Early in the morning, the Grims sat on a fallen tree log, gathered around a small fire as they shared breakfast. The air was crisp, the morning dew still clinging to the leaves. They had spent the night tending to the father and son they had encountered the day before, and now the time had come for answers.
Elric took a sip from his flask before addressing the man. "Akaulo, you never fully explained why the Royal Guard is so interested in your land. What makes it so valuable?"
Akaulo glanced at his son, Mahikan, who was quietly nibbling on a piece of bread. The boy's eyes were wary, filled with caution despite their hospitality. Akaulo sighed, his face weary from years of hardship.
"Can I trust you?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Elric met his gaze steadily. "That's your decision to make. We're not here to force anything out of you."
