There was silence at the table as Ardynne spoke. No one dared utter a word or even shift in their seat, afraid to fracture the fragile peace they already sensed was an illusion. The cold wind pressed against their necks, and they felt the hairs on their skin rise in quiet warning.
"It makes no sense. How could Skornvale have fallen two days before our arrival? We all saw the thick smoke that smothered the sky and the flames consuming what was left of that kingdom. The darkness was real… the terror…"
"What the eye sees does not always tell the story," Ardynne replied calmly. "We only possess the power to cast a stone into the river, not the power to decide where it will land. It may sink to the bottom, be swept away by the current, or swallowed by a bird.
And yet, that bird becomes prey to us — and we eat it. Now it rests in our bellies.
It is far easier to believe the lies we tell ourselves than the lies we are told. In the end, the only thing that remains unchanged is the scent of roast… whether from the bird or from Skornvale."
She paused, exhaling softly. "Ah, there I go preaching again. Forgive me — that is far too much knowledge to burden someone with at once."
This has to be the most sensible thing I have ever said in my life, Ardynne thought, a flicker of pride warming her. To be blessed with such endless knowledge expanding through—
"Forgive me, my lady, but I have failed to understand you," Torren said, cutting cleanly through her thoughts.
Really? I was certain I explained everything in detail, Ardynne mused inwardly, mildly offended.
"From the moment you embarked on this journey, they followed and watched you," she continued. "They knew you would avoid Grimhold and pass through Ardenvale. How, I cannot say.
Lady Torren sensed their presence — I believe it was when they attempted an attack in that lonely, desolated stretch. Their killing aura could not be contained.
Your sudden change in pace alerted them, so they withdrew and chose instead to observe. Your path then led to Cyradorn — a city already reduced to ruin. It was perfect for them… for they could set the place ablaze once more without facing resistance."
They could see their journey replaying in their minds, but this time it was drenched in the horror they now understood. The countless possibilities of their deaths sent chills racing down their spines. Death had greeted them… and they had failed to acknowledge him.
Elena clenched her trembling fists, struggling to steady herself.
Laziel drew closer to the table.
"While you took rest at River Veylin," she continued, her voice calm yet heavy with implication, "they made haste and rallied the forces that now await your arrival. Their presence grew more noticeable as their numbers increased. I believe they blocked the path behind you to strip away every thought of turning back."
"And they chased us without catching us… leading us exactly where they want us to be," Ryker added slowly, the realization settling like frost.
"Exactly."
"And they set Skornvale ablaze. Why?" Laziel asked, his brow tightening.
"That's right," Torren said, leaning forward. "Wouldn't it have been easier to simply lie in the dark and wait for us to walk into their trap?"
"As I said earlier, they must be after one of you. Whoever it is… you are powerful beyond even your own imaginings — powerful enough that they feared the unknown. They could not risk waiting. They had to reach that person somehow, and there was only one way it could be done safely."
"What way is that?" Torren asked, impatience creeping into his voice.
She exhaled softly, almost disappointed.
"It is so obvious that even untrained eyes should see through it. My Lord… you have disappointed me. You have fallen below expectations."
She sighed and shook her head.
"Laziel, my trusted and most intelligent pupil… why don't you enlighten our guest?"
"I do not know, my lady."
"You shall be relieved of your duties and leave for another kingdom immediately if you fail me in front of our guest."
Laziel froze.
Only moments ago, they had spoken of the horrors of the journey, and now he stood one wrong answer away from exile.
"Um—fe… is—it shadow?" he stammered.
"Is that your final answer?" Ardynne asked.
He nodded.
"That is correct."
Laziel released a breath he did not realize he had been holding, his shoulders sinking with relief. The guests watched, utterly astounded by the exchange.
"You see," Ardynne continued, her voice smooth yet heavy with implication, "I would like to say instill, but it could very well be your own shadow. We call them shadows… but what they truly are, we do not know."
She began to pace slowly.
"What we do know is that they feed on fear."
"Fear…" Lady Torren whispered under her breath.
"They wait for the smallest crack to form — and then they slip in. From the moment terror took hold of you, when you saw the city burning before your eyes, it became one with you. Watching. Lingering. Like a predator waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
"Their presence is faint… yet undeniable. You sense them, and your fear deepens. As your fear grows, so does their presence — closer… heavier… almost breathing behind you."
Her gaze swept across the room.
"It is a never-ending loop."
"They follow you like shadows and feed on your fears. That is all we know. They are born from our fears… whether they are real or merely an illusion, we cannot yet say."
She paused deliberately, studying their faces before continuing.
"Now here comes the truly frightening part."
Silence tightened around the room.
"One can easily be tracked by their shadow. Our shadows are unique to us — just as our fears are unique. Some people carry far greater shadows than others. They ensured that even if you managed to escape… they could still find you."
"And that was how they found us, even though we outran them," Ryker added quietly.
"Outran?" Ardynne tilted her head, a slow smile forming. "More like out-fell."
She giggled softly at her own joke — a sound far too light for the darkness of the subject.
