---
The grand hall stood eerily still.
Where moments ago, the Governor's presence had filled the space, now it was empty. The air, though not heavy like before, still carried something… lingering.
John wasn't sure if it was the weight of the conversation, or just the quiet feeling that nothing about this was as simple as it seemed.
Then, a voice—smooth, calm, perfectly controlled.
"Honored guests."
John turned as a group of attendants entered the chamber.
They moved with the same effortless grace as the Governor, their robes—deep gray and silver—flowing as they stepped forward.
The lead attendant, a middle-aged woman with sharp features, lowered her head slightly in greeting.
ATTENDANT (composed, polite)
"We are here to escort you to your chambers. Please, follow us."
For a second, no one moved.
Jake's arms were crossed, his jaw tight.
Finn, standing just to John's right, nudged him lightly.
FINN (low, muttering)
"Okay, so weird question—are we still guests, or did we just get upgraded to house pets?"
John let out a quiet exhale, barely suppressing a small smile.
Sally's lips twitched, but she didn't comment.
Aurora, shot Finn a sideways glance.
AURORA (dry, unimpressed)
"You'd be the first one trained."
Finn gasped dramatically,
Jake finally made a sound—something between a snort and an exhausted sigh.
JAKE (smirking, shaking his head)
"Yeah, that checks out."
The attendant simply waited, unbothered, hands folded in front of her.
John glanced at her again, then at the others.
No point in stalling.
JOHN (nods, neutral)
"Alright. Lead the way."
The attendants turned, moving toward the corridor.
The group followed, still exchanging quiet glances.
---
The estate was massive.
The halls stretched on longer than expected, twisting in ways that made it hard to tell just how deep into the structure they were going.
Every corridor was carved from smooth stone, but unlike the city outside, this place wasn't cold.
It wasn't warm, either.
It just felt… precise.
The torches lining the walls burned with a blue-tinged flame, flickering, but never sputtering.
Everything was measured. Balanced. Controlled.
Finn, walking slightly ahead, whistled softly.
FINN (low, glancing around)
"Alright, credit where it's due. This guy's got style."
AURORA (dry)
"You'd say that about any place with fancy chairs."
Finn scoffed, undeterred.
FINN (shrugging)
"Yeah but, fancy chairs are important you know. You ever sit in a bad chair? Ruins your whole day."
Sally rolled her eyes sighing, but Harry finally spoke up.
HARRY (calm, observing)
"Nah, It's more than just style."
Finn turned to him, curious.
FINN (grinning)
"Yeah? What's your take, oh wise one?"
Harry didn't react to the teasing.
His fingers brushed the smooth wall as they walked, eyes flicking between the engravings and the tiny, almost imperceptible ridges in the stonework.
HARRY (thoughtful, quiet)
"It's not decorative. It's functional."
SALLY (curious, but wary)
"Functional how?"
Harry tilted his head, thinking.
Then, he lowered his hand,
HARRY (musing, half to himself)
"The way this place is built… it's designed to last. The walls, the angles. No wasted space. No excess."
John, listening, found himself noticing it now too.
Nothing about the estate was just for show.
It was beautiful, yes. But it was built with intent.
Finn squinted at Harry.
Then at the walls.
FINN (flat, unimpressed)
"...Yeah, I still think it's just fancy."
AURORA (smirking)
"Maybe if you had a single super serious thought in your life, you'd get it."
Finn scoffed.
FINN (grinning, trying to clear his name)
"Excuse me, I have serious thoughts all the time. Just, y'know, very briefly."
King, who had been mostly quiet, exhaled.
KING (low, amused)
"That tracks."
Jake, still walking toward the back of the group, rolled his eyes.
JAKE (sighing, clearly done with this)
"Can we focus for once?"
John glanced back at him, then at Sally, who gave him a knowing look.
Even though the tension had eased, they weren't here to admire the architecture.
They were still in his house.
And they still didn't know why.
John turned his attention forward again—just in time for the attendants to stop.
---
The double doors ahead of them were carved from polished stone, smooth and sturdy.
The lead attendant turned toward them, bowing slightly.
ATTENDANT (calm, polite)
"These are your quarters. You are free to rest, prepare, and settle in as you wish. When the time for dinner approaches, we will return to escort you."
John nodded once.
The attendant lifted a hand, pressing it lightly to the center of the stone.
A faint hum, almost imperceptible, resonated through the air.
Then—the doors swung open.
The room inside was spacious. Elegant.
Not overwhelming, but undeniably designed for people of status.
John barely had time to take it in before Finn stepped forward with a low whistle.
FINN (grinning, stepping inside)
"Well, well. Look at this. We're practically nobles now."
John, looked around, about to follow—
Then stopped.
Something felt off.
When he turned— his stomach dropped.
Vey was gone.
---
Vey was not there.
Not lagging behind, not hanging back in the shadows.
Gone.
The empty hallway stretched behind them, torches burning soft blue against the polished stone.
But there was no trace of him.
No footsteps. No sound.
Nothing.
Aurora blinked first.
Then—she tilted her head slightly, as if expecting him to reappear.
AURORA (slow, thoughtful)
"…That's weird."
Finn, already half-seated in one of the chairs, lifted his head and frowned.
Then, in perfect sync, he tilted his head too.
FINN (mirroring her, mock serious)
"…Very weird."
Aurora turned to him.
Finn turned to her.
Their eyes met.
And in unspoken agreement, they nodded at each other.
Then—at the same time, they both looked at John.
AURORA & FINN (together, completely serious)
"He's a ghost."
Sally exhaled loudly through her nose.
Jake let out a sharp breath, rubbing his face.
JAKE (grumbling, irritated)
"Oh, for fu—he's not a ghost."
FINN (mock offended, to Jake)
"Oh yeah? Name one piece of evidence that proves he isn't."
Jake opened his mouth.
Paused.
Scowled.
JAKE (gritted teeth, exasperated)
"He was literally just here."
Aurora crossed her arms, pretending to consider this.
Then, casually, she gestured toward the empty space where Vey had been.
AURORA (calm, clealy unimpressed)
"And now he's literally not."
Finn gasped dramatically, nodding.
FINN (grinning, nudging Aurora)
"See? She gets it."
Aurora smirked, tilting her head toward Finn.
AURORA (smirking, teasing)
"Great minds think alike."
John sighed.
Sally rolled her eyes.
Jake made a noise that sounded vaguely like he was giving up on life.
Harry, standing slightly apart, hadn't spoken yet.
But he wasn't ignoring them, either.
Expect finn and aurora of course.
His eyes were locked on the floor where Vey had been standing.
John noticed the way his fingers twitched slightly at his side.
Thinking.
HARRY (murmuring, sharp but quiet)
"…No footsteps."
Jake turned toward him, frowning.
JAKE (grumbling, annoyed)
"What?"
Harry gestured vaguely.
HARRY (calm, observant)
"There's nothing. No dust shift. No sign of movement. Almost as if he disappeared behind us."
Aurora raised a brow.
Finn tilted his head again, this time at Harry.
FINN (curious, thoughtful)
"…That's actually kinda creepy."
Aurora nodded in agreement.
AURORA (soft, intrigued)
"Right? Almost like he just… blinked out of existence."
Finn tapped his chin.
Then, after a pause—he snapped his fingers.
FINN (grinning, nodding at Aurora)
"Okay, ghost theory is back on the table."
Aurora pointed at him.
AURORA (smirking, nodding back)
"Never left, honestly."
Jake let out a frustrated groan.
JAKE (deadpan, shaking his head)
"I hate you both."
Aurora and Finn beamed at him.
Jake turned away like a disappointment parent.
Sally, meanwhile, was studying the hallway.
But unlike Harry, she wasn't looking for evidence.
She was watching the attendants.
They hadn't reacted.
Not to Vey's disappearance. Not to the group's conversation.
Not even when they had openly acknowledged that one of them was missing.
They just stood there. Waiting. Unbothered.
And that bothered her.
Finally, she exhaled through her nose.
SALLY (low, muttering to John)
"Shouldn't they be surprised as well?"
John was thinking the same.
And she was right.
Not only were they not surprised—they hadn't even acknowledged it.
Jake clenched his fists.
