A Day Out

Jane adjusted the straps of her simple travel bag, the faint breeze tugging at her loose hair as she walked alongside Aria. The two women strolled through the bustling market square, its lively atmosphere in sharp contrast to the somber weight that hung over both of them.

Stalls overflowed with vibrant goods—bolts of richly dyed fabric, baskets of fresh produce, and intricate jewelry that glinted in the sunlight. Merchants called out their wares with practiced enthusiasm, and children darted between the stands, their laughter a fleeting reminder of simpler times.

Aria's eyes wandered over a display of delicate glass figurines, her expression distant but soft. "It's strange," she said quietly, picking up a tiny glass fox. "Being here… it feels almost normal."

Jane nodded, though her gaze was elsewhere. "Normal feels so far away these days."

Aria glanced at her, her lips curving into a faint smile. "That's why we're here, remember? To forget for a little while."

Jane forced a smile in return, though the weight in her chest remained. She knew Aria meant well. A day out in the market, away from the looming shadow of Eclipsevane and its endless troubles, was supposed to help. But no matter how vibrant the world around her seemed, her thoughts always drifted back to Changra. To the guilt. To the gnawing feeling she couldn't quite name.

"Look at this one," Aria said, holding up a pendant shaped like a crescent moon. "It's pretty, isn't it?"

Jane blinked, pulled from her thoughts. She nodded, managing a small laugh. "It is. You've got a good eye."

Aria tilted her head, studying Jane for a moment before setting the pendant down. "You're thinking about him, aren't you?"

Jane's smile faltered, and she looked away, her hands tightening around the straps of her bag. "I can't help it. He's just… there. Always."

Aria softened her tone, stepping closer. "You've done everything you can for him, Jane. You've been there for him, fought for him. But you can't carry this alone."

"I know," Jane said quietly, though her voice lacked conviction. She turned to a stall displaying an array of baked goods, their sweet aroma wafting through the air. She picked up a small loaf of honeyed bread, her fingers brushing the golden crust as if grounding herself in the present. "I just… I wish I could do more."

Aria placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "We all do. But we have to trust that he'll come back to us. Somehow."

Jane hesitated before nodding, her grip on the bread tightening. "Yeah. Somehow."

The two continued through the market, their conversation drifting to lighter topics. Aria recounted a story about a mishap during a training session, complete with wild gesticulations that drew laughter from Jane despite herself. For a moment, it felt like they were just two friends enjoying a peaceful day out.

But as they turned a corner, Jane's gaze caught on a polished silver mirror hanging in a merchant's stall. Her reflection stared back at her, but her eyes seemed different—darker, hungrier. She quickly looked away, her heart racing.

"Jane?" Aria asked, her brow furrowed with concern.

"It's nothing," Jane lied, forcing another smile. "Let's keep going."

But as they walked on, the unease lingered. Deep down, Jane knew it wasn't nothing. It was growing. And she couldn't ignore it forever.

The two women strolled through the market, their steps lighter as they allowed themselves to embrace the vibrant energy around them. Jane had even bought the loaf of honeyed bread, nibbling on it as they wandered between stalls. Aria led the way, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm as she pointed out trinkets and treasures.

"Look at this!" Aria exclaimed, holding up a small wooden figurine of a griffin. Its wings were carved with intricate detail, and the wood shone as if freshly polished. "It reminds me of that time Thorne tried to ride that griffin we found injured near the cliffs. What was it he said? 'Griffins are just flying horses!'"

Jane laughed, the memory tugging a genuine smile from her. "And then it promptly threw him into the lake. I think that was the first time he apologized to anyone—or anything."

Aria grinned, placing the figurine back on the table. "He still insists it was a tactical maneuver."

The two shared a laugh, their earlier worries momentarily forgotten. They reached a stall selling brightly colored scarves, and Aria immediately began rifling through them.

"You'd look great in this," Aria said, holding up a deep green scarf. She draped it around Jane's shoulders, stepping back to admire her handiwork. "See? Perfect."

