The borderlands were harsh and untamed, a vast stretch of land where the kingdoms' laws held little sway. Cedric, Lira, Maeve, and Kellen had been traveling for days, the terrain growing rougher with each passing mile. The skies were overcast, casting a dull gray light over the rocky hills and scrubby trees. In the distance, dark storm clouds loomed, promising rain by nightfall.
Kellen had taken to walking beside Cedric, his constant chatter a stark contrast to the usual silence Lira maintained. Maeve bounced between them, her usual energy never seeming to wane despite the long trek.
"So, tell me, creator boy," Kellen said with a sly grin, "just how far can you push that magic of yours? Could you whip us up a castle? Maybe a nice tavern with a fully stocked bar?"
Maeve snorted. "If he could, we wouldn't be walking for miles."
Cedric smiled faintly but shook his head. "I'm not sure. I still don't know the full extent of what I can create… or how long it will last. I've made structures, but they're temporary."
Kellen raised an eyebrow. "Temporary? What, like they disappear after a while?"
Cedric nodded. "They dissolve, eventually. It's like they're… connected to me. If I'm not concentrating, they fade."
"Huh," Kellen said, his expression thoughtful. "So, no tavern. Shame."
"We could all use a drink," Maeve added with a grin.
Lira, walking slightly ahead, cut through the banter with her usual seriousness. "Focus. The borderlands aren't safe, and we don't know what we'll find once we get there."
Kellen shrugged. "You're no fun."
Lira shot him a sharp look over her shoulder. "I'm not here to be fun."
---
They continued on in relative silence, the storm clouds drawing closer, when suddenly, Cedric noticed something unusual. Up ahead, tucked beneath a rocky outcrop, was a small figure huddled by the side of the road. Even from a distance, Cedric could see the outline of someone sitting alone, their head buried in their knees.
Maeve spotted them at the same moment, her eyes narrowing. "You see that?"
Kellen's usual smirk faded, replaced by a more guarded look. "Could be a trap."
Cedric slowed his pace, eyeing the figure carefully. They didn't move. As they drew closer, he could make out more details—a girl, young, no more than seventeen or eighteen, her clothes dirty and torn. She was shivering, though whether from the cold or fear, Cedric couldn't tell.
Lira stepped forward, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword. "Stay back. I'll check."
But before Lira could approach, the girl looked up, her wide, frightened eyes locking onto Cedric. "Please," she whispered, her voice hoarse. "Help me."