Shadow Bound Fate

Shadows in the Village

Lira's POV

The sun had begun its descent, casting long shadows among the trees by the time we finally reached the camp. The forest thinned slightly, though the towering trees still stood like silent sentinels, their dense canopy shrouding the settlement in secrecy. It was hidden in a natural hollow, tucked away from the world, almost invisible until we were standing at its edge. As we walked deeper in, I realized this wasn't just a camp—it was a village.

The wooden structures scattered throughout the settlement were simple, built with practicality in mind. Each one was constructed for defense and survival, not comfort. Some of the homes were carved into the hillside itself, camouflaged to blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. Despite the village's rough appearance, there was something striking about the way it seemed to belong here, as if it had grown from the forest itself.

As we moved further into the village, I noticed eyes following us. The rebels were quiet but observant. Most of them nodded respectfully to Caius, clearly recognizing him. There was a sense of deference, like he commanded not only their respect but also their trust. But when their gazes shifted to me, confusion clouded their faces. None of them knew who I was.

I offered a nod in return, keeping my head held high despite the curiosity etched on their faces. Caius, walking a few steps ahead, led me deeper into the heart of the village, toward a larger wooden structure that stood out among the others.

"We'll talk inside later," Caius said, gesturing to the building. "That is where we will plan our next move."

I glanced around, taking in the layout of the village. Despite its purpose as a resistance stronghold, there was a quiet, almost peaceful aura here. The village wasn't chaotic or tense, as I might have expected from a place preparing for war. There was a rhythm to life here, a balance between survival and community.

The buildings were fortified with thick beams, each one solid enough to withstand an attack. Scattered around the perimeter, watchtowers loomed high above, manned by sentinels keeping a vigilant eye on the horizon.

Caius turned toward me, his expression unreadable. "Let me show you where you'll be staying."

I met his gaze, surprised by the offer but not questioning it. "Okay."

He led me to a house near the town hall, closer to the center of the village. It was larger than most of the others I'd seen. Without a word, he pulled out a key and unlocked the door, handing it to me as we stepped inside. I couldn't help but wonder how he'd already come to possess the key.

The interior was unexpectedly warm and inviting. Wooden beams lined the ceiling, and the hearth in the corner looked well-used. The air smelled faintly of pine and smoke, and though the furnishings were simple, there was a comfort to the space that I hadn't anticipated.

Caius stood in the middle of the hallway, watching me closely. "Since people are actively trying to kill you, I figured you could stay here," he said, his voice calm but deliberate. "With me."

In the past, if someone had suggested such a thing, especially back in my village, I would've told them to fuck off without hesitation. But after everything we'd been through together on the journey here, I found myself nodding in agreement. "That's probably the best idea for now."

He raised an eyebrow, as if caught off guard by my easy acceptance. "I was well-prepared for you to tell me to fuck off," he said, his tone light as I passed him to explore the living area.

A smirk tugged at the corners of my mouth. "I was thinking about it," I replied, crossing my arms as I turned to face him.

He mirrored my expression. "Your room is upstairs, first door on the right. It has its own bathroom, so you won't have to worry about sharing one with me," he added, his voice carrying a hint of teasing.