me they were in love? Man, this scene’s sad as fuck.

“So, where are you guys from?”

“Our home is in Greenwall.” Kam didn’t look up from his task, his honest face weighted with fatigue and sorrow. “Our main one anyway. Father and I are always travelling throughout the province. We only spend a few months at home each year.”

“What’s Greenwall like?” Nyla was seated directly opposite from Nolan, now dressed in a plain yet eye-catching dress of soft black fabric that matched well with her ebony eyes and raven hair. “Is it true that there are over two hundred thousand people? Have you ever been to one of the grand tournaments? Oh, and what about the grand bookstore? I’ve heard that a person could spend their entire life there without coming close to reading all of the material.”

Kam seemed taken aback by Nyla’s burst of curiosity. Lowering the locket, he said, “Ah—I don’t know about the population exactly, but at the very least it’s a fair bit more than that. It’s the biggest city in all of southern Flora. As for the tournaments, I’ve never been to one.”

“And the bookstore?”

“I visit there sometimes on the odd day that I’m free. It’s quite a wonder.”

“What about the regular tournaments?” Quin jumped in. “The ones that happen every few months.”

He shook his head.

“You live in Greenwall yet you’ve never been to any of the tournaments? Could you be joking?”

“It’s not that I have no interest,” said Kam hurriedly. “It’s just that the tickets are quite expensive. They’re not something that I can afford.”

“Isn’t your dad a merchant?” asked Jason. He’d traded his filthy robe for a blue pair of cottony pants and a loose white tunic, the same as Nolan.

“Father doesn’t give me much of an allowance.”

“So that’s it.” Jason seemed grateful that he wasn’t ignored. “Wait, does that mean you work for free?”

“I’m merely helping my father. How could I ask him for payment?”

Kam’s words seemed hollow. Remus had bawled like a child when he’d reunited with Kole, yet the attitude that he displayed toward Kam was entirely opposite from the care and compassion that he showered on his younger son. The heavy merchant had treated them with a fair bit of courtesy, which made him quite generous by Venara’s standards. Even so, Nolan had sensed a slight spitefulness in his tone when he’d brought up the woman that Kam seemed to have liked.

Somehow he pitied the young man more than he had before. “How long until we get to Greenwall?”

“Five days or so.” Kam pocketed the locket with a sigh, careful not to disturb his brother. “If we don’t encounter any more trouble, that is.”

The rest of the day passed with an even mix of casual conversation and thoughtful silence. They stopped to rest for a few hours once it was late in the night, and then set off after a quick breakfast as soon as the sun’s brow crept over the horizon. They continued to share the same carriage as Kam and Kole, stopping here and there for meals and nothing else.

Four days passed in this manner, the fifth day slowly clawing by as the carriage rattled on across the ancient roadway.

“So what city are you guys from?” Kole turned out to be a painfully talkative kid once he’d recovered enough for his spirits to lift, the type that was filled with endless, pointless questions.

“Quit pestering them, will you?” said Kam. “Didn’t they already say that they’re from a small village in the southern mountains?”

“But there aren’t any villages in the southern mountains.”

Nolan coughed. This was the eighth time the kid had asked where they were from, today. “That’s because it’s a hidden village, you know, like in the leaves.”

“But why would there be a village so close to the Bloodhand Sect’s territory? Wouldn’t it have been emptied by now?”

Kam lightly rested a hand on his brother’s tiny shoulder. “Show some awareness, Kole. Their hometown seems to be an uncomfortable topic. I’m sure they’d rather not speak of it.”

Kole didn’t seem to understand but piped down nonetheless.

When the small caravan stopped for lunch later that afternoon, Remus had his sons invite Nolan and the others to share a warm meal by a modest fire that one of his men had prepared. They’d set up camp a few dozen metres from the roadside, one campfire for each of the five carriages that had been arranged in a semicircle to afford them privacy from anyone who might happen to pass by, which happened occasionally.

Although the merchant remained alert, he didn’t seem as anxious as he’d been earlier in the week. Apparently bandits and highwaymen typically kept their distance from large cities and the lands that surrounded them, so the threat of a sudden ambush had significantly lessened now that they were only four or five hours away from Greenwall.

“Thanks for the food,” Nolan said, setting his plate down beside where he sat cross-legged on the grass. “It was great.”

“Eat as much as you like,” Remus said through a mouthful of roasted meat. “Boy, get Nolan another serving.”

“It’s okay, really.” Nolan stopped Kam from getting up. “I’ve had enough.”

“If you say so.” The big man leaned over to carve another hunk of meat from the large roast that sat atop a broad, metal platter within arm’s reach. “So, what brings you all to Greenwall? Are you heading there to see the grand tournament? We usually attend the regular ones, and I have to admit that they’re quite the show. This one only happens once every ten years, so it will be a new experience for Kole.”

“I can’t wait!”

