The newcomer scanned the three with a cold, assessing gaze that made them feel more uneasy than before. His piercing eyes lingered on each of them, his expression unreadable.

“You three are all royalty. Why are you here and not on your own lands?” His voice was smooth but carried a quiet authority. He stepped closer, stopping near Aeloria. Rubin’s eyes flickered to the man’s white markings—different from Aeloria’s, but unmistakably similar.

“That’s our business and our business alone,” Elara replied, her tone firm, though her face remained as impassive as ever.

The man’s lips twitched, almost amused. “Well, you’re on Elven land now. You might as well tell us something before things get… complicated.”

Aeloria’s grip on her bow tightened as she reached for another arrow, her body tensing in preparation. Rubin and Elara moved in unison, hands instinctively finding the hilts of their weapons.

“Like she said, we’re not telling you anything,” Rubin said, his voice steady despite the tension crackling in the air. “We’re just passing through. And unless you want a war with three powerful kingdoms, I suggest you let us be.”

The man sighed, his expression unreadable as he reached out and placed a firm but non-threatening hand on Aeloria’s shoulder, as if to steady her. His calm demeanor only put Elara and Rubin further on edge.

“I suppose you’re right. The king wouldn’t want war.” His fingers lingered for a brief moment before he stepped back. “But you are still within our borders. That means I need to know something about why you’re here.”

Elara and Rubin exchanged a glance, a silent conversation passing between them. Finally, Elara let out a quiet breath and shook her head.

“Can’t tell you,” she admitted. “Just know that we’re trying to help this prince for some reason.” She cast a side glance at Rubin, as if even she wasn’t entirely sure why.

The man studied them for a long moment, as though weighing their words. Then, a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

“A prince, you say?” His tone was laced with intrigue. “Now that is interesting.”

Aeloria narrowed her eyes. “Why does that matter to you?”

The man shrugged. “Because if you truly are here to help, then you’re walking into something far more dangerous than you realize.” His gaze darkened. “And if you’re lying, then you’re already in more trouble than you can handle.”

Silence hung between them, thick with unspoken threats and unreadable intentions. The wind rustled through the trees, carrying whispers of unseen dangers ahead.

Rubin finally spoke, his voice quieter this time. “Who are you?”

The man met his gaze, the smirk never leaving his face.

“Call me Kaelen.”

He stepped back, gesturing toward the dense forest behind him. “Now, if you’re so determined to help this prince, you’ll need more than secrecy to survive.”

Aeloria exchanged another glance with her companions. Trusting this stranger was risky. But ignoring his warning? That could be even deadlier.

“Then tell us what we need to know,” Elara said, crossing her arms.

Kaelen’s smirk widened. “Oh, I will. But first, you’ll have to prove you’re not wasting my time.”