JAKE (gritted teeth, frustrated)
"Whatever, he was annoying anyway."
Finn grinned.
FINN (mock supportive, patting Jake on the back)
"You love him, admit it."
Jake turned to him slowly.
Even Harry smirked slightly.
John sighed, shaking his head.
JOHN (muttering, resigned)
"We'll deal with it later. Let's just relax for now."
There was no point in wasting energy on Vey's disappearing act now.
Whatever he was doing—he had chosen to do it.
And something told John that when Vey wanted to show up again, he would.
---
For now, they had bigger things to focus on.
John turned toward the attendants, who finally—wordlessly—gestured toward the open doors.
ATTENDANT (calm, polite, but offering nothing more)
"Your accommodations await."
John nodded, stepping forward.
The others followed, the doors closing behind them.
---
The doors shut behind them with a dull, resounding thud.
And for the first time since arriving at the estate, they were alone.
The room was… unexpected.
John had been bracing for something extravagant, something overwhelmingly grand—the kind of wealth that screamed for attention.
But this?
This was comfortable.
The high ceilings and polished stone remained, but the space itself was warm. Lived-in.
Soft, woven rugs stretched across the floor. A large stone table sat in the center, surrounded by finely carved chairs.
On one side, a sprawling set of beds lined the far wall, each layered with thick, dark blue blankets.
A small fireplace flickered in the corner, casting a soft, golden glow over the room.
Finn let out a low whistle.
FINN (grinning, hands on hips)
"Well, well, well. Would you look at this?"
Without hesitation, he strode forward and flopped dramatically onto the nearest bed.
FINN (sighing, arms spread out)
"Yep. I live here now."
Aurora followed suit, sliding onto the bed beside him with a smirk.
She tested the blanket between her fingers, raising an eyebrow.
AURORA (thoughtful, amused)
"…Huh. Softer than I expected."
Finn rolled over onto his stomach, propping himself up on his elbows.
FINN (grinning, nudging her)
"Right? Not bad, not bad."
Aurora leaned in slightly, lowering her voice like she was letting him in on a secret.
AURORA (conspiratorial whisper)
"You think we could steal the blankets?"
Finn's expression turned dead serious.
FINN (whispering back, grave tone)
"Oh, 100%. Let's do it."
John, standing near the entrance, sighed.
JOHN (flat, unimpressed)
"We've been here for thirty seconds you two."
Finn gestured vaguely around the room.
FINN (matter-of-factly)
"And I've already formed an emotional attachment. Can't help it."
Aurora nodded solemnly.
AURORA (sincere, hand over heart)
"It's just who he is."
Jake, still standing stiffly near the door, let out an exasperated scoff.
JAKE (grumbling, arms crossed)
"Can you two not get us killed under five minutes?"
Finn and Aurora both turned their heads at the same time, blinking at him in perfect synchronization.
Then, just as synchronized—they both shook their heads.
FINN & AURORA (simultaneously, with zero hesitation)
"Nope."
Jake groaned.
Sally let out a quiet chuckle, but covered it quickly.
John exhaled, rubbing his temple.
JOHN (muttering, resigned)
"…I set myself up for that one."
King, who had been scanning the room in silence, finally spoke up.
KING (thoughtful, eyes sharp)
"They gave us probably the best room in this whole place."
Aurora sat up slightly, her fingers still loosely gripping the blanket.
She didn't argue.
Because… yeah. It did feel a little too good to be true.
John exhaled slowly.
JOHN (calm, but wary)
"Well. Might as well take advantage of it."
Finn immediately sat up.
FINN (grinning, eager)
"You bet'cha we will."
Just as Finn was about to fully sprawl out on the bed again, his eyes caught something in the far corner of the room.
His grin faltered slightly.
FINN (blinking, confused)
"Uh. Are we not gonna talk about those?"
John followed his gaze.
Against the far wall, neatly folded on a wooden stand, lay a set of pristine Elven robes.
Dark navy, laced with silver embroidery. Elegant.
Looking as though prepared specifically for them.
Jake's entire body visibly tensed.
JAKE (flat, unimpressed)
"Nope."
Sally crossed her arms, tilting her head slightly.
SALLY (dry, curious)
"Nope to what?"
Jake gestured sharply at the robes.
JAKE (gritted teeth, firm)
"Nope to whatever that is."
---
(Settling In, With Less Existential Dread)
The group had officially settled into their quarters.
Which, in theory, should have been a good thing.
Except no one was actually relaxing.
Well—Finn and Aurora were.
They were currently sprawled across the softest bed in the room, already in a heated debate about which blanket was superior.
Jake, however, was pacing.
Not aggressively. Not angrily.
Just enough that everyone noticed it.
Sally, sitting at the edge of the table, finally sighed.
SALLY (flat, unimpressed)
"If you keep that up, you're going to wear a hole in the floor."
Jake stopped.
Stared at her.
Then, very deliberately—took another step forward.
Sally tilted her head slightly.
SALLY (deadpan, arms crossed)
"Okay. You're five years old."
Jake let out a sharp breath.
JAKE (grumbling, arms crossed)
"I'm just saying. This is weird."
Sally arched a brow.
SALLY (dry, unimpressed)
"Oh, really? The sudden invitation to dine with a mysterious ruler in a city we don't understand is weird? Wow. What a revelation."
Jake scowled.
JAKE (gritted teeth, muttering)
"Are you done?"
Sally shrugged.
SALLY (calm, smug)
"Probably not."
Jake groaned.
King, watching the exchange, finally let out a quiet chuckle.
John glanced at him.
JOHN (curious, slight smirk)
"What's funny?"
KING (amused, shaking his head)
"Them."
Jake scowled deeper.
Sally tilted her head again, as if in thought.
Then, finally—she nodded.
SALLY (smirking slightly)
"…Yeah, fair."
Jake looked personally offended.
---
(Harry, The Fireplace, and The Existential Crisis That Wasn't)
In the corner of the room, Harry had not moved.
Like. At all.
He was sitting in one of the chairs, body completely still, staring blankly at the small fireplace.
Just. Staring.
Like he was deeply contemplating life itself.
Like the flames were whispering ancient, untold secrets just for him.
After a full minute of this, King finally noticed.
He frowned slightly.
KING (curious, low voice)
"...Is he okay?"
Sally, barely glancing over, waved a hand.
SALLY (casual, not concerned at all)
"He does that sometimes."
Jake looked over.
Then back at Sally.
Then back at Harry.
Harry did not blink.
Jake's expression twisted slightly.
JAKE (grumbling, muttering to himself)
"You guys are ridiculous."
King, still watching, tilted his head slightly.
Then, finally—he walked over and snapped his fingers near Harry's face.
Nothing.
King frowned deeper.
Then, after a moment, he tried again.
Still. Nothing.
Finn, who had apparently been watching this whole thing from the bed, finally chimed in.
FINN (grinning, amused)
"Oh, you're wasting your time. He's in, like, a trance now."
Aurora nodded sagely.
AURORA (calm, explaining like this is completely normal)
"Yeah. You just have to let him process whatever nonsense is happening in his head."
King blinked.
John, who had been standing nearby, finally sighed.
He walked over—**not snapping, not waving his hand—**and simply tapped Harry's shoulder.
Harry immediately snapped out of it.
HARRY (blinking, calmly)
"Yes?"
King stared at him.
Jake did too.
Harry looked completely unfazed.
Like he hadn't just spent the last few minutes having a silent conversation with a fireplace.
Sally snorted.
SALLY (smirking, to King)
"Told you."
King, still confused, finally exhaled and shook his head.
Harry stretched slightly, like nothing happened.
HARRY (calm, neutral)
"I was thinking."
JAKE (flat, skeptical, an eyebrow raised)
"About what?"
Harry blinked.
Then, after a very long pause—
HARRY (calm, dead serious)
"…I forgot."
Silence.
Then—Finn let out an actual wheeze.
FINN (laughing, pointing at him)
"Incredible. That was incredible."
Aurora chuckled, shaking her head.
Even King, despite himself, laughed.
Jake muttered something under his breath about losing his sanity.
John, resigned, rubbed his temple.
JOHN (muttering, but smiling faintly)
"You guys are gonna be the death of me."
