Morning came too soon, sunlight streaming through the small window of my room. I woke with Elindra's head on my chest, her golden hair spread across my skin. For a moment, I watched her sleep, trying to process what had happened between us.

  She stirred, her eyes fluttering open to meet mine. "Good morning," she said, her voice soft with sleep.

  "Morning," I replied, unsure what to say next. The last night had been intense and complicated my already confusing situation.

  Elindra seemed to sense my uncertainty. She sat up, pulling the blanket with her. "We should get moving. The mountain path will be challenging, and we've lost time already."

  "Right," I said, grateful for the shift to practical matters. "The sooner we find Lyrielle, the better."

  We dressed in silence, the easy intimacy of the night before replaced by an awkward awareness. My wound felt better this morning, a testament to Elindra’s skills.

  Lathen and Merina had breakfast waiting when we emerged from our rooms—or rather, my room, since Elindra's bed remained untouched. If they noticed, they were polite enough not to mention it.

  "I've packed some provisions for your journey," Merina said, handing us each a cloth-wrapped bundle. "Bread, cheese, dried fruit, and smoked meat. It should last a few days if you're careful."

  "Thank you," I said, tucking the food into my pack. "For everything."

  Lathen approached with a rolled piece of parchment. "I've drawn a map of the hunters' path. It's not as direct as the main road, but if someone were trying to avoid the Mountain Clan’s patrols, this would be the path they would travel.”

  Elindra examined the map, tracing the route with her finger. "This is helpful, Lathen. We're in your debt."

  "You saved us from the kobolds," he said. "Consider it repayment."

  We said our goodbyes and set out just as the sun cleared the eastern horizon. The path leading up into the mountains was steeper than the Old Trade Road, winding through rocky terrain with sparse vegetation. The air grew cooler as we climbed, and the wind carried the scent of pine and stone.

  Elindra walked ahead of me, her knowledge of the terrain making her the natural guide. We hadn't spoken about the night before, and the silence between us grew heavier with each passing mile.

  Finally, I couldn't stand it anymore. "Elindra, about last night—"

  "We don't need to discuss it," she said, not looking back.

  "I think we do."

  She stopped then, turning to face me. “What is there to say? We’ve saved each other’s lives. Feelings develop. I do not regret giving into our passion.”

  "Is that all it was to you?"

  Her expression softened. "No. But it doesn't change our purpose here. We need to find Lyrielle."

  "I know that," I said. "But I don't understand why you're acting like this has to end when we find her."

  A shadow passed over Elindra's face. "Because she's the one you're meant for."

  "What?" I stared at her, confused. "What makes you think that?"

  "She chose you, John. She gave you the Blade Rune's blessing. Such a gift is not given lightly, especially by a Rune Bearer to an outsider." Elindra looked away. "In our history, when a Bearer shares their power with another, it often leads to deeper connections."

  "You think Lyrielle and I are destined to be together because of some magical blessing?"

  She remained silent, her eyes cast aside.

  I shook my head. “It doesn't mean we're destined to be together. She needed help, and I was there."

  "Perhaps, but I serve the Princess, and in many ways because of it, I also serve you. Do not despair, human. I can do my duty and find myself drawn to you,” Elindra said, but she didn't sound convinced. She turned and began walking again. "Look at the rock formations here. They're unique to the Crooked Teeth Mountains—layers of red and white stone twisted together by ancient forces."

  I recognized the change of subject for what it was. She didn’t want to talk about it. I forced the matter. I let it go, for now. We had more immediate concerns, like finding Lyrielle and navigating unfamiliar, potentially hostile territory.

  The path grew more challenging as the day progressed, sometimes disappearing among the rocks before reappearing on the other side of a ridge. Elindra moved with the sure-footed grace I'd come to expect while I had to concentrate to avoid slipping on loose stones.

  By midday, we'd climbed high enough to see for miles in every direction. The Old Trade Road was visible below, a thin ribbon winding through the foothills. In the distance behind us, Silverhaven gleamed like a small star fallen to the Earth—or Nytherra as it might be.

