The village of Vetheris was unlike anything Astrid had ever seen before. It pulsed with life, voices overlapping in endless bickering, merchants haggling over prices, and laughter spilling from taverns. Children weaved through the crowds, playing games as their parents scolded them, and the scent of freshly baked bread mixed with the sharp tang of herbs being sold in open stalls.
Astrid had spent months living in fear, always watching her back, never knowing if she was truly safe. But now, standing amidst this unfamiliar place, she felt a momentary sense of wonder. If not for her wariness, she might have allowed herself to be fully captivated. Instead, her gaze flitted around cautiously, a creeping paranoia seeping into her bones. Like someone was watching her, or if someone would suspect her identity.
