At a glance, Eccar could feel their hatred. It was plain in Lyrel’s eyes and sharper in Caelthar’s tense shoulders and the way his hand lingered near the hilt of his blade almost on reflex.
The two Elves looked at the village across the river not as scouts observing a target but as wolves baring their teeth at an old enemy.
Eccar frowned slightly. He didn’t know what kind of deed these humans had done in the past to earn such hate.
From what he had seen, the Elves commanded vast territory, perhaps the strongest and most enduring kingdom in this world.
Why then did they harbor so much animosity toward humans who were supposedly a weaker race compared to them? If they truly hated them why hadn’t they wiped them out long ago?
His eyes slid toward Krono. If anyone knew the truth it would be him.
Krono caught his gaze. A flicker of understanding passed between them without them saying any words.
"Later," Krono said simply.
Eccar gave a calm nod and dropped the matter for now. There would be ti for answers.
Without hesitation, Krono began to move forward in a steady and fearless stride.
Eccar followed a step behind as if nothing about the situation troubled him.
"Wait!" Lyrel’s voice cut through the wind. Her expression was filled with worry. "I think we should take another route."
Caelthar stood beside her, his face showed the sa worry.
"It’s fine," Krono said, without even slowing.
Lyrel’s jaw tightened.
"I told you already that these people are barbarians! They plunder villages, kill without hesitation, and rob anyone they cross even their own kind. If we walk straight into them they will attack."
Her tone grew harder with each word, almost pleading for reason.
"I said it will be fine," Krono replied, his gaze turning toward her at last. His voice was calm but it felt heavy. "I didn’t say there will be no problems. But whatever problem they bring it won’t matter to us."
At that mont, Lyrel felt a vast and incomprehensible pressure rolled over her like the shadow of a mountain.
It wasn’t Magic in the way she understood it, but just sheer force of being.
Krono’s eyes held her for a heartbeat and in them she glimpsed a depth she could not asure.
Her breath stopped. She faltered with eyes wide in shock.
"What’s wrong?" Caelthar asked, his hand tightening on his sword.
Lyrel grit her teeth, tearing her gaze away. "...Nothing. Let’s just follow them."
Caelthar gave her a searching look, suspicion flickering across his face.
He knew sothing had shaken her but if she chose not saying it, then he would not press.
The two Elves trailed behind now while keeping their distance. For Eccar, that was enough space to ask the question in his mind.
"So," he said lightly, "what did the humans do?"
Krono sighed, his steps steady on the dry earth.
"Long ago, they killed many Elves. They burned the forests, sotis to make room for their hos, sotis just for their own amusent. They slaughtered animals far beyond their needs, leaving nothing but ruin. That was the beginning."
Eccar listened silently.
"The war ca after. Human kingdoms were once equal to the Elves in size and power. But they wanted more. They attacked and the Elves attacked back. The Elves won."
Krono’s tone was not boastful, rely fact.
"The king before King Thalrion right now was rciful. He spared them and demanded only that they no longer set fire to the forests or cross too deep into Elven land."
"And the humans agreed?" Eccar asked.
"They agreed because they didn’t have any choice," Krono said darkly, "but they did not change. If not against the Elves, then against themselves. They plunder their own town or village, burn their own, and spill blood for greed and hunger. That village there..." his eyes narrowed slightly, "is proof of what they have beco."
Eccar let out a low whistle. "Oh, damn. No wonder these two hate them. They deserve it."
Krono gave no comnt, his expression didn’t change.
In truth, he did not believe all humans deserved such hate. There were still so among them who were capable of kindness, loyalty, and goodness.
But that truth was one he would not say now.
So he remained silent, his steps steady and his eyes fixed ahead.
The river’s gentle murmur grew louder as they descended the bank and drew closer to the crude bridge that connected to the village.
Smoke rose from crooked chimneys, carrying with them the sharp sll of burning wood and animal fat.
On the other side, the humans were stirring. Ragged figures began to appear between the huts built of timber and mud, their movents quick and restless like wolves catching the scent of prey.
Their clothes were little more than patched hides and rough furs. So decorated with crude beads of bone or teeth as if to proclaim savagery as pride.
One man, broad-shouldered with a scar running from his temple to his jaw, was the first to notice the four strangers approaching the bridge.
His eyes narrowed, suspicion flashing for only a heartbeat before his lips twisted into a grin that showed broken yellowed teeth.
He raised his hand and let out a sharp and piercing whistle.
The village responded. n and won erged, ard with their weapons. Children darted away into the huts, peeking from cracks in the wood with wide eyes.
By the ti Krono’s boots touched the first wooden plank of the bridge, more than a dozen villagers had gathered, waiting just beyond the edge of their territory.
Their laughter was low, ugly, and brimming with the certainty of predators who thought they had cornered easy prey.
Lyrel’s hands tightened at her sides, anger burning in her eyes. Caelthar’s fingers hovered near his sword, ready to draw.
Eccar only smirked faintly.
Krono walked without pause with his gaze straight forward. He looked calm and unshaken as if the gathering storm of hostility ant nothing at all.
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