Chapter Two: What the Farewell Did Not Say
A Vow Broken by Love
Elara did not move immediately after his words.
She was used to strangers retreating, or beginning to apologize, or begging for mercy.
But Nathan did something different… he waited.
She lowered her staff slightly—not because the danger had passed, but because an unwelcome curiosity had slipped into her chest.
"Guidance is not given," she said with mild sharpness,
"especially to those who do not know the laws of this land."
He nodded slowly, as if he had expected the answer.
"Then I will learn them."
Then he added, in a calm tone that unsettled her,
"if you allow me to remain alive until then."
She narrowed her eyes.
"Bold."
He smiled, but this time there was something tired in it.
"I've been called that before."
She turned away from him, gesturing toward the depths of the forest.
"Follow me. One wrong step, and I will send you back to where you came from… or worse."
He did not ask what "worse" meant.
He walked behind her in silence, his steps cautious yet steady.
She noticed, even without turning.
Humans usually made mistakes here—
they stumbled, touched what they shouldn't, asked foolish questions.
Nathan did none of that.
"You are a stranger to this land,"
she said suddenly.
"I know."
He paused for a moment, then added,
"but I am not a stranger to fear."
Her step faltered.
She did not turn, but she felt the weight of the words.
"Fear does not justify trespassing,"
she said coldly.
"Nor do laws justify cruelty,"
he replied calmly.
She stopped this time and turned toward him, her eyes burning.
"Watch your words, human."
He met her gaze with unexpected steadiness.
"And you… are not what I expected."
She did not know why that unsettled her.
Perhaps because he did not say "elf."
He did not say "witch."
He said you.
She resumed walking, a little faster.
"Expect nothing," she said.
"This place does not give us what we desire."
"And sometimes…"
He stopped, as if he had thought long before finishing.
"…it gives us what we need."
She did not answer.
But his words lingered among the trees, following her.
When they reached the edge of the small river, she motioned for him to stop.
"From here, you will walk the path alone."
He looked at the water, then back at her.
"Is that all?"
She should have said yes.
Turned her back and ended the story there.
But she didn't.
"That is all the law allows,"
she said at last.
He smiled faintly.
"Then… it seems we share a brief acquaintance."
She stepped back.
"And nothing more."
But when he walked away, Elara felt something strange.
As if the forest, for the first time, was not the only one watching.