4. Siltwood

-- Caleb –

   Alena walked into the bedroom with rolls of cloth and water, "I got some fresh bandages for your wounds." She remarked.

   Facing the mirror, I quickly wrapped my chest with the bandages already present, saying, "I won't be needing them. It's looking much better, and it's not bleeding anymore." 

   In a hurry to pull my shirt over my head, I hoped Alena wouldn't notice the sloppy patch job and try to fix it herself. She eyed me suspiciously but didn't say anything as she stuffed the supplies into her bag. 

Donned in tan leather pants paired with a linen tunic featuring black buttons, she secured a familiar dagger to a harness against her ribs. Retrieving her jacket from the bed, she pulled it over her head. The jacket, embellished with simple brass buckles and elbow pads, had been a lavish purchase for her sixteenth birthday the previous year. The intent was to possess a garment to conceal her daggers when venturing into town, like today. 

   Resting my hand on my chest, I watched Julien dismantle his camp just beyond my window. "I heard you walk out to see him last night," I mentioned, turning to face her. Alena walked towards the wall, retrieved my boots then handed them to me. "We don't know him, Alena," I cautioned, as I took the boots from her. I grasped her hands as she attempted to turn away, and I expressed my concern, "He could have hurt you." I soothed her by rubbing my thumb on the back of her hand. 

   "I know." Her voice was soft, barely a whisper. "There's just something about him that -" She paused, cutting herself off mid-sentence. Her gaze shifted to the window behind me. "There's this sense of power that resonates from him. It draws me to him." Returning her focus to me, she wore a slight smile. "So many unanswered questions." A twinge of unease stirred within me. In this remote location, Alena has limited chances to encounter new faces. Our isolation offered peace and tranquility, but for someone as spirited as Alena, it also meant hours of boredom and a craving for adventure.

   "I need you to keep your distance from him," I cautioned. "Please," I implored, squeezing her hands one final time before pulling away. She remained silent. I let out a soft sigh, then exited the room, entering the common area, where my coat hung by the door alongside my bow. Alena had prepared two bags earlier that morning. While the journey into town only took a few hours, there was a possibility that the return trip could extend into the night. 

   Alena turned the doorknob and pushed open the heavy wooden door of the cabin. The hinges creaked as she stepped outside, and the bright sunlight momentarily blinded me. She swung her backpack over her shoulder, feeling the weight of it settle. As she stepped away from the cabin, the wind picked up and tugged at the loose curls of her hair, pulling them from her braid and into her face. She reached up to brush them away, but they kept coming back. Meanwhile, I closed the door behind us, making sure it was locked tight. I then joined Julien, who was already waiting alongside the trailhead. 

   Julien rested against a tree, his bag in hand, and his fur coat neatly rolled and secured to the bag. Clad in a light green tunic, a beaded necklace complements the contours of his sharp jawline. Over his shoulder, the hilt of a sword peeked its gold-encrusted pommel gleaming, revealing what appears to be an allegiance crest. I met Julien's eyes, acknowledging my curiosity. His demeanor was stoic, his body rigid, yet his hands betrayed a sense of calm. Breaking the tension, he suggested, "If we've got nothing left to do, I think it'd be best if we should leave now," turning away to stride down the trail. 

   As I stepped in tandem with Julien, we left the familiar safety of our home, its sturdy walls and comforting hearth vanishing behind us. Alena, with a purposeful stride, was already forging ahead, her figure a silhouette against the morning light. She led the way with a confidence that suggested familiarity with the path ahead, her presence a reassuring guide. We followed the trail she blazed, leaving the safety of home behind. 

   For hours, we traversed the dense forest path in silence. The narrow trails, uncommon for most villagers, guided us until we finally emerged onto the main road. Carriages rolled past us without a second glance, their occupants unaware of our journey. Julien, displaying a shrewd awareness, had taken the time to conceal himself before entering civilization. A cloak of anonymity surrounded him, making identification by passing soldiers a challenge. 

   As we approached the crest of the hill, the landscape unfolded before us, revealing the quaint trading village of Siltwood nestled in the valley below. Cobblestone roads snaked their way through the heart of the settlement, glistening with a patina earned from years of use. Wooden doors adorned the facades of modest cottages, some intricately carved with symbols of family heritage, while others bore the scars of time, weathered and worn.

   The air was alive with the distant sounds of market activity. Horse-drawn carriages rumbled along the cobbled pathways, their wooden wheels clattering against the stones. Stalls lined the streets, displaying a vibrant array of goods — fabrics fluttering in the breeze, grains and vegetables arranged in colorful heaps, and the glint of metal from the blacksmith's workshop.

   Smoke curled into the sky from chimneys, carrying the savory aroma of freshly baked bread and the faint scent of burning wood. The village seemed to hum with the harmonious blend of voices engaging in lively barter and the occasional neighing of horses in a nearby stable. 

   Upon reaching the central market in the village, Julien expressed gratitude and subtly signaled his intention to part ways. "I'm thankful for your help. It's probably best if we go our separate ways from here," he mentioned, securing his hood and extending his hand for a farewell handshake. I firmly grasped his hand. "If you ever need directions again; you know where to find us," I chuckled, letting go of his hand. He responded with a smile, tipped his hood, then proceeded to walk down the alley, gradually fading into the darkness.

   Alena's face lit up with excitement. "Since we're here, Caleb, how about a little shopping? I've been eyeing this market for ages!" she exclaimed, nudging me with playful enthusiasm.

I chuckled, knowing that resisting my sister's shopping urges was futile. "Alright, but let's keep it quick. I'd like to get home before dark."

   While Alena delved into the market's treasures, I excused myself under the pretext of checking in with an acquaintance, instead, I covertly decided to find the intriguing stranger.

   After navigating through a maze of dubious alleys, I finally found Julien. He was engaged in conversation with a merchant wearing a purple overcoat adorned with gems and pearls. The merchant, animatedly gesturing with his hands, appeared to be providing Julien with directions, pointing toward specific locations. Julien nodded at the man and began walking in the direction indicated by him.

   I trailed behind Julien as he walked down the street, reaching the entrance of an establishment where inebriated men stumble out. They pushed past Julien, knocking him back a step. Despite the men cursing at him, Julien remained composed, simply maneuvering past them and entering the crowded space beyond the doors.

   Entering with him would surely attract attention. Scanning the surroundings, I spotted a small booth offering skewered meats. Opting for discretion, I took a seat at the stall facing the bar, patiently waiting while keeping a watchful eye for when Julien chose to vacate the pub.

   The bustling rhythm of pedestrians filled the narrow streets, creating a chaotic tapestry that obscured my view. The once leisurely pace transformed into a hurried frenzy as people shifted from walking to an urgent run. Amid the hurried shuffle, panic etched itself onto a woman's face, and her scream pierced the air, sending an unsettling chill down my spine.

    "A witch!" she exclaimed, her voice carrying a note of hysteria as she darted from vendor to vendor, spreading the alarming news. The word echoed through the marketplace, igniting fear like wildfire. Startled conversations erupt, and the atmosphere grows tense.

    Soldiers, alerted by the commotion, swiftly navigate the labyrinthine alleys, converging toward the central plaza. The urgency of their movements suggested a collective concern, heightening the sense of impending chaos.