Chained Hearts: From Slavery to Sovereignty
Chapter 118: Shadows Over Galdreth

Chapter 118: Chapter 118: Shadows Over Galdreth

As Cassian, Keren, and Morren left the village, the weight of the old woman’s words followed them like an unseen shadow. The sky had begun its slow descent into dusk, painting the horizon with streaks of orange and deepening purple.

The wind carried the scent of distant fires and the faint smoke as it rose from the countless small houses to cook food. It was serene, only if the city would not have been in upcoming danger.

Their pace was steady, but their faces were filled with unmasked urgency. They needed to talk. They needed to find answers.

It wasn’t long before they spotted Oronik and Alistair’s group waiting near the outskirts of the village. The two senior knights stood with the remaining trainees, their stances wary as if they had already sensed something was amiss.

Cassian met Oronik’s gaze first. "We need to go back. Now."

Oronik’s eyes flickered with doubt, but still, he decided to follow the order without asking much, and with a nod, he turned to lead the way. No questions. No hesitation.

As they traveled toward the City Lord’s home, the city of Galdreth stretched before them in eerie stillness. The streets were nearly empty, and the few remaining vendors quietly packed up for the night. Even the usual murmur of city life seemed subdued.

The streets were a far cry from the morning, as it looked like people were even afraid to linger after sunset. They could hardly see people leaving their houses. Most were walking back into their homes. Their houses were tightly shut, and even windows were not spared, as if a monster was chasing them.

By the time they arrived at the City Lord’s residence, the sun had dipped below the horizon, and darkness draped over the city like a thick veil.

The towering structure before them, which looked massive as a fortress and a ray of hope in the daylight, now looked like a haunted house in the night as it was surrounded in complete darkness. Only a few lamps ignited at the door.

Cassian wondered, was it always the same, or had his perspective changed today? Was he seeing everything in a new light? And how could he have ignored so much in past days? Had he become such a muddle-headed person?

Cassian exhaled slowly. The air was too still. Too quiet.

"We’ll discuss everything after dinner," he said, turning to the group. "Rest for now."

No one protested. Everyone was tense, looking at the grim expression of their leader, and no one wanted to disturb him. So they followed his command without question.

Inside, the servants led them to a simple but sufficient dining area where warm food had been prepared. The meal was light—bread, roasted meat, and a modest vegetable stew. Though the flavors were rich, no one spoke much as they ate.

Cassian barely touched his food before excusing himself. "I’ll be in my room. We will meet in an hour."

With that, he left.

His quarters were small but clean, with a basin of warm water waiting for him. Stripping off his travel-worn clothes, he stepped into the bath, letting the warm water ease the tension from his body. He closed his eyes for a moment, allowing himself a brief moment of stillness before the storm that was surely coming.

He replayed the old woman’s words in his mind.

"No one will survive. Everyone is just a sacrifice."

Who was he?

And why was she so certain?

When he emerged from the bath, steam curling into the cool night air, he quickly changed into a fresh tunic and trousers before heading back to his room.

By the time he arrived, the others were already waiting. The oil lamp on the wooden table flickered softly, casting a dim light over the assembled group. Oronik sat near the window, arms crossed, while Alistair leaned against the wall, silent. Keren and Morren took their usual places, and the trainees, though tense, were eager to hear what had been uncovered.

Cassian wasted no time.

He recounted everything—the old woman’s warning, her cryptic mutterings, and the strange contradiction in how the villagers saw her story. Every detail, no matter how small.

When he finished, a heavy silence followed.

Everyone’s faces were filled with shock. No one thought that there could be such details hidden so well. And the longer they stayed here, it seemed a new thing was ready to pop up and blow their minds.

What had they not encountered here? Each of them was enough to give them the shock of their lives.

Then, Oronik spoke. "We found something as well."

Cassian turned his attention to him. "Go on."

Oronik’s expression darkened. "We actually stumbled accidentally on a ruin. It was relatively in the middle of the city. But strangely, everyone avoided it. If not for our luck, we couldn’t have found it, as the structure of the city completely avoided that place. It was like a hidden room in a house.

And I think it was the same place the old woman pointed to.

It was definitely the temple ruins. And what we saw there..." He hesitated, then exhaled. "It wasn’t just abandoned. There were signs that something—or someone—had been there recently."

Alistair nodded. "Faint markings on the stone. A strange, lingering scent in the air. But more than that, we found traces of blood."

Cassian straightened. "Blood?"

Oronik’s gaze was grim. "Fresh."

A chill ran through the room.

Keren narrowed his eyes. "So it wasn’t just an old ruin."

"No," Oronik confirmed. "And that’s not all. There were... bones."

Morren’s breath hitched slightly. "Human?"

Oronik shook his head. "Not entirely. Some were animal. But others... it was hard to tell."

Cassian’s jaw tightened.

Blood. Bones. The warning of sacrifices.

Why was everything pointing to the same place? And where could the blood have come from?

According to Oronik, it was very hidden, and no one could go there easily. Then why were there so many bones and so much blood? And the main point—it was actually fresh... That meant something was happening right beside their noses, and they were not even aware of it.