Kelvin decided to enter the village and try to find out where he was and if anyone knew about the Kingdom of Brackwyn or how to get there. As Kelvin walked through the village streets, he noticed people staring at him and whispering to each other mostly about his silver-colored hair. Some of the girls blushed, admiring his looks and quietly saying how they wished he was theirs.
Kelvin sighed as he walked through the streets. I can't believe all this is happening. I'm just sixteen… and there are women here who look to be in their mid-twenties admiring me, like they want to make me theirs. I guess I don't look like a sixteen-year-old anymore.
Kelvin continued walking through the village until he spotted a large wooden structure to his left. A carving of a lion's head was etched into the door, and the word "Tavern" was written above it in bold, rough letters. From inside, he could hear voices, laughter, and shouting. The faint scent of smoke, roasted meat, and ale drifted out through the cracks. He paused at the door and let out a quiet sigh.
I guess my senses really have improved. Maybe I can find out where I am and if I'm lucky, someone in there might know something about the Kingdom of Brackwyn.
Kelvin pushed open the heavy tavern door, and a wave of warmth, noise, and thick smells rolled over him. The scent of roasted meat, ale, and smoke filled the air. Wooden beams stretched across the ceiling, and oil lamps flickered along the walls, casting dancing shadows across the room. The tavern was alive with people rough-looking travelers, locals sharing drinks, and a few cloaked figures who kept to themselves.
Kelvin stepped inside, pausing near the entrance to scan the room. Conversations slowed. Heads turned. Whispers followed him as he made his way toward the counter.
"He's too good-looking to be normal," muttered a tall, broad-shouldered man leaning against a post near the fire. He had deep brown skin, sharp eyes, and short curly black hair tucked under a hood. Strapped across his back was a long curved blade, and a row of throwing knives lined the belt at his waist clearly a bounty hunter.
Beside him stood a woman with fair skin and long blond hair tied in a loose braid. She wore a leather coat reinforced with light armor, a dagger at her hip, and a hunting crossbow slung over her shoulder. Her gaze was sharp as she studied Kelvin. "That silver hair… I've never seen anything like it," she said quietly.
Kelvin didn't react. He wasn't here for attention. He was here for answers.
Kelvin reached the counter and sat down on a wooden stool, placing both hands on the worn surface. The tavern keeper glanced over at him, a bald man with fair skin, dressed in a weathered leather shirt and trousers. An old, faded eyepatch covered his left eye, and a short scar traced the edge of his jaw.
"How may I help you?" the man asked in a deep, slightly raspy voice.
For a moment, Kelvin said nothing. He stared at the counter, gathering his thoughts, then finally spoke.
"I got lost at sea and ended up in this village. First, I need to know what is this place called, and which kingdom am I in currently?"
There was a brief silence before the tavern keeper spoke again, his tone calm but curious.
"That's an interesting story," he said, wiping a cup with a cloth. "You're in a village called Brindon, part of the Kingdom of Redvale."
He leaned forward slightly. "Where are you from and how did you end up here?"
At that question, Kelvin's expression darkened. Sadness crept across his face as memories of his parents' death and the destruction of his village surged through his mind. Pain gripped his chest. Rage flickered behind his eyes.
Unaware of it himself, a strange energy began to rise from his body faint at first, then stronger. His silver hair shimmered with light, and his violet eyes began to glow, casting a soft hue across his face. A chilling silence fell over the tavern as every eye slowly turned toward him. Conversations stopped. The air felt heavy, cold.
The tavern keeper instinctively stepped back, eye wide, one hand lowering to the handle of a small blade beneath the counter.
Then, just as suddenly as it began, the glow faded. The aura disappeared. The tension in the room eased, and the warmth slowly returned. People blinked and looked around with confusion.
Kelvin finally answered, his voice quiet but steady.
"I'm from a village called Ashvale… in the Kingdom of Ravenshire."
"My village was attacked fifteen nights ago," Kelvin said quietly. "I don't know who they were… but everyone was killed including my parents. They sacrificed themselves so I could escape."
The tavern keeper studied him for a moment. He could see the sorrow in Kelvin's eyes, the weight of grief still fresh on his face.
Kelvin took a deep breath and continued.
"I'm looking for a place called the Temple of the Nine Sigils. It's said to be somewhere in the Kingdom of Brackwyn. Do you know where that is?"
The tavern keeper was silent for a moment before finally answering.
"The Kingdom of Brackwyn is about a three-day ride north from here," he said. "You'll need a horse for the journey. But just so you know, there's trouble in that kingdom, more like a resistance rising against the crown. It's not exactly a safe place to visit right now."
Kelvin let out a quiet sigh. "I understand," he said. "But I still have to go. It's important."
As he spoke, footsteps approached from behind. He turned slightly to see the two people who had been whispering about him earlier, the ones who looked like bounty hunters.
The blond-haired woman stepped forward first. Her voice was calm but confident. "We overheard you're heading to Brackwyn," she said. "We're going that way too. If you'd like to join us, we don't mind the company."
She paused, giving him a quick glance. "But you'll need a horse."
Kelvin paused for a moment before replying.
"I'd love to join you," he said, "but I don't have a horse… and I don't have any gold or silver pieces either."
The tavern grew quiet for a beat. Then the tavern keeper let out a soft sigh.
