The next several days passed with relative stability, however, the air in Rynthavael carried a sense of momentum unlike before. The weight of uncertainty, the underlying tension that had once slowed the settlement’s growth, had shifted, replaced by something far more potent: confidence.

  Word had spread quickly about the new enchantment protecting the village. Living Forest Labyrinth, wove through the trees surrounding their land and turned the very woods themselves into an effective defense that now turned against invaders, shifting paths, obscuring trails, and confounding those who did not belong. The knowledge that Rynthavael had become more than just a vulnerable foothold in the Silverwood had ignited something within its people.

  Where there had once been carefully rationed construction, slowed by the underlying fear of attack, now new structures were rising daily. Palisades were reinforced, their watchtowers expanding higher, offering greater visibility beyond the treetops. Homes were being built larger, sturdier, with the settlers and refugees no longer hesitant about putting down permanent roots. Xavier could feel the difference. The people walked with purpose now. They were no longer just survivors, no longer simply fleeing a horribly situation or simply holding on to the dream of a future, they were building it.

  He paused near the newly established training grounds, where several warriors were sparring under the watchful gaze of one of Rynthavael’s newer seasoned veterans and Captain Coren Halewood. The dull clang of practice weapons rang through the air, interspersed with sharp commands and the occasional grunt of exertion.

  Nearby, a group of craftsmen were finishing the work on Hearthstead Hall, the finalized building would become the town hall of the newly established village, the framework of additional meeting chambers beginning to take shape. Decisions were being made now, not just for survival, but for the long-term governance of the settlement.

  Xavier turned his gaze toward the forest’s edge, a noise heralded the arrival of several of the village hunters accompanying wardens from Verdantspire arrival. Their timing was impeccable Xavier thought considering they were leaving in the morning. With Rynthavael growing stronger, the world beyond its borders was shifting in kind. And with it, new challenges would soon follow.

  It was a small contingent of Animari all clad in woven leathers that seemed to shift in the light causing those wearing them to seeming fade in and out of sight amid the trees of the forest. The effect was as mesmerizing as it was disturbing. Xavier could easily see how this elite group of warriors could protect the Animari settlement from nearly all outside incursions. He also knew he wanted to know how it was done and if he could do similar for his own guards.

  He moved towards the north-eastern gate, one that had only recently been completed, to meet the new arrivals. The group moved with measured deliberate steps their natural agility and awareness gave them a perfect synchrony with the forest they emerged from. At their head a lone Duskhari walked, his gaze shifting to take in the entirety of the settlement within just a short few moments. His eyes settled on Xavier as the young lord emerged from the gates. A single hand gesture caused his contingent to halt, falling into an easy relaxation. The Duskhari continued forward with the hunters and was soon introduced as Kaelar Thornclaw. He was a striking specimen of the Pantherkin Animari, standing nearly 6’6” tall, his sleek black fur was marked with old battle scars where it was visible beneath armor blended of dark leather woven with bark. Piercing amber eyes scrutinized Xavier as a long battle marked tail lashed back and forth behind him. After several long moments he finally nodded his head slightly and spoke. His voice was deep and soft, the rumble of distant thunder in the night gloom.

  "Rynthavael, it stands on a ley convergence, yeah? An’ the land, oh, it feels it’s wakin’. But heed me, young lordlin’, it ain’t just yer people who’ll be answerin’ its call, . The deep woods, once quiet an’ still, now stir with unseen things. The forest, she shiftin’, drawin’ out beasts long thought lost in the dark recesses. The power o’ the ley, it breathes new life into the mana o’ the Silverwood, an’ creatures, they be drawn to it. Some, , they just predators, huntin’ for their due. Others, though? Others be ancient things, things the world best left slumberin’. Not just beasts o’ claw an’ fang, , these be remnants o’ past ages. Monsters that walked afore the world was torn asunder. Ye’ve changed the balance, lordlin’. Not just in these forests, but in the world itself. Now the land, she adjustin’ to this new way… an’ ye best be ready for what comes next."

  Xavier was taken aback from the sudden lecture of his impact on the Silverwood, partially from the scolding sounding tone but also from the accent that reminded him of the few Cajun individuals he had known back on Earth. He was readying to retort in his defense when the Duskhari lifted a single hand to stop him.

