More Questions and a Truth

On the heels of finding their crew Darius and Elara have a heart to heart.

The fire burned low in the back of the cave, casting golden light over the stone walls and dancing across Elara’s face as she quietly checked the edge of her dagger. Outside, rain whispered through the trees, soft but steady, like the forest itself was holding its breath.

Darius sat across from her, elbows on his knees, eyes locked on the flames. Kale and Rockford were curled up near the entrance, fast asleep, their slow breathing the only sound besides the crackle of firewood.

“We were set up,” Darius muttered.

Elara didn’t look up. “I figured that out after the second patrol nearly caught us in the hollow tree pass.”

“No, I mean; this whole thing. The vault, the maps, the outpost. It was all a trick.”

Now she looked up. “What kind of trick?”

“They wanted us to find the vault. To open it. We were just...keys they couldn’t turn themselves.”

Elara slowly set her dagger down. Her voice was quiet but sharp. “Why didn’t you say anything earlier?”

Darius didn’t answer right away. He stared into the fire, jaw tense.

“I’m going to ask you a question,” she said. “And I want the truth this time.”

He looked up at her.

“How much did you know before this started?”

Darius exhaled. “More than I let on.”

Elara stood slowly, arms crossed. “Why did you lie?.”

“I didn’t mean to.”

“But you did,” she said, voice hard. “You lied, Darius. About who you are. About what we were walking into.”

“I thought I could handle it without putting anyone else in danger.”

Her eyes narrowed. “How’s that working out?”

Before he could answer, Rockford lifted his head and gave a low growl.

Kale stirred. “What is it?”

Elara turned to the cave mouth, rain glistening like silver threads beyond. Shadows moved in the distance.

“We’re not done,” she said, drawing her blades. “Not even close.”