Jane chuckled, adjusting the scarf. "I think it's more your color, honestly."

"Maybe we'll get matching ones," Aria said with a wink. "Then we'll be unstoppable."

As they moved further into the market, Aria suddenly stopped, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Oh, I almost forgot! Thorne's waiting for us at the tavern down the road. He said he's got something to show us."

Jane raised an eyebrow. "Thorne has something to show us? That's either going to be hilarious or mildly concerning."

"Probably both," Aria said with a laugh. "But he's not alone. He mentioned he's with a friend from another guild."

"Another guild?" Jane echoed, curiosity piqued. "Any idea who?"

Aria shrugged. "He didn't say. But knowing Thorne, it's probably someone just as chaotic as he is."

Jane shook her head with a smile. "This should be interesting."

The two quickened their pace, weaving through the bustling crowd toward the tavern. The scent of roasted meat and spiced cider filled the air as they approached, the noise of chatter and laughter spilling out into the street. Jane felt a flicker of anticipation. For once, it was nice to focus on something other than the weight of everything that had happened.

When they stepped inside, it didn't take long to spot Thorne. He was sitting at a table near the hearth, gesturing animatedly as he spoke to a figure beside him. His silver hair caught the firelight, and his wide grin was as infectious as ever.

"There they are!" Thorne shouted, standing and waving them over with exaggerated enthusiasm. "I was startin' to think you'd forgotten about me!"

Jane and Aria exchanged a look, both suppressing a laugh, before making their way over. As they approached, Jane's gaze shifted to the person sitting beside Thorne—a young man with a quiet demeanor but a sharp, observant look in his eyes.

"Ladies," Thorne said, his grin widening. "Meet my new friend, Kaelor. He's from Ironpact."

"Pleasure to meet you," Kaelor said with a polite nod, his voice calm and measured. He extended a hand toward Jane, who shook it with a warm smile.

"This should be fun," Jane murmured under her breath to Aria, who stifled a giggle.

The warm buzz of the tavern wrapped around Jane and Aria like a comforting cloak. Thorne wasted no time motioning for them to sit down, pushing tankards of cider toward them with a grin that could rival the fire's glow.

"First round's on me," Thorne announced, puffing out his chest like he'd won a grand battle. "You're welcome."

Aria rolled her eyes, settling into the chair beside him. "Generous as ever, Thorne."

Kaelor smirked, his fingers tapping idly on the edge of his tankard. "He's been telling me stories about you two all evening. Said you're the only ones who've ever managed to knock him flat on his back."

Jane leaned back, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "Only because he underestimates us."

"Or overestimates himself," Aria quipped, earning a laugh from the group.

Thorne held a hand to his chest in mock offense. "I'll have you know, I let you win. Had to give you somethin' to brag about, didn't I?"

"Sure, sure," Jane said, lifting her tankard with a grin. "To Thorne, the most humble fighter we've ever known."

The table burst into laughter as Thorne muttered something about unfair treatment, but even he couldn't suppress his grin. The lighthearted atmosphere was infectious, and for a moment, the weight of the world outside the tavern melted away.

"So," Aria began, turning her attention to Kaelor. "How'd you end up tangled with this one?" She nodded toward Thorne, who was now attempting to balance a piece of bread on his nose.

Kaelor chuckled softly. "Ironpact sent me on a mission near the southern woods. Ran into Thorne trying to 'convince' a group of bandits that their stolen goods weren't worth keeping."

"Convince?" Jane asked, raising an eyebrow.

Kaelor's smirk widened. "He was halfway through eating one of their rations when I found him."

"Rations are sacred," Thorne said solemnly, finally letting the bread fall onto the table. "Bandits or not, they had good jerky."

"Of course, that's what stuck out to you," Aria said with a laugh.

The conversation flowed effortlessly as they exchanged stories, jokes, and the occasional exaggerated tale from Thorne. Jane found herself relaxing more than she had in weeks, her worries momentarily pushed aside by the warmth of camaraderie.

