Rhys stopped first this time. He looked down each road in turn.
One led straight ahead, narrower and less used. Another turned south, with deeper tracks and signs of frequent wagons. The third curved north, partly hidden by trees.
Caria studied them quietly. "The south road looks busy," she said. "Trade route, most likely."
Rhys nodded. "The straight one's quieter. Could mean less trouble. Or more."
They stood there for a moment, letting the choice settle. No one else was at the crossroads right now. The air was still, broken only by distant birds.
Puddle shifted, its surface rippling once, then facing toward the straight road.
Rhys noticed. "You sense something?"
Puddle didn't react strongly, just stayed that way.
Caria considered it, then nodded. "Let's try straight ahead. We can turn back if we need to."
"Agreed," Rhys said.