---
The room had finally settled.
The fireplace crackled softly in the corner.
Harry, no longer staring blankly at it like it had personally wronged him, was back to his usual self—calm, mildly sarcastic, and pretending the last five minutes hadn't happened.
Everything was fine.
And then—the doors opened.
The attendants had returned.
John turned to meet them, instinctively straightening his posture.
The lead woman bowed slightly, graceful as ever.
ATTENDANT (calm, formal)
"It is time."
There was a brief pause.
Then—
FINN (grinning, gesturing vaguely)
"Time for what?"
The attendant blinked, as if processing the question.
ATTENDANT (measured, patient)
"For dinner."
Finn nodded, satisfied.
FINN (cheerful, stretching slightly)
"Got it. Just checking."
Aurora patted Finn's shoulder, looking deeply proud.
Jake muttered something about throwing him into the fireplace.
And john sighed, rubbing his temple.
The attendant continued, unbothered.
ATTENDANT (calm, composed)
"You are to wear the provided attire."
The room turned toward the Elven robes still neatly folded on the stands.
A beat of silence.
Then—Jake groaned so loudly it echoed.
JAKE (grumbling, crossing arms)
"Nope."
Sally, already picking up her robe, arched a brow.
SALLY (smirking, teasing)
"Again with this?"
Jake scowled.
JAKE (gritted teeth, gesturing vaguely at the robes)
"This is stupid."
Finn, already halfway into his robe, looked over.
FINN (grinning, nudging Aurora)
"Oh, he's gonna lose it."
Jake scowled harder. He looked like he was really considering ending it all.
King, standing nearby, held up his own robe and examined it carefully.
KING (neutral, thoughtful)
"The fabric's high quality. Try it."
Jake turned on him immediately.
JAKE (offended, betrayed)
"Not you too."
King shrugged.
KING (calm, practical)
"Might as well play along."
Finally he looked at John.
John—who had already put his robe on.
JAKE (gritted teeth, pointing accusingly)
"Traitor."
John exhaled slowly.
JOHN (calm, patient)
"Jake."
JAKE (grumbling, stubborn)
"No."
JOHN (firm, final tone)
"Jake."
A long pause.
Then—with visible suffering, Jake grabbed his robe and started putting it on.
Finn and Aurora both started clapping.
Jake turned slowly toward them.
Finn, grinning ear to ear, put a hand on Jake's shoulder.
FINN (cheerful, encouraging)
"You look amazing, buddy."
Aurora nodded, solemn.
AURORA (calm, sincere)
"Regal. Like a prince."
Jake's eye twitched again.
John, watching this unfold, sighed deeply.
Sally patted his shoulder.
SALLY (smirking, amused)
"You're doing great, leader."
John just shook his head.
---
Eventually—somehow—everyone was dressed.
Finn adjusted his sleeves, clearly pleased with himself.
Aurora, fixing her collar, tilted her head slightly and smiled at him.
Harry, standing at the side, hadn't reacted much at all.
He glanced down at the robe, adjusted it slightly, then gave a small nod.
HARRY (neutral, vaguely approving)
"It's surprisingly soft."
SALLY (smirking, teasing)
"Meh, I've seen better."
Jake grumbled something incomprehensible.
---
King, standing near the door, glanced at John.
KING (calm, composed)
"Ready?"
John exhaled slowly.
Then, finally—he nodded.
JOHN (steady, decisive)
"Let's go."
The doors swung open.
And the group stepped into the halls.
Ready—**or not—for whatever came next.
---
The halls stretched before them—long, winding, eerily quiet.
The estate, despite its grandeur, didn't echo with life.
It wasn't lifeless, either. But it was… controlled.
The attendants led them forward, their footsteps soft, measured.
For the first few minutes, no one spoke.
It wasn't tension, exactly.
But the closer they got to their destination, the more the atmosphere seemed to tighten.
Even Finn and Aurora, who had been playfully nudging each other just minutes ago, were quieter now.
They still exchanged glances—still shared small, knowing looks.
But their usual lighthearted banter had dimmed.
Jake walked with hands in his pocket, his expression unreadable.
Sally's gaze flickered across the corridors, taking in every detail.
King walked at an even pace, but his posture had shifted slightly—stronger, more composed.
And Harry, for once, wasn't cracking any dry remarks. He had to leave his book back at the room.
which he was sad about.
John felt it the shift.
The unspoken weight that came with where they were going.
Finally—Finn exhaled through his nose breaking the silence.
FINN (soft, half to himself)
"Man. They sure like long hallways."
Aurora, walking beside him, hummed lightly.
AURORA (calm, muttering)
"Keeps you walking long enough to forget where you started."
Finn tilted his head.
Then, after a pause—he nodded.
FINN (murmuring, impressed)
"…That's kinda deep."
Aurora smirked.
AURORA (beaming, proud)
"Right?"
Sally finally let out a quiet breath.
SALLY (mutters, dry)
"About time you two stopped talking about pillows."
Aurora glanced at her.
Then, very deliberately—she placed a hand over her heart.
AURORA (calm, solemn)
"I still think about them."
Finn nodded in agreement.
JAKE (grumbling, to no one in particular)
"Can we focus?"
John sighed.
JOHN (calm, patient)
"We are."
Jake scowled slightly. Then sighed deeply.
---
They walked for a while in silence. And besides finn and aurora still whispering between themselves,
All they could hear were their own footsteps.
JAKE (low, serious)
"…You think he's already figured it out?"
The question landed.
No one needed him to explain what he meant.
John didn't answer right away.
But Sally did.
SALLY (calm, neutral)
"If he had, we wouldn't be going for dinner right now."
"Our best-case scenario would've been prison food."
Jake made a quiet noise of agreement.
KING (low, steady)
"He's still deciding what to do with us."
John glanced at him.
JOHN (quiet, thoughtful)
"Yeah. So, best not have that on our menu for tomorrow."
---
Finally—the attendants stopped.
Ahead of them, two massive stone doors loomed.
Carved with intricate symbols. Lined with faint silver markings.
The grand dining hall.
John exhaled slowly.
This was it.
The attendants turned to them.
Bowed slightly.
One of them reached forward, pressing their palm lightly to the center of the doors.
The doors groaned, shifting.
Then slowly began to open.
Beyond them—warm light spilled out.
John squared his shoulders.
JOHN (low, steady)
"Let's go."
.
.
.
The doors swung open.
Warm light spilled into the hall, washing over them like a slow-moving tide.
John was the first to step in, his eyes immediately scanning the space.
The dining hall stretched long, its stone walls carved with intricate symbols, sconces flickering with golden light.
But the table—the table stole everything.
It overflowed with food.
Fresh-baked bread, golden and crisp. Roasted meats, glistening and rich with spice. Bowls of strange, glowing fruits, their surfaces catching the light. Pitchers of amber liquid, goblets carved from deep-colored glass.
John exhaled slowly.
Not in shock.
Not in relief.
Just in acknowledgment.
Jake let out a sharp breath beside him.
Finn, stepping in behind them, let out a low whistle.
FINN (grinning, looking over everything)
"Well, damn."
AURORA (calm, observant)
"This is a lot."
Sally walked further in, her gaze flickering across the table.
She wasn't staring at the food.
She was staring at the empty chair at the far end.
The head seat.
The one left open.
The Governor wasn't here.
Not yet.
King finally stepped past them, walking along the length of the table.
Then, softly—he spoke.
KING (calm, measured)
"He's making us wait."
John glanced at him.
JAKE (grumbling, shaking his head)
"Of course he is."
Finn, already halfway into a chair, looked up.
FINN (curious, blinking)
"So… we just sit?"
Aurora shrugged.
AURORA (calm, sliding into the seat next to him)
"Not like we have other options."
Finn, satisfied with this logic, immediately leaned back.
John hesitated.
Then, after a long moment—he sat.
The others followed.
Sally and King took their places opposite Finn and Aurora.
Harry, quiet but attentive, settled beside Sally, his eyes still scanning the room.
Jake was the last to sit.
He did so stiffly, arms still loosely crossed.
---
For a moment, no one spoke.
The soft flicker of candlelight danced against polished plates, untouched goblets.
Then, Finn leaned toward Aurora.
