I stepped out of my cottage, letting the wooden door creak shut behind me. The air was damp, thick with the scent of earth and pine. Evening had settled in, and the sky was painted in shades of deep violet and burnt orange. I inhaled deeply, absorbing the surroundings. Other cottages ringed mine, all hastily assembled, as though thrown together in a panic—which, given the circumstances, might not be far from the truth. These structures weren't built to last. They were temporary, a stopgap.
At least someone had given my cottage more care. It wasn't much, but it was something. The timber beams were straighter, the gaps in the walls fewer. If this was considered "luxury" for those with rank, I could only imagine the state of the other camps. We were the nobles, but this place was only a slight improvement over what others endured. There were three more camps beyond ours, each one worse, each rung down the social ladder sinking into deeper misery. If this was nobility, I dreaded to think what life was like for the commoners.
The earth wall, erected early that morning, encircled the camp. It had been put up to prevent more 'Charlotte' incidents. It wasn't much, but it was solid. Yet, despite its presence, I doubted its ability to keep us safe.
I shut the door with a quiet click and stepped onto the beaten path leading to the cabin I had the Charlotte girl put. Borvak, my ever-loyal bodyguard, stood just a few paces away. Tall, even for a troll, his hulking frame dwarfed the narrow path. His scarred face, framed by wild black hair, was as unreadable as ever, but his eyes were sharp, always alert. He inclined his head as I approached.
Without a word, Borvak fell in behind me, his presence a comforting shadow as we moved deeper into the camp. It wasn't far—nothing was in this cramped space. Every cabin, every makeshift structure had been squeezed into the smallest area possible, as if the people were afraid to spread out, afraid to make their presence known. Fear ruled these woods, and for good reason.
Our camp sat near the edge of the forest, where the trees weren't as thick and the world beyond was still visible if you dared to look. I'd chosen this spot for my cottage deliberately. Close enough to the heart of the forest to remain involved, but far enough from the chaos to enjoy a semblance of peace. As far as peace went, anyway.
Eyes followed us from behind cracked windows and half-closed doors. They always did. I was used to it by now. I wasn't just another demon.
We reached our destination: the cabin, much like the others, though its door was reinforced with a crude iron bar. I knocked, and the door groaned open slowly. Elise stood on the other side, her sharp eyes meeting mine briefly before she stepped aside to let us in. Borvak followed.
Inside, dim light flickered across the room. The human girl—Charlotte—sat on the bed, her legs bound by thick ropes. Her wrists, though tied, were loose enough to allow her to eat. A tray of food lay before her—mostly meat and varin, a grain like rice but with a sharper, earthy taste. She was devouring it with an intensity that suggested she hadn't eaten properly in days. When she noticed me, she paused, bowing her head.
"Thank you," she said softly, her voice steady. "Thank you for sparing my life... and for the food. I am indebted to you."
I watched her for a moment. Her pale skin and dirty blonde hair were a stark contrast to the rough, dim surroundings. She looked fragile—too human, too out of place. Her clothes, though clean now, hung loosely on her thin frame. At least Elise had done what I told her to well. Charlotte was alive, fed, and in better condition than when I found her.
I kept my expression neutral as I stepped closer. "Don't worry about that," I said calmly. "Once you finish eating, I have a few questions for you."
"Of course, your majesty," she replied quickly, eyes still downcast.
I blinked, surprised. Majesty? Where had she gotten that idea? Maybe Elise had told her something.
I glanced at Elise, who stood silently by the door, arms crossed over her chest. Her dark eyes flicked toward mine, but she offered.....
No explanation.