Beyond the Veil of Yonder (Book 1)

4. The Harsh Hospitality

As they entered a torch-lit, windowless room, Elizabeth tried to suppress her trembling. The guards directed the captives to a rough bench before a scarred table. Across from them, the knight, William, settled in, fixing them with his piercing gaze.

Elizabeth looked around cautiously to make sense of her surroundings, which resembled an ancient prison. The knight who faced them bore a golden lion on his chest against a dark blue backdrop. The beast stood on its hind legs, as if ready to attack.

The vividness of the scene was striking, allowing her to notice even the smallest details. Given the intricate elements of the knight's attire, he probably held a high rank in the military. Elizabeth recalled hearing others call him a captain. Convinced she was dreaming, she clung to the hope of waking from this nightmare, yearning for the familiar comfort of her everyday life.

The knight's weathered face and tanned skin spoke of weariness and many hours spent under the open sky. At first glance, his eyes appeared dark, but under the flickering torchlight, they revealed a deep blue hue, echoing the emblem on his chest. This rare eye colour was intriguing. But the profound depth and velvety darkness of his eyes held no hint of malice.

His slightly unkempt appearance, with the stubble on his face and the faint scars crossing his cheek and eyebrow, spoke of his past as a battle-hardened warrior. Along with these scars, his strong, square chin and a mane of tousled dark hair intensified his rugged allure.

An unmistakable aura of mystery and danger enveloped him, prompting everyone in the room to straighten and become more alert. His confident demeanour and dynamic movements suggested a life full of peril and adventure.

While studying him, Elizabeth's trembling began to ease, though a nagging doubt remained. 'Can a man with such eyes be a ruthless murderer?' she wondered, but her fear lingered just beneath the surface.

"Why were you trespassing on my lands?" The man's deep voice echoed against the stone walls. "What is your purpose here?"

"We... we're lost," Dan said, avoiding the knight's gaze.

"And your names? Where do you hail from?" The intensity in William's eyes deepened.

"I'm Dan, and this is Elizabeth... We don't know how we arrived here."

The knight placed a rectangular object on the table. "What is this?" He raised an eyebrow in inquiry. "Why do you carry this black mirror?"

Dan paled upon recognising his phone. "I... I don't know. It's not mine..."

"You lie," the knight said through his teeth. His low voice simmered with anger. "This was found among your possessions."

Elizabeth's heart raced at the stark fear on Dan's face. Their situation grew worse.

"And who might you be? Did the Valtharians send you as spies? Or worse," he leaned in, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper, "you are the sorcerers troubling my people..."

As he rose, his eyes blazed with anger. "Speak!" Without warning, he slammed his palm hard against the table's surface, making Elizabeth and Dan flinch.

"Please, sir," Elizabeth said, battling her tears. "Don't hurt us! We're lost and mean no harm. I promise to tell you everything..."

William's once stern gaze softened slightly, a hint of confusion in his eyes as he looked at the frightened girl. He ordered the guards to fetch her some water.

Taking a few moments to gather herself, Elizabeth began sharing their story, intermittently wiping away her tears. "My name is Elizabeth, and this is Dan, my..." She paused, searching for the right word, "...fiancé. We're not from here, but from a different place."