Faye's POV
I stared at Hardy, confusion churning in my chest. Why would he agree to guide these strangers? Nothing about their presence here made sense, and their explanations felt hollow. Yet he had handed them exactly what they requested without question.
Something else nagged at me. If these people truly had connections to the Lord of the North, wouldn't they have immediately recognized Hardy? Perhaps the blood coating his cloak and features had masked his identity completely.
"As our gratitude for your kindness, please accept this illuminating fae stone," the eldest man announced, his smile too polished to be genuine. "I am called Abel. The young man here is my grandson, Kian."
His weathered hand gestured toward the remaining members of their group. "These are Leon and Lyra. The one in the back goes by Zane. It brings us great honor to make your acquaintance, Your Excellency."
Hardy responded with nothing more than a grunt.
