As they gathered in the small room at ‘The Camel Toe’, Layla stood at the window, her eyes following the busy streets below. Morning light streamed through the curtains, casting a warm glow across her face, though her thoughts were somewhere else. She turned back to Silas and Rowan, who were discussing their plans for the day.

“I’ve set up a meeting with Countess Elara Crain,” Layla announced. “She’s a friend of my mother’s. I thought it might be a good idea to have her on our side if things get too complicated.”

Rowan raised an eyebrow. “A Countess?”

Layla nodded. “Countess Elara lives near the city’s centre, close to the wealthier district. I don’t know if she knows anything about the disappearances, but she has her ear to the ground when it comes to city affairs. If anyone’s heard whispers, it’ll be her.”

Rowan looked thoughtful but remained silent. Silas, on the other hand, tilted his head.“That sounds promising. Rowan and I need to hit the market for some supplies.”

“Supplies?” Layla asked, folding her arms. “What kind of supplies?”

“Monoculars,” Silas grinned, like he’d just thought of something clever.

Rowan blinked, surprised. “Monoculars? What are we planning to do with those?”

Silas smiled, a glint of mischief in his eyes. “We’ll be keeping watch tonight. From high up.”

“How high are we talking?” Rowan asked, his tone wary.

Silas pointed upwards toward the clouds. “The sky. Breeze will help us stay aloft while we observe from above.”

Rowan blinked again, stunned into silence for a moment. “...And you’re asking me to float up as well?”

“Of course, we’ll need to keep our eyes peeled in all directions. I can’t do it alone.” Silas said. “We need to cover more ground, and this way, we’ll be able to keep track of any suspicious caravans or movements.”

Layla chuckled softly. “I should’ve known you had a plan. Just don’t fall out of the sky while I’m gone.”

“Hey, now don’t scare Rowan anymore or he’ll back out,” Silas replied, smirking.

“W-Who says I’ll back out? I’m not afraid at all!” Rowan said while trying to muster up his courage for the night.

Once their plans were set, Layla gathered her things and left, her footsteps echoing softly as she made her way toward the wealthier part of the city.

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The streets near the city’s centre were clean and wide, lined with polished stone and grand homes. The opulence contrasted with the bustling markets and crowded alleys Layla had passed through earlier. As Layla approached the gates, a wave of nostalgia hit her. The grand manor, with its tall windows and ornate gates, reminded her too much of home—the estate she’d left behind in Clifden. A sudden pang of homesickness crept up, but she quickly pushed it aside, focusing on the task at hand.

The guard at the gate recognized her surname and, without hesitation, escorted her inside. The drawing room was as lavish as she’d expected, but Layla barely had time to take it all in before Countess Elara arrived. The woman was older than Layla remembered, her silver hair neatly pinned back, her deep blue attire as elegant as always. Her sharp eyes gleamed with intelligence as she greeted Layla with a warm smile.

“Layla, my dear,” Elara said, embracing her briefly. “It’s been too long. Your mother mentioned you might be coming to Ironvale for a trial. What brings you here?”

Layla returned the smile, though her thoughts were already on the task ahead. “It’s a serious matter, Countess. People have been disappearing, and we’re investigating the cause. My companions and I have reason to believe that slave traders might be involved.”

Elara’s expression grew more serious as she motioned for Layla to sit. “The slave trade, you say? It’s not unprecedented in this region, especially with the Great Golden Desert so close. Tell me what you’ve learned so far.”

Layla took a deep breath, recounting the key points. “We know that caravans from the desert frequent Ironvale, bringing goods like spices and silks. But we believe some of them are smuggling slaves, possibly using unmarked cargo and travelling at night to avoid detection. My companions are looking into the caravans as we speak.”

Elara nodded thoughtfully. “Caravans and desert traders are the lifeblood of this city. But it’s true that not all of them follow the legitimate routes. Some take more secretive paths to avoid taxes or inspections. The desert is vast and hard to patrol, making it the perfect cover for illicit activities.”

“That’s what we’ve been suspecting,” Layla said. “My friends plan to monitor the caravan routes tonight and see if there’s anything off with some of the caravans.”

“Not a bad idea” Elara mused. “The checkpoints and outposts along the desert crossings are key choke points. That’s where the cargo is inspected and permits are verified. Unfortunately, those are also the places where corruption thrives. Some officials can be easily bribed to turn a blind eye.”

