Rhylen

Arandur and I returned to my study, the weight of everything seemed to settle like a thick fog in the room. I could feel it pressing down on me, like the very walls were closing in. My mind was racing, I’ve never felt so thrown off by a person before. I crossed my arms tightly across my chest, trying to quell the unease gnawing at me. I glanced out the window, watching the creeping shadows dance in the fading light of the evening.

“Arandur,” I said, my voice low, “What are your thoughts?”

He moved swiftly toward the chair in the corner. The old leather creaked beneath him as he settled, his usual stoic expression never wavering. But I knew him too well, he was calculating, always analyzing, his mind sharp as a blade. “She’s not a strong lead on Josh Carter,” he began, eyes narrowing slightly as he considered the situation. “But we must follow through on it. He and the princess disappeared without a trace, and they covered their tracks well.”

I exhaled sharply, frustration rising in me. It was true, but it didn’t make it any easier to accept. “She could slow us down,” I muttered, not bothering to hide the bitterness in my tone.

There was a shift in Arandur’s expression, though it was subtle, just enough for me to catch it. He has an idea. “I do have a suggestion,” he said, his voice carrying a certain edge.

I raised an eyebrow, both curious and wary. “What is it?”

He leaned forward, eyes gleaming with something darker than usual, something almost eager. “We could take her to see Arion.”

The name fell from his lips like a weight, and an involuntary shiver ran down my spine. Arion. The very mention of him was enough to make my skin prickle. It was a bold move, a dangerous one. Consulting Arion was never without risk. He was unpredictable at best, and at worst, he thrived on manipulating people, playing games at others’ expense. “We could be wasting our time going to him,” I said, my voice colder now. “He doesn’t allow just anyone to drink from the pool.”

Arandur didn’t falter. Instead, his gaze grew more intense, more convinced. “We’re close to Moonlight Thicket,” he said, as if the distance was inconsequential. “We could reach the pool in a couple of weeks. If she could unlock more memories of him…” His voice trailed off, leaving the implication hanging between us.

I considered it for a moment, my mind running through the possibilities. Every scrap of information we could get on Josh Carter and the princess was vital. Arion didn’t give his knowledge away freely, he thrived on puzzles, on games. There would be a price, and I had no idea what it would be. Although, this woman, Miss Harper, could make her own deals and we have no obligation of getting tangled in whatever mess Arion would inevitably creates for her.

 “Plot out our journey to the pool,” I said, my voice steady.

“Miss Harper seems ill-equipped for this world and the journey ahead, so inform Thorin that he must train her in combat and defense starting tomorrow.”

Arandur rose with a swift nod, but as he turned to leave, something caught my attention, a fleeting thought that refused to be ignored. I turned back toward the window, watching the last traces of daylight fade. I couldn’t shake the image of her, Miss Harper. She was so young, so out of place in our world. She had no idea what she was about to face, and I wasn’t sure that a few days of training would be enough to prepare her for the challenges that awaited.

“Anything else?” Arandur’s voice broke through my thoughts, and I turned to find him watching me expectantly.

I remembered Thorin’s reaction to her at the table earlier, something in the way he’d looked at her, almost protective, even… affectionate. The thought gnawed at me, and I couldn’t allow it to fester. Sweetness and softness had no place in this mission. We had a goal, and nothing, not even Thorin’s misplaced feelings, could afford to get in the way.

“No distractions,” I said, the words sharp as a command. “Tell Thorin to avoid any romantic entanglements with her. We have enough to deal with without adding that mess.”

Arandur gave a short nod and moved toward the door, but I stayed where I was, my eyes still locked on the darkening sky. It feels like everything was about to shift.