A love forged in exile

Chapter 17: Shadows and Secrets

Kaelin and Tarin stepped into the bustling heart of the village, where merchants were setting up stalls, and villagers were busy going about their day. The early morning air was crisp, a reminder that they were still far from the warmth and safety they craved, but their purpose pulled them forward. As much as they wanted to cling to the moments they had shared earlier that morning, reality was reasserting itself.

The Arcane Order was out there-lurking, waiting, scheming.

Kaelin's hand brushed the hilt of his sword, a nervous habit he'd developed over the years. His mind was already working through what little they knew about the Order: a secretive group of powerful mages with their own agenda, often working behind the scenes, never revealing themselves directly. They had encountered them briefly before, but that was enough to know how dangerous they could be.

Tarin glanced at him, her brow furrowed in thought. "Where do we even start looking? No one's going to just mention the Arcane Order in casual conversation."

"I know," Kaelin replied, scanning the crowd. "But these kinds of places usually have informants, travelers, or even historians who know more than they let on. We need to find someone who's heard of them or their movements."

The two of them wove through the village streets, their eyes keen for anything that might hint at where they could begin their search. They passed market stalls with vendors calling out their wares-exotic fruits, freshly baked bread, tools, and more. The air smelled of wood smoke and spices, a comforting aroma despite the tension underlying their mission.

As they neared the edge of the market square, an elderly man sat behind a table cluttered with books and scrolls. His long gray beard and glasses gave him the air of a scholar, though his tattered robes suggested he wasn't well off. Kaelin's instincts sharpened-this man might be the key to unlocking more information about the Arcane Order.

Kaelin leaned toward Tarin. "Let's try him. He looks like the type to know things."

Tarin nodded in agreement, and they approached the old man's stall. The man looked up from a thick tome he was reading, his sharp, tired eyes assessing them quickly. He didn't speak right away, simply watched them, waiting for them to make the first move.

Kaelin cleared his throat. "We're looking for some information. Something... not many people know about."

The old man raised an eyebrow, his wrinkled face inscrutable. "I know many things. Most of them have a price."

Tarin stepped forward, her eyes narrowing slightly. "We can pay. But what we're asking about is... dangerous."

The man's expression didn't change, but his fingers twitched slightly, as if the mention of danger piqued his interest. "I see. You're not here for simple tales, then. What is it you seek?"

Kaelin glanced around to make sure no one was listening, then lowered his voice. "The Arcane Order. We need to know if anyone here has heard of them, if there's been any sign of their presence."

The scholar's eyes flickered with recognition, though he masked it quickly. He looked between Kaelin and Tarin, clearly weighing whether or not to share what he knew. Finally, he leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers in thought.

"You're asking dangerous questions, young ones," he said slowly. "The Arcane Order operates in the shadows. Those who speak of them openly tend to disappear."

"We're not afraid," Tarin said firmly. "We've already crossed paths with them before. We're trying to stop something far worse than just the Order."

The old man chuckled, though it wasn't a sound of amusement. "Brave words, but words won't protect you from what the Order can do." He sighed and reached under his table, pulling out a rolled-up map. He unrolled it with a deft hand, revealing a detailed depiction of the region surrounding the village.

"The Order has been quiet for some time," he continued, his finger tracing a path across the map. "But if there are rumors to be found, they would be here, in the southern mountains. Travelers have reported strange lights at night and whispers of unnatural occurrences."

Kaelin leaned closer, following the man's finger. "The mountains? Are you saying they have a base there?"

The scholar shrugged. "Who's to say? The Arcane Order doesn't leave obvious trails. But those mountains have always been a place of interest for those who seek power. You might find what you're looking for... or you might find something worse."

Tarin looked at the map, then back at the old man. "Why are you telling us this? You could've just refused."

The man gave a sad smile, his eyes distant. "I've seen too much of the world to be afraid of sharing knowledge. And perhaps... I don't want to see another generation swallowed by darkness."

Kaelin nodded his thanks and placed a small pouch of coins on the table. "We appreciate your help."

As they walked away from the stall, Tarin looked over her shoulder at the old man. "The southern mountains," she murmured. "It's as good a place as any to start."

Kaelin frowned. "Yeah, but it sounds like a trap. The Arcane Order doesn't just let people walk in. If they're there, they'll be waiting for us."

"We don't have a choice," Tarin replied. "If we want to get ahead of them, we need to act before they do."

Kaelin sighed. She was right, as usual. But the thought of walking into a potential ambush didn't sit well with him. "Let's gather some supplies and rest for a bit longer. If we're going into the mountains, we'll need to be prepared for anything."

They spent the rest of the day gathering provisions and equipment, ensuring they were ready for the journey ahead. The village had a small general store where they were able to buy food, fresh cloaks, and a few necessary items for the cold mountain trek. As they packed their bags, the weight of what was to come pressed heavily on both of them.

Later that night, after a quiet meal in the tavern, they returned to their rented room. Kaelin sat by the window, looking out at the moonlit streets below, lost in thought. Tarin was perched on the edge of the bed, tightening the straps of her leather bracers.

"We're getting closer," she said after a long silence, her voice soft. "I can feel it."

Kaelin nodded, though his mind was elsewhere. "I know. I just hope we're ready for what we'll find."

Tarin stood, crossing the room to him. She rested a hand on his shoulder, and he turned to look at her. There was a moment of quiet understanding between them, a shared determination that had carried them this far. Whatever lay ahead, they would face it together.

"We'll be ready," Tarin said softly. "We always are."

Kaelin reached up, covering her hand with his. "Then tomorrow, we head to the mountains."

With that, they prepared for sleep, the weight of their next steps heavy on their minds. The Arcane Order awaited them, and whatever lay hidden in those southern mountains, Kaelin and Tarin knew they couldn't turn back now.

The shadows were closing in, and soon, they would be forced to confront the dark secrets of the Order and the prophecy that hung over them like a storm cloud.

Tomorrow, the real battle would begin.