Enclave

Chapter Three

The sun had just begun to rise in the morning sky, casting a hue over the rolling hills and lush greenery that surrounded O'Connor Valley. As Cassie rode out on her horse, the rhythmic clip-clop of hooves echoed through the tranquil landscape, a soothing melody that seemed to harmonize with the gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze.

The riding trails that wound their way through the countryside were Cassie's sanctuary, a place of solace and serenity where she could escape the hustle and bustle of the Trade Fair and lose herself in the beauty of nature. With each stride of her horse, she felt the weight of the world lift from her shoulders, replaced by a sense of freedom and liberation. The scent of pine and wildflowers filled the air, mingling with the earthy aroma of damp soil and dew-kissed grass.

Cassie rode deeper into the heart of the forest, the canopy of trees above enveloped her in a cool, dappled shade. Shafts of sunlight filtered through the foliage, painting the forest floor in patches of light and shadow.

As Cassie trekked along the forest trail, her mind lost in the tranquility of the morning, her gaze suddenly fell upon a sight that jolted her—a body, mangled and twisted, suspended from a tree limb like an ornament. Her heart skipped a beat as she reined in her horse, her eyes widening in shock and horror at the grisly scene in front of her.

The body hung limp and lifeless, its limbs contorted at unnatural angles, its clothing torn and tattered. Bloodstains soaked the fabric, evidence of the violence that had overcome the unfortunate victim. Cassie's stomach churned, a wave of nausea washing over her.

Instinctively, Cassie's hand went to the hilt of the knife she kept strapped to her waist, her senses on high alert as she scanned the surrounding forest for any sign of danger. The woods seemed eerily quiet, the only sound the soft breeze and the distant call of a bird.

As she stared up at the body, Cassie's mind raced with questions. Who was this person? What had happened to them? And most importantly, who—or what—was responsible.

The realization dawned on her like a bolt of lightning—raiders. Though they had never ventured this close to O'Connor before, Cassie knew all too well the dangers they posed. Ruthless and unpredictable, they preyed upon the vulnerable, leaving destruction and death in their wake.

With a shudder, Cassie urged her horse forward, her heart pounding in her chest as she spurred the animal into a gallop. She knew she had to warn the council. There's too much at risk with the Trade Fair happening.

Cassie dismounted her horse and hurried toward her home, her thoughts consumed by the grim discovery she had made in the forest. As she stepped through the door, she was greeted by the warmth and the comforting familiarity of her surroundings.

Connor looked up from his task with a smile, his eyes softening at the sight of her. "Hey there," he greeted, crossing the room to plant a gentle kiss on her cheek. "You're back early. Everything okay?"

Cassie's gaze met his, her expression grave. "I found a body," she explained, her voice filled with concern. "Hanging from a tree, not far from here. It didn't look like an infected, but I have a feeling it's raiders."

Connor's brow furrowed in concern as he took in her words, his hand reaching out to gently grasp hers in reassurance. "Are you sure?" he asked, his tone laced with worry. "We've never had trouble this close to O'Connor before."

Cassie nodded, her expression grim. "I know," she replied, her voice tinged with urgency. "But we can't afford to take any chances. I'm going to the council, we need to make sure everyone's on high alert."

Connor's grip tightened on her hand. "You're right," he agreed, his voice firm. "I'll gather Selena and the others."

Cassie wasted no time in gathering the Council and the heads of the other settlements, knowing that they needed to be informed of the potential threat looming on their doorstep. As they assembled in the meeting hall, the atmosphere became tense.