Chapter 4: A Village of Secrets
Kor woke slowly, the sounds of soft murmuring from the village below and the crisp morning air filtering through the open window of his small room. His mind drifted back to the previous night—Elira's offer of safety, the gem that lay on the small table next to his bed, and the vague sense of belonging he hadn't felt in a long time. It was all unfamiliar, like he had wandered into a different life.
Sitting up, Kor rubbed his eyes and stretched, his muscles sore from weeks of walking. His thoughts wandered to his parents—how they had disappeared without a trace ten years ago. Every step he'd taken since had been to find them, but with every passing year, his hope had grown faint, like a flickering candle. Still, that drive pushed him forward, kept him going even when he had nothing else. Now, though, with this red gem and the Lords involved, the search for his parents felt entangled with something far bigger than he had imagined.
He reached over to the table and picked up the gem. Its surface was cool, smooth to the touch, but it felt heavier today, as if aware of the weight it placed on him. What did it have to do with his family? Were the Lords somehow involved in their disappearance?
Kor stood and quickly dressed, slipping the gem into his pocket. He needed answers, and even if this village offered him safety, he couldn't rest until he knew what had happened to his parents.
The soft sound of footsteps pulled him from his thoughts, and Elira's voice called from outside the door. "Kor, breakfast is ready."
He opened the door to find Elira smiling gently, her auburn hair tied back and her demeanor calm. "Come, join me."
Kor followed her to the kitchen, where the smell of fresh bread and tea filled the air. Elira set a simple meal on the table—warm bread, a bowl of porridge, and some fruit—and gestured for him to sit. He took a seat, glancing around the small room that was cozy, yet strangely quiet. It felt far removed from the chaos of the past few days, almost like an illusion of peace.
Elira sat across from him, her eyes studying him as she took a sip of her tea. "You seem troubled," she remarked.
Kor nodded, unsure where to begin. "I've been searching for my parents for a long time. They disappeared when I was just a child. I thought I'd find answers in the towns, or from travelers... but I never did. Now, with this gem," he paused, pulling it from his pocket and holding it up, "I feel like it might be connected to them. I don't know how, but... something about it feels familiar."
Elira's gaze softened, and she leaned forward slightly. "Your parents... have you ever had any sign of where they went? Any clue as to why they disappeared?"
Kor shook his head. "Nothing. It was like they vanished into thin air. One day they were there, and the next, they were gone. People said they might have been taken by bandits, or that they left on their own. But I never believed that. My father was strong—he wouldn't leave me behind. And my mother, she would never abandon her home."
Elira sighed, her expression filled with sympathy. "I've heard many stories of people disappearing in these lands. Sometimes they are taken by forces beyond our understanding. But if your parents were involved with something... larger, something connected to the Lords, then this gem may be a key."
Kor felt his heart quicken. "The Lords... do they take people?"
Elira shook her head firmly. "No. The Lords protect. They do not harm, and they do not take. But the gem you carry—it may have been linked to something they were guarding or something your parents were involved in. The Lords don't need artifacts for power, but they guard relics and secrets that could change the fate of this land. If your parents came into contact with something like that... they may have drawn attention."
Kor clenched the gem in his hand, feeling its cool surface press into his palm. The thought of his parents being caught up in something so vast made his stomach turn. They were simple people, farmers like everyone else in their village. How could they have become involved with the Lords?
"I don't understand," he muttered, staring at the gem. "Why would they have anything to do with this?"
Elira looked at him thoughtfully, her brow furrowed. "Sometimes, we don't choose the paths we walk. They are chosen for us. But what's important is that you're here now, and you have a chance to find out what really happened. The Lords will come looking for that gem when they sense its presence. They will want to understand its significance. And if your parents were involved, they may know what happened to them."
Kor's pulse quickened. Could it really be true? Could the Lords hold the answers he had been searching for all these years? The idea was both thrilling and terrifying. He had grown up hearing stories of the Lords' power, their ability to protect the land and keep it safe from unseen dangers. But now, the possibility that they could be connected to his past filled him with uncertainty.
"I don't know if I can trust them," Kor admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "The Lords... they feel distant. Like they're watching us, but never helping when we need them most."
Elira's expression grew somber. "The Lords don't act in ways we always understand. But they are not your enemies, Kor. They are protectors. If they knew your parents were in danger, they would have helped, if they could. But the truth is, there are forces in this world even the Lords cannot fully control."
Kor frowned, digesting her words. It was hard to reconcile the stories he had heard as a child with the reality of the Lords now. He had always seen them as indifferent, watching from afar while the people of the land struggled. But perhaps, he thought, there was more to the story than he knew.
"I'll stay," Kor said after a moment, his voice filled with resolve. "At least for now. I need to understand more about this gem, about the Lords, and what really happened to my parents. If this village can offer me safety, I'll take it. But I won't stop searching for them."
Elira nodded, relief evident in her eyes. "You've made a wise choice. You're safe here, and we'll do everything we can to help you understand the gem and its connection to your family. But know this, Kor: when the Lords come, it will not be just to protect the village. They will come for answers too."
Kor nodded, his heart heavy but determined. He had spent years searching for his parents, wandering from village to village, always hoping for a clue, but finding nothing. Now, for the first time in years, it felt like he was on the verge of uncovering the truth.
The rest of the morning passed in quiet conversation, with Elira explaining more about the village and its connection to the Lords. The villagers, she said, had lived under the Lords' protection for centuries. They knew the old ways, the stories that had been passed down for generations. And while the Lords had not been seen in many years, their presence was still felt in the land, in the way the crops grew and the storms passed over without harm.
As the sun climbed higher in the sky, Kor wandered through the village, getting to know its people. They were kind, though many seemed wary of him, as if they sensed something different about the boy who had arrived with the red gem. Some offered him food, others simple nods of acknowledgment, but there was an air of quiet tension, as if they all knew more than they were letting on.
By afternoon, Kor found himself standing at the edge of the village, looking out at the dense forest that surrounded it. The red gem felt warm in his pocket, almost as if it were alive, reacting to his thoughts. His mind churned with questions, doubts, and a gnawing sense of urgency. Could the gem really lead him to his parents? Or was he chasing a ghost, following a path that would only end in more uncertainty?
Elira approached him as the sun began to set, her steps quiet and her expression thoughtful. "You're thinking about leaving," she said, her voice soft.
Kor glanced at her, surprised by her insight. "Part of me wants to," he admitted. "But I can't leave yet. Not until I know more."
Elira smiled faintly. "You're a brave soul, Kor. But remember, bravery is not just about action. Sometimes, it's about knowing when to wait. The answers you seek will come, but you must be patient. The Lords have their ways, and they will reveal the truth when the time is right."
Kor nodded, her words sinking in. Patience had never been his strong suit, but he understood that this was not a journey he could rush. His parents' fate was tied to something far greater than he had ever imagined, and the answers he sought might take time to unfold.
As night fell, Kor returned to the small room Elira had given him. He lay on the simple bed, staring at the ceiling, his thoughts spinning like leaves in the wind. The gem rested on the table beside him, glowing faintly in the moonlight. It was a reminder of the path he had chosen, and the questions that still needed answering.
But now, at least, he wasn't walking that path alone.
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End of Chapter 4