Smiles in Daylight, Shadows in the Dark

The village of Elmsbrook emerged from the woods like a dream spun from moss and time. Nestled beside a slow-moving stream and draped in creeping ivy, its thatched cottages and crooked chimneys exhaled wisps of wood smoke into the golden air. Windchimes made from shells and bones tinkled gently on the breeze, and the scent of honeysuckle drifted between the trees.

Selena gasped as they crested the hill overlooking the hamlet.

Selena: It's beautiful…

Selena: it looks like something out of a storybook.

Red's eyes, however, lingered on more than the charm. On the crude palisade wall that ringed the outskirts, too recently built to be for tradition. On the unease hidden in the smiles of those who looked up at their approach. And on the guards, farmhands in look but with knives hidden beneath their cloaks.

But Selena, as always, stepped forward with open warmth.

As they entered the village, a chorus of greetings rose.

Travelers! called a middle-aged man waving from his porch.

Out from Silverhaven, are you? asked a young woman with a baby strapped to her back.

Children ran past, laughing as they chased a spotted dog. A rooster flapped its wings and crowed defiantly at Red's boots.

An older woman, hunched and wrapped in a shawl of pale gray, stepped forward and gave Selena a warm, toothless smile.

Older woman: You two look like you've been walking the Green Road a while,

she said, her voice soft and raspy.

Older woman: Come, come...rest your feet."

Selena bowed slightly.

Selena: We're here for a small herb-picking quest, From the Guild.

she said brightly

Older woman: Ah, of course. We're grateful. Haven't had many visitors since…

The woman's smile faltered, just for a breath.

Older woman: Since the raid.

Red's eyes sharpened.

Red: Raid?

Older woman: Bandits. About a month back. Took three children. My little girl among them…

She glanced down at the ground, swallowing something sharp and painful.

Selena's smile faded.

Selena: I...I'm so sorry.

The old woman gave a nod.

Older woman: Thank you, dear. I keep a light in the window, just in case. But I know…

Her voice cracked.

Older woman: I know she's gone.

There was silence between them, filled only by the creaking of a nearby weathervane.

Older woman: Please...

the woman continued, lifting her head again.

Older woman: Let me repay your kindness. My home's small, but there's room by the hearth. Warm bread and soup for supper.

Selena looked to Red, eyes hopeful.

He gave a short nod.

Red: We'd be honored.

The home was crooked and old, smelling of lavender and smoke. Selena helped set the table while Red stood by the door, quietly observing. The villagers seemed genuine enough, kind eyes, soft voices, but something festered beneath the surface.

During dinner, Red asked casual questions.

Red: How's the harvest?

Older woman: Bit late this year.

Red: Many travelers lately?

Older woman: Just you two.

Red: Bandits ever return?

The old woman's eyes darted to the hearth.

Older woman: No. No… they took what they wanted.

Too quick. Too practiced.

And then there was the village chief.

He appeared briefly as the sun dipped below the trees, a large, robust man in embroidered robes far too fine for a village like this. He was accompanied by two armed men with polished weapons. He smiled and waved at Red and Selena from afar, but his eyes lingered too long. Measured. Calculating.

Red said nothing, but he watched the man disappear into a house adorned with carvings and gold-painted trim. Far too much wealth for a place that had supposedly been attacked and pillaged.

That night, after the fire burned low and Selena had dozed off beside it, Red rose.

He slipped outside without a sound, melting into the cool night air.

The moon was a thin sliver above the tree line, barely enough to cast shadows.

He moved like smoke between houses, his dark armor now layered with a hooded traveler's cloak that concealed his form.

The village chief's home was at the highest point of the hill, overlooking the rest like a silent sentinel. Torches burned on either side of the ornate door. Two guards stood watch, leaning against the wall and laughing quietly drunk, perhaps, or lazy from lack of true danger.

Red approached from the rear, scaling a low stone wall with practiced ease. He crouched behind a rain barrel, waiting for the right moment.

A breeze passed.

He was gone.

By the time one of the guards glanced up, Red was already on the roof.

He found a skylight glass paneled but unlatched. He opened it slowly, silently. Then he dropped inside.

He landed in a silent crouch atop a bookshelf in the village chief's study.

The room was filled with silks, maps, and more gold trinkets. Too much opulence for a simple village leader.

A door opened.

Red remained still in the darkness.

The chief entered, removing a heavy robe and hanging it with care. He crossed to a desk and pulled open a drawer.

Inside were sealed scrolls emblazoned with emblems Red recognized.

Slave trader marks. Bandit contracts. One bore the Midnight Pact symbol, burned into red wax.

Red's jaw clenched.

So this was it.

The chief had sold his own people. His own daughter, perhaps. To bandits. For profit. And those bandits were likely tied to the Pact using rural raids as a cover to acquire slaves for the darker trade routes in the north.

The chief pulled a pouch from the desk, weighing it in his hand, gold coins clinking.

He turned.

And met Red's eyes.

Red dropped from the bookshelf like a shadow.

The chief gasped but it's too late.

A hand closed over his mouth as Red drove him back against the wall.

Red: You're going to talk,

Red growled, voice low and dangerous. 

Red: You're going to tell me who's buying. Where they took the girl. What the Pact wants here.

The chief's eyes widened in terror.

Village Chief: I...I didn't know who they really were, he stammered.

Village Chief: It was just gold, easy gold! No one ever came looking! Just one deal, one deal! They promised they'd leave us alone if...

Red's eyes narrowed.

Red: They never leave people alone.

He slammed the man against the wall again, harder.

Red: Where is the meeting place?

The chief's lips trembled.

Village Chief: North ridge, old shrine, three nights from now. That's when the next shipment is due.

Red dropped him.

The man crumpled, sobbing.

Red: Consider your life spared,

Red said coldly.

Red: But if you warn them… I'll come back.

Then he vanished out the window.

Back at the old woman's cottage, Selena stirred as Red returned, his cloak slightly damp from dew.

He sat beside the hearth without a word.

Selena blinked sleepily.

Selena: Did you… go for a walk?

He nodded.

Red: Needed air.

She yawned and scooted closer.

Selena: It's a nice village, isn't it?

Red's eyes flicked toward the window.

Red: It's better than most.