The Guild Hall. Sunset.
Grog was preparing to hunt.
The sun hung low over the city walls, painting the sky orange and red. He had been waiting all day for this—the cool of evening, the shift from daylight to dusk. The creatures were more active at night. He would find them. He would kill them.
His sword was sharp. His rings were on his belt. His pack was light. Lira stood in the doorway, her bow across her back.
"You're actually going?"
"I said I would."
"You've been saying that for a week."
Grog shrugged. "Tonight's the night."
Ken appeared behind Lira, his hood pulled low. "I'll come."
"You always come."
Ken said nothing.
They walked to the stables.
---
The commotion started before they reached the horses.
Shouting. Running feet. A guard burst through the gate, his face pale, his breath ragged.
"Grog. Grog!"
Grog turned. "What?"
The guard pointed toward the city gates. "A scout. From the eastern hills. She collapsed at the gates. She's asking for you."
Grog's jaw tightened. "What happened?"
"She won't say. She's unconscious. The healers are with her."
Grog looked at Lira. Lira nodded. They walked.
---
The infirmary was crowded.
Healers moved between cots, their hands glowing, their faces grim. Soldiers stood guard at the door. A few worried adventurers lingered in the corners.
Vex lay on a cot near the window. Her face was pale, her clothes were torn, her arms were bandaged. She hadn't moved.
Grog stopped at her bedside.
"What do we know?"
A healer stepped forward. "She was found at the gates at sunset. Exhaustion. Blood loss. Multiple lacerations. No broken bones, but she's badly bruised." The healer paused. "She's been unconscious since she arrived."
"Where were the others?"
The healer shook her head. "She was alone."
Grog was quiet for a moment. "Send word to Mirena. And to Edward. Tell them to come."
The healer nodded. Left.
---
Mirena arrived first.
Her staff was in her hand, her robes were dusty, her face was pale. She had been in the tower, working on the rings. The summons had brought her running.
"What happened?"
Grog gestured to Vex. "She was part of a scouting party. Eastern hills. She came back alone."
Mirena moved to the bedside. She placed her hand on Vex's forehead, closed her eyes.
"She's alive. Exhausted. Her body is healing, but her mind is—" Mirena opened her eyes. "She's been through something."
Grog nodded. "We need to know what."
---
Edward arrived an hour later.
The sun had fully set. Torches were lit along the corridors. Edward came with guards, his face tight, his eyes sharp. A few nobles had followed, but he dismissed them at the door.
"Grog."
"Edward."
Edward looked at Vex. "Is she awake?"
"Not yet."
Edward turned to the healer. "What do you know?"
The healer repeated what she had told Grog. Edward listened without interrupting. When she finished, he was silent for a moment.
"A scouting party. Seven people. One survivor." He looked at Grog. "This isn't creatures."
Grog shook his head. "I don't think so."
---
Vex stirred.
Her eyes fluttered. Her hand twitched. The healer moved to her side, checking her pulse, her breathing.
"She's waking up," the healer said.
Grog stepped closer. Mirena moved to his side. Edward stood behind them.
Vex's eyes opened.
They were wide, unfocused, staring at the ceiling. Then they found Grog's face. She blinked. The fog cleared.
"You're awake," Grog said. "Good. Tell us everything you know."
Vex swallowed. Her voice was hoarse, barely a whisper.
"The tear," she said. "It opened above the clearing. Three people came through. They killed the creatures. Then they killed my people." She paused. "They weren't like us. They weren't like the hunters. They were something else."
Grog's jaw tightened. "What did they look like?"
"Two men. One woman. Dark clothes. Weapons." Vex's eyes glistened. "The woman had a staff. Lightning. Fire. They moved like they'd done this before."
Edward stepped forward. "Where are they now?"
Vex shook her head. "I don't know. I ran. I didn't look back."
Grog looked at Mirena. Mirena looked at Edward.
"We need to find them," Grog said.
Edward nodded. "Before they find us."