FINN (soft, casual whisper)
"…What do we think? Poison, or no poison?"
Aurora tapped her fingers against the table, thinking.
AURORA (deadpan, thoughtful whisper)
"Too much effort. No poison."
Finn nodded.
FINN (whispering back, approving)
"Good call."
Sally sighed.
Aurora turned slightly toward her.
Then, very calmly—she placed a single grape into her mouth.
And chewed.
Sally stared at her.
Aurora swallowed.
Then, in the same flat, neutral tone—
AURORA (calm, dry)
"If I die, I'll let you know."
Finn choked on a laugh.
Jake groaned.
King, watching, exhaled quietly.
Harry, who had picked up a piece of bread but hadn't taken a bite, tilted his head slightly.
Then, finally spoke.
HARRY (neutral, amused)
"She has a point."
Sally exhaled slowly.
John, he wasn't hungry.
Not really.
But something about the waiting, the silence, the expectation in the air made it feel like they were already in the middle of something.
Even though it hadn't started yet.
Then—
The sound of footsteps.
Slow. Even.
Measured.
Jake's body tensed immediately.
Finn sat up slightly, stretching his arms, playing it casual.
Sally and King both glanced toward the entrance.
Harry finally took a bite of his bread.
And John—John simply watched.
Then—the Governor arrived.
---
John lifted his head just as the Governor entered.
His robes tonight were deep red and gold, draped effortlessly across his shoulders.
A contrast to the cool-toned elegance of the estate.
Warm. Inviting.
Deliberate.
The moment he stepped into the hall, the room changed.
Like a host returning to his guests—not to rule over them, but to welcome them.
The Governor smiled.
Not too wide. Not too small.
The exact amount of warmth needed to seem genuine, natural, comfortable.
GOVERNOR (smooth, gracious)
"My apologies for keeping you waiting."
He approached the table with an effortless air of familiarity, stopping just beside his seat.
His gaze swept over them—not assessing, not piercing, but acknowledging.
GOVERNOR (light, charming)
"I trust my attendants have ensured your comfort?"
John nodded, carefully composed.
JOHN (calm, steady)
"They have."
The Governor tilted his head slightly, as if pleased.
Then—he reached for a bottle of wine.
But not a servant.
Not an attendant.
He did it himself.
And poured.
A small, almost imperceptible shift moved through the group.
Finn and Aurora, who had been halfway through a quiet exchange, both paused.
Jake, arms still crossed, narrowed his eyes slightly.
Sally glanced at the Governor's hand—noticing the fluidity of the motion, the casual control.
King sat perfectly still.
And Harry, ever unreadable, he simply observed.
The wine poured smoothly into John's goblet. Rich, dark, golden-hued.
The Governor set the bottle down softly.
Then—he reached for another goblet.
And poured again.
For Sally.
For King.
For Finn, who, after watching for a few moments, grinned slightly.
The Governor's expression didn't change.
He simply continued, filling each glass with precision, grace, care.
Then—he finally sat.
Rested his hands gently against the table.
And—with a soft, inviting smile—he lifted his goblet.
GOVERNOR (low, warm)
"To good company."
Took a small, deliberate sip.
Then, set the goblet down and leaned forward slightly,
his expression light.
GOVERNOR (soft, hospitable)
"Please, eat. You are my guests tonight, and I insist you enjoy yourselves."
Jake, despite himself, raised an eyebrow.
JAKE (low, skeptical mutter)
"Insist, huh?"
The Governor glanced at him.
Then—he chuckled.
Soft. Low.
GOVERNOR (amused, light-hearted)
"I fear it is a terrible flaw of mine."
Jake stared at him.
John couldn't tell if he was impressed, irritated, or both.
Probably both.
The Governor, unfazed, reached for a plate near him and personally offered it to Sally.
GOVERNOR (gracious, polite)
"Here. You must try this."
Sally, despite her usual guarded nature, hesitated only briefly before accepting the plate.
The Governor did the same for others, ensuring that every plate was full.
Finn, watching all of this unfold, finally leaned toward Aurora again.
FINN (soft, whispering)
"…Okay, but I think I love him."
Aurora, chewing thoughtfully, didn't argue.
Sally, overhearing, kicked Finn under the table.
The Governor, still smiling, settled further into his seat.
His posture was perfectly balanced.
Relaxed. But not careless.
Welcoming. But still commanding the room.
And just like that—the feast began.
---
The feast was in motion.
Plates filled. Goblets lifted. Conversations began to bloom in quiet pockets across the table.
And the Governor—calm, steady, effortlessly composed—watched it unfold.
Not with suspicion.
Not with calculation.
Just with interest.
He lifted his goblet, taking a slow sip, before setting it down with an easy motion.
Then—he leaned slightly forward, his gaze casually sweeping over them.
GOVERNOR (smooth, pleasant)
"So. Tell me a little about yourselves."
"I'd love to hear more from you."
Simple. Effortless.
A question so broad, it was nearly impossible to answer wrong.
And yet—John still felt the weight of it.
A soft pause stretched between them.
Finn, ever the one to fill silence, hummed lightly.
FINN (grinning, casual)
"Well. What do you want to know?"
The Governor's lips curled slightly.
GOVERNOR (pleased, easy-going)
"Oh, nothing too personal. Not yet, at least."
He lifted a hand slightly, as if dismissing any pressure.
GOVERNOR (warm, amused)
"I'm simply curious. You're travelers, yes?"
JOHN (calm, nodding)
"We are, yes."
John took the lead before anyone could slip.
The Governor nodded in understanding.
GOVERNOR (thoughtful, tapping his fingers lightly on the table)
"A noble pursuit. The world is vast, after all."
"And it's good when young kids such as yourselves take interest in traveling the world."
He glanced at them again, his gaze light, interested, but never probing.
GOVERNOR (charming, casual)
"So, Is this your first time in my city?"
Sally, seated beside John, answered smoothly.
SALLY (polite, careful)
"Yes. It's unlike anywhere we've been before."
The Governor chuckled lightly.
GOVERNOR (pleased, amused)
"I should hope so. We take great pride in our home."
"So, I would've been upset If kids leave here disappointed."
The governor then looked at their plates. All of them had helped themselves with seconds, except one.
Jake, who had barely finished his plate, was sitting there idly.
The governor reached for a nearby dish, then offered it to Jake.
Jake hesitated at first.
Not because of the food.
But because the Governor kept making everything seem so… easy.
Jake took the plate, nodding once, still watching him.
The Governor looked satisfied.
He continued, resting his elbows lightly on the table.
GOVERNOR (curious, conversational)
"And where have your travels taken you thus far?"
King, who had been mostly quiet, finally spoke.
KING (even, measured)
"Many places."
The Governor nodded,
GOVERNOR (gracious, light)
"As expected of those who chase adventure."
He leaned back slightly, sipping his drink once more.
Then, with an easy smile—he changed direction.
---
GOVERNOR (calm, interested)
"And tell me. What do you think of my city?"
The shift was small.
Almost imperceptible.
But John caught it.
This wasn't a test.
It was an invitation.
To speak. To share. To see where they stood.
John felt Sally's gaze flicker toward him.
Felt Jake shift slightly beside him.
Felt the way Finn and Aurora, despite their usual playfulness, did not immediately answer.
This was still light talk.
Still hospitality.
A brief pause.
Then, finally—Finn exhaled softly.
FINN (grinning, stretching slightly)
"Well, it's big."
Aurora nodded beside him.
AURORA (calm, agreeing)
"Bigger than most places we've been."
The Governor chuckled lightly.
GOVERNOR (pleased, amused)
"I see. Well, you'll discover it's much bigger when you explore it fully."
His tone was genuine, gracious.
Still, something about the way his eyes gleamed remained sharp.
John noticed the way Sally shifted slightly in her seat.
The way King remained perfectly composed.
The way Jake's fingers tapped faintly against the rim of his plate.
John met the Governor's gaze.
Then, carefully—he answered.
JOHN (calm, diplomatic)
"It's unlike anywhere we've seen so far."
The Governor's smile widened slightly.
GOVERNOR (pleased, thoughtful)
"Good. That means we're doing something right."
He lifted his goblet, taking a small, measured sip.
