Sonder stepped forward cautiously, the tunnel falling away behind her as the space opened fully around her.
The stone on the floor was cut stone, not natural ground. It had been set here with intent.
It was smooth and aligned.
She had entered what must have been a courtyard.
The ceiling arched high above her.
At the center stood a fountain.
The basin was made of dark stone veined with faint pale lines.
The design was elegant and refined, seemingly made by a master craftsman.
Water flowed quietly from its center. It was clear and untroubled, spilling into the basin with a soft, continuous sound.
Sonder approached slowly.
The water looked… normal.
She watched it for several seconds, half-expecting something to stir beneath the surface.
Nothing did.
She circled the fountain and poked it with her staff.
It was just a normal fountain.
"Strange," she thought.
She looked up the pillars, across the balconies, into the dark openings that must have led deeper and into other parts of this castle interior.
That was when she saw movement.
Figures emerged from the shadows at the far edge of the courtyard.
Sonder froze.
They walked with measured, deliberate steps, their silhouettes tall and angular. Their armor was much like that of the rider she had seen before. They were also cloaked in gray cloaks. But their helmets had fewer wings on them, two only.
Some lesser dark knights; not as high as the rider.
Sonder scanned the courtyard for cover, but there was none worth trusting, not the fountain, not the pillars, nothing.
She shifted her stance, and let power flower through her. Lifting the staff, she prepared for the worst.
The figures drew closer with heavy thudding of their boots.
And then, they simply passed her.
Their heads turned, just slightly. It was enough to confirm it was no coincidence, nor that they had overlooked her.
They knew she was there.
But they did not slow. They did not reach for weapons. They did not speak.
They walked on, their heads turning straight again, attention fixed elsewhere, boots echoing softly against the stone as they crossed the courtyard and vanished into another shadowed corridor beyond.
Sonder remained still until the sound of their footsteps faded completely.
They had ignored her.
Whatever governed this place, whatever purpose these knights served, Sonder was not yet part of it, or was allowed to walk freely.
But to Sonder this confirmed that this castle wasn't abandoned like the land outside was.
Now she only had to find the lord of this place.