  "There," Elindra said, pointing ahead to where the path descended into a broad valley nestled between mountain peaks. “We’ll find an encampment of the Mountain Clan."

  I squinted, making out what looked like hundreds of tents spread across the valley floor. Smoke rose from cooking fires, and tiny figures moved between the structures. It was larger than I'd expected.

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  "I thought they'd have a city, like Silverhaven," I said.

  "The Mountain Clan are semi-nomadic," Elindra explained. “Most of the people gather in this valley, but many smaller groups move throughout the mountains with the seasons, following game and gathering resources.”

  “Do we need to conceal ourselves?”

  "We don't need to hide who we are," Elindra said. "The Mountain Clan may be difficult, but they respect the ancient laws of hospitality. As long as we come openly and declare our purpose, they should grant us safe passage."

  "Should," I repeated skeptically.

  "It's our best option," she said. "Sneaking in would only confirm any suspicions they might have about our intentions."

  I nodded, conceding the point. "Lead the way, then."

  We descended toward the valley, the path growing wider and more well-traveled as we approached the encampment. Soon, we began to pass Mountain Clan elves—hunters returning with game, children playing among the rocks, and women gathering herbs from the sparse mountain vegetation.

  They watched us with undisguised curiosity and some suspicion, taking in Elindra's Lightcleave clothing and my human features. No one challenged us, but I could feel the weight of their stares.

  The tents grew more numerous as we neared the center of the encampment. Unlike the stone buildings of Silverhaven, these were made of animal hides stretched over wooden frames, decorated with intricate patterns in red, orange, and gold—colors that reminded me of fire.

  "The Flame Rune's influence," Elindra murmured, noticing my interest in the designs. "Their Rune Bearer, Arielle, is said to be as beautiful as she is dangerous."

  At the heart of the encampment stood the largest tent of all, easily three times the size of the others. Guards in leather armor adorned with metal plates stood at its entrance, their expressions hard as they watched our approach.

  Before we could reach it, however, a group of elves intercepted us. Their leader, a tall male with light brown-colored hair and a scar running from his left eye to his jaw, raised a hand in greeting.

  "Travelers," he said in accented Common. “Welcome to our humble home.”

  "We seek information," Elindra replied. "About a missing person who may have passed this way."

  The scarred elf studied us, his gaze lingering on me. "A human and a Lightcleave elf. Strange companions in these troubled times."

  "These are strange times," I said. "I'm John Robinson. This is Elindra."

  "I am Brennan," the elf said. "Once captain of Lord Kaelan's personal guard, now leader of those who oppose his tyranny."

  This was unexpected. "You're at war with your own lord?"

  Brennan's expression darkened. "Kaelan has forgotten the old ways. He hoards wealth while our people struggle. He makes secret deals with outsiders that benefit only himself. And those who speak against him disappear in the night."

  I glanced at Elindra, whose face remained carefully neutral. "We're looking for Princess Lyrielle of the Lightcleave Clan. She's been missing for several days."

  Brennan's eyes widened slightly. "The Blade Rune Bearer? Here?"

  "We believe she may have been brought here," Elindra said. "Against her will."

  Brennan exchanged looks with his companions. "Come," he said after a moment. "We should not speak of such matters in the open. Our home is safe, but Kaelan may have spies among us.”

  He led us to a tent near the edge of the encampment, larger than most but not ostentatious. Inside, a fire burned in a central pit, the smoke rising through an opening in the roof. Furs covered the ground, and weapons hung from the support poles.

  "Sit," Brennan said, gesturing to the furs. "Share our meal, and we will talk."

  A woman brought bowls of stew—some kind of game meat with mountain roots and herbs. It was hearty and flavorful, though spicier than the food in Silverhaven.

  "Now," Brennan said once we'd eaten, “What is this about the Blade Rune Bearer?”

