The morning sun crept over the rooftops of Alsta, casting long, golden shadows across the cobblestone streets. The usual sounds of village life—the chatter of merchants setting up their stalls, the laughter of children chasing one another—seemed distant to Kael as he tightened the straps on his pack. His silver hair, still damp from an early rinse, gleamed faintly in the sunlight, a stark contrast to the heavier thoughts weighing on his mind.
He glanced at his reflection in a nearby window, his gray eyes scanning the unfamiliar face that had become his own. The artifacts had done their job well. The boy he used to be—the mismatched eyes, the dark hair—was gone, replaced by someone who could walk through the world without drawing stares. At least, that was the plan.
"It's just a name," Kael muttered to himself as he double-checked the contents of his pack. "Plenty of people could be called Jane. It doesn't mean it's her."
The words felt hollow, even as he repeated them in his head. Still, he clung to the possibility that Lysa's Jane was someone entirely unrelated to the Jane who haunted his past. That Jane—his Jane—couldn't possibly be in Eclipsevane. It was just coincidence. It had to be.
He tightened the strap on his shoulder and let out a deep breath. "Even if it is her," he whispered, his tone more defiant now, "she won't recognize me. Not like this."
The mirror image stared back, as if unconvinced.
A knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts. Meryn's voice called softly from the other side. "Kael? Are you ready?"
"Almost," he replied, slinging his pack over his shoulder and taking one last glance at the small room that had been his home for three years. It was strange, really—how quickly something could feel like it had always been there. But it was time to move on.
He opened the door to find Meryn waiting with a warm smile. "Bren's already at the forge, but he told me to tell you good luck," she said, handing him a wrapped bundle. "And to eat something before you leave."
Kael took the bundle with a smirk. "Guess he didn't want to get all sentimental."
Meryn laughed. "You know how he is. This is as close as it gets."
They walked together toward the village gate, the cobblestone streets growing quieter as they moved further from the square. Kael's steps slowed as they approached, his thoughts creeping back to Lysa's request. The closer he got to the caravan waiting at the edge of the village, the heavier his pack seemed to feel.
"You're thinking too much," Meryn said gently, as if reading his mind.
Kael raised an eyebrow. "Am I?"
"Yes," she said firmly. "Whatever happens in Eclipsevane, you'll figure it out. You always do."
He chuckled softly, though the sound lacked its usual confidence. "You make it sound so easy."
"It's not supposed to be easy," she replied with a small smile. "But that's what makes it worth it."
They reached the gate, where Lysa was already waiting, her silver hair catching the light like spun moonlight. She smiled brightly when she saw them, though Kael could sense the undercurrent of worry in her expression.
"Taron's almost ready to go," she said, nodding toward the caravan. "Are you?"
Kael hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yeah. I'm ready."
Lysa stepped closer, her gray eyes searching his. "Thank you, Kael. For doing this."
He shrugged, his smirk returning faintly. "What can I say? I'm a sucker for dramatic goodbyes."
Lysa laughed, though it was tinged with emotion. She reached out, her hand brushing against his arm. "Take care of yourself out there."
"I always do," he said, though the words felt heavier than they should.
As the caravan leader called for final preparations, Kael glanced back at the village one last time. The familiar rooftops, the laughter echoing faintly in the distance—it all felt like a lifetime ago, even as he stood there.
"It's just a name," he reminded himself again. "Just a name."
With one last nod to Meryn and Lysa, he stepped toward the caravan, the road ahead stretching into the unknown.
The caravan was modest—three wagons laden with supplies, their wooden frames creaking softly under the weight. A pair of sturdy horses stood at the front, their harnesses jingling as they shifted restlessly. Taron, the caravan leader, was a wiry man with sharp eyes and a quick grin. He waved Kael over, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"So, you're the one hitching a ride," Taron said, his voice rough but not unkind. "I hope you don't snore."
Kael raised an eyebrow. "I guess you'll find out."
Taron laughed, clapping him on the shoulder. "Fair enough. Climb on. We're heading west toward Blackstone Crossing. From there, you're on your own."
