The eastern province’s landscape gradually changed as Lianna’s caravan moved further from imperial territory.
Rolling hills gave way to dense forests, and the air grew heavy with moisture that seed to cling to everything it touched.
The transition was subtle at first—extra humidity that made clothes stick uncomfortably to skin, then a persistent mist that never quite cleared even under direct sunlight.
"The border should be just ahead," Captain Morris said quietly, riding alongside Lianna’s rchant wagon. His weathered face showed the kind of caution.
"Once we cross into Yanyu Dominion, rember—you’re rchant Lin, traveling with textiles and spices for trade." The captain continued.
Lianna adjusted her plain rchant robes, so different from the fine clothes she was accustod to wearing at court.
The rough fabric chafed against skin, while the practical cut felt awkward compared to her usual elegant gowns.
The disguise felt uncomfortable in more ways than one, but it was necessary for the mission’s success.
"And you’re my hired guards, concerned only with protecting the cargo for your paynt," she replied, checking the docunts that established her false identity.
The forged papers were expertly crafted, complete with trading licenses and cargo manifests that would pass casual inspection.
"Exactly," Morris confird, his hand resting casually on his sword hilt. "Though I should ntion again—fire magic is strictly forbidden in Yanyu Dominion. If we encounter trouble, you’ll need to rely on conventional weapons or remain hidden while we handle combat."
The warning made Lianna’s stomach tighten with anxiety. Her magical abilities had been her primary combat advantage since childhood, the one skill that set her apart from other nobles who relied solely on political maneuvering.
Fighting without her fire magic would be like losing an arm, leaving her dependent on sword work that was competent but far from masterful.
"I understand," she replied, touching the sword at her side. The weapon was well-made but unremarkable, chosen specifically to avoid drawing attention.
Her blade work was adequate for a noble lady’s self-defense, but nothing compared to her fire magic’s devastating potential.
The wagon creaked along the muddy road, its wheels struggling with ruts that grew deeper as they approached the border. Behind them, four other guards rode in formation, each man carefully selected for his ability to blend in while maintaining combat effectiveness.
Sergeant Willem, Corporal Hayes, Private Chen, and Private Marks—all experienced soldiers who could pass for rcenaries hired to protect valuable cargo.
"Weather’s changing," Willem observed, wiping moisture from his face as the humidity continued to increase. "Feels like we’re breathing water."
"That’s Yanyu Dominion," Morris explained. "Their magical climate extends beyond their official borders. The closer we get, the wetter everything becos."
Lianna could already feel the effect on her magical abilities. The fire that normally danced easily through her mana channels felt sluggish and reluctant, as if the increasing moisture in the air was directly suppressing her power.
Each attempt to circulate her magic required more effort than usual, and she hadn’t even crossed the border yet.
The first drops of rain began to fall as they approached the border checkpoint—scattered droplets that quickly multiplied into a steady drizzle.
By the ti they reached the Yanyu Dominion guards, the drizzle had beco a proper downpour that showed no signs of stopping. The transition was so sudden it felt almost magical, as if they had passed through an invisible barrier that separated dry land from perpetual rain.
"rchant papers," demanded the border guard, his voice muffled by the hood drawn up against the rain. Water stread from his armor in constant rivulets, but he seed completely accustod to the conditions.
Lianna presented the forged docunts, keeping her expression neutral despite her nervousness. "Textiles and spices from the eastern provinces. We’re hoping to reach the capital for the autumn markets."
The guard examined the papers. His eyes moved between the docunts and Lianna’s face, searching for inconsistencies that might reveal deception.
"Purpose of visit?" he asked after several long monts.
"Trade," Lianna replied simply, letting a hint of impatience creep into her voice. "We’ve heard good things about Yanyu markets, and the autumn season is supposedly the most profitable ti for foreign rchants."
"Long journey for uncertain profits," the guard observed with obvious suspicion. "Most imperial rchants stick to closer markets."
"The best profits always require risk," she said with the kind of confidence that successful rchants developed over years of experience. "Safe opportunities rarely provide the returns that justify major investnts."
