Chapter 22: The Cage That Holds Dawnmere
The spears dug closer into Caelen’s neck, their steel tips cold and trembling. The weight of tension crackled through the air like lightning about to strike. Reina and Veralia stood behind him, hands raised, cautious but unflinching. Ryan’s fingers twitched near the hilt of his dagger, his body ready to move if Caelen even blinked the wrong way.
The guards surrounded them like wolves around prey, their boots scraping against the cobblestone, eyes trained and nervous. One guard stepped forward, his voice sharp, commanding.
"Who are you? State your business."
Caelen slowly looked up, his crimson eyes calm. His voice was soft, almost bored.
"We mean no harm."
The guard didn’t lower his weapon. "I said speak."
Caelen tilted his head slightly, glancing around the estate. The air here was different — tighter, colder. The guard’s armor wasn’t ornamental. Their blades had tasted blood.
He spoke again, slower this time. "I’m just a simple alchemist. These are my family. We were planning to leave the kingdom. Just passing through. But... things changed."
He paused. "We were given shelter in the village. We noticed the deaths. The fear. And so... we came here. Hoping to speak with the village head."
"No one sees the village head without direct summons," the guard barked. "Turn back now — or regret it."
Caelen sighed deeply.