The road to Riverhaven was better maintained than any path Arin had traveled before. Wide enough for three wagons abreast, paved with fitted stone that had weathered centuries of traffic, and lined with mile markers that tracked their progress toward the kingdom's major river port.

  Their caravan consisted of five wagons, twelve guards, and one very nervous minor noble who spent most of his time in his enclosed carriage. Lord Petran was heading to Riverhaven for his daughter's wedding to a merchant family's son, an alliance that would apparently secure trade rights his family desperately needed.

  "Social climbing through marriage," Kelsa had explained quietly when Petran first introduced himself. "His family's old nobility, but their money's mostly gone. The merchant family has wealth but wants the prestige of noble connections. It's a common arrangement."

  Arin found the complexity of human social structures fascinating and exhausting in equal measure. Monsters were simple, they attacked or they didn't, they wanted food or territory, their motives were primal and understandable. Humans built elaborate systems of power and influence that seemed designed to confuse anyone trying to navigate them.

  The party's role was straightforward: ride with the caravan, watch for threats, and respond to any attacks. For the amount Lord Petran was paying, twenty gold split among them, it seemed like easy money.

  Which meant Arin was waiting for the catch.

  "You're expecting trouble," Torvin observed as they walked alongside the lead wagon. Arin had chosen to travel in humanoid form, using the long stretches of road to build his endurance. The dwarf had developed an uncanny ability to read his body language, even in this unfamiliar shape.

  "Easy contracts usually aren't," Arin said. Speaking while walking still required concentration, but it was getting easier.

  "Fair point," Torvin acknowledged. "But sometimes a milk run is just a milk run. Not everything has to be complicated."

  Arin wanted to believe that, but his experience suggested otherwise. Still, the first day of travel passed without incident. They made good time on the well-maintained road, stopped at a proper waystation for the night, and Lord Petran even provided meals for his hired guards and adventurers.

  "This is nice," Essa said during dinner, savoring a well-cooked stew. "Actual beds, hot food, no monsters trying to eat us."

  "Enjoy it while it lasts," Kelsa said, though she was smiling. "Silver rank contracts won't all be this comfortable."

  "Speaking of which," Torvin said, "after this one, what's next? We're staying in Riverhaven for a bit, or moving on?"

  "Depends on what's available," Kelsa replied. "Riverhaven's a major trade hub, so there should be plenty of contracts. We could spend a few weeks there building our reputation in a bigger city."

  "Close to Vyrdan," Arin said quietly.

  "We know," Kelsa said, meeting his gaze. "But we're not ready yet. We need to be stronger, more prepared. Rushing in now would just get us killed."

  "Aye," Torvin agreed. "We need to be smart about this. Build our strength, gather information, and make connections. When we finally go to Vyrdan, we go with every advantage we can get."

  Essa looked thoughtful. "Do you think we could find contacts in Riverhaven? People who travel to Vyrdan regularly, who might know things?"

  "Possibly," Kelsa said. "Merchants, guild messengers, scholars traveling between cities. Riverhaven's the gateway to Vyrdan, lots of traffic flows through there. We just need to be careful about how we ask questions."

  They're already planning. Already thinking about how to gather information without revealing our intentions. I don't have to carry this burden alone anymore.

  The thought brought both comfort and anxiety. Comfort because his friends truly understood and were committed to helping. Anxiety because if they failed, if they made a mistake, they'd all pay the price.

  "What are ye thinking about?" Torvin asked, noticing Arin's stillness.

  "Worried about you all," Arin admitted.

  "We can take care of ourselves," Essa said gently. "And we're in this together. You don't need to protect us from our own choices."

  "She's right," Kelsa added. "We know the risks. We've chosen to help you, and that's not going to change just because things get dangerous."

  The conversation shifted to lighter topics—speculation about Riverhaven, discussion of equipment they might purchase, Torvin's enthusiastic description of dwarf-forged weapons and armor.

  It was during the second day of travel that Lord Petran finally emerged from his carriage to speak with them directly.

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  "Master Slime," he called out as the caravan stopped for a midday rest. "Might I have a word?"

  Arin walked closer, curious about what the noble wanted. Around them, the guards and drivers were stretching, drinking water, and generally taking advantage of the break.

  "I wanted to thank you personally for taking this contract," Petran said, his voice formal but genuine. "I know escorting a minor noble isn't the most exciting work for Silver rank adventurers."

  "It is honest work," Arin replied. His humanoid form seemed to put the noble slightly more at ease than his slime shape would have—though Petran's eyes still lingered on Arin's translucent red features with obvious curiosity.

