The morning sun cast a soft, golden glow over the village of Alsta, its silver-haired residents already bustling about their daily tasks. Smoke curled from chimneys, the smell of baking bread mingling with the crisp scent of dew-covered grass. Kael stood near the edge of the forge, his sleeves rolled up, his strong arms dusted with soot as he worked the bellows.
The rhythmic clang of Bren's hammer rang through the air, the sound steady and familiar. Kael had grown used to it over the years, the once-daunting environment of the forge now feeling like a second home. He glanced toward the door as Meryn entered, carrying a basket of fresh rolls from Maela's bakery.
"Breakfast," she announced, setting the basket on the workbench. "Don't forget to eat this time."
Kael smirked, wiping his hands on a cloth. "Thanks, Meryn. You're a lifesaver."
"You say that every morning," she teased, handing him a roll.
"And I mean it every time," he said, taking a bite and savoring the warm, buttery flavor.
Bren grunted in approval from his station near the anvil. "Kid's finally learned not to skip meals. Took him long enough."
Kael chuckled, shaking his head. "You're just mad I can keep up with you now."
Bren gave him a sidelong glance, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Don't get cocky, Kael. You've still got a ways to go."
"Don't worry," Kael said with mock seriousness. "I wouldn't dream of outshining you."
The banter was lighthearted, a testament to how far he had come in earning Bren's respect. Kael finished his roll and set back to work, his movements efficient and practiced. The forge's heat was intense, but it no longer bothered him as it once had.
By midday, he stepped out for a brief break, the cool breeze a welcome contrast to the forge's sweltering interior. Lysa was waiting for him near the well, her face lighting up as he approached.
"Done already?" she asked, handing him a cup of water.
"Not even close," Kael replied, taking the cup with a grateful nod. "But I figured Bren could use a break from my charm."
Lysa laughed, her silver hair catching the sunlight. "I'm sure he appreciates it."
They walked together toward the village square, the cobblestone streets bustling with activity. Children ran past, their laughter filling the air, while merchants called out their wares. Kael couldn't help but smile at the scene—it was a far cry from the chaos and danger that had defined his early days in Elakia.
As they passed Maela's bakery, Lysa nudged him playfully. "You know, I think she likes you."
Kael raised an eyebrow. "Who, Maela?"
"No, her daughter, Eira," Lysa said, her tone teasing. "She always turns red whenever you're around."
Kael shook his head, laughing softly. "I think you're imagining things."
"Am I?" Lysa said with a smirk. "Maybe I should ask her."
"Don't you dare," Kael said, his voice light but earnest. "The last thing I need is Bren teasing me about that."
Lysa laughed, linking her arm with his as they continued walking. The easy camaraderie between them was one of the many things Kael had come to treasure about his life in Alsta. For the first time in as long as he could remember, he felt… whole.
The rest of the day passed in a blur of work and laughter, the village's steady rhythm soothing in its predictability. By evening, Kael found himself sitting near the fountain in the square, watching the stars begin to appear in the darkening sky.
The night had settled over Alsta, casting the village in a soft silver glow under the light of the moon. The square was quieter now, with only a few villagers lingering as the day wound to a close. Kael and Lysa sat by the fountain, the gentle trickle of water providing a soothing backdrop to their conversation.
Lysa rested her head on Kael's shoulder, her silver hair brushing against his arm. It was a gesture of comfort, one she'd grown used to over the years. Kael didn't mind—if anything, it grounded him, a reminder of the peace he'd found in this place.
"Do you ever think about leaving?" Lysa asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Kael glanced down at her, his brow furrowing. "Why would I? Everything I need is here."
She sighed, her fingers idly tracing patterns on the stone edge of the fountain. "I don't know. I guess… I've been thinking a lot about the world outside Alsta. About what it might be like to see it for myself."
Kael chuckled lightly. "You're not missing much. Trust me."
Lysa lifted her head, meeting his gaze with a small smile. "You always say that, but you've seen so much more than I have. Don't you ever wonder what else is out there?"
He shrugged, leaning back slightly. "I used to. Not anymore. I've seen enough to know that places like this don't come around often."
