Elara stirred from her slumber, her consciousness slowly returning as she felt gentle hands running through her hair. The fingers worked deftly, carefully untangling the knots and smoothing out the tangles that she could not tame herself. The touch was soothing, comforting, that she wanted to sink back into the depths of sleep.

  She kept her eyes closed, savoring the sensation of being cared for. It was a foreign feeling, but one that she craved more of. The hands continued their work, gently teasing out the snarls and knots.

  Her mind drifted, the events of the previous night feeling like a distant dream. The fight, the chaos, the fear... it all seemed to fade away under the tender ministrations of those hands. For a moment, she could almost forget.

  A soft sigh escaped her lips as the hands hit a sensitive spot, the touch sending a pleasant tingle down her spine. She leaned into the leg that rested by her side.

  She knew she should probably get up, that they needed to continue their journey. But the allure of this moment, of this simple comfort, was too strong. She wanted to cling to it, to let herself be lulled back to sleep by the rhythmic strokes of those gentle hands.

  The hands continue their soothing motions, gently stroking her hair. A female voice rang out, breaking the peaceful silence. "Are you ready to wake up, Elara?"

  Elara's eyes remained closed, but she knew that voice. It was Esme. The sound of her companion's voice brought comfort.

  In response to Esme's question, Elara simply mumbled, "No." She wasn't ready to face the day, not yet. She wanted to cling to this moment of tranquility for just a little longer.

  Esme huffed a laugh, amused by her reluctance to rise. She continued to run her fingers through Elara's now knot-free hair, the repetitive motion lulling her back towards the edge of sleep.

  "That was scary yesterday, right?" Esme asked softly, her voice tinged with concern.

  Elara nodded, her face still hidden from Esme's view. She didn't trust her voice to speak, afraid that the emotions from the previous day's events would come rushing back.

  So she remained still, allowing herself to be comforted by Esme's presence and the gentle touch of her hands.

  "Krill and I talked yesterday," Esme continued, her voice soft and soothing. "We think it's best if Selly and I handle Velma going forward."

  Elara nodded, Esme and Selly were more experienced and better equipped to handle Velma's volatile behavior.

  "But," Esme added, her tone becoming more serious, "that doesn't mean you shouldn't defend yourself if needed. If Velma comes at you again, you do what you have to do to protect yourself. Understand?"

  Elara nodded again, taking Esme's words to heart. Esme's fingers continued to stroke her hair, the motion calming and grounding.

  "Thank you," Elara whispered, her voice barely audible. She wasn't sure if she was thanking Esme for her words of comfort, for her protection, or for simply being there. But she knew she was grateful for all of it.

  Esme hummed in response, "of course, Elara."

  With a final, lingering moment to savor the warmth of Esme's touch, Elara pushed herself up from the ground.

  As she rose, a chorus of "good mornings" greeted her from the rest of the group, who were also in various states of waking. Elara nodded in response, her eyes still heavy with sleep.

  But as her gaze landed on Velma, she froze, stunned by what she saw. Velma sat on the ground, her hands bound by thick ropes, rendering her unable to hold a weapon. The sight was jarring.

  Elara couldn't tear her eyes away, transfixed by the image of Velma restrained. A firm hand clasping her back startled her from her thoughts. She turned to see Esme, a hint of humor in her eyes.

  "Don't stare, it's impolite," Esme chided gently, her tone light despite the gravity of the situation.

  Elara ducked her head, feeling a flush of embarrassment. She hadn't meant to stare, but the sight of Velma bound had caught her off guard.

  She glanced back at Velma, this time trying to be more discreet in her observation. Velma sat still, her eyes downcast, resigned to her current state. Her heart clenched at the sight, a mix of pity and unease swirling within her.

  As the rest of the group noticed their stirring, they packed up their belongings and prepare for the day's journey.

  When they set out, Esme secured Velma to her back once more, her hands still bound. Elara fell into step beside Slynn, who brought up the rear of the group.

  Elara glanced at him, taking in the slight bruises that marred his face. His usually jovial demeanor seemed subdued, a far cry from his typical self.

  "How are you doing?" she asked softly.

  Slynn's eyes flicked to her briefly before returning to the path ahead. "I'm fine," he said, his tone clipped.

