1 hour before
Kayn watched the clock, impatiently waiting for the hands to strike eight. Beside him, Fenris slept deeply, completely unbothered. One of the guards checked the time and, noticing it was already eight, walked away from the cells and began ascending the stairs. Kayn ensured the guard was out of earshot before using the key the princess had entrusted to them. With some difficulty, he managed to insert the key from the other side of the door. After a couple of tries, he finally unlocked it.
Wasting no time, he hurried to Fenris and shook him awake from his deep slumber.
"Fenris, wake up. We have to go," Kayn whispered as he shook him, trying to get him to react.
"Huh?" Fenris mumbled groggily. Knowing they couldn't afford to waste a single second, Kayn grabbed his companion by the arm and dragged him out of the cell.
They ran through the damp corridors of the dungeon, hastily climbing the stairs. As they moved, Kayn ensured no elves were nearby. Just as the princess had said, there was no one. The sudden ringing of a bell shattered the silence, fully awakening Fenris.
"What's happening?" he exclaimed in alarm. Kayn quickly clamped a hand over his mouth to silence him. Anxiety gnawed at Kayn, fearing they had been discovered. The hallways filled with the echo of elven footsteps rushing outside. Not a single guard remained in the area. Kayn didn't know what was happening, but he didn't have time to dwell on it. They ventured into the guards' quarters. Kayn's katana rested on a table; he grabbed it swiftly, and together they made their way out.
Outside, the bell continued to ring, now accompanied by the anguished cry of an elf.
"The princess has been kidnapped!" an elf shouted from atop a tower.
Kayn froze, confused.
The princess? The same one who helped us escape? he thought, bewildered.
Fenris furrowed his brow, clearly worried.
They walked until they reached an area where a group of elves had gathered, all dressed in white robes similar to those worn by Galen. This sight surprised Kayn. Quickly, Kayn and Fenris hid behind a nearby wall to avoid being seen. Some of the elves were examining the ground intently.
"These are wheel tracks. If the rain hasn't washed them away, it means she was taken recently," one of the elves remarked. A white-haired elf, furious at what he was hearing, slammed his fist against the wall next to where Kayn and Fenris were hiding, startling them both.
"Damn it! How could I let her be kidnapped?" the elf roared. His companion placed a hand on his shoulder, trying to calm him.
"This isn't your fault, Arwin."
"You're right. This is all your fault, prince," Arwin spat, directing a venomous glare at a silver-haired elf. Unlike the others, this elf was not wearing a white robe.
"I had nothing to do with this," the elf retorted. "I was left behind too." Arwin, enraged, stormed toward him and grabbed him by the collar with force. However, his fury failed to intimidate the silver-haired elf.
"You think I'll believe your lies?" Arwin snarled, even angrier. The elf beside him intervened.
"Stop wasting time. Our priority now is rescuing the princess." Arwin nodded, releasing the prince's collar and letting him drop to the ground. Afterward, the group of elves mounted their horses, led by Arwin. Before they departed, he let out a battle cry.
"Let's show the Carrion what happens when someone dares mess with our clan!"
"Yeah!" the elves responded in unison before galloping into the depths of the forest. The prince remained behind, watching them leave. Then, he turned his gaze toward the wall behind which Kayn and Fenris were hiding.
"How long are you going to keep standing there, staring?" the prince asked.
Kayn, surprised that the prince was the only one who noticed them, decided to step out.
"Humans? What a surprise!"
"You're not going to tell anyone we're here?" Kayn asked.
"Why would I? I don't even belong to this village," the young man said with a smile. "Forgive my manners. I am the second prince of the Carrion clan. Eldarion Carrion."
"I'm Kayn, and this short guy here is Fenris," Kayn replied, gesturing toward his companion. Fenris greeted him with a grin.
"Pleasure to meet you," the prince said. "So, what are two humans doing in elven territory?"
"It's a long story," Kayn said, glancing toward the forest where the elves had disappeared. "I'm surprised you didn't go with them."
"The princess was captured by my subordinates. They don't even trust me enough to let me help. Besides, I don't deserve to assist them," Eldarion explained. Hearing this, Kayn turned his back on the prince, with Fenris following close behind.
"That's a shame because I want to help her," Kayn said. His words surprised Eldarion.
"What? Why would a human care about an elf?"
"You're right. I barely know her. But despite being humans, she helped us. So why can't we help her in return?" Kayn said with a smile. His words left the prince deep in thought for a moment before he too smiled.
"Kayn, was it? I must say, you're a rather peculiar human. If you're going to rescue the princess, may I join you? I assure you I'll be of great help."
Kayn nodded and extended his hand to the prince. This gesture was all the answer Eldarion needed, and he shook Kayn's hand firmly.
To catch up with the other elves, they needed horses. Before setting out, they approached a stable. Not a single guard seemed to be watching it; likely, all had gone to rescue the princess. Among the horses, Kayn found the one they had taken from the slave quarry. Fenris ran up to it.
"Niebla! It's so good to see you again!" Fenris exclaimed, stroking the horse while Kayn raised an eyebrow at the name.
"Niebla?" Kayn repeated mockingly. "Seriously, you couldn't come up with anything better?"
Fenris shook his head, slightly offended.
"It's a perfect name. In fact, you should name your sword too." Fenris seemed lost in thought while Kayn remained silent, unsure how to respond. Eldarion approached them.
"Perhaps we can save the naming for later. We need to leave now."
Kayn mounted Niebla, extending a hand to Fenris to help him up. With a swift leap, Fenris settled behind Kayn. Eldarion picked another horse from the stable, and together they rode into the vast forest.