The wind, a mournful sigh through the parched grass, whipped around Ysabel as Hector guided her towards the makeshift camp. The land, baked hard by the relentless sun, offered little respite, only a scattering of tenacious wildflowers clinging to life. She saw Aleric, Lilah, Elvin, and several other knights, their faces familiar but their names elusive. A cluster of tents huddled together near the road, some already bustling with activity – fires being kindled, dry twigs gathered for the coming night, others scoured the desolate landscape, their boots raising small, ephemeral dust
Aleric nodded a curt greeting, his expression stoic as ever. Lilah and Elvin offered warmer smiles, while the others remained impassive, their faces betraying nothing. The air crackled with an unspoken tension, a palpable sense of anticipation that settled heavily on Ysabel's shoulders.
"Ysabel,"
Lilah greeted, her voice soft and inviting but carrying a hint of something deeper, a shared history etched in the lines around her eyes.
"It feels like ages since we last saw each other."
Hector, ever the boisterous one, chimed in with a proud grin.
"That's what I told her, m'lady is overjoyed to see me!"
His words were met with a chorus of snorts and disbelieving grunts from the others.
Aleric disregarding Hector's cheerful banter gaze on the sky.
"You need to keep that high spirit, Hector," He said, his voice low and serious. The sky, once a vibrant blue, was now a canvas of bruised oranges and ominous greys, a dramatic shift that mirrored the change in the atmosphere.
Ysabel followed Aleric's gaze, a growing unease settling in her stomach. Just moments ago, the sun had blazed with unrestrained brilliance. Now, it was as if the very heavens were bleeding, the sky transforming into a terrifying spectacle of blood red. A chill, deeper than the desert night, ran down her spine.
Lilah's voice, barely a whisper, broke the silence.
"It's going to be a long night,"
She murmured, her eyes reflecting the ominous glow of the sky.
Aleric, his face etched with grim determination, gestured towards one of the tents.
"You should get inside,"
He urged, his voice firm. He steered Ysabel and Lilah towards the shelter, a sense of urgency in his movements. Ysabel's unease intensified as Lilah took her hand, pulling her gently but firmly into the nearest tent.
Inside, the tent was surprisingly comfortable. A bed of hay, covered with a decent blanket, offered a makeshift resting place. A small oil lamp, flickering against the encroaching darkness, cast dancing shadows on the walls. The canvas itself was tinged with the crimson hue of the apocalyptic sky outside, the wind creating a rhythmic wave-like motion.
Ysabel sat gingerly on the edge of the bed, her eyes fixated on the flickering light. The silence stretched, heavy and expectant, broken only by the whisper of the wind and the crackle of the lamp.
After what seemed like an eternity, Elvin entered, followed by Aleric. Aleric handed Lilah a small sack, its contents revealed to be a collection of magical stones, herbs, and pieces of bark from an ancient tree.
"Will this be alright?"
Aleric asked, his voice tight with concern.
Lilah examined the contents carefully. "There aren't any suitable trees nearby, so the protection spell won't be as strong as it could be, but it's better than nothing,"
She replied, her fingers tracing the contours of the ancient bark.
Aleric nodded, accepting her assessment. "It should be sufficient. The carriages and carts will be able to withstand attacks from medium-sized monsters. The Umbra will ensure the safety of the merchants and our people. Their protection is our priority."
Ysabel, unable to contain her growing fear, finally spoke, her voice barely a breath. "Will there be an attack?"
Aleric's gaze locked with hers, his eyes reflecting the gravity of the situation.
"The blood-red sky is an omen, a warning. We must be prepared. No matter what happens, never leave this tent. No matter what you hear, do not succumb to curiosity and peek outside. We don't know what is coming."
Lilah, ever the reassuring presence, smiled at Ysabel, attempting to alleviate her growing fear.
"Elvin will stay with you. I'll place protection spells on each tent and give the protection stones to the merchants – though I doubt many of them will possess any,"
She explained, her voice calm and soothing.
"I have the charm you gifted me, so rest assured, darling, I'll be safe."
Ysabel started to protest, to explain that the charm was merely decorative, holding no actual protective power. But Lilah gently patted her head, silencing her words.
"This isn't our first brush with danger, darling. We've faced worse, even stared death in the face, yet here we are, still breathing, still fighting."
Aleric's impatient voice cut through Lilah's comforting words.
"Come on, we haven't got all day,"
He snapped, his tone brooking no argument. Without another word, he turned and strode towards the exit, leaving Ysabel, Lilah, and Elvin.
With a heavy sigh, Lilah excused herself and followed Aleric outside the tent.