**Into the Heart of Shadows**

As the flames danced and spat, casting eerie silhouettes on the cave walls, Cormag's thoughts drifted back to the sorceress's words. He recalled her piercing green eyes, her raven-black hair, and the air of mystery that surrounded her like a shroud. What secrets lay hidden behind her enigmatic smile? And what was the true cost of her guidance? Sith, ever vigilant, shifted his weight, his eyes never leaving the darkness outside. The wind howled through the valley, whipping the mist into a frenzy that seemed to seethe and twist like a living thing. Cormag's horse snorted, its ears pricked up in alarm, as if it too sensed the growing unease. As the night wore on, Cormag's eyelids began to droop, the warmth of the fire and the gentle rhythm of Sith's breathing lulling him into a fitful sleep. But Sith remained watchful, his gaze piercing the darkness, searching for any sign of movement. The hours ticked by, marked only by the occasional snap of a twig or the distant howl of a Raider. Cormag slept fitfully, his dreams haunted by visions of treacherous landscapes and shadowy figures that lurked just out of sight. It was Sith's low voice that stirred him, "Cormag, wake up." Cormag's eyes snapped open, his heart racing as he sat up with a start. Sith's face was illuminated by the faint moonlight that filtered through the cave entrance, his eyes narrowed and intense. "What is it?" Cormag asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Sith's gaze was fixed on something outside the cave. "I think we're not alone." Cormag's heart skipped a beat as he followed Sith's gaze. At first, he saw nothing but the swirling mist, but then, a figure emerged from the darkness. Tall and imposing, its features indistinct, the figure moved with an unnerving slowness, its eyes fixed on the cave. Cormag's hand instinctively went to the hilt of his sword, his mind racing with possibilities. Who or what was this creature, and what did it want? The sorceress's words echoed in his mind: "The Slough is home to many dangers, not just the Raiders." As the figure drew closer, its features began to take shape. Cormag's breath caught in his throat as he realized that it was not a Raider, nor a creature he had ever seen before. The being's skin was deathly pale, its eyes sunken and dark, and its movements eerily fluid. Sith stood up, his sword at the ready, as the creature halted at the cave entrance. For a moment, the three of them froze, locked in a silent standoff. Then, in a voice that sent shivers down Cormag's spine, the creature spoke, "You should not have come here."