Page 20

“ W aiting?” Elara inquired, her tone sceptical. “How could you possibly know we would be here?”

Darius’ lips curved into a faint smile, one that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“The crimson tome you bear, it’s not the first of its kind.

You’ve stumbled into a battle far older than you realise, and if you truly intend to challenge the Council, you’ll need more than just resolve and a stolen book. ”

I felt the weight of the tome on my back grow heavier with Darius’ words. “What do you know about the Council? About this?”

Darius’ expression soured. “More than I’d like to admit. The ruins you seek contain answers, but they also harbour danger. You’ll require guidance to navigate what lies ahead.”

Elara stepped closer, her voice tinged with suspicion. “And let me guess, you’re offering to guide us out of the kindness of your heart?”

Darius chuckled softly. “Hardly. My reasons are my own, and trust does not come easily in times like these. However, our goals align, for the moment. Take it or leave it.”

I observe Darius, my instincts at odds with my desperation. Trust was a luxury I couldn’t afford, but I couldn’t ignore the knowledge shining in his eyes either.

“We haven’t got time to waste,” I said at last, sheathing my blade. “If you’re leading us into a trap, you won’t live to see it through.”

He tilts his head. “Fair enough.”

Elara gave me a look, her lips pressed into a thin line, yet she didn’t argue.

Together, we followed Darius into the trees, the path ahead darker and more uncertain than ever.

Whatever lay before us, it wasn’t merely the past waiting , it was the future, and perhaps the key to breaking the Council’s hold once and for all.

Darius led us deeper into the forest, the dense trees crowding closer, their gnarled branches creating a nearly impenetrable canopy overhead.

The light faded as we walked, casting everything in a muted, greenish haze.

Every so often, he would look back, as if to ensure we were still following, yet he offered no further explanation.

Elara remained by my side, her fingers grazing the hilt of her dagger. I sensed her unease, reflecting my own. Although Darius may not have posed an immediate threat, his knowl- edge and sudden appearance raised too many unanswered questions.

After what felt like hours, Darius came to an abrupt stop at the edge of a wide clearing. The air here felt heavier, with the scent of damp earth and decay more pronounced. Before us stood what had once been a bustling trading post, now long abandoned and forgotten by time.

The remnants of the post were hardly recognisable.

Stone foundations jutted out from beneath thick layers of moss and ivy, their edges softened by years of weathering.

Wooden beams, cracked and decayed, lay scattered about, half-buried beneath the undergrowth.

The skeletal remains of a large building, perhaps a central hall or warehouse, stood in the centre, its roof caved in and its walls leaning precariously .

“Is this it?” Elara asked, scepticism heavy in her voice as she scanned the ruins.

Darius nods and steps forward. “The trading post was abandoned decades ago, long before the Council rose to power. The people who know about this trading post would call it the ruins. Few know of its existence, and even fewer would think to search for anyone here. That makes it ideal for your needs.”

“And what do we actually need?” I inquired, my hand resting upon the hilt of my sword.

Darius turned to face us, his expression unreadable.

“A place to regroup, to plan, and, most importantly, a safe haven for what you’ve taken.

” His gaze shifted momentarily to the crimson tome.

“The Council’s reach doesn’t extend here, at least not yet.

But that doesn’t mean this place is without its dangers. ”

I shared a glance with Elara. The ruins were less than ideal, but Darius was correct; secrecy was our greatest ally at this point.

He began to pick his way through the overgrown debris, gesturing for us to follow. “There’s more here than meets the eye. The merchants who established this place weren’t merely traders, they were guardians of knowledge, keepers of secrets. The ruins contain remnants of that purpose.”

We followed Darius to the central building, stepping over broken beams and pushing aside tangles of vines. Inside, the air was cooler, with light filtering through gaps in the collapsed roof. He gestured towards a large, flat stone slab set into the ground.

“Could you assist me with this?” he asks.

Elara and I exchanged another cautious glance but complied with Darius’ request. Together, the three of us heaved the slab to one side, uncovering a hidden staircase that descended into darkness. A faint, musty odour drifted upwards, carrying the scent of damp stone and stale air.

“This is where the real trading occurred,” Darius remarked, voice barely above a whisper. “Not in goods, but in knowledge.” Elara gazed into the darkness, her expression wary yet

inquisitive. “How do you know about this?”

Darius didn’t respond straight away. Instead, he stepped

onto the first stair, his voice echoing slightly as he spoke. “Because I was once one of them, a keeper of these secrets. If you’re going to confront the Council, you’ll need what’s

concealed down here.”

I hesitated, my instincts screaming at me to stay above

ground, to maintain the high ground and the light. But Elara’s hand brushed against mine, grounding me.

“If there’s even a chance this could assist us, we must see it through,” she said softly.

With a nod, I followed Darius into the darkness, Elara close behind. The staircase descended deeper than I had expected, the air growing colder with each step. At the bottom, Darius struck a flint, igniting a small torch he had carried with them.

The light unveiled a vast underground chamber, its walls adorned with shelves carved directly into the stone.

Dust- covered tomes and scrolls rested in neat rows, untouched by time or the elements.

In the centre of the room, a large circular table stood, its surface engraved with intricate runes that glowed faintly in the torchlight.

“This,” Darius said, his voice filled with reverence, “is the heart of the trading post. A repository of knowledge long believed to be lost. And now, it is yours.”

Elara and I gazed, the weight of what we were witnessing

descending upon us like a tangible force.

“What do these tomes contain?” Elara asked, her voice low. “Histories, truths, maps, secrets,” Darius replied, running his

hand along the table’s edge. “These are the things the Council has worked tirelessly to erase. If you wish to bring them down, you must begin here.”

I stepped closer to the table, my fingers brushing against the faintly glowing runes. This place, forgotten and concealed, could hold the answers we required, or it could lead to our undoing.

For the time being, this was all we had.