“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?”

head, then quickly signed something with

frowned. “What’s he

place is so remote that no

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

to the city for work.

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

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

food,” Mulder instructed. “We’re

flicker of fear crossed his eyes. He glanced

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

was Warrick’s second

bite, he gestured for Leigh and Mulder to taste the

was safe did he tear into his meal like a

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

he’d barely had a proper meal. With a feast in front of him, refinement was the last thing on

The longer we stay, the greater the risk. I need the Hall of Gods to arrange for me to leave the

reassuring smile. “Besides, even if we’re planning to leave West Lucozia, we need to prepare thoroughly. Acting recklessly without a proper

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