By the time they reached the gates of River's Edge, the sun had begun its slow descent towards the horizon, casting a golden glow over the fields and illuminating the sturdy stone walls that enclosed the town. The gates were made of heavy timber, bound with iron, and flanked by two guards wearing simple but functional armor. As Lucas and Elara approached, one of the guards squinted, then suddenly straightened, a look of recognition crossing his face.

"Elara? Gods, is that you?" the guard called, stepping forward. He was a young man, no older than Lucas, with sandy blond hair and an expression that quickly shifted from surprise to concern. He motioned for the other guard to stay at his post as he hurried over to them.

Elara managed a tired smile. "Hey, Bram," she said, her voice betraying her exhaustion. "Yeah, it's me. Been a rough few days, as you can probably tell."

Bram's eyes flicked from her face to Lucas, then back to Elara, his brows knitting in worry. He stepped closer, his concern evident in his furrowed brow and tense posture. "What happened? Why are you out here, walking into town with..." He gestured towards Lucas, not unkindly, but with obvious curiosity. "And where are your escorts? You should have been here over a week ago." The questions came rapidly, his voice tinged with a mix of worry and urgency.

Elara hesitated, taking a deep breath. She glanced at Lucas for a moment before looking back at Bram. "We were attacked by bandits on the way here. The escorts didn't make it, and we lost the carriage. Things got... complicated after that." Her eyes shifted back to Lucas. "This is Lucas. He saved me, Bram. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be here."

Bram's expression shifted, his concern turning to something closer to gratitude. He stepped closer to Lucas, giving him an appraising look. "You saved Elara? Well, I owe you one, friend," he said, his voice warm. "She's like a sister to me. Thank you." He extended a hand, and Lucas took it, shaking firmly.

"Don't mention it," Lucas replied, giving a faint smile. "Just glad I was there at the right time."

Bram nodded, then turned back towards the gate. "Come on. Both of you look like shit" he said, the mood lightening greatly. "Let’s get you inside, cleaned up, and fed. The captain will want to hear about the bandit attack too, but that can wait until you're feeling better." He led them through the gate, the heavy wooden doors creaking as they moved aside to allow them entry.

River's Edge opened up before them, a bustling town that seemed to exude life from every corner. Cobblestone streets wound their way through clusters of buildings—shops, homes, and inns—all with roofs of red tile or thatched straw. Lanterns were already being lit, casting a warm glow that mixed with the golden light of the setting sun. People moved about, merchants calling out their wares, children running through the narrow streets, their laughter echoing off the stone walls. The smell of fresh bread mingled with that of roasting meat, and Lucas could hear the distant strumming of a lute from somewhere deeper within the town.

Lucas felt a pang of something—an unfamiliar sense of longing. He had never experienced a place like this. The liveliness, the warmth, the simple joy radiating from the people—it all stood in stark contrast to the cold, mechanical existence of Steelhaven. Here, there was a pulse, a rhythm to life that he had never truly felt before. It made him wonder what else he had been missing while simply surviving back home.

Bram led them down one of the main streets, passing by a market square where a handful of stalls were still open, the vendors closing up for the day. The smells were intoxicating. After living off nothing but the few rations spared by travelers and walking for over a week, Lucas and Elara were ravenous. The promise of a hot meal urged them to quicken their pace to get cleaned up as soon as possible. Lucas took it all in, feeling a strange sense of wonder. The town felt alive, vibrant in a way that Steelhaven never had. Here, people weren’t just surviving—they were living. He could see it in their faces, in the way they spoke to each other, in the way they moved.

"River's Edge is one of the few places left that still feels... normal," Elara said, almost as if reading his thoughts. Her eyes moved over the bustling market. "It's small enough to stay out of most conflicts, but big enough to thrive."

"It’s incredible," Lucas said, his eyes still taking in every detail. The cobblestone streets, the warm glow from the windows of the homes, the colorful fabrics hanging from shop stalls—all of it was so different from the cold steel and glass he was used to. He could feel the warmth of the town, the sense of community that seemed to be woven into the very air.

