The shadow of Asteris

The settlement came into view as the sun dipped below the horizon, bathing the desert in shades of crimson and gold. A cluster of weathered stone buildings clung to the side of a rocky hill, their edges softened by years of wind and sand. Smoke curled lazily from chimneys, and the faint hum of activity reached Elias and Alina as they approached.

“Asteris,” Alina said, her tone a mixture of relief and caution. “It’s small, but it’s safer than the open desert.”

“Safe is relative,” Elias muttered, scanning the horizon behind them. The memory of the riders lingered, and he couldn’t shake the feeling they were still being watched.

As they entered the settlement, the streets were alive with muted activity. Merchants packed up their stalls, children darted between alleys, and weary travelers sought refuge in the modest inn near the center of town. Despite the ordinary bustle, there was an underlying tension in the air—a wariness that made Elias’s skin prickle.

“We’ll need food and water,” Alina said, her voice low. “And somewhere to rest. But keep your guard up. Small towns like this have long memories, and strangers are always noticed.”

Elias nodded. “Let’s not linger longer than we have to.”

The inn, a squat building with peeling paint and a crooked sign reading *The Dune’s Respite*, was dimly lit and smelled of stale ale. Inside, a handful of patrons sat hunched over their drinks, their conversations hushed.

Alina approached the innkeeper, a wiry man with a patchy beard and sharp eyes. “We need a room and supplies,” she said, sliding a few coins across the counter.

The Innkeeper eyed her suspiciously but took the money. “Room’s upstairs. Second door on the left. Supplies’ll cost extra.”

Alina nodded curtly and turned to Elias. “Stay here. I’ll handle the provisions.”

Elias hesitated but agreed. As Alina disappeared into the back of the inn, he took a seat near the hearth, the flickering fire casting long shadows across the room.

He couldn’t Ignore the sensation creeping over him—the feeling of being watched.

It didn’t take long for his unease to be confirmed. A man seated at the far end of the room stood and approached him, his steps deliberate. He was tall and lean, his face half-hidden by a wide-brimmed hat.

“You don’t look like you’re from around here,” the man said, his voice smooth but tinged with suspicion.

“I could say the same about you,” Elias replied evenly, gripping his walking stick beneath the table.

The man smirked. “Fair enough. Name’s Kael. And you?”

“Elias.”

Kael nodded, his sharp eyes studying Elias carefully. “Strange times to be traveling through the desert, especially near the old ruins. Dangerous folk out there.”

Elias tensed but kept his expression neutral. “We’re just passing through.”

“‘We’?” Kael raised an eyebrow. “So you’re not alone.”

Elias didn’t respond, but his silence was answer enough.

Kael leaned closer, lowering his voice. “Word travels fast out here, Elias. People are saying the tower stirred. That someone went inside and lived to tell the tale. You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?”

Elias met Kael’s gaze, his heart pounding. “No idea what you’re talking about.”

Kael smiled faintly, his expression unreadable. “Of course not. But if you did, you might want to be careful. The harp’s song carries far, and there are those who would kill to possess it.”

Before Elias could respond, Alina returned, her arms full of supplies. She froze when she saw Kael, her eyes narrowing. “Who’s this?”

Kael straightened, tipping his hat to her. “Just a friendly stranger offering advice.”

“Well, we don’t need it,” Alina said curtly, stepping between Kael and Elias.

Kael chuckled. “Suit yourself. But consider this: the harp is more than you can handle alone. If you’re smart, you’ll find someone who understands its power before it consumes you.”

With that, he turned and left the inn, his boots echoing on the wooden floor.

Elias and Alina exchanged a glance.

“Who was he?” Alina asked.

“Kael,” Elias replied. “He knows about the harp.”

Alina frowned. “That’s not good. If he knows, others will too. We need to move quickly.”

Elias nodded, but Kael’s parting words lingered in his mind. The harp is more than you can handle alone.

“We need to find someone who can help us,” Elias said. “Someone who knows the old magic.”

Alina hesitated. “There might be someone… in Erythion. It’s a few days’ journey north, but the city has scholars and libraries. If there are answers, we’ll find them there.”

“Erythion,” Elias repeated. The name stirred something in him—a faint memory, just out of reach. “Then that’s where we’ll go.”

As they prepared to leave the settlement at first light, Elias couldn’t shake the feeling that Kael’s warning wasn’t just a casual remark. The harp’s song was growing louder in his mind, its pull stronger with each passing moment.

And somewhere in the shadows, forces were gathering—drawn to the power of the harp, and to the two travelers who carried its burden.

The first light of dawn painted the desert in hues of amber and rose as Elias and Alina departed Asteris. The air was cool, a brief respite before the sun rose higher and unleashed its relentless heat. Alina led the way, her stride purposeful, while Elias followed, his mind heavy with questions.

They had managed to rest for only a few hours, the tension from their encounter with Kael keeping them both on edge. His warning still echoed in Elias’s thoughts. *The harp’s song carries far.*

“How far is Erythion?” Elias asked, breaking the silence.

“Three days on foot, if we keep a steady pace,” Alina replied. “The path isn’t easy, but it’s safer than the open desert.”

Elias glanced at her. “You’ve been there before?”

“Once,” she said, her tone clipped. “It’s a city of contrasts. Grand towers and sprawling slums. Wealthy merchants rubbing shoulders with desperate thieves. It’s chaotic, but if we’re looking for someone who knows about the harp, that’s where we’ll find them.”

“And what about Kael?” Elias pressed. “Do you think he’ll follow us?”

Alina shrugged, her hand resting on the hilt of her dagger. “If he does, we’ll deal with him. But he’s not the only one we need to worry about. News travels fast, especially about something as dangerous as the harp.”

Elias nodded, the weight of their situation settling over him like a heavy cloak.