Then, gently—he turned his gaze toward Sally.
GOVERNOR (curious, inviting)
"And you, my dear? What did you think?"
John felt Sally tense, just slightly.
She reached for her goblet, rolling it lightly between her fingers.
Then—she spoke.
SALLY (even, polite)
"It's… structured."
The Governor raised an eyebrow, as if pleasantly intrigued.
GOVERNOR (smooth, interested)
"Structured."
Sally nodded.
SALLY (steady, neutral)
"There's a certain order to things."
The Governor's smile didn't waver.
GOVERNOR (pleased, warm)
"That is the goal."
He leaned back slightly, as if pleased with the conversation.
John saw it.
The way his fingers rested just a little more deliberately against his goblet.
---
The dinner was still warm.
Still hospitable.
But the conversation was tightening.
And John had a feeling it was about to get just a little more interesting.
---
The room settled into something smooth.
Not tense. Not entirely easy.
Just… balanced.
The Governor's presence remained steady, inviting.
His hospitality never faltered—refilling goblets, ensuring plates remained full, making sure every guest felt seen.
And yet—he guided the conversation with subtle, effortless control.
GOVERNOR (calm, pleasant)
"You've all traveled far. I imagine you've seen many things."
His words weren't probing.
But they were leading.
Finn, already halfway through a second helping of whatever golden-crusted dish he had found, tilted his head slightly.
FINN (grinning, casual)
"Oh yeah, we've seen things."
Aurora, sipping her drink, smirked.
AURORA (calm, amused)
"Things we probably shouldn't have."
The Governor chuckled softly.
GOVERNOR (interested, light-hearted)
"Then I must ask—what would you say is the most memorable?"
John felt it.
The shift.
This was it.
The moment to steer things themselves.
And just as he was about to speak—
Finn beat him to it.
Leaning forward slightly, grinning.
FINN (grinning, glancing at the others)
"Oh, that's easy."
He turned to John, nudging him.
FINN (mock serious, teasing)
"Tell him about the time we nearly got eaten."
John blinked.
The Governor's eyebrows lifted slightly, amused.
GOVERNOR (chuckling, intrigued)
"Well. That does sound interesting."
The room shifted.
The atmosphere loosened just slightly.
A story was about to be told.
And John realized… maybe that wasn't such a bad thing.
---
(A Story Almost Remembered, A Goat Best Forgotten)
The air in the dining hall had shifted.
The warmth of the meal, the flickering light of the chandeliers, the overwhelming hospitality of the Governor—it all settled into something almost… comfortable.
Not safe. Not quite.
But balanced.
And in that moment, with the Governor's curious gaze lingering over the table, Finn grinned.
FINN (grinning, nudging John)
"Oh, I've got one. Tell him about the time we nearly got eaten."
John blinked.
The Governor, sitting poised at the head of the table, raised an eyebrow.
GOVERNOR (soft chuckle, intrigued)
"Eaten?"
Finn nodded sagely.
FINN (mock serious)
"Yep. Nearly devoured. Gone. No trace."
Aurora, beside him, smirked slightly.
AURORA (calm, tilting her head)
"Well. There would've been bones."
FINN (grinning, considering)
"True, true. Not a total loss, then."
John exhaled, shaking his head.
Sally, across the table, sighed, rubbing her temples.
SALLY (dry, unimpressed)
"This story is already exhausting."
The Governor chuckled again.
GOVERNOR (pleased, entertained)
"Then I must hear it."
John hesitated—just for a moment.
Then, finally, he leaned forward slightly.
And began.
---
(The Ruins, or Whatever They Were Called)
JOHN (calm, setting the scene)
"It was late. Middle of the night. We weren't supposed to be out there."
The Governor lifted his goblet slightly, intrigued.
GOVERNOR (amused, warm)
"The best stories always begin that way."
John allowed a small smile.
The others were already settling into their roles.
Jake rolled his eyes, arms crossed.
Sally looked prepared to correct exaggerations.
Harry was listening while absentmindedly reaching for more bread.
And Finn—Finn was waiting for the perfect moment to jump in.
JOHN (continuing, thoughtful)
"There was this… place. A spot past the fields—"
He paused.
Not dramatically.
Not for effect.
But because…
What was it called?
The name, the details—they were just out of reach.
A small frown crossed his face.
Sally and King exchanged a quick glance.
Finn, oblivious, grinned.
FINN (jumping in, gesturing vaguely)
"—The old ruins. That's what we called it."
Aurora nodded.
AURORA (calm, confirming)
"Yeah. The ruins."
John nodded, rolling with it.
JOHN (smoothly, continuing)
"Right. The ruins. We weren't supposed to go there."
Jake scoffed.
JAKE (grumbling, unimpressed)
"Which, of course, meant we went there immediately."
Aurora smirked.
AURORA (casual, amused)
"Obviously."
The Governor, watching all of this unfold, smiled.
GOVERNOR (light, conversational)
"And what did you find there?"
John exhaled slowly, falling back into the memory.
Or… at least, what he could remember of it.
JOHN (thoughtful, speaking as he recalls)
"At first? Nothing. Just silence. The ruins were dark, empty. Just the wind, moving through the old stone."
Finn leaned forward dramatically.
FINN (grinning, lowering his voice)
"But then. We heard it."
The table stilled.
The Governor's gaze sharpened—just slightly.
GOVERNOR (soft, intrigued)
"Heard what?"
A pause.
Then—Sally sighed, rubbing her temples.
SALLY (deadpan, unimpressed)
"The demon of the ruins."
Aurora covered her mouth, hiding a smirk.
Jake groaned.
The Governor, still entertained, chuckled.
GOVERNOR (amused, intrigued)
"A demon, you say?"
John nodded, playing into it now.
JOHN (lowering his voice slightly, serious)
"A deep growl. Low, echoing. It came from somewhere inside the ruins. We stopped. Listened. It got louder. Closer."
Aurora tilted her head.
AURORA (calm, frowning slightly)
"…Wait. Was it a growl?"
The table paused.
Finn blinked.
Sally's brows furrowed.
Jake let out a frustrated scoff.
JAKE (grumbling, irritated)
"Well, what else would it have been?"
Silence.
The Governor's fingers tapped lightly against the table.
But he didn't comment.
John shook it off, continuing smoothly.
JOHN (lowering voice, keeping suspense)
"And then. Out of the darkness. It moved."
Silence.
The Governor's expression remained pleasant.
GOVERNOR (soft, intrigued)
"What was it?"
Another pause.
Then—Finn, grinning, leaned back in his chair.
FINN (grinning, shrugging casually)
"Oh. It was a goat."
The silence broke.
The Governor actually laughed—a soft, genuine sound.
John let out a slow breath, smiling faintly.
The tension in the room shifted.
Aurora shook her head, laughing quietly.
AURORA (deadpan, amused)
"A very aggressive goat."
Jake groaned, rubbing his face.
JAKE (muttering, still irritated about it to this day)
"It headbutted me."
Finn grinned wider.
FINN (cheerful, nodding)
"It did. You went flying."
The Governor, still amused, lifted his goblet slightly.
GOVERNOR (pleased, entertained)
"An unexpected ending. And an excellent story."
John nodded, sipping his drink.
The table had loosened.
The conversation had shifted.
Something was… missing.
Not just a detail.
Something more.
But no one said a word.
Instead, they let the moment pass.
And the dinner continued.
---
The laughter faded.
The warmth of the moment settled across the table, wrapping around them like the candlelight flickering against the stone walls.
The Governor, still smiling, set his goblet down with an easy motion.
GOVERNOR (pleased, warm)
"A fine story. And a reminder that, sometimes, our greatest fears turn out to be… smaller than we expect."
His tone was light. Amused.
And yet—something in his eyes still held depth.
As if the words, though casual, carried something more.
John, still holding his own drink, studied him carefully.
But before he could decide how to respond—
Finn leaned back with a satisfied sigh.
FINN (grinning, stretching slightly)
"Well, at least we got something out of it."
Aurora raised an eyebrow.
AURORA (dry, smirking)
"You mean the bruises?"
Finn shook his head.
FINN (cheerful, nodding to Jake)
"Nah. The fact that we can bring this up for the rest of his life."