"Blackstone Crossing?" Kael repeated, hoisting himself onto the nearest wagon. "Sounds charming."
Taron shrugged. "It's a good halfway point. Not much else to say about it." He turned, shouting to the rest of the caravan. "Alright, let's move out!"
The wagons lurched forward, the horses straining against their harnesses as the caravan began its slow journey out of Alsta. Kael settled onto a wooden bench near the back, the village growing smaller with each turn of the wheels.
He glanced over his shoulder one last time, catching a glimpse of Lysa and Meryn standing at the gate. Lysa raised her hand in a small wave, her expression unreadable in the morning light. Kael hesitated before raising his own hand in return, the distance between them stretching with every passing moment.
As the village disappeared from view, he let out a long breath, leaning back against the wagon's frame. The road ahead was rough and uneven, the occasional jolt reminding him just how far he was from the comforts of Alsta.
"You're awful quiet," Taron called from the front of the wagon. "Something on your mind?"
Kael shrugged, his smirk faint. "Just thinking about what's waiting for me at the end of this."
Taron grunted. "Eclipsevane, huh? That's no small trip. You sure you're up for it?"
"Do I have a choice?" Kael replied, his tone light but edged with something darker.
Taron chuckled. "Fair point. Just don't lose yourself out there. Cities like that have a way of chewing people up and spitting them out."
Kael didn't respond, his gaze fixed on the horizon. The thought of Eclipsevane filled him with a mix of dread and anticipation, the weight of the name Jane pressing heavily on his chest. He tried to push it aside, focusing instead on the rhythm of the wagon's wheels and the gentle sway of the ride.
The hours stretched on, the sun climbing higher in the sky. Kael closed his eyes, letting the steady motion lull him into a light doze. His thoughts drifted, fragments of memories surfacing unbidden—Jane's laughter, the hum of the Crimson Dagger, the white room.
He woke with a start as the wagon hit a deep rut, jolting him forward. Taron glanced back with a grin. "No time for naps, kid. We've got a long way to go."
Kael sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Thanks for the warning."
The caravan continued its journey, the road winding through dense forests and open fields. Kael's thoughts remained restless, his mind circling back to the same questions. What would he find in Eclipsevane? And more importantly, who?
As the hours passed, the landscape began to change. The open fields gave way to rolling hills, their slopes dotted with clusters of wildflowers and weathered stones. The dense forests became thinner, their trees growing sparser and more twisted as if shaped by a harsher wind. Kael shifted in his seat, watching the horizon with a mix of curiosity and unease.
The caravan stopped briefly near a stream, the horses drinking deeply while the travelers stretched their legs. Taron leaned against the wagon, chewing on a strip of dried meat. "If you're smart, you'll take advantage of breaks like these," he said, gesturing toward the stream. "It's a long road, and comfort's a rare thing."
Kael nodded, stepping away from the wagon to splash his face with the cool water. It was refreshing, but it did little to clear his head. He glanced at his reflection in the rippling surface, his gray eyes staring back with an intensity that unsettled him.
"What are you doing here, Kael?" he muttered under his breath. "What are you trying to prove?"
The water offered no answers, only the distorted image of a boy trying to be someone else. He clenched his fists, pushing himself to his feet and walking back toward the caravan.
As they set off again, the conversation among the other travelers grew louder. Taron and his companions spoke of trade routes, rumors of bandit activity, and the difficulties of navigating the western roads. Kael listened quietly, picking up bits and pieces of useful information.
"You've been awfully quiet back there," one of the travelers said, a stocky man with a scar running down his cheek. "What's your story, kid?"
Kael smirked faintly, leaning back against the wagon. "Not much to tell. Just a guy trying to get to Eclipsevane."
"Eclipsevane, huh?" The man raised an eyebrow. "Not many go there by choice. You got business?"
"Something like that," Kael replied, his tone deliberately vague.
The man chuckled, shaking his head. "Well, good luck. You'll need it."
