---- Chapter 17 "Sera, everything's ready." Lina handed mea bowl of herbal tea. "This will help strengthen Orion's antibodies." I took the tea, but my gaze remained fixed on the world outside the window. Three months. Three months of peace, as if danger had never existed. But my intuition told me the calm before the storm was about to end. "you're thinking about him again, aren't you?" she asked softly. I didn't answer. The name Kaelen had become taboo, even in my own thoughts. "The whole village is preparing for the New Moon Festival today," Lina changed the subject. "You should take Orion to see it. He's still too young, but feeling the festive atmosphere will be good for him." ---- Inodded, my gaze shifting to the sleeping Orion. At three months old, he was developing faster than ordinary babies - his dark hair was already thick, his small face showing angular features, clearly Kaelen's. Every time I saw these similarities, my heart ached. Aseries of urgent knocks broke my thoughts. Rhea pushed the door open, her face grave. " Strangers have entered the village. A group of travelers, claiming to be merchants from the east. " "Ts there a problem?" I asked, on alert. "They're asking too many questions," Rhea said ina low voice. "About whether a young mother with a baby has recently come to the village." My blood ran cold. "How did they know?" "Not sure. But I've already had the village chief arrange for someone to watch them." She went to ---- the window and drew the curtains. "Don't attend the celebration tonight. It's best to stay indoors." Inodded in agreement, but Orion suddenly woke up, his little face crinkling as he let out an unhappy cry. "Shh, it's okay," I cooed, picking him up." Mama's here." He looked at me, suddenly quieted, and pointed his little hand towards the window, his eyes shining with a strange light. "What is it, little one?" I asked, puzzled. Lina went to the window, carefully parting the curtain a bit. "Strange, there are only a few villagers passing by, nothing-wait." She suddenly froze, her body tensing. "What's wrong?" I asked nervously. "There's someone... doesn't look like they're from