  "Indeed, indeed." Petran glanced around, ensuring no one else was listening closely, then lowered his voice. "I also wanted to offer some advice. You're clearly intelligent, and your party speaks well of you. But if you're planning to travel further into the kingdom, particularly toward larger cities, you should be aware that not everywhere is as accepting as Thornbridge."

  "What do you mean?"

  "I mean that the capital can be... difficult for those who stand out. Vyrdan has very specific ideas about social order and what belongs where in its hierarchy." Petran's expression was sympathetic but cautious. "An intelligent slime would attract attention… possibly the wrong kind."

  "Lord Petran," Kelsa interrupted, her voice cool but controlled. "We appreciate your concern, but Arin is our party member. We look after each other."

  "No offense intended," Petran said quickly. "I'm merely offering practical observations. I've lived much of my life navigating noble society. I know how power works in this kingdom, and I'd rather you be prepared than surprised."

  "I understand. Thank you,” Arin replied.

  Petran nodded, seemingly relieved the message had been received without offense. He returned to his carriage, and the caravan resumed its journey.

  "Condescending," Torvin muttered once Petran was out of earshot.

  "But probably not wrong," Kelsa said. "We all know Vyrdan will be challenging for Arin. That's why we need to be prepared, not just combat-wise, but socially and politically."

  "His humanoid form will help," Essa observed. "The better Arin masters it, the easier it'll be to move through cities without constant attention."

  "Still practicing," Arin said. "Getting better."

  "We've noticed," Essa said with a smile. "Your speech is much clearer than it was even a few weeks ago."

  The journey continued peacefully through the afternoon. They passed other travelers, exchanged news with merchant caravans going the opposite direction, and made steady progress toward Riverhaven.

  That evening, at another waystation, Arin caught fragments of a conversation between two merchants—something about Vyrdan, Academy renovations, donor pressure. A few weeks ago, he would have strained to hear every word, let the anger build until his form trembled with it.

  Instead, he turned his attention elsewhere. Dwelling on every reminder would only make the wait harder. He had a plan now, a party committed to helping him see it through. The details of what was happening at the Academy didn't change what he needed to do.

  Kelsa noticed his deliberate disengagement and gave him a small nod of approval.

  Torvin approached with four bowls of stew from the waystation's kitchen. "Food's ready. Waystation cook actually knows what he's doing for once."

  "Finally, some luck," Kelsa said, accepting her bowl.

  "My goal is to not starve," Torvin said, already working on his stew. "And to eventually afford proper armor. Everything else is just details."

  They laughed, and the tension eased slightly. The conversation shifted to more immediate concerns, what they'd do in Riverhaven, what equipment they might need, whether they should take another escort contract or try something more challenging next time.

  But underneath it all, Arin felt the steady burn of purpose. His friends understood what he was working toward. They were committed to helping him achieve it. And they were right, success would require patience, planning, and preparation.

  I can do that. I've learned patience in the forest, learned planning from Kelsa, and learned that some goals are worth waiting for.

  The night passed peacefully, and they set out again at dawn. The river road continued its gentle curve northeast, following the riverbank through increasingly cultivated land. Farms gave way to estates, small villages to proper towns. The signs of approaching a major population center grew more obvious with each passing mile.

  "There," Kelsa said around midmorning, pointing ahead. "That's Riverhaven."

  The city sprawled along both banks of the river, connected by three massive bridges that looked more like fortresses than simple crossings. Dozens of ships crowded the docks, their sails and flags creating a forest of color against the morning sky.

  "It's huge," Essa breathed.

  "Second largest city in the kingdom," Kelsa confirmed. "Only Vyrdan is bigger."

  Arin studied the city, his core pulsing with determination. This was a step closer to his goal. Not Vyrdan itself, not yet, but close enough to start gathering information. Close enough to begin understanding the world his enemies inhabited.

  One step at a time. Build strength, build connections, learn everything I can. And when we're ready, when we have everything we need, we'll make our move.

  Lord Petran's carriage pulled alongside them as they approached the city gates. "I'll be staying at the Merchant's Rest if you need to reach me. The wedding festivities will last several days, so your contract won't officially end until I'm ready to return to Thornbridge. Feel free to explore the city in the meantime."

  "Thank you, Lord Petran," Kelsa said.

  As they passed through the gates into Riverhaven, Torvin asked, "Where to first?"

  "Guild hall," Kelsa decided. "Register our arrival, see what contracts are available, and make ourselves known. Then we find lodging and start learning about this city."

  "And after that?" Essa asked.

  Kelsa glanced at Arin, understanding passing between them. "After that, we start building the network we'll need. One contact at a time, one piece of information at a time."

  "Together," Arin said.

  "Together," his party echoed.

  And so they disappeared into Riverhaven's crowded streets, four adventurers with work to do.