My heart raced with excitement. After 8 years of yearning, the prospect of the world beyond Havenwood's woods was electrifying, inundating me with countless questions. I pulled myself from my stupor, shifting restlessly on my feet, back and forth, back and forth. I tried to hide my excitement, muttering, "I guess I don't know much, to be honest." My gaze darted to the ground before lifting nervously to meet his eyes. "Why do you want to know?" I struggled to still my fidgeting.

A gentle smile tugged at the corners of the man's lips as he leaned forward, his hands rubbing together before he let out a tired sigh. "I had a feeling. Your village is truly one of a kind, so secluded and self-sufficient. It's a rarity in this world."

Leaning back slightly, as if bracing himself for another battle, he continued, "My name is Kael. I'm something of a wanderer, an adventurer, you could say. I've traversed this world, witnessed its wonders, fought in wars, and lost much along the way." He chuckled darkly, his eyes distant. "I'm asking because you saved my life. In my travels, I've learned to repay my debts. I have no money, no possessions to offer. But, I do have my story." His gaze bore into mine, carrying the weight of sincerity. "I hope that will suffice."

"Our world is called Wardenas. It's perilous, more so than your village might suggest. You're fortunate to live in such a safe haven. I've seen countless villages ravaged by monsters. Or worse, by men," Kael's voice held a mixture of sadness… and perhaps nostalgia?

"In Wardenas, there are four major kingdoms. To the north lies Frostholm with its icy palaces. Eastward, there's Sylvanwood, a democratic nation of elves and beastmen. Sunhaven, to the west, is a hub of commerce and trade. And to the south, there's Stonehelm, the largest of the four nation. This village is on the western side of Stonehelm."

Kael's words flowed as he continued speaking, painting fragments of his journey, unveiling stories of distant lands, uncharted ruins, and perilous exploits. The narratives sketched a vivid picture of a medieval world beyond my village, a world that was as exhilarating as it was treacherous.

One story, however, kindled my curiosity more than the rest. Kael recounted the tale of Dawnhaven, a city near my home. His story painted an image of bustling streets, colored by vendors and young boys, my age, brushing and weaving through its streets. Jutting from the side of these streets would be towering walls and buildings, holding knights and adventurers. I could imagine myself in those barracks, looking out from the top of their rugged ballasts. I would be able to see my woods in the distance - perhaps even my hometown. I was enchanted, loving every image drawn before me. I unconsciously leaned forward as I wiped drool from the side of my mouth.

These tales enticed me into an unknown realm, where market stalls in Sunhaven pulsed with life and exotic scents. Stoneshield's towering walls inspired awe, crushing foes, while its adventurers would travel to Frostholm's snow-clad landscapes, exploring long-emptied dragon sanctuaries.

Images of majestic spires that seemed to reach the heavens, alongside gardens ablaze with otherworldly flora, ignited my imagination. A realm steeped in knowledge and cosmic secrets called out to me, offering an opportunity to finally answer my questions. The call to travel was strong, reawakening my yearning to embark on my own adventure.

But just as my thoughts ventured towards leaving, to becoming a part of that world, Lily burst out of her house and leapt onto my back, pulling me back into reality. Her eyes darted to Kael, and she greeted him with a massive grin. "Heya there, nice to meet you!" she exclaimed.

I pushed her off, exhaling in frustration. She'd interrupted just when Kael was discussing Dawnhaven, the nearby city. "Hey, don't jump on me like that. I was listening to Kael."

Lily met my gaze, snorted, and shrugged off my annoyance. She focused on Kael, rolling her eyes. "Sorry about him. He's always so serious. It gets old," she petulantly sighed. "I'm Lily! It's great to finally meet you! And trust me, I'm way more interesting than he is," she declared proudly.

My eyes narrowed, but I kept my foul thoughts to myself.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

Kael laughed, a genuine lightness in his expression appearing for the first time. He glanced down at the spirited girl before him. With a smile he replied, "Nice to meet you too. I'm sure I'll have plenty of time to get to know both of you. No need to compete for attention. ….but you definitely do seem more interesting than Alex," he said as he winked at me.

....