Jake, who had been taking a sip of his drink, paused mid-motion.
Then—slowly—he lowered his goblet.
JAKE (low, unimpressed)
"…hate you all."
Aurora patted his shoulder.
AURORA (calm, smirking)
"We know."
The Governor chuckled softly.
But his gaze never fully left them.
---
The moment of humor faded just slightly.
And then—he smoothly redirected.
GOVERNOR (pleasant, interested)
"Your bond is strong. That much is clear. It's rare to see such a strong connection."
John didn't know whether to take it as a simple compliment or not.
Especially coming from the governor.
He glanced at the others.
King, ever composed, remained unreadable.
Sally, though relaxed, hadn't stopped observing.
Harry, who had been idly rolling his goblet between his fingers, spoke up.
HARRY (neutral, casual)
"We've known each other a long time. Probably as long as we can remember."
The Governor nodded, as if he had already assumed as much.
GOVERNOR (pleased, warm)
"Good. Trust is a rare thing in this world."
His words were gentle. Honest.
And yet—John still felt the weight behind them.
As the meal continued, John couldn't help but wonder—
How much of this conversation was meant for them…
And how much of it was meant for him.
---
The warmth of the meal settled deeper now.
Goblets rested lightly in hands. Plates were still half-full.
The initial tension of the evening had loosened, stretched into something more… comfortable.
But not careless.
The Governor, still seated at the head of the table, took a slow sip of his drink.
Then—he smiled.
GOVERNOR (pleasant, thoughtful)
"You remind me of old friends."
John stilled just slightly.
Not enough to be noticed.
GOVERNOR (calm, easy-going)
"Once upon a time, there were many who traveled together. Wandering souls, drawn to the unknown."
"Their paths, though intertwined, were destined for separate horizons."
His fingers tapped lightly against the base of his goblet.
His voice never faltered.
Never demanded.
Just… spoke.
GOVERNOR (light, amused)
"I imagine their stories would not be unlike yours."
Jake, who had been idly toying with his fork, glanced up.
JAKE (grumbling, skeptical)
"That so?"
The Governor's smile didn't waver.
GOVERNOR (gracious, amused)
"Of course. Travelers always carry their past with them. It shapes the way they walk forward."
John felt Sally's gaze flicker toward him.
He wasn't sure why.
But he felt it.
The Governor lifted his goblet slightly.
GOVERNOR (pleasant, smooth)
"Wouldn't you agree?"
A pause.
John, carefully, finally nodded.
JOHN (calm, measured)
"I suppose so."
The Governor's gaze lingered.
Then—he chuckled softly.
GOVERNOR (warm, light-hearted)
"There's no need to be so cautious."
A lie.
There was every reason to be cautious.
And yet—he made it sound so effortless.
So… genuine.
The Governor leaned back slightly, setting his goblet down.
Then—he gestured lightly toward them.
GOVERNOR (thoughtful, inviting)
"Tell me, then. Where does your path lead next?"
The room stilled.
Not in shock. Not in tension.
Just… stilled.
The way he asked it was simple.
Casual. Warm.
But there were only so many ways to answer.
---
The question still lingered in the air.
GOVERNOR (pleasant, curious)
"Where does your path lead next?"
John, carefully, chose his words.
JOHN (calm, measured)
"We haven't decided yet."
The Governor nodded, as if pleased by this answer.
Then—he smiled.
GOVERNOR (smooth, gracious)
"Well, take your time. There's no rush. I can understand. It's a big decision."
"It's perfectly fine to weigh all the options."
JOHN (calm, neutral)
"Yes. We are still deciding on it."
GOVERNOR (smooth, warm)
"Let me know if there's anything I can do to help you figure it out."
"I'm interested to hear what you eventually decide."
JOHN (calm, steady)
"We would appreciate that."
GOVERNOR (calm, unreadable)
"I would like if you stay here. Until you figure it out."
Jake, who had been resting his elbow on the table, tensed.
Sally's fingers tapped lightly against the base of her goblet.
Finn, curious, tilted his head slightly.
FINN (grinning, casual)
"Stay. Here?"
The Governor lifted his goblet and took a slow sip before setting it back down.
GOVERNOR (warm, inviting)
"For a time. There is no need to rush."
He gestured lightly toward them, his movements slow, practiced.
GOVERNOR (thoughtful, easy-going)
"You are travelers, are you not? And what is travel, if not a chance to explore. And "Vash'Kael" is a city worth exploring."
The words were so simple. So reasonable.
And yet, John couldn't shake the feeling that this was more than just generosity.
Aurora, beside Finn, rested her chin against her hand, studying the Governor.
AURORA (calm, musing)
"You're awfully accommodating."
The Governor chuckled.
GOVERNOR (amused, warm)
"Hospitality is a commendable quality. To deny it would be to fail in our role as hosts."
Sally exhaled softly.
SALLY (dry, thoughtful)
"I don't imagine you do this for every lost traveler who stumbles into your city."
The Governor's smile didn't waver.
GOVERNOR (light, teasing)
"No. But then, not every traveler is as… interesting as you."
His eyes flickered, just for a second.
John caught it.
Sally caught it.
Jake's fingers curled slightly against his knee.
The Governor leaned back slightly, gesturing toward the open space of the hall.
GOVERNOR (gracious, smooth)
"You are free to explore as much as you wish. See the city. Take in what we have built here."
His smile returned—effortless, warm, undeniably in control.
GOVERNOR (charming, finalizing)
"The doors are open to you."
A pause.
Then, finally—John nodded.
JOHN (calm, steady)
"We appreciate the offer."
The Governor inclined his head.
And just like that, a new step had been taken.
They had been invited in.
---
The night had stretched long.
The once-overflowing table was now a patchwork of half-finished plates, scattered utensils, and empty goblets catching the candlelight.
The warmth of the meal still lingered, but the conversation had slowed—not in awkwardness, but in quiet understanding.
The Governor, ever composed, ever in control, set down his goblet with a soft clink.
Then—he smiled.
GOVERNOR (gracious, smooth)
"It has been a pleasure."
John, ever steady, nodded.
JOHN (calm, diplomatic)
"We appreciate your hospitality."
The Governor tilted his head slightly, amused.
GOVERNOR (light, teasing)
"Ah. So formal."
His eyes flickered toward the others.
Finn, who had leaned back in his chair, gave a slow, satisfied stretch.
FINN (grinning, playful)
"Well, can you blame us? We don't usually get invited to places this fancy."
Aurora smirked slightly.
AURORA (calm, dry)
"You should see some of the places we've stayed. It'd make you want to throw us out."
John exhaled.
Sally shot a look. To both of them.
The Governor laughed.
GOVERNOR (amused, unknowing)
"Now now, no need to be so humble."
John sighed, a sigh of relief.
Sally side eyes finn and aurora.
Finn pointed at Aurora and Aurora pointed at jake?
Jake couldn't be bothered, nudged king for help.
Who had tried to remain composed, changed the subject.
KING (serious, clearing his throat)
"..We'll take some time to rest. And explore what this city has to offer."
The Governor nodded,
GOVERNOR (pleased, satisfied)
"Of course."
King had saved their cover.
And possibly their heads.
---
Governor gestured lightly, and almost immediately, attendants stepped forward from the sides of the hall.
Moving seamlessly. Effortlessly.
GOVERNOR (gracious, finalizing)
"My attendants will guide you to your quarters. The estate is yours to enjoy. And the city…"
He gave a slow, deliberate smile.
GOVERNOR (warm, inviting)
"…is yours to discover."
---
The attendants moved in quietly, clearing the plates, refilling goblets.
The warmth of hospitality remained.
But the weight of every word spoken still lingered.
The group rose.
A few polite exchanges were made. Nothing meaningful. Just courtesy.
Then—they turned to leave.
The meal had ended.
---
(A Glance Back – A Man Among His People)
As they stepped through the tall, arched doors, the air outside the chamber felt different.
Like stepping out of a performance.
Like something had ended.
As they exited, Aurora hesitated.
Something made her glance back.
What she saw—was not what she expected.
The Governor, still in his fine golden robes, was helping the staff clean the table.
Lifting empty plates with ease, handing goblets to an attendant with a quiet chuckle.
