After a week of travel, crossing rugged terrain and battling various non-magical beasts, Torrack and Kaelith were nearing their destination. The journey had been long, filled with dangers, but both had grown stronger from the experience. They were now approaching the city of Dunfir, the capital of the Shadowspire district.
As they came upon a hill overlooking the city, they could see a vast crowd gathered at the gates. A queue of people stretched far beyond the entrance, and Torrack noticed the distinct sound of metal clanging—a sign that the guards were heavily armed.
"What do you think is going on?" Kaelith asked, her eyes scanning the distant city gates.
"I'm not sure," Torrack replied, his sightless eyes narrowing. "But something's not right."
They continued their approach toward the city. As they got closer, they could see more clearly—guards were patrolling the long lines, checking every person who sought entrance. Their armor gleamed in the fading sunlight, and their swords looked sharp, ready to be drawn at a moment's notice. The air felt thick with tension.
Kaelith glanced at Torrack, her hand instinctively gripping the hilt of her dagger. "This isn't normal. Do you think there's been an attack?"
Torrack shook his head. "No, but we need to be careful."
As they neared the front of the line, a guard, taller and broader than most, stepped forward and blocked their path. His eyes swept over them suspiciously before he spoke in a gruff voice. "Who are you, and what business do you have in Dunfir?"
Torrack raised his chin, revealing the king's crest that he carried as a symbol of his authority to travel freely through the kingdom. "We come by order of the king. I bear his crest, and we seek passage through the city."
The guard's expression darkened the moment his eyes fell on the crest. He immediately turned and shouted something to his comrades. Within moments, three more guards approached, their swords unsheathed, surrounding Torrack and Kaelith.
"What is this?" Kaelith hissed, stepping closer to Torrack.
Before Torrack could respond, the guards grabbed them, roughly pulling them toward the city walls. Torrack struggled but didn't resist, knowing it would be futile. He could sense Kaelith's tension, her magic flaring slightly as she considered fighting back, but he shook his head subtly.
They were escorted through a side entrance of the city, bypassing the crowds and the gates entirely. The streets inside were eerily quiet, with no signs of the bustling life a city like Dunfir should have. Instead, the buildings loomed large and dark, with shadowy figures lurking in alleyways.
The guards led them down a narrow road, stopping in front of a stone building that resembled a prison. Without a word, they were shoved into a cage made for holding prisoners, the heavy metal door clanging shut behind them.
Kaelith immediately grabbed the bars, her voice low and angry. "What the hell is going on? We haven't done anything wrong!"
Torrack sat down on the floor of the cage, his mind racing. "Something's wrong here, Kaelith. This isn't just about us. The city—it feels… different."
They waited in silence for what felt like hours. The air was thick with the smell of damp stone, and the only sounds came from distant footsteps echoing in the dark. Torrack's mind was working furiously, trying to piece together what was happening. The guards' reaction to the king's crest had been hostile, almost as if they were expecting it.
Finally, footsteps approached again. This time, a single figure entered the room. He was a giant of a man, nearly two meters tall, with broad shoulders and a large scar running down the left side of his face. His armor was different from the other guards—darker, worn, and emblazoned with a symbol that Torrack didn't recognize.
He stopped in front of their cage, staring down at them with cold, calculating eyes. "Remove your mask," he ordered Torrack, his voice deep and commanding.
Torrack hesitated but complied, pulling the mask from his face. The man studied him for a moment, his gaze falling on Torrack's sightless eyes.
"You're blind," the man said, more as an observation than a question. He turned his attention to Kaelith. "And you—what magic do you wield?"
Kaelith's eyes narrowed, her fists clenched at her sides. "I wield green magic. What is this about?"
The man ignored her question and looked back at Torrack. "Why are you here? Are you spies?"
Torrack shook his head. "We're not spies. I carry the king's crest. I'm on a journey that was approved by His Majesty himself."
The man's face twisted into a grim smile. "His Majesty?" he repeated with a mocking tone. "The king's power doesn't reach this far anymore. You're in Shadowspire now. This city belongs to us—the Revolution Army."
Kaelith's eyes widened in shock, and Torrack felt a cold chill run down his spine. The Revolution Army—he had heard rumors of them in passing, whispers of a growing faction that opposed the king's rule. But he never imagined they had taken control of an entire district.
The man leaned closer to the bars of the cage, his eyes locking onto Torrack's face. "You're far from home, boy. The king's crest means nothing here. You're in our territory now."
Torrack's mind raced, trying to make sense of the situation. "What do you want with us?" he asked, his voice calm but firm.
The man stepped back and crossed his arms. "That depends on you. We've seen too many so-called 'messengers' from the king, claiming they're on peaceful journeys. But we're not fools. Anyone carrying the king's crest is a potential threat to our cause."
Kaelith bristled at the accusation. "We're not here to cause any trouble. We're just passing through."
The man gave a low chuckle. "Maybe you are. Maybe you're not. Either way, you'll stay here until we're sure."
With that, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving Torrack and Kaelith alone in the dark once more.
Kaelith collapsed against the bars, frustration written all over her face. "This is insane. How did we end up in the middle of a revolution?"
Torrack remained silent, deep in thought. The Revolution Army controlled the city, and they were trapped in the heart of it. If they wanted to survive and continue their journey, they would need to tread carefully.
Torrack clenched his fists. "We'll find a way out of this," he whispered, more to himself than to Kaelith.
But even as he said it, doubt lingered in his mind. They were in enemy territory now, and escape seemed impossible.
Kaelith paced back and forth in the cramped cage, her frustration growing with each step. "We should've known something was wrong when we saw the guards at the gates. This whole city feels off, like it's on edge." She stopped and stared at Torrack. "What do we do now?"
Torrack sat cross-legged on the floor, trying to center himself. The situation was dire, but panic wouldn't help. "We can't rush this. We need information first—figure out how deep the Revolution Army's control goes. If this entire district has turned, escaping won't be easy."
Kaelith rubbed her temples. "We need a plan. I could try using my magic, maybe talk to one of the animals outside. But I'd need to get out of here first, and I doubt they'll just let us walk around."
Torrack considered her words. His connection with Kaelith had grown stronger over time, and he could still feel her magic radiating within the room. "You might be able to manipulate something small, something they wouldn't notice. If you can summon a bird or even a rodent, it could help us scout around while we're trapped."
She nodded, already thinking about what creatures might be nearby. But before she could act, the door to the prison creaked open again. This time, it wasn't the giant man with the scar, but two younger guards, both looking slightly uncomfortable.
One of the guards, a thin, nervous man with dark hair, stepped forward and spoke in a hushed voice. "The Commander told us to keep an eye on you two, but... we're not all on his side. Some of us still support the king. Stay quiet, and we might be able to help."
Kaelith's eyes widened. "You're risking a lot by even talking to us."
The guard nodded. "I know, but things aren't as black and white as the Commander makes them seem. There are many here who disagree with the Revolution. We're biding our time."
Torrack listened carefully, his mind processing this new information. "Then help us. We need to get out of here."
The guard glanced nervously at his companion before responding, "I can't free you yet, but I'll bring you food and keep you updated. Just... don't try anything rash. Trust me. We'll get you out of here when the time is right."
As the guards left, Kaelith leaned in toward Torrack, her voice a whisper. "It seems we have allies in unexpected places."
Torrack nodded, but his mind was already racing ahead, formulating a plan. If there were cracks within the Revolution Army, they might be able to exploit them. But they'd need to tread carefully—one wrong move could turn their newfound allies into enemies.