BALLAD OF THE ORC PALADIN

Shadows of Doubt

The warmth of the fire crackled in the heart of Iron Hollow, casting flickering shadows across the stone walls. Kaito sat at the table, staring into the flames, his thoughts heavy with the weight of their journey. They were so close now—closer to the temple and the ancient power that lay within. But as the reality of what they were facing set in, an unsettling feeling gnawed at the back of his mind.

Something was off.

The warning from the monks in the valley replayed in his head: Be mindful of the choices you make. The road ahead was fraught with danger, but there was something else, something lurking just beneath the surface—something that made Kaito's skin crawl.

His eyes drifted over the rest of the group, who sat scattered around the room. Grushak was sharpening his axe, his face a mask of quiet determination. Borin and Sylvara spoke in low voices near the corner, and Seris, ever the observer, sat by the window, watching the wind howl outside. Dorian was by himself, leaning against the far wall, his face hidden in the shadows.

Kaito's mind kept returning to the same thought, over and over—what if not everyone in his group had the same goal in mind? They were a strange collection of individuals, brought together by circumstance and mutual need, but that didn't mean they were bound by loyalty. He knew he could trust some of them—Grushak had proven himself over and over, and Borin's gruffness hid a core of iron loyalty. Sylvara had never once hesitated to protect the group, and Seris, for all her secrets, had always been clear in her motives.

But Dorian... Kaito wasn't sure about him. He had joined them under mysterious circumstances, claiming to have knowledge of the warlords and their movements. He was skilled, no doubt about that, but he was also a man who kept his true thoughts locked behind a wall of silence. And lately, Kaito had noticed him withdrawing even more, lingering at the edges of their group, watching, waiting.

Could Dorian betray us?

The thought sent a chill through Kaito's veins, but it was one he couldn't shake. Dorian had always been an enigma, but recently, there had been small, telling signs. His gaze lingered on the artefact they had encountered in the caravan, and when they had fought the creatures in the woods, he had seemed almost too calm. As if he had known what was coming.

Kaito clenched his jaw, trying to dismiss the creeping paranoia. This wasn't the time for second-guessing his allies. Not now. Not when they were on the verge of something so important.

"Something on your mind?" Seris's voice broke through his thoughts, pulling him back to the present.

Kaito looked up to see the Tiefling standing next to him, her golden eyes sharp as always. She leaned against the table, one hand casually resting on the hilt of her dagger, her gaze flicking between Kaito and the rest of the group.

"I'm fine," Kaito replied, though his tone was distant.

Seris tilted her head, studying him carefully. "You don't look fine. You've been staring into the fire for the last hour."

Kaito sighed, rubbing a hand across his face. "It's nothing. Just thinking about what's ahead."

Seris raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "We're all thinking about that. But something else is bothering you. You're worried about Dorian, aren't you?"

Kaito's eyes widened in surprise. "How did you—?"

Seris smiled faintly, though it didn't reach her eyes. "You're not the only one who's noticed him pulling back. I've been watching him too."

Kaito leaned in, lowering his voice. "Do you think he's planning something? I mean, he's been helpful, but I can't shake the feeling that he's hiding something."