The room is dimly lit, the faint glow of a single candle flickering in the hands of a man leaning over a large wooden table.

  A detailed map of the region is spread across it, its edges curled slightly from use. Shadows dance across the stone walls as the group gathered around the table engages in deep discussion, their voices hushed but urgent.

  A sand clock, mounted on the wall, marks the slow passage of time, its grains trickling steadily down. Beside it, a wooden shelf holds rolled parchments, an ink bottle, and a few worn books.

  Through a narrow window, the first golden rays of dawn creep in, casting long shadows and mixing the candlelight with the soft glow of the rising sun.

  The air is thick with tension and the scent of wax, parchment, and aged wood—a quiet yet restless moment before decisions are made.

  Here Russell is engaged in the middle of a discussion with his peers.

  “So we have been looking for these so-called spies for so long. But we've yet to find them.”

  “It isn't like that. If the royal messenger reached this place bloodied and bruised… then that means they should be nearby … all we have to do is search for them.” Russell is determined to find them.

  Leaving them to wander around our village is the worst thing we can do… I definitely don't want to go to sleep fearing someone might put a knife on my throat any moment.

  “You say that Russell but how can we be sure? They could've gone back. If there were any spies to begin with we would have caught them by now”

  “Village chief you just don't understand… they could be hiding somewhere bidding for when the time is right.”

  “Russell, calm down. We have already caught one of them. What more could you ask for? … Our kingdom messenger was probably trailed by one of the Dukedom spies? I strongly believe that to be the case.” He seems more adamant than anything reasonable at this point.

  Another agrees with him, “I agree with the village chief. There is no need for us to tirelessly search for them day and night, when we know none might be there is the height of stupidity.”

  Russell grinds his teeth together in frustration. He doesn't know how to make his case more appealing to them.

  “Look, last time you people followed my lead and we found one of the spies lurking around our village. I beg you people to trust me again. I believe we shouldn't overlook this matter …”

  But he gets cut short in the middle of his speech by another person.

  “In that case we won't accompany you. You can search for them as much as you want.”

  The room is getting split on their opinions, Russell having no choice makes his decision.

  “Fine then I'll do it. People who wish to lend a hand, feel free to join me …” saying that he leaves the place in frustration.

  The room now in Russell's absence gets louder as people argue to take sides in this matter.

  A person asks “What's wrong with following Russell, chief? Last time when we followed his lead we caught a Dukedom spy. Am I right or what?”

  People unanimously agreed that following Russell, they found a Dukedom spy around the village.

  The village chief however, said, “Look I get it. There could be more Dukedom spies trailing our kingdom messenger. But think about it, we all have families to feed and we can't just ignore our crops for too long. Honestly if only Renly was here … that guy just had to go back to the capital. Unlike a full time knight we can't just feed our families by receiving a stable income every month. Go!! get back to working on crops”

  ◇ ◇ ◇

  After leaving the meeting room, Russel immediately heads to cell where he locked the spy he found lurking nearby the village.

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  “Tell me, are there more of you people out there lurking around our village?”

  The spy doesn't even respond to him, “Why don't you find out for yourself?”

  Russel slams his palms on the table nearby. “I heard that our kingdom messenger was badly injured. If that is true. Then that means more than one person must be involved … Why doesn't anyone listen to me?”

  The spy however smiles at him, Russell asks “How can you smile even now?”

  The spy replies, “You seem competent. So I'll humour you. I'll get out of here soon. You. Your village. Your kingdom. All is nothing and will be doomed in the near future ?.”

  Russel grinds his teeth in frustration, “Our kingdom has dragon knights. Highest in the continent. It would take …”

  The spy smiles again, his smile turns into giggles, “You simply don't understand. Well it doesn't matter ?.”

  ◇ ◇ ◇

  The next day Mellona in her adventurer outfit walks on the village road towards the forest with Unicus and Lacia on either side. Unicus and Lacia, each walking with a doll in their hands.

  Unicus asks, “Why are you suddenly taking us outside? … Seems suspicious somehow…”

  Lacia is smiling like her usual self says “Don’t be such a downer Unicus. My father rarely takes me outside. I'm excited~”

  Unicus turns his gaze away. Mellona hearing his frustrations says, “Well I wanted you and Lacia to play together like kids your age do. Feel free to thank me~” She smirks at him.

  Unicus clicks his tongue instead, “Tsk. I knew you were dumb but this … can't you just leave me alone.”

  Mellona doesn't say anything in return but chooses to walk silently in response.

  How can I say that this idea was given to me by Vanilla. The kid might start walking home the second he heard the fact.

  Lacia tries to break the ice, “Well… even if Unicus were to play with me it won't be that fun. Cough cough. I'm exactly in a good condition to begin with?”

  Unicus getting a chance to crawl in his bed again suggests, “Then why don't we go home? … I know we can play with dolls again folks”

  Mellona is quick to thrash that idea, “Shut up~ we are playing outdoors today that's final”

  Both agreed for different reasons, “Whatever.” “If you insist~” one is upset and the other is playing alone with smiles.

