The Silent Name

The wind had changed.

Ryn felt it before he saw it, a shift in the air that carried more than just the coming storm. It was something deeper, something unseen. An omen, perhaps, or a warning. He didn't know which.

The group pressed on, trudging through the vast plains as the sky above darkened. The ruins of the Silent Name were long behind them now, yet their presence still lingered, woven into the silence between their words. Each of them had felt something back there, something they couldn't quite name. But only Ryn had seen what the mirror had shown. Only he had glimpsed what lay ahead.

And he wasn't sure if he feared it or welcomed it.

Korin adjusted the strap of his pack and shot a glance at Ryn. "So, do we know where we're actually going? Or are we just walking toward the most ominous part of the map?"

Serafina scoffed. "You act as if we had a choice."

Lyara, who had been silent for most of the journey, finally spoke. "Ryn's right. If there are answers, they'll be in the mountains."

Ryn nodded, grateful for the support. "There's an old fortress there, built before the Houses took control of this land. If the Silent Name is leading me somewhere, it's there."

Korin sighed. "Great. A cursed ruin in the middle of a storm. Fantastic."

They continued in silence, the ground beneath them growing more uneven as they approached the foothills. The grass gave way to jagged rock, and soon, the distant rumble of thunder warned of an approaching storm. It would be upon them soon.

As night fell, they found shelter beneath a rocky outcrop, a natural alcove carved by time and wind. Lyara started a fire while the others set up camp. The flames flickered, casting long shadows against the stone walls.

Ryn sat apart from the others, staring into the fire. His fingers absently traced the sigil that had burned itself into his chest back in the ruins. It wasn't glowing now, but he could still feel its weight.

He knew the others were watching him. They had questions. He didn't have answers.

Korin broke the silence. "You gonna tell us what happened back there?"

Ryn didn't look up. "You saw what I saw. The mirror—"

"—showed us some cryptic nonsense," Korin interrupted. "It showed you something else."

Ryn exhaled sharply. "It showed me what's coming."

Lyara's gaze sharpened. "Explain."

Ryn hesitated. But they deserved the truth. "I saw myself on a battlefield. Older. Stronger. Surrounded by war. I was standing at the head of an army."

Silence settled over the group.

Serafina crossed her arms. "And you think this is fate?"

Ryn met her gaze. "I think it's a path I could take. Maybe one I will take."

Korin shifted uncomfortably. "So, what? You saw yourself as some kind of warlord? And we're just supposed to go along with that?"

"It wasn't just a vision." Ryn's voice was firm. "It was a warning. Or a promise. Either way, we don't have a choice but to keep moving."

Lyara studied him carefully. "You're afraid."

Ryn hesitated. "Not of what I saw." He turned his gaze to the darkness beyond their fire. "Of what's following us."

The moment he spoke the words, Lyara's posture changed. Her hand flew to the dagger at her belt.

The fire flickered.

The wind outside howled.

Then, from the shadows, a voice.

"Finally, you've stopped running."

The group rose as one, weapons drawn. A figure stepped into the firelight, clad in dark, weatherworn robes. A mask covered their face, obscuring all but their piercing, golden eyes. Behind them, more figures emerged, shadows given form.

They had been followed.

Ryn steadied his breathing. "Who are you?"

The masked figure tilted their head. "You don't recognize us?"

Serafina's grip on her weapon tightened. "Should we?"

"You should," the figure said calmly. "We are the ones who know what you've taken. And we are here to collect it."

Ryn felt the sigil on his chest pulse.

He knew, then, that these people—whoever they were—weren't going to let him leave alive.

Lightning flashed overhead, illuminating the storm rolling in from the horizon. Thunder rumbled, shaking the ground beneath their feet.

And then, the masked figures attacked.