The guard’s attention shifted to Morris and his n, studying their weapons and bearing with obvious interest. "Expensive guards for a textile rchant."
"Expensive cargo," Morris interjected with the gruff professionalism of a rcenary captain. "Lady pays well for good protection, and we deliver what we’re paid for."
"Recent bandit activity makes good protection essential," Lianna added. "I’d rather pay for quality guards than lose everything to thieves."
After several more tense monts, the guard handed back her papers. "Welco to Yanyu Dominion. Mind the roads—bandits have been more active lately. Stick to main routes when possible."
"Thank you for the warning," Lianna said, accepting the papers with obvious relief. "We’ll be careful."
As they passed through the checkpoint, the rain intensified dramatically until it beca a constant, heavy presence that soaked through everything despite their best efforts to stay dry.
The roads quickly turned to mud that sucked at the wagon wheels and made every step treacherous for the horses.
"Is it always like this?" asked Sergeant Willem, as he wiped rain from his eyes for the hundredth ti.
"From what I’ve heard, yes," Morris replied, adjusting his cloak against the downpour. "The kingdom’s magical climate ensures constant precipitation. It’s part of their defensive strategy—foreign armies struggle to operate effectively in these conditions."
"No wonder they’ve never been successfully invaded," Chen muttered, trying to keep his weapons dry despite the futility of the effort.
The perpetual rain was already affecting Lianna more than she had anticipated. She could feel her fire magic weakening with each passing hour, suppressed by the overwhelming presence of water in the air.
Every attempt to generate even small flas required significantly more effort than normal, and the results were disappointingly weak.
They made camp that evening in a grove of trees that provided minimal shelter from the endless downpour.
The guards took turns on watch while Lianna tried to rest in the back of the wagon, listening to rain drumming against the canvas covering.
"Can’t even get a proper fire started," Willem muttered as he attempted to light their cooking fire with increasingly damp wood. "Everything’s soaked through."
"Welco to Yanyu Dominion," Morris replied grimly. "Where even basic survival becos a challenge."
The inability to create fire for cooking and warmth was more than just inconvenient—it was a constant reminder of how the kingdom’s environnt neutralized Lianna’s primary advantage.
She had always taken her magical abilities for granted, never considering how helpless she might feel without them.
"How do the locals manage?" Hayes asked, chewing on cold rations since hot food was impossible.
"They adapt," Morris replied. "Different tools, different techniques. Everything designed for perpetual wet conditions."
The next morning brought no relief from the rain, and they resud their journey along roads that had beco rivers of mud.
Their progress was painfully slow, with frequent stops to push the wagon out of particularly deep ruts or to rest the horses when the going beca too difficult.
"At this rate, it’ll take twice as long to reach anywhere useful," Marks observed as they struggled through another stretch of particularly bad road.
"Part of the kingdom’s natural defenses," Morris reminded him. "Difficult travel conditions discourage casual visitors and make military campaigns nearly impossible."
"Perfect conditions for an ambush, though," Willem noted quietly to Morris as they navigated a particularly narrow section of road between dense forest. "Limited visibility, difficult terrain, predictable routes."
"You think we’re being watched?" Lianna asked, scanning the tree line with growing unease. The constant rain made it impossible to see very far into the forest, creating perfect cover for potential threats.
"Almost certainly," Morris replied. "rchant caravans are pri targets, especially ones traveling through isolated areas. Our border crossing would have been observed and reported."
"Should we alter our route?" she asked.
"All routes are dangerous," he said. "At least the main roads offer so chance of encountering kingdom patrols if things go badly."
As if summoned by his words, ard figures erged from the forest on both sides of the road.
At least two dozen bandits surrounded their small caravan, weapons drawn. They started to laugh.
They moved with coordinated precision that suggested military training, not the random violence of common thieves.
"Stand down!" shouted their leader, a scarred man wielding a sword that had seen considerable use. "Drop your weapons and step away from the wagon!"
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