  "Non, don’t be takin’ my words as a rebuke, lordlin’. I bring ‘em as a warnin’ from High Speaker Moonstride herself. She say ye need to understand, each time ye breathe new life into yer nexus, it don’t just call to people, non. It calls to the land itself, to things that stir in the deep places, to creatures that feel the shift an’ come seekin’ what’s changin’. That’s why I brought the number o’ Wardens I did. We ain't just here for words, we intend to honor the pact, to keep yer settlement safe from the wild things that now wake. The threats, they be growin’, but so are we, yeah? Ain’t no beast yet that a Duskhari can’t track… or put down if need be." Though he didn’t smile there was no animus to be felt from him. He had an air of serious mien, his discipline evident in his every action.

  Xavier placed his right fist in his left palm and bowed to the Animari, the addition of the information coming from Kaelith soothing the initial irritation at the manner of the Warden Capitan. “Rynthavael welcomes you Wardens of Verdantspire.” He stood and motioned to the gate. “Our allies are always welcome, please make yourself at home. Captain Coren is…” He cut off as the captain walked out of the gates, as if the mention of his name summoned the old guardsman. “Is right here he would be the best to coordinate with.”

  The old soldier and Dushkari warden took several minutes sizing each other up before clasping forearms each recognizing a kindred spirit in the other. Kaelar made a gesture to the waiting contingent of wardens, and they were soon gathered introduced and followed the trio into the city as the hunters went back into the woods. While they walked Xavier focused on his interface giving all of the new wardens’ immunity to the labyrinth spell and giving Kaelar administration of it similar to Coren in case he found the need to bring additional wardens. Outside of Kaelar, none of the wardens accepted shelter within the city, opting instead to return to the woods and their roving patrols. Kaelar informed Xavier and Coren that it was the normal for the Wardens. They would return on regular intervals with information on what has been seen and game that was caught. It would supplement the food supply of the village significantly.

  Xavier, Coren, and Kaelar made their way to the training grounds and spoke for long hours discussing patrols, duties, and joint training. Kaelar agreeing that his wardens would take hunters and scouts out on patrols to help them hone their skills and grow in strength. As the discussions drew on Lianna and Ella came searching for Xavier. Lianna seeing the Warden Captain drew to a rigid attention her left fist held to her chest in salute to one of her seniors. Kaelar returned her salute.

  "Ahh, greetin’s to ye, sister Warden. Yer brother, he sends his well wishes, yeah. Say he thinkin’ of ye, watchin’ the winds for news o’ yer hunt. An’ I see now, ye been walkin’ lands where no tracks lay before, paths once left untrod now know yer step. Hah! Ye grown stronger since last we spoke, that much is plain. I see it in yer stance, in the way the wilds sit easier ‘round ye now. Tell me, how fares Frostclaw? That great beast still prowlin’ at yer side, keepin’ them sharp eyes on all who dare tread too close?" There was a clear sound of pride in the Duskhari’s voice as he spoke to the woman.

  “I hope Liosan has not caused you too much trouble in my absence. He always has been reckless and impulsive, even if he is one of the best scouts in the Wardens.” Lianna laughed as she moved forward and hugged Kaelar. “Of course, Frostclaw is still with me. Hes out hunting with a new friend. Xavier here has a young Shadowmane that hunts with him. I never would have believed it had I not met Valkra myself.”

  Kaelar turned apprasing eyes upon the young lordling. Scrutinizing him anew. "A Shadowmane, ye say? Hah! That be a rare thing this far south, yeah. Even rarer still that one would take to any outside the Duskhari, non. Those beasts, they ain’t just shadow an’ fang, they be spirit an’ instinct, an’ they don’t bond with just anyone. For one to trust ye, lordlin’, that speaks to somethin’ in yer soul. A fire, a stillness, a way o’ movin’ through the world that don’t break the balance but walks with it. That ain’t a thing to be taken lightly, non. One day, ye’ll have to sit an’ tell me that tale, yeah? Somethin’ tells me it’s worth the hearin’."

