Unravel

Lucas stared at the ground for a moment, jaw tight. "Of course they saved the worst for last…"

Sylmara stepped closer, voice low but firm. "If we move fast, we can reach them before the next convoy arrives. But we leave tonight."

****

They arrived just before dawn.

The mountains parted into a wide valley, bathed in soft, golden light. Mist clung to the hills, and below them, nestled between the stone ridges, was the village.

But it wasn't what any of them expected.

No guards.

No chains.

No screaming prisoners.

Just… life.

Children ran through narrow dirt paths, laughing. Farmers moved between fields, carrying baskets of vegetables. A group of elders sat under a tree, playing some kind of board game. Smoke curled lazily from chimneys. Chickens clucked. Dogs barked.

It looked... normal. Peaceful.

Too peaceful.

Lucas squinted, scanning the scene. "You sure this is the right place?"