Infinite Paths: The Raging Phoenix

"Your sense of humor is too dreadful, Rain," Branden said.

The group gathered in the room, awaiting the arrival of the village leader. Despite their critical mission, they understood the importance of adhering to etiquette and diplomatic protocols.

Rain, accustomed to the straightforwardness of soldiers or perhaps guided by his pragmatic nature, couldn't help but view these formalities as somewhat superfluous.

The moment arrived when the leader of the group, flanked by two guards, knocked on the door and made a formal entrance. He introduced himself with an air of gravity, a display of courtesy that Rain found surprising given their current surroundings and the urgency of their mission.

"Good day, my lord and my lady," The man said while bowing. "My name is Geio, vice leader of the Goleans tribes. I hope that you find suitable my position given that I was given the escort of your entourage to the capital."

Geio, the vice leader of the golem masters, held a position in theory somewhat akin to individuals like Roan, those who were related to someone important but didn't wield substantial influence themselves.

Geio has a tall and lean build, often with a rugged aura. His hair, graying at the temples, is usually styled short and neatly combed. He sports a chiseled jawline and a pair of intense, piercing eyes. He typically exudes an air of tough confidence, often seen in action-packed roles.

Despite his position as the vice leader of the golem masters, Geio appeared much younger than expected, perhaps in his thirties. This observation led the group to realize that the aging process among the magic people differed significantly from that of humans, granting them longer lifespans.

However, Geio's initial demeanor was less than welcoming to Rain since he stood somewhat apart from the group during the introductions, seemingly disinterested or even dismissive. Branden shot Rain a puzzled glance, but Rain subtly shook his head, suggesting they not make too much of Geio's aloofness.

"My name is Branden Corsalis, and this is my fiancee, Esmeralda Rosalis," Branden said, realizing that it was better to keep Rain's name hidden in order not to let the magic people confirm who he was or not. "We will be counting on you to reach the capital and then sign the truce."

"Certainly, we have provided a carriage for your entourage," Geio said and then bowed again.

Rain grabbed their things, and then the group headed toward the carriages. Although Rain felt some hostility from the villagers, he didn't feel anything from the soldiers. They were wearing ordinary armor, but they still had the aura of golem masters, so they had plenty of reasons to hate him.

"Why are they trying to look what they aren't?" Rain wondered.

While the group traveled in the carriage, Rain pondered the need for a secure means of communication, considering the sensitivity of their mission. The importance of privacy in discussions was evident.

Rain noted that the magic people had limitations in sensing magic. This sparked an idea – a way to communicate discreetly without arousing suspicion.

Rain conducted an experiment during their journey, confirming that while their conversation might be overheard, the closed carriage doors and windows shielded their actions from prying eyes outside. This understanding led Rain to a clever plan.

He harnessed his control over the minuscule particles in the air, manipulating them with precision. This enabled him to transmit a secret message to Branden and Esmeralda, meant exclusively for their comprehension: "All Golem Masters." It served as a covert means of confirming their shared identity without alerting anyone else in the carriage.

Branden and Esmeralda were surprised that Rain could tell that much, but Rain was a bit bothered by the fact that he couldn't show many letters at once with the bit of dust that he could control inside.

As their journey continued, it settled into a somewhat predictable routine. Days passed without any noteworthy incidents as they made steady progress toward their destination. However, one aspect of their trip struck Rain as rather peculiar – the constant motion, even during the nighttime.

Rain couldn't help but notice that the carriages were being pulled by golems, remarkable creations of magical engineering. What puzzled him was the soldiers' seemingly boundless stamina, as they showed no signs of weariness despite the relentless pace.

This went on day and night, and after several days, Rain found himself pondering whether there was a hidden secret or method behind the soldiers' enduring endurance during this demanding journey.

After two days of travel, the group arrived in a bustling and expansive city. It was evident that this city held significant importance, possibly serving as the center of governance for the eastern region of the magic people's territory.

Through the carriage window, they observed a hive of activity, with golems diligently engaged in various tasks, whether it was carrying heavy loads or pulling carriages.

The city had a distinct earthy tone, with most structures seemingly crafted using earth magic, often with the assistance of golems. Rain couldn't help but marvel at the sheer number of golem masters present in this city, a testament to their prominence within the magic people's society.

"We are going to stay here for the night and change the guard," Geio declared. "The inn that we are going to use is already reserved. Please use this chance to relax since we are going to travel in a carriage for one more week before reaching the capital."

Remaining confined in a carriage for an extended period was undeniably arduous, and both Branden and Esmeralda were feeling the toll. Carriages, no matter how well-designed, inherently had limited space. Being cooped up for such an extended duration led to a sense of claustrophobia.

Inside a carriage, movement was restricted. Branden and Esmeralda couldn't stretch their legs or shift positions as freely as they could outside. Roads, especially those traversed by carriages, weren't always smooth. Constant jolts and bumps from the uneven terrain caused physical discomfort.

Those two felt a sense of freedom like never before once they left the vehicle. As for Rain, he was fine since he treated the whole thing like a training session to forge his willpower.