Chapter 16

A whimper escaped Ysabel's lips as fingers, rough and unfamiliar, tangled in her hair. A suffocating fear had wrapped itself around her, so completely that she hadn't even registered the absence of the forest's oppressive green gloom. The hands that held her head gently tilted it upward, forcing her gaze to meet his. His eyes, dark and intense, held a chilling certainty that sent a shiver down her spine.

"That's right," The man said, his voice a low rumble that vibrated through the air.

"Look at me—only me." He watched, unblinking, as her fear-dilated eyes struggled to focus, the terror etched deep into her brow. Slowly, the knot of fear began to unravel, replaced by a dawning confusion.

"Are you back to your senses? Nod if you understand." His dark eyebrow arched, a question etched into his harsh features.

Ysabel attempted a nod, her head heavy and aching. The man watched her intently, his gaze unwavering, before finally releasing her chin.

"W-who? Who are you?" She croaked, her voice a mere rasp, her throat feeling like raw sandpaper.

"Elvin, water."

The man gestured with a curt flick of his wrist.

"Right away, sir ."

Ysabel watched as a young man, Elvin, quickly rose to his feet and scurried out of the makeshift tent. It was only then, that the full extent of her surroundings settled upon her, that she realized where she was. She was inside a tent, lying on a rough bed, and she was definitely not alone. A giant of a man, his frame barely contained within the cramped space, sat across her, and the man who had questioned her sat in front.

But how? The question echoed in her mind, a desperate, unanswered plea.

When Elvin returned, he carried a small tray laden with a pitcher of water, a small, dented tin cup, and a bowl of steaming soup, the aroma assaulted her nostrils.

"I figured she'd need something to fill her stomach," Elvin said, his voice softer than the other, a hint of concern in his tone. "It's been over a week, after all."

"W-what?" Ysabel gasped, disbelief battling with a gnawing hunger. Her hand instinctively went to her throat, the persistent dryness a painful reminder of her ordeal. Elvin gently offered her the water.

"Drink first," His voice quiet but firm.

Hesitantly, she took the cup, her eyes lingering on the clear liquid.

"It's not poisoned,"

The first man said, his voice laced with an undercurrent of irritation.

"We don't poison anyone we've taken the time to save and care for."

Avoiding his intense gaze, Ysabel took a tentative sip, the cool water a life-giving elixir, washing away the dryness in her throat. A sigh of relief escaped her lips.

"T-thank you," She whispered, her face flushing crimson under their collective gaze.

The young man, Elvin, watched her with an almost clinical curiosity, while the other two men seemed to radiate an air of bored indifference.

"We assumed you'd rested well,"

The first man said, his head cocked to one side, his gaze sweeping over her from head to toe. Ysabel instinctively clutched the rough fabric of the man's tunic she was wearing, a wave of mortifying embarrassment washing over her. She was dressed in men's clothing.

"You should introduce yourself, Aleric. The poor thing is trembling,"

A deep chuckle rumbled. She looked up to see a broad-shouldered man with a sardonic grin. Hector.

"She's a complete stranger, for all I care," Aleric scoffed, his impatience evident.

"I-I'm sorry," Ysabel stammered, her eyes wide with a mixture of fear and confusion. Aleric's volatile nature only served to heighten her anxiety.

"If you're so sorry, why not tell us who you are?" His eyes never left hers, searching, probing, as if he can see through her.

Ysabel swallowed hard, her throat suddenly dry again. She didn't know who these men were, but they had undeniably saved her life. Unless, of course, they had some connection to the soldiers of Sydren, or even to Commander Tahl… the thought sent a fresh wave of fear through her.

"My name is Aleric,"

The man said, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "That's Hector," He gestured to the giant across her, "and the dwarf is Elvin." A low groan of protest rumbled from them.

Ysabel's eyes flickered to the two men he'd named.

"You owe your life to them,"

Aleric continued, his tone suddenly sharp and cold. "Had they not been foolish enough to enter the Lair of Fallen, you'd be rotting by now."

The casual cruelty of his words sent a fresh wave of icy fear through her, draining the color from her face.

"Hey, now, now,"

Hector intervened, sensing Aleric's growing irritation. "Why don't you tell us your name, huh, lady?"

"I-I'm no lady,"

Ysabel corrected, her voice barely a whisper. "I'm just a-a commoner."

"Commoner or not, doesn't matter. Just tell us your name, yeah?"

Hector's patience was clearly wearing thin.

"Ysabel. My name is Ysabel Zurren."

Seeing the barely contained impatience in Hector's eyes, Ysabel blurted out.