By the time we reached the final stop of our tour, night had already fallen. The market square shimmered under the glow of enchanted lanterns, their lights casting soft colors across the cobbled streets.
"So, this is the marketplace," Clara said with a smile, her voice full of pride.
"Let's go," I said, excitement bubbling in my chest. "I want to buy something."
A gift for Julian. Something to say thank you, in my quiet way.
We wandered through rows of lively stalls, past vendors calling out their wares, but one shop tugged at my attention more than any of the others. A blacksmith's forge, tucked just off the main road, its windows glowing warm with the light of fire.
According to the original story, Julian was always more than just a political genius. Even at the age of fifteen, he had excelled at swordsmanship, besting knights twice his size. A sword, then. A perfect gift for someone like him.
"Clara, wait here for a moment," I said.
She blinked at me. "Where are you—"
"I'll be quick, I promise!"
I pushed open the heavy door of the blacksmith's shop. The air inside was thick with smoke and the scent of hot metal. Behind the counter stood an elderly man with a large soot-streaked beard and muscular arms that bore the marks of a lifetime at the forge.
"Excuse me," I said softly, stepping forward. "Do you have a sword that costs...?"
I paused, pulling out my coin pouch and quickly counting. "I have forty-seven gold coins."
The old man looked me over, eyes narrowing. "Whoa now, little lady. What are you doing here all by yourself?"
"I—I-I just want to buy a sword. For my big brother." I tried to sound innocent, even a little cute—anything to keep from being thrown out.
His expression softened slightly. "Is that so? Well, we've got some C-rank swords in your price range—thirty to fifty coins. You can have a look around. If anything's too heavy, just call for help, alright?"
"Thank you," I said, bowing slightly.
I wasn't alone. A few other customers were browsing—grown men, older and much taller than me. I felt like a lost child among giants. The shelves towered above me, at least two feet taller than my current height. I must have looked like a curious mouse in a knight's armory.
One blade caught my eye, glimmering faintly on a higher shelf. I jumped, trying to catch a glimpse of the price tag, but it was no use.
"Need help?" came a voice behind me—deep, smooth, and unfamiliar.
I turned. A man stood there, tall and well-built, with golden hair that caught the forge light like polished brass. He wore a sheathed sword at his side, and his eyes, dark as midnight, rested on me with an unreadable expression.
"Yes, please," I replied cautiously.
With practiced ease, he reached up and pulled the sword from the shelf. He handed it to me without a word.
It was beautiful. Slim and well-balanced, the blade gleamed in the light, the grip wrapped in deep blue leather. The tag read 45 gold coins—just within my reach.
"Thank you, mister," I said, smiling.
"Are you sure you want this one?" he asked, his gaze fixed on me.
I hesitated. "I wanted to give my brother something more… but this is all I can afford."
The man tilted his head. "You know, I can give you a better sword. A real one. For free."
Something shifted inside me—an instinct, sharp and cold. That feeling. The one I used to get when Father walked into the room, and I knew something was wrong before a word was said.
"I can show you," he added, gesturing casually toward the back of the shop.
"I'm… not sure," I murmured, taking a small step back.
But he moved faster than I expected.
Before I could scream, he shoved me toward a side entrance, his hand clamping over my mouth. Panic exploded in my chest. I struggled, tried to cry out, but his grip only tightened. The door behind us swung shut with a dull thud, cutting me off from the warmth of the forge and Clara's distant voice.
My heart pounded like a war drum.
Someone help—please.
I thrashed in his grip, kicking, twisting, trying to bite down on his hand. But he held me fast, like iron. My breath came in short, panicked gasps. Tears stung my eyes.
Then—
A sharp pain bloomed at the back of my skull.
Everything spun.
The world tilted sideways.
Sound drained away into a low, muffled hum. My legs gave out beneath me.
Darkness swallowed me whole.