Countless hoof stomps with slaps of mud filled the air, which had a real stench in it.
The steam from the horses' mouths rose into the air, and their coachmen steered them with reins, directing them straight ahead.
A few birds flew through the sky, watching from high above the endless line of wagons of various sizes.
They had one thing in common, however.
They were all carrying slaves in chains.
The endless steppes were cut through by an immeasurable number of slave caravans being driven to a single point.
Morvian tapped his finger several times on the map to the place where all these slaves were now being taken. The city of Pyr.
It was a large enough population center that numbered around half a million citizens. However, it was still strange. Why were so many slaves being taken there at the same time?
Morvian tried to solve this mystery, but everyone he asked said they didn't know.
They all said, however, that Mr. Angelo was their customer.
Morvian knew of no such person in history, so he decided to hire one of the coachmen to take him to this town, which did not specialize in the slave trade.
Another rock in the road caused the wagon to bounce a bit and the golden-haired girl banged her tailbone against the wood.
A menacing hiss with a few curses diluted the rattling symphony.
At that moment the shadows in the corner of the wagon stirred and a moment later a gaunt figure appeared there, standing full height despite the shaking.
Two green lights in the darkness watched the young maiden hiding another's soul with interest.
"You have changed a bit since the last time we met, a man not of this world."
The Lich's voice sounded more like creaking doors than speech. You could feel your soul losing its power after every word he said. However, the girl didn't give any sign of it.
"I will not sign a contract with you," Morvian said.
"I already realized that perfectly well back on the mountain. I just want to observe an interesting person."
Eyes the color of the sun looked at the seething darkness, then turned away.
"You came all the way up here to me just to observe? I'm not that interesting, so you'd better leave before you're disappointed in my ordinariness."
The green lights in the darkness squinted, and hideous laughter filled the wagon.
Darkness lowered himself to the floor, mimicking a sitting position.
"No... you are truly unique. Trying so hard to survive, though ultimately your goal will be death in the name of another."
Morvian looked at Lich strangely, as if he was crazy.
"What are you even saying? My goal is to survive and become a Revenant so I can bathe in gold and provide my family with a good life... the rest of my family."
After pausing for a moment, he continued.
"And dying for someone? That's the last thing on my mind."
The lich looked at the body of the young girl, looking like the sun.
"Perhaps this is even more interesting than I thought. Your fate is quite tragic in my eyes."
Morvian got goosebumps at the evil spirit's words and simply turned away from him.
'To die for someone? What the hell is he talking about...'- he thought, falling asleep.
Realizing that his companion had fallen asleep, Lich disappeared into the darkness. He didn't seem to understand what he wanted from this man.
The cries of the birds in the sky were drowned out by the clatter of hooves and the chatter of the hired guards guarding the caravan.
Countless stars adorned the sky, and a huge moon illuminated everything around with a soft light.
Many lights appeared on the expanse of steppes where the caravan stopped for the night.
People were tired and set up small camps to eat and sleep.
Some were chatting and having fun, drinking alcohol. And some were already sleeping in their tents.
Morvian, on the other hand, had just woken up and decided to get some air.
Jumping off the wagon, he scratched the back of his head and walked through the rustling grass.
A light breeze tickled his face and the sweet air filled his lungs.
This was very different from his journey in the mountains. However, he didn't dare complain.
'The mountain air is good for me, but I think I'll refrain.' he thought as he walked between the many tents.
His bones were stiff from the wagon and he wanted to stretch out, so he walked. Though he didn't know the exact reason.
'I guess... I just wanted a quiet moment like this to get my thoughts in order. The ordeal was far more dangerous than I realized.
Two drunken men rushed past the golden-haired girl and fell into the grass, laughing.
Morvian successfully dodged and with a sigh, continued walking.
'Though I have done well, and have also gotten hold of a few things. However, I am missing something...'
He stopped and his sunny eyes looked at the canvas of people and tents.
Each of them lived their own life and purpose.
However, none of it was real.
He knew that all these people were long gone from the real world. Yet here they were so real.
As if they weren't just a part of past history.
'There could certainly be some pretenders here, but there's nothing I can do about it now. Going up to each one and showing them the sign of greeting makes no sense.''
Pondering, he stepped outside the general camp and a wild steppe appeared before him.
An endless field of green grass, reflecting the moonlight, stretched as far as the horizon.
Morvian walked a few more meters and fell into the soft grass.
His eyes were fixed on the sky, and a couple of insects circled above him, buzzing pleasantly.
A light gust of wind rustled the grass and ruffled his golden hair.
The faceless moon looked at Morvian, and he looked back at her.
To such peaceful surroundings he fell asleep once more.
Morvian awoke to the rustling of grass and the sensation of being dragged somewhere.
He opened his eyes and saw a huge body with several dark-colored limbs dragging him along the ground.
The abomination's muzzle covered in white skeleton was staring off into the distance and one of its four arms was holding his leg.
Morvian remembered the ring on his finger and focused on it.
The blue stone on the piece of jewelry flickered faintly and small chips swirled around it, forming the shape of a weapon.
Morvian's heart pounded inevitably and a cold sweat ran down his back.
The creature stopped abruptly and turned back.
Moonlight flashed in a pair of scarlet eyes, reflected by the blade in the girl's hand.
A menacing growl rumbled across the deserted steppe, and only the night sky witnessed the scene.