On a forest path, a caravan of merchants and horses moved slowly along.
The carts at the front and back were loaded with goods, beautiful and sturdy crates piled into small hills.
The metal crates shone brightly in the sunlight, and the smooth wooden bodies were so tightly fitted together that not even water would likely leak out. Even if the crates were empty, they would fetch a good sum of money.
In the middle of the caravan were three luxurious carriages, like three mobile mansions, each pulled by eight horses.
Yet despite the caravan's apparent wealth, it had few escorts. In total, there were just over twenty guards, most of them young faces that looked green and inexperienced.
There was even a scrawny teenager, his armor hanging loosely on his frame.
He looked around at the surrounding woods nervously, as if afraid that goblins might leap out at any second.