Echoes of Yesterday

The wind whispered along the ancient stone corridors of Caerlin Castle, pulling with it the scent of rain and the sounds of hustle and bustsle of the guards at the main doors.

The torches along the great hall flickered in protest as a storm threatened the dusky sky beyond the leaded windows. Within the hollowed grandeur, Elenora stood still, fingers grazing the timeworn tapestry on the wall—its threads frayed, yet persistent, hanging on by each red thread

Behind the tapestry was a rustic wooden door that used to be a set hidden hideaways she used to play in as a child.

But this time, as she put her ear up to the door, she heard sounds of merriment ruscus from the tavern that was now underneath this castle.

She shouldn't be out her chambers so late. god forbid a young woman her age be curious.

"Elenora, Leonard, the guardsmen voice booms, What are you doing out at this hour?"

Elenora jumps out of her skin, feeling as though she had been scolded by one of her parents. "Leo.. Elenora steps away from the tapestry, and the metal handle clinks on the hidden the door. "Clearing my head sometimes storms like these wake me up" Elenora explains away quickly.

Leo chuckles, "I've heard that one before looks like youre letting in a draft." He pushes the tapestry away with his foot,and the door is slightly ajar "and looking for trouble."

Elenora blushes out of being caught in the act she knows that Leo may be a grumpy middle-aged man, but slowly she has hollowed a soft spot in his heart.

"Oh please, Leo, the only thing im letting in is the possibility of a rat or tw. Elenora smiles up at Leo as there a grimace falls on his face. "You should really let me make my leave now as Elenora knows she's going to try sneak into the tavern tonight.

Leo plops down by the open opening of door closing it good and shut "Ella, I really shouldn't as rats lead to the cats coming in and you know me those creatures make me sneeze and I certainly wouldn't want to leave a lady unattended."

Ella smiles as these two are close enough for nicknames and she fondly remembers Leo being a bearded man and the cats approaching him for close encounter affection not by his choosing of course but he is a kind man and secretly cares for the damn things.

"Amongst friends ? I wouldn't tell a soul. And beside, don't you want to know what goes on amongst the men that run the place?

Leo sighs and groans as he makes his way off the ground. "Go, but i did not see you outside of these castle walls and be quick."

Elenora hugs Leo in a swift motion giddy to explore the hidden corridor. "I'll stay out of trouble just for you, big guy — also they quit executing witches a few years back i think a woman's presence in a tavern is the least of my worries."

Leo makes to leave the sound of a cherie whistle roams the hallways, and Elenora makes haste to close the door behind her and make her way through the dimly lit passage way.

Low candlelight flickers across soot-darkened stone walls. The murmur of voices, the clink of tankards, and the smoky scent of peat and pipe tobacco hang thick in the air. In a far corner, away from the drunken laughter and card games, a gentleman in a dark velvet coat sits at a round table alone, a leather-bound book open before him. A single silver ring glints on his finger as he turns the page, eyes sharp and unreadable.

Elenora is approaching cautiously She is not one to tempt fate

"That book must be a rare treasure, sir, to keep you so still in such chaos "Are people's fate written down or is just slide of hand?

The stranger loooking up with a slow smile his voice deep but warm.

"Some pages are worth more than a thousand tankards of ale. But I’d trade them all for an interesting stranger. May I offer you a seat?

She hesitates, then nods, lowering herself gracefully onto the bench opposite him. Her fingers brush the table as she settles in.

I’ve been told not to sit with charming men in smoky taverns. But I confess, curiosity weakens me. Elenora lets a soft smile grace her lips as she wanders her eyes over the man before her

"Then perhaps you’ll forgive me for indulging mine." He speaks as

He closes the book gently.

Your hands—may I see them?

My hands? Do you intend to judge a lady’s life by the calluses she bears? Elenora palms calm up at the thought of their fingers grazing each other's path

"Not judge. Only read. I’ve some small talent for fate-telling.

He extends his hand, palm up, inviting.

I promise no tricks. Only truths the stars may have whispered.

She studies him a moment—eyes like storm clouds, yet warm. Slowly, she places her hand in his.

His fingers are cool, deliberate as he traces the lines of her palm, his gaze intense yet reverent.

Elenora feels the callus of the man's hands as he continues his handiwork.

Here… the line of heart, deep and brave. You’ve known loss, and yet still, you love fiercely.

He glances up.

You protect your heart like a castle behind its walls.

Elenora is a straightforward girl and knows deep down both men and woman have the same amount of rib bones to keep your structure in tact but in this moment her heart felt it would beat out of chest and race down to right on her sleeve

Perhaps I do. And what else do you see, Mister…?

Clark. Just Clark.

(He smiles faintly.)

This curve—fate’s line—says your path bends toward something unexpected. A choice that will change everything. A person you never planned for.

Elenora scoffs at the thought, but there's something familiar about this whole thing

A fortune teller’s favorite line, no? That I'll take the road less travel meet a tall dark handsome stranger?

Perhaps. Or perhaps…

(He lifts her hand slightly, just enough to press his lips to her knuckles.)

…it is true, and tonight is where it begins.

Her breath catches. The tavern noise fades, just for a moment, as if the flickering candle between them held the world in pause.

Then I’ll ask one question more. What does fate say of you, Clark?

"It says I was waiting in shadow for the sound of a stranger’s boots.

And now, I am no longer waiting."

Elenora eye brows raise "Do I know you some how ?

Clark smiles so softly you could have in another lifetime. Who's to say? "I'll be seeing you .

Wait— Clark! Elenora exclaims as the man dashes within the crowed tavern gone in an instance. and Elenora confused and at her limit with the on goings of the tavern trudges her way back to the passage way .

The click of her boots heel echos along the long hallway. What a strange man and Oh what a strange place.