The Hero's Puppet Master

Aurelia tugged at the stirrup for the third time. Her foot slid off for the third time. The horse snorted in frustration, swishing its tail in annoyance.

Before she could try again, Ronan strode over to her and yanked at the back of her cloak, pulling her off the horse with an ease that bordered on violence.

"Seriously, Aur? How is it that you can swing a sword, wield magic, and yet still fail at horse riding?" Ronan said, his head shaking with mock exasperation.

Aurelia pouted, crossing her arms. "It's not my fault! These animals have it out for me. I'm cursed, clearly.

"Cursed? More like hopeless," he quipped, glancing at the patient mare. "Baron Kael lent us horse personally for practice, and even you didn't learn for two years."

With a sigh, Ronan mounted the horse with practiced ease and extended a hand to her. "Alright, hop on. You're riding with me. Let's not waste any more time."

Aurelia grumbled, taking his hand and climbing up behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist begrudgingly. "One day, I'll figure this out, and when I do, you're going to eat every single word."

"Can't wait," Ronan said with a smirk, clicking his tongue to set the horse in motion.

Eleria observed from the fringe of the caravan formation, her brown eyes bright with keen focus through the helmet. The knights were getting ready to move, but her attention lingered on the pair.

She urged her own horse forward, stopping beside them. "Adventurers," she greeted, her voice calm but with an edge of firmness to it.

"I am dame Eleria of Lady Valtoria's guard. I wished to discuss the events of yesterday with the knights. It was… unacceptable."

Aurelia waved her hand dismissively. "It's fine. What's done is done. Let's just move forward."

Eleria's lips twitched into a weak smile. "Understood. I hope we can work well together until we reach the capital."

She didn't wait for him to respond, turned her horse, and rode back towards the vanguard of the caravan. They are not ordinary adventurers. Their movements are too precise, too practiced. And the man—Ronan—his eyes…

Her eyes flicked back over her shoulder, watching as Ronan spoke quietly to Aurelia. Dangerous. That's what they are. But are they a threat?

The caravan started moving, the rhythmic clatter of hooves and the creak of wagon wheels filling the crisp morning air. Ronan guided their horse to their assigned position at the rear of Lady Seraphina's carriage, giving him a clear view of the convoy.

His sharp eyes scanned the knights riding in formation.

Seventeen knights in total.

He pays attention to the noteworthy ones. He's got Garran to lead them. He is an A-rank at least. Knight Eleria is also, and there are two others. B-rankers include Sir Tavin and Dame Linnia. There are four like them. Everyone else was C-rank or below. Not poor, but nothing great either. Good enough for scraps of battles.

His gaze shifted to Garran, the experienced knight maintaining a vigilant eye on the group.

The route will take five days to reach the capital. Tonight, we'll stop at Crestshade Post. By morning, we'll enter Lyra Forest—our first real test. From there, a few towns, the Spike Hills Pass, the western crossroads, and finally the King's Road to Solara.

Ronan's eyes had darkened a little. In every life, Lady Seraphina has died in Lyra Forest. If it's really Viscount Dremoor behind this, I'll know by then. Let's see who he's hired to wipe out these knights.

A smirk tugged at his lips.

"Hey, Aur," he called.

"What now?" Aurelia asked, her tone weary but curious.

"How long can you hold Mana Resonance without tiring?"

She frowned, thinking. "Maybe two hours, tops?

"Good. We change every two hours."

Aurelia raised her eyebrow. "Why? What are you planning?"

Ronan chuckled; the smirk deepened further. "You'll see. This is going to be fun."

As the sun dipped to the horizon, casting a sunset glow of orange and pink across the sky, the caravan arrived at Crestshade Outpost. Wooden buildings inside the strong wooden fence gave a feeling of security. Travelers took their horses' reins off and spoke briefly with the guards before assigning a light watch for the night.

Ronan stayed quiet and sharp-eyed, scanning around him. Even with the outpost's calm, something was telling him to remain vigilant.

At sunrise, the caravan moved into Liria Forest. The tall trees created a roof of leaves, letting only patches of sunlight through. Shadows stretched across the narrow, bumpy path, making the group slow down. The knights rode in a tight formation, guarding the group as they went deeper into the thick woods.

Ronan and Aurelia rode at the back, the only sounds coming from the steady clatter of hooves. Ronan's eyes scanned the trees, his hand gripping the reins firmly.

This is where it begins, he thought darkly.

A few hours later, the caravan came to a sloping area. Suddenly, the second carriage jerked and stopped, its back wheels sinking into soft, muddy ground. The horses whinnied, struggling to pull it free.

"Halt the caravan," Garran called out while jumping off his horse. Knights fanned out securing the area and others to check the caravan that went stuck.

"What is all this?" Seraphina asked as she stood while holding closely her young son, Cedric.

"Ground is soft," he explained. "Wheels are on the back part are on mud."

"This will be some time for it," Garran concluded already helping his fellow knights get rid of the mud that was brought by the wagons.

Seraphina nodded, her grip on Cedric's hand firm but her face serene. Ronan slid off his horse, his piercing eyes scanning the forest's boundary. Something was off, and he could feel his unease rising.

High above, in the oak's towering branches, a figure readied his aim. The assassin's crossbow was steady, the bolt aimed squarely at Seraphina's heart.

A sly grin spread across his face. "Perfect shot."

He pulled the trigger.