And in the final days of the rift, a prince will be born with the ability to see through the darkness. The truths he will discover will tear down that which never should have existed. His light and his blood, when joined with the other’s, will open the gate that brings in the light.

The Secrets and Stories of Velmara

After two weeks of constant rebuilding, the merchant district has reopened in small pockets. Yesterday, Fionn, Silene, and I attended the grand reopening of an art studio. Silene has made numerous friends throughout Arberly, to no one’s surprise. The human woman who owns the art studio had personally invited Silene to attend, and when we’d arrived, Silene bounced off to mingle with the dozens of people she’s met these months. Fionn and I were left to admire the art on our own, and he stayed grumpy and silent while I charmed a group of females with stories about Velmara’s Floating Market.

After the event, Laurel stopped by our apartment and left Silene a small vial of thayar concentrate to get us in and out of the village for our meeting with the rebels today. Hopefully that’s all we need it for.

“Ready?” I ask Silene, who’s less bubbly this time using the thayar than the last time, before we knew what was waiting for us in Oakton. She nods and grabs Fionn’s and my hand. Pressure, then we stand in front of the manor. It still looks abandoned—the rebels have done a good job hiding this place.

Our goal today is to convince Krantz that attacks on civilians are too risky for him, and that Laurel and the palace should be his focus. I also want to find out any information I can about the manor that seems to serve as the rebellion headquarters. A human woman, who looks to be in her mid-thirties, approaches us. She has mousy brown hair, blue eyes that look kind despite her participation in the rebellion, and a short but curvy frame. Fionn stiffens beside me.

“Hello,” I start to say with a bright smile that shows my dimple, but she cuts me off, as unaffected by my charms as Laurel.