Eventually, Kaelor leaned back in his chair, studying the group with quiet amusement. "You're a lively bunch. Thorne didn't do you justice."

Aria smirked. "We've had our fair share of adventures."

"And misadventures," Jane added, a playful glint in her eye.

Thorne raised his tankard. "To many more of both!"

As their tankards clinked together, Jane couldn't help but glance around the table. For the first time in what felt like forever, she felt the faintest flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, they could find a way to move forward.

But as the thought crossed her mind, she caught her reflection in her tankard—a brief flash of her own eyes, darkened with a shadow she couldn't quite shake. She quickly looked away, focusing instead on the laughter around her.

The group decided to leave the tavern as the evening breeze swept through the streets, cooling the warmth left by the bustling crowd. Thorne walked ahead, his enthusiasm never waning as he recounted yet another story of his daring exploits.

"I'm tellin' you," Thorne said, gesturing dramatically. "The wolf was this close to takin' my head off. But, of course, I was quicker."

"Quicker to run?" Aria teased, nudging him playfully.

Thorne gasped in mock outrage. "I'll have you know, I stood my ground."

"Sure you did," Jane said, her voice light with amusement. She found herself glancing at Kaelor, who remained quieter than the others but seemed content to soak in the lively energy around him.

As they rounded a corner, the streets grew quieter. The hum of the village faded into the background, replaced by the distant rustle of leaves in the cool night air. It was Kaelor who stopped first, his sharp gaze catching movement up ahead.

"Do you see that?" he asked, his voice low.

The group paused, following his line of sight. In the dim light, a tall, slender figure stood beneath an ancient tree. A bird—large and sleek, with midnight feathers that gleamed faintly—perched on his outstretched arm.

Thorne squinted. "Is that…?"

"Aetterus," Aria confirmed, her voice cautious. "What's he doing here?"

Jane's stomach twisted slightly. Aetterus's presence always carried an air of unease, his unpredictable nature making him as much a mystery as a threat. As they approached, the man turned his head slightly, as though he'd been expecting them all along.

"Ah," Aetterus said, his smooth, almost sing-song voice cutting through the quiet. "The merry band returns. And what a delight to cross paths on such an ordinary night."

The bird on his arm ruffled its feathers, tilting its head as if examining the group. Aetterus's hazel eyes gleamed with mischief, his perpetual smirk firmly in place.

"What are you doing here, Aetterus?" Jane asked, her voice firmer than she felt.

He raised his free hand, gesturing vaguely toward the bird. "Simply observing. This little one brought me a message, you see. And I thought, why not deliver it personally?"

Kaelor stepped forward slightly, his expression wary. "A message for who?"

Aetterus chuckled, his gaze sliding lazily over the group. "For anyone who'll listen, of course. But I suspect it'll be of particular interest to one of you."

"What's the message?" Aria pressed, her tone sharper now.

Aetterus tilted his head, his grin widening. "Patience, my dear. All in due time."

Thorne crossed his arms, clearly unimpressed. "Why don't ya just spit it out?"

Aetterus's eyes glinted with amusement as he finally extended his hand, allowing the bird to hop onto the ground. Its talons clicked softly against the stone as it turned its head to Jane, offering a low, melodic caw.

"It seems the winds are shifting," Aetterus said cryptically. "And they carry whispers of chaos."

Jane stiffened at his words, her gaze narrowing. "What do you mean?"

Aetterus's smirk softened, though it lost none of its edge. "All I mean," he said, his voice low and lilting, "is that you should prepare yourselves. The boy of prophecy has awakened, after all. And where he goes, chaos is never far behind."

The group exchanged uneasy glances as Aetterus stepped back, the bird taking flight into the night. With a playful bow, he added, "I trust you'll make the most of this information."

Then, with the air of someone who had said exactly what he intended, Aetterus turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving the group with only the faint flutter of wings and an ominous sense of foreboding.