Arvandor

Seraphis

The mountains loomed ahead, their jagged peaks piercing the sky like ancient stone sentinels. Draxor, Kaelan, and Talia moved steadily toward the temple, their eyes set on the prize that lay within its stone walls. According to Draxor, the Shattered Key—or at least information leading to its location—could be found in the temple of Ashra, hidden deep in the mountains. But as they made their way along the narrow mountain path, the sense of something watching them had grown.

Talia, ever alert, kept her hand on the hilt of her blade, her sharp eyes scanning the ridges and cliffs that bordered their route. "Something's off," she murmured under her breath, her gaze flicking toward Kaelan. "We've been followed for the last mile."

Kaelan didn't respond immediately, his own senses already on high alert. The wind was too quiet, and the usual sounds of wildlife had disappeared, replaced by an eerie stillness. He had noticed the faintest sound of footsteps—barely audible, like a whisper on the breeze—and the occasional glimpse of movement in his peripheral vision. Whoever—or whatever—was tailing them was good. Very good.

"I've noticed," he finally said, his voice low. "Keep your guard up."

Draxor, walking a few steps ahead, turned slightly to look over his shoulder, his golden eyes narrowing as he too scanned the landscape. "It is likely not a beast," he said in his deep, rumbling voice. "Beasts do not hide so well. No, this is something—or someone—with intelligence."

The group continued to walk in tense silence, each member ready for an ambush. But as they rounded a bend in the path, they found something unexpected: a lone figure standing in the middle of the trail.

The figure was cloaked, the hood pulled low over their face, but Kaelan immediately felt a strange energy radiating from them. It wasn't threatening, exactly, but there was an unmistakable sense of trickery, of mischief, hanging in the air. Talia's hand gripped her blade tightly, and even Draxor tensed, his warhammer ready.

The cloaked figure spoke first, their voice light and melodic. "Well, well, well. What have we here? Three travelers, marching to the great Temple of Ashra. But what is it that they seek? Treasure? Knowledge? Or something far more... precious?"

Kaelan stepped forward cautiously. "Who are you?"

The figure laughed, a soft, playful sound. "Who am I? Who indeed! Some call me Seraphis. Others, Trickster. But I think you'll come to know me as a very helpful friend." They pushed the hood back, revealing a face that seemed to shift and change even as Kaelan looked at it. One moment, Seraphis appeared as a handsome human male, the next, a beautiful elven woman. Their features flickered and morphed, never settling on one form for long.

"A changeling," Talia muttered, her expression hardening. "We don't have time for your games."

Seraphis smiled, their shifting face giving the expression an unnerving quality. "Oh, but games are what make life interesting! And don't worry—I can be very serious when I want to be. You see, we're headed in the same direction. I've been watching you, and I think we can help each other."

Kaelan exchanged a wary glance with Draxor. "What do you want?"

Seraphis' smile widened. "What I want is very simple. There's a corrupt merchant not far from here, holed up in a little fortress just off the main path. He has something that belongs to me—a small relic, nothing too grand, but of great personal importance. I'd retrieve it myself, but he's hired quite a few unpleasant types to guard his stash. I can handle a bit of magic, sure, but brawn? Not my style. But you three—oh, you seem like the kind of people who could clear out a room full of hired thugs without breaking a sweat."

Talia rolled her eyes. "So, you want us to help you steal from a merchant?"

Seraphis waved a hand dismissively. "Steal is such a dirty word. Let's call it... reclaiming. This merchant is no innocent businessman, I assure you. He's been cheating locals out of their land and using that wealth to line his pockets. I'm simply recovering what was taken. And in return, I'll share some very useful information with you."

"And what information would that be?" Draxor asked, his eyes narrowing.

Seraphis' face flickered into an expression of feigned shock. "Why, information about the temple, of course! I know a thing or two about its defenses, the traps inside, and the little secrets hidden in its depths. You'll need my help to get what you're after, I promise you that."

Kaelan considered the offer. They didn't have time for distractions, but if Seraphis really did know something about the temple's defenses, they couldn't afford to ignore that kind of knowledge. The temple of Ashra was ancient and likely full of dangers they couldn't anticipate. And if this corrupt merchant was as vile as Seraphis claimed, it wasn't as though they'd be doing an innocent man harm.

"All right," Kaelan said finally. "We'll help you get your relic. But if you try anything, you'll regret it."

Seraphis grinned, their eyes twinkling with amusement. "Oh, I wouldn't dream of betraying you. I'm a trickster, not a fool."

The merchant's fortress was a modest affair—a squat stone building nestled against the side of the mountain, with a handful of guards patrolling the perimeter. The group crouched in the shadows, watching as Seraphis outlined the plan.

"Two guards by the front gate, but they're not paying much attention," Seraphis whispered, pointing to the men standing lazily by the entrance. "Inside, it'll be trickier. There are more guards, but nothing you can't handle. The relic is in the merchant's private quarters—top floor. I'll create a distraction while you three make your way in."

Talia gave Seraphis a skeptical look. "How exactly are you going to distract them?"

Seraphis winked. "Oh, I have my ways."

Before anyone could respond, Seraphis strode confidently toward the front gate, their appearance shifting mid-step into that of a well-dressed, middle-aged man. The guards barely had time to react before Seraphis launched into an elaborate story about being a wealthy merchant looking to discuss a trade deal with their employer. The guards, clearly confused but not wanting to question someone who appeared so important, let Seraphis in without a second thought.

Talia shook her head in disbelief. "I can't believe that worked."

Kaelan gave a small smile. "Let's move."

With Seraphis' distraction in place, the group made their way into the fortress, slipping past the distracted guards and creeping through the dimly lit corridors. They encountered a few guards along the way, but between Talia's swift blades, Kaelan's magic, and Draxor's brute strength, they quickly dispatched any resistance.

Reaching the top floor, they found the merchant's quarters—a lavish room filled with expensive trinkets, gilded furniture, and tapestries hanging from the walls. And there, on a pedestal in the center of the room, was the relic—a small, intricately carved box that pulsed faintly with magic.

Seraphis appeared behind them, once again in their natural changeling form. "Ah, there it is," they said, their voice filled with satisfaction. "I knew I could count on you."

Kaelan handed the relic to Seraphis. "Your turn. Tell us what you know about the temple."

Seraphis inspected the relic for a moment before slipping it into their cloak. "A deal's a deal. The temple is filled with traps—old magic, still potent after all these centuries. But there's a hidden entrance, a back way in that bypasses most of the defenses. I'll guide you to it."

Talia raised an eyebrow. "You're coming with us?"

Seraphis grinned. "Of course! I told you, you need my help. Besides, this little adventure of yours? It's far more interesting than anything else I've got going on."

Kaelan glanced at Draxor and Talia, then nodded. "Fine. But if you betray us—"

"I know, I know," Seraphis interrupted with a smirk. "You'll make me regret it. But trust me, you'll come to appreciate having me around."

With Seraphis now officially part of the group, they left the fortress behind and continued their journey toward the temple. Kaelan couldn't shake the feeling that the mischievous changeling would be trouble, but he had to admit—having someone with Seraphis' skills and knowledge could be exactly what they needed to survive the trials ahead.