When Kaer wakes up, he goes to visit Salvianna. He knocks on her door.
Salvianna, the alchemist, is a woman with auburn hair tied in asymmetrical pigtails—the right one hanging noticeably longer than the left. She is elegant and carries herself with a quiet, grounded confidence. Her face is open and sincere, the kind that invites trust at first glance. She wears a long, deep blue hooded dress, a white scarf draped around her neck, a delicate gold chain wrapped around her left wrist, and a silver pendant shaped like a flame.
"Salvianna, it's good to see you again," Kaer says.
"Please, have a seat."
She gestures toward a small table where a teapot steams beside fine glassware.
"I'm glad you came," she adds as she pours the tea.
"Thank you, Salvianna."
Kaer takes a sip, savoring the subtle floral notes of the brew. "So, how are you holding up?"
"I'm doing well, Kaer." She smiles, her eyes bright and intense. "Who knows what would have happened to me if it weren't for you."
She leans in closer, her gaze holding his. There is gratitude in her eyes—and something deeper. Kaer reaches for her, pulling her into his arms. Her warmth against him feels like an anchor, grounding him in this moment after days of hunting death.
"I want you," she whispers, her voice barely audible.
He looks into her eyes, searching for any hint of hesitation. All he finds is a burning desire—one that mirrors his own.
They move together with the ease of two people who understand each other without words. His hands find the curve of her neck, her back, drawing her impossibly closer. She responds with the same intensity, her fingers tracing the edge of his jaw, his shoulders.
The world outside falls away.
There is only warmth. Only trust. Only the shared breath between them.
---
Later, as evening light filters through the windows, Kaer listens intently as Salvianna shares the story of her and her twin sister.
Salvianna hadn't been born into nobility or wealth, yet she had built a formidable reputation as an alchemist. In those days, it was common for women to have maids or for children to be apprenticed in various trades to keep skills within the family line. A lord's wife—a kind woman well-versed in herbalism—had taken a young Salvianna into her household.
When the lady fell ill and died, she had already initiated Salvianna into the mysteries of alchemy. The lord passed away shortly after, leaving no direct heir. The estate fell to a nephew who had no interest in such "trifles" and ignored them entirely. Salvianna suddenly found herself without the only person who had ever valued her education. Left homeless, she tried to sell her services, but found no takers. For a time, she considered moving to Conarhal, but she lacked the coin to make the journey.
Her future, however, wasn't hers to decide. A group of strangers appeared, recruiting for a "new life." They spoke of a strange faith and principles no one had ever heard of. It sounded like a fairy tale for the naive. The Followers of Santher rarely passed through those parts and were viewed with deep suspicion; they were based on a distant island and claimed to be guided by a powerful god.
Salvianna never had an ear for empty promises, but the followers who wanted her skills had a plan. They turned to threats and violence, eventually kidnapping her. They took her sister, Enneta—a novice Enchanter—along with her. They were twins.
Salvianna suffered in captivity, forced to work in their service. More than four years passed before she finally managed to slip onto a vessel leaving the island. Since then, she has heard nothing of Enneta.
"What about you?" she asks. "What's the story of the place you come from?"
Kaer dismisses the first memories that come to mind—all of them involve Aspera.
"There was an old man who was fond of me," he begins. "Syberta, the woman who raised me—a great warrior herself—said Berntunn had always been a loner who couldn't stand having anyone around. I practiced with my bow and knives every day. Berntunn would walk by, always dressed the same: short trousers and a striped sweater, like a fisherman. He'd walk up to me and say, 'Young man, don't be so hard on yourself. I'll be back before sundown, and if you're still here, we're going to find ourselves some women.'"
"We talked often. Syberta was baffled; she said he hadn't spoken as much in his entire life as he did with me. When he could no longer fight, you'd find him in the same spot on a cliff, staring for hours at the sky, the forest, the water, or even the dirt. 'Speak closer to my ear,' he told me once, looking around conspiratorially. 'I'm ninety-three and I don't hear so well anymore.'"
"I was amused, thinking I'd been talking to a wall, but the punchline came later. He eventually admitted he'd lied. 'I lied about my hearing,' he told me. 'I asked you to speak into my ear because I wanted to feel you closer. You have no idea what your breath told me without you knowing. Do you know who your real parents are? There is a forest where a community lives alongside wolves. Not many can boast of having met them. Seek out your past, Kaer. It matters. Draw circles in the sand until a stone catches your eye. Stare at that stone until it changes shape. You will see much in that stone—even the trails of the snails that crossed it.'"
Salvianna listens until he finishes, then offers a blunt conclusion.
"Old Berntunn was referring to the legend of the Lycan Pack. They say a pack of werewolves lives hidden away in the Black Wildwood."
"Werewolves?"
"Exactly. Men who can shift into wolves and possess extraordinary power."
"Do you know how to get there?"
"I don't. But you can ask around. Here in Castlecrest, look for Redowad. He's known for selling information for the right price."
Kaer kisses Salvianna. "Thank you for the help. Get ready to welcome your sister back. If she's still alive, I'm bringing Enneta home."
---
Now dressed in lighter clothes, Kaer heads to a tavern. He orders a drink, buys a round for a few strangers, and asks about Redowad. Over the next two days, he drifts through various taprooms, meeting people and talking to strangers, until a man finally approaches his table and asks to sit.
"Redowad is the name. I heard you were looking for me."
"So your hearing is good," Kaer says. "Is your understanding just as sharp?"
"Oho, a prickly one. How can I help you?"
"Information," Kaer replies.
"What are you looking for?"
"I pay for anything worth paying for. On one condition: no one else hears it. What do you say, Mr. Redowad?"
"Agreed. It's a pleasure to work with you, even if you do look dangerous."
Kaer places a leather pouch on the table. "There are a thousand gold coins in there. Who do I talk to for safe passage over water?"
"Are you looking for a bargain, or do you want the best?"
"The latter."
"Ask for the pirate Gartonk. He's the most famous name around here, and plenty of other places too. He can take you anywhere the water goes."
"Fair enough. And if I find myself in the Black Wildwood, who do I look for regarding the people who live with wolves?"
Redowad's eyes widen slightly, and he gives a slow nod. "Where can I find you tomorrow?"
"Ask the innkeeper at the Blue Dragon for my room. Slide a note under the door."
Kaer places another pouch of a thousand gold coins on the table, nods his farewell, and leaves.
Kaer meets with Gartonk, who agrees to provide his services for a steep fee. Kaer pays without a word. The voyage lasts long enough for Kaer to realize Gartonk is a man of honor he can rely on. A bond of trust begins to form between them, and Kaer hears pirate stories far removed from the tall tales told in taverns.
---
The settlement of the Followers of Santher is nestled deep within a thick forest. Only a sharp eye would notice the armed men stationed in the treetops, watching the perimeter. The buildings are equally well-hidden; only a handful of houses and storage sheds are visible from a distance. A few paths lead through the woods to a massive concrete structure—a bunker—and two smaller houses. The rest of the land is dedicated to farming, with fields for crops and grazing animals.
Dozens of families, including a few farmers and hunters, live in this small community. The only way in is by water, and signs warn curious onlookers that access is strictly forbidden.
Using Stealth, Kaer slips into the village of the infamous and dangerous followers. The mission is fraught with risk, but Gartonk's pirates secure the perimeter and monitor the surroundings, ensuring a clean extraction for Kaer and Enneta back to the deck of the ship.