Chapter 17: The Plan

Elena agreed to join Jay in his quest to uncover the identity of the mysterious strangers. Together, they returned to the inn to discuss their plan. The innkeeper was gracious enough to provide them with a private room, where they could talk without being overheard.

As they entered the small room, Elena sat down and laid out a map of Arborn and the surrounding areas. "We need to know more about these men and where they're operating from," she said, her voice steady. "Have you noticed anything that might give us a clue?"

Jay thought back to the conversation he overheard in the forest. "I heard them mention a 'boss.' It sounds like there's a larger group behind them, maybe operating from a central location. They seemed to be tracking my movements, so they must have informants in the village."

Elena nodded, tracing a finger over the map. "If that's the case, we need to be cautious. They could be watching us right now. We need to gather information without drawing attention to ourselves."

Jay agreed, knowing the risk involved. "What about Owen? He's good with technology. Maybe he can help us track down some leads without tipping anyone off."

"Good idea," Elena replied. "But let's be careful about involving others. The fewer people who know about our plans, the safer they'll be. If these men are willing to harm innocent people to get to us, we need to minimize the risk."

Jay appreciated Elena's caution. He knew she was right—this wasn't just about them; it was about protecting the village and everyone in it. "Agreed. Let's start by talking to Owen. He might have access to information we don't."

The two of them left the inn and headed to Owen's workshop. It was a small, cluttered space filled with various gadgets and pieces of technology. Owen was tinkering with a broken radio, but he looked up as they entered, a wide grin spreading across his face.

"Hey, Jay!" he said, setting down his tools. "And Elena, too. What's the occasion? Is there a new mystery to solve?"

Jay chuckled, glad to see his friend in high spirits. "Something like that. We need your help, Owen. There are some strangers in town, and they're asking questions about us. We need to find out who they are and what they're after."

Owen's expression grew serious. "Strangers, huh? That doesn't sound good. What do you need me to do?"

"We need you to find out if there's any information on these men," Jay explained. "Anything that might give us a clue about who they are and where they're operating from. But be discreet—if they find out we're onto them, it could cause more trouble."

Owen nodded, his eyes focused. "Got it. I can do some digging, check out any reports of unusual activity in the area. But if they're as dangerous as you say, we should be prepared for a fight."

Elena agreed. "We are. But let's avoid conflict if we can. We don't want to put anyone in danger unnecessarily. Just find out what you can, and let us know if you come across anything suspicious."

With Owen on the task, Jay and Elena knew they had a reliable ally in their quest. They left the workshop, feeling more confident about their next steps. But they also knew that the strangers wouldn't wait forever. They needed to act fast to stay ahead of their enemies.