The eastern road narrowed into a forgotten trail, winding between towering pines that shut out the afternoon sun. Damp mist clung to the forest floor, curling around fallen logs and ancient roots like restless spirits.
Darian walked in silence beside Serenya.
Since leaving Ashbrook, neither of them had spoken much.
Every snapping twig made him glance over his shoulder.
Every shifting shadow reminded him of the hooded stranger in the village.
"You've looked back twelve times," Serenya finally said.
"I counted eleven."
"You looked again."
Darian sighed.
"I can't shake the feeling he's still there."
Serenya didn't laugh.
"That's because he probably is."
Those words did nothing to ease his mind.
They continued until the road disappeared beneath thick moss.
Birdsong had vanished.
Even the wind seemed unwilling to enter this part of the forest.
Serenya slowed.
"Something isn't right."
Darian frowned.
"I thought you said that yesterday."
"I did."
"And today I'm saying it again."
She crouched beside the trail.
Fresh footprints.
Not theirs.
Three sets.
Boots.
Heavy.
Military.
"They're close."
Darian swallowed.
"Soldiers?"
She shook her head.
"Worse."
They left the road immediately.
For nearly an hour they climbed rocky slopes hidden beneath tangled roots until they reached the ruins of an old watchtower.
Only half its walls remained standing.
Nature had claimed the rest.
"We'll stay here until nightfall," Serenya said.
Darian looked around.
"This place doesn't look safe."
"It isn't."
"Comforting."
"It isn't meant to be."
Despite himself, he smiled.
For the first time in days, Serenya almost smiled back.
As evening settled, Darian finally asked the question that had lingered in his thoughts.
"Who is Corvus?"
Serenya's expression darkened.
"I knew you'd ask."
"You know the name."
"I wish I didn't."
She stared into the fading light.
"Years ago, he was one of the greatest commanders the Radiant Order ever produced."
Darian blinked.
"He fought for your people?"
"He fought beside my father."
"What happened?"
"No one truly knows."
She looked toward the mountains in the distance.
"One winter... he disappeared."
"When he returned..."
"...he no longer believed the Ember should exist."
Silence settled between them.
"He built something new."
"The Order of the Hollow Flame."
Darian felt a chill despite the evening air.
"So the soldiers work for him?"
"No."
"They work for the king."
"The Hollow Flame serves only Corvus."
Far away...
Deep within the ruins of an abandoned fortress...
A lone rider knelt before a man dressed in black.
"The village confirmed it."
The rider lowered his head.
"The boy escaped."
The man stood before a window overlooking endless mountains.
His cloak barely stirred.
"And the letter?"
"Still in his possession."
A long silence followed.
Finally...
The man spoke.
"Do not take the letter."
The rider looked up in surprise.
"My lord?"
"Not yet."
His voice was calm.
"The letter cannot be opened by another."
He turned slightly.
For only a heartbeat, pale fire reflected within his eyes.
"It must remain with its rightful bearer."
The rider hesitated.
"Then what are your orders?"
A faint smile crossed the man's face.
"Hunt them."
"Drive them east."
"Let fear do what swords cannot."
He looked toward the distant mountains.
"They will come to Frostvale."
"And when they do..."
"...bring me the heir."
Back at the ruined tower...
Darian suddenly woke.
"What is it?" Serenya whispered.
"I thought..."
He listened.
Hoofbeats.
Very faint.
Somewhere below.
Serenya slowly extinguished their small fire.
Neither of them spoke.
The hoofbeats stopped.
Someone had found the tower.
Outside...
Hidden by the darkness...
A lone rider looked up toward the broken stone walls.
He never dismounted.
Instead...
He turned his horse around and rode away.
As if simply confirming they were there.
Serenya didn't relax until the sound had disappeared completely.
"They know."
Darian's mouth went dry.
"Know what?"
She looked into the darkness beyond the tower.
"They know exactly where we're going."