The border checkpoint of the Land of Iron stood in a mountain pass between two snow-covered peaks. Its gray-black stone walls rose ten meters high, triangular flags unique to the Land of Iron planted along the battlements and snapping in the biting wind.
Hyuga Xiao lifted the carriage curtain. Cold wind poured in, carrying the scent of snow dust and rust.
The checkpoint gates were tightly shut. Six samurai stood atop the walls, all clad in standard gray armor from the Land of Iron, longswords hanging at their waists. Their gazes scraped over the carriage and the three accompanying horses like blades—Xiao, Hong, and Samui each rode one, while the carriage carried some goods meant to disguise their purpose.
"Merchants?" a rough voice called down from the wall.
Xiao dismounted smoothly, as though he were taking a stroll through his own courtyard. Today, he wore a dark gray traveling cloak, its hood concealing half his face and revealing only his sharply defined jaw. Beneath it was a fitted black outfit suited for movement, with a ninja tool pouch at his waist, though he looked more like an ordinary guard.
"Herb merchants from the Land of Hot Water." Xiao looked up, his voice neither loud nor soft. "We're heading for the Iron Country Capital."
The samurai atop the wall stared at him for several seconds, then glanced at the carriage and the other two women. Hong wore a dark red cloak, while Samui was dressed in the deep blue style of Hidden Cloud. Both had their hoods up, concealing their faces.
"Open the gates," came the order from above.
The heavy wooden gates opened inward with a creaking grind. Xiao led his horse inside, Hong and Samui followed close behind, and the carriage slowly rolled in.
Inside the checkpoint was a