Her smile faltered, a flicker of something unreadable crossing her face. "That's why I want to ask you for a favor."
Kael's smirk faded, his expression growing curious. "What kind of favor?"
Lysa hesitated, her hands fidgeting in her lap. "I need you to go somewhere for me," she said carefully, her tone laced with uncertainty.
Kael raised an eyebrow. "Go where?"
She took a deep breath, her gray eyes locking onto his. "Eclipsevane."
The name hit him like a lightning bolt, freezing him in place. His mind raced, memories he thought he'd buried rushing to the surface. The guild, the faces of those he'd left behind, the trials he'd endured—it all came flooding back in an instant.
"Eclipsevane?" he echoed, his voice sharper than he intended.
Lysa nodded, her expression serious. "There's someone there I need you to find. Someone who might have answers about what's been happening in the North."
Kael shook his head, his smirk replaced by a tight-lipped frown. "Lysa, that place is dangerous. You don't know what you're asking."
"I do," she said firmly, her voice steady despite the tension in his. "And I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important."
He stared at her, his mind spinning. The thought of returning to Eclipsevane was like reopening an old wound, one that hadn't fully healed. But Lysa's gaze was unwavering, her determination clear.
"Please, Kael," she said softly, her hand brushing against his. "I wouldn't ask if I didn't trust you."
His resolve wavered, her words cutting through his hesitation. He let out a long breath, running a hand through his hair. "I'll… think about it," he said finally, his voice quieter now.
Lysa smiled, a glimmer of relief in her eyes. "That's all I can ask."
Lysa hesitated for a moment, as if unsure how much to reveal. The flickering light of the fountain reflected in her gray eyes, and she sighed softly before continuing.
"There's someone there," she said, her voice careful. "A girl. Her name is Jane."
Kael's entire body stiffened at the name, his breath catching in his throat. For a moment, the world seemed to tilt, the sounds of the village fading into a dull hum. His mind raced, the name reverberating like a distant echo of a life he'd tried so hard to leave behind.
Lysa noticed immediately, her hand brushing against his arm. "Kael? Are you okay?"
He didn't respond at first, his gaze fixed on the ground as if the answer might be hidden there. The name brought with it a flood of memories—her voice, her laughter, the way she'd always tried to see the good in him when he couldn't see it in himself.
"I…" he began, his voice barely audible. He forced himself to look at Lysa, his smirk faltering as he met her concerned gaze. "Jane?"
"Yes," Lysa said softly. "She's the one I need you to find. I've heard rumors about her—about what she's been doing in Eclipsevane. They say she's looking for something… or someone."
Kael's hands clenched into fists, his knuckles white as he tried to steady himself. "Why her?" he asked, his voice low.
Lysa tilted her head, her expression puzzled. "She might have answers about what's been happening in the North. Some of the travelers who've passed through mentioned her name. They say she's been asking questions, digging into things no one else dares to touch."
Kael's chest tightened, the weight of her words pressing down on him like a stone. He could still hear Jane's voice in his mind, the way she'd spoken his name with a warmth he hadn't known he needed. The thought of her being in Eclipsevane—of her being so close yet so far—left him reeling.
"Kael," Lysa said again, her hand resting on his shoulder. "Are you sure you're okay?"
He forced a nod, though the motion felt mechanical. "Yeah," he said, his voice strained. "I'm fine."
But he wasn't, and he knew it. The name had cracked open a part of him he'd thought was buried for good, and now it refused to be ignored.
"Will you do it?" Lysa asked, her voice gentle but insistent. "Will you find her?"
Kael hesitated, his thoughts a tangled mess of fear, guilt, and something he couldn't quite name. Finally, he nodded again, though the decision felt like it was being made for him rather than by him.
"I'll… I'll find her," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Lysa smiled, a flicker of relief crossing her face. "Thank you, Kael. I knew I could count on you."
But as she leaned her head back on his shoulder, her words did little to ease the storm raging inside him. The name Jane echoed in his mind, a reminder of a past he wasn't sure he was ready to face.
