The bonfire roared in the center of the village square, casting flickering shadows over the crowd. Laughter and music filled the air, blending with the scent of roasted meats and sweet pastries. The villagers danced in lively circles, their colorful clothes swirling like autumn leaves.
Elara stood on the outskirts of the celebration, her gaze fixed on Kenric. He was laughing, his eyes bright as he hoisted a barrel of ale onto a table, earning more cheers from the villagers. He looked more relaxed than she'd seen him in weeks – perhaps months.
But Elara couldn't shake the unease that gnawed at her. She glanced around, searching the crowd for any sign of the woman who had visited their cabin the night before. There was still no trace of her. No one wore a dark cloak. No one even remotely matched her description.
A young girl ran past, giggling as she chased a boy with a wreath of flowers. The villagers clapped in rhythm with the music, their voices rising in song. Everything seemed joyful and carefree – too impeccable.
Elara took a deep breath, her mind returning to the stone cottage and the hidden alcove she'd discovered earlier. The letters. The warning. The vial of dark liquid. The pendant engraved with runes. The memory sent a chill down her spine.
She had to tell Kenric.
Making her way through the crowd, Elara reached him just as he finished pouring a round of drinks for a group of villagers.
"Kenric," she said softly, tugging on his sleeve. "We need to talk."
Kenric turned, his smile faltering at the look on her face. "What is it?"
"Not here." Elara glanced around nervously. "Somewhere private."
Kenric's brow furrowed, but he nodded. "Alright."
They slipped away from the celebration, weaving through the village until they reached a quieter spot by the edge of the forest. The music and laughter faded into the distance, leaving only the rustling of leaves in the cool night breeze.
"What's going on?" Kenric asked, concern etched on his face. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
Elara crossed her arms, her fingers tightening around the fabric of her sleeves. "I found something today. In a cottage on the outskirts of the village."
Kenric's expression shifted to one of curiosity. "What did you find?"
She hesitated, trying to find the right words. "There was an alcove hidden behind a tapestry. Inside, there were letters. They warned about the veil – said it wasn't salvation, but corruption."
Kenric's brows knit together. "Letters? From who?"
"I don't know," Elara admitted. "But they said the villagers serve the veil. They're bound by something ancient, something dangerous."
Kenric sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Elara, you've been on edge since we got here. Maybe you're reading too much into this."
"I'm not imagining things," she said sharply. "There was a chest with a vial of dark liquid and a pendant with runes. The letters warned that travelers are trapped here – lured by a false kindness."
Kenric shook his head. "You're tired. We've been through a lot. Maybe you just need to rest."
Elara's frustration boiled over. "Why won't you believe me? I'm telling you the truth!"
Kenric placed a hand on her shoulder, his gaze softening. "I believe that you believe it. But I need to see it for myself."
Elara searched his eyes for any sign of doubt. "Fine. I'll take you there."
---
The village was eerily quiet as they made their way toward the stone cottage. The celebration continued in the square, but the sound of music and laughter seemed distant, muffled by the oppressive stillness of the night.
Elara led the way, her steps quick and purposeful. Kenric followed close behind.
When they reached the cottage, Elara hesitated for a moment before unlocking the door with the rusted key she'd found earlier. The door creaked open, revealing the dim interior.
"Come on," she whispered, stepping inside.
Kenric followed, his eyes scanning the room. "Looks abandoned."
Elara crossed to the tapestry on the far wall. "The alcove is behind here."
She pulled the fabric aside, revealing the stone wall – and nothing else.
The alcove was gone.
Elara's heart sank. She reached out, running her hands over the stones, searching for any sign of the hidden compartment.
"It was here," she murmured. "I swear it was here."
Kenric crossed his arms. "There's nothing there, Elara."
Panic clawed at her chest. "No. No, it was here. There was a chest with letters, a vial, a pendant –"
"Elara." Kenric's voice was gentle but firm. "There's nothing here."
She turned to face him, desperation in her eyes. "You have to believe me. Someone must have moved it. They knew I found it."
Kenric sighed. "Maybe you're right. Maybe someone did move it. But we've been traveling for days. You're exhausted. You need to rest."
Elara opened her mouth to protest, but the weight of his words settled on her shoulders. She was exhausted. Her mind felt like a frayed rope, barely holding together.
"Okay," she whispered. "I'll rest. But only if you promise to come back to the cabin with me. No more celebrating."
Kenric hesitated, glancing back toward the village square. "Alright. I promise."
Relief washed over her, and she took his hand, leading him out of the cottage and back toward their temporary shelter.
---
The cabin felt warmer than it had earlier, the fire crackling in the hearth casting soft light over the room. Elara sank onto the bed, her body aching with fatigue.
Kenric sat by the fire, his gaze distant. "I still think you're overreacting."
Elara sighed. "Maybe. But something about this place isn't right."
Kenric didn't respond, and the silence stretched between them like a chasm. Finally, Elara laid down, her eyes growing heavy.
"Goodnight," she murmured.
"Goodnight," Kenric replied softly.
Elara drifted off to sleep, her dreams filled with shadowy figures and whispered warnings. She tossed and turned, the images swirling in her mind like smoke.
A knock at the door jolted her awake.
Kenric rose from his chair, his hand instinctively reaching for his dagger. He opened the door to reveal a villager standing on the threshold, a basket of herbs in their arms.
"Good evening," the villager said with a polite smile. "We heard your companion wasn't feeling well. I brought some remedies."
Kenric nodded, stepping aside to let the villager in. "Thank you. She's resting now."
The villager set the basket on the table, their gaze lingering on Elara for a moment before turning back to Kenric. "We can send our healer to check on her if you'd like."
Kenric hesitated, glancing at Elara's sleeping form. "I think she just needs rest."
The villager nodded. "Very well. But if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."
As the villager left, Kenric bolted the door behind them, his unease growing. He returned to his seat by the fire, staring into the flames.
Elara stirred, her eyes fluttering open. "Who was that?"
"Just a villager," Kenric said. "They brought herb. Offered to send a healer."
Elara sat up, rubbing her eyes. "And you agreed?"
Kenric shook his head. "No. I told them you needed rest."
Elara frowned. "They're watching us."
Kenric sighed. "You're being paranoid."
"Am I?" Elara's voice was sharp. "You saw how quickly they found us. How they knew I was unwell before anyone else did. They're keeping tabs on us."
Kenric rubbed his temples, exhaustion weighing heavily on him. "I don't know, Elara. Maybe you're right. Or maybe we're just tired and jumping to conclusions."
Elara clenched her fists. "We need to leave."
Kenric didn't respond. Instead, he leaned back in his chair, his eyes drifting shut.
As sleep claimed him, Elara sat in silence, her mind racing. Something was coming. She could feel it in her bones.
And she knew they had to be ready.