As Alo and Iris depart the lakeside house, the weight of what they are doing weighs heavily on Iris’s mind. The moon hangs in the sky acting as a beacon to guide their way and casting a soft glow upon the waters of the lake as they make their way along the overgrown road.

The silence between them is deafening for Iris. She can't shake the memories of the night's events no matter how hard she tries, the rush of adrenaline still coursing through her veins. The anticipation of what lies ahead gnaws at her insides, a mix of fear and determination swirls within her.

"That was quite the night," Iris finally remarks, her voice heavy with emotion. Alo glances at her, his expression unreadable in the dim moonlight. "It was," he agrees simply, in his normal coarseness.

Iris feels a surge of frustration rise within her. "I just can't stop thinking about what happened," she admits, her voice trembling slightly. Alo nods , his gaze fixed on the path ahead. "I know," he replies softly. "It's a lot to process."

They ride on in silence, the night surrounding them in its peaceful embrace. The air is cool and refreshing, but Iris can't shake the feeling of unease that lingers within her.

"Do you ever question the choices we make?" Iris asks. Alo considers her question carefully before responding. "I don’t let myself dwell on it because no matter what, we can't change the past. All we can do is learn from it and keep moving forward."

Iris nods, her thoughts still filled with the events of the evening. "It's just hard to make sense of it all sometimes."

They ride on, the night stretching out before them like an endless expanse of uncertainty. As they find a secluded spot to make camp for the night, Iris dismounts from her horse, her hands shaking as she tends to her horse. As they settle in for sleep, Iris lies beneath the starlit sky, her thoughts consumed by the darkness that seems to surround her

As the night deepens, Alo remains awake, his mind drifting as he stares up at the star-filled sky. Iris can't help but wonder what he's thinking, what secrets lie behind his calm exterior. Before long she finds her thoughts interrupted as her body finally allows her to fall to sleep.

As the first light of dawn breaks across the horizon, they rise from their slumbers and begin to break down their camp. The events of the previous night still weigh heavily on Iris's mind, but she knows she can't dwell on the past. There is work to be done, and she owes a debt to Alo that requires her full attention.

“We will ride towards Sif today, I have associates outside the walls that you can stay with while I handle some personal business to avoid causing trouble by entering town with someone of elven decent.” Alo remarks while placing his bedroll on his horse. He then walks over and begins kicking dirt over the smoldering embers left from the fire “And I will not take any argument from you on this matter.”

Iris nods, and responds “If you need me you will know where to find me.” Then proceeds to also put away her bedroll.

The landscape unfolds before them, a tapestry of rolling hills and winding of the River Ko. Iris takes in the beauty of their surroundings, finding peace in the vastness of the world that surrounds them. The booming echo of the clock tower in the town of Sif reverberates across the land showing they are nearing the walls of the once great town now turned slum.

As they grow closer to the massive dilapidated walls Alo directs Iris around the edge of the civilization within them until they reach a small collection of homes near the edge of Zaltana Canyon. “This is a checkpoint for those who transport from the grotto, they aren’t friends but they can be trusted.” Alo yells over the clacking of hooves

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As Alo and Iris entered the settlement, Iris couldn’t help but notice the intricate tattoos adorning the skin of its inhabitants. The patterns were very familiar to her, symbols of Druidic magic. She glances at Alo, a question beginning to form in her mind.

“These people,” Iris began, her voice quiet , “they’re Druids, aren’t they?”

Alo nods, “They are.” The air is thick with tension, but Alo pays it little mind. His focus remaining consumed by the task that lie before him.

As they approach a group of Druids gathered nearby, Alo's expression shows no signs of emotion. One of the Druids, a haggard old man with weathered features, steps forward cautiously.

"What brings you here?" the man asked, his voice filled with caution.

Alo glanced at Iris briefly before responding, his tone coarse and direct. "My companion will be staying here for the night while I take care of some business in town," he explained.

The Druids exchange uneasy glances, their fear barely concealed. Iris couldn't help but sense the tension in the air, her own unease continuing to grow with each passing moment.

"What's happening here?" Iris inquired, her voice soft but firm.

The Druids hesitated, exchanging cautious looks before the man spoke again. "Nothing of concern," he replied, his eyes flickering towards Alo then back to Iris.

Alo remained unfazed, his attention already turning towards the town beyond the settlement. He had no interest in the Druids' fear, his only concern was completing his task and moving on.

"We appreciate your hospitality," Iris interjected, her voice gentle but firm. "I'll keep to myself and cause no trouble while I'm here."

The Druids, their unease palpable, exchanged glances as they led Iris towards a modest house. Their movements were hurried, almost like a mouse skittering from the view of a cat, as if they were trying to escape Alo’s very presence. Iris couldn’t help but notice the way their hands trembled slightly as they opened the door for her.

Entering the dimly lit interior, Iris found herself in a small, sparsely furnished room. The air was thick with the scent of pine and rosemint, and the flickering light of a small wood stove cast dancing shadows across the walls through its grated front. A simple bed, covered with a buckskin, occupied one corner, while a small table and chair sat opposite it.

Before she could say a word the Druids departed, their footsteps echoing softly in the silence. A knot began forming in her stomach as she realized just how alone she was in this unfamiliar place before she ultimately decided to lie down and get some rest.

As Iris lay on the bed, the events of the day swirling in her mind, she found herself drifting towards sleep. The exhaustion of their journey weighed heavily upon her, and she welcomed the embrace of darkness.

But just as she began to slip into unconsciousness, a faint sound caught her attention. It was muffled at first, barely audible through the thick walls, but as Iris strained to listen, the voices became clearer.

Two Druids were speaking in hushed tones somewhere nearby, their words filled with a sense of urgency. Although Iris couldn't understand the Druidic tongue they spoke, she could discern enough to recognize some of the words. “Trouble, wraith, danger”

Iris's heart began to race as she realized they were talking about Alo. Fear gripped her tightly, and she held her breath, desperate not to miss any of the conversation only discerning two more words. "dangerous, elf"

As the voices fade into the background, Iris is left alone once more, her mind still racing with questions and doubts. She knows she needs to be cautious but sleep finally claims her and the whispers she had heard in the darkness continue to run through her mind.