Chapter 3: Hunters At The Door
1434 Words
The loud pounding shook the cabin.
"Open in the name of the Imperial Crown!"
Elara's heart hammered against her chest. She looked from the door to Cassian. The warmth she had seen in his silver eyes only moments ago had vanished. He now looked every bit the dangerous warrior she had found in the forest.
"Stay behind me," he said quietly.
"No," Elara whispered. "You're still injured."
His gaze hardened.
"If they discover me here, people will die."
Before she could respond, another blow struck the wooden door.
"Open immediately!"
The old cabin creaked under the force.
Elara took a deep breath.
"Hide."
Cassian frowned.
"What?"
"I said hide."
"There are too many of them."
"Then let me handle this."
For the first time in years, Cassian hesitated.
People usually obeyed him without question.
This village healer was ordering him around.
Yet something in her determined expression made him step back.
She quickly covered his silver sword with an old blanket, then pushed him behind a rough wooden partition near the fireplace.
"If they ask questions," she whispered, "don't make a sound."
"You don't even know who I am."
"I know you're wounded."
She straightened her cloak and walked toward the door.
Taking one final steadying breath, she opened it.
Six Imperial soldiers stood outside, their polished silver armor gleaming beneath the morning sun. Behind them, more soldiers searched the surrounding forest while horses snorted impatiently.
At their head stood a broad-shouldered captain with a scar running across his cheek.
He studied Elara carefully.
"Who are you?"
"I'm Elara Ashford," she answered calmly. "A healer from Ashford Village."
"What are you doing alone in Blackwood Forest?"
"I came for medicinal herbs."
The captain's eyes narrowed.
"During a Blood Moon?"
"My patient would have died if I waited."
He glanced over her shoulder into the cabin.
"May we come in?"
Elara's pulse quickened.
"It's only a small cabin."
"That wasn't my question."
She stepped aside.
"Of course."
The soldiers entered without hesitation.
Two searched beneath the old bed.
Another inspected the cupboards.
One kicked open a storage chest, scattering dried herbs across the floor.
Elara bit her tongue.
Those herbs had taken months to gather.
The captain slowly walked around the cabin, noticing the bloodstained cloths lying beside the fireplace.
He picked one up.
"Someone was badly injured."
"My patient."
"Where is this patient now?"
"He left before sunrise."
The captain looked directly into her eyes.
"What did he look like?"
Elara's mind raced.
"He was... an old hunter."
"Tall?"
"A little."
"Dark hair?"
"I don't remember."
The captain remained silent.
His stare felt like a knife pressing against her thoughts.
Finally, he asked softly,
"Are you lying to me?"
Her throat tightened.
"No."
Several tense seconds passed.
One of the soldiers returned.
"Captain, we found nothing."
Another shook his head.
"No sign of the fugitive."
The captain reluctantly placed the bloodstained cloth back on the table.
"If you remember anything unusual, report it to the nearest Imperial outpost."
"I will."
He paused at the doorway.
"And healer..."
"Yes?"
"If you truly met the man we're searching for..."
"...pray you never see him again."
With that, the soldiers mounted their horses and disappeared into the forest.
Elara didn't move until the sound of hooves faded completely.
Only then did she close the door.
A long breath escaped her lips.
"They're gone."
Silence.
Then Cassian stepped out from behind the partition.
His expression was unreadable.
"You lied to Imperial soldiers."
She shrugged.
"I suppose I did."
"Do you know what would happen if they discovered that?"
"I imagine I'd be arrested."
"Worse."
She looked at him.
"You still won't tell me why they're searching for you."
Cassian remained quiet.
After a long pause, he asked,
"Why did you protect me?"
She blinked.
"Because you needed help."
"You don't know whether I'm a murderer."
"I found dozens of armed men surrounding you."
"So?"
"So if I had to guess..."
She smiled faintly.
"...I'd say they attacked first."
For a brief moment, Cassian forgot the weight of the empire resting on his shoulders.
She judged people by their actions, not their status.
How rare.
"You trust too easily," he said.
"No."
She met his eyes.
"I choose who deserves my trust."
The words struck him harder than any blade.
No courtier had ever spoken to him with such honesty.
No noble had ever looked at him without fear or ambition.
She had risked everything for a stranger.
A dangerous warmth spread through his chest.
It was exactly what he had feared.
The mate bond was growing stronger.
He had to leave before it became impossible.
Outside the cabin, hidden among the towering trees, a lone figure crouched silently on a high branch.
Unlike the Imperial soldiers, this man wore dark leather armor with no insignia.
His face was concealed behind a black mask.
Through a small crystal lens, he watched the cabin from afar.
"So..." he murmured.
"The Emperor survived."
He reached into his cloak and removed a small enchanted communication stone.
The crystal glowed crimson.
A distorted voice echoed from it.
"Report."
The assassin lowered his head.
"The target has awakened."
A pause.
"And?"
The assassin glanced toward the cabin window, where Elara was preparing fresh bandages.
"The Emperor has found her."
Silence followed.
Then the voice became cold.
"So... the prophecy has begun."
"Yes."
"What is the girl's name?"
"We don't know."
"Then find out."
"And if necessary..."
The voice grew darker.
"...erase her before the bond is completed."
The crystal went dark.
The assassin disappeared into the shadows.
---
Later that afternoon, the peaceful streets of Ashford Village buzzed with anxious whispers.
Traveling merchants had arrived carrying shocking news.
Imperial messengers were posting royal notices on walls and market boards throughout the province.
Villagers crowded around to read them.
One old farmer gasped.
"A reward..."
Another whispered,
"Five thousand gold coins?"
"Impossible!"
Pinned to the notice was a simple proclamation:
By order of the Imperial Crown:
Any person with information regarding an unidentified village healer recently seen in Blackwood Forest will receive a royal reward.
Anyone found sheltering the healer or assisting them in evading Imperial authorities will be punished as an enemy of the Empire.
Back in the forest, Elara had no idea.
The moment she chose compassion over fear...
Her ordinary life had ended.
And somewhere in the shadows, hunters from every corner of the empire had already begun searching for one person.
An unknown village healer.
The woman destined to become the Emperor's Forbidden Luna.
- Writer
