“Who is it?” Warrick’s grip tightened around the hilt of his steel blade. His eyes, sharp and alert, were like those of a startled predator-full of caution and menace.

For the past few days, he had been on edge, like a cornered animal. He barely ‘slept and was constantly on high alert, fearing danger would strike at any moment.

The door slowly creaked open. An elderly man with gray hair stepped inside with a tray of fruit and pastries in both hands.

Before he could even register what was happening, a flash of cold steel appeared, and Warrick’s blade was at the elderly man’s throat.

The elderly man trembled with fear. The tray slipped from his grasp, and fruit and pastries scattered on the floor.

“Easy, Sir Prescott. He’s one of us.”

Mulder stepped forward and pressed down on the flat of Warrick’s blade with a finger.

He smiled and explained, “His name’s Leigh Houston. He’s mute and has served the Hall of Gods for years. He keeps watch over this tunnel entrance and has never slipped up.”

“He’s mute?” Warrick gave Leigh a once-over. Only after confirming he wasn’t a threat did he finally lower his blade.

Mulder glanced at Leigh and asked in a low voice, “Did you notice anything unusual lately?”

Leigh shook his head, then quickly signed something with his hands.

frowned. “What’s he

remote that no strangers

It was a remote mountain village, isolated and sparsely populated. Most of the residents were either elderly or children, as

to the city

came knocking, slipping into the woods would make it easy to shake off any pursuers. It was a

to be safe, but right now, I’m hungry. Tell him to bring me

food,” Mulder instructed. “We’re going

nodded, though a flicker of fear crossed his eyes.

of food. It wasn’t particularly fancy, but the portions were generous, and nearly everything was meat-cured fish, smoked pork,

caution was

first bite, he gestured for

safe did he

at such rustic fare. But now, hunger gnawed at him, and he

barely had a proper meal. With a feast in front of him, refinement was

drinks, Warrick finally got down to business. “We may have escaped Celestria, but we’re still in West Lucozia. The longer we stay, the

for the time being,” Mulder replied with a reassuring smile. “Besides, even if we’re planning to leave West Lucozia, we need to prepare thoroughly. Acting

your

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