I knocked on the door of the room with my knuckles. One by one, they stepped into the hallway. The man of steel came out first. Then the woman. After her, the man of rings. The green-eyed one took a little longer; the wound was making every movement costly.

  —Close the doors —I said.

  I didn't explain why. We gathered in the narrow corridor. The wood creaked softly beneath our weight, as if the house itself wasn't sure it wanted to hold us.

  —There are people outside, —I murmured. —Not five. Not eleven.

  The man of steel frowned.

  —How many?

  —Hundreds.

  Silence. The man of rings tilted his head slightly.

  —Then we're no longer dealing with isolated pieces.

  —We're looking at a full board —the woman added. The green-eyed one drew a slow breath.

  —I didn't hear them arrive.

  —Because they didn't —I replied. —They were already there.

  That settled heavily between us. I looked at each of them.

  —Before we go down, I need to know something. Your names.

  The man of steel didn't hesitate. "Aldric," and the word sounded firm, like his armor. The green-eyed one spoke next. "Eldan". Softer but deep-rooted. The man of rings allowed himself a faint smile. "Maelor." The woman held my gaze before answering. "Serah." I nodded. Names. Anchors.

  -We don't know what the others can do —Aldric said. —That's a problem.

  —It's also an advantage —Maelor replied —. If we ignore it, they might too.

  Eldan leaned his back against the wall.

  —I don't think they're the ones deciding —Serah spoke quietly.

  —No. They only watch. —I stepped closer to the hallway window and pulled the curtain aside just enough.

  Total darkness. The sky had descended. But below, in front of the tavern, torches burned. A perfect circle around the building. And all of them were looking up. At us.

  —They're not moving —Eldan whispered, stepping closer.

  —They're waiting —Maelor corrected.

  Aldric rested his hand on the hilt of his weapon.

  —If they're going to attack, we should strike first.

  —They haven't attacked —Serah said.

  —That's what's unsettling —She was right.

  There was the calm of a ceremony in the air. Not the urgency of a siege. I stepped away from the window.

  —We go down together. Tight formation. No one acts without a signal.

  Aldric nodded. Maelor intertwined his ring-covered fingers. Eldan closed his eyes for a moment, as if searching for something beneath the floorboards. Serah said nothing. We descended. The staircase felt longer than before. When I opened the front door, the night air brought no wind. It brought gazes. The circle parted slightly to let us pass. No one spoke. The torches illuminated motionless faces, dull eyes, skin far too pale. At the front stood the innkeeper. He was holding something in his hand. Aldric took a step forward.

  If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

  —Now —he whispered.

  —Wait —I ordered.

  The innkeeper walked forward alone. He extended his hand. There was no threat in the gesture. Only protocol. I took what he offered. A letter sealed with black wax. The seal bore the image of an arched bridge over a stylized river. I broke it and read aloud.

  "Honored travelers,

  It is a privilege to receive you within my modest domain, though I deeply regret that your arrival was accompanied by… architectural inconveniences and certain minor manifestations from beyond. The valley can sometimes be overly enthusiastic with newcomers. Please accept my apologies for any misunderstanding. Everything that has occurred has, of course, been necessary. I cordially invite you to present yourselves at the Bridge of Souls, where a carriage awaits to escort you to Castle Durnhallow. There we may speak under more civilized terms and address any concerns regarding your presence, and mine. I trust you will accept my hospitality. In the Valley, it is always preferable to be a guest rather than an alternative.

  With esteem and anticipation,

  Count Valtherion of Agramor"

  The silence was absolute. Aldric looked at the crowd.

  —An invitation? —Maelor smiled faintly.

  I didn't take my eyes off the name. Valtherion of Agramor. The sound fit too well. I folded the letter slowly. Then I looked at the innkeeper. Then at the circle of torches. Then at the sky that never dawned. And I said it out loud.

  —It's him.

  —Who? —Aldric frowned.

  I held the parchment between my fingers.

  —The Devil.

  The torches went out. All of them. At the same time. Darkness swallowed the place. Thick. Absolute. And then, within the blackness, they began to appear. Eyes. Hundreds of them. Red and burning around us like embers stirred by an invisible breath.