“Did you see the look on your father’s face?” Allovilde whispered, glancing at Evin as they strode through the dusky village streets.

Evin let out a quiet chuckle. “Yeah—first, he just narrowed his eyes like he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Then, for a moment, it looked like he’d seen a ghost.” He shook his head, suppressing a grin. “Honestly, I’m kind of relieved. At least it proves what Laktor told us was true—he did know my uncle. I just wish I could hear what they’re talking about right now.”

They turned the final bend, where a short gravel path stretched ahead of them. Blueberry bushes lined the edges, their leaves shimmering in the fading daylight. To the right, a small vegetable garden lay neatly arranged in rows, its dark soil freshly turned. The scent of earth and ripening herbs filled the evening air.

Klara Hewitt, Borin’s wife, knelt among the plants, a woven basket beside her overflowing with root vegetables. She looked up as they approached, wiping her hands on her apron. “You two have certainly been busy lately!” she called warmly. “Borin is overjoyed with all the fresh game you’ve been bringing in—and so is the rest of the village. It’s a fine thing to see young folk stepping up to help.”

Evin and Allovilde exchanged a quick glance. Did she know? It almost sounded like a farewell, as if she already sensed that this might be the last hunt they brought back for the village.

“We’ve been well taken care of all these years,” Evin said, offering a small smile. “It’s the least we could do.”

With that, they quickened their pace, the wooden steps of Borin’s shop creaking under their boots. Before they could knock, the shopkeeper’s head popped around the doorframe, his bushy brows lifting in delight.

“Oooh, even more?” Borin beamed, stepping aside. “This is splendid! I really can’t thank you enough. Come in, come in!”

As Borin inspected the game, running practiced hands over the pelts and checking the firmness of the meat, Evin and Allovilde sat on a small bench just outside the shop. The wooden slats were worn smooth from years of use, and the scent of tanned leather and dried herbs drifted through the evening air. They spoke in hushed voices, their words nearly swallowed by the distant chatter of villagers finishing their day’s work.

“Are we really ready for this?” Allovilde murmured, her fingers idly tracing the worn edge of the bench.

Evin exhaled, rubbing his hands together as if trying to warm them. “I don’t know. Greenhaven is all we’ve ever known… but can we really turn back now?” He paused, glancing up toward the dimming sky. “Laktor’s already taught us things that completely changed how we see the Pathway. If we stay, we might never learn more.”

“But traveling with him…” Allovilde hesitated, shifting slightly. “It’s bound to be dangerous. He’s hiding things—maybe not from us, but definitely from someone.”

Before Evin could respond, Borin’s voice called out from inside. “Alright, do you want to pick this up tomorrow, or should I bring it to your parents’ house?”

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The shopkeeper emerged, dusting off his hands, a satisfied look on his face. “For the meat, I’d say thirty silver coins is fair. As for the pelts—these are in pristine condition. Thirty-five silver is a solid deal for all of us. These will be well-needed come winter.”

Evin and Allovilde exchanged a glance. This might be the last time they made such a trade in Greenhaven.

They thanked Borin for the deal and made their way home, their steps slower than usual as the weight of the day’s events settled over them. The air was crisp with the scent of damp earth and the faint aroma of woodsmoke drifting from the nearby houses. Fireflies flickered in the fading twilight, tiny specks of golden light weaving through the garden’s tall grasses.

As they approached the house, the warm glow of lanterns revealed a gathering in the garden. Both families were seated on sturdy wooden furniture that had clearly seen years of use. The chairs and benches bore intricate carvings—evidence of Thorne’s craftsmanship from his early years of marriage. Though the edges were worn smooth by time, the care and skill in their construction were still evident.

Thorne looked up as they arrived, waving them over. “Come, sit down,” he called, his voice laced with both nostalgia and something more serious. “This was quite the surprise you two brought in today.”

He leaned forward, studying them for a moment before turning his gaze to Laktor. A smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. “It’s been many years since we last saw this troublemaker here. To be honest, I hadn’t realized just how much I missed him.” His words were lighthearted, but there was a weight beneath them—an old bond rekindled, though under unexpected circumstances. “That said, I never imagined this would be how we reunited.”

Thorne stroked his chin thoughtfully before settling back into his chair, waiting for Evin and Allovilde to join them. Once they did, he exhaled deeply.

“Listen,” he said, his voice measured. “We can’t tell you what to do anymore. You’ve both activated your Pathways. We had hoped you’d spend more time here, learning and finding your footing before venturing beyond Greenhaven. But today turned everything on its head.” He paused, glancing at Laktor before continuing.

“We’ve known Laktor for a long time. And despite my better judgment, I have to admit—there’s no one better suited to guide you. Traveling with him will be dangerous, and you’ll be forced to learn fast. But I have no doubt that your safety will be a high priority.”

Thorne exhaled sharply, shaking his head. “Void take me, he’d barely been here five minutes before lecturing us—scolding us, really—about how we failed to tell you about the Pathway status… screen? And honestly, we had no idea about it.” He ran a hand through his hair, frustration laced in his voice. “There’s been so little contact with the outside world for years. We’ve lived sheltered here, maybe too sheltered—comfortable in our own little community.”

He sighed, his fingers drumming absently against the armrest of his chair. “Maybe this is the push we need. Not just for you, but for all of us. We can’t keep pretending the world beyond Greenhaven doesn’t exist. It’s time we started keeping in touch with the nearby villages and cities more often.”

His words hung in the air, thoughtful and heavy, before he settled back into his seat.

The weight of the conversation soon gave way to the comfort of a shared meal. Platters of roasted vegetables, freshly baked bread, and smoked venison were passed around, the hearty scent mingling with the cool night air. Laughter and conversation filled the space, voices rising and falling in easy familiarity. Even Laktor, usually composed and reserved, seemed at ease—occasionally offering dry remarks that earned chuckles from the group.

As the evening wound down, Laktor’s demeanor shifted once more, becoming all business. He turned to Evin and Allovilde, his expression firm.

“Get your sacks packed,” he instructed. “Only what you can carry comfortably. We leave at first light, and the days ahead will be long.”

With that, the duo hurried inside, their minds racing. Excitement warred with nerves as they began gathering what little they would take with them, their journey beyond Greenhaven now set in motion.