Kid, I can shape a sword to split bone in a blizzard, but if you're askin' me what color flowers girls like or whether ribbons go on necklaces or not you're barking up the wrong tree." Sorin frowned. "So you have no idea?" "None. Ask Anna. She knows everything about… those kinds of things." Later that day at the inn, Sorin cornered Anna while she was unpacking crates of festival decorations. "Anna, I need advice… on a festival gift. For Lana." Anna raised a brow. "You forged something, didn't you?" "Trying to. But I don't want to give her just any tool or trinket. She's… been there for me. A lot." Anna smiled knowingly. "Then give her something personal. Something that says you see her not just as a helper at the inn or a bookworm. Show her you know her story, her strength. That'll mean more than anything shiny." Sorin thought about that. The pendant he was making wasn't finished… but maybe it just needed the right reason to exist.
• FESTIVAL NIGHT
The Firelight Festival bathed the village in flickering orange and blue. Fires were lit in massive rings at the center of town. Villagers danced in loops, laughter echoing over drums and string music. Sparks flew into the air like fireflies chasing the moon. Sorin stood near the food stalls, clutching a small cloth-wrapped item. His clothes were clean, freshly ironed by Anna, and his boots shined from Gorin's polish (though he'd never admit it). Lana approached, wearing a simple but elegant outfit stitched with gold thread. Her eyes sparkled as she waved. "You made it!" she said. "Wouldn't miss it," Sorin grinned. Then handed her the wrapped object. "For you. Festival gift." She unwrapped it slowly revealing a hand-forged pendant, shaped like an open book with a small flame etched into the center. The metal was carefully brushed, and a faint copper glint ran through its edges like a firelight.
"It's beautiful… why a book and a flame?" "You like stories. And you helped me find my spark." Sorin said, scratching his head awkwardly. "Anna gave me the idea." Lana held it close, smiling deeply. "It's perfect. Thank you, Sorin." Later That Night, Quiet by the Fire. Away from the crowds, the two of them sat near the edge of the festival field, watching children toss firelit paper boats into the stream. A warm silence passed between them before Lana spoke softly. "Sorin… can I ask you something?" "Sure."
"Where are your parents?" Sorin stared into the fire. "I don't know, l was abandoned at birth, or that's what I was told. I don't remember anything about them. Just that they couldn't raise me." Lana nodded slowly. "I'm sorry."Sorin turned to her. "What about you? You've never talked about yours either." Lana looked down. Her voice trembled a bit. "They were… killed. During a demon raid, years ago. I was the only one who made it out. Anna took me in after that. We ran north… and ended up here." Sorin didn't know what to say at first. But he didn't need to. He just nodded, and the silence between them wasn't awkward it was shared. A quiet understanding.
"Guess we're both the kind who had to make our own family," Sorin said finally. Lana smiled faintly. "Yeah. But I think we're doing alright."
So how's Sorin?" Anna asked, drying her hands with a towel behind the inn counter. Lana sat stiffly at the table, her hands wrapped around a half-empty mug. Her voice was low and shaky. "It's… it's been two days since I last saw him. I think he had a fight with Gorin. He won't come outside anymore." Anna raised a brow. "Is that so?"Lana's eyes welled up. Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Yeah. And… I wanted to talk to him if he sees them too… I think we're being followed." Anna froze. "Followed? What do you mean?" "For the past two weeks now," Lana said, her voice trembling, "I've noticed them, men I've never seen before. Watching us. I've seen them by the well, the forest edge, near the forge. Always watching, never speaking."
Anna's calm expression faded instantly. She moved from behind the counter and knelt in front of Lana. "Lana… how many people?" "I don't know… three? Maybe more. But I'm scared. They're not from here." Her body trembled as tears ran silently down her cheeks. "Something's wrong, Anna." Anna didn't say another word. She stood up, grabbed her coat, and bolted into the pouring rain.
• THE FORGE
The storm slammed down in heavy sheets as Anna approached the forge. Lightning flashed across the night sky, illuminating the windows. She burst through the workshop door, soaked to the bone, and found Gorin in the dim light hurriedly stuffing a pack with tools and wrapping Sorin's smaller forging equipment in cloth. "Gorin!" she shouted. "What are you doing?!" Gorin spun around, eyes wide. "Anna?! What are you doing out in this storm?" "Where is Sorin?" she demanded. "In his room," Gorin replied quickly. "Why…". Anna cut him off, eyes locked onto him. "Is he really in his room?" A flash of doubt crossed Gorin's face. Together, they rushed down the hall. Gorin threw open the door to Sorin's room. The bed was empty. The window was wide open its curtains blown wild in the stormy wind. Outside, black clouds rolled and wept with thunder, the only sign of Sorin's departure. Anna stepped back, stunned. "He's gone… Why..".
Gorin clenched his fists, his soaked beard dripping onto the floor. "It was my fault," he muttered. "He asked me about his parents." Anna turned sharply. "What did you say to him?" "He's been asking if they were really dead. I didn't have a clear answer. I've always told him they abandoned him… that it was for the best. But the truth is… they didn't." Anna's voice dropped to a whisper. "You knew they were alive?" "I don't know if they're alive now," Gorin admitted. "But I knew they went south. Sorin's parents wanted a better life. They left him at the orphanage so he wouldn't have to live in constant danger. They wanted to be adventurers but that region… demons roam freely."