  Getting frustrated, Unicus stares at the doll in his hands, “Kira …”

  Lacia's eyes sparkled when she heard that, “So that's the name you've picked for your doll Unicus? It sounds nice~”

  Unicus doesn't even listen to her, he just stares at the doll lost in thought.

  ◇ ◇ ◇

  Mellona, now deep in the forest, has settled up a makeshift swing.

  Lacia is happily swinging, shouting in joy. “Oh~ this is so much fun. Cough cough. Unicus don't just stand there, join me up fast~”

  She is calling out to him but he is more focused on the doll in his hands.

  Mellona walks over to him and snatches the doll. “I'll have Kira for now. Go play with Lacia. Now!!”

  Unicus clicks his tongue, “Tsk. You brute.”

  Mellona smiles at that, “Yeah now that I think about it. It's been a while since you've gotten under my nerves like this. Feels refreshing~”

  Unicus turns his gaze away, “I don't understand how can you smile hearing that?” He curls his fingers inward, frustrated.

  Lacia however unconcerned, “Unicus get on! Cough cough. It's so much fun~”

  Unicus joins her cursing Mellona, “That idiot~ she is so stubborn”

  ◇ ◇ ◇

  Tucked in the backstreets of a distant town, the Old Windy Bar is a forgotten den where shadows linger even in daylight. The rickety shack, leaning against an aged stone wall, reeks of moss, stale ale, and smoke. A single lantern swings above the door, its glow barely cutting through the darkness.

  Inside, a scarred wooden table sits at the center, surrounded by rickety stools and old crates. Cloaked figures whisper, their voices mingling with the distant hum of the village square. Beneath a tattered rug, a trapdoor hints at deeper secrets, making this a place where trust is scarce, and deals are sealed in the dim glow of flickering light.

  “We want mercenaries to hire. Are there any who are brave enough to accompany us?” Asks a cloaked figure.

  The people who were busily chatting away now turn their gaze towards this cloaked figure.

  Curse that village guards. I can't believe they have captured one of us. I'll get him back no matter what… and I'll get revenge for what they did as well.

  Hearing him a person comes towards him, “Hey newbie, there's an order to this. By the way … how much are you willing to offer?”

  The cloaked figure said, “I can give you a bag of gold coins as advance. People can get the remaining later.”

  The person checks him out for a moment before answering, “Why don't we talk about this over a wine? Hey bartender! Get a set of wines ready for us.”

  Then both head inside, both having some hidden agenda waiting to be fulfilled.

  ◇ ◇ ◇

  The group of warriors moves in tight formation through the dense forest, their footsteps muffled by the thick undergrowth.

  Sunlight filters through the canopy, casting shifting shadows over their worn armor and weapons. Each warrior grips their swords, spears, or bows, eyes scanning the surroundings with quiet vigilance.

  The air is heavy with the scent of damp earth and foliage, the distant call of a bird the only sound breaking the eerie silence.

  Their leader, a cloaked figure, walks at the front, hand resting on the hilt of her sword, every step measured and cautious.

  Armor clinks softly, leather straps creak, and the rhythmic sway of weapons at their sides gives an unspoken sense of purpose. They move like ghosts through the trees, alert, disciplined, and ready for whatever lurks beyond the next bend.

  “Is this many people needed to retrieve just one person? I believe it's too much” asks one among them.

  The cloaked figure says, “We are gonna retrieve the person plus do a lot more. Basically we are going to thrash the village. Of course we need more people.” She laughs without even considering how absurd she sounds.

  “You paid us or not … they are still a village from our region. As promised we'll leave them in a semi functional state. I want you to remember that …” says the same person.

  He is fearing that other villages might turn on them if they indiscriminately started attacking a neighbouring village just because someone paid them.

  “Right right. Our main objective is to retrieve my imprisoned comrade. Do you all understand that!!” asks the cloaked woman.

  All of the people behind her shouts “yes~” in response.

  She thinks back on that day. When the princess suddenly summoned her.

  ◇ ◇ ◇

  The princess and a woman meet in a secluded garden pavilion, hidden by ivy-covered columns and dim lantern light. A fountain’s murmur masks their hushed voices as she, cloaked in secrecy, leans in. The woman stands rigid, hand on her sword, eyes sharp.

  “Airy. It seems that the kingdom of Velmora sent spies to our Dukedom. I want you to investigate them and silence them if possible …” says the Princess.

  “But you are the 7th princess, your highness doesn't even have to worry about such matters. I'm moved to tears by your devotion.” Says Airy.

  “Look, I have arranged a trusted confidant to help you. He is a skilled wind mage. But he is lacking when it comes to … well all kinds of things. So I want you to stay by his side and see this through.” The princess orders Airy to handle this along with her trusted confidant.

  Airy is lost in thought as she wonders whether this might be taken as a form of aggression from the Dukedom potentially increasing tensions and making the matters worse.

  The princess is however determined to make Airy handle this, “Airy you are the only person I can trust this matter with. Please I beg you to help me … no! Lend your hand for the Dukedom.”

  Airy having no say in the matter, caves into the princess’s pleading gaze. “Fine. I'll do what I can. But don't you dare do anything reckless. You are not even considered for the line of succession.”