Two Parano soldiers lounged at the tower's entrance, their spears propped lazily against the stone as they discussed in their language. Aldrich crouched behind a crate, his eyes narrowing as he calculated his move.
He was nearly certain his sword and map laid within those walls. Snagging a pebble, he flicked it across the ground afar off, the soft clatter drawing the guards' attention. They snatched their spears and shuffled off to investigate, and Aldrich seized the moment. His legs pushed against the ground as he darted past, slipping into the tower.
Inside, was an interior of detailed craftsmanship. High ceilings arched gracefully, chandeliers of crystal and light casting a faint glow. Aldrich paused, awestruck by its beauty. This was not Parano's handiwork. Humans, perhaps.
His gaze traced the walls, where paintings depicted a woman in a dark robe and veil, her face shrouded in mystery. He recognized her. It was Aramiel, the night goddess. The Lowlands, especially the Eastend, were not big on religion, but her gospel had spread deep and far. He traced his finger across the wall's smooth surface. Aramiel's frames were definitely proof this place was made by humans. However, it confused him how the Paranos treated this place with reverence, maintaining and guarding it, yet they threw humans like him in their dungeons.
Then, a frown creased his brow. He remembered the map had noted the abandoned Parano settlement as the only one nearby, yet there was this place, its human influence undeniable. A proof that it was not created recently.
Why wasn't it recorded? A deliberate secret, perhaps. Questions swirled, but answers eluded him, so he pushed them aside.
His eyes caught a glint, his red sword hung on a wall, beside one of the paintings. Beside it was Alan's sword as well. He'd been right. They were here. He crossed the hall, securing his blade at his waist and hanging Alan's over his shoulders. The map, though, remained unfound.
His footsteps echoed as he ventured deeper, spotting a small door, likely a storeroom, he hoped. With cautious hands, he eased it open, peering into it.
The room was quite cramped, its space choked with crates and various human relics. There were multiple maps as well, just like his, scattered like they were of little worth. A woman stood with her back to him, rifling through an open box. It was none other than the haughty Highlander girl.
She hadn't fled as he had assumed. "What are you doing here?" Aldrich's voice cut through the stillness, firm yet curious.
She jolted, spinning around, her hand darting to the sword at her waist. Clearly, she'd reclaimed her weapon. Relief flickered across her face upon recognizing him, though her frown deepened into a scowl. "Did you follow me?" she demanded, suspicion lacing her tone.
"You're not that interesting," Aldrich scoffed, brushing off the accusation. "What's in the box?" He stepped closer.
She huffed, turning away to snap the box shut and hoist it by its handle, intent on leaving. But Aldrich held his ground, a nagging sense of intrigue rooting him in place. A human-built tower in a Parano settlement, adorned with paintings of Aramiel, the night goddess. It reeked of hidden agendas.
"Get out of my way, lowlife!" she seethed, her hand hovering over her sword. "Or I'll cut you down where you stand."
"You're not foolish enough to fight here, are you?" Aldrich retorted, his voice dry. A fight between us would summon Parano soldiers in moments, and neither could risk that. She twitched, frustration simmering, before letting her hand fall.
"I don't know what's inside," she admitted grudgingly.
"Don't lie. I saw you checking it," Aldrich pressed, unconvinced.
"I've seen the contents, but I don't know what they are," she clarified, her tone clipped. "I'm only here on Konor's orders."
"Who's Konor?" Aldrich tilted his head, the name was unfamiliar to him.
She stared at him as if he were dim-witted. "The leader of the human army. How do you not know this?"
"What human army?" His frown deepened, confusion warring with suspicion.
"You're as clueless as you are low of birth," she sneered. "Haven't you heard? The Sylvariths are mobilizing. We're at war."
Of course Aldrich had not heard of any human army, he and Alan had been trapped in direwolves' territory and then stuck in the Dirna circle.
His eyes narrowed. King Jenoka's warning of war rang true, but his focus shifted. If a human army existed, his friends could be among them.
"Is this army just for Highlanders?" he asked, probing deeper.
She smirked, arrogance dripping from her.
"Why? Now that you see you may be in danger, you need a place to run to? Too bad, you can't. I won't let a Lowlander who doesn't know his place sully our ranks."
Aldrich shook his head, a wry smile playing on his lips. "Then I'll just follow you," he said, his tone light.
Her frown deepened, the smug smile vanishing as her eyes narrowed into slits of fury. "You're really making me want to kill you," she seethed, her voice a low growl.
"I'm not so easy to cut down," Aldrich replied, a faint, defiant smile tugging at his lips.
She ran a hand through her long blonde hair, exhaling sharply as if to quell her temper.
"I don't have time for this. I'll lead you to the human army, but on one condition," she said, her tone shifting to a reluctant bargain. "If you ever meet Konor, you must never mention that you know of this place."
Aldrich tilted his head, intrigue flickering in his silver eyes. Konor's secrecy about this tower only deepened the mystery. He was even more curious, especially of what was hidden in that box. Still, he'd bide his time, playing along for now.
"Deal," he agreed.