Chapter 2 - The First Test (Part 2)

The horse carriage moved steadily along the dirt road, the sound of the hooves and the creaking of the wooden wheels echoing through the quiet forest. Inside, Gideon was deep in thought, staring out the window at the passing scenery.

He had a lot on his mind, especially after his encounter with the bandits. He knew that he had to be careful, as he didn't want to attract any unwanted attention. The last thing he needed was to be caught up in a dangerous situation again.

As the carriage continued on its journey, Gideon's thoughts turned to his destination. He was headed to the capital city, where he hoped to find work as a mercenary. He had heard that there were many powerful and wealthy families in the city who often required the services of skilled fighters like himself.

Gideon was confident in his abilities, having trained for many years under the guidance of his father. He knew that he could hold his own in a fight and was eager to prove himself to the people of the capital.

But as the carriage neared the city gates, Gideon's excitement was replaced with a sense of unease. He could feel the tension in the air, the nervous glances of the guards as they inspected the travelers. Something was not right, and Gideon couldn't shake the feeling that he was walking into a trap.

The carriage eventually came to a stop, and Gideon stepped out onto the cobblestone road. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for whatever lay ahead. As he made his way towards the city gates, he noticed a group of armed men standing nearby, eyeing him and the other travelers with suspicion.

Gideon felt a chill run down his spine, realizing that his instincts had been right. He was in danger, and he would need to be on his guard if he wanted to survive in this city.