As the morning sun rose higher, Alcard rode his horse with an ease that only came from years of facing danger. His posture was relaxed, but his mind was restless, filled with questions that still had no answers. The rough stone road stretched ahead, leading him toward Wolven Fortress, an old stronghold owned by Lord Edmun Wolven, one of the lesser lords whose territory bordered The Wall.
The cold afternoon air bit at his skin, carrying with it the scent of damp earth and fallen leaves. The dense forests flanking both sides of the road added to the gloomy atmosphere, as if mirroring the unease in his mind. The towering trees cast long shadows, their branches swaying ever so slightly, creating the illusion of unseen figures moving among them. Occasionally, the distant chirping of birds could be heard, but their songs were nearly drowned out by the whisper of the wind against the aging trees.
Staring straight ahead, Alcard muttered under his breath, barely more than a whisper to himself. "Why would a noble from Edenvila need an outcast for an escort? Isn't that the job of the royal guard? And why choose this fortress as the meeting point?"
The horse beneath him let out a quiet snort, almost as if sensing his unease. But Alcard remained focused, his eyes constantly scanning the road ahead. He had never felt comfortable in unfamiliar places, especially when sent on a mission that already felt suspicious from the start.
As the sun began to set, its golden glow stretched over the aged stone walls of Wolven Fortress, now visible in the distance. The fortress stood tall, though time had clearly left its mark—moss crept between the cracks of the stone, and some of the watchtowers looked on the verge of collapse. But despite its weathered appearance, the fort still exuded strength, its walls unyielding against the passage of time.
Approaching the main gate, Alcard spotted two guards armed with spears, standing rigid before the thick wooden doors. As his horse came to a halt, one of the guards stepped forward, his spear raised slightly in a gesture of caution.
"Halt!" The man's voice was firm, laced with authority. "Who are you, and what business do you have here?"
Alcard met his gaze with an unreadable expression, unfazed by the hostility in his tone. "I am Alcard. An outcast. I come at the request of Lady Arwen Delareu of Edenvila."
The guards exchanged glances, their expressions briefly shifting from suspicion to amusement before one of them let out a chuckle, soon followed by the other's low laughter.
"An outcast?" one of them sneered, mockery dripping from his voice. "And you think you can just ride up here and announce yourself like some honored guest?"
The other guard smirked, shaking his head. "What makes you think a noble like Lady Arwen would need someone like you? You're just another stray hiding behind that cursed Wall."
Alcard didn't react. Instead, he reached into his cloak, pulling out a sealed parchment and extending it toward them with calm precision. "Read this." His voice was ice-cold, free of arrogance yet carrying an authority that made both men hesitate. "It is a direct order from Lady Arwen. You do not have the right to refuse it."
One of the guards, still wearing a mask of reluctance, grabbed the document and unfolded it. As his eyes skimmed the official seal and the words within, his previous arrogance began to waver. A flicker of uncertainty crossed his face, and he turned to his fellow guard, muttering grudgingly.
"It's legitimate. We can't refuse this."
The second guard huffed, clearly unhappy with the situation, but he didn't argue. Instead, he turned to the watchmen above the gate and signaled them to open it. "Fine. You may enter. But don't think for a second that you're welcome here, outcast."
The massive wooden doors groaned, their ancient hinges straining as the fortress slowly revealed itself beyond the threshold.
Inside, a vast courtyard spread before him, simple but functional. A group of soldiers trained in one corner, their blades clashing in drills, while a few servants hurriedly moved supplies into the keep. The fading sunlight cast long shadows across the stone, adding a somber tone to the already tense atmosphere.
As Alcard rode deeper into the courtyard, he could feel the shift in the air. Whispers rose around him, hushed voices belonging to soldiers and servants alike.
"An outcast? Why is he here?" someone murmured.
"They're just mercenaries and criminals. Why would we let one inside?" another whispered, their voice laced with disdain.
But Alcard paid them no mind. He had long grown accustomed to the stares, the hushed insults, the looks of contempt. None of it mattered—this was just another job.
"It's just work," he reminded himself. "Nothing more."
Yet, despite his attempts to rationalize it, a gnawing unease refused to leave him.
Something wasn't right.
Not just the way they looked at him, but the nature of the request itself. Why would a noble from Edenvila choose an outcast for protection rather than trusting their own guards? Why meet at Wolven Fortress instead of somewhere within their own controlled lands?
Approaching the main hall, the massive double doors loomed before him, a silent guardian to the answers he sought.
And as he reached for the handle, a cold whisper at the back of his mind warned him—
This was no ordinary mission.
And whatever awaited him inside…
Was something far more dangerous than he had anticipated.
****