After breakfast, they prepared for the journey, riding on horseback—Silas taking the lead with his horse, while Odessa and Naseria shared another. They arrived at the governor’s residence and were guided to a meeting room where the governor, district mayor, and other officials awaited them.
Once seated, the governor addressed them. "Good morning, everyone. We’re grateful the King has finally responded. People have been disappearing lately, and it's starting to cause panic. I trust you will handle this discreetly."
They all nodded in agreement.
Naseria leaned forward. "How exactly have your people gone missing? And how are you certain they’re missing?"
The governor sighed. "Their families have reported them missing, though their names aren’t on any recent records or logs."
Naseria nodded, though suspicion lingered in her expression as she took in the governor’s explanation.
After the brief meeting, they stepped outside, leaving their horses. Stark, who had been waiting nearby, noticed them and trotted over, joining their group.
Silas and Odessa walked ahead, while Naseria followed a few steps behind, her cloak draped over her shoulders, moving silently alongside Stark.
Stark started sniffing around the room, his nose twitching as he followed a scent. Naseria noticed immediately. “What is it, boy?” she asked softly, watching as Stark began walking toward the door. Curious, she followed him.
Odessa and Silas, who were talking with a few people nearby, noticed Naseria leaving and exchanged glances. They quickly followed behind her, concerned.
“Miss, where are you going?” Odessa asked, trying to keep up.
“Stark smells something,” Naseria replied, her eyes focused on the cat as he led them further into the forest.
Silas sighed. “Why are we following a cat?”
“If you don’t want to come, don’t follow,” Naseria shot back, not slowing down.
Reluctantly, Silas stayed quiet, and they continued trailing behind Naseria and Stark. The air grew thicker with the scent of earth and vegetation as they delved deeper into the forest. After some time, Stark suddenly stopped, sniffing the air intently before hissing.
Naseria knelt beside him, carefully patting his head to soothe him. Stark quickly climbed into her arms, his ears alert and his body tense. “Something’s over there,” she said, her voice low but steady.
They pressed on, and soon, they found themselves in the middle of a large, open space, surrounded by tall trees. The clearing was strange, out of place.
“This place right here… they’ve cut the trees down,” Naseria observed, scanning the area.
Silas frowned. “How do you know?”
Naseria gestured to the unnatural clearing. “This kingdom is man-made. There’s no reason for there to be a random large space in the middle of a forest unless someone cleared it. It doesn’t fit.”
Odessa glanced around, now noticing the irregularity in the area. “Why would they clear trees here? It doesn’t make sense.”
Naseria’s expression darkened. “That’s what we’re about to find out.”
“Both of you stay here,” Naseria said firmly, handing Stark over to Odessa, who received him with a worried look.
“I’ll come with you,” Silas insisted.
“No,” Naseria replied, her tone unwavering. “If something happens, you run and ask for help.”
“But—” Odessa started, but Naseria had already begun walking further into the clearing, leaving them behind.
