The dawn broke over the village, casting long shadows and bringing a deceptive calm to the atmosphere. Adrian sat in a corner of the mill, his mind still reeling from the previous night's events. The guilt gnawed at him, a constant reminder of his actions, and he couldn't shake the image of the villager's lifeless eyes from his mind.
Thalia and Alaric kept a close eye on him, their concern evident. They knew he was struggling, and the atmosphere within the mill was tense, with everyone on edge. The shadow's influence was a dangerous threat, and they had to find a way to break its hold on Adrian.
Later in the morning, as the group was making plans to secure the village, a messenger arrived at the mill. He handed a letter to Adrian, his expression neutral. Adrian took the letter with trembling hands, a sense of foreboding washing over him. He opened it slowly, his eyes scanning the words:
