The sun was high when you and Vael walked on through the countryside. The sky was bright, the air warm. Vael carried the glass jar of beans tucked under his coat, held close against his side with one arm.

  To your right, the lake stretched out in calm, clear blue. Sunlight reflected off the surface, and for a while, it almost felt like a quiet walk. Peaceful, even. The kind of day one might want to remember.

  But that feeling didn’t last long.

  Something changed. You couldn’t explain it exactly—it wasn’t a sound or a shadow. Just the sense that something else was there, watching, waiting, pulling at the edges of your thoughts.

  And then the voice returned.

  Would someone please explain this to me? it said in a dry, annoyed tone. Why, exactly, are we wandering around with a jar full of magic beans that could explode into trees at any moment? Vael, I expected better. You were supposed to be the sensible one.

  Vael didn’t slow his walking. He just sighed and said aloud, “Calm down. Nothing’s going to happen.”

  Oh? the voice said, confused. And how exactly can you be so sure?

  “Because it’s simple,” Vael said. “Magic beans don’t exist. Which means these aren’t magic. Someone’s been messing with people, and we’re going to find out who.”

  There was a momentary pause.

  Ah, the voice said. So we’re going to the market... to find the guy who sold these beans to Joric.

  You smiled and said out loud, “Exactly.”

  That’s when Vael stopped.

  He turned his head and looked at you.

  “Wait. What do you mean, ‘exactly’? You can hear him?”

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  You nodded. “Yeah.”

  Vael grimaced, then turned toward the lake. Without saying a word, he pulled a small pouch from his coat, opened it, and took a pinch of salt. He flicked it over the water.

  Ripples spread, but not like normal. They shimmered strangely, and in the reflection on the lake’s surface, a winged creature appeared—hunched and leathery, floating just beside Vael. It had no proper face, just folds and shadows and two arched wings that flapped slowly. It didn’t appear in the real world. Only in the reflection.

  It let out a low grunt.

  “Damn it, Burk,” Vael muttered. “How much did you tell him?”

  The creature gave a toothy smile and said, “Not much. A bit of this. A bit of that.”

  “He’s still a trainee,” Vael added, glancing your way.

  Before anything else could be said, the sound of marching boots broke the silence. A group of soldiers rounded the trail up ahead, moving toward you fast. There were six of them, armed, alert. Their armor looked scraped and worn.

  At their head was a tall man wearing a strange helmet that covered the upper half of his face. None of the others had one like it. His mouth was visible, and when he spoke, it was in a strange, mocking tone.

  “Still a trainee, huh?” he said with a smirk. “That's cute. Now, what exactly are you two doing out here with weapons, a sealed jar, and no faces I recognize?”

  He stepped forward a bit.

  “Name’s Halric, commander of the guard. We’ve been investigating the tavern incident. Got a report about two strangers leaving the area. Any idea who that might’ve been?”

  Vael didn’t so much as blink. He brought the jar halfway into view and said, “Tax Guild. We’re collecting on behalf of the authorities. Contaminated goods and crops. Nothing to do with your tavern.”

  The soldiers around the captain moved uncomfortably when they saw the jar. One of them even took a step back.

  The captain tilted his head. “I see. Well, then… identification?”

  “Of course,” Vael said easily. He stepped to the side of the road, broke a short, dry branch from a tree, and walked it back over.

  He held it out. The captain took it without a word, staring at it for a long moment. Then he turned to his men and spoke sharply.

  “It's official. Let them pass.”

  One of the soldiers looked confused. “Sir, that’s a—”

  The captain cut him off with a look.

  Vael then smiled and added, “Oh, by the way, we saw a group of armed men heading into the woods just a few moments ago. Might want to check it out.”

  The captain’s head snapped toward the trees.

  “After them!” he shouted. “Move!”

  The soldiers hesitated only a moment before rushing down the road, weapons in hand, disappearing into the treeline.

  As the sounds of boots faded into the distance, Vael adjusted the jar under his coat and started walking again.

  You glanced at the lake, where Burk’s reflection still lingered for a few seconds longer.

  He gave you a wink before fading from view.