"HAHAHAHA! Did you see your faces?" The old man erupted into laughter, his earlier demeanor vanishing as quickly as it had come. "Did you really think that this old body can do harm to you?"
Emilie managed a sheepish laugh. "Of course not… just a little startled."
"Good one, sir," Oliver added, offering a nervous smile.
"Call me Galuf," the old man replied with a wink.
They returned to their meal, a comfortable silence settling over them. Outside the window, shadows stretched long across the forest, where the dim light seemed to promise hidden dangers lurking beyond.
"I also traveled with a young lady by my side... that was a good time." Galuf broke the silence.
"Oh really? So you were a warrior and your companion was a mage?" Oliver asked.
"Right. Her name was Rebella, and she looked just like you, girl." Old man looked at Emilie. "We even liked each other, well, not sure if she did."
"So you got separated?" Emilie asked.
"Yes…" Galuf's gaze grew distant. "She became bedridden and I had to take care of her, but I wanted somthing else. I wanted more power, more knowledge, more glory. So I killed her, took the money and ran."
The cozy warmth in the room evaporated, replaced by a chilling silence. The firelight flickered, casting sharp shadows on Galuf's face. Emilie and Oliver sat frozen. The once friendly old man before them now seemed more like a stranger.
"That was my greatest mistake," Galuf continued, his voice softer, almost regretful. "I still blame myself for it. I should have stayed by her side." He looked down, as if burdened by a weight that had long haunted him. "In the end, achieving true power isn't something you can simply seize… it's often decided the day you're born."
"A spoiled dinner, my apologies," Galuf said, forcing a slight smile as he pushed away the dark memories. "Enough of my past. Tell me about yourselves."
As the moon rose higher in the sky, casting its silvery glow over the small shack, the conversation carried on. Oliver and Emilie, however, chose their words carefully, sharing only fragments of their recent journey. They spoke of their life in the church but left out the harrowing details of the demon's rise from beneath and their sudden arrival in this strange land.
Galuf listened with interest, his eyes studying them thoughtfully as they spoke. At times he would chuckle or nod knowingly, yet he made no attempts to probe further, as though sensing the weight of untold secrets behind their words.
In the midst of their conversation, Oliver and Emilie uncovered a surprising piece of information: they hadn't been taken far from familiar ground after all. Galuf casually mentioned that the large wall they'd spotted earlier belonged to Shadowfort, a fortified city nestled against the mountain. This mountain was Mistpeak mountain, the very same where Oliver's church and the nearby village stood on.
When the dishes were washed, Galuf settled into his bed while Oliver and Emilie lay on the floor nearby, listening to the quiet night.
"Tomorrow, we'll head for the gates and finally get into the city," Oliver whispered, a note of excitement in his voice. "Can you imagine? Our first time in a place so crowded and rich."
Emilie glanced at him, her expression thoughtful. "What about them?"
Oliver was silent for a moment before replying. "Let's get our footing here first, figure things out. After that, we can join a caravan or something and make our way back to the mountain."
As the quiet night settled around them, Emilie whispered a question.
"I also looked at the church then… You didn't lie to me, did you?"
Oliver turned slightly, his face dimly lit by the moonlight filtering in through a small window. "No," he replied softly.
They lay in silence, each lost in thoughts. The unfamiliar surroundings, the looming journey, and the mystery of how they had been brought here weighed on them. And as fatigue finally overtook them, sleep came as a quiet escape from the questions that lingered unanswered in the night.
The morning sun cast a warm glow over the clearing as birds chirped in the trees. Oliver carefully strapped his sword, now nestled in a neat leather sheath, onto his back.
"Thank you again for the sheath and everything you've done for us, Mr. Galuf." Oliver and Emilie both bowed in gratitude.
"Take this as well," Galuf said, extending a small bag full of coins.
"This is too much, sir," Oliver protested, glancing at Emilie, who seemed equally taken aback.
"Don't fret," Galuf reassured with a smile. "I can tell you're not exactly flush with coin, and to get by in the city, you'll need it. This will help you get settled. Besides, after all my years of adventuring, I've gathered more than I could spend in a lifetime."
"Thank you, Mr. Galuf," Emilie said gratefully, her voice warm with appreciation. Oliver echoed her thanks, bowing his head deeply.
With their farewells said, Oliver and Emilie stepped out into the crisp morning air, the sun beginning to rise over the horizon. The path ahead was still shrouded in mist, but the towering stone wall of Shadowfort loomed large in the distance, a promise of the bustling city within.
As they approached the gates, the sounds of the city began to reach their ears, a blend of chatter, laughter, and the distant clanging of metal. The gates themselves were massive, intricately carved with symbols of strength and protection. A pair of guards stood watch, their armor gleaming in the sunlight.
They reached the entrance, and one of the guards raised an eyebrow, examining the two young travelers. "What business do you have in Shadowfort?" he asked, his voice gruff but not unfriendly.
"We want to rest here for a couple of days," Oliver replied, trying to maintain a steady tone.
The guard nodded, his expression serious. "To enter, you need to pay a fee." He pointed to a poster hanging on the wall, the lettering bold and clear: 1 Silver to Enter.
"Here," Oliver said, reaching into a small bag tied to his belt. He pulled out a shiny silver coin and held it out.
The guard accepted the coin with a curt nod, his demeanor softening slightly. "Welcome to Shadowfort." he stepped aside, allowing Oliver and Emilie to pass through the massive gates.
As they entered, they were immediately swept into the vibrant hustle and bustle of the city. Merchants shouted their wares, colorful banners fluttered in the wind, and the air was filled with the enticing aromas of street food. Emilie's eyes sparkled with excitement as she took it all in.
"Wow, this place is amazing!" she exclaimed, her voice almost lost in the lively din.
Oliver grinned, feeling a rush of anticipation. "Let's find an inn and get settled."