The Road to Ardentia

The fog of Hollowbrook stayed with Aeron long after he departed the village. The confrontation with the Hunter had left him unsettled—not for its strength, but because it had pulled back. It hadn't attacked to kill. It had probed him.

That meant something—or someone—was observing, waiting for him to arrive at Ardentia.

His wound ached as he walked, the dried blood stiff against his sleeve. He needed proper treatment soon.

But stopping wasn't an option.

A Mysterious Companion

By the third day of travel, the landscape had changed. The thick forests gave way to golden plains, the rolling fields stretching endlessly beneath the afternoon sun.

Aeron followed the dirt road, lost in thought, when a voice rang out behind him.

"You stride about as though with the world's burden on you."

He whirled, hammer at hand.

A figure stood several paces off, arms folded around a bow looped across the back of dark-colored clothing. She had the air of confident self-assurance, her own dark cloak lifting slightly in the wind.

She didn't show fear of him.

"Who are you?" Aeron questioned, still with his weapon poised.

The woman smiled. "The one following you for the past two days."

Aeron's stomach tightened. "Tracking me?"

"Relax," she said. "If I wanted you dead, I wouldn't be standing here talking."

That didn't exactly ease his nerves. "Then what do you want?"

The woman studied him for a moment, her sharp green eyes taking in the hammer on his back.

"The Riftguard are gone," she said. "But you wield one of their weapons. That makes you a problem for certain people."

Aeron's fingers twitched. "And are you one of those people?"

She grinned. "No. But I wouldn't mind getting paid for turning you in."

Aeron took a step back, but the woman held up a hand. "Joking. Mostly."

He wasn't convinced.

She sighed. "Look, I don't care about your hammer, but I do care about who's hunting you. The Riftspawn? The Hunter? You've kicked a hornet's nest, and you don't even know it."

Aeron frowned. "And how do you know all this?"

The woman's grin faded. "Because I've been hunting them for years."

A Deal is Struck

Aeron didn't trust her. Not yet.

But if she really knew about the forces after him, she could be useful.

He exhaled. "You haven't told me your name."

The woman smirked again. "Kaela."

"Aeron."

She nodded toward the road ahead. "I assume you're headed to Ardentia?"

Aeron hesitated. He hadn't told her that, which meant she either guessed—or she already knew.

Still, lying wouldn't do him any favors.

"Yes."

Kaela stretched her arms. "Then we have the same destination. I'll travel with you."

Aeron raised an eyebrow. "Just like that?"

"You're injured. I have supplies. And if the Hunter comes back, you'll need backup." She tilted her head. "Besides, I'm curious if you'll survive long enough to reach Ardentia."

Aeron let out a sigh. This didn't feel right.

But he couldn't bear to be alone any longer.

"Fine," he said. "But if you betray me—"

Kaela laughed. "Take it easy, hero. You're not worth the effort."

They began walking.

Nightfall and an Unseen Threat

It wasn't until the sun fell below the horizon that they made camp beside a destroyed watchtower on a little hill.

As Aeron sat tending the fire, Kaela tossed him a small vial. "Drink that. It'll help with the wound."

Aeron hesitated but uncorked it, sniffing the liquid. It smelled bitter, but he downed it in one gulp. Warmth spread through his arm, numbing the pain slightly.

Kaela sat across from him, sharpening an arrow. "So, tell me, Aeron the Blacksmith—how does someone like you end up with a weapon like that?"

He paused, then explained. The rift. The attack on the village. The hammer selecting him.

Kaela sat in stunned silence, her head nodding every now and then.

When he was done, she spoke, "So you didn't want this."

Aeron shook his head. "I just wanted to live my life. Now… I don't have a choice."

Kaela's face grew grim. "None of us do."

Before Aeron could ask her what she meant, something stirred in the grass.

Instantly, Kaela was on her feet, bow drawn. Aeron grabbed his hammer.

The night was silent.

Then came a whisper.

"You are not alone."

Aeron's blood ran cold.

The Hunter had returned.