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“We have one,” I replied.

“Good. I’ll let you go first, then meet you there as soon as I can.”

I nodded and hugged Max again, Elias watching warily beside us. I turned and walked into the weapons shop and Elias followed, leaving Max alone out back. When we entered, Trybe and a man were carrying a few crates of supplies into the back room. She glanced up at us and gave a quick nod.

“We’ll meet up with you later,” Elias said to her. The man Trybe was with was too busy hauling the supplies to turn and look at us.

“I’ll be here,” Trybe said with a confident wink.

Without another word, we walked out and headed towards Tynvaris. We made it to the east end of the city in silence, Elias tense and brooding the whole time. More so than usual.

We found the Drawing Book, then followed the rest of Max’s directions. Soon, we arrived at the tree with the small crescent moon carving. I peered at the ground behind it, only seeing undisturbed soil. Elias bent down and helped me brush the soil away until we found the wooden hatch hidden underneath. It really was hidden quite well.

Elias lifted the hatch and insisted he go first. I didn’t argue, and held the hatch open as he walked down a small set of creaky stairs and out of sight. He seemed to have found the torch Max had mentioned because I heard the familiar sound of his steel striker trying to light a spark. When I saw the wall light up, I took that as my queue to head inside, quietly closing the heavy cellar door behind me.

The cellar was small, roughly the same size as our rented room at the StarMoon Inn. Elias headed to the opposite wall, and beganstriking his steel tool next to another torch, until a spark lit up the dense oil inside and turned it into a flame.

Now that there was more light, I could make out more items in the room. A feather mattress sat on the floor in one corner, covered in dusty blankets. A small, open cabinet was near to it, and looked to be filled with bottles of wine. Towards the center of the room were two armchairs, which also looked to be a bit dusty. Between the chairs was a small table, topped with a deck of cards. There was no room for any other furniture in the small cellar. I wondered how Max was able to get any of it in there to begin with.

I stood there, wondering why Max needed two chairs. Then I realized, this was probably where he brought his lovers in secret. He was a big flirt, after all.

I walked over and wiped some of the dust off a chair with my hand before sitting down. I looked up and watched Elias pace the room, observing the small furnishings. His shoulders were tense, and he looked uneasy.

“Elias?” I said. He stopped walking and looked at me. “You can relax now.”

“Are you sure we’re safe here? Your prince isn’t going to just go call for the guards to come ambush us?” he asked bitterly, beginning to pace again.

“Of course he won’t,” I replied sharply. “And he’s notmyprince. He’s a good friend. He has trusted me with his secrets, and I know I can trust him with this.” Elias huffed, still looking unsure. I sighed, trying to ease my frustration. “What about me, Elias? Do you trust me?”

Elias paused his pacing once more, his fiery stare meeting mine. “I do.”

“Then relax. Please.”

He continued to meet my stare before finally letting out a breath,his shoulders dropping. “Alright,” he muttered as he leaned against the wall – the same lean he always did, which I found oddly enticing.

Neither of us spoke for a few minutes. It was silent other than the sound of the crackling flames from the torches that likely hadn’t been lit in weeks. And even from underground, I could still hear the splashing sound of a gentle rushing stream. I found it soothing.

The few minutes of silence gave me time to think about what I was going to tell Max. I trusted him with my secrets, just as he trusted me with his. I decided I was going to tell him where I was going and why, but spare too much details of the journey itself. I then realized that even Elias didn’t know the true purpose of my mission. But at this point, I knew I trusted him enough now too.

“Elias,” my voice broke the silence. “I’m going to explain everything to Max. And, well…some of it might be new to you. I hope it doesn’t change anything.”

Elias cocked his head slightly, but then gave me a soft smile. “We’ve come this far, Aura. I can’t imagine I’d abandon you now.”

His words were shockingly reassuring, and butterflies filled my stomach. “But you would have earlier on in the journey?” I joked.

He let out a laugh, which lit my soul from within. But before he could respond, we heard the cellar door begin to open, and sunlight flooded the small room, blinding me for a moment. Max stepped down the creaky stairs, and closed the hatch behind him.

“Sorry for the mess. I would have cleaned up if I knew I was having company,” he teased. He walked over and sat at the chair opposite me, giving Elias an awkward nod as he passed him. “So,” Max began, clasping his hands together. “Tell me everything.”

I took a deep breath, then started from the beginning, with the recurring dream of the wolf. Elias’s face fell when I mentioned it, but I continued. I went on about how the dream led me to sneak into Rimor Library where I found the mysterious book. I explained themap, and Zolmara, and the strange conversation with my Uncle Balor who assured me Zolmara would have the answers I was seeking. All throughout my story, I periodically glanced at Elias, who remained expressionless but listened intently.

“Can I have a look?” Max asked, referring to the book. I agreed, and pulled it from my pack. I handed it to Max and saw Elias following it with intense eyes.

While Max flipped through the book, I explained how I met Elias, and that he agreed to take me to the Forest of Torment, which was otherwise called Zolmara according to the book. I explained our trip to Chatus and how Rimorian guards were stationed there, and that they almost found me. I didn’t bother mentioning Magda, Nadia, or Gabriel, as I felt the secret of their hidden village was not mine to tell. I explained that we didn’t have time to get supplies in Chatus due to all the guards, so we came to Monuvia. Max listened patiently without interruption.

“Wow,” he said breathlessly. “That’s a lot to take in.” He handed the book back to me.

“May I see it?” Elias’s voice took me by surprise since he had remained so quiet throughout my storytelling. We made eye contact for a moment before he stepped over so I could hand the book to him. He inspected each page slowly and carefully.