Quest

The night passed with an uneasy stillness, punctuated only by the occasional rustle of the wind against our tents. I awoke to the first light of dawn seeping through the canvas, casting a soft glow over Duke's sleeping face beside me. For a moment, I watched him, his features relaxed in sleep, and felt a surge of affection. But the memory of the false artifact and the hidden letter weighed on my mind, urging me to action.

Quietly, I slipped out of Duke's embrace and the tent, the cool morning air a stark contrast to the warmth I had just left. The camp was beginning to stir; Melange was already up, her keen eyes scanning the horizon, while Elys stoked the fire, preparing a simple breakfast. Thorne emerged from his tent, looking as tired and determined as I felt.

"We need to discuss our next steps," Melange said, her voice cutting through the early morning hush. "We can't afford to chase another illusion."

"We should start by examining the rock formation again," Thorne suggested, his a