“You’ve guessed it,” Nyla said. “We’ve been looking forward to experiencing the grand tournament for a very long time. We’ve travelled all the way here from the southern mountains just to see the show.”

Once everyone had finished eating and the conversation had dwindled, Nolan couldn’t help but turn to Kam and say, “Kole mentioned something earlier about a group called the Bloodhand Sect.” He glanced at his friends. “Actually, we’ve been hearing a lot about them lately but we hadn’t heard of them until after we’d left our village.”

Remus took a long pull from his wineskin as the cackling fire and the low murmurs of nearby mercenaries filled their ears. “So you’ve heard of Greenwall’s grand tournament but have never heard of the Bloodhand Sect? Quite the peculiar little village you live in, I’ve got to say.”

“A traveler that stayed with us for a few days told us stories of Greenwall’s tournaments when we were children,” Nyla replied smoothly. “He didn’t mention anything about the sect.”

“Cursed devils are what they are.” Remus spat into the fire. “They’re an evil power that’s grown to haunt these lands over the past century. Your hometown wouldn’t happen to be located under a rock, would it? I’d wager that there’s not a child deaf or dumb who hasn’t heard of the Bloodhand Sect in the entire eastern region of the continent.”

Kam came to their defense. “They hail from a small village hidden in the mountains. This is the first time that they’ve ever left their home, so it’s understandable that they’d be ignorant of such things.”

“Which mountains did you say again?”

“The southern mountains…”

“Is that so?” Remus gave Nolan a pensive look. “The Bloodhand Sect is a very secretive bunch. They’re a ruthless group that practices inhumane techniques that require human blood in order for them to cultivate, and I’ve never heard of a member that wasn’t disturbed in the head. It really is surprising to hear of a village hidden in the southern mountains that has yet to be preyed upon by those monsters.”

“So they’re based in the southern mountains?” Nolan scratched his head. “Our village doesn’t have much contact with the outside world.”

“The nature of their techniques makes it much easier for them to cultivate than it is for regular people,” said Kam. “Their organization is growing at a terrifying pace. They occupy the territory of a former kingdom, an area that spans for hundreds of leagues along the underside of the southern mountain range.”

A whole kingdom? Recalling the short youth who hadn’t taken part in the fight back at Redfox Village, Nolan’s heart sank. Knowing that even one person from such a shady group could point them out in a crowd filled him with trepidation. That kid couldn’t have formed a vendetta against him and his friends, could he have?

“A word of advice.” Remus fixed Nolan with a serious stare. “Be wary of any suspicious travellers you might encounter on the road. The Bloodhand Sect has recently begun sending waves of their disciples out into the weaker kingdoms to cultivate on the local populations. They’ve been getting bolder in recent years, sending out more and more each time. They usually stick to remote towns and villages, but you never know.”

“How strong is the average member?” asked Jason.

“At least at the level of my strongest man. All are known for being merciless beyond compare. It’s sick what they do to people, how they revel in it.”

Kam put on an assuring expression. “You shouldn’t need to worry. Our kingdom of Verdure isn’t a place where those disciples can do as they please. Cowards like those tend to head for the surrounding lands, because they know that our lords wouldn’t hesitate to strike them down on sight. Though if you plan on travelling outside of the kingdom then I’d advise that you avoid any of the main roads. As my father used to say, once you see the black and red, you’re dead.”

Remus hauled himself to his feet with a giggle of his gut and dusted off his expensive clothing. “Once we arrive at Greenwall, speak to Bane of the Merchant’s Association. You can find him at the head office in the central district. Tell him that Remus sent you and he will give you a significant discount on tickets for the tournament. He can also help you find lodging within the city.”

Quin’s muscular face lit up as a rare glint of excitement swam in his eyes. “We’ll have to trouble you then.”

Remus gave a curt nod and then informed everyone that they would set off within the hour. Once the meals were no more and everybody in need had relieved themselves, the group hit the road and continued toward their destination.

Many people began to trickle onto the main road from the surrounding fields now that they were so near to the city. Throughout their journey they had noticed the occasional pathway linking up with the main road but they’d only passed by a handful of travellers after nearly a week on the go. Just hours away from Greenwall, dozens of wide dirt roads began converging into the main one and a gradual flow of people began trickling in from all sides. Though it paled in comparison to the societies on Earth, such signs of civilization were heartwarming to see.

Nolan kept exchanging excited looks with Jason, who seemed of the same mind. Just what would a city be like in this strange and dangerous world, especially one with over two hundred thousand people?

Large plots of fenced-in farmland began popping up on both sides of the road. Vast swathes of wildflowers—and surprisingly, their roots—had been cleared out and replaced with a variety of unknown plants, with large expanses of grass that were being grazed upon by unfamiliar livestock that left Jason and Nolan in a bizarre state of wonder. Their most enthusiastic reactions came about when they spotted a large meadow filled with six-legged boars that were the size of adult elephants, and then later a herd of similarly sized cows with canine heads, utters and all.