The sun was dipping low on the horizon as the group made their way back from the academy. The streets of Eryndale were bustling with activity, the hum of daily life surrounding them like a warm cocoon. Yet, beneath the surface, a lingering unease simmered between the four friends.
Kalem walked slightly ahead, his satchel slung over his shoulder, Onyx ambling beside him, the bull's steady presence offering a strange sense of calm. Lyra, Jhaeros, and Nara trailed just behind, exchanging glances. Finally, Nara broke the silence.
"So," she began, her tone casual but her intent clear, "how exactly did this Tavrin guy approach you? You said it was during the festival, right?"
Kalem glanced over his shoulder, raising an eyebrow. "Yeah, last day of the festival. I was heading back to the forge after we wrapped up at the academy's booth. He caught me outside the central market."
"What did he say?" Lyra asked, her curiosity piqued.
Kalem shrugged. "He complimented the steel-and-fire display Nara and I worked on, said it showed 'a rare combination of craftsmanship and raw elemental control.' Then he asked if I took commissions. At first, I thought he was just another trader looking for basic tools or weapons."
"But he wasn't," Jhaeros interjected, his sharp gaze fixed on Kalem.
"No," Kalem admitted. "When he started talking about enchanted gear and custom designs, I realized he was after something more specialized. He offered a good price, and I needed the coin, so I agreed. Simple as that."
"Simple?" Nara scoffed. "You make it sound like you were picking vegetables at the market."
Kalem chuckled softly. "Well, it wasn't exactly complicated either. He made his offer, I checked his background with the guards, and I decided to take the job. End of story."
"Not quite," Lyra said, her tone more serious now. "There's something we need to talk about."
Kalem slowed his pace, sensing the shift in her demeanor. "What is it?"
Lyra exchanged a look with Jhaeros and Nara before continuing. "When we were following that cloaked figure the other night—the one we thought was you—we ended up running into someone… dangerous."
Kalem stopped walking, turning to face her. "Dangerous how?"
Nara folded her arms, her expression darkening. "The guy wasn't just some random thief or street rat. He attacked us—no hesitation, no warning. And he knew what he was doing."
"He was trained," Jhaeros added, his voice steady but grim. "His movements, his precision—they weren't the kind of skills you pick up on the streets. He was a professional."
Kalem frowned, his brow furrowing. "You think he's connected to Tavrin?"
"We don't know," Lyra admitted. "But it's a pretty big coincidence, don't you think? A shady merchant approaches you for enchanted weapons, and then we get ambushed by a guy who could've easily killed us if we weren't careful."
Kalem's jaw tightened. "Did you get a good look at him? Anything that could help us figure out who he is?"
Nara shook her head. "He was wearing a cloak the whole time. And after the fight, he disappeared before we could get any answers."
Lyra hesitated before adding, "There's one thing, though. He had a strange aura about him. It wasn't just magic—it felt… wrong. Like he wasn't entirely human."
Jhaeros nodded in agreement. "I sensed it too. Whatever he was, he wasn't ordinary."
Kalem's expression grew more serious. "If this guy's connected to Tavrin or his clients, I need to know. Did you tell the guards?"
"We thought about it," Lyra said. "But without any solid evidence, what could we say? 'Oh, by the way, we were following a guy who looked like our friend, and he turned out to be a deadly, probably-not-human criminal'? It sounds insane."
Kalem sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You're not wrong. Still, we can't just ignore this. If he's dangerous, he's a threat to all of us."
"So what do we do?" Nara asked, her voice tinged with frustration.
"We keep our eyes open," Kalem said firmly. "And if any of you see or hear anything—even the smallest detail—you tell me immediately. Agreed?"
The trio nodded, though the unease in their eyes remained.
As they resumed their walk, Lyra couldn't help but glance at Kalem's satchel, the faint clinking of enchanted materials a stark reminder of the fine line he was walking.
"Kalem," she said softly, her voice almost lost in the noise of the street.
He looked at her, his expression questioning.
"Just… be careful, okay? This whole thing feels like it's spiraling into something bigger than any of us expected."
Kalem's lips quirked into a faint smile, though there was little humor in it. "I will. And I'll make sure it doesn't drag any of you into the mess."
Jhaeros snorted softly. "Too late for that."
The group shared a brief, uneasy laugh, but the tension between them lingered as they disappeared into the bustling streets of Eryndale, the shadows of their recent encounters following close behind.