Chapter 84: Strange Village
The sun rose higher as the group continued their journey. The sound of hooves on the dirt road filled the air. Birds chirped, and leaves rustled in the wind. Cassian led the group at the front, and everyone followed behind him in a neat row.
The road became narrower with each passing day. The plains become rocky terrain and dense woods. The landscape grew more rugged and isolated. Villages became rare and finding an inn was impossible. They had been taking rest in the open of the forest.
Finally, on the fifth day, they reached a small village. The village had a few wooden huts surrounded by a weak wooden fence. Smoke rises from some chimneys. The air smelled faintly of livestock. When the group arrived at the entrance of the village, the expression of villagers froze.
A farmer carrying a bucket of water stopped. His face turned pale as he rushed into his house. Children near the fence were pulled indoors by their mothers. The village grew silent except for the growl of a stray dog.
Cassian frowned and stopped his horse. "What is happening here?"
"They are scared of us," Llyris said in a quiet voice.
"Why would they fear knights?" Orion asked with a confused expression.
"They do not just fear us," Keren said. His sharp eyes scanned the people hiding behind their doors. "They do not trust us either."
Cassian dismounted from his horse and signaled for the others to do the same. He walked toward a hut. An old man stood at the door holding a wooden cane. The man’s face looked tired, and his eyes were wary.