The conversation moved on, but Kael's thoughts remained tangled. He couldn't stop himself from imagining what awaited him in the city—the towering spires, the crowded streets, and the possibility of seeing her. Jane. The name echoed in his mind, stirring a mix of emotions he couldn't quite untangle.
As dusk began to fall, the caravan pulled into a small clearing off the road. Taron called for a stop, his voice carrying over the creak of the wagons. "We'll camp here for the night," he announced. "Get some rest while you can. Tomorrow's going to be harder."
Kael helped unload supplies, setting up his bedroll near the edge of the clearing. The night air was cool, the stars above bright and unfamiliar. He lay on his back, staring up at the sky as the sounds of the camp faded into the background.
His thoughts drifted again, pulling him toward memories he didn't want to face. The laughter of the guild, the weight of the Crimson Dagger, and Jane's voice—always Jane's voice.
"You shouldn't be here," he whispered to himself, his voice barely audible. "You don't belong."
Kael lay on his bedroll, staring up at the stars above. The camp was quiet now, the crackling fire casting flickering shadows against the surrounding trees. Sleep refused to come, his mind too restless with questions he couldn't answer.
He sat up, running a hand through his silver hair before glancing over at Taron, who sat near the fire. The caravan leader was whittling a small piece of wood, his movements methodical and steady. His sharp eyes glanced up as Kael approached.
"Can't sleep?" Taron asked, his voice low.
"Something like that," Kael replied, settling onto a log near the fire. "Figured I'd keep you company."
Taron smirked faintly, setting the wood aside. "Suit yourself. Not much to do out here but wait for morning."
They sat in silence for a moment, the firelight dancing between them. Finally, Kael broke the quiet. "You've dealt with Eclipsevane before, right?"
Taron's smirk faded, his expression turning more serious. "More than I care to admit," he said. "Why?"
"What's it like?" Kael asked, his tone cautious. "I mean, recently."
Taron sighed, his gaze flicking toward the fire. "It used to be something special," he said. "A guild where people with real talent could thrive—mages, fighters, you name it. They had a reputation for taking in the best and turning them into something even better."
Kael leaned forward, his curiosity piqued. "And now?"
"Now?" Taron shook his head, his voice heavy. "Now it's falling apart. People are leaving—or worse, they're vanishing entirely. Members who've been with the guild for years are just… gone."
Kael frowned, the weight of Taron's words sinking in. "Gone how? Are they leaving, or…?"
"No one knows," Taron said grimly. "And the ones who stay aren't much better off. Fights are breaking out over nothing, and trust in the guild is crumbling. Whatever's happening there, it's bad. Really bad."
Kael's chest tightened, unease prickling at the edges of his thoughts. "And no one's doing anything about it?"
"Plenty have tried," Taron said with a shrug. "But whatever's going on, it's not something you can just fix by swinging a sword or casting a spell. It's deeper than that."
Kael hesitated, his mind racing. "Then why do you keep dealing with them?"
"Because people still want to get there," Taron replied. "And as long as they're willing to pay, I'm willing to take them. But me?" He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a near-whisper. "I wouldn't go near Eclipsevane unless I had to. Not for all the coin in the world."
Kael smirked faintly, though his thoughts were far from light. "Guess you're wondering why I'm heading there."
Taron chuckled, the sound tinged with dry amusement. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't. You don't seem like the kind of guy who runs toward trouble."
"Maybe trouble's just good at finding me," Kael said, his tone softer now.
Taron studied him for a moment, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly. "Whatever your reason, kid, just be careful. Eclipsevane isn't what it used to be. You'd do well to remember that."
Kael nodded, his smirk fading. "Thanks for the warning."
They sat in silence for a while longer, the fire crackling between them. Eventually, Taron returned to his whittling, and Kael retreated to his bedroll. He lay awake, Taron's words echoing in his mind.
Members vanishing. Fights breaking out. Trust crumbling.
Kael closed his eyes, the weight of the unknown pressing heavily on his chest. Whatever awaited him in Eclipsevane, it wasn't going to be easy.