>>5871362>>5871371>>5871383>>5871384>>5871387>>5871392>>5871402>>5871407>>5871448>>5871459>>5871460>>5871486As you stand in the echoing halls of Blackthorn Keep, the unresolved mystery of your father's death weighs heavily on your mind. His body, discovered in the forest, seemingly eaten by some strange animal whose footprints couldn't be recognized, leaves too many questions unanswered. He was no hunter, especially not in the twilight of his fifties, and certainly not alone in the dead of night.
The local wolves, though known to roam the forest, were not known to attack men, especially so close to human habitation. What beast then, could have brought down your father? The possibility of murder, disguised as an animal attack, lingers in your thoughts like a dark shadow. Could his body have been staged with starved hounds to create the illusion of a wild beast's doing? The strange footprints near the site could have been a fabrication, the product of fearful and superstitious minds.
These troubling thoughts swirl in your head when a familiar voice cuts through the silence, anchoring you back to the present.
"It has been a while, Caden," Mirena stands before you. The sight of her, the first in a decade, strikes you with a mix of emotions. She has blossomed into full womanhood, her beauty even more striking than in your memories. Her golden hair is neatly braided, befitting her status as the Lady of Blackthorn Keep, your father's widow. Yet, the sight of her adorned in a blue silken gown, unmistakably your late mother's, ignites a spark of resentment within you. It was likely a gift from your father, but the symbolism stings nonetheless.
"Mirena." The name of your once-closest friend leaves your lips for the first time in a decade, a mixture of nostalgia and bitterness. You had imagined this encounter countless times, rehearsed confrontations and accusations. Yet, faced with her, all you manage to say is, "You look well."