He said something to one of the servers—a joke, maybe.
Because they laughed.
And so did he.
Like this was natural.
Like this was just a part of his life.
Aurora narrowed her eyes slightly.
She lingered just a moment longer, watching him work alongside his own people, as if there was no status between them.
Then—she turned back around.
She didn't say anything.
Not yet.
But the image stayed with her.
And it would not leave easily.
---
The hallways felt cooler after the warmth of the dining hall.
Not cold. Not unwelcoming.
Just… a shift.
As they walked, the air was filled with idle conversation, the group still riding the afterglow of a lavish meal.
FINN (grinning, stretching his arms)
"Alright. I'll say it."
Aurora smirked beside him.
AURORA (calm, amused)
"Oh, this should be good."
Finn turned to face the others, walking backward as he spoke.
FINN (grinning, satisfied)
"That was, hands down, the best meal we've had in… ever."
Sally snorted.
SALLY (dry, teasing)
"High praise from someone who thinks burnt fish is 'fine' if you scrape the edges."
Finn gasped.
FINN (mock wounded)
"How dare you. I have sophisticated taste."
Jake scoffed.
JAKE (grumbling, skeptical)
"Yeah, sure. Except for the part where you'll eat anything."
Finn shrugged unapologetically.
FINN (cheerful, nodding)
"That's called being adaptable."
Aurora patted his shoulder.
AURORA (deadpan, smirking)
"Right. A true connoisseur of questionable food choices."
Finn gave her a dramatic bow.
FINN (grinning, playful)
"At your service."
The attendants walking with them exchanged glances, clearly entertained.
One of them, a young woman with dark green robes and a calm demeanor, finally spoke.
ATTENDANT (curious, amused)
"So, was it to your liking?"
Finn beamed.
FINN (eager, nodding)
"Oh, absolutely. Best I've ever had."
Aurora tapped her chin thoughtfully.
AURORA (casual, considering)
"The roasted meat was excellent."
Sally, ever practical, nodded.
SALLY (calm, honest)
"It was good."
Then, after a beat—she tilted her head slightly.
SALLY (curious, looking to the attendant)
"…Do you eat like that every night?"
The attendant chuckled softly.
ATTENDANT (gracious, lighthearted)
"Not quite. But our Governor believes in generosity, especially for honored guests."
John, walking near the front, took that in.
Generosity.
That's what this was.
And yet—it still felt like something more.
KING (calm, neutral)
"It was certainly memorable."
The attendant inclined her head.
ATTENDANT (pleased, polite)
"That is what we strive for."
Another attendant, walking beside them, finally chimed in.
ATTENDANT #2 (smirking slightly, amused)
"Though I must say, I did not expect the story about the demon goat."
Finn grinned wider.
FINN (proud, nodding)
"Ah. A classic."
Jake muttered something under his breath about never living it down.
John, still listening, exhaled quietly.
The conversation was lighter now.
The weight of the evening was still present, but not suffocating.
For now, at least.
And as they walked further into the estate, the night stretched on before them.
---
The heavy door shut behind them, and for the first time all evening, they were alone.
No attendants. No carefully curated dining hall. Just them.
SALLY (firm, steady)
"It could've ended so much worse, finn."
FINN (apologetic, apologizing)
"Ok ok. I get it. I get it. Won't happen again. I promise."
Sally had been grilling finn and aurora for their slip up at the dinner, Which almost blew their cover.
Aurora, undoing the ties of her outer tunic, tilted her head.
AURORA (mock serious, apologizatic)
"Sorry mom. Now can we go to bed, please?"
Jake wheezed, pulling off his boots.
JAKE (smirking, pointing at sally)
"Mom sal is the best sal btw."
Sally hands on hips, shook her head.
---
Unfasting the braid in her hair, shaking it loose sally scold them again.
SALLY (neutral, practical)
"You're glad we're still in one piece."
Finn and aurora were already in bed, pretended to sleep.
John was exhausted. He wasn't paying much attention to what was going on.
He moved toward the wash basin in the corner, dipping his hands into the cool water.
The night's events still lingered at the edge of his mind, but for now, he focused on small things.
The sound of fabric shifting as King neatly folded his coat and set it aside.
The resounding noise of Finn and aurora shifting unnaturally in the bed, still pretending to sleep.
The quiet clink of Harry pouring himself a drink from the water jug.
No one was rushing to talk.
Not because there was nothing to say—but because everyone was exhausted.
And then—finn broke the silence.
FINN (super serious, looking up from the depths of his sheets)
"…I have to go the bathroom."
He didn't have to say it out loud. But did so specifically looking at sally.
Sally rolled her eyes and continued with what she was doing.
finn got up.. slowly. Then walked straight to the corner of the room.
He looked at John for help, who then pointed to the bathroom.
The room fell silent.
About two or three minutes went by in complete silence.
Then—
AURORA (serious, half asleep)
"…I have to go the bathroom."
She got up and lazily walked to the same corner of the room where finn had stumbled to few minutes ago.
Then after a while looked back at john. Who pointed her to the bathroom.
The room fell silent again.
---
Meanwhile, Sally had begun methodically checking the locks on the doors and windows.
King, standing beside her, watched quietly.
Then, after a moment—he spoke.
KING (calm, low voice)
"You don't trust this place."
Sally, not pausing in her checks, responded evenly.
SALLY (quiet, neutral)
"No. I don't."
King didn't argue.
Didn't try to change her mind.
Instead, he simply glanced toward John, watching him as he dried his hands.
Because soon, the three of them would talk.
The night was still settling in.
And so were they.
---
The room had settled into a comfortable quiet.
Just the small sounds of people preparing for the night.
Finn, sprawled across his bed, had gone completely still.
For a moment, it seemed like he had already fallen asleep.
Until—he spoke.
FINN (muffled, sleepy)
"…I need to go again."
Aurora, lying on her own bed with her arms behind her head, sighed without opening her eyes.
AURORA (muffled, half asleep)
"again?"
Finn, had gotten diarrhea.
His stomach couldn't handle the strange assortment of food items he was stuffing into his mouth.
So now, he had to go to the bathroom four times already. Taking aurora with him everytime.
Because he was too scared to go alone.
Sally, who had felt bad for finn at first, told herself it was karma. And moved on with life.
While jake, was totally having the best time of his life.
---
Sally turned, watching as John sat on the edge of his bed, rolling his shoulders slightly.
He looked tired.
But not in a way that meant he was going to sleep anytime soon.
King, sitting near him, had been watching quietly.
Then, after a moment—he spoke.
KING (low, steady)
"We should talk."
John exhaled slowly.
Then, finally—he nodded.
JOHN (quiet, agreeing)
"Yeah."
Sally glanced once more toward the three of them.
And to harry, who had been staring straight up lying down for couple of minutes now.
Then—without another word, she turned and followed John and King as they made their way toward the balcony.
And behind them, the rest of the room remained—like you'd expect.
---
The night air was cooler here.
Not cold. Not biting.
But just enough to feel different from the warmth of the estate.
As John, Sally, and King stepped onto the stone balcony, the first thing that caught their eyes was the city below.
A sprawling expanse of stone and firelight.
Bridges stretched over deep ravines, leading to clusters of buildings stacked upon one another—like a puzzle that had been solved a hundred times over.
The streets were still lively.
Not in celebration. Not in freedom.
Just… in motion.
Workers moving crates. Hauling supplies. Watching.
Everything about them felt measured. Efficient.
And yet—not entirely free.
Sally was the first to lean against the railing, arms folded.
SALLY (quiet, watching the workers below)
"Even this late… they're still going."
King, standing beside her, let out a slow breath.
KING (steady, neutral)
"No one's forcing them."
A beat of silence.
Then—Sally scoffed.
SALLY (dry, unimpressed)
"Not openly."
John, standing slightly apart, gripped the stone railing.
His fingers pressed into the cool surface, thoughts turning over and over.
JOHN (low, thoughtful)
"He's got control. But it's not complete."
King glanced at him.
KING (calm, considering)
"You think the Governor's not the one in charge?"
John exhaled through his nose.
Then, carefully—he chose his words.
JOHN (steady, analyzing)
"He's in control of this estate. He's in control of what people see. But down there?"
