"When I opened my eyes, I was in the middle of nowhere at night, almost drowning. The only light available was from a strange object pulsing in blue. That, combined with the cold and wetness, made me realize where I really was. As the light dimmed due to it sinking, I tried relentlessly to dive and fetch it, but it escaped my grasp. Once it was so deep that its light was no longer strong, I went back to the surface."

"Yeah, right," Spookyeyes quipped, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "Bet you saw a mermaid too while you were at it!"

Another man, seated nearby on a barrel with one hand on his lap and the other resting on a friend's shoulder, shot Spookyeyes a glare. "Shut it, Spookyeyes! What did you do next?" he said, turning back to the storyteller with genuine curiosity.

The storyteller, ignoring Spookyeyes' interruption, continued with his tale. "Some dim fire on the far horizon became my new target. I swam towards it relentlessly, trying to forget the exhaustion my body was feeling. The cold waters made me numb, and if it weren't for the wind splashing my face, I would have doubted that I was even moving. I reached what appeared to be an island, panting. I could barely gather more strength and fainted there."

Before the storyteller could continue, another man appeared, his voice cutting through the chatter with authority. "Enough of the chitchat! Get to work!" he barked, his eyes narrowing as he addressed the group. Then, turning to the storyteller, he added, "Where did you say this light was that saved you from death?"

The storyteller leaned back, a wide smile spreading across his face. "Not far, my friend," he replied smoothly, "not far at all."

Back at the palace, two maids were folding linens in the dimly lit laundry room, their voices low but laced with bitterness.

"Can you believe it? Agnes—of all people—gets assigned to Princess Danui. She can barely fold a sheet, let alone serve a princess!" one maid whispered, her hands moving briskly as she vented her frustration.

The other maid nodded, her expression just as sour. "We've been here for years, doing everything perfectly, and she swoops in, not even knowing how to scrub a floor properly. It's not fair."

Another maid, carrying a basket of freshly laundered clothes, joined the conversation. "It's because she's caught the prince's eye, mark my words. You don't get promoted like that without someone powerful pulling the strings."

As they continued their quiet complaints, the door creaked open, and Jana stepped in, her expression unreadable. The maids instantly fell silent, their eyes darting to each other nervously, wondering if she had overheard their conversation. Jana walked straight to where the freshly laundered sheets were stacked, her movements deliberate and calm. Without acknowledging the tension in the room, she collected the linens, turned, and left.

As Jana walked through the hallways, her thoughts were distant. She understood the other maids' resentment. How could a maid who barely knew how to handle basic chores be promoted over those who had served diligently for years? Their jealousy was warranted, but it didn't bother her. She had bigger concerns.

She entered Princess Danui's quarters, serving the princess as usual. There was nothing out of the ordinary in her duties today, just the same routine as always. Once finished, Jana returned to her room, her mind already on the night ahead.

Tonight was important. She had gathered intel about a group of people heading toward the safe house she had organized for the timekeepers. The excitement she had kept hidden throughout the day was starting to show, and she began thinking of countermeasures in case the visitors weren't the ones she expected.

Back at the tavern, Jana greeted her crew with a nod. "Is everyone ready?" she asked, her voice steady, but there was an underlying tension. The team was dressed in their outing clothes—dark cloaks that blended seamlessly with the night. As soon as she entered, they packed up their belongings and headed into the woods, moving silently toward the supposed safe house.

They settled into the small, dimly lit room, some of them removing their veils and cloaks, awaiting the visitors. Hours passed with no sign of life, and their anticipation slowly began to wane. Just as their hope started to fade, distant voices echoed through the trees, drawing closer with each passing second.

Jana's heart quickened as she and her crew prepared for whatever—or whoever—was approaching.

Everyone on the lower floor of the house quickly covered their faces again, readying themselves for what was to come. Most of them found spots to hide, just out of view if the door were to open. Jana stood closest to the door, her heart pounding in her chest. If the newcomers weren't timekeepers, she would be the first to take them down; if they were, she would be the first to welcome them.

Tension filled the air as the footsteps drew nearer, each step echoing louder in the silence. Heartbeats seemed to resonate within the small room, nearly audible in the heavy stillness. Suddenly, the steps halted, right outside the door. Judging by the sound, there were three people, all adults. A knock on the door broke the silence, but no one moved; the door was already slightly ajar. With the second knock, the door creaked open slowly, the sound sharp and eerie in the quiet night.

The figures outside entered cautiously, their movements deliberate. Jana, hidden in the shadows, caught sight of the first person and, without hesitation, launched herself at him. The others in the room tensed, unsure if they were dealing with friend or a foe.