The night had deepened by the time they reached the outskirts of Dravenhart's walls. The moon hung low — a pale, silver coin behind the drifting clouds — and the torches along the fortress gates burned like wary eyes.
From a distance, Dravenhart looked untouched by time — proud, cold, and unyielding. But up close, Zelene could feel the unease in the air. The same whispers they'd heard on the road seemed to cling here too:
"The Evandelles... cursed."
"The girl's body was never found."
She pulled her hood tighter.
If they knew she was alive…
Ray crouched beside her, his voice barely a breath. "There. See that slope?" He pointed toward a narrow strip of earth leading down to where the outer wall met the cliffside. A faint shimmer of water below marked the edge of the river. "There's a drainage passage. Old, forgotten — unless the guards decided to grow a sense of thoroughness."
Zelene followed his line of sight, her expression calm but focused. "We'll use it."
Finn's head poked between them. "And what am I doing while you two crawl through the mud?"
Ray smirked. "Being useful for once. You're going to distract the guards."
Finn blinked. "...How exactly?"
Zelene turned to him with a small, encouraging smile — the kind that felt deceptively gentle. "Improvise."
Finn's eyes widened. "That's a death sentence in polite language."
But even as he muttered under his breath, he started moving toward the gates, adjusting his satchel and muttering something about "ridiculous heroics."
Zelene and Ray waited until his silhouette vanished behind the line of torches before moving.
---
Finn stumbled out into the open road like a drunk scholar lost in the wrong city — hands raised high and voice echoing through the night.
"HELLO! Yes, you— fine, intimidating gentlemen!"
The guards stiffened. One reached for his sword. "Who goes there?"
Finn grinned nervously, fumbling in his bag. "Merchant! Traveling merchant! I'm selling… candied herbs!" He held up a random pouch from his satchel. The wind chose that exact moment to scatter its contents — a cloud of crushed rosemary puffing into the air.
He coughed violently, waving his hands. "Limited edition scent, very popular with nobles— a-and, ah, medicinal, if you rub it on your—"
The guards exchanged bewildered glances.
One sighed and approached. "You're drunk."
"Not drunk, just enthusiastic!" Finn exclaimed, stepping back as the man grabbed his collar. "See, I was hoping to trade these for—"
A loud sneeze burst from one of the guards — the herbs hitting him full in the face.
"—For coin!" Finn finished, beaming as chaos unfolded.
The Hidden Path
While the commotion echoed faintly above, Zelene and Ray crept along the lower wall, shadows pooling around their feet. The scent of moss and river water filled the air — cold and sharp.
The passage Ray had mentioned was barely visible — a small, rusted grate hidden behind thick ivy. He crouched, brushing the vines aside with practiced ease.
"You're certain about this?" Zelene asked quietly.
He glanced up at her, smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Wouldn't be the first time I've led someone through questionable holes in city walls."
She arched a brow. "That's supposed to be reassuring?"
Ray chuckled under his breath. "Depends who's asking."
He pressed his shoulder against the grate and, with a muted groan of metal, it gave way. Cold air swept out — damp and smelling faintly of iron and decay.
"After you, Lynn," he teased softly, deliberately using her alias.
Zelene gave him a look that could've frozen rivers. "One more word and I'll make sure you're the one crawling first."
"Fair." Ray gestured dramatically, bowing his head. "My lady insists."
They slipped inside, their boots splashing quietly against the shallow stream that ran through the stone tunnel. It was dark enough that Zelene's fingers brushed the wall to keep balance. The stones were slick beneath her palm.
For a few moments, there was only the sound of dripping water and their breathing — quiet, uneven.
Then Ray spoke again, voice low, thoughtful. "You trust him too easily."
Zelene frowned. "Who?"
"Finn. He's smart, but he's not exactly built for danger. You risked him out there."
"He wanted to help," she murmured.
"That's not the same as being ready."
Zelene's steps slowed. "I've been protected all my life, Ray. Sometimes people deserve a chance to do the same."
Ray's gaze lingered on her — the way her hood shadowed her face, the defiance in her voice softened by something gentler.
He looked away before she noticed. "Fair point."
They walked on. The faint light of the exit shimmered ahead — narrow bars filtering the moonlight.
When they emerged from the tunnel's end, the two of them crouched behind a pile of crates, the walls of Dravenhart towering just ahead. The city stretched upward in layers — torchlight spilling from balconies and watchtowers, guards pacing like restless shadows.
Zelene peered through the gaps in the wood. "He's holding them off longer than I expected."
Ray's lips curved slightly. "Never underestimate a desperate scholar."
She allowed herself a quiet laugh, barely audible. "We should go before he gets himself thrown in the dungeon."
"Agreed." Ray stood, offering a hand to help her up.
She hesitated just a second before taking it — his grip warm, firm, grounding.
And for the briefest heartbeat — just as the wind stirred her cloak and the bells tolled faintly from the higher towers — Zelene's heart skipped.
Something about this place felt heavier.
And somewhere beyond those walls, Kael was already here.