“Do you know which officials are responsible for those crossings?” Layla asked, leaning forward slightly.

Elara’s eyes gleamed. “I have a few names in mind, but I’ll need to be discreet in gathering more concrete information. It’s not just the officials, though. Some of the outposts between Ironvale and the desert are more than just rest stops for caravans. They’re transfer points for illegal goods—and possibly people. Traders might stash their captives there before moving them deeper into the desert. I’m not completely confident about this, but it’s worth looking into.”

Layla’s mind raced. “Do you have any outposts in mind that we should further investigate?”

“That’s hard to say,” Elara replied. “You should focus on gathering information about outposts that receive unusual traffic at odd hours. If you notice any caravans stopping at an outpost that seems overly guarded or secretive, it’s worth investigating further.”

“We’ll look into it,” Layla said, already forming a plan.

“Good,” Elara said, her smile returning. “I’ll see what I can find on my end. If I hear any whispers about corrupt officials or suspicious outpost activity, I’ll pass the information along. Be careful, Layla. This is a dangerous game you’re playing.”

“I know,” Layla replied softly, standing as the meeting ended. “But we’ll be ready.”

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

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Silas and Rowan wandered through the market, looking for useful tools. After purchasing monoculars for thirty silver coins each, Rowan seemed satisfied, though he noticed Silas lingering by a stall selling thick rope and sturdy cloth. Without hesitation, Silas picked up the items and placed them on the counter.

Rowan raised an eyebrow. “Rope and cloth? Planning something I should know about?”

Silas smirked, securing the purchase. “It might be needed later.”

Rowan shook his head, a mixture of curiosity and amusement crossing his face. “You’re always prepared for something, aren’t you?”

“Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it,” Silas replied with a grin.

With their supplies in hand, they made their way toward the eastern part of Ironvale, nearing the city’s entrance that faced the vast expanse of the Great Golden Desert. The streets were relatively quiet, the usual bustling crowd thinning as the sun dipped toward the horizon. After scouting the area, they found a tall, sturdy building near the city gate—a perfect vantage point for watching caravans entering Ironvale.

Ensuring no one was around, Silas summoned Breeze, the Wind Spirit, who effortlessly lifted both him and Rowan to the roof of the building. Once they landed, they settled comfortably, positioning themselves to monitor the city’s eastern entrance.

Time passed slowly as they took turns scanning the caravans moving in and out of the city. The desert winds stirred lazily around them, and as the light dimmed into the evening, Silas remained focused, his eyes sharp behind the monocular. Rowan, however, broke the silence.

“I’m starting to get hungry,” Rowan admitted, rubbing his stomach.

Just as Silas was about to make a remark, the communication stone buzzed. Rowan pulled it out, glancing at Silas before answering.

“Layla? How’s it going?” he said, keeping his voice low.

“We’re up on top of a building near the east entrance,” Rowan explained. “You should come by. And, if you don’t mind, bring some food. We’ve been up here for hours.”

Silas chuckled. “For once, I agree.”

Layla laughed and replied, “I’ll be there in a bit.”

After some time, Layla arrived at the base of the building, carrying a small bundle of food. Silas floated down to meet her while Rowan kept an eye on the entrance. With Breeze’s help, they floated back up to the rooftop, where Layla handed Rowan the food. “Here you go. You two look like you’ve been perched up here all day.”

Rowan eagerly took the food, diving in without hesitation. Layla, on the other hand, grabbed the monocular and took over the watch, letting Silas have a brief rest.

The three of them settled into their roles—Layla and Silas scanning the entrance, Rowan keeping himself occupied with his meal. After some time, Layla noticed something subtle. One of the caravans passing through the city gate wasn’t inspected as long as the others. It wasn’t glaringly obvious, but something about the brief exchange between the guards and the caravan felt off.

“Silas,” Layla said, handing him the monocular. “Take a look at that one. Something’s not right.”

Silas focused in on the caravan, watching how the guards allowed it through with barely a glance at its cargo. “That’s unusual. They barely checked it.”

Rowan, finishing his food, wiped his hands. “Think it’s worth following?”

“Definitely,” Layla said. “I’ll keep track of where it’s headed. Silas, stay up here and keep watch over the entrance in case something else passes by.”

