The third day of their journey dawned crisp and clear, with the morning mist clinging to the underbrush. Raymond and Sonya set off again in silence, the only sound the steady rhythm of their footsteps. The trees around them had thinned, and they were close enough now that Raymond could pick out the familiar slopes and clearings leading toward Eldemor. They were only a mile or so away, and despite his steely demeanor, he felt a strange mix of anxiety and anticipation bubbling beneath his calm exterior.
Sonya, however, had her own turmoil simmering just beneath the surface. She had watched Raymond for days, and though he had tried to brush off her questions, her suspicion and worry had only grown. No matter how many times he tried to convince her otherwise, she knew something was wrong. She had asked him the night before if he'd eaten anything, and his response had been the same vague excuse as before—he claimed he'd eaten while she was asleep, keeping up his strength without disturbing her rest.
But she hadn't seen a single crumb of food or drop of water in his gear, not once. There were no traces in his bag, no evidence that he'd even taken a break to satisfy his hunger or quench his thirst. She was growing tired of it, and more than that, she was truly worried. She knew she'd have to confront him soon, but not now. Not when they were so close to Eldemor and the looming threat that awaited them.
She exhaled heavily and looked up at Raymond. His gaze was focused straight ahead, as unreadable as ever. She could feel the weight of her questions pressing on her, but she forced herself to stay silent. They had a mission to complete, and she didn't want to let her personal concerns cloud her focus. She'd let it slide—for now.
As they crested a small hill, the village of Eldemor came into view, nestled against the gentle slopes with fields stretching beyond. The familiar sight brought a flicker of recognition to Raymond's eyes. It was just as he remembered it, although there were subtle signs of the attack: fences slightly broken, villagers moving with a cautious alertness. The peaceful air had a tension now, as if Eldemor was holding its breath.
They were met by two familiar faces as they approached the village's edge. Garrick, a stocky man with a grizzled beard and a sword and shield strapped to his back, walked up to them with a wary smile. Beside him stood Elena, a slender woman with striking blue eyes and a spear resting against her shoulder. Elena's gaze lit up when she saw Raymond, and she quickly closed the gap between them, reaching out to clasp his hand in a friendly but earnest greeting.
"Raymond!" she said, her voice filled with relief and warmth. "It's good to see you. When we heard there was a chance you'd be coming, Garrick and I could hardly believe it. And in our time of need, no less."
Raymond nodded, his eyes softening slightly. "It's been a long time, Elena. Garrick. I'm glad to see you both well. I only wish I were visiting under different circumstances."
Garrick grunted, his expression grim. "We've had better times, that's for sure. These dire wolves have been relentless. They attack in organized groups, almost like they're being led. It's nothing like the usual beasts we deal with."
Raymond's brow furrowed as he absorbed Garrick's words. The situation was stranger than he had imagined. Dire wolves weren't typically so coordinated, and he knew the people of Eldemor well enough to trust in their capabilities. Whatever was driving these creatures had to be something out of the ordinary.
Sonya, who had been standing quietly nearby, couldn't help but notice the warmth between Raymond and Elena. She watched the easy familiarity with a pang of something she wasn't entirely prepared to name. It was strange, seeing this side of Raymond—someone who seemed to carry little connection to the world around him, now so grounded in the presence of these people. Sonya swallowed back her questions and feelings, reminding herself that now was not the time. She had a job to do, just like Raymond, and she would keep her focus on that.
Elena turned her attention to Sonya and gave her a welcoming smile. "And you must be Sonya," she said, offering her hand. "Any friend of Raymond's is a friend of ours."
Sonya shook her hand and nodded. "It's nice to meet you, Elena, Garrick," she replied, her tone polite but a little stiff. She wasn't used to seeing Raymond act this way, so at ease and connected. And though she knew it was irrational, a hint of jealousy pricked at her. But she pushed the feeling down, focusing instead on the task ahead.
After some brief conversation, they made their way into the village, and Elena led them to a small guest house where they could rest. Though it wasn't anything lavish, it was cozy and comfortable. Garrick arranged the bedding for them, offering to keep watch during the night.
When they were settled, Sonya decided to rest and regain her energy for the next day's mission. Raymond, however, remained seated by the window, staring out into the darkening sky. He didn't feel the weariness that Sonya did; his undead form was as tireless as ever, though he made sure to keep this fact hidden.
As Sonya drifted off to sleep, her thoughts returned to the strange circumstances surrounding Raymond. He didn't seem to ever show the same needs or vulnerabilities as anyone else, and despite his insistence that he was fine, she couldn't shake the feeling that he was hiding something significant. But she let herself push these thoughts aside, at least for tonight.
The next morning, they gathered in the village square, where a small group of villagers had gathered, their faces tense with anticipation. Garrick and Elena joined them, both armed and ready, their expressions determined.
As they reviewed their plans for dealing with the dire wolf threat, Raymond couldn't help but feel a sense of responsibility. He had taught these villagers how to fight, how to protect themselves, and now they were facing a danger unlike any other. It wasn't just a threat to the village; it was a test of everything he had instilled in them.
Elena pulled him aside as they prepared to depart. "It's strange, seeing you back here," she said quietly, her eyes searching his face. "We always thought of you as a kind of guardian, you know. The villagers still talk about the things you taught them, the way you helped shape this place."
Raymond looked at her, his expression softening. "I'm just doing what I can. I'm glad to know the people here haven't forgotten."
"Forgotten?" Elena laughed softly. "You'll always be part of this village, Raymond. Even if you've been gone, your influence remains."
Sonya, who had been watching from a short distance, felt a flicker of something sharp and uncomfortable. She turned away, focusing on her weapon as she prepared for the mission, willing herself to ignore the conversation between Raymond and Elena.
Finally, they set out, following the faint trail left by the dire wolves. The villagers had reported sightings near the edges of the forest, and it didn't take long before they encountered the signs of a large pack moving through. Broken branches, scattered tufts of fur, and deep claw marks gouged into tree trunks.
Sonya's hand tightened around her spear, her senses on high alert. She fell into step beside Raymond, her earlier concerns momentarily forgotten as they focused on the task at hand. The presence of the dire wolves was unsettling, and the closer they got, the more intense the atmosphere became.
Garrick and Elena moved with a practiced ease, their weapons at the ready, eyes scanning their surroundings. Raymond, meanwhile, felt a familiar weight settle in his chest. He knew the people of Eldemor would fight with everything they had, but he couldn't shake the nagging feeling that something darker was at work here, something beyond just a pack of wolves.
As they continued deeper into the forest, Sonya found herself studying Raymond out of the corner of her eye. His movements were fluid and confident, each step taken with an unearthly calm. She felt that familiar pang of curiosity—and worry—twist in her chest once more. She wanted to trust him, to believe that he was who he said he was. But there was a part of her that couldn't ignore the mounting evidence that Raymond was far more than he appeared.
For now, though, she would let it go. They had a mission to complete, and the fate of Eldemor was at stake.