"And you thought using innocent lives as pawns would protect you?" she asked, her voice laced with quiet disdain.

Bragaton nodded miserably. "They would've come for me next if I failed. I... I had to do something."

Layla rose to her feet, looking down at him with a mixture of pity and contempt. "Your cowardice disgusts me, Lord