The town of Valenwood lay still and silent beneath the cloak of twilight, its people either ensconced in the warmth of their hearths or lost in the solace of their houghts. Yet, despite the quiet, the air seemed to hum with an unseen energy, a vibration only those attuned to it could feel. Elara could not shake the sense of urgency that had crept into her bones. Something was shifting. Something deep, like the slow rise of a tide, pulling at her from beyond the veil of the ordinary.

  She turned into the alleyway leading to the inn, her footsteps muffled on the cobblestones. The world around her seemed to fade, leaving her alone with her thoughts, uncertainties, and lingering fear. The encounter with Kieran had shaken her more than she cared to admit. But there was a question that burned within her, one she had to ask, one she couldn’t ignore.

  What is it that I’m truly meant to do?

  She found herself at the inn’s door before she realized it, as if the very question had carried her to the threshold without conscious effort. The soft glow of lantern light spilled from the rustic windows, spilling over her boots and casting a deep shadow as she entered, lighting the familiar walls of the inn in a comforting golden hue.

  Inside, a fire crackled merrily, its warmth beckoning her to come closer. She exhaled a deep breath and moved toward the hearth, allowing the flames to chase away the cold that had settled into her body. The innkeeper, a stocky man with a friendly smile, waved her over.

  “Elara,” he said warmly, his voice carrying a sense of familiarity. “What brings you back in from the cold? Surely, you’ve had your fill of the night’s air by now.”

  She smiled in return, though it felt strained. “I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to it. But it’s good to be back, at least for tonight.”

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  The man chuckled and nodded. “Aye, the night has a way of getting into a person’s bones, especially this far north. You’ve got the look of someone who’s seen more than they expected tonight.”

  Elara hesitated for a moment. “Perhaps. I’m just trying to make sense of things.”

  “Well,” the innkeeper said with a sly smile, “if you’re looking for answers, you’ve come to the right place. People come to Solace seeking all kinds of things. Some find what they need; others—well, they’re still looking.”

  She nodded, not trusting her voice. Instead, she found a seat by the fire, pulling her cloak tighter around her. Her thoughts, heavy with the weight of Kieran’s cryptic warning, seemed to swirl and scatter like leaves in the wind.

  As she sat there, lost in contemplation, she noticed a familiar figure enter through the door. It was Aeron, the healer from the village, his face drawn and tired from the journey, but his eyes sharp and perceptive as ever. His presence, though unexpected, was a welcome sight. He had been one of the few to survive the dragon’s attack on their village, and though he was soft-spoken, his wisdom was unquestioned.

  “Elara,” Aeron greeted her with a quiet nod, his voice low, as if speaking too loudly might disturb the delicate balance of the world around them. “I trust you’ve seen Kieran?”

  “I have,” she answered, meeting his gaze. “He’s… troubling.”

  Aeron’s eyes flickered with something akin to understanding. “He often is. But there’s truth in what he says, even if it is wrapped in riddles. I’ve sensed the changes in the land, Elara. The winds have shifted.”

  Elara’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean? You’re not suggesting…”

  “No,” he interrupted gently, “not yet. But soon. The prophecy is stirring, and so too are the powers that will rise in answer to it. Be prepared, Elara. The future is coming for us all.”

  The healer’s words settled heavily in the room, their implications unspoken yet undeniable. Elara had never put stock in prophecy or fate. Yet, with every passing day, she could feel the pull of something much larger than herself. It was as if her life, her choices, were no longer entirely her own. Something was guiding her.

  Aeron’s gaze softened. “Rest tonight. We will need our strength for what comes.”

  Elara nodded, but the unease in her chest refused to fade. As she lay down in her bed later that evening, her eyes staring into the darkened ceiling, she felt the weight of the world settle onto her shoulders.