The sun had barely risen when the group, now including Elara, resumed their journey through the dense forest. The morning mist clung to the trees, casting an ethereal veil over the landscape. Elara walked alongside Adrian and Alaric, her presence a reminder of the fragile truce they had entered into. Despite the reassurance she had provided, the weight of mistrust hung heavily in the air.
Elara seemed to sense the tension. She kept her distance from the others, her eyes scanning the forest as if searching for hidden threats. Adrian, walking beside her, tried to focus on the path ahead, but his mind was preoccupied with the implications of her presence.
"Adrian," Elara said quietly, breaking the silence, "I understand your concerns. If there's anything specific you want to know, ask me now. I want to earn your trust."
