Chapter 7: Rumors of the Storm
The sun hung low over Dawnspire, casting long shadows as the marketplace thrummed with life. Merchants cried out from their stalls, waving bolts of cloth, sacks of spices, and polished trinkets to catch the eyes of passing buyers. The mingling aromas of roasted meat, fresh bread, and ripe fruit filled the air, a delicious cacophony that drew crowds from every corner of the city.
Kairos walked leisurely, his hands stuffed in his pockets, his eyes half-lidded as he absorbed the bustling energy around him. His mind, as usual, was elsewhere, dreaming of better ways to spend his time than dodging street vendors and listening to the sharp cries of haggling customers.
A vendor selling fried pastries waved a sugar-dusted treat under his nose. "Fresh buns! Perfectly crisp and sweet as a dream!"
Kairos smiled but shook his head, patting his empty pockets. "Next time."
"You said that last time!" the vendor called after him, laughing as he moved on.
The laughter faded into the background as another sound took hold—a murmur that spread like ripples in a pond. People gathered near a towering notice board at the center of the market square, their faces drawn with concern. A soldier, clad in leather armor with the crest of Dawnspire emblazoned on his chest, nailed a new parchment to the board.
Curiosity piqued, Kairos edged closer, weaving through the crowd with practiced ease. Erynn was already there, her sharp eyes scanning the notice with growing unease.
"Kairos," she called without turning. "You need to see this."
He sidled up beside her, reading over her shoulder:
"By decree of the city council, all citizens are advised to avoid the outer ruins. Reports of disappearances and strange occurrences have been confirmed. Patrols have been doubled. Any sightings of unusual figures should be reported immediately."
Kairos tilted his head. "Strange occurrences? Sounds like an excuse for guards to stretch their legs."
Erynn shot him a glare. "It's serious. Haven't you noticed how people have been talking lately? And now this? Something's wrong."
"Something's always wrong," Kairos replied, his tone light. "People love a good ghost story."
A scoff rose behind them. "It's not a story."
They turned to find a gaunt-faced merchant with sunken eyes and a nervous twitch. He leaned in, his voice low. "The shadows aren't stories, boy. They're real. My brother went missing near those ruins last week."
Kairos raised an eyebrow. "Maybe he got lost?"
The man's eyes flashed with anger. "Lost? He was a hunter. He knew every inch of that land. Something took him."
A silence fell between them, heavy and palpable.
"Come on," Erynn said, tugging Kairos' sleeve. "Let's go."
They moved away from the crowd, the buzz of the market fading as they entered a narrow side street. The walls were lined with ivy, the scent of jasmine mingling with the musty dampness of stone.
"I told you," Erynn said, her voice tight with frustration. "This isn't just gossip. People are disappearing. And now the council's involved."
Kairos leaned against the wall, folding his arms. "So, what do you think is really happening?"
"I don't know," she admitted, brushing a strand of auburn hair from her face. "But I do know that ignoring it won't make it go away."
He sighed, sensing the determination in her eyes. "And what do you want me to do about it?"
"Help me find out what's going on," she said. "You're clever, Kairos. We could figure this out together."
A smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. "You sure you're not just dragging me into trouble?"
Erynn smiled faintly. "Trouble finds you anyway. Might as well make it useful."
Kairos laughed, a genuine sound that cut through the tension like sunlight through clouds. "Fair point."
Before either could say more, a sharp whistle pierced the air. A patrol of armored guards marched past, their eyes scanning the streets with unusual vigilance.
"Patrols don't usually come this far into the city," Erynn observed.
"Maybe they're taking the notice seriously after all."
"Or maybe they know something we don't," she replied, watching the guards disappear around a corner.
Kairos pushed off the wall, stretching lazily. "Well, if we're playing detectives, we'd better start somewhere interesting. What do you say we take a stroll near those ruins?"
Erynn's eyes widened. "Now?"
"Why not?" He grinned. "If there are shadows lurking, I'd rather meet them on my terms."
"Reckless idiot," she muttered, but a spark of excitement danced in her eyes.