"You never truly outran them. When you fell, you let go of all fear — and that very fear transformed into survival. For that fleeting moment, each of you thought only of living, and the shadows withdrew… until the sound of hooves returned, and with it, the darkness."
They stared at her expectantly, waiting.
Ardynne paused longer than necessary, letting their curiosity swell into quiet unease before she spoke again.
"Now, the real question…" she said softly. "Which one of you could they be after?"
Uneasy glances passed between them. One searched another's face, but no answer came. Until this moment, none of them had truly considered the possibility that the pursuit was not random — that one among them might be the prey.
"And what do you intend to do with this person?" Torren asked.
Ardynne clasped her hands lightly.
"Oh, have them wrapped neatly in fine linen, anointed with the most expensive oils, and presented as a peace offering."
Silence fell like a blade.
Laziel buried his face in his palms. The others could only stare at her, horror and disbelief etched across their faces, while she sat there gazing into open space, a faint smile tugging at her lips as though she had merely commented on the weather.
"What?" Ardynne said at last, glancing toward them. "I was only joking."
A collective breath escaped the room.
"It is difficult to tell which of us is the 'special' one they are after," Ryker said carefully. "Is there some way — some test — that could reveal who it is?"
"Special?" Ardynne echoed, a subtle curve touching her mouth. "Well… special. For now, we cannot be certain that is a fortunate thing. But we must discover the truth before they arrive."
The shift in her tone — almost playful to quietly grave — caught everyone off guard.
Everyone except Laziel.
"They are coming?" Elena asked, fear threading unmistakably through her voice.
Ardynne turned to her, that same calm smile resting effortlessly on her face.
"Yes, darling," she replied. "They are."
Vynn burst into the hall, his eyes unable to conceal the horror they had witnessed. He stopped before them, panting, fighting to steady his breath.
"What is it, Vynn?" Ardynne asked.
"We are surrounded."
"Surrounded? By who?"
Vynn paused, slowly lifting his gaze to meet Ardynne's.
"Them."
Understanding rippled through the room. Panic stirred, thick and suffocating — yet Ardynne remained calm.
"They are not attacking. They have blocked all entrances and exits," Vynn added.
"Do we stand a chance against them?" Laziel asked.
"Their number is twice what we encountered earlier."
Ardynne turned toward the family.
She saw Ryker, visibly trembling. Lady Torren wore a grave expression, fear churning beneath her composure. Tears gathered in Elena's eyes but refused to fall. Torren tried to appear brave, yet his fingers betrayed him, tapping endlessly against his lap. Thalira stared at the table, expressionless — too still, almost as if she had already begun mourning.
"Have the men stand watch and await orders. Inform me of any change immediately."
"Yes, my lady."
"As for you—" Ardynne continued, turning back to the family, "think carefully. Connect the dots. Your hearts already know who they are after. Tell me the moment you are certain."
"And what of you?" Torren asked, worry sharpening his voice. "What are you going to do? Do you have allies that could help? What about Eryndral?"
Ardynne smoothed an invisible crease from her sleeve.
"I am off to complete my book."
Silence fell.
"You see, where I stopped is… very interesting. My spirit will not find rest if I do not discover what happens in the next chapter."
She turned, already walking away, her voice drifting behind her like a quiet vow.
"And perhaps — if I survive this — I shall write of it. The story would be legendary… remembered even a thousand years from now."
She turned swiftly to Thalira, dropped to her level, and gently took her hands.
"Who would you love to be in my story? A legend or a hero?"
"A princess," she said, a bright smile spreading across her face.
"That's so cute. What of your big brother?"
"A dragon."
"And your big sister?"
Thalira paused for a moment before answering, "A dire wolf."
A faint smile touched her lips. "I think I like you already. Did Mother tell you a lot of bedtime stories?"
She nodded.
"Well, I have many stories of my own. Would you love to hear them?"
Thalira nodded again. Holding her hands, they bounced away together, leaving the others alone with their thoughts.
"She can't really be going to read books, can she?" Elena asked, her brows knitting with uncertainty.
"If she said she was going to, then she truly is," Laziel replied calmly.
"I was just thinking… how did you know she was referring to shadows?" Elena asked.
Without a word, Laziel pointed to the spot where Ardynne had been sitting earlier. Scratched faintly into the ground was a single, uneven word she had traced with her leg:
shadows.
"Ah… good move. But why were you still scared? It didn't seem like she would actually send you away."
"You are mistaken," Laziel said quietly. "She absolutely would. But I was more afraid of getting it wrong and being cast out. She once punished me for answering incorrectly — even though I gave the very answer she herself had written. You do not want to know the full story."
He straightened.
"Now, if you will excuse me, my Lord… my Lady."
With a respectful bow, he turned and walked away.
"Are you sure it is wise to let Thalira go with her? She appears normal, but… she is a little crazy," Ryker muttered.
"Fair point," Elena added.
"Ryker! Have some respect for the lady of the house," Lady Torren scolded sharply.
A small, knowing smile crept onto Torren's face.
"He is not entirely wrong, though."
"Don't encourage him," she snapped. "He cannot always say what the rest of us are thinking."