Evin and Allovilde were still reeling from the sudden turn of events. Just hours ago, Laktor had tried to bribe them—two gold pieces for the dagger. Two gold pieces! And now, as if on a whim, he had reversed course entirely, insisting they come along with him.

It all felt too convenient. Was this a genuine offer, or just another ploy? Was Laktor a friend? An opportunist? Someone scheming to gain their trust only to run off with the dagger later, leaving them stranded? He’d certainly be saving himself a fortune if that was the plan.

Still, arguing wouldn’t get them anywhere, and since they had already been preparing to leave camp, they simply continued packing up, all the while probing for more answers from their new… ally? If he could be called that.

Within twenty minutes, their campsite was gone without a trace, save for a few disturbed patches of earth.

Laktor studied their efficient work, nodding in approval. “You two know your way around the wilderness. That’s a useful skill.”

Allovilde straightened slightly at the praise. “We’ve spent most of our lives in these forests. It’s where we belong.”

Laktor gave a thoughtful nod. “And you’ve always done it together—never leaving the other behind, right?”

Evin didn’t hesitate. “That’s right.”

A thought occurred to him, and he turned to Laktor with a hopeful look. “Would you help us carry our hunt back to the village? It’d save us a few trips.”

Laktor secured his gear, inhaling deeply as if weighing his words.

“Listen,” he said finally, “I know this has been sudden—probably unsettling for both of you. I haven’t explained much, and that’s because I needed a moment to gather my thoughts. There are too many coincidences happening at once—the dagger, your lineage, the visions…” He paused, then hoisted one of the branches where freshly caught rabbits hung.

“I’ll help you bring back the hunt,” he continued, “and once we reach the village, let me speak with your parents while you finish your delivery. After that… we’ll see where the road takes us. Sound fair?”

Both youths nodded in agreement and secured their makeshift carrier, positioning the larger game between them for the journey back to Borin.

They walked in silence, their minds preoccupied with the revelations of their Pathway Summaries. The more they explored, the more questions arose—why had no one in their village ever spoken of this? Had the elders known all along and chosen to keep it from them? Or were they just as unaware?

Laktor occasionally offered a remark, stating things matter-of-factly, but neither Evin nor Allovilde knew how to respond. He didn’t seem to mind their silence.

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Eventually, he spoke again, his tone casual but pointed. “So, I take it your village elders haven’t set foot in the larger cities or settlements outside the forest in the last decade. That’s when the Pathway Summary system was first discovered.”

He glanced at them, watching for a reaction. When none came, he continued, “It was actually a breakthrough made by my organization. We shared it through trusted channels, letting the knowledge spread without drawing attention to ourselves. We prefer to operate on a need-to-know basis.”

As they walked, the dense forest gradually began to thin, revealing glimpses of the rolling hills and distant rooftops of Greenhaven. The late afternoon sun filtered through the towering trees, casting long, golden beams across the narrow dirt path. Birds flitted between the branches, their calls blending with the rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze. The scent of damp earth and pine needles filled the air, mingling with the lingering aroma of their fresh hunt.

Laktor adjusted the branch over his shoulder, where several rabbits hung, and let out a dry chuckle. “There are still so many secrets to unravel,” he said, glancing at the two beside him. “We make progress every day—new ideas, new discoveries. But for every answer we find, ten more questions rise to take its place.”

He stepped over a gnarled root protruding from the path, his boots pressing firm into the softened earth. “The more we learn, the more we realize how little we understand. About everything. About the Pathway, our Marks, about Rygr, about the very land we walk on.” He exhaled sharply, shaking his head. “Void take me, even our own civilization.”

Evin and Allovilde exchanged a glance but remained quiet, absorbing his words as they continued along the winding trail. The village was still a ways off, the scent of burning wood from evening fires just barely detectable in the wind.

Laktor slowed his pace slightly, “Tell me—were you aware that our civilization is likely only a few hundred years old?” He let the question hang in the air, his gaze unreadable as he studied their reactions.

Allovilde frowned. “What do you mean? We have stories going back—”

“Three, maybe four hundred years, at most,” Laktor interrupted, his voice edged with something unreadable. “Then suddenly—nothing. The records just... stop. No history, no ruins, no legends older than that. How is that possible?” He turned his gaze skyward, as though searching for answers among the drifting clouds. “What was here before then? Where did we come from?”

Silence fell between them, save for the distant crash of a river breaking against rocks and the rhythmic crunch of their footsteps on the dirt path. These were questions neither Evin nor Allovilde had ever considered—why would they? Life in Greenhaven had always been simple, shaped by the rhythm of the forest and the traditions of their village. There had never been a reason to question what lay beyond their familiar world.

And yet, something about Laktor’s words unsettled them. A hunger stirred deep within, an unfamiliar itch in the back of their minds. What if there was more? More to their history, more to the land they walked, more than just the quiet existence they had always known.

Evin tightened his grip on the makeshift carrier, his thoughts churning. He had spent his life hunting, tracking, and surviving in the woods—but how much had he really seen? Greenhaven and its surrounding forests had always been his whole world, but compared to Laktor’s stories, it now felt... small.

Allovilde cast a glance at the man walking ahead of them, her sharp eyes filled with curiosity. Unravel the truths of their civilization? The very thought sent a thrill through her. She had always wanted to explore, to push beyond the boundaries of the only home she had ever known. Now, for the first time, she realized just how little she truly understood.

The forest around them swayed in the evening breeze, the setting sun casting amber streaks through the canopy. A distant owl hooted, its voice carrying through the trees. Greenhaven was near now—the faint glow of firelight visible through the thinning branches.