His gaze flickered to the streets below.
To the workers moving quickly, efficiently, without hesitation.
To the guards stationed at key points—not patrolling, just… watching.
JOHN (calm, pointed)
"Control like that doesn't happen overnight. And it doesn't happen just because one man wills it."
King nodded slowly.
Sally drummed her fingers against the stone.
Then—she sighed.
SALLY (low, skeptical)
"Then what's his game?"
She turned to John fully, eyes narrowed.
SALLY (pointed, serious)
"If he's not the one pulling the strings, why invite us in? Why treat us like guests of honor?"
John let the question settle.
It had been lingering at the back of his mind since the first moment the Governor poured them their drinks.
Not an attendant.
Not a servant.
Him.
Every part of the night had been designed to make them feel welcome. Comfortable. Important.
John wasn't sure if he bought it.
But he knew one thing.
JOHN (low, firm)
"He's invested in us. For some reason."
King folded his arms.
KING (calm, thinking aloud)
"He thinks we're elves."
John nodded.
JOHN (thoughtful, measured)
"He didn't even hesitate. The moment he saw us, he knelt."
Sally scoffed.
SALLY (dry, skeptical)
"Not exactly a reaction we're used to."
King rubbed his jaw, considering.
KING (calm, serious)
"Elves must have a high standing here."
John glanced at him.
JOHN (curious, interested)
"You've noticed something?"
King motioned toward the symbols carved into the stone railing.
Faint, elegant, almost woven into the architecture itself.
KING (low, explaining)
"These markings. They're old. And from what I saw in the dining hall, they're everywhere."
Sally frowned.
SALLY (tilting her head, confused)
"…And?"
King turned to her.
KING (calm, steady)
"They're elven. I'm certain."
Sally blinked.
John's grip on the railing tightened slightly.
KING (smirking, shrugging)
"I don't know, could be."
A pause.
Then, Sally exhaled sharply.
SALLY (deadpan, dryly amused)
"Great timing, king. Great timing."
John shook his head, smiling.
Then glanced back at the city below.
The way the buildings blended seamlessly into the landscape.
The way the people moved with an unspoken rhythm.
The way the Governor had smiled so easily—like he already knew where they fit.
But they didn't.
Not yet.
John finally turned back to the others.
JOHN (firm, decisive)
"We need to figure out what this place really is. And who really runs it."
Sally nodded.
King exhaled, pushing off the railing.
KING (calm, neutral)
"Then tomorrow, we start looking."
The weight of that decision settled between them.
Not heavy.
Not crushing.
Just real.
John, after a long moment, finally stepped back from the balcony.
JOHN (quiet, resolved)
"Let's tell the others."
And as they turned back toward the warmth of the estate, the city below continued moving.
Steady. Measured. Controlled.
And full of secrets yet to be uncovered.
---
The warmth of the estate hit them immediately as John, Sally, and King stepped back inside, shutting the balcony doors behind them.
The room was… not how they left it.
Sally stopped in her tracks.
King raised an eyebrow.
John exhaled slowly, already bracing himself.
Finn was half-buried in a blanket cocoon on the bed, arms sprawled out, looking more like a sacrificial offering than a person.
Aurora sat at the edge of her bed, casually tossing grapes into his open mouth with the precision of someone who had been doing it for years.
Jake, sitting cross-legged on the floor, was sharpening a dagger with unnecessary aggression.
Harry, once again near the fireplace, had a faraway look in his eyes, as if he had seen too much.
John frowned.
JOHN (slow, cautious)
"…Do I even want to ask?"
Aurora, without looking up, tossed another grape.
AURORA (calm, amused)
"We took bets on who would fall asleep first."
John blinked.
JOHN (flat, deadpan)
"…And?"
Aurora finally glanced up at them.
AURORA (casual, smirking)
"And finn lost."
Finn lifted a single hand weakly from his blanket prison.
FINN (muffled, dramatically suffering)
"Betrayed. By my own body, again."
Jake scoffed, still dragging his blade over the whetstone.
JAKE (grumbling, unimpressed)
"He fell asleep in like, two minutes."
Aurora nodded in agreement.
AURORA (calm, amused)
"Actually, one minute and forty-two seconds. Probably too tired after diarrhea."
FINN (muffled, fake crying)
"And they took advantage of it."
John rubbed his temple.
Sally just sighed, shaking her head.
SALLY (dry, unimpressed)
"I don't know what I expected."
King, ever composed, tilted his head slightly.
KING (neutral, curious)
"…What did you bet?"
Harry, finally snapping out of whatever trance he had been in, spoke for the first time.
HARRY (calm, emotionless)
"His dignity."
Finn let out a weak groan.
FINN (muffled, suffering)
"Gone. Lost forever."
John pinched the bridge of his nose.
JOHN (deadpan, exhausted)
"We were gone for ten minutes."
Aurora shrugged.
Sally finally turned to King,
And then john, arms crossed.
SALLY (dry, muttering)
"This is what we're working with."
John exhaled, nodding.
JOHN (calm, resigned)
"I see that."
Jake, done with the nonsense, finally looked up.
JAKE (grumbling, motioning at them with his dagger)
"Can we get to the part where you explain what's going on?"
John sighed.
Then, finally, he nodded.
JOHN (calm, serious again)
"Yeah. Let's talk."
---
The laughter and teasing had faded.
The energy of the room had shifted, the weight of the night settling back into place.
John, standing near the center of the room, met each of their gazes.
JOHN (calm, steady)
"We're staying here for now. But tomorrow, we figure out what this place really is."
Sally nodded, arms folded.
SALLY (firm, thoughtful)
"We've already seen enough to know there's more going on under the surface. The question is how deep it runs."
Jake scoffed, leaning back against the wall.
JAKE (grumbling, skeptical)
"Or if we even want to know."
Aurora, sitting cross-legged on her bed, tilted her head.
AURORA (calm, amused)
"Oh, come on. Where's your sense of adventure?"
Jake gave her a flat look.
JAKE (deadpan, unimpressed)
"It died somewhere between 'demon ruins' and 'goat attack.'"
Finn, still wrapped in his blanket cocoon, lifted a single finger into the air.
FINN (muffled, but wise)
"May it rest in peace."
John sighed, shaking his head.
JOHN (calm, focused)
"We're careful about this. No drawing attention. Just watching, listening."
King, sitting near the window, nodded slightly.
KING (steady, thinking aloud)
"If we move carefully, we can learn a lot without them even realizing."
Harry, who had been silent for most of this, finally spoke.
HARRY (calm, neutral)
"And if they do realize?"
A pause.
The room settled.
John exhaled.
JOHN (quiet, firm)
"Then we'll deal with it."
---
After a long moment, Sally pushed off the wall.
SALLY (exhaling, glancing at the beds)
"Alright. We'll talk more in the morning."
Finn, from his spot in the blankets, gave a lazy thumbs-up.
FINN (muffled, pleased)
"Best decision we've made all day."
Aurora chuckled softly, adjusting her pillow.
Jake muttered something about "finally" as he settled onto his own bed.
King took his time, carefully removing his boots before lying down.
Harry, had already fallen asleep. A book covering his face.
Sally gave John one last glance before heading toward her own bed.
John stayed where he was.
He wasn't ready to sleep just yet.
Instead—he turned back toward the balcony.
And stepped outside.
---
(A Quiet Moment Alone)
The city stretched out before him.
A sea of stone and shadows, flickering torchlight marking the winding paths below.
Even now, the people were still moving.
Still working. Still following something unseen.
John's grip on the railing tightened slightly.
Everything about this place felt controlled. Designed.
And yet—there was something else.
Something deeper.
The Governor had played the part of a gracious host flawlessly.
But John couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't about hospitality.
This was about something bigger.
Something they weren't seeing yet.
A breeze rolled through the balcony, cool against his skin.
Then—a voice called from inside.
FINN (lazy, amused)
"John, you're missing out on prime bed real estate buddy."
John exhaled, shaking his head.
JOHN (quiet, almost smiling)
"Yeah, yeah."
He took one last look at the city.
Then—he stepped back inside, closing the balcony doors behind him.
And the night, finally, settled.
---
[TO BE CONTINUED IN VOL 3]