The town of Black Hollow was a stark contrast to the frostbitten wilderness of Frosthaven. Nestled in a valley surrounded by jagged cliffs, it was a place where shadows clung to the cobblestone streets and secrets whispered through the alleys. The air was thick with the scent of smoke and ale, and the people moved with a wary resilience that spoke of lives lived on the edge of danger.

  Ash pulled his hood lower over his face as they entered the town, his new features hidden beneath the fabric. Lyra led the way, her stride confident as she navigated the crowded streets. Garrick followed silently, his one eye scanning their surroundings with the precision of a predator.

  “We’ll lay low here for a while,” Lyra said, her voice low. “But we need to be careful. Black Hollow has eyes everywhere.”

  Ash nodded, his mind racing. The attack in the forest had shaken him, but it had also solidified his resolve. He couldn’t keep running. He needed to take control of the situation—for Seraphina’s sake, and for his own.

  They found lodging at a rundown inn called The Rusty Flagon. The innkeeper, a grizzled man with a patch over one eye, eyed them suspiciously but said nothing as he handed over the keys to their rooms.

  Once inside, Ash collapsed onto the narrow bed, his body aching with exhaustion. The events of the past few days weighed heavily on him, but he couldn’t afford to rest. Not yet.

  Lyra entered the room, her expression serious. “We need to talk.”

  Ash sat up, his brow furrowing. “What is it?”

  “The mercenaries,” Lyra said, crossing her arms. “They’re not just hired thugs. They’re part of a larger network—one that answers to the Duke’s allies.”

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  Ash’s stomach dropped. “How do you know?”

  “I recognized one of them,” Lyra replied. “He’s worked for the Duke before. Which means they’re not just after you—they’re after anyone connected to you.”

  Ash’s mind raced. “Including Seraphina.”

  Lyra nodded. “Exactly. If they find her, they’ll use her to get to you. Or worse.”

  Ash clenched his fists, his resolve hardening. “Then we need to warn her. We need to—”

  “We need to be smart,” Lyra interrupted, her tone sharp. “Charging in blindly will only get us all killed. We need a plan.”

  Ash took a deep breath, forcing himself to think. “What if we turn the tables on them? Use their network against them.”

  Lyra raised an eyebrow. “Go on.”

  “If they’re part of a larger network, they must have a base of operations,” Ash said, his mind racing. “Somewhere they coordinate their efforts. If we can find it, we can disrupt their plans—maybe even take them down from the inside.”

  Lyra’s lips curved into a sly smile. “Not bad. Risky, but not bad.”

  Garrick grunted from the corner of the room, his one eye gleaming with approval.

  ---

  **Scene Break**

  The next morning, they set out to gather information. Black Hollow was a town built on secrets, and its inhabitants were more than willing to share—for the right price.

  Lyra took the lead, her charm and silver tongue opening doors that would have remained closed to Ash. Garrick followed silently, his presence a constant reminder of the danger they faced.

  By midday, they had a name: The Crimson Talon. It was a mercenary guild with ties to the Duke’s allies, and its base of operations was rumored to be hidden deep within the Ironpeak Mountains.

  “The Crimson Talon,” Lyra said, her tone thoughtful. “They’re not just hired muscle. They’re strategists. If they’re after you, they’ll have a plan.”

  “Then we need to be one step ahead,” Ash said, his voice steady.

  Lyra smirked. “Easier said than done. But I like your spirit.”

  ---

  **Scene Break**

  That evening, they gathered in the inn’s common room, the air thick with the scent of ale and smoke. Lyra spread a map on the table, her finger tracing the route to the Crimson Talon’s base.

  “It’s a fortress,” she said, her tone serious. “Heavily guarded, with traps and patrols. Getting in won’t be easy.”

  “But not impossible,” Ash said, his gaze fixed on the map.

  Lyra’s smile was sharp. “Nothing’s impossible if you’re willing to take risks.”

  Garrick grunted, his one eye scanning the map.

  “We’ll need a distraction,” Ash said, his mind racing. “Something to draw their attention while we infiltrate the base.”

  Lyra’s eyes gleamed with mischief. “I think I can handle that.”

  **Scene Break**

  As they finalized their plan, Ash couldn’t shake the feeling that the shadows were closing in. The Crimson Talon was a formidable enemy, and the stakes were higher than ever.

  But somewhere, in the depths of Valencrest, Seraphina stood at the window, her gaze fixed on the horizon. The Black Rose had thorns, but even roses could wilt.