Kael followed, pulling himself up branch by branch until he found a spot with a good angle. The surface was rough under his hands, and the leaves rustled around him, as he hid from view.
Torin hesitated at the base for some time, then sighed and started climbing.
"I knew you'd come around," Eren said smugly.
"I'm only doing this so you don't get us all in trouble," Torin muttered.
Kael settled onto his branch, gripping the wood tightly as he peered down at the path below. The village square was quiet since only a few people moved about their morning routines, but no sign of the two women yet.
"What if they don't come?" Torin asked.
"They always come," Eren stated. "Trust me."
Kael glanced at the pendant resting against his chest. The dragon wings caught the morning light, and the black gemstone gleamed faintly. Then he tucked it under his shirt so it wouldn't give him away.
"Nice necklace," Torin remarked. "Your mom gave you that?"
"Yeah. Birthday present."
"Fancy," Eren exclaimed. "Looks expensive."
Kael shrugged. "She said it's for protection."
"Protection from what?" Torin asked.
"I don't know. Mom stuff, I guess."
Eren snorted. "Parents are always worried about something."
They fell into silence after Eren spoke, watching the empty path. The wind picked up slightly, rustling the leaves around them.
Suddenly Torin tensed up. "Wait. I see them."
Kael followed his gaze. Two women had just rounded the corner with baskets in their hands, talking as they walked.
Eren's grin widened as he has waited for this moment.
"Positions."
Kael crouched lower on his branch, his heart was pounding fast. Torin gripped his branch tightly, his knuckles white.
As the women drew closer, Eren raised three fingers to start his mischievous countdown. He dropped one, then the second, and finally the last—
"FIEND!" Eren roared, leaping from the branch.
Kael and Torin jumped down after him with their arms spread out wide, yelling at the top of their lungs.
The taller woman screamed and stumbled back, dropping her basket. The shorter one covered her mouth, but she was laughing, shaking her head at the boy's antics.
"Oh my—! You boys again?"
"Do you have any idea how much those vegetables cost?" she said, shaking her head. "I spent all morning at the market, and you three nearly gave me a heart attack!"
Kael kept his eyes on the ground, trying so hard not to smile. Beside him, Eren was doing the same. Torin looked genuinely sorry with his hands clasped in front of him.
"It was just a joke, ma'am," Eren said, his voice carefully respectful.
"A joke?" She raised an eyebrow. "Screaming 'fiends' at people isn't funny, boy. One of these days, someone's going to believe you, and then what?"
Kael bit his lip. She had a point, but it was still funny. The woman sighed, waving them off.
"Go on. Get out of here before I change my mind and tell your mothers."
"Yes, ma'am," the three boys said in unison.
They turned and walked away quickly, trying not to run until they were out of sight. The moment they rounded the corner, Eren let out a breath.
"That was close."
"Too close," Torin muttered. "I told you this was a bad idea."
"But it worked, didn't it?" Eren grinned. "Did you see her face?"
Kael laughed, shaking his head. "You're going to get us all in real trouble one day."
"Maybe. But not today."
The sound of wheels creaking over dirt road caught Kael's attention. He turned toward the main path leading into the village and saw a wagon rolling in, pulled by two sturdy horses.
Hendrik.
Kael recognized him immediately. The merchant came to Oakhaven every few weeks, trading supplies and picking up orders from the workshop.
He was a man in his forties with broad shoulders and an average build, his frame weathered from years on the road. His brown hair was brushed back stylishly despite the dust of travel, and a neatly trimmed brown beard framed his jaw—no mustache. He wore a practical brown merchant's coat that had seen better days, but his eyes were warm and friendly when they swept across the village.
"The merchant's here," Kael said.
Eren glanced over at the rolling wagon, then shrugged. "So?"
"I'm going to see what he's picking up."
Torin adjusted his glasses. "Why?"
"I don't know. Just curious." Kael was already walking toward the wagon.
Eren waved him off. "Suit yourself. We're going back to the tree."
Kael didn't answer. He was already jogging toward Hendrik's wagon, weaving between villagers as they greeted the merchant warmly.
Hendrik pulled the reins, bringing the horses to a stop near the center of the square. He climbed down with a grunt, stretching his back.
"Morning, Oakhaven," he called out.
A few villagers called back, waving. Hendrik grinned and turned toward the workshop—then noticed Kael walking up beside him.
"Well, well. Look who it is." Hendrik's grin widened. "Kael, right? Lyanna's boy?"
Kael nodded. "Morning, Hendrik."
"Morning." Hendrik clapped him on the shoulder. "You've grown since I last saw you. What are you now, ten?"
"Today, actually."
