You trailed behind your older siblings, eyes locked on the mountains looming above, the top disappearing into the fog. Jojen followed beside you, his gaze never leaving the path ahead. Your older sister, Meera, lead the group, sharpening her dagger mindlessly.

As the sun began to seep behind the mountain’s peaks, Meera went to investigate a nearby castle for shelter as night crept closer. Finding that it was empty, Meera led the group through the large, abandoned hallways to a living area.

She lit a fire, the rotting wood bearing dying flames which illuminated the room in a soft, warm glow. Meera settled beside a windowsill, observing the world outside through the stained glass as she twirled her dagger in her hand absentmindedly. Jojen spread some furs onto the floor into makeshift beds, gently nudging you to sit.

The wind howled past, concealing the sounds of crickets and wildlife outside. Jojen sat beside you, drinking from a small wooden bowl of soup that served as dinner, although his mind was elsewhere, gazing off with a distant look as he thought.

After a few moments, you began to feel drowsy, curling up as you rested on the furs, sleep weighing on your eyelids. Noticing this, Jojen pulled out of his distant state, reaching over to pull a fur coat over you, wrapping it around you as though it were a blanket.

“That was fast.” Meera spoke up, nodding her head towards your sleeping form as she talked. “You should try and get some rest while you can. I’ll keep watch.”

Jojen opened his mouth to protest, but ultimately decided not to bother, deeming any arguements useless as he saw the determined glint in Meera’s eyes, one that indicated she wouldn’t change her mind. So with that, Jojen rested beside you, staring at the ceiling above before too falling asleep.

After a few hours, your eyes cracked open upon hearing Meera walk past, her dagger clutched tightly in her hand, the blade glinting in reflection to the dying flames from the fireplace. Meera nudged Jojen with her foot as she passed, waking him with a jolt as he sat up, his eyes alarmed as he searched the room. Seeing nothing, Jojen gave her a confused look before noticing someone whispering from the hallway, making everyone tense.

A large man, covered in heavy armour, stumbled into the living area where the Reeds were settled, freezing upon noticing them. There was a long moment of silence as both parties stared, neither quite sure what to do before the man drew his sword, Meera instantly throwing the dagger at him, knocking the sword from his grip.

Noticing you were awake, Jojen rested a hand on your shoulder, his grip comforting as he glared at the man, watching Meera step forward to pin him against the stone wall behind him as she spat. “Speak.”