The caravan would rest near water sources every few hours for people and beasts to drink. Since this caravan regularly traveled this route, they knew the terrain well. The bandit encounter was merely an accident; other matters required no concern from me.

Dusk was falling. A blood-red sun hung low on the distant horizon as the caravan halted by a small river. True to habit, I remained secluded inside my carriage.

A timid, youthful voice sounded outside the door: "Lord Black, I’ve brought you water."

I quickly tucked away my gold coins, straightened my posture, and replied in a low tone: "Enter."

A blonde girl of fifteen or sixteen stepped in. She wore a clean plaid dress, her fair face softly rounded with baby fat, her azure eyes calm as the Mediterranean Sea. Hesitantly, she approached, knelt on one knee, and held out a large silver cup.

The natural environment here seemed pristine; mercenaries and merchants usually drank straight from the river. But my mask made drinking inconvenient. I set the cup aside and studied her carefully. "What’s your name?"

"Emily, Lord Black. Emily Leonard."

"Emily? Sit beside me. I have questions."

She obeyed but stayed tense, head bowed, avoiding my gaze.

I understood—a robed figure in a strange mask would unsettle anyone. Yet during the ride, I’d realized my ignorance of this world. Even the Cerolos Empire’s official language tripped my tongue. My cover might slip.

The journey was tedious. Better to chat with a local and learn customs. Why Emily? Would I rather sit with sweaty, musky mercenaries?

She seemed too nervous. I softened my tone. "I’m Rylin. Rylin Black. Call me Rylin."

Emily shook her head frantically. "I wouldn’t dare, Lord Black."

"Suit yourself. You’re the caravan master’s daughter, right?"

"His adopted daughter, my lord. I grew up in an orphanage until Father took me in at eight."

*Adopted.* That changed things. I recalled tales of merchants and nobles adopting pretty orphan girls for political marriages. Emily likely fit that pattern.

Silence stretched. Emily fidgeted with her fingers, too anxious to speak or leave.

"Don’t fear me," I said gently. "Mages aren’t monsters. We merely chase truth so fiercely we seem cold. To be honest—I secluded myself for ten years to advance to Mage. I’ve just emerged and know little of current affairs."

Her shoulders relaxed slightly. "Ask anything, Lord Black. I’ll answer truthfully."

I began questioning her about the continent. Though young, Emily had a well-traveled merchant for a father and loved reading. Her knowledge surprised me. As we talked, she realized the masked mage beside her wasn’t so frightening. She even shared local jokes.

Inside the carriage, harmony reigned. Outside, the mercenaries saw only a pretty girl entering a strange mage’s carriage—and not emerging for over an hour. Whispers spread around the largest wagon: *missionary*, *training*, *mistreatment*. Caravan master Leonard’s expression shifted, deep in thought.

Unaware of the gossip, I chatted with Emily until full darkness fell. Three enormous moons glittered in the sky. My throat felt dry. "Emily, why hasn’t the caravan moved? We’ve rested long enough."

She stiffened, a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks. She rose, curtsied, and said, "Please wait, Lord Black. I’ll inquire."

Ten minutes later, she returned with a silver tray holding cured smoked meat. "The caravan will camp here overnight, my lord. This is a famous specialty from Gartin Town. A gift from Father."

"Set it down. I’m not hungry. Have you eaten?"

"I’ll join the others for the campfire roast soon. Thank you for asking, Lord Black."

"I’ll see the fire."

A large bonfire burned beside the caravan, a wild boar-like beast roasting on a spit. Its aroma was tempting. The mercenaries had been laughing and boasting over meat—until they saw me. They snapped upright, faces stiff with forced respect.

*Too much power isolates you.* I couldn’t join their camaraderie. Waving a hand dismissively, I said, "The carriage felt stuffy. I’ll sit by the river. Continue your meal."

The river lay two hundred meters from camp, two meters wide, its water mirror-clear. Certain no one watched, I removed my plastic mask and hooded robe. The surface reflected a stunningly delicate face. For girls—or boys wishing to be girls—this beauty was a dream. For me, it was a burden. It had exiled me from home, driving me across worlds. *May this journey go smoothly.*

As I bent to drink, footsteps crunched behind me. I hastily masked and hooded myself. Emily approached, holding a plate piled with roast meat. "Father worried you hadn’t eaten enough, Lord Black."

The meat smelled delicious. But my crude plastic mask had only two small eyeholes. Eating meant removing it—a risk I couldn’t take before others. I handed the plate back. "You eat it. Growing girls need nourishment."

Emily hesitated, reluctant but afraid to refuse.

"I told you," I sighed. "Mages are human. Not monsters. No need to fear."

"I’m sorry, Lord Black—"

"Don’t apologize. You’ve done nothing wrong."

"I’m sorry…"

"Never mind. The night is beautiful. Sit with me awhile."

Moonlight filtered evenly through the forest canopy. The woods lay silent except for the gentle babble of the stream and the whisper of wind through leaves. Emily and I sat side by side on the bank, each lost in our own thoughts.

After a long pause, her voice came, small and hesitant: "Does Lord Black require anything else?"

"Why bring someone so young on a dangerous route like this?" I asked.

Her gaze dropped. Shadows dimmed her eyes. "Father never did before. But this time… he’s taking me to meet the fifth son of Saxton City’s Merchant Guildmaster."

"Just to meet him?"

"If all goes well… I’ll stay in Saxton City."

She tried to sound calm, but sorrow and resignation shimmered in her azure eyes. At fifteen or sixteen, her life was just beginning. The world’s wonders still awaited her—yet she’d be given to a stranger’s son.

That fifth son might be a gentleman. Or a three-hundred-pound slob. Perhaps even cruel. None of it mattered. If he approved, Emily would become his wife, bound to whatever fate awaited.

I pitied her. But I was a stranger here—a traveler who’d return to Earth once my goal was met. This world’s joys and sorrows would fade like mist.

We sat in silence beneath the moonlight, the river’s song the only voice between us.