"Today?" Hendrik raised his eyebrows. "Well, happy birthday, lad. That's a big one."
"Thanks."
Hendrik started walking toward the workshop, and Kael fell into steps beside him. The merchant didn't seem to mind.
The workshop doors were open, and the rhythmic sound of hammers echoed from inside. The smell of fresh oak shavings filled the air, sharp and earthy. A few craftsmen worked at their benches, shaping wood with careful precision.
The head craftsman looked when Hendrik entered the workshop. He was an older man with calloused hands and a neatly trimmed beard. He set down his chisel and wiped his hands on his gray colored apron.
"Hendrik," he exclaimed, nodding. "Good to see you."
"Same to you." Hendrik gestured toward the back of the workshop. "I'm here for that order. The oak planks and the carts."
The craftsman's expression changed slightly. "Ah. About that."
Hendrik raised an eyebrow. "Problem?"
"Not a problem, exactly. Just… the wood needs more curing time. Another few days, at least. If we rush it, the planks will warp."
Hendrik considered this, then shrugged. "Fair enough. Quality's more important than speed. When should I come back?"
"Two days. Maybe three, just to be safe."
"Two days it is, then." Hendrik clapped the man on the shoulder. "No rush. I'll swing by again."
The craftsman nodded, clearly relieved. "I appreciate your patience."
"Not a problem." Hendrik claimed, turned and walked back toward the door. Kael meanwhile, was still trailing behind him.
When outside, Hendrik paused and glanced around the square. "Is your mother around?"
Kael pointed toward their cottage. "Probably at home."
"Good. I'll stop by to let her know I'll be back in a few days."
Hendrik stated while already strolling towards the cottage, and Kael followed.
When they reached the cottage, Lyanna was outside, hanging laundry on a line strung between two posts. She looked up as they approached, and her expression softened when she saw Hendrik.
"Hendrik," she said warmly. "I wasn't expecting you today."
"Just passing through," Hendrik said. "Came to pick up an order, but the wood's not ready yet. I'll be back in two days."
Lyanna nodded. "I see."
Hendrik glanced at Kael, then back at her. "I hear it's the boy's birthday."
"It is." Lyanna smiled, reaching out to ruffle Kael's hair as he came closer. "Ten years old today."
"Well, congratulations, lad." Hendrik grinned at Kael. "I'll bring you something special next time I come through. How's that sound?"
Kael's eyes lit up. "Really?"
"Really." Hendrik flashed a warm smile, then turned back to Lyanna. "And I'll expect that extra loaf of bread you always give me."
Lyanna giggled. "You'll get it. But only when you come back. I just gave you supplies last week."
"Fair enough." Hendrik tipped his head. "I'll hold you to that."
Kael shifted on his feet, already losing interest in the adult talk. He glanced back toward the square, where he could see Eren and Torin climbing the oak tree again.
"Can I go?" he asked.
Lyanna nodded. "Go on."
Kael didn't even wait one second, he turned and jogged back toward the tree, leaving his mother and Hendrik to finish their conversation.
Behind him, he heard Hendrik's voice drift through the air.
"Take care of yourself, Lyanna. And that boy of yours."
"I will," she said quietly as he walked away.
Shortly after, Hendrik's wagon rolled out the gate.
Kael watched as the wagon passed through the gate and disappeared down the road beyond. The two villagers standing guard swung the heavy wooden gate shut behind him, then clicking the latch into place.
Kael stared at the closed gate, his eyes tracing the road as far as he could see before it vanished into the trees.
"I wonder what it's like out there."
Eren glanced over at Kael, raising an eyebrow. "Out where?"
"Beyond the village." Kael gestured toward the gate. "Hendrik gets to see it all the time. Other merchants too. So I just wondered what it's like outside the gate."
Torin adjusted his glasses, his expression cautious. "You know we can't leave."
"I know." Kael's jaw tightened. "But why? The rule is stupid."
"It's not stupid," Torin said. "My parents say people who cross don't come back."
Eren nodded. "My brother told me it's to keep us safe from the fiends. The ones outside the village."
Kael frowned. "But Hendrik crosses all the time. So do the other merchants. They come back."
"They're adults," Torin said. "Different rules."
"That doesn't make sense." Kael shook his head. "If it's dangerous, it's dangerous for everyone. Why do we have to stay trapped here?"
Eren shrugged. "I don't know. It's just how it is."
"That's not a reason."
Torin looked down at his hands. "My mom says the rules exist because of the old war. The one where the demon hunters fought the calamities. The boundary keeps us safe from what's left."
Kael narrowed his eyes. "What's left of what?"
Torin nodded, then pushed his glasses back in place. "I don't know. She wouldn't say."