  The Duskhari stroked his chin for a minute. "Hnn, we saw the signs long ‘fore we neared yer lands, lordlin’. This… this ain’t just some beast wanderin’ too close. Non, non. Deep gouges in the bark o’ trees older than memory, claws raked ‘cross stone like a blade through flesh. An’ the scent, hah, a musk thick with challenge, with claim. This thing don’t belong near settled lands, no sir. An’ yet, here it prowls. It be a Gloomclaw Mauler. Hah! Ain’t seen one so close in an age. Territorial, smart, patient. Ye don’t get that big without learnin’ when to fight an’ when to watch. It’s watchin’ now, seein’ what we are, weighin’ if we be worth the effort o’ a hunt. So tell me, lordlin’, ye ready to prove we ain’t prey as it’ll come when it’s ready. An’ when it does, it won’t be leavin’ till one of us is dead"

  Xavier glanced at Lianna, she had been a font of information about creatures in the past however she only shrugged. Kaelar related lore and legend about the creature. He reiterated that they had not been seen in this or even the previous age. It made the creature out to be something of primal fury and intelligence. Day slowly faded into night and the gloom of dusk grew around the settlement.

  The last glimmer of daylight faded as the sun settled behind the Silverwood canopy, it left Rynthavael lit only by the flickering glow of torches and lanterns. The settlement had eased into the steady rhythm of their evening routine. The fires of the forge dimming, the merchants closing up their small stalls, and the majority of hunters and scouts belonging to the village returning from the deeper woods. It was as the twilight settled that the guards standing some of the newly built guard towers noticed the change, the ever-present sounds of the forest had gone unnaturally silent. The usual chorus of insects and the distant calls of forest denizens vanished all at once. Xavier had been walking the inside of the wooden palisades when the strange occurrence caught his attention. To him it seemed as if the woods had taken a deep breath and held it.

  It only took a handful of seconds after he paused to consider the change when a horn split the silence. Its call rising further to the west from where he was at, and he took off at a run to where it rose from.

  As he drew closer, he heard one of the guards calling out in alarm. “Something is moving! Something big and it is coming in fast!”

  It was then that he heard the growl, deep and resonant, so low that it seemed to vibrate the very ground beneath him. He pushed himself to run faster. By the time Xavier’s usual party, as well as Kaelar reached the outer defenses, the torches along the perimeter flickered violently, and the air thick with an unfamiliar musk. Rushing to the small walkway within the battlements they looked out into the surrounding woods. It was there that they saw movement, A shadow as tall as a warhorse, and as broad as a boulder, lumbered forward from the treeline with deliberate, thunderous steps. Golden-amber eyes flickered in the darkness, like distant lanterns, unblinking, watching. The Gloomclaw Mauler had come.

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  Xavier triggered insight as soon as he could make out the beast.

  Disturbingly the creature didn’t just rush in to attack, nor did it snarl or roar in rage. It stalked closer with a confident predatory air. A hunter that knew it had its prey where it wanted it, and the kill was only a matter of time. It moved slowly, just outside of the torchlight on the palisade, close enough to be glimpsed but not clearly seen. A sudden movement was highlighted by the crack of splintering wood. The beast had raked one massive claw against the palisade and left deep gouges in the reinforced timber that made it up. Yells rose from the handful of men atop it as the structure shuddered and threatened to collapse from the single attack. Arrows flew after the shadow of the monstrosity but seemed to have no effect.

  Kaelar’s tail flicked back and forth, his amber eyes narrowed dangerously. “It aint just huntin’, it be makin’ a point.”

  The words made Xavier tighten his grip on Vaeltheris. He worried about further waking the ley lines if this is what it would draw.

  The attack was as sudden as it was violent. With the sound of a landslide the Mauler surged towards the palisade. The thunderous impact echoed through the night as its claws sunk into the wood and tore a section of the wall asunder with terrifying ease. The guard who had been standing atop the section barely had time to react leaping to the side and sprawling on a still intact section, his spear skidding off the walkway and into the darkness below. Just as suddenly the mauler was inside the perimeter of the wall.

  Lianna’s bow sung out three times in a rapid succession. One arrow bounced harmlessly off the thick fur of the ursine beast. The second stuck but only barely sank into the thick muscle barely fazing the creature as it surged forward. The final arrow found a weakness in the joint of its shoulder. That brought forth a grunt and caused the beast to shake and turn its attention towards where the pain had come from.

  Kaelar snapped out a sharp order, he lunged forward with his spear and the few wardens who were in the village to report closed ranks around him cutting off the Mauler’s route towards the heart of the village. They were not trying to corral it; however, they worked as a team to draw its attention.

  Ella, in turn rushed to one of the close by guard towers, scaling its ladder with an urgent speed. Reaching the platform, she drew an arrow to her cheek, her eyes steady and studying the creature below. It quickly became apparent that this was not a beast she could eliminate with a single shot. That made her hold her arrow, waiting for when it would matter most.

  The mauler reacted to all of it with unnatural instinct. It did not strike out with rage nor snarl in frustration. It sidestepped the spear strike from Kaelar with a grace the belied its massive bulk. Its head dropped below the swing from one of the Ursari Wardens, causing its axe to swing harmlessly overhead the move a pivot as if it knew the incoming strike was coming before it ever happened. The beast moved not as a rampaging animal but a war honed predator that had complete control over the fight. Then its attention focused on Xavier. Their eyes met and Xavier knew. The beast could sense his inherent connection to the ley lines and the nexus of the land here. It had come for him specifically, drawn to the power developing.

  The mauler charged; Xavier braced bringing Vaeltheris up in defense as he met the beast head on. The clash and impact sent shockwaves through the ground kicking up dirt and loose stones from the sheer force of the blow. Xavier’s arms trembled beneath the pressure, however, his boots dug into the soil beneath him his new connection with the power of the Earth Ley Line gave him a resilience he had not felt before. He stood solid against the force of the mauler while its claws scraped and squealed against the magical steel of his sword.

  Kaelar used that moment to strike, darting in from the side his spear dug a deep mark into the flank of the mauler. The blow caused the beast to twist violently, and a deep resonant snarl erupted from its mouth. Its massive claws swung outward striking Kaelar and hurling him backwards. The agile warden rolled with the force of the blow landing in a crouch and snarling his own anger as his free hand rose to wipe a small rivulet of blood from his nose.

  The distraction gave Xavier an opening of his own. With a shout he lunged forward and Vaeltheris sunk deeply into the mauler’s shoulder. That blow was marked and caused the beast to stagger backwards. Its eyes flared in anger as for the first time it felt real pain and that caused it to hesitate.

  It was not over though; a white blur came out of the shadows between buildings. Frostclaw had joined in to the attack. The snow leopard surged forward from the side of the mauler, his powerful legs propelling him into a vicious pounce. Claws raked across one of the mauler’s hind legs forcing it to adjust its weight and causing a shift in its balance. Frostclaw had vanished back into the shadows before retaliation from the forest monster. The gloom swallowing the great cat like a ghost fading from view. As the mauler turned searching another shadow struck, this time from above. Valkra leapt from one of the rooftops, she had used the chaos of the fight to gain an advantage from above and landed on the Maulers back. Her claws found purchase in the beast’s thick fur, biting deep as she snarled and raked at its exposed hide. It was the bite of the stingers on her twin tails that caused the mauler to buck and roar violently as it tried to dislodge her.

  Between the animals, Wardens and Xavier the mauler was on the defensive for the first time in the battle, for the first time in long ages as a matter of fact. A fact that Ella took advantage of. As the beast threw itself backwards to try and dislodge Valkra it lifted its head exposing the underside of its throat for a brief moment. Long enough for Ella to exhale and loose her drawn arrow. It flew through the night sky and struck true, but not deep. It staggered the mauler with a non-fatal blow, but it now knew that it was not standing amidst prey. They were much more dangerous. It chuffed in a deep rumbling tone, not one of pain but of acknowledgement. Having managed to shake Valkra from its back just moments before the arrow struck it stepped backwards away from the threat that Rynthavael presented. Its aggression replaced, not with fear but with understanding. Slowly, deliberately it turned and lumbered into the forest. Just before the woods closed around it and it disappeared from view it stopped and looking back at the defenders of the settlement, it drug its claws down a large standing stone leaving deep claw marks. A clear marking though the collected defenders had no idea of its meaning. Rynthavael had withstood its attack, but the beast still lived and now it knew the threat, something it would not forget.

  The defense of the village redoubled after the attack. Carpenters moved to replace the damaged section of the wall despite the late hour in effort to restore the protection as quickly as possible. Those who were involved in the fight collapsed as the adrenaline of the moment wore off. They were luckier than they had any hope of being given the foe. Xavier and Kaelar having taken the brunt of the damage and both were given healing tinctures from one of the village healers. As the night deepened there was no indication that the monster would return so the village slowly settled into a wary rest.

  The firelight flickered along the walls of Hearthstead Hall. The light cast long shadows over the gathered supplies for their journey. The others had gone to rest or finish their preparations, but Xavier remained, adjusting the last of their gear before their departure for Ironhaven.

  Ella’s footsteps were light, barely a whisper against the stone floor and he didn’t turn as she approached, but he felt her presence beside him, steady, unshaken. For a moment, she said nothing, simply watching as he secured the last of their packs. Then, with practiced ease, she reached into her own satchel and pulled something free.

  The movement caught Xaviers attention, and he turned noticing what was in her hand, a collar. Its dull metal glinted in the low light, an unremarkable thing to anyone who didn’t know the history behind it. But to Xavier, it was more than just a length of metal, it was a symbol of one of the things he detested about Arenvalis, and about Ironhaven in particular.

  Ella held it up between them, her expression unreadable. "I will wear it," she said simply.

  Xavier finally looked at her, his jaw tightening. "You don’t have to."

  Ella tilted her head, her keen eyes searching his face. "You said the same about Lianna. But she will, because she has to. She cannot walk in Arenvalis as a free Animari and we need her as a guide."

  Xavier exhaled slowly, his fingers curling into his palms. "You shouldn’t have to bear that weight just to make things easier."

  "Maybe not," she admitted, rolling the collar between her fingers before meeting his gaze. "But you are thinking about this the wrong way."

  She took a step closer, holding the collar up between them, her fingers firm against the cold metal. "Lianna wears hers and remembers a time when it had power over her. You see it, and it reminds you of something that grates at you. But me?" She shrugged slightly, a small smirk tugging at her lips. "It is just a piece of metal."

  Xavier studied her for a long moment. It was something about this woman that appealed to him. Ella never let things weigh her down. She was unshaken, unburdened in ways the rest of them weren’t. But this wasn’t just about her, it was about Lianna, about trust, about the mission ahead. And Ella had seen it before Xavier had.

  "If I wear it," she continued, softer now, "it changes the way Lianna sees hers. She will not be alone in it. It’s not about what it means to me, Xavier. It’s about what it means to her."

  His fingers unclenched. He turned his gaze to the collar, then to Ella. "And what does it mean to you?" he asked.

  She grinned, tossing the collar once in her hand before triggering the rune that unlocked the device. Tossing the rune to Xavier, she slipped it around her neck, fastening it with a quick snap and it hung loose against her skin, more mockery than restraint.

  "It means I get to piss off some slavers and make them underestimate me," she said with a wink. "And that? That, I am perfectly fine with."

  Xavier let out a slow breath, shaking his head. "You’re impossible, you know that don’t you"

  "That’s why you like me." She gave him a quick, light punch on the arm before stepping back, arms crossed over her chest. "Besides," she added, "if we are going to play our parts, we do it right. Ironhaven does not get to control the terms. We do."

  Xavier met her gaze, something unreadable passing between them. He was still uncomfortable with the fact she was bound to him. It was easy to overlook that she was an embodiment of the sentience of Vaelthris when she stood before him. However, at this moment he understood her intentions, and that made all the difference.

  With a final nod, Ella turned and strode toward the door, leaving him alone with the weight of his thoughts, and the knowledge that soon, they would walk willingly into the heart of Ironhaven’s cruelty. But they wouldn’t walk in as victims or even unaware of the dangers, they would walk in ready to burn it all down if they had to.

  Xavier stared at the doorway that Ella disappeared through. He knew he was seeing her as more than just a companion and party member. She was more than just the sentience of his blade. She was flesh and blood and… enchanting. A sudden realization struck him as he recognized why he was so upset about her in a slave collar. He had been developing feelings for her.