Seraphina awoke to the muffled sounds of the city stirring to life outside. The distant clatter of merchants setting up their stalls, the rhythmic march of patrols on cobblestone streets—Eldorin was alive and thriving.
Yet, despite the seeming normalcy, a deep unease gnawed at her.
Sitting upright in bed, she gazed down at Leon, who was still asleep, his small chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. His golden eyes had been filled with silent understanding the night before, a quiet awareness far beyond his infant years.
'His soul… it remembers.'
The thought chilled her. She had no proof, but instinct told her Leon was no ordinary child. He was her son, yes—but also something more. Something greater.
She brushed a strand of silver hair from his face and exhaled. There was no time for hesitation. They had to prepare.
By the time she descended to the common area of The Silver Hearth, the inn had come to life. A handful of travelers and locals occupied the tables, their conversations blending into the background hum of the city. The innkeeper, the same elderly man from the night before, stood behind the counter, watching her with a knowing glint in his eyes.
"Sleep well?" he asked.
Seraphina nodded. "Well enough."
The innkeeper smirked. "You look like someone with a lot on their mind." He leaned forward. "I may not know who you are, but I recognize people running from something when I see them."
Seraphina's gaze darkened slightly, but she didn't react otherwise. "I simply seek to live quietly," she replied smoothly.
The innkeeper chuckled. "Then you picked the wrong city, lass. Eldorin ain't as peaceful as it looks. The Vildren Empire's grip may keep order, but beneath it all, the nobles play their games, merchants make and break fortunes, and the underworld? It thrives in the shadows."
Seraphina narrowed her eyes slightly. "And you? Where do you stand in all of this?"
The old man gave a lopsided grin. "Me? I'm just an honest innkeeper."
Liar.
But she didn't press further. Instead, she changed the subject. "I need supplies. Where is the best place to find proper attire and perhaps… some weapons?"
The innkeeper tilted his head. "You've got the coin, so you won't have trouble finding what you need. The Merchant's Row in the central district has tailors and armorers. If it's weapons you want, though, the best smithy is Ironfang Forge, near the eastern wall."
Seraphina memorized the locations before nodding. "Thank you."
As she turned to leave, the old man called after her. "Word of advice, lass—watch your back. This city has a way of sinking its teeth into people who don't belong."
She didn't reply, but the warning lingered in her mind as she stepped out into the streets of Eldorin.
------
The morning air was crisp, the streets alive with movement. Eldorin was far more than a simple kingdom—it was a powerful city with a deep history, its citizens ranging from commoners to nobles, merchants to mercenaries.
Seraphina kept Leon close, wrapped in a thin shawl to shield him from prying eyes. Her noble demeanor already set her apart, and the last thing she needed was to attract unnecessary attention.
As she made her way through the bustling market streets, she caught snippets of conversation from passing merchants and townsfolk.
"...Another caravan attacked on the western border. Bandits growing bolder these days…"
"...The Duke's son is hosting a tournament next week. The winner gets a noble contract…"
"...Heard the Crimson Fangs are operating again. Thought they were wiped out…"
Seraphina kept walking, but one name made her stop.
The Crimson Fangs.
A notorious group of mercenaries—no, assassins—who worked in the shadows. She had heard of them before, long ago, back when she was still part of House Aeternis. They were ruthless, taking contracts from the highest bidder, and specializing in eliminating high-profile targets.
She clenched her fist.
'Were they involved in Reynard's death?'
She had no proof, but the possibility made her blood run cold.
Pushing the thought aside for now, she made her way toward Merchant's Row.
------
The central district was lined with stores, ranging from luxurious boutiques to modest stalls. The clinking of coins and the calls of merchants filled the air as people bartered and haggled.
Seraphina entered a tailor's shop first, purchasing simple yet elegant clothing—enough to blend in without drawing suspicion. She avoided anything that resembled noble attire. Her goal was to disappear into the crowd, not stand out.
Next, she visited Ironfang Forge. The blacksmith, a burly man with arms like tree trunks, greeted her with a grunt before turning back to his work.
"I need a dagger," she said simply.
The blacksmith raised an eyebrow but said nothing. He motioned toward a display case where several finely crafted daggers rested.
She tested the weight of a few before selecting one with a curved blade, small enough to conceal but sharp enough to kill if necessary.
"Good choice," the blacksmith grunted. "Five silver."
She paid without question.
As she stepped out of the forge, Leon stirred slightly in her arms, his golden eyes peering up at her.
"Don't worry," she murmured, pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead. "I won't let anything happen to you."
Leon's tiny fingers curled around the fabric of her cloak. Though he could not yet speak, his gaze was filled with an understanding far beyond his years.
Seraphina exhaled. Their new life in Eldorin had begun. But whether it would be a peaceful one…
That was yet to be seen.
------
As night fell over Eldorin, a figure slipped through the alleyways of the city. Cloaked in shadows, he moved with practiced silence, his steps measured and precise.
He reached the entrance of a secluded building, knocking three times in a distinct pattern. A small panel slid open, revealing a pair of watchful eyes.
"You're late," a voice murmured.
The cloaked figure smirked. "Had to confirm a rumor."
The door creaked open, allowing him entry. Inside, a group of men sat around a table, maps, and documents scattered across its surface.
The leader, a scarred man with piercing gray eyes, looked up. "What did you find?"
The cloaked figure lowered his hood, revealing a sharp-featured face. "House Aeternis is gone," he said. "The Lady and the child… dead or vanished without a trace."
Silence fell over the room.
"Not a single lead?" the leader asked.
The man shook his head. "None. If they survived that night, no one has seen or heard of them since."
The leader leaned back in his chair, deep in thought.
"Then for now… we consider them dead."
A slow, wicked grin spread across his face.
"But if they ever resurface… we'll be waiting."