The wind blew through the lonely trees, so chilly that it went through clothes like paper. Not that it was freezing, it was just that uncomfortable feeling one could get when summer had left for the year and winter was soon to arrive. Peasants hid their dried food in large stocks and moved animals into their houses. If they died, the people would as well.<br/><br/>That was the problems for common people. Those who weren't born in rich families, who had to work everyday of every year to survive. They didn't know how to relax, enjoy better things and most of all... spending a weekend reading books. Cause none of them could read, none of them could write and there was nothing they could do about it. That's why they stayed in those unpleasent conditions and died young. Sometimes came a lucky child who had the gift of magic. They were quickly recruited to the magical orders and transformed into a tool for society. Some full grown Wizards, like Brock, could act on their own. But many inexperienced and controlled followed the will of a local Count, Duke or King.<br/><br/>But people respected Wizards, both in the north and in the south. One could expect that they'd be seen as walking terror and abominations beyond control. But thanks to skillful propaganda and good deeds from the Wizard orders, they remained loved by peasants and nobles alike. But the truly rich ones knew about their true potentional and how dangerous they could be. If one would gain influence and have ambitious goals, then both the north and the south would have difficulties dealing with it.<br/><br/>A hour came and a hour went, before the gate opened from the south and the expected carriage drove through it. It was painted in bright red, the main colour of the south and decorated with golden patterns. Tall enough to keep a tall man standing straight within and wide enough to lay down. It seemed fragile at first but it was actually made out of solid metal. Like a small tank. It was pulled by four strong horses and was under protection by four capable guards, all dressed in the armor in the same colour as the carriage.<br/><br/>Armed with demilances, shields and swords at their sides. Looked quite capable of killing trice as many men before they would fall, if it came to battle. They halted when they reached outside the gate. Just over the line over to the north and one of the escort guards took the lead:<br/><br/>"Are there any reports of brigands on the road?" A tall man with a clean shaved jaw. Eyes like dark granite.<br/><br/>"Not what we've seen so far," said the guard with the bushy black mustache: "Reports came this morning and no hostile activity has been spotted. This whole week has been clean."<br/><br/>The clean shaved man nodded and unhorsed himself. Eyes went over every face he didn't recognize. It wasn't much of a surprise that he stopped at the sight of Brock: "You!"<br/><br/>His steps went down like heavy stones as went up to the wizard: "Are you the escort that's supposed to join us? The Wizard from the North? I hate liars, so you better speak the truth."