Dark & Light – Chapter 13: A Day in Redgrove

Morning in the Trader's Home

The first thing Rai noticed when he woke up was the scent of fresh bread and meat cooking downstairs. The house was warm, the early morning light creeping through the wooden window, casting long shadows across the small guest room.

Vael was already gone.

Rai sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes, remembering last night's conversation.

"Be careful around Mira. Don't start trouble."

He smirked to himself. It's not like I'm the one looking for trouble.

Swinging his legs over the side of the bed, he stood, stretched, and grabbed his tunic before heading downstairs.

Breakfast & Small Challenges

Toban's wife, Elena, greeted him with a warm smile as he stepped into the kitchen. "Morning, Rai. Sleep well?"

He nodded. "Yeah. Smells good."

Mira was already at the table, chewing on a piece of bread. She eyed him but didn't say anything.

Elena placed a plate in front of him—eggs, toasted bread, and smoked meat.

As he picked up his fork, Mira suddenly spoke. "You ever ride a horse?"

Rai blinked. "What?"

She leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. "You heard me. You ever ride a horse before?"

Rai hesitated. "Uh… no?"

Mira smirked. "Figured."

Rai narrowed his eyes. "Why?"

She grinned. "Because I'm gonna teach you today."

Elena sighed. "Mira, don't terrorize the boy first thing in the morning."

Mira rolled her eyes. "I'm not terrorizing him! I'm helping."

Rai raised an eyebrow. "Sounds like you just wanna make me look bad."

Mira grinned. "That, too."

Rai sighed. "Fine. But don't blame me if I'm a natural."

Mira chuckled. "We'll see."

The Stables

After breakfast, Mira led Rai outside to the stables. The scent of hay and leather filled the air, and the soft huffs of horses greeted them as they stepped inside.

Mira pulled open a stable door, revealing a sleek brown mare. "This one's good for beginners."

Rai hesitated. "So… what do I do?"

Mira rolled her eyes. "First, you get on."

Rai tried—but the horse moved just as he put his foot in the stirrup, making him stumble.

Mira burst out laughing.

Rai groaned. "Oh, shut up."

Mira smirked. "You're stiff. Relax, or the horse will feel it."

Rai took a deep breath, tried again, and this time—he got on.

Mira crossed her arms. "Not bad."

Rai grinned. "Told you I'd be a natural."

Mira smirked. "You're sitting on it. That's not riding."

Rai frowned. "Oh."

First Ride

The next hour was… an experience.

Mira led the horse slowly at first, showing Rai how to hold the reins, how to signal turns, and most importantly—how not to fall off.

At first, Rai was tense, gripping the reins too tightly.

"Relax," Mira called out. "You're not wrestling it!"

Slowly, he adjusted.

Within an hour, he was moving at a steady trot.

Mira finally nodded. "Alright. You're not completely useless."

Rai smirked. "I'll take that as a compliment."

Mira chuckled. "It was."

A Quiet Moment

As the midday sun rose high, the two of them sat on the fence near the stable, watching the horses graze.

Mira turned to Rai. "So, you and Vael. Where are you heading?"

Rai hesitated. "North."

Mira nodded. "Why?"

Rai looked away. "Just… traveling."

Mira smirked. "That's vague."

Rai sighed. "It's complicated."

She didn't press further, simply watching the horizon.

"You're a weird one, Rai."

He glanced at her. "You're not exactly normal yourself."

Mira grinned. "Fair enough."

Meanwhile…

Far from the quiet farm, Vael stood in the forest, tracking prey.

His movements were silent, precise—the instincts of a warrior, buried beneath years of self-restraint.

Yet, as he crouched near the underbrush, sensing movement in the trees, he couldn't shake the unease creeping into his thoughts.

Something felt… off.

End of Chapter 13