Chapter 5 — A Shadow’s Quiet Evening

Kael trudged back to his room, half-dead from the day. He didn’t even bother to take off his boots before collapsing face-first on his bed.

Just as he started drifting off—

“Kael!”

A high-pitched, cheerful voice filled the room.

He groaned. “No…”

The door slammed open and Princess Aria came bouncing in, her soft light-brown hair fluttering as she ran. Before Kael could move, she leaped onto his bed and started shaking him.

“Kael! Wake up! You promised you’d teach me how to fight with a sword!”

Kael muttered into his pillow, “I said maybe… not today.”

Julius appeared in the doorway, chuckling. “You know, Kael, refusing my sister might be considered treason.”

“Then arrest me,” Kael grumbled. “I’m too tired to resist.”

Julius laughed and picked Aria up, setting her on his shoulders. “Come on, little one. Let the poor shadow rest.”

“But he promised!”

Kael raised a hand lazily. “Tomorrow. When I’m awake… or never.”

Julius shook his head as he walked out, Aria pouting. “You’re impossible, Kael.”

“Exactly,” Kael mumbled and turned over, drifting into sleep.

⸻

Later That Evening

The streets of Elario glowed softly with lantern light as Kael made his way back to his favorite tavern. It was quieter than usual, but the scent of roasted meat and ale filled the air.

He sat in his usual corner, letting the noise of the tavern fade into the background. Then, the elf waitress from before appeared again—moving between tables with quiet grace.

Her name tag caught his eye this time.

Lyren.

Pretty name, he thought absently.

As she walked past a group of rough-looking adventurers, one of them—broad-shouldered, unshaven, clearly drunk—reached out and grabbed her wrist, pulling her toward him.

“Hey, sweetheart,” the man slurred. “Why don’t you sit with us? Pour us another round, yeah?”

She tried to pull free, keeping her voice even. “Please let go. I’m working.”

“C’mon now, don’t be shy—”

Kael’s eyes narrowed slightly. Something around her neck glinted faintly—a collar.

A slave collar.

His calm expression didn’t change, but his hand drifted to the hilt of his sword.

Slavery is illegal in Elarion… so why does she have one?

Lyren struggled again, wincing as the man’s grip tightened. The others at his table snickered.

Kael sighed quietly, pushing himself to his feet.

“Hey,” he said casually, walking toward them. “She said no.”

The man looked up, annoyed. “Who the hell are you?”

Kael didn’t answer immediately. He simply placed a hand on the adventurer’s wrist—not roughly, not threateningly—and the man winced in pain before Kael even seemed to move.

“Let. Go.”

The man yanked his hand back, shaking it. “You bastard! You think you can just—”

His friend stood up, hand on his sword.

“Sit down,” Kael said flatly. His tone carried no weight, but somehow everyone nearby froze.

Something in his eyes—that calm, unreadable brown-green gaze—made even the loudest drunk hesitate.

The first adventurer spat to the side. “Tch. Whatever. Not worth it.”

He muttered curses and stalked out with his group.

Kael turned to Lyren. “You okay?”

She nodded, clutching her tray. “Thank you… sir.”

“Kael,” he said simply.

“Lyren,” she replied softly.

He noticed again the faint shimmer of the collar. “You should get that removed. It’s… dangerous to wear something like that here.”

Her expression faltered. “…I can’t.”

Kael frowned slightly. “Why not?”

Before she could answer, the tavern owner called for her. She gave Kael a small bow and hurried off.

Kael leaned back in his chair, eyes still on the door.

Something about that collar didn’t sit right with him.

Slavery was outlawed years ago… so how is she still bound?

He sighed, taking a sip of ale.

He didn’t want to get involved — but somehow, he already was.