Chapter 33: Graystone Town
Strings of glowing symbols spun slowly, weaving three overlapping circles, one vertical, one horizontal, and one slanted. They shimmered briefly before dimming out, leaving twelve figures standing where there had once been only air.
Kaelor, Hound, nine of their Guardsmen, Vi, and Mildred had arrived.
"We’re here. The town shouldn’t be far off," Vi said, lowering her hood. Kaelor gave a nod.
"Hound," Kaelor said, turning. "Make sure none of you are seen."
Without hesitation, Hound nodded and led the others into the woods, vanishing between trees like wolves slipping into shadow.
Kaelor, Vi, and Mildred continued forward, cloaked in hooded robes. A short walk later, they stepped onto the well-worn road. Kaelor came to a halt as his eyes widened.
Wagons pulled by horses. People on foot. A few carriages, even a merchant’s cart. The road had become a procession.
"So many people," he whispered to Vi as they merged into the moving crowd.
"Of course," she replied, her fingers subtly brushing the focus crystal hidden deep in her pocket. "Most of them are coming from nearby villages. Graystone’s the center of trade here, practically the capital of the Baron’s estate."
Kaelor nodded, but his eyes were fixed ahead. The massive walls of Graystone Town loomed in the distance, twenty-two feet tall and made of colossal tree trunks bound together with thick iron bands. The walls were wide enough to host dozens of soldiers on the ramparts. It was leagues beyond anything in Redwood.
As they drew closer, the crowd slowed. Voices reached his ears, gruff, mocking tones. They didn’t sound like disciplined soldiers. More like bandits in armor.