The morning sun struggled to break through the dense canopy, casting fragmented beams of light across the forest floor. Caden's footsteps were heavy, each one sinking slightly into the damp earth as the group trudged forward in tense silence.
The dream still lingered in his mind, vivid and unshakable. Whispers echoed faintly at the edges of his thoughts, their promises of power and control gnawing at his resolve. His hand brushed the shard in his pocket, its faint pulse a reminder of the struggle that now seemed tied to his very soul.
Kael walked a few paces behind him, her sharp eyes scanning the forest for threats. Garrick followed, his injured arm tucked close to his body, his steps slower than usual but steady.
"You've been quiet," Kael said, her voice breaking the silence. "Too quiet. Something on your mind, boy?"
Caden didn't look back. "Just thinking."
"About what?" Kael pressed, her tone edged with curiosity. "That little episode back there? You looked like you were wrestling demons in your sleep."
"Drop it," Caden said, his voice sharper than he intended.
Kael raised an eyebrow but said nothing, though her gaze lingered on him for a moment longer before shifting back to the trees.
Garrick's voice cut through the tension, calm but firm. "Whatever happened, Caden, it's better to talk about it now than let it fester."
Caden stopped abruptly, turning to face them. "What do you want me to say? That I saw things I didn't understand? That the shard whispers like it's alive? That it's trying to turn me into something I'm not?" His voice cracked, and he clenched his fists. "You think I don't know how dangerous this is? I do. But I don't have a choice, do I?"
Garrick regarded him with a steady gaze, his expression unreadable. "The shard is testing you," he said after a moment. "Its power comes with a cost. If you let it, it will consume you. But if you stand firm, you can learn to control it—on your terms, not its."
Caden's jaw tightened, his knuckles white as he gripped the shard. "Control it, huh? That's easy for you to say. You've spent years with your magic. I've had this thing for weeks, and it's already trying to pull me under."
"That's why you need to take a step back," Garrick said. "Pushing yourself too far too fast will only give it more power over you. Trust me on that."
Caden stared at him for a moment, the tension in his body slowly ebbing. He let out a long breath, his shoulders sagging. "Fine. But I'm not giving up on this."
"No one said you should," Garrick replied.
Kael's voice broke the moment, laced with her usual sarcasm. "Touching as this is, we've got bigger problems. Like the fact that we're still too close to Reclaimer territory and running on fumes."
"She's right," Garrick said, nodding toward the trail ahead. "The next town isn't far. Once we're there, we'll need to rest for at least two days. You need it, Caden. Whether you admit it or not."
"Two days?" Kael asked, her tone incredulous. "We can't afford that kind of time, not with the Reclaimers on our heels and heading for the port."
"If he doesn't recover, it won't matter how quickly we move," Garrick said firmly. "Pushing him now will only make things worse."
Kael scoffed but didn't argue further, and the group continued in silence, the forest gradually thinning as the path grew more defined.
As they neared the outskirts of the town, the trees gave way to scattered fields and small clusters of wooden houses. Smoke curled from chimneys, and the faint murmur of voices carried on the breeze.
"Arford," Garrick said, gesturing toward the modest settlement. "It's not much, but it'll do for now."
Caden studied the town, his gaze lingering on the cluster of buildings that formed its center. There was a watchtower near the edge, its structure leaning slightly as though it had weathered one storm too many.
"Let's not linger," Kael said, her tone low. "Small towns like this aren't always as welcoming as they seem."
They entered Arford cautiously, their presence drawing the curious gazes of a few villagers tending to their chores. Caden caught snippets of whispered conversations, the words "travelers" and "strangers" floating on the air.
"Stick to the guildhall," Garrick murmured. "We're here to gather information, not draw attention."
The guildhall was a squat, weathered building near the center of town, its wooden sign swinging creakily in the breeze. Inside, the air was thick with the scent of ale and smoke, and the hum of conversation filled the space.
Kael led the way, her steps confident as she approached the barkeep. "We're looking for rooms and information," she said, sliding a few coins onto the counter.
The barkeep, a broad-shouldered man with a wary expression, nodded slowly. "Rooms are upstairs. Information depends on what you're after."
"Movements," Kael said, her voice low. "Specifically, Reclaimer activity in the area."
The barkeep's eyes flicked toward Garrick, then to Caden, before settling back on Kael. "Reclaimers, huh? You don't look like the type to tangle with them."
"Just tell us what you know," Kael replied, her tone sharp.
The barkeep leaned closer, lowering his voice. "They've been through here. Didn't stay long, but they were asking questions. Seemed like they were headed east—toward the port."
Caden's stomach tightened. The eastern port. The same place they had heard rumors of a deal involving fragments.
Kael straightened, her eyes narrowing. "Thanks for the tip."
The barkeep shrugged, pocketing the coins. "If you're smart, you'll keep your distance. Reclaimers don't leave loose ends."
The group moved to a corner table, their conversation hushed.
"We'll rest here," Garrick said, his tone decisive. "Two days at least. We need to recover and plan before we head for the port."
"Two days," Kael muttered, shaking her head. "Feels like a lifetime."
"Better than rushing in unprepared," Garrick replied.
Caden leaned back, his mind swirling with thoughts of the shard, the whispers, and the dangers ahead. The weight of their journey pressed heavily on him, but beneath it all was a spark of determination.
"Fine," he said quietly. "We'll rest. Then we move."
As the group settled in for the night, Caden stared out the small window of his room, the shard's faint glow reflecting in his eyes. The whispers were quiet now, but he knew they would return.
And next time, he would be ready.