The great hall of the royal fortress was unusually quiet.
Kael stood beside Aldric while the King sat at the head of the long table. Several officers and nobles had gathered around them.
A large map covered the table, with the western border marked by small wooden pieces representing soldiers, villages, and fortresses.
The King placed his hand on the map.
“Three patrols have reported unusual movement near the western border.”
Kael studied the map.
“How many soldiers?”
“We don't know yet,” the King replied.
Aldric turned towards one of the officers.
“Have they crossed the border?”
“No, my lord.”
“Then we don't move our army,” Aldric said firmly.
The King nodded.
“We will watch them for now.”
Kael remained silent, studying the marked locations. Something about the situation bothered him.
“Has the Western Kingdom given any explanation?” he finally asked.
The King shook his head.
“None.”
One of the nobles stepped forward.
“They may simply be preparing for winter.”
Aldric looked at him.
“Then why are they moving soldiers so close to our border?”
The noble lowered his eyes, unable to answer.
After a moment, the King stood.
“Double the patrols along the western border. No soldier is to cross into Varethis without my permission.”
Everyone bowed.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The meeting was dismissed.
As the officers and nobles began leaving, Kael followed Aldric out of the hall.
“Do you think there will be a war?” Kael asked.
Aldric stopped walking.
“I don't know.”
“You don't sound convinced.”
Aldric looked at him.
“Because kingdoms don't move soldiers without a reason.”
Kael glanced back towards the great hall.
“Should we prepare?”
“We should always be prepared.”
Aldric placed a hand on his shoulder.
“But don't let rumors control you. Wait for facts before making decisions.”
Kael gave a small smile.
“I won't.”
A Few Days Later
The journey to the village felt longer than usual.
Kael had spent the past four days dealing with royal duties and reports from the western border. But as soon as his responsibilities allowed it, he saddled his horse and rode towards the familiar village.
The moment Mira spotted him approaching, she ran outside.
“Kael!”
Kael barely had time to climb down from his horse before she grabbed his hand.
“You came!”
“I said I would.”
“You were gone for four days!”
Kael smiled.
“Was it really that long?”
“Yes!”
Elara appeared in the doorway, watching them with an amused expression.
“She counted every day,” she said.
Mira immediately protested.
“I did not!”
“You did.”
“No!”
Kael laughed.
“I brought something for you.”
Mira's eyes widened.
“What?”
He reached into his bag and pulled out a small cloth doll.
Mira took it with both hands, her face lighting up.
“Thank you!”
She hugged the doll and rushed inside to show it to her sister.
Elara watched her disappear.
“You keep spoiling her.”
“She deserves it.”
“She'll start expecting gifts every time you visit.”
Kael smiled.
“Then I'll have to keep coming.”
Elara looked at him.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then she quietly replied,
“I wouldn't mind that.”
Kael's smile softened.
He wasn't sure if he had heard her correctly.
“What?”
Elara quickly turned towards the shop.
“I said the shop needs cleaning.”
Kael smiled to himself.
“Of course.”
That Afternoon
Kael helped Elara carry several boxes into the storage room.
Most were light, but one was considerably heavier than the others.
Elara tried to lift it, struggling slightly.
Kael stepped forward and picked it up.
“I can do it,” she said.
“I know.”
“Then why did you take it?”
“Because I wanted to.”
Elara folded her arms.
“You always do that.”
“Do what?”
“Help without being asked.”
Kael placed the box carefully on the floor.
“Maybe I like helping you.”
Elara fell silent for a moment.
Then a small smile appeared on her face.
“Maybe I don't mind.”
Before Kael could reply, Mira's voice came from outside.
“Elara!”
They both laughed.
“Looks like someone needs you,” Kael said.
Elara shook her head and walked towards the door.
That Night
The village was quiet beneath the evening sky.
Kael sat outside the house while his horse rested nearby. The cool breeze moved gently through the trees.
Elara came outside carrying two cups of warm tea.
“You should sleep,” she said, handing him one.
“I will soon.”
She sat beside him.
For several minutes, neither spoke. They simply listened to the quiet sounds of the village.
Then Elara broke the silence.
“Kael?”
“Yes?”
“If one day you weren't a knight…”
She paused, looking at the cup in her hands.
“What would you do?”
Kael thought about the question.
“I've never really thought about it.”
“Never?”
“I became a knight when I was young. It became my whole life.”
Elara looked towards the distant hills.
“Maybe everyone deserves a life that isn't decided for them.”
Kael turned towards her.
“What about you?”
“What about me?”
“If you could have anything, what would you want?”
Elara smiled faintly.
“I don't need much.”
She glanced towards the small house where Mira was sleeping.
“My sister safe. A peaceful home. Enough food. Enough money.”
She paused.
“And someone I can trust.”
Kael listened without interrupting.
Elara looked at him.
“What about you?”
Kael raised his eyes towards the stars.
“I think…”
He paused, searching for the right words.
“I might want the same thing.”
Their eyes met.
Neither looked away.
For a moment, the world seemed unusually quiet.
Then Mira's voice came from inside.
“Elara! The tea is getting cold!”
Elara closed her eyes briefly.
Kael laughed.
“I think you're needed.”
She stood, shaking her head.
“Yes, apparently.”
She took a few steps towards the door before turning back.
“Good night, Kael.”
“Good night, Elara.”
She went inside.
Kael remained outside, holding the warm cup between his hands.
He thought about his life in the fortress, the duties he had followed since childhood, and the future he had never questioned.
For the first time, he began wondering whether the life he had always known was truly the life he wanted.
He had always believed that being a knight was his purpose.
But somewhere along the road between the capital and this little village, something had begun to change.
And he wasn't sure he wanted it to stop.
Far away, beyond the western border, soldiers continued to gather.
The rumors were growing.
And the peace that Kael had always known was slowly approaching its end.