Chương 476: The Reality of a Journey

Kael walked the dirt road away from Lindholm, the village shrinking behind him until it was no more than a speck on the horizon, like a distant dream slowly fading from memory. His father's reforged sword bumped against his hip with each step, its steady rhythm contrasting with the uneven sway of his satchel that dug mercilessly into his shoulder. Each shift of the strap seemed to pull him down, making the weight of his gear feel far heavier than it had that morning. The bow and quiver slung over his back added to the burden, pressing awkwardly against him as he adjusted their position for the third time in what felt like as many minutes.

"Why did I pack so much?" he muttered, his voice tinged with irritation. "Do I really need all this?"