  I let Elindra explain the situation—Lyrielle's disappearance, the vision showing her traveling toward the mountains, the information from Lathen about seeing a red-haired woman with cloaked companions.

  Brennan listened intently, his scarred face revealing nothing. When Elindra finished, he was silent for a long moment.

  "Three days ago," he finally said, "one of my scouts reported seeing a small group enter Kaelan's compound under cover of darkness. One of them had hair like fire. It could be her.”

  My pulse quickened. "Was she a prisoner?"

  "The scout could not tell," Brennan said. "They moved quickly and kept to the shadows."

  "That sounds like a kidnapping," I said.

  "Or a secret meeting," Brennan countered. "Kaelan has been gathering allies for some purpose. Perhaps your princess is one of them."

  "Impossible," Elindra said. "Lyrielle would never ally herself with someone like Kaelan, especially in secret."

  Brennan shrugged. "I merely offer possibilities. The truth remains to be discovered."

  Something about his tone made me uneasy. He was being helpful—perhaps too helpful. And there was a gleam in his eyes when he spoke of Lyrielle that suggested he knew more than he was saying.

  "If Kaelan has her," I said, "how do we get her back?"

  "A direct approach would be suicide," Brennan said. "His compound is heavily guarded, and he has powerful magic at his disposal."

  "But you oppose him," I pointed out. "You must have plans to move against him eventually."

  Brennan leaned forward, his voice dropping. "We do. And perhaps we could help each other. You seek the princess; we seek to overthrow a tyrant. Together, we might accomplish both."

  "What exactly are you proposing?" Elindra asked.

  "Join us," Brennan said. "Help us fight Kaelan. In return, we'll help you rescue your princess."

  I studied him, trying to read his intentions. "Why would you need our help? You have numbers, knowledge of the terrain, and presumably a plan already."

  "What we lack is a way past Kaelan's magical defenses," Brennan said. “If there were a way to penetrate them…” He trailed off and shrugged.

  Was it my Blade Rune ability he sought or Elindra’s magical prowess? I couldn’t tell. "We need to discuss this privately," I said to Brennan.

  He nodded. "Of course. Take your time. But know that Kaelan grows stronger each day, and if he has your princess, her situation becomes more perilous with each passing hour."

  He left the tent, leaving us alone.

  "He's lying," Elindra said as soon as he was gone, her voice barely above a whisper. "Or at least not telling the whole truth."

  "I got that feeling, too," I said. "But about what?"

  "I'm not sure, but did you notice how he wasn't surprised to hear Lyrielle was missing? And he knew about your blessing without being told."

  "Could he have spies in Silverhaven?"

  "Possibly. But there's something else." Elindra moved closer, her voice dropping even lower. “He claimed he was the captain of Kaelan’s guard, but I noticed something. The patterns on his armor—they're not Mountain Clan designs. They're from the Shadow Clan, far to the south."

  “Why would he lie about who he was? Wouldn’t the other elves here notice?”

  "I don't know," Elindra said. "But we should be very careful about—"

  A horn blasted outside, cutting her off. Shouts erupted throughout the encampment, followed by the clash of weapons.

  I grabbed my sword and moved to the tent entrance. Outside, chaos reigned. Mountain Clan elves ran in all directions, some grabbing weapons, others fleeing with children in their arms. And advancing through the encampment, setting tents ablaze as they came, were armored warriors bearing the insignia of Lord Kaelan.

  "It's an attack," I said, drawing my sword. "Kaelan's forces."

  Elindra joined me at the entrance, her knife already in hand. "This is no coincidence. We need to—"

  Her words were cut short as an arrow thudded into the tent pole beside her head. More followed, forcing us to duck back inside.

  "We're trapped," I said, looking around for another exit.

  The tent wall behind us suddenly split open, revealing Brennan. "This way," he urged. "Quickly!"

  With arrows raining down and the sounds of battle growing closer, we had little choice. I grabbed Elindra's hand, and together, we plunged through the opening into the heart of the conflict.