The night air was cool and quiet, the stars sharp above the plains. The fires of the camp flickered low, their glow painting long shadows across the resting caravan. Most of the villagers had already fallen asleep, huddled close together for warmth. Only a few guards and Alder remained awake.
When Hunnt returned from scouting, his footsteps were light, but his voice broke the silence.
"Hey, Kael," he said, half-smiling. "Nice meeting you out here in the wild again."
Kael turned from where he sat near the fire, cloak drawn close around his shoulders. "Same to you," he said with an easy grin. "Didn't expect to run into the Gauntlet himself this far from Draconis."
Alder looked up as Hunnt approached, relief flickering across his face. "You're back."
Riel, sitting nearby, stood. "How's the scouting, hunter?"
Hunnt nodded. "No monsters nearby. You and the people can rest easy tonight."
Riel exhaled, visibly relieved. "Good to hear." He smiled tiredly and patted Hunnt's shoulder before walking off to tell the villagers the good news.
As Riel left, Kael looked between Hunnt and Alder, a faint smirk forming. "You've been busy," he said to Hunnt, then turned toward Alder. "So… you're the new Drifter, huh?"
Alder nodded with a small smile. "Yeah. Still getting used to the title."
Hunnt leaned against a nearby rock and said calmly, "Alder, this is Kael — one of the Elders of the Eternal Wanderer."
Alder's eyes widened slightly. "I see… so you're one of them."
Kael gave a soft chuckle. "One of the older ones, yes. Not as sharp as I used to be, but still walking the Path."
Hunnt crossed his arms. "What are you doing this far from your usual trails, Kael?"
Kael tilted his head toward the distant horizon. "Heading toward Korvan Village. There's someone there I've been meaning to meet — a potential recruit. Someone who's been fighting the good fight alone for far too long."
Hunnt raised a brow. "That so? Guess fate lined our roads again."
Kael smiled faintly. "Seems so. How about you two? What brings the Eternal Wanderer's founder and his new Drifter all the way out here?"
Hunnt looked toward the sleeping villagers. "A village burned to ash. A monster that shouldn't have existed this close to human territory."
Alder added, voice low but proud, "We put it down. Glisarin Ignis — the Ember Veil."
Kael's brows lifted slightly. "You took that thing down with just the two of you?"
Hunnt shrugged. "Barely. It wasn't a clean fight."
Kael nodded slowly, his eyes tracing the scars and soot on their armor. Then his gaze stopped on Hunnt's gauntlets and armor, their surfaces faintly glowing with ember veins.
"I haven't seen designs like that before," Kael said. "Where did you get them?"
Alder grinned. "Oh, that? Hunnt made them himself."
Kael blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "Crafted? You're a blacksmith now?"
Alder laughed. "That's what I said too."
Hunnt shrugged. "Someone had to make the gear after ours were destroyed."
Kael smirked. "You never cease to surprise, Gauntlet."
Hunnt glanced toward the firelight. "Since we're heading toward the same destination, you might as well join us. The villagers could use another blade for the road."
Kael stretched his shoulders, standing with a soft chuckle. "Might as well. Been a while since I've done a proper escort."
---
The next two days passed quietly but not without effort. The caravan moved through the plains and low ridges, avoiding monster nests when possible.
Hunnt kept to the rear as usual, Kael scouted ahead at times, and Alder guarded the front with Riel.
They fought off a few small beasts — swift jagras packs and a lone raptor — but nothing serious. Kael even hunted down a herbivore at dusk to provide fresh meat for the weary villagers. Around the fire that night, laughter returned to the group for the first time since Emberfall.
On the third morning, the peaks of Korvan finally appeared in the distance — jagged silhouettes beneath the rising sun.
Hunnt caught up to Kael, walking alongside him. "You've been to Korvan before?"
Kael nodded. "Once. Years ago. The chief there — Maerin — is an old acquaintance."
Alder tilted his head. "You mentioned a recruit. Is she the one?"
Kael smiled faintly. "Aye. Maerin was a fine hunter once, a veteran. She retired after a falling out with the Guild."
Alder frowned slightly. "Let me guess — the Four N's?"
Kael nodded. "Exactly. She stood against them, spoke out about the Guild's neglect. But the Guild's hands were tied — they can't force hunters to care. So she left. Went back to her home village and started her own local hunting group — one without the Guild's control."
Alder blinked. "She created her own guild?"
Kael smirked. "Not officially. But she gave her people hope — trained them to defend themselves. No ranks, no titles. Just hunters protecting their own."
Hunnt's lips curved into a faint smile. "Sounds like our kind of person."
Kael nodded. "That's what I thought."
---
By late afternoon, they reached Korvan Village.
The smell of smoke from chimneys replaced the scent of ash. The sound of children's laughter greeted them — a sound Emberfall had long forgotten.
Riel led the villagers forward, exhausted but alive. The people of Korvan hurried to meet them, helping carry the wounded and giving water to the children. When they learned of Emberfall's fate, sorrow spread among them like wind through wheat — but so did gratitude.
Hunnt and Alder stood near the gate as Riel approached the chief's house. Kael followed quietly behind.
When the door opened, an older woman stepped out — strong-shouldered, with silver hair braided behind her, eyes sharp as tempered steel.
Chief Maerin.
She froze when she saw the battered villagers, her expression hardening into sorrow. "Emberfall…" she whispered.
Riel bowed his head. "We couldn't save it. But the hunters did."
Maerin's gaze softened as she looked at Hunnt and Alder. "You have my thanks. You've done what the Guild would not."
Hunnt nodded respectfully. "They just needed someone to stand with them."
Maerin smiled faintly. "Then you've done more than most." She turned to Riel. "You and your people can stay here. There's room enough for all."
Riel bowed again. "Thank you, Chief Maerin."
He turned to Hunnt and Alder. "This is where we part ways, hunters. We owe you everything."
Hunnt gave a small nod. "You owe us nothing. Just live."
Riel smiled and bowed once more before walking back to his people. His wife waved to the two hunters, her eyes glistening with gratitude.
As the villagers disappeared into the crowd, Maerin turned toward Kael. Her eyes widened slightly, a mix of surprise and recognition.
"Kael?" she said. "By the flames—what are you doing here?"
Kael chuckled softly. "Still wandering, still meddling. You know how it is."
Maerin crossed her arms, hiding a smile. "That hasn't changed."