“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?”

his head, then quickly

frowned. “What’s he

that no strangers

tunnel for a reason. It was a remote mountain village, isolated and sparsely populated.

moved to the city

an ideal escape route. If trouble came knocking, slipping into the woods would make it easy to shake

hungry. Tell him to bring

get us some food,” Mulder instructed. “We’re going to have a nice, hearty

his eyes. He glanced at Warrick and

It wasn’t particularly fancy, but the portions were generous, and

was Warrick’s second

he gestured for Leigh and Mulder to

he tear into his

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

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

West Lucozia. The longer we stay, the greater the

Prescott. This place is safe for the time being,” Mulder replied with a reassuring smile. “Besides, even if we’re planning to leave West Lucozia, we need

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