Nodding, Silas called on Breeze once again. The Wind Spirit gently lifted Rowan and Layla back down to the ground. Once there, they began tailing the caravan as it wound its way deeper into Ironvale.

Silas remained on the rooftop, eyes fixed on the eastern gate, vigilant for any further suspicious activity.

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Rowan and Layla moved through the narrow streets, keeping a safe distance behind the caravan they had been tracking. The vehicle slowed as it neared a modest caravanserai, an old building with high, sun-weathered walls and an expansive courtyard. The three figures riding the caravan—the driver and two others seated in the back—finally halted the vehicle. After a brief stretch and a few muttered words between them, they headed inside the building, seemingly uninterested in their cargo.

“Strange,” Layla whispered as she and Rowan ducked behind a nearby alleyway. “They didn’t even bother securing their goods.”

Rowan’s eyes narrowed. “Yeah, it’s not usual. But this might be our chance.”

After waiting for a tense moment, they approached the stationary caravan, their eyes scanning for any sign of the riders returning.

The caravan was loaded with an assortment of spices, perfumes, fruits, and silks, all neatly arranged and seemingly ordinary. Layla peered inside, her brows knitting in confusion.

“It all looks pretty standard,” she murmured. “Maybe we were overthinking it. There’s nothing here but luxury goods.”

Rowan, however, shook his head. “No. Something’s off.” He pointed toward the floor of the caravan. “Look at the height of the floor from the base. It’s too high.”

Layla studied the space more closely, and after Rowan pointed it out, she noticed it too. “You’re right. There’s more to this than meets the eye.”

Without wasting time, Rowan hoisted himself into the caravan. “Keep an eye out for me,” he said, his voice low but steady.

Layla nodded, her eyes scanning the area while Rowan moved the goods aside. He worked carefully, not wanting to disturb the arrangement too much. As he shifted some crates of spices, his hand brushed against the wooden floor, and he knocked on it lightly. After a few taps, his ears caught a hollow sound.

“Found it,” Rowan muttered.

He pressed down on the floor, feeling around until his fingers caught the edge of something hidden. A rotating false bottom clicked open with a slight twist, revealing a cavity beneath. Rowan’s eyes widened as he saw the interior. Faint bloodstains were lining the bottom of the hidden compartment, and a mild, coppery scent of blood wafted up—something that had been masked by the overwhelming smell of spices.

Rowan’s breath hitched as he stared at the faint bloodstains. “Blood,” he whispered, his stomach knotting. He quickly closed the hidden compartment and arranged the goods as they had been before.

Layla turned back to him. “What did you find?”

“Bloodstains in a hidden compartment. It’s definitely bad,” Rowan said, his tone grim.

Layla’s expression shifted from curiosity to shock. “We need to let Silas know.”

Rowan nodded and reached for the communication stone, his fingers tightening around it. “Silas, we found something. There’s a false bottom in the caravan’s floor, it’s big enough to fit a person and there are bloodstains inside, most likely human.”

The stone buzzed with Silas’s voice. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, we checked. They’re inside the caravanserai right now.”

There was a pause on Silas’s end as he deliberated. “Alright. Check the place out, see if they offer lodging. If something feels off, leave immediately.”

Rowan and Layla exchanged a look and silently agreed. They moved toward the entrance of the caravanserai and pushed through the heavy wooden door. The dim lantern light cast long shadows in the common area, the heavy scent of incense clinging to the air, too strong, like it was trying to cover something more unpleasant. An older man stood behind the counter, his face neutral as he noticed the two of them.

“Welcome,” the man said in a gruff voice. “What can I do for you?”

Rowan stepped forward, keeping his tone friendly. “We’re travellers, just passing through and looking for a place to stay for the night. Do you have any rooms available?”

The innkeeper’s face remained impassive, but his reply was clipped, almost hurried. “Sorry, we’re all full. No rooms available at the moment.”

Rowan and Layla exchanged a brief glance. “I see,” Rowan said, forcing a smile. “Thanks anyway.”

They turned to leave, but the innkeeper’s refusal only deepened their suspicions. Once outside, Layla whispered, “He didn’t even check if there were rooms.”

“Yeah,” Rowan replied. “This whole place feels wrong.”

They exchanged a quick glance before moving away from the caravanserai, slipping into the shadows without a word. They were now fully convinced that something much darker was happening here.