The dim light of dawn was starting to filter through the clinic's windows, casting a soft glow over the room where Leon stood, watching over Arren. The young man lay on the cot, his breathing shallow but steady. His fever was still high, and his body was frail from days of dehydration, but Leon could tell he was strong enough to survive. He'd seen worse. The boy needed rest, water, and time.
Leon dipped a cloth into a bowl of cool water, wringing it out before placing it on Arren's forehead. The boy stirred slightly, his face twitching in discomfort, but he didn't wake. Leon glanced over his shoulder at Lina, who stood by the window, her arms crossed as she stared out into the growing light of the morning.
"You don't need to worry," Leon said quietly, his voice steady. "Your brother's going to live. He's weak, but with rest and water, he'll recover."
Lina turned toward him, her eyes filled with both relief and exhaustion. "Thank you… I don't know what I would've done if he didn't make it."
Leon gave a brief nod, turning back to tend to Arren. "You've been on the run for a while. It's a miracle he held on this long. Most people in his condition wouldn't have lasted."
Lina took a deep breath, stepping closer to the cot. "We've been running for weeks, maybe longer. I've lost track of time."
Leon didn't look up, his hands busy preparing a small ration of water to give Arren. "Tell me about the king's soldiers. Why were they after you?"
Lina hesitated, her eyes flickering with unease. She glanced down at her brother, as if his presence made the truth harder to speak. Finally, she sighed, her voice quiet. "I don't know exactly why. We weren't anyone important. Just villagers from the outskirts of the capital. But the king's men—they've been hunting down anyone they think is a threat. It doesn't matter if you're part of a rebellion or not. If you're not loyal to the crown, you're an enemy."
Leon's brow furrowed as he listened, his mind piecing together the fragments of her story. "So you fled before they could find you."
Lina nodded, her expression darkening. "Yes. We left as soon as we heard the rumors—people being taken in the middle of the night, whole families disappearing. Some were dragged back to the capital, others… we don't know. Arren and I thought we'd be safe if we kept moving, but they found us eventually. We got separated from the others, and since then, we've been on our own."
Leon remained silent for a moment, absorbing her words. This wasn't the first time he'd heard of the king's forces sweeping through the land, but every new story only confirmed what he already suspected—the king was tightening his grip on the kingdom, and anyone who didn't fall in line was being eradicated.
"And Vekara?" Leon asked suddenly, his tone sharp. "What do you know about this place?"
Lina's eyes widened in confusion. "Vekara? I didn't know this place existed. When we got close, I thought it was deserted. That's what everyone says—this village was abandoned years ago, a ruin. I didn't expect to find anyone here, let alone a whole community."
Leon exchanged a quick glance with Mara, who stood nearby, quietly preparing more supplies. Vekara's secrecy had been its greatest defense, but it seemed that the world outside was starting to take notice—or at least the rumors were spreading.
"That's what people believe," Leon said carefully. "And it's what we want them to believe. This village has to stay hidden, or we'll be next on the king's list."
Lina looked down, her face full of guilt. "I swear, I didn't know. I didn't mean to put anyone in danger."
Leon studied her for a moment, weighing her words. He could see the sincerity in her eyes, the fear that had driven her and her brother to flee. They were not spies, nor were they working for the king's men. They were simply survivors, like so many others who had been caught in the king's web.
"I believe you," Leon finally said, his voice softening. "But you need to understand something. Vekara is a sanctuary, but it's fragile. One mistake, one person revealing its location, and we'll lose everything we've built here."
Lina nodded quickly, her face pale. "I understand. I won't tell anyone. I just want to keep Arren safe."
Leon stepped back from the cot, glancing down at Arren one last time before turning to face Lina fully. "We'll take care of him. And when he's strong enough, you'll have a choice. You can stay here, help rebuild what we're trying to protect, or you can leave."
Lina's eyes flickered with surprise. "You're giving us a choice?"
"Yes," Leon said firmly. "But know this: if you choose to stay, you'll be part of our defense. Everyone here contributes. Everyone here fights. We can't afford to take in people who won't stand with us when the time comes."
Lina seemed to absorb his words, her gaze flicking back to her brother. "I'll stay. Arren and I don't have anywhere else to go. And if you need us to help… we'll help."
Leon nodded, satisfied with her answer. "Good. For now, focus on getting your brother better. When he's recovered, we'll see how you can contribute."
Lina stepped back, her shoulders relaxing slightly, though the weight of their situation still hung heavy in the air. She glanced once more at Arren before moving toward the corner of the room, settling down on a stool to rest.
Leon exchanged a glance with Mara, who had remained silent throughout the conversation. She gave him a small nod, acknowledging the quiet tension that lingered between them.
As Leon stepped outside, the morning sun was beginning to rise fully, casting a pale light over the village. The walls were nearly complete, the sounds of hammering and construction filling the air as the villagers worked tirelessly to secure their home.
But even with the walls, even with the growing strength of their defenses, Leon knew that they were far from safe. The king's soldiers were out there, hunting, sweeping through the land like a storm. And it was only a matter of time before they found their way to Vekara.
The village had weathered many threats, but this… this was different. This was the king's war, and it was coming for them.
Leon took a deep breath, his mind already shifting to the next steps. The walls needed to be finished, the villagers trained, and every resource accounted for. There was no room for error.
But even as he focused on the tasks ahead, a small part of him remained unsettled. Lina's arrival, the revelation that Vekara was still considered abandoned—it was a reminder of how fragile their sanctuary truly was.
And in the quiet moments before the storm, Leon couldn't shake the feeling that something larger was on the horizon.
Something they weren't prepared for.