[Episode 3]
Rahi swallowed hard and took a shaky step forward. A faint, cold metallic sound came from behind her. It was the sound of Kai tapping the hilt of the dagger hanging at his waist with his fingers.
"Hey, kid. You're not leading us in circles, are you? I feel like I'm seeing that same tree again."
Kai asked in a languid voice, then poked his head over Rahi's shoulder. Startled, Rahi flinched and stepped aside.
"Ah, no… If we go this way and just follow the river, we'll be right at the village."
"If you're lying, you'll have to leave one of your ankles behind."
Kai laughed playfully, but his gaze was scanning Rahi's ankle relentlessly, as if dissecting it. Just then, Silka grabbed the back of Kai's neck and yanked him backward.
"Shut your mouth, Kai. You're going to scare the kid. Hey, kid. What's your name?"
"I-I'm Rahi…."
"Rahi? That's a pretty name. I'm Silka. That loudmouth over there is Kai. And the scary guy right behind you is Luke."
Instead of answering, Rahi buried her face in her hands and hurried out of the forest path.
"W-we're here. The place with the lanterns over there is the village."
Rahi pointed toward the village entrance with trembling fingertips. Silka wrinkled her nose, glanced back at Luke, and tapped the hilt of the dagger hanging at her waist.
"Luke, let's head to the biggest building over there first. I can see smoke coming from the chimney, so it looks like people live there."
Without a word, Luke gave a nod, signaling for them to follow him. The group stopped in front of the "Riverbank Inn," the village's only lodging. Rahi wiped her sweat-soaked palms on the hem of her skirt and knocked on the thick wooden door.
Knock, knock-knock.
There was no response from inside. Kai ran his fingers through his hair in frustration, then grabbed the doorknob and shook it violently. The door didn't budge an inch, despite the loud clanging.
"Hey, kid. Are they open for business? I can see lights coming from inside."
"Well… when the evening bell rings, everyone in Ragopa bolts their doors. Unless it's festival season, they… absolutely won't take outsiders."
Before Rahi could finish speaking, Kai pounded the door with his fist.
"W-who is it? In the middle of the night… We don't have any vacancies. Just go away!"
"It's not that you don't have any rooms; you just don't want to open the door."
Kai slid the tip of his dagger into the crack of the door and scraped it downwards.
Squeak—. A chilling screech echoed through the quiet village square. Silka sighed at the sight and pushed Rahi's back.
The innkeeper clamped his mouth shut, and the dull sound of him re-locking the bolt echoed. Only the frantic sound of footsteps, as if someone were crawling across the floor inside, faded away, and a cold silence once again enveloped the square.
"See? I told you there's no point in being nice."
Kai shrugged and leaned his back against the doorframe. He looked at Luke.
"Luke, let's just rip this thing open. Wood this thin would crumble to dust if you stomped on it. Whether they're screaming inside or not, let's just go in and grab a bed first."
"Kai, keep your voice down. Your shrill voice is going to wake up the whole village."
Silka, standing beside Luke, crossed her arms and scanned the surrounding houses. She gave Kai a light shove in the chest and continued.
"I heard knights' families live around here. If we make this much noise, a horde of guys in armor will come pouring out before we even find a place to stay. We're not in the mood to cross swords with them right now."
"Ugh, whatever. So what am I supposed to do? Are you suggesting we sleep out here on this cold stone floor?"
As Kai raised his voice in irritation, Silka narrowed her eyes and yanked him by the collar.
"Shut up. Look at the kid over there. She's about to pass out."
Rahi gripped her basket's handle so tightly it felt like it might snap. In the distance, the faint chime of the bell signaling the village guards' shift change echoed. If that sound grew closer, it was certain that Alec or the knights would storm in.
"Uh, over there…!"
Rahi frantically grabbed the hem of Luke's sleeve. Luke's gaze slowly shifted downward. Suppressing the fear that was crushing her chest, Rahi squeezed out the words.
"Let's go to my house! It's tucked away in a corner of the village, so no one ever comes there. If we go there… you can rest without causing a commotion."
Luke's eyes fixed intently on Rahi's trembling gaze. He looked down at her silently for a moment, then slowly withdrew his hand from the doorframe.
"...."
Instead of answering, Luke turned and gestured toward a dark alley deep within the village. It was a signal for her to lead the way.
Silka tucked her pouch away and gave Rahi a light tap on the back.
"Wise choice. Now, lead the way. Before the knights catch us."
Rahi's knees visibly buckled with every step she took. The leather boots of the three people following her crushed the fallen leaves in a steady rhythm. Soon, at the edge of the village, a small cabin built of roughly hewn logs came into view.
With trembling hands, Rahi pulled the keys from her waist. After a few fumbled attempts, the key slid into the lock.
Click.
As she pulled the doorknob, the rusty hinges screeched open. Rahi struck a flint against the candlestick on the wall. A flickering flame illuminated the dust-covered table.
Luke bent down and stepped over the threshold. As his massive frame entered, the ceiling rafters brushed against his hair. With his arms crossed, he scanned the narrow living room.
"Ouch! I hit my head!"
Kai came in, banging his forehead against the doorframe with a thud. He flung his leather backpack onto the floor. Thud. Dust swirled up. Kai lost his balance while trying to force himself into the small rocking chair in the corner. The chair creaked and tipped backward, and Kai sprawled out on his back.
"Ouch, my butt!"
"...."
Luke slowly turned his head, scanning the old hunting gear on the wall and the sparse tableware in the kitchen. Silka smacked Kai hard on the back of the head with a look of exasperation.
"Just stay still, you idiot. Don't go breaking everything in the house."
Kai pouted, plopping down on the floor. He picked up an apple from the basket, wiped it on his sleeve, and took a big bite.
"Mmm, this is good. Hey, kid, want one?"
Instead of answering, Rahi stood in the corner, fidgeting. Luke didn't join the conversation; he sat in the largest chair next to the table and leaned back. The chair screeched under his weight.
Luke appeared to close his eyes, but his gaze, kept open just a fraction, was constantly tracking Rahi's movements. When Rahi walked over to the fireplace, his gaze followed her; when she flinched, the tips of his eyebrows twitched ever so slightly.
"Um, well… there's only one bed in the inner room. I'll sleep on the floor. The three of you…."
Rahi's voice trailed off as her hand slipped while setting the teapot down. The teapot fell to the floor with a clang! and hot water splashed near the top of her foot.
"Ouch!"
Just as Rahi was about to collapse, Luke strode forward and snatched her wrist. The chair tipped backward, scraping loudly, but Luke paid it no mind.
"..."
Luke's large hand completely covered Rahi's slender wrist. Without a word, he examined her foot, then stared intently into her eyes again. His yellow pupils pierced deep into Rahi's terrified gaze.
Luke's thumb pressed firmly against the inside of Rahi's wrist, where her pulse was beating. Rahi held her breath. Luke stared at her for a long moment, as if fixed against his will. An inexplicable heat and a beast-like instinct rippled beyond his pupils.
"Luke? What's wrong? Did you get splashed?"
Just as Kai tried to approach, Silka grabbed his neck and pulled him back down.
"You just stay put. Eat your apple."
Only then did Luke release Rahi's wrist. He roughly adjusted his leather gloves and turned toward the window. Yet his head remained tilted halfway toward Rahi.
"...The tea is fine. Go get some sleep."
He closed his eyes again, but his ears were acutely attuned to every faint, trembling breath Rahi took. Rahi retreated to a corner, covering her wet feet with her skirt, and pulled an old blanket over herself.