The trees thinned as Aren and Lyra walked toward.
For the first time since his exile, Aren could see something other than endless forest.
Wooden walls Rose in the distance, built from thick logs and reinforced with iron bands. Two watchtowers stood on either side of a heavy gate, their platforms occupied by armed guards scanning the surrounding wilderness.
Smoke drifted lazily from chimneys inside the walls.
A town.
Aren slowed slightly, staring.
"So that's Red Hollow" he said.
Lyra nodded.
"Small but important. Travelers pass through here on their way to the eastern trade routes".
As they approached, the sounds of the settlement grew clearer. The sound of people conversing somewhere beyond the walls.
For Aren, it felt strangely familiar.
Only a few days had passed since his exile, but the forest had already started to feel like the entire world.
Now civilisation stood in front of him again.
Two guards stepped forward as they approached the gate.
The held spears and wore simple leather armour.
"Halt" one of them said.
His eyes moved between Aren and Lyra carefully.
"State your business in Red Hollow"
Lyra stepped forward without hesitation.
"Travelers" she replied calmly. "Passing through and looking for supplies".
The guards gaze lingered on the short sword at Aren's hip.
"Any trouble on the road?"
"Just a few bandits", Lyra said casually.
The second guard frowned.
"Black Thorn?"
"Most likely"
The two guards exchanged a glance.
One of them sighed.
"Figures".
He stepped aside and pushed the gate open slightly.
"Just don't cause any problems in the town"
Lyra gave a small nod.
"We won't".
Aren followed her through the gate.
The moment they stepped aside, the atmosphere changed completely.
Red Hollow was alive.
People moved through the narrow dirt streets carrying supplies, talking loudly or negotiating trades. Wooden buildings lined the roads,shops,homes and small workshops.
A blacksmiths hammer rang out somewhere nearby.
Merchants shouted prices of food and equipment.
A cart full of animal hides rolled past them, pulled by a tired looking mule.
Aren took it all in silently.
Aren shook his head.
"You've never been to a trading town before?"
"My village was smaller than this but I guess the royal capital of my home nation was similar".
Lyra smirked faintly.
"Then welcome to the age of civilisation"
They continued walking through the street until they reached a large wooden board near the centre of the town.
Several papers had been nailed to it.
Notices.
Lyra stopped.
"Bounties" she said.
Aren stepped closer.
Most of the posters showed rough drawings of criminals or beasts, each with a reward beneath them.
Missing caravans.
Dangerous creatures.
Wanted thieves.
Then one poster caught his attention.
The drawing showed a group of masked figures carrying weapons.
Across the top where the words:
BLACK THORN BANDITS
Beneath it read:
Reward offered for information leading to the capture of Black Thorn members.
Aren frowned.
"So they're a bigger problem than I thought"
Lyra crossed her arms.
"They've been growing stronger recently"
Aren looked back at the poster.
" You think the ones we fought were part of this group?"
"Most likely"
She turned away from the board.
"Which means we should be careful while we're here"
Aren nodded.
"... Agreed"
His stomach growled quietly.
Lyra glanced at him.
"You're hungry"
"I haven't eaten since yesterday".
Lyra pointed down the street.
"Then let's fix that".
They walked a short distance before stopping in front of a large two story building.
A wooden lantern hung above the door, it's metal frame rusted with age.
The Rusted Lantern.
Lyra pushed the door open.
Warm light and loud conversation poured out immediately.
Inside, the tavern was packed with travellers, hunters and traders. The smell of roasted meat and strong ale filled the air.
Aren felt dozens of eyes glance in their direction before returning to their drinks.
Lyra walked toward an empty table near the wall and stepped down.
Aren followed.
A moment later, a tired-looking server approached them.
"What'll it be"
"Two meals" Lyra said "And water".
The server nodded and left.
Aren leaned back slightly into the chair.
"This place is louder that the forest".
Lyra smirked.
"Give it time. You'll miss the silence soon enough"
Across the tavern, a man sitting alone at another table watched them quietly.
His hood shadowed most of his face but his eyes were sharp.
He observed Aren and Lyra for several seconds before standing up slowly.
Without a word, he walked out.
Aren and Lyra both noticed.
Lyra's golden eyes followed the man until the door closed behind him.
Aren glanced at Lyra.
"You noticed too right?"
Lyra nodded.
Then she leaned back into her chair.
"... Interesting".
Aren looked at her.
His instincts told him that something was wrong.
And Red Hollow didn't feel as safe as it should have.