Much of what he was seeing was overshadowed by the gnawing emptiness in his stomach and the sheer exhaustion weighing on him. The colorful stalls, the sound of laughter, and the smells of the market all blurred together, slipping past him like a dream he couldn't quite grasp. Still, he knew there was something special here. "I will definitely have to explore this town properly once things settle down," he thought, making a silent promise to himself.

They stopped at a modest building just off the main street—a guard station, from the looks of it, with a sturdy oak door and a small sign above depicting the River's Edge crest. Bram knocked twice, and the door was opened by another guard, who looked them over and stepped aside to let them enter.

"We can get you cleaned up here," Bram said, leading them inside. "There's a washroom in the back, and I'll have someone bring some fresh clothes. After that, we'll see about getting you both a hot meal."

The interior of the guard station was simple but well-kept. A long wooden table took up most of the main room, with benches along each side. A map of the region was tacked to one wall, and a small hearth burned in the corner, the fire crackling softly. Bram motioned towards the back, where the washroom was, and Elara nodded gratefully.

"Thank you, Bram," she said, her voice softening. "Really. We needed this." The tone of her voice and the defeated look she gave were enough to move even the hardest heart. Now that she was finally in a safe place, the exhaustion of the past days was catching up to her. Lucas could see how deeply it had affected her, even if he couldn't fully grasp the extent of what she'd endured.

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Bram smiled, a touch of warmth in his eyes. "Like I said, Elara, you’re like family. And family takes care of each other." He glanced at Lucas. "You too, Lucas. Anyone who helps Elara is a friend of mine."

Lucas nodded, the words catching him slightly off guard. It had been a long time since anyone had spoken to him with such genuine warmth—since anyone had offered him a place, even temporarily, without ulterior motives. "I appreciate it," he said, his voice quieter, filled with gratitude.

As Elara disappeared into the washroom, Bram clapped Lucas on the shoulder. "Why don't you get cleaned up next? There's hot water—it'll do wonders after the road." He paused, then added with a grin, "And trust me, you could use it."

Lucas let out a small laugh, the tension of the past week easing just a bit. "Fair enough," he said.

While Elara washed, Bram filled Lucas in on some of the happenings in River's Edge—the market fairs, the latest news of traders coming in, the usual town gossip. It was mundane, but Lucas found it comforting, the normalcy of it all a stark contrast to the chaos he had faced since arriving in this world. He found himself once again reflecting on how much his life had changed, and how the chaos of this strange new world was gradually becoming his new normal.

Once Elara was done, Lucas took his turn, letting the hot water wash away the grime of the journey. As he stood under the warm flow, he couldn't help but reflect on the past week—the trials, the exhaustion, the moments of fear, and the small triumphs. He thought about the bandits, the desperation that had pushed him to fight, and the strange, glowing creature that had marked him. Each event seemed to pull him deeper into this unfamiliar world, shaping him in ways he was only beginning to understand. The hot water seemed to wash away not just the dirt but also some of the tension that had been gripping him. He took a deep breath, feeling the warmth seep into his bones, and for the first time in days, he allowed himself to relax.

Where would he go from here? The thought lingered, heavy and insistent. He wasn’t just an outsider anymore—he was a part of this world, whether he wanted to be or not. And that meant he had to figure out his next steps. He had skills, abilities now, that he could use. But for what? And who could he trust in a place like this? One thing was for sure, the world beyond River's Edge was still out there, waiting for him. He thought back to Althea's words, that experience now feeling like it belonged to another lifetime, despite being just a couple of weeks ago. "The Echo wants you to live, Lucas. To truly live. Not just survive day to day, but to find purpose, to understand yourself, and to see what you’re capable of when no one is watching, when no trial is set before you," he remembered her saying. The weight of her words settled into him, more profound now than they had felt in that moment. "I need to explore this world for myself," he thought, his resolve hardening as if reminding himself of the promise he needed to keep.