Kael leaned back against the fountain, the weight of Lysa's request pressing heavily on him. His fingers traced idle patterns on the cool stone as he tried to make sense of everything she'd said. "Alright," he began, his voice steady but cautious. "If I'm going to do this, I need more details. What does this Jane even look like?"
Lysa tilted her head, her expression turning thoughtful. "Well, from what I've heard, she's not easy to miss. Long brown hair, a bit wavy, and green eyes that seem to draw people in. They say she's strong—not just physically, but in how she carries herself. She moves with purpose, like she knows exactly what she's doing, even when she doesn't."
Kael's breath hitched, though he tried to hide it. The description was unmistakable, stirring memories he'd buried deep. Jane. Her determined smile, her sharp wit, the way she'd always managed to find the light in the darkest situations. He clenched his fists, his knuckles whitening as he struggled to keep his composure.
"Kael?" Lysa's voice broke through his thoughts, soft and tinged with concern. "Are you alright?"
He forced a smirk, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Yeah," he said, his tone lighter than he felt. "Just… trying to process. You said she's in Eclipsevane?"
Lysa nodded. "That's what the rumors say. She's been asking questions, digging into things no one else dares to. If anyone can help us understand what's happening in the North, it's her."
Kael nodded slowly, his mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. "And how exactly am I supposed to get there? It's not exactly a short trip."
Lysa smiled faintly, sensing the shift in his tone. "I've already talked to Taron. His caravan leaves tomorrow, and they're heading west. They can take you most of the way."
"Taron?" Kael raised an eyebrow. "The guy who sells broken clocks and calls them antiques? You're trusting him with this?"
Lysa laughed softly, the tension easing slightly. "He owes me a favor. And don't worry—he's reliable when it counts."
Kael sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Alright. But what about Bren? He's not going to be thrilled about me leaving."
"I talked to him too," Lysa said with a small, triumphant smile. "He wasn't happy, but he agreed. Said you've earned the right to make your own choices."
Kael blinked, momentarily taken aback. "Bren said that?"
Lysa nodded. "He's proud of you, Kael. Even if he doesn't show it."
He let out a dry laugh, shaking his head. "Well, that's a first."
"And what about going alone?" he asked, his tone turning serious again. "Isn't that… risky?"
Lysa's expression softened, her gaze steady. "I wish I could come with you," she admitted. "But someone has to stay here. You've been on your own before, Kael. You can handle this."
He fell silent, her words sinking in. The thought of returning to Eclipsevane—of facing his past—was almost too much to bear. But Lysa's unwavering confidence in him left little room for refusal.
"Alright," he said finally, his voice quieter now. "I'll do it. I'll find her."
Lysa smiled, leaning her head against his shoulder once more. "Thank you, Kael. I knew I could count on you."
But as the night deepened, Kael's thoughts remained tangled. The idea of seeing Jane again filled him with both hope and dread. For now, though, he had a mission—and a name to follow.
Kael shifted uneasily, his mind racing with Lysa's words. Before he could stop himself, the question slipped out.
"When do I have to leave?" he asked, his voice sharper than he intended.
Lysa straightened, meeting his gaze with an apologetic smile. "Tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?" Kael repeated, his tone incredulous. "You're kidding, right?"
She shook her head. "Taron's caravan leaves at dawn. If you miss it, it could be weeks before another chance comes along."
Kael let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through his silver hair. "You really don't give me much time to think about this, do you?"
Lysa's expression softened, her hand brushing lightly against his. "I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important, Kael. I know it's sudden, but… we don't have time to wait."
He leaned back, staring up at the night sky. The stars above were bright and unwavering, a stark contrast to the storm brewing inside him. "Fine," he muttered after a long pause. "Tomorrow it is."
"Thank you," Lysa said softly, her relief evident. She stepped closer, hesitating for a moment before leaning in and pressing a gentle kiss to his cheek. "You're doing something important, Kael. I believe in you."
Kael froze, caught off guard by the gesture. His hand unconsciously brushed the spot where her lips had touched, his smirk faltering into something softer.
"Yeah," he said finally, his voice quieter now. "I'll… see you in the morning."
Lysa smiled, her silver hair catching the moonlight as she stepped back. "Get some rest, Kael."