The fire crackled in the hearth of the inn, casting flickering shadows across the rough stone walls. Elara sat at a small table near the back of the room, her hood pulled low over her face as she listened to the quiet murmur of conversation around her. The other mercenaries were scattered throughout the inn, some drinking, others tending to their weapons. Garrick sat across from her, sharpening a dagger with slow, methodical movements, his expression unreadable.
It had been a few days since her sparring match with him, and while she had proven her worth, there was still an air of caution between them. Garrick wasn't one to trust easily, and Elara knew that if she wanted to earn his loyalty—and the loyalty of his men—she would need to tread carefully.
"You handled yourself well the other night," Garrick said, breaking the silence. His eyes remained on the dagger, the sharp sound of the blade scraping against the whetstone filling the air. "But surviving one fight doesn't mean you're ready for the battlefield."
Elara nodded, her gaze steady. "I know. That's why I'm here—to learn."
Garrick finally looked up, his eyes narrowing as he studied her. "Learning is one thing, but what you need is experience. Out here, it's not just about knowing how to swing a sword. It's about knowing when to fight and when to walk away. You'll have to make hard choices, and sometimes, there won't be a right one."
Elara didn't flinch. She had already made her choice the moment she left the palace. The road ahead was dangerous, but she couldn't turn back now. Not when the kingdom was at risk.
"I'm ready for whatever comes," she said firmly.
Garrick raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "We'll see about that."
Before Elara could respond, the door to the inn swung open, and a chill gust of wind swept through the room. A man in a dark cloak stepped inside, his face hidden beneath a hood. He moved with purpose, his boots barely making a sound as he crossed the room toward Garrick's table.
Elara's instincts went on high alert. There was something unsettling about the newcomer, a sense of danger that clung to him like a second skin. She kept her hand close to the hilt of the dagger hidden beneath her cloak, watching as the man approached.
"Garrick," the man said in a low voice. "We need to talk."
Garrick looked up from his dagger, his expression hardening. "What is it, Marcus?"
Marcus glanced around the room, his eyes briefly landing on Elara before flicking back to Garrick. "Not here. Outside."
Without another word, Garrick rose from his seat and followed Marcus out into the night. Elara hesitated for a moment, then stood and moved quietly to the window, peering out into the dimly lit street. She could see Garrick and Marcus standing near the edge of the village square, their faces shadowed in the moonlight as they spoke in hushed tones.
Something wasn't right.
Elara edged closer, straining to catch fragments of their conversation.
"…moving faster than we thought," Marcus was saying, his voice barely audible. "They've already taken the northern outposts. If we don't act soon, the capital will be next."
Garrick's expression darkened. "We're not ready. The men—"
"We don't have time!" Marcus interrupted, his tone urgent. "Tristan's forces are growing by the day. We need to strike now, before it's too late."
Elara's blood ran cold at the mention of her brother's name. Tristan was moving faster than she had anticipated, his shadow spreading across the kingdom like a plague. If he had already taken the northern outposts, it wouldn't be long before he set his sights on the capital.
But what was Garrick's role in all of this? And who were these mercenaries, really?
Before she could puzzle it out, Garrick glanced in her direction, his eyes narrowing as if sensing her presence. Elara quickly stepped back from the window, her heart racing. She had overheard enough to know that things were far worse than she had imagined, but she couldn't risk revealing herself just yet.
A moment later, Garrick re-entered the inn, his expression unreadable. He caught sight of Elara standing near the window and raised an eyebrow.
"Eavesdropping, are we?"
Elara straightened, meeting his gaze without flinching. "Just getting some air."
Garrick studied her for a long moment, then shrugged. "Come. We need to talk."
She followed him back to the table, her mind still racing with the fragments of conversation she had overheard. Garrick sat down, his expression more serious than before.
"There's something you should know," he said quietly. "The situation in the north is worse than we thought. Tristan's forces are using dark magic—something far more dangerous than any of us expected. We're gathering allies, but it might not be enough."
Elara's heart pounded in her chest. She had suspected as much, but hearing it confirmed sent a chill down her spine. Tristan had always been ambitious, but she had never imagined he would go this far—aligning himself with dark forces to seize control of the kingdom.
"What are you planning to do?" she asked carefully.
Garrick hesitated, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Why do you care?"
Elara swallowed, choosing her next words carefully. She couldn't reveal her true identity, not yet. But she needed to gain Garrick's trust if she was going to stop Tristan.
"I've seen what happens when dark magic is involved," she said, her voice steady. "It's not something you can fight with swords and shields alone. If Tristan is using magic, you'll need more than just mercenaries. You'll need allies who understand it."
Garrick's eyes flicked to her, a spark of interest in his gaze. "And you understand it, do you?"
Elara met his gaze, her heart pounding. "I've had… experience with magic. I can help."
For a long moment, Garrick said nothing, his expression unreadable. Then, finally, he nodded.
"Very well. If you want to help, you're in. But understand this—you're playing a dangerous game. Tristan isn't the only one with secrets."
Elara nodded, a sense of determination settling over her. She had come this far, and there was no turning back now. She would have to navigate the dangerous web of alliances and betrayals, but if she was going to save Eldoria, she would need every ally she could find.