  Elara nodded, unsure of what to say next. The silence stretched between them for a moment before Slynn spoke again.

  "I know I fucked up," he said, his voice low and filled with self-reproach. "Esme and Selly already grilled me about it, so don't bother harping on it."

  Elara's eyebrows raised at his words, surprised by the bluntness of his admission. She hadn't expected him to be so forthright about his mistake.

  "I wasn't going to," she said, her voice gentle. "I just wanted to make sure you were okay."

  Slynn sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "I appreciate the concern."

  Elara nodded, understanding that Slynn wanted to move on from the topic. That marked the end of their talk.

  The group soon came upon a dirt road, more like a well-trodden path. It wound through lush green fields, dotted with wildflowers that swayed gently in the breeze. The sun shone down on them, warming their skin and lifting their spirits.

  Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

  Elara’s boots scraped against the loose gravel, her legs burning from the exertion, but the sight before them made it all feel worth it.

  The Fox Leap Crossing loomed ahead, a narrow stone bridge stretching like a fragile thread over a vast chasm below. The stone was dark and worn, covered in patches of moss and ivy, a testament to the years it had endured the elements. Its arches rose high, curving like the delicate back of some mythical beast. Hardy shrubs scattered the land below, giving the place a wild, untamed feel.

  The wind had picked up, howling through the chasm, causing the bridge to sway slightly. She could feel the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end, a strange sensation running down her spine. It was as if the crossing itself was alive.

  Esme stepped forward, her expression unreadable as she gazed at the bridge. “This is it. The crossing.”

  Selly nodded. “I’ve heard the story… about the foxes that would leap across. I didn’t realize the gap would be this wide.”

  “Not many do.” Krill's voice was quieter now, almost solemn.

  As they drew closer, she spotted a wagon in the distance, with several figures gathered around it. She quickly counted seven individuals, their forms becoming clearer as they approached.

  Esme, who had been leading the group, suddenly held back, allowing Selly to take the lead. Elara wondered what had prompted the change in formation, but Esme's expression remained unreadable.

  The wagon had clearly taken notice of their approach. She could see them shifting, their stances becoming more alert as they watched Elara and her companions draw nearer.

  Selly continued to lead the way, her steps confident as they closed the distance between the two groups.

  As they got closer, more details about the individuals became clear. They appeared to be a mix of men and women, their clothing and gear suggesting they were travelers or merchants of some kind.

  They finally came to a stop a short distance from the other group. The air was thick with tension as the two parties eyed each other warily, each trying to gauge the other's intentions.

  Selly stepped forward, her posture relaxed but alert. "Greetings," she called out, her voice carrying across the distance between them. "We mean no harm. We're just passing through."

  Elara held her breath, waiting to see how the other group would respond. Would they be friendly, or would this encounter turn hostile? She glanced at Esme, seeking reassurance, but Esme's gaze remained fixed on the strangers ahead.

  The seconds seemed to stretch as they waited for a response. Finally, the individual closet to the wagon stepped forward, a tall man with a grizzled beard.

  "Greetings," he replied, his voice gruff but not unfriendly. "We're just passing through as well. Where are you headed?"

  Selly's response seemed to please the grizzled man, his eyes lighting up at the mention of Heimshore. "Ah, Heimshore! A fine destination indeed," he exclaimed, his voice suddenly filled with enthusiasm. "You know, we're headed that way ourselves. Why don't you join us? The more the merrier, as they say!"

  Elara glanced at her companions, trying to gauge their reactions to the man's invitation. Esme's expression remained guarded, while Krill and Slynn exchanged a look of uncertainty.

  Selly, however, remained composed, offering the man a polite smile. "Thank you for the offer, but we'll have to decline," she said, her tone firm but friendly. "We prefer to travel on our own."

  With that, Selly motioned for the others to follow her, and they moved past the wagon and its occupants. Elara fell into step behind Esme, feeling relieved as they put distance between themselves and the strangers.

  But the grizzled man wasn't ready to let them go so easily. "Wait!" he called out, his voice taking on a desperate edge. "Please, we could really use the extra protection on the road. These are dangerous time, and everyone will feel much safer with a larger group!"

  Elara's steps faltered slightly at the man's words, a flicker of unease running through her. She glanced at Esme, who had also paused, her eyes narrowing as she studied the man and his companions.

