The market was alive with sound and color.
Voices rose from every direction—merchants calling out prices, children laughing as they ran between stalls, and the steady clink of coins exchanging hands. The smell of fresh bread, spices, and fruit filled the warm air.
But for Mara, the world felt distant.
Her hands held the basket tightly, but her fingers trembled slightly. Her heart had not calmed since the moment people saw the mark on her shoulder.
She could still hear them murmuring.
"The red dragon…"
"It's her…"
"Did you see it?"
Their whispers followed her like shadows.
Captain Alden walked beside her, calm and steady, his steps firm against the stone road. His eyes moved quietly, always watching, always aware.
"Keep walking, do not be afraid" he said softly.
Mara nodded, forcing herself to breathe slowly.
She kept her head forward, trying not to look at anyone, trying to act normal.
But nothing felt normal anymore.
Behind them, two young men moved carefully through the crowd.
They did not speak at first.
They only watched.
Their eyes stayed fixed on Mara, following every step she took.
One of them leaned slightly closer to the other.
"You saw it too, didn't you?" he whispered.
The other nodded slowly. "The red dragon. It matches the proclamation."
The first man swallowed. "Then it must be her."
They exchanged a quick look.
"Let's follow her and know where she lives," the second said.
Alden had already noticed them. From the moment they began to move.
He did not turn his head, did not change his expression, but his mind was sharp and alert.
Two behind us… not random… too careful.
His hand moved slightly closer to the hilt of his sword, though he kept it relaxed.
"Stay close," he murmured.
Mara stepped nearer to him.
"Captain… is something wrong?" she asked quietly.
"No," he replied calmly. "Just stay beside me."
But his eyes never stopped moving.
The crowd grew thicker as they moved deeper into the market.
People brushed past them, voices blending into one loud, endless noise. But in the middle of it all, Mara could feel something else.
Eyes.
Watching her.
Judging her.
Her breath became uneven.
"They know…" she whispered to herself.
A man nearby glanced at her shoulder and quickly looked away, whispering to the woman beside him. Within moments, more people began to notice.
"The mark…"
"Look!"
"It's real…"
The whispers spread like fire.
Mara's heart pounded harder.
"Captain…" she said, her voice shaking slightly.
Alden's voice remained steady. "Do not stop. Do not turn around."
She nodded, even though fear was rising inside her.
Behind them, the two men pushed through the crowd, careful not to lose sight of her.
"She's moving fast," one said.
"We cannot lose her," the other replied.
They stayed far enough to avoid attention, but close enough to follow.
Their eyes never left the mark.
The walk back to the castle felt longer than it should have.
Every step felt heavy.
Every second stretched.
Mara tightened her grip on the basket, her knuckles pale.
The noise of the market slowly faded as they moved away from the center. The streets became quieter, less crowded.
Ahead, the castle gates rose tall and strong.
Mara's chest loosened slightly.
"We're close…" she whispered.
Alden gave a small nod.
"Yes. Keep moving."
As they approached the gates, the guards immediately stepped aside.
"Captain," one of them greeted.
Alden nodded but did not stop.
Mara passed through the gates, her body finally relaxing just a little as the heavy doors closed behind her.
She was safe.
For now.
Outside, the two young men stopped somewhere.
They did not try to enter.
They simply stood at a distance, watching the gates close.
"The royal castle," one said quietly.
"So the girl lives there."
The other nodded slowly, his expression serious.
"This is enough. Lord Varyn must know."
Without another word, they turned and left.
They moved quickly through the city.
No longer hiding.
No longer careful.
Their steps were fast, urgent, filled with purpose.
The sun began to fall, and shadows stretched across the streets as they made their way toward the northern edge of the land.
Toward darkness.
By night, they reached the fortress.
It stood like a shadow against the sky.
Cold. Silent. Watching.
The gates were tall and black, guarded by men who did not speak unless necessary.
The two men approached, their breathing slightly heavy.
"We bring news for Lord Varyn," one said.
The guards exchanged a glance, then stepped aside.
They were allowed in.
Inside, the air felt different.
Heavier.
Colder.
The halls were lit by strange blue flames that flickered against the stone walls. Every step echoed softly, as if the fortress itself was listening.
They were led to the throne room.
Lord Varyn sat in silence.
His figure was still, almost like a statue, but his presence filled the entire hall.
The blue fire behind him cast long shadows across his face.
His eyes lifted slowly.
"Speak," he said.
His voice was low.
But it carried power.
The two men bowed deeply.
"My lord… we have found her."
Silence filled the room.
Then Varyn leaned forward slightly.
"Where?"
"In the market," the first man said. "We saw her in the market today. The mark was clear."
Varyn's fingers tapped once against the arm of his throne.
"And?" he asked.
The second man swallowed.
"We followed her… she returned to the royal castle of King Ryan."
For a moment, there was no sound at all.
Then Varyn smiled.
Slowly.
Coldly.
"So…" he whispered."The king was hiding her." "Does it mean Ryan knows this secret ?"
His eyes darkened, glowing faintly red.
"He kept the red dragon within his own walls…"
He stood up.
The movement was slow, controlled—but something dangerous moved beneath it.
The black veins along his hand pulsed faintly.
"Foolish king," he murmured.
He stepped down from his throne.
Each step echoed across the hall.
"So the one I seek… the key to my survival… is closer than I thought."
He stopped.
His gaze sharpened.
"You have done well."
He opened a chest beside him and took out a heavy pouch.
Gold.
He tossed it toward them.
They caught it quickly, eyes wide.
"Your reward," Varyn said.
"Thank you, my lord!" they said together.
"Leave," Varyn ordered.
They bowed deeply and left the chamber.
The doors closed behind them.
Silence returned.
Varyn stood alone.
His hand clenched slowly, the black veins rising faintly along his skin.
"The red dragon…" he whispered.
A small breath escaped him, filled with both pain and excitement.
"At last…"
He turned toward the darkness beyond the hall.
"Prepare the men," he said quietly.
"Tomorrow… we begin the hunt."
Back in the royal castle, the air was calm.
Too calm.
Captain Alden stood before King Ryan, his posture straight.
"Your Majesty, we have returned."
Ryan looked up.
"Yes captain, what happened"
"Mara followed every instruction," Alden said.
"The mark was seen. Many noticed."
Ryan's eyes sharpened.
"Anyone suspicious?"
"Yes," Alden replied. "Two men followed us through the market."
Ryan leaned back slightly.
"Did you stop them?"
"No, Your Majesty."
A pause.
"I allowed it."
For a moment, the room was silent.
Then Ryan nodded.
"Good."
He stood and walked toward the window.
"The message will reach him faster now."
Alden remained still.
"Then Lord Varyn will move."
Ryan's gaze hardened.
"Yes."
He looked out toward the distant horizon.
"The game has begun."
Outside, the sun had fully set.
The castle stood quiet and peaceful under the night sky.
But far beyond its walls…
Darkness was already moving.
And this time—It was coming straight for them.