As days morphed into weeks, Kael's recovery breathed life back into him and the village. His stories captivated the villagers; many had never conceived of a world beyond Havenwood. The battles, the formidable foes, the discoveries, the hidden ruins, and tales of camaraderie with people of diverse backgrounds were intoxicating. But underlying Kael's tales of adventure, I sensed an unfulfilled yearning, a longing that had accompanied him through his journeys.

And gradually, that yearning seemed to find solace. It caught my attention one day while Elara, the village healer, leaned over Kael to check a bandage. The same man who had spoken of fierce battles and monstrous adversaries was now blushing, his usually stoic countenance transformed by an unfamiliar and yet oddly fitting expression. I watched them, pondering the dynamics between them before turning away, contemplative.

Realization dawned upon me, filling me with a mischievous glee – I now had leverage over Kael. I couldn't help but let out a soft, evil cackle, relishing in my newfound knowledge.

….

Kael hated me. I had playfully taunted him about his newfound affection for Elara, taking every opportunity to mock his besotted gaze whenever she tended to him. Whenever I approached, I could see the flicker of panic in his eyes, the way he stiffened involuntarily before hastily shushing me. Then, naturally he would succumb to my every demand. How delightful!

Lily, being equally perceptive, joined in the teasing with gusto. She and I often exchanged jests about Kael's tender admiration for Elara. Our favorite torture method was to call Elara to wipe Kael's back. Kael, bared before her, would turn bright red, causing Elara to then worry about his blood pressure, then sending him into an even greater frenzy. The then ensuing chaos could entertain the two of us for two or three hours! In a world without smartphones, this was peak entertainment!

But one day, an unexpected twist emerged, as if to foil our plans to blackmail Kael into submission. We noticed something that surprised us both – Elara was not immune to Kael's gaze either. Their silent exchanges had evolved into a delightful dance of stolen glances, each quick glance met with a bashful turn of the head and a blush that spread across their cheeks. It was simultaneously endearing and somewhat nauseating. Witnessing these clandestine interactions made my stomach churn, but I couldn't deny that there was a certain sweetness to their budding love.

Taking advantage of our final moments of power, we pressured as many answers out of Kael as we could. However, despite our best attempts to question him, there was one topic which Kael fastidiously avoided: he was unwilling to explain the enigmatic circumstances under which I had found him, lying injured in the woods with nothing but the clothes on his back. Despite our growing camaraderie, he remained steadfastly silent about these events.

….

A month after Kael had begun to open up to us, he made an announcement that devastated us and sent ripples of joy throughout the rest of the village. He and Elara were officially together. The contented smile on Kael's face was a sight to behold – a rare glimpse of genuine happiness that was markedly different from the weight he always carried with him.

With his announcement, me and Lily lost our source of blackmail.

....

We met up one evening, to plot a method to continue hearing about the greater world from Kael.

"We need a honey trap," Lily whispered to me with serious eyes.

"He does seem to fall for women easily," I agreed. "But who should tempt Kael to cheat on Elara? He's not going to fall for me." I gazed at Lily meaningfully - she was going to need to carry this plan through to completion.

Just as Lily was about to protest her newly appointed role, two burly hands grabbed us and picked both of us up by our napes. "What are you two up to?" growled Kael. Lily and I exchanged glances. *Uh oh.*

That day, we both went home thoroughly scolded (and sore, in my case). However, we had gained something out of our conniving - Kael, perhaps feeling slightly guilty had agreed to satiate our curiosity. He did say that he would only help us within reason, but that was a small detail! Kael was still ours to use and abuse.

….

In the meantime, Kael's presence in the village took on a new significance. After I pestered him, he became a mentor to me, guiding me in my training and imparting his knowledge of combat techniques and survival strategies. We would practice together in the clearing, our swords clashing in a dance of skill and determination.

But beyond our primarily physical training sessions, Kael's insights into the world of Wardenas were invaluable. Every once in a while, he would teach me about the different creatures that inhabited the forests, the hidden dangers that existed within this world, and the delicate balance that existed between nature and civilization. These were things I would've been unable to learn by myself.

I was having the time of my life - but that would soon change.