Chapter 19

Ysabel felt Aleric's gaze burning into the back of her neck. She didn't need to turn to know he was watching, a silent, predatory presence that prickled her skin. She'd told herself she wouldn't be afraid, but a cold knot of anxiety tightened in her chest.

The crackling bonfire cast dancing shadows as Aleric and Elvin finally approached, taking seats opposite her. The three men – Aleric, Elvin, and Hector – formed an intimidating semicircle, the flames the only barrier between Ysabel and their unwavering scrutiny. She felt utterly exposed, trapped in the glare of three predatory eyes. The warmth of the fire did little to dispel the icy chill that settled deep within her bones.

"I assume you've been well, Ysabel,"

Aleric began, his voice a deceptively calm counterpoint to the intensity of his gaze. He idly poked at the burning wood, the rhythmic tap-tap-tap a jarring counterpoint to the silence hanging heavy in the air.

"Yes… sir Aleric,"

She stammered, her voice barely a whisper. "Thank you for… everything you've done." She quickly lowered her eyes, focusing on the cup of tea in her hands, the warmth of the ceramic a small comfort against the icy dread that threatened to consume her.

"Hmm. Then I'll not beat around the bush," Aleric stated, his voice firm, brooking no argument. "As Elvin may have informed you, I need to ask a few questions. Is that alright, Ysabel?"

"I'll answer… everything you need to know, sir Aleric,"

She replied, her voice trembling slightly. The carefully constructed facade of composure threatened to crumble under the weight of her mounting fear. Each breath felt shallow, each heartbeat a frantic drum against her ribs.

"I appreciate that,"

Aleric acknowledged, his expression unreadable. "As you may know, Hector and Elvin found you half-dead in the Lair of Fallen. It's… rather uncanny. This idiot—" He shot a sharp, reprimanding glance at Elvin who visibly stiffen, before he sighed. "The Lair of Fallen is forbidden to humans. A vast, ancient forest, believed to hold secrets best left undisturbed – witness of the past, monsters, and things far worse." He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in.

Ysabel's eyes snapped to his, her lips parting in a silent gasp. She wanted to speak, to protest, to explain, but something in Aleric's unwavering gaze held her captive.

"No human, no monster, who has entered that forest has ever returned,"

He continued, his voice low and grave. "Either they're lost forever, or… killed by something unknown. The old tales speak of the trees themselves being alive, breathing, sentient guardians of the forest. Knowing your condition when they found you… how?"

"How… what do you mean, 'how'?" Ysabel's breath hitched, a sharp pain lancing through her chest. The room seemed to spin, the flames of the bonfire blurring at the edges of her vision.

"Didn't you hear me? The Lair of Fallen is an impossible place," Aleric said, his brow furrowing slightly, a flicker of concern crossing his features. He was trying not to frighten her, she realized, but the very effort only amplified the underlying threat.

"But I… I didn't know," Ysabel whispered, her voice barely audible. "I thought it was just… another forest. I—" She pressed a hand to her head, the throbbing pain a physical manifestation of her mounting panic.

"Another thing,"

Aleric interrupted, his voice regaining its steely edge. He gestured to Hector, who silently produced a dagger, its ornate hilt glinting in the firelight. He handed it to Aleric.

Ysabel's eyes widened, her forgotten fear resurfacing. The sight of the dagger, the familiar emblem etched into its hilt, sent a fresh wave of icy dread coursing through her veins.

"This blade," Aleric said, his voice sharp, his finger tracing the curved sigil of Sydren, "bears the emblem of Sydren. Are you… from Sydren?"

Ysabel's lips trembled, her eyes darting nervously between Aleric and the dagger. His gaze was a silent warning, a promise of consequences should she lie. She shook her head, trying desperately to regain her composure, but the effort was futile.

"Y-yes," she choked out, her voice breaking. "I… I live there.."

Ysabel held her breath as she saw Aleric's eyes burn with rage.