A Week of Tranquility

The days passed in a blur for Riven as he recuperated in the small cottage on the outskirts of the village. Elara tended to his wounds, feeding him nourishing meals and administering potions to ease his pain. Kaelin checked in on him frequently, bringing him updates on village life and sharing stories of her adventures in the forest. Riven grew to appreciate her kindness and gentle nature, and he found himself looking forward to her visits. As the week wore on, Riven grew stronger, his wounds healing rapidly under Elara's care. He began to join Kaelin and Elara for meals, and even took a few tentative steps outside, enjoying the warm sunshine and fresh air. The villagers, who had initially been wary of him, began to warm up to his presence, and some even stopped by to introduce themselves. Kaelin, however, seemed to be spending more and more time away from the village. She would set out early in the morning, carrying a basket and a small knife, and return in the late afternoon, her basket filled with an assortment of herbs and plants. Riven assumed she was gathering ingredients for Elara's potions, and he didn't think much of it. One day, as Kaelin set out into the forest, she wandered further than she had in days. She climbed over a babbling brook, her feet sure on the slick stones, and made her way up a steep hill. The trees grew thicker here, and the underbrush more tangled, but Kaelin knew these woods like the back of her hand. She had been gathering herbs for years, and she knew exactly where to find the rarest and most valuable ones. As she reached the top of the hill, she spotted a cluster of tall, flowering plants with delicate purple petals. She smiled, recognizing the rare and valuable Moonpetals. She carefully harvested the flowers, making sure to leave enough for future growth. Just as she was finishing up, she heard the rustling of leaves and twigs behind her. She turned, her heart skipping a beat as she saw a group of rough-looking men emerging from the trees. They were dressed in tattered leather and carried scarred swords at their sides. "Well, well, well," one of them sneered, eyeing Kaelin up and down. "What do we have here? A little flower fairy, gathering herbs in the forest." Kaelin's instincts kicked in, and she reached for her knife, but it was too late. The men closed in, grabbing her arms and pinning her against a nearby tree. "You're coming with us," one of them growled, his breath hot against her ear. Kaelin struggled, but she was no match for the group's combined strength. They dragged her deeper into the forest, her cries for help echoing through the trees. As they disappeared into the underbrush, a bird took flight, its wings beating wildly as it escaped the commotion. Meanwhile, back in the village, Riven was sitting on the porch of the cottage, enjoying the warm sunshine and fresh air. Elara was tending to her garden, and he could hear her humming to herself as she worked. The peacefulness of the scene was a balm to his soul, and he felt a sense of gratitude towards Kaelin and her mother for taking him in. But as the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the forest floor, Riven couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. He glanced around, but saw nothing out of the ordinary. Shrugging, he stood up and went back inside, assuming that Kaelin was just running late. Little did he know, Kaelin's capture would set off a chain of events that would change everything.