  "I appreciate your concern," Selly replied, her voice still calm and measured, "but as I said, we prefer to travel alone. We'll be just fine on our own."

  The man's face fell, disappointment etched into his features. He opened his mouth as if to argue further, but a sharp look from Selly silenced him.

  With a last nod, Selly turned and continued walking, the others following close behind. Elara could feel the eyes of the strangers boring into their backs as they moved away, but she resisted the urge to look back.

  As they put more distance between themselves and the wagon, Elara couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't quite right about the encounter. The man's desperation, the way his companions had watched them with such intensity... it all left her feeling unsettled. She quickened her pace to catch up with Esme.

  "Esme," she called out, her voice low. "What was that about?"

  Esme glanced back, her expression grim. "Most likely a sting or an actual ambush waiting to happen," she replied, her eyes scanning the surrounding area for any signs of trouble.

  Elara's eyes widened at Esme's words, a chill running down her spine. "An ambush?" she repeated.

  "But they must have deemed our group too high profile with a healer from the Temple of Hope," Esme explained.

  Elara nodded, suddenly aware of another benefit of being part of a temple. It seemed to have deterred their would-be attackers.

  "With Sting, did you mean like a sting operation?" Elara asked.

  Esme's eyes flicked to Elara briefly before returning to the path ahead. "Yeah. Sometimes the adventuring guilds get contracts to go to high-traffic areas and bait bandits to rob them," she explained, her voice low and matter-of-fact. "It's to deter people from robbing merchants making their way here." Elara's brow furrowed as she processed this information.

  "But this one didn't seem like the usual spiel," Esme continued, her tone becoming more serious. "Best to be prepared for now."

  As they continued down the path, she couldn't help but glance over her shoulder, half-expecting to see the wagon and its occupants following them. But the road behind them remained empty, the only sound the crunching of their boots against the dirt.

  As the day wore on, they pressed forward, their feet pounding the earth as the sun slowly sank toward the horizon.

  At first, she thought the mountain much farther away, its jagged silhouette barely visible on the horizon. But as they continued their journey, it seemed to grow larger with each passing hour, its dark form slowly dominating the landscape.

  Vibrant shades of orange and pink painted the sky above, with the fading light casting long, dramatic shadows across the fields. The air was crisp, the scent of earth and the distant hint of pine mingling with the cooling breeze. But it was the mountain that drew her attention, its presence becoming overwhelming as they drew closer.

  The mountain appeared as if it had been cleaved in two, the jagged edges of its two halves standing in stark contrast to the smooth plains below. A deep rift ran through its center, as though some force had struck it, leaving a massive gap in the heart of the peaks. From this vantage point, the divide looked almost unnatural, the sheer cliffs rising steeply on either side of the chasm.

  Esme, who had changed to leading the group, slowed her pace. "See that mountain ahead?" she asked, pointing towards the towering peak. "That's where we need to head through."

  "But don't worry," Esme continued, sensing Elara's unease. "There's an inn on this side where we can rest until dawn. It would be unwise to attempt the pass in the dark."

  Elara felt relief at the thought of spending the night in a warm, safe inn. It was a welcoming thought after the long days of walking.

  When the sky darkened and the first stars appeared, the group had made their way toward the base of the mountain. The air had grown colder; the wind biting with the sharpness of the high-altitude chill. Each step became more labored as the terrain became steeper and the path more treacherous.

  Elara’s breath came in visible puffs, the cold nipping at her skin. Her eyes scanned the rugged terrain, the jagged peaks surrounding them growing darker by the minute. The moon had just risen, casting a pale light over the scene, and the shadows seemed to stretch longer with each passing moment.

  At last, as they rounded a bend in the path, she saw it, the entrance to the inn. A faint, warm glow flickered through the small, grimy windows, like the promise of warmth after a long, exhausting journey.

  The inn stood nestled against the sheer rock face, its stone walls blending into the mountainside, as though it had grown from the very cliffs themselves. The wind gently swayed a small wooden sign, creaking with each gust, though the name too faded to read.

  The group quickened their pace, their tired limbs driven by the thought of a warm fire and a place to rest.

  Selly led the way inside, and Elara followed close behind, eager to rest her weary feet. The inn was a cozy space, with a large fireplace crackling in the corner and the smell of stew wafting.