“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

is so remote that no strangers have come near, so we’re safe,” Mulder

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

to the city

knocking, slipping into the woods would make

hungry. Tell him to bring me some food,” Warrick

Mulder instructed. “We’re going

flicker of fear crossed his eyes. He glanced at Warrick and then quickly

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

caution was

gestured for Leigh and Mulder to

safe did he tear into his meal like

a second glance at such rustic fare. But now, hunger gnawed at

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

meal and a few drinks, Warrick finally got down to business. “We may have escaped Celestria, but we’re still in West Lucozia. The longer we stay, the greater the risk. I need the Hall of Gods to arrange for me

if we’re planning to leave West Lucozia, we

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