Chapter 88: Shadows of Doubt

As the door creaked open, the warm glow from within invited them inside. Lysandra hesitated for a brief moment, glancing back at Zephyrion and the boy, who looked equally uncertain. With a nod from Zephyrion, she stepped over the threshold, the comforting scent of herbs and firewood wrapping around her like a familiar embrace.

The interior was cozy, with shelves lined with books and potions, a fireplace flickering gently in one corner. A wooden table sat at the center, surrounded by chairs that beckoned them to sit.

"Make yourselves at home," Kael said, closing the door behind them. "I'll gather some provisions."

As he moved to a cupboard, Lysandra took a seat, her mind racing with thoughts.

"Do you think we can trust him?" the boy whispered, his eyes darting to Kael, who was now rifling through a small bag.

Zephyrion leaned closer, his brow furrowed. "I don't know. But right now, we don't have many options. Elara is still out there, and we need a plan."

Lysandra bit her lip, the weight of the situation settling heavily on her shoulders. "What if he leads us into a trap? We could end up worse off than before."

Zephyrion placed a reassuring hand on her arm. "We'll be cautious. If anything seems off, we'll act accordingly. For now, let's hear him out."

Kael turned around, several pieces of parchment in hand. "I've mapped out a few potential routes that will take you closer to Elara without drawing too much attention." He laid the parchment on the table, smoothing them out. "We need to be strategic."

As they examined the maps, Lysandra couldn't shake the lingering doubts. She caught herself watching Kael closely, analyzing every movement, every flicker of his gaze. Was this man truly their ally, or was he playing a deeper game?

"Here," Kael said, pointing to a spot on the map. "This is a hidden passage that leads directly to the outskirts of Elara's stronghold. It's risky, but it's also the quickest way in. If we time it right, we can avoid most of her guards."

Lysandra leaned in, her heart racing at the thought of confronting Elara. "What's the catch? There has to be a reason you know about this passage."

Kael met her gaze, his expression unyielding. "The catch is that you'll need to trust me. I've walked this land long enough to know its secrets, and I promise you, this is your best chance."

Zephyrion frowned. "And if it's a trap?"

Kael sighed, clearly losing his patience. "If I wanted to betray you, I would have done it already. I risk my own safety by helping you."

Lysandra exchanged a glance with Zephyrion, weighing their options. Could they afford to dismiss Kael's knowledge? The map he laid before them was filled with routes they had never considered.

"Fine," she said, her voice steady. "We'll take your route. But understand this—if you deceive us, I won't hesitate to protect myself."

Kael nodded, a flicker of admiration in his eyes. "I wouldn't expect anything less. Now, let's prepare. We'll leave at dawn."

As the night deepened, Lysandra found it hard to sleep, her mind racing with thoughts of Elara and the impending confrontation. She could feel the weight of destiny pressing upon her, urging her toward a future filled with uncertainty.

In the quiet of the cottage, she heard Zephyrion and the boy sharing hushed conversations, their voices a soothing balm against the rising tide of anxiety.

"Do you think we'll win?" the boy asked, a tremor in his voice.

Zephyrion's reply was firm, "We have to. For Lysandra's sake, we must prevail."

Lysandra smiled softly, feeling a warmth in her chest at their determination. She was no longer alone in this fight. They would face Elara together, come what may.

With that thought anchoring her, she closed her eyes, determined to be ready for the challenges that awaited them.

To be continued…