II

Chungha already missed the warmth of the tower.

The carriage employed by the First Pillar took her on a bumpy road along the Red River. She would make camp with the driver during the night and leave with the first sunrays. One would call them mad for travelling without guards, but the driver felt no fear - after all, who would attack a mage?

It was an early autumn. The forest they were passing through had crowns of gold and green, encrusted with tiny red apples sweeter now later in the season. Chungha ate one as she stretched her legs and waited for the driver to return, the sun already up. He was a man shy of 40 springs, looking ever so tired after every stop. But now more than ever as he ran back to where he left Chungha and the horses.

“I am afraid, my lady,” he huffed and he puffed, exhausted.

“My good man, have some water first.”

He complied and took a long drag from the canteen before speaking.

“I am afraid we cannot continue. The bridge had collapsed.”

Chungha recalled the Red River curved ahead and it was quite wide with rapid waters. The horses would drown if they attempted to cross without a bridge.

“Are there any other routes?”

“There is another but it will slow us down by at least three days.”

Chungha couldn’t afford to delay her appearance when she had already been announced. The Knights were not patient, not with a mage.

“Anything else?”

The driver thought hard and long. “Through the marshes, but I will not take you there.” He pointed at the forest. “Walk this way and you shall find a beaten road. Follow it and you may be upon the marshes. If you cross them, you will reach the village you seek by nightfall. But, be warned, there are all sorts of beasts.”

“Beast as such?”

“Wolves, mostly, but other,” he glanced around, as if afraid of who might hear him. “Other creatures, less kind. Even a mage as yourself might have trouble fighting them. Best to flee if encountered, but the marshes are muddy and damp and difficult to walk through, so running would be even harder.”

“I will take my chances, good man.” Chungha searched her robe. “Here, for your trouble, and thank you.”

The driver weighed the pouch in his palm, satisfied.

“My pleasure, lady. May the First guide you!”

Chungha grabbed a sack she held in the carriage and let it hang by one shoulder. She pulled up the hood of her coat and bid the driver farewell.

As the man said, she quickly found the beaten path and followed it. After five days of travelling only in the carriage, it felt good to move her legs.

Her staff was secured to the belt around her waist. It was made of two separate wood jointed in the middle, allowing her to fold the staff for easy carry. And to hide it from those that wished to steal it.

Back at the tower, they were taught not to blindly rely on their magic. If they found themselves without a proper staff to channel their spirit or if the enemy got too close, it was best to have another weapon at hand. Chungha had chosen the dagger she carried everywhere, lighter than most blades but just as deadly.

The marshes we