Leon crouched low behind a dense thicket, his eyes sharp as they tracked the movements of the men rummaging through the forest. The trees provided plenty of cover, and the soft rustle of the leaves in the wind masked any sounds they made as they watched the intruders. Gorak was beside him, equally silent, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword, ready for any sign of trouble.
The men in the distance moved cautiously, their eyes constantly scanning the area as though they were searching for something—or someone. They weren't soldiers, at least not official ones. Their clothing was ragged, mismatched armor covering some of them, and their weapons looked old but serviceable. Mercenaries, Leon thought. Maybe outlaws. But they moved with a certain discipline that suggested they weren't just a band of thugs. Whoever they were, they were organized.
Gorak leaned in closer, his voice barely above a whisper. "There's at least eight of them. Maybe more hidden in the trees. What do you think they're looking for?"
Leon narrowed his eyes. "Could be scouting the area. Or they've heard rumors about Vekara and are trying to find it."
"They're getting close," Gorak muttered, his hand tightening on his weapon. "If they keep moving in this direction, they'll stumble across the village soon enough."
Leon watched them for a few moments longer, his mind racing with possibilities. They couldn't afford to let these men find Vekara. If they did, it could lead to a chain reaction—other mercenaries, brigands, or worse, the king's men, would follow. But he couldn't risk confronting them yet, not without knowing what they were after.
"We need to know who they're working for," Leon whispered. "Let's follow them. See if we can figure out their endgame before we make a move."
Gorak nodded, and the two men moved silently through the forest, keeping their distance as they tracked the group. Every step they took was calculated, their movements perfectly synced to avoid detection. The mercenaries didn't seem to notice them, too focused on their own search.
As they continued to follow the men deeper into the woods, Leon couldn't shake the feeling that something more was at play. These men weren't just wandering aimlessly—they had a purpose. And whatever it was, it could spell disaster for Vekara.
---
Meanwhile, back in the village, the air inside the clinic was filled with the faint sound of soft conversation. Mara sat by the window, cleaning medical tools while talking with Elira, one of the former servants who had taken to assisting her in the clinic. Elira, a kind woman with sharp eyes and a quick wit, had become a close companion in the often-tedious work of tending to the village's wounded and sick.
"Life here is… different," Elira said, her voice light as she wiped down a pair of surgical instruments. "I'm not used to having so much freedom, to be honest. Back in the lord's estate, everything was regimented, scheduled. Here, we have a say in things. It's nice. But… strange."
Mara smiled softly, looking up from her work. "It takes getting used to. I felt the same way when I first started here. It's hard to break old habits when you've spent your life serving others. But you're right—it's different here. We're all part of something bigger. We all contribute."
Elira nodded, her hands still moving efficiently as they talked. "Do you think this will last? I mean, once the king's men start moving closer…"
Mara's smile faded slightly. "I hope so. Leon's doing everything he can to keep us safe. But the truth is, none of us really know what's going to happen. The only thing we can do is be ready."
Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of muffled voices from the other side of the clinic wall. Mara's ears perked up as she recognized the voices—Lina and her brother, Erran.
Elira's eyes flicked toward the sound, a curious look crossing her face. "Sounds like they're having a disagreement," she whispered, her voice filled with the natural curiosity that came with gossip.
Mara hesitated for a moment before quietly standing up and moving toward the slightly ajar door leading to the next room. She hadn't meant to eavesdrop, but the tension in Lina and Erran's voices made her pause, her hand hovering over the door as she listened.
"You need to tell them the truth," Erran's voice was sharp, filled with urgency. "We can't keep lying about who we are. They've been kind to us—saved my life, for gods' sake. If they find out on their own, it'll be worse."
Lina's voice was lower, pleading. "I know, but it's not that simple. If they know who we are, if they find out everything, they might turn us over to the king's men. You know what will happen if we're captured."
"They're not like that," Erran insisted. "They're different. Vekara is different. You've seen it yourself. They're building something here. If we're honest with them, they'll help us. I'm sure of it."
Mara's heart raced as she leaned closer to the door, straining to hear more. Who were Lina and Erran, really? They had come to Vekara claiming to be refugees fleeing from the king's soldiers, but now, it seemed there was more to their story than they had let on.
Lina's voice grew quieter, almost a whisper. "I want to believe that. I really do. But what if they see us as a threat? What if they think we'll bring danger to their village?"
Erran's response was firm. "We're already in danger. It's only a matter of time before the king's men get closer. If we keep pretending, we'll lose their trust, and that's a risk we can't take."
Mara pulled back from the door, her mind swirling with questions. Who were they? What had they been hiding? She had trusted them, cared for Erran while he was on the brink of death, but now she wasn't sure what to think.
Elira glanced at Mara, sensing the tension. "What do you think they're hiding?"
"I don't know," Mara admitted, her voice quiet. "But whatever it is, Leon needs to know."
---
Back in the forest, Leon and Gorak had followed the mercenaries to a small clearing. The men had stopped, gathering in a tight circle as they spoke in low voices. Leon and Gorak stayed hidden behind the trees, straining to hear.
"They're definitely looking for something—or someone," Gorak whispered. "But I can't tell if they're close."
Leon narrowed his eyes as he watched the men. "They're too organized to be wandering aimlessly. Whoever they're working for, they've got orders. We need to figure out who's pulling the strings."
One of the mercenaries stepped forward, his voice louder now, carrying across the clearing. "We don't have much time. The king's men will be sweeping through soon, and if we don't find the village before they do, we're done. Keep searching. Someone out there knows where Vekara is."
Leon's blood ran cold.
They weren't just searching. They were hunting.
And Vekara was the prey.