The storm rolled in slowly, thunder grumbling like a beast beyond the horizon. At the outskirts of the small village, the knights of the realm stood in rigid formation, their cloaks snapping against the growing wind. Horses stamped restlessly, snorting steam into the air as the men's armor glinted with each flash of lightning.
At their head stood Commander Garros. His beard was streaked with gray, and the lines on his face told stories of battles fought and survived. But his eyes—sharp, unyielding—remained fixed on a single wooden house at the edge of the village.
A knight rode up beside him, voice cautious. "Orders, sir?"
Garros' jaw tightened. He did not move, did not blink. "We wait."
Thunder rumbled again, closer now.
---
Inside the cabin, Mei worked quickly, her movements clipped by fear. She wrapped a thick cloak around Ren's shoulders, her hands trembling only slightly as she fastened it.
"Take him to the back room and keep the door locked," she said.
Reider's expression remained blank, but he nodded once. "Understood."
The door clicked shut as Mei ushered them away.
Dain stood in the main room, silent. His eyes lingered on the retreating figures of his family before turning to the weapon on the wall. With practiced hands, he drew his sword, the steel whispering as it slid free of its scabbard. He ran a calloused thumb across the edge, muttering, "They shouldn't be here."
Outside, Garros' eyes narrowed on the home. What are you hiding, old friend?
The breeze shifted, carrying the weight of approaching danger.
---
Far from the village, the royal palace sat bathed in candlelight and shadow. King Alden, silver-haired but sharp-eyed, leaned forward on his throne as a scribe read from a scroll.
"Commander Garros requests permission to investigate Dain," the scribe said, the crackle of parchment filling the hall.
Alden sighed, rubbing his temple. "Dain? Again?"
The scribe did not answer, only lowered his eyes respectfully.
Alden leaned back, his voice firm but tinged with weariness. "Dain has saved this kingdom too many times to be treated like a fugitive."
The candlelight wavered as a voice cut smoothly through the chamber.
"Oh, Your Majesty," it teased. "Always so merciful."
Footsteps echoed as Lady Vael entered the room. Tall, draped in black leather stitched with silver, she moved like a shadow that had learned how to smile. A dagger spun lazily in her hand, catching the firelight as her lips curled in amusement.
"What if your great hero is hiding something monstrous?" she purred.
Alden's gaze sharpened. "You speak as though you know something."
Vael tilted her head, playful yet predatory. "Let's just say… I have an interest in strange children appearing from nowhere." Her fingers drummed lightly against the dagger's hilt.
Alden exhaled, slow and heavy. "Dain's loyalty is unquestionable."
"Is it?" she whispered, her smile widening.
---
Back at the village, a knight handed Garros a sealed scroll. The commander broke the wax, eyes scanning the words within. His breath hissed softly through his nose.
"We question him," he ordered at last. "That's all."
Some of the men muttered in disappointment, shifting uneasily.
The door creaked open.
Dain stepped onto the porch, arms crossed, his sword sheathed at his side. His voice was calm but edged like the steel at his hip. "Looking for something?"
Garros met his gaze. Respect lingered there, but suspicion was stronger. "Just answers."
Behind the walls, Ren clutched at Reider's sleeve. His voice was small, uncertain. "Dad will be okay, right?"
Reider's blank eyes did not leave the door. His reply was flat, merciless. "…No."
Ren's breath caught. Silence pressed down like a weight.
From the window, Mei gripped the curtain tightly, her knuckles white. This isn't just a routine check.
Outside, Garros' voice carried across the storm air. "The king wants reassurance that there's nothing… unusual here."
Dain's jaw tightened. "You don't trust me."
Garros' lips pressed thin. "It's not about trust. It's about duty."
---
Inside, Reider's heartbeat quickened. Thump-thump. Thump-thump. He stared at the door, his voice low. "Something else is coming."
Ren blinked, confused. "What's wrong?"
The boy's eyes shifted. "…They're coming."
The wind whispered through the trees.
Far away, at the palace, Lady Vael smirked from her window, spinning her dagger. "I think I'll visit the village myself."
Alden's gaze hardened. "Do not interfere, Vael."
"Wouldn't dream of it," she said, her steps already fading into the corridor.
---
Back in the village, Garros' men shifted uneasily. The commander's brow furrowed. "Have you seen anything unusual?" he asked.
Dain's silence was answer enough.
The torches sputtered. A shadow shifted through the trees.
Reider's hand clenched tightly. "…It's here."
The knights reacted instantly, weapons drawn in a chorus of steel.
"Form up!" Garros barked.
Dain's hand closed around his hilt. This isn't the knights.
Something blurred past the treeline, too fast for human eyes.
Then, a voice slid into the clearing like silk.
"Well now. This looks interesting."
Lady Vael stepped into view, boots sinking softly into the mud.
Dain's eyes narrowed, his voice a growl. "You."
Garros turned sharply, his hand tightening around his weapon. "Lady Vael. This is an official knight investigation. Leave."
She laughed, a dagger dancing between her fingers. "Oh, Garros, you wound me. I was merely passing through. Coincidence, really."
Inside, Reider's chest heaved. His voice, quiet but certain: "She's dangerous."
Ren frowned, whispering, "She's just a lady with knives, right?"
Reider shook his head. "…No. She's much worse."
---
Outside, Vael strode closer, her eyes glinting. "It's been a while, hasn't it, Dain? You haven't changed a bit."
"And yet you look younger," Dain said coldly. "Strange, that."
The tension sharpened as Garros barked again. "Vael. Leave. Now."
She sighed dramatically, dragging her dagger across her glove. "I could… or, I could just ask one little question before I go."
Her gaze snapped onto Dain's with predatory amusement. "Where's the boy?"
Mei froze at the window. She knows.
Dain's knuckles whitened on his hilt. "What boy?"
Vael's smile curved like a blade. "You know. The one who shouldn't exist."
Garros' eyes flicked between them. "Explain."
Vael twirled her dagger, her tone casual. "Rumors spread fast. A strange child, found in the woods, growing unnaturally fast. Sounds… impossible, doesn't it?"
Inside, Ren's small hands clutched Reider's sleeve tighter. "They're talking about you."
Reider did not flinch. "…I know."
---
Back outside, Dain's voice was hard. "Rumors are just that. Lies."
Vael's chuckle was low, dangerous. "Lies? Maybe. But lies don't make kings nervous. And I hear Alden is very nervous."
Garros frowned. "Are you implying the king has doubts?"
"Not doubts, Garros. Curiosity." Lightning cracked across the sky, briefly painting her face in stark silver.
Inside, Mei dropped to her knees in front of Reider, her hands gripping his shoulders. "We need to leave."
Reider looked at her, unblinking. "They won't let us."
Ren lifted his wooden sword, voice trembling but determined. "Then we fight, right?"
Reider shook his head. "…No. We hide."
---
Outside, Vael finally sighed, stepping back with a smirk. "Oh well. If you insist there's no boy, I suppose I'll leave."
"Good," Garros snapped. "Go."
Her footsteps were light as she turned, but her whisper carried just for Dain. "The king won't protect you forever."
She vanished into the trees, leaving the clearing colder in her absence.
Inside, Mei exhaled in relief. But Reider did not relax. His gaze was still fixed on the door. "She'll be back."
---
At the palace, King Alden sat on his throne, a goblet of wine untouched by his hand. A servant approached, bowing low.
"A message from Lady Vael, Your Majesty."
The parchment was smooth, the ink elegant. Alden's eyes narrowed as he read the single sentence.
You were right to be nervous.
The candlelight flickered as the words sank in, shadows stretching long across the throne room.
To be continued…