"If this journey means that much to you," he said, "then I'll give you a horse. Consider it my way of helping you get where you need to go."
Kelvin's face lit up with a wide smile. "Thank you," he said. "But… I don't even know your name."
The man gave a small nod. "Nick Blackwood," he replied. "Tavern keeper here in Brindon. And what about you, kid?"
"Kelvin Blake," he answered.
Nick smiled. "That's a good name."
Kelvin then turned to the two standing beside him.
"If I'm going to travel with you, I should at least know your names."
The blonde-haired woman looked at him for a moment before answering.
"Nyra Fenrick," she said. "And this is my partner, Alden Merek. We're both bounty hunters."
Nick stepped out from behind the counter and approached Kelvin.
"Come with me," he said. "I'll show you my horses so you can pick one for yourself."
Kelvin stood up and followed Nick, with Nyra and Alden trailing behind. They exited through the back door of the tavern and made their way toward a small horse shed at the edge of the property.
When they arrived, Kelvin counted at least twelve horses, each well-groomed and healthy-looking.
"These are mine," Nick said, gesturing proudly. "Pick whichever one you like."
Nyra glanced at Kelvin and noticed his eyes already fixed on a particular horse.
"Looks like he's already made his choice," she said with a slight smirk.
"I choose this one," Kelvin said, pointing to a strong black horse with a smooth coat and sharp eyes.
"He's yours, then," Nick replied with a nod.
"Good taste," Alden added with a grin. "Just like me."
Nick stepped into the shed, saddled the black horse, and brought it out to Kelvin.
"Here," he said, handing over the reins.
Kelvin took them with a grateful nod. "Thank you. I'll repay you one day."
Nick smiled and turned back toward the tavern. As he walked away, he waved over his shoulder. "Goodbye and good luck on your journey."
"Let's head to our cottage to get our things so we can set off," Nyra said.
The three of them began walking west of the tavern, toward their rented cottage. After a short walk, they arrived at a small, modest cottage plain and worn, the kind usually reserved for peasants or lower-class travelers.
As they approached, Kelvin noticed two horses, one white and one black, tied to a tree near the entrance.
"You can tie your horse there," Alden said.
Kelvin did as instructed, and the three entered the cottage.
"How long have you both been here?" Kelvin asked.
"We arrived this morning," Alden replied.
Inside, Nyra and Alden began packing their belongings into worn travel bags. After a moment, Alden tossed a folded shirt toward Kelvin, who caught it without thinking.
"Looks like you don't have much with you," Alden said. "And that shirt of yours is torn. You can wear this and cover your hair with the hood. It's been drawing a lot of attention."
Kelvin nodded and slipped on the shirt. "Thanks," he said quietly.
Once Nyra and Alden finished packing, they stepped out of the cottage, with Kelvin following close behind.
"If we leave now, we should reach the village of Eldenstead before nightfall," Alden said.
"I don't think we should head to Eldenstead," Nyra replied. "What if we move through Veilwood Forest instead? It would cut our journey by two days."
Alden frowned, his face tightening. "It might save us time, but Veilwood is dangerous."
Kelvin glanced between them, confused. "Dangerous how?"
Nyra let out a short sigh. "Veilwood is home to all kinds of beasts, Dire Wolves, Blood Bears, and others. But don't worry," she added with a confident look. "We're bounty hunters but we can also hunt animals. We'll get through it safely."
Kelvin looked at her, still unsure, but after a moment he nodded. "If it gets us to Brackwyn faster… then I'm in."
Nyra smiled. "Then let's go."
The three of them mounted their horses. As they rode off, Alden gave a small shake of his head and muttered, "This is a terrible idea."
They rode through the village of Brindon, heading west toward the edge of town where the road narrowed and the trees of Veilwood loomed tall and dense.
There was silence among the group as they rode. The air grew cooler, and the soft sounds of village life faded behind them. After about five minutes, they reached the entrance to the forest.
"This is it," Nyra said, slowing her horse as the shadows of the trees stretched across the path.
Alden sighed. "I hope this shortcut is worth it."
"Let's go," Kelvin said firmly, and together the three of them crossed into Veilwood.
Inside the forest, everything changed. The trees were tall and close together, and the light from the sun could barely pass through the thick leaves. The air felt cool and damp. It smelled like wet grass, wood, and something strange that Kelvin couldn't quite explain.
It was quiet, too quiet. They could only hear the sound of their horses and the soft rustling of leaves now and then. Some strange plants grew on the sides of the path. Long vines hung from the trees, and here and there, something moved in the shadows.
They kept riding carefully, watching the path. After about four hours, they found a small open space in the forest.
"We should stop here," Nyra said, dismounting. "It's getting late, and it's not safe to travel Veilwood in the dark."
Kelvin nodded and slid off his horse, stretching his legs. Alden followed, though he didn't look happy about it.
They gathered some wood and started a small fire in the middle of the clearing. The orange light from the flames made the forest around them look even darker. The horses grazed nearby, tied to low-hanging branches.
The three of them sat around the fire, warming themselves in the quiet of the forest. After a while, Alden broke the silence.
"Why are you heading to Brackwyn, Kelvin?" he asked. "You seem like an interesting Boy. I want to know what happened to you.
Kelvin turned to Nyra and saw her nodding.
"I'm curious too," she said. "We've been traveling together, but we don't know much about you."