“Fuck. There are people up ahead. A big group of them.” Serah exclaims before turning her head to the carriage. “Nickie! Get ready! We have company!” She calls out before sitting back down. They would soon cross paths, and she wasn't sure if this would be trouble. Serah looks to the box next to her and furrows her brows. Should I open it? She asks herself. She shakes her head. Nah. My sword is all I'll need. She thinks with determination.

Are you ready to pick me up? A voice asks in Serah's mind.

Serah lets out an exasperated sigh. “Why? So you can send me weird visions again?” She asks, doubtful of the wand’s use.

Samantha raises an eyebrow. “What? Are you okay?” She asks, wondering what that was about.

“It’s this cursed wand. It fed on my blood and now it randomly likes to talk to me.” Serah explains, looking annoyed.

“Oh. Okay. You can talk to it if you want. I don’t mind.” Samantha responds before focusing once more on the road.

No visions. I promise. I just had to gauge your mind’s capability is all. The voice says, sounding a little more friendly.

Serah raises an eyebrow. “You promise?” She asks.

Samantha looks over for a moment before deciding to just ignore it.

I promise. The voice confirms.

“Fine. But I’m warning you. If you do anything weird, I won’t hesitate to bury you right here and just leave.” Serah says, intending to follow through.

Okay, okay. I’ll behave. The voice says, sounding a little worried.

“Okay. No funny business.” Serah says as she opens the box. She takes a deep breath before once more reaching her hand for the wand. She holds it for a while and nothing weird happens. Satisfied, she lets out a smile and she allows her mana to pass to the wand, to get a feel of what it was capable of. “Nice! You’re not so bad for a wand! Definitely worth the coin. If you behave, that is.” She says, happy with her purchase.

Well, what can I say? If I’m anything, I’m useful. The wand says with some pride.

“As for useful. We’ll have to test that out.” She says as she looks ahead, to the caravan that they were about to cross paths with. “Hey, Samantha. Are they going in the same direction we’re going?” She asks.

Samantha nods. “Yes. Unless they plan to turn this way, we’ll probably be heading in the same direction.” She says.

Serah’s brows furrow. She very much hoped that this would be a friendly encounter.

...

…

“Well hello there!” A man calls out as he approaches Serah’s group with his horse. “You three wouldn’t happen to be heading towards Karolen would you?” He asks, gauging the group’s intentions.

“Yes. That’s exactly where we’re going” Samantha calls out.

The man smiles. “Well that’s great! If you wanted to follow after our caravan you’re more than welcome! The roads are much safer with more people!” He says enthusiastically.

Samantha smiles. “Don’t mind us. We’ll stay a fair distance away. We’ll be no trouble.” She says, offering a small token of comfort.

The man smiles again. “No worries. Well, I’ll be off.” He says before turning his horse and going back to the caravan.

Serah looks to Samantha. “Do you think it will be a smooth journey?” She asks.

Samantha smirks. “Is it ever?” She couldn’t help but say. “But these guys don’t seem so bad. The guards look well trained, but I have a feeling we can handle them, so it shouldn’t be too much trouble if things get out of hand.” She says, explaining how she saw it.

Serah lets out a breath. “Let’s hope things go well.” She says before putting her wand away.