When he finally emerged, clean and wearing a fresh set of clothes—a simple tunic and trousers—he found Elara and Bram waiting at the table, bowls of stew set before them, steam rising from the thick broth.

When Lucas first met Elara, she had been exhausted and covered in grime, the weight of fear evident on her face. But now, after some rest and comfort, she was transformed—a picture of health, the fear replaced with a quiet strength. He noticed the way her dark hair framed her face, the delicate features that seemed to stand out more clearly now, her bright eyes reflecting a resilience that captivated him. In that moment, he saw her stark beauty, unmarred by the trials they had faced.

"Sit, eat," Bram said, motioning to the empty seat. "You both need it."

Lucas didn't need to be told twice. He sat down, picking up the spoon and taking a bite. The stew was hearty, filled with vegetables and chunks of meat, and the warmth of it spread through him, easing the lingering tension in his muscles.

"You both look much better now," Bram said, a smile tugging at his lips, trying to lift the mood. "I've got to admit, I'm dying to hear what really happened out there. Come on, tell me the whole story."

Elara hesitated, her eyes flickering down before looking back up at Bram. She took a deep breath, her mind racing. She didn't want to revisit the memories—the pain of loss, the fear, the chaos—but Bram deserved the truth. He had always been there for her, like a brother, and she knew he would understand, even if it hurt to say it out loud. "We left from Crestfall ten days ago," she began, her voice subdued. "Everything was loaded into the cart, and we set off. It was going fine for the first couple of days. Then, out of nowhere, a group of bandits ambushed us." Her eyes grew distant, the weight of the memory clear. "I overheard one of them mention Jackal," she added, her tone filled with unease.

At the mention of that name, Bram's expression darkened, his jaw clenching. "Jackal? That bastard is still out there?" he spat, his voice filled with anger. His knuckles whitened as his grip tightened on the edge of the table.

"I believe so," Elara said, the same malice now in her voice as well.

"Who the hell is Jackal and what's with this reaction" Lucas thought, not interrupting.

"They took everything—the carriage, all the supplies," Elara continued, her shoulders slumping. "My escorts tried, but they couldn't fight back."

Elara continued uninterrupted, "After that, we had no choice but to walk. I suggested going back to Crestfall, but Collin and Derek insisted it was too far. They were sure we'd find someone on the road. After two days of walking, they finally reached their limit. I have to admit, I wasn't exactly easy to deal with, but I think they were looking for any excuse to give up and do whatever they wanted."

Her voice became quiet and fearful, "They would have killed me if it weren't for Lucas. He killed Collin and took Derek's knife, making him run off. We have no idea where he went."

"I have to ask," Bram said, a hint of disbelief in his voice, "how did you manage to take them down on your own? The men her father hired aren't exactly pushovers."

"Honestly? A lot of luck, and a bit of good timing," Lucas replied with a modest smile, letting out a small chuckle. "They were distracted, and I just took my chances."

"Well, whether it was luck or the gods favoring you, I'm grateful. Elara's like a sister to me, and you've done more for her than I could ever repay."

"So," Bram said after a few minutes, the two eating like starved piranhas, "what's the plan now? I can help you get in touch with whoever you need, Elara. And Lucas, if there's anything you need, just say the word."

Elara glanced at Lucas, then back at Bram. "I think... I think we need to lay low for a bit. I still need to talk to my father and make contact with the supplier, but after everything that's happened, I want to make sure we're ready for anything."

Bram nodded. "Makes sense. You can stay here for a few days—I'll clear it with the captain. It's not much, but it's safe."

Lucas nodded his thanks, his mind already turning over what they needed to do next. The town was a respite, a place to catch their breath, but he knew it wouldn’t last forever. They were safe for now, but the world beyond River's Edge was still out there, waiting.