Aldric I sat by the fire, watching Maren sleep like she'd finally let go of something heavy. She said my name last night. And it hasn’t left my head since Now, the sun's up, and I haven't slept at all. That name, Maren, pulled up an old memory from when I was a kid. Back then, adults talked over my head, and I listened. "Mom, who was that?" I remembered asking once, hearing her whisper Maren's name like it was both big and scary. She said, "Someone from the old times, Aldric. Don't ask more." I filed it away, like I do with everything, not knowing when it'd come back. Now, seeing her across the fire, it all fits. She's older than my mom's stories, older than the packs we know. "How does she know me?" I muttered to myself, poking the fire with a stick. The flames jumped, and I thought about Gorin... how he was always one step ahead. This feels like that. As the camp woke up, people moving around, grabbing packs and weapons, I walked over to Maren. She was sitting up, eyes open,
Last Updated : 2026-04-27 Read more