Ardis was sure of it—it was him.
The chill that had crept over her back had not faded, even though the shadow was already gone.
"What's the matter?" Averin asked, turning around, her eyes scanning the doorway and the quiet space behind them. She saw nothing unusual.
"No… nothing," Ardis said softly, shaking her head. She forced a small smile, though her heart still beat a little too fast. It felt like a warning, she thought. Not a threat, just a presence reminding her that she was being observed.
To hide her unease, Ardis changed the subject. "I just wanted to say… Grandma told me that finding someone with good character is the most important thing."
Averin chuckled lightly and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "Character is important," she agreed, "but power matters too. If he isn't strong enough, how will he protect you? How will he control the others?"
Ardis nodded, though her smile was a little stiff. "You're right. I should take my time and see who truly fits."
"You should also ask your elders," Averin said gently. "They've seen more of life than we have."
Ardis felt comforted by the words. "Aunty, I should go now. My father will come for me in Grandma's hut soon."
Averin nodded and opened the door. "Let me ask Vaelrix to take you there. Be careful."
They stepped outside together.
The sun was already lowering, casting long golden shadows across the village. Ardis saw Maelor near the fire pit, working with several beastmen. One was cutting meat, another stretched fresh fur, and a third sewed quietly, his hands moving with practiced skill.
Maelor noticed them and gave a polite nod. His expression was calm, almost gentle, yet something about him still made Ardis uneasy after what Sissira had told her.
Averin waved lightly to him before guiding Ardis a few steps forward. "Go on," she said warmly.
Ardis waved and followed Vaelrix, the green-haired beastman, her steps light but her heart strangely heavy.
"So, you are Ardis?" Vaelrix said with a grin, walking backward for a moment as if the path were a stage. "I've heard so much about you. Averin wanted to meet you long ago, but every time we returned to the tribe, you were already gone. It's like we were always one step too late."
Ardis smiled politely. "I've seen you all before… from afar."
"Then you should visit more," Vaelrix replied, folding his arms behind his head. "Averin likes you. She talks about you often."
They walked in silence for a few steps before Vaelrix suddenly leaned closer, lowering his voice. "I'll give you a piece of advice—more important than anything. Stay away from Zayreth. The golden-haired one."
Ardis blinked. "Why are you telling me this?"
Vaelrix looked at her as if she had asked something ridiculous. "Why? You're my niece, of course. Who else am I supposed to look after?" He puffed out his chest dramatically. "What, now a beastman can't care about the younger generation?"
Ardis laughed. "You're weird."
"Hey! That hurts," Vaelrix said, clutching his chest. "Nowadays, one can't even be a good beastman without being insulted."
They reached the edge of the path leading to Sissira's hut. Vaelrix stopped and pointed ahead. "Look, we're here. Go now. Before someone thinks I'm trying to steal you away." He waved cheerfully and turned back, humming as he disappeared.
Ardis entered the hut quietly. Inside, Sissira was carving strange, glowing symbols into a flat wooden board. The air smelled of herbs and ash.
"Oh, you're here," Sissira said without looking up. "Sit down."
Ardis hesitated, then spoke in a serious voice. "Grandma… today, when Aunt and I were talking, I saw something. A shadow. Then hair. I'm sure it was one of her mates. He had white hair."
Sissira froze. Slowly, she lifted her head and turned to Ardis, her eyes sharp and alert. "Tell me everything," she said softly. "Every detail. Leave nothing out."
Ardis swallowed, knowing that what she had seen was not a coincidence.
Ardis quickly told Sissira everything, from the moment she noticed the shadow by the window to the strand of white hair that caught the light before disappearing. She described the angle of the sun, the way the curtain barely moved, and the cold sensation that had crawled down her spine.
"You are certain it was white?" Sissira asked slowly, her sharp eyes studying Ardis' expression for even the smallest doubt.
"Yes." Ardis nodded firmly. "It wasn't silver. It wasn't pale blond. It was white."
Sissira leaned back slightly, exhaling through her nose.
"Then you are lucky."
Ardis blinked. "Lucky?"
Sissira placed the carving tool aside and folded her hands. "Let me tell you something, Ardis. Averin's mates are… complicated. Most of them are not easy to understand. Do not ask her sensitive questions about them." She paused meaningfully. "You might have already heard things from Aeron."
Ardis lowered her gaze but did not deny it.
"I did not tell you to stay away from Averin," Sissira continued. "Do you know why? Because being on her good side will benefit you greatly in the future. Her influence runs deeper than you realize."
Then her tone shifted.
"However… stay away from Zayreth. The golden-haired one."
Ardis stiffened.
Again.
Vaelrix had warned her. Now Sissira too.
Zayreth—the one sewing calmly outside, his golden hair shimmering in the firelight.
"Influence?" Ardis asked quietly.
Sissira's expression turned distant, as if she were looking into the past.
"Before you were born," she began, "a deadly illness spread through the tribe. It struck fast. Strong males fell within days, cubs burned with fever. We were frightened. The priestesses were forbidden from direct contact, as we needed to remain untouched in case the tribe lost too many."
Ardis listened carefully.
"It was Averin," Sissira continued softly. "She and her mates gathered herbs from dangerous territories. She fed the sick with her own hands. Sat beside them through the nights. She risked infection herself."
Ardis felt a surge of admiration.
"She gained her reputation then," Sissira said. "Not because of beauty. Not because of power. But because she saved lives."
There was silence for a moment.
Then a voice called from outside.
"Ardis!"
Sissira straightened. "Go now. We will speak more tomorrow." Her eyes briefly sharpened. "And remember what I said."
Ardis nodded and rose, her thoughts swirling.
As she stepped outside, she could not help but wonder,
If Averin was so kind…
Then why did two different people warn her about Zayreth?
"Dad, I thought Father Varek was coming today," Ardis said as she stepped down from the hut's entrance, her eyes searching behind him.
Aeron adjusted the strap across his shoulder and gave a faint smile. "I finished my work sooner than expected, so I came instead."
His voice was calm, steady as always. Just hearing it made Ardis feel slightly safer.
They began walking side by side along the narrow path that wound through the trees. The late afternoon light filtered through the branches, casting long shadows across the earth. For a while, neither of them spoke. Aeron seemed in no hurry, his steps unhurried but purposeful.
When they were far enough from the huts and certain no one lingered nearby, Ardis finally spoke.
"Dad… something happened today." Ardis started.