The hills rose slowly in front of them.
Not steep.
Not gentle.
Just tiring.
Lira felt it first.
"Kael… people are ahead."
He felt it too faint presences, many of them.
A city, his intent replied.
The Seer walked beside them now, no longer behind.
"We must be careful," he said.
"Neutral ground attracts all kinds of eyes."
Lira nodded.
She could already see the tops of buildings beyond the ridge.
Stone towers.
Smoke lines.
Movement.
Life.
Her chest felt tight.
"What if the heir has people inside the city?" she asked.
The Seer answered calmly.
"He always does."
Kael's grip on her hand tightened.
Then we don't separate.
She felt it clearly and nodded.
As they reached the top of the hill, the city opened before them.
Walls surrounded it—old, cracked, but still standing.
Guards at the gates.
Merchants outside.
Lira felt something strange.
Not fear.
Pressure.
"Kael… my chest feels heavy again."
He paused.
Not fear, his intent confirmed. Attention.
The Seer stopped too.
"Yes," he said quietly.
"You are being noticed."
Lira swallowed.
"By who?"
The Seer looked toward the city gates.
"By those who sense change.
And by those who profit from it."
They walked closer.
As they approached the gate, a guard raised his hand.
"Halt. Names?"
Lira opened her mouth
But Kael stepped slightly forward.
He couldn't speak.
The guard frowned.
"He's mute?"
Lira nodded quickly.
"Yes. We're travelers."
The guard studied them both.
Then his eyes lingered on Kael a moment too long.
Something flickered there.
Interest.
"Go on," the guard said finally.
They passed through the gate.
Inside, the city was loud.
Voices.
Metal.
Life moving fast.
Lira felt overwhelmed.
So many emotions brushed the bond at once fear, greed, anger, joy.
She stumbled slightly.
Kael caught her instantly.
Focus on me.
His calm wrapped around her.
Her breathing slowed.
"Thank you," she whispered.
The Seer watched them closely.
"You're adjusting faster," he noted.
They moved deeper into the city.
Suddenly
Lira stopped.
Her eyes widened.
"Kael… someone just… looked at us through the bond."
Kael froze.
Where?
She turned slowly.
Across the street
A man leaned against a wall, smiling faintly.
Not threatening.
Not hiding.
Just watching.
And when his eyes met Lira's
She felt it.
A soft tug.
Not breaking.
Testing.
The man inclined his head slightly.
Then turned and walked away.
The Seer's voice was low.
"That was not the heir."
Lira's heart raced.
"Then who was it?"
The Seer answered:
"A collector."
Kael's jaw tightened.
Of what?
The Seer didn't hesitate.
"Rare bonds."
Lira felt cold spread through her chest.
The city hadn't just noticed them.
It had welcomed them
as something valuable.
And dangerous.