{-Casrane-}

She’d tried her best to prepare herself, knowing exactly what they were going to find there. It didn’t quite help, though—there always seemed to be such a big difference between how she prepared herself for a situation and how it ultimately turned out.

The three of them had actually been having a rather casual conversation, up until the moment they walked into the city. The solemn air made all smiles quickly fade and any attempts at lighthearted comments futile before they even began.

“Let’s see if we can figure out what’s going on,” Casrane announced, quiet and cautious. The twins nodded. “Tiolfe’s the innkeeper here, she might be able to have some information for us.”

As they walked, it wasn’t hard to notice the actions of the townspeople—the way they mumbled to each other, giving glances at the three strangers before shaking their heads and returning to their work. Perhaps they were scared, but… she got the impression of a kind of calm, too.

Like they knew what was going to happen to them and, for the most part, they’ve accepted their fate.

Tiolfe gave her customary greeting when they walked in, though it was easy to tell the place was far from its prime. “What are travelers like you doing here? I’m afraid there’s not too much we have to offer.”

“Can you tell us what’s been going on..?” Casrane asked. “I… have a feeling that, whatever’s happening, we’re going to be able to help.”

“I’m not too sure about that. Local people haven’t been able to do anything about it and I doubt foreigners like you are going to be able to even understand it.”

“Tell us anyway. It seems like a lot is going on here—if there’s even a chance that we can help, then we’re going to do our best to try.”

Tiolfe, slowly, nodded. “No one’s had that level of confidence in a while, at least… maybe it wouldn’t hurt to tell you. The city’s oasis is starting to dry up—the water’s been getting lower and lower each day. Maybe, on its own, it would be a big issue, but not one we couldn’t work around until we found a solution. But… there’s more to it, too. We know this wasn’t something that happened naturally. Someone’s trying to start a fight with us—and no one here is looking forward to that. I don’t think anyone would even say we’d be prepared.”

Llewel seemed to consider it for a moment, before admitting, “I don’t know if we’re going to be able to stop anything. It’s going to take far more than what we should be doing in order to fix things.”

“But we’re still going to try, right?” Myr prompted. “We’ve got to do something, even if it’s not a lot!” She looked back at Tiolfe. “Do you think things’ll at least be a little better if we could figure out why the oasis is drying up?”

“It might. We’re currently relying on the regions around us for what we need—and that’s a kind of support that only lasts so long as Kehnore stays to its own borders.” Tiolfe shook her head. “But I have to warn you, you’re not the only set of people who’ve come in trying to change things. No one else has been able to do anything about it, and that’s including locals. I don’t know if foreigners can do anything.”

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“You can trust us,” Casrane promised. “We’ve done stuff like this before—we’re going to get to the bottom of this.”

“Well, then maybe I should just believe in you.” Tiolfe managed a small smile and gestured to one of the open tables. “Go ahead and have a seat. Rest a little, I’m sure you’ve had a long journey. I’ll come by in a little while to see if you need anything.”

They all nodded and went to one of the tables.

“I’m assuming you have a plan?” Llewel asked, glancing at Casrane. “You seem too confident to have no idea what we’re supposed to be doing.”

“Mhm, we’re just going to have to wait for it.” Casrane looked at the rest of the crowd, though she knew she wouldn’t be able to recognize the face; mostly, she just wanted to see if it seemed like anyone moved from their spots.

“And that’ll definitely help, right?” Myr asked.

“Yeah. It’s what we’re supposed to be doing here.”

Then Casrane noticed someone getting up from her spot and, when Llewel nervously acknowledged it too, gestured to let him know it was alright.

The stranger glanced between each of them, and nervously asked, “Sorry to intrude, but… I couldn’t help but overhear you talking about the oasis. Did I hear right, that you wanted to help..?”

Myr smiled. “Of course we do! We’re not just going to wander in here knowing something’s wrong and not trying to help out.”

“And… if I’m not mistaken, with those pendants, and your appearances…”

Llewel gave a vague motion to the rest of the inn. “Let’s save that for later.”

The stranger gave a small nod. “I know it’s a bit sudden, but… would you like to come with me, back to my home? I believe our goals are very similar. It gives us somewhere more… private, to talk.”

Casrane answered, because she was the only one who could confidently do it. “Is it far from here?”

Llewel looked between the two of them and, to Casrane, whispered, “Are you sure about this? We just met her. She hasn’t even given us her name.”

“O-oh, right, I suppose I had forgotten about introductions. Excuse my manners…” The stranger said, louder, “My name is Bezyu. And… I already have a guess on who you all are, but…”

“I’m Myr, this is Llewel, and that’s Casrane,” Myr explained enthusiastically. “Nice to meet you, Bezyu!”

Casrane brought her attention back to Llewel to point out gently, “You know you can trust me. I’m not going to send us into something if I didn’t know what would come from it. Bezyu’s our friend here.”

Bezyu just blinked. “So… might that be a yes, or no..? Because I suppose, if you’re not willing, we can talk here. Or we need not talk at all, if you’re wary of me—I don’t blame you for it, who knows the kinds of people you’ve encountered before…”

Casrane shook her head and stood up. “No, we’re willing to come with you. Llewel’s just a little wary of strangers—once he knows we’re all just here to help, he’ll warm up to you.”

A mumble from Llewel seemed to his half-agreement, and he and Myr got up as well.

Bezyu smiled and let out a sigh of relief. “That’s good. Honestly, I… was beginning to wonder what I would do if you didn’t agree. Come on, I’ll show you where I live. It isn’t too far from here—and I’m a lot more capable of explaining things there.”