The wind shifted at midday carrying with it the metallic tang of distant armor a smell Evan had begun to recognize as a warning of unwelcome guests He stood on the watch platform surveying the ridge while villagers moved hurriedly below transporting injured beasts to the inner enclosures reinforcing living barriers tightening vine fences that now moved like slow breathing creatures

Dalen climbed up to join him his brow furrowed The scouts have confirmed it he said calmly Two riders bearing the noble insignia of the Obsidian Court are approaching from the northern path They ride warhorses enchanted for endurance They travel without hesitation as if they expect the land to step aside

Evan tightened his grip on the railing They are Lord Varrick’s envoys They have come to evaluate the sanctuary for themselves And likely to intimidate us into submission

Dalen gave a dry laugh They do not know the land anymore It no longer belongs to nobles It listens to someone else now

Evan looked toward the warden spirit which stood at the tree line watching the horizon Its antlers glowed faint green Leaves fell around it forming patterns like symbols written by the breeze

Before long the thudding of hooves echoed through the forest The trees parted slightly as if forced aside The riders emerged on black warhorses one tall and severe with etched armor polished to mirror shine the other younger his eyes sharp as a hawk’s talons

They halted before the sanctuary’s living barrier The elder stepped forward accompanied by several villagers Dalen at his side Evan moved to stand beside them calm steady unwavering

The older rider spoke And who stands before me in this wild corner of the kingdom he said his tone dripping with entitlement I am Captain Arveth envoy of Lord Varrick of the Obsidian Court And I have come to speak with the master of this place

Evan stepped forward I am Evan Wilder Guardian of the Arcane Wilds I speak for the sanctuary

The younger rider scoffed Guardian A title you invented for yourself

Evan remained calm The people granted it The land approved it The creatures trust it

Captain Arveth’s cold eyes scanned the sanctuary unimpressed Your sanctuary has interfered with operations that concern the noble court Several beasts captured by our contracted hunters escaped and were found recovering here You will surrender them immediately

Dalen’s jaw clenched They were not captured They were injured by your traps Evan saved them from suffering

Arveth dismissed him with a glance Emotions cloud judgment These beasts hold value to the kingdom Their magical properties fuel research enchantments weaponry They are not pets

Evan stepped closer voice controlled If you see them only as resources then you have already lost the right to command them They are living creatures Necessary for the balance of the land

The younger rider leaned forward dripping disdain Balance is irrelevant The court demands progress

Evan replied then your progress destroys what you do not understand

The captain’s face hardened Enough Lord Varrick extends an offer surrender the magical creatures in your care and the sanctuary will be spared Refuse and we will enforce the noble mandate by force of law

Evan breathed deeply You speak of law Yet Varrick employs poachers who torture beasts with alchemic traps The law you claim to uphold is twisted

Arveth shifted in his saddle You accuse a noble with the word of a foreigner who fell from the sky We are the law

The elder stepped forward steady as stone The ridge does not answer to the Obsidian Court This sanctuary is built upon our land with our permission Your mandate ends at our borders

Arveth sneered Then you stand against the kingdom

The warden spirit emerged from the trees like a silent storm Leaves swirled around its antlers glowing bright green Its presence shifted the air itself the warhorses stepped back nervously as the spirit's glow intensified

Arveth’s eyes widened A spirit guardian

Evan’s voice rang clear The land stands with us

The warden spirit bent its head toward Evan then toward the villagers The message was unmistakable

Arveth’s expression changed hesitation creeping in You have gained the favor of the forest it seems

The younger rider hissed under his breath This complicates matters Captain The court did not account for spiritual interference

Arveth straightened his posture We will report what we have seen But understand this Wilder You have made an enemy of a powerful man Lord Varrick will not accept defiance He will return with forces greater than this pitiful village

Evan met his gaze calmly Then we will be ready

Arveth pulled his reins and turned his horse The riders retreated into the forest swallowed by the shadows they created

Dalen exhaled slowly So now the Obsidian Court knows what we built here

Evan nodded And they will come again They will not give up their ambitions so easily

The warden spirit touched the ground sending gentle pulses through the soil green light spreading across the sanctuary like a heartbeat

Evan placed a hand on its side feeling the warmth of its magic We will protect this place

The villagers gathered behind him no fear in their faces only determination They had seen the noble riders threaten their home their beasts their guardian and something inside them hardened stronger than iron

Dalen spoke in a low steady voice They think this sanctuary is fragile They think we are alone They will learn they are wrong

Evan looked at the sky where storm clouds gathered faint purple glows flickering near the horizon A storm was coming but he did not fear it

A storm could be survived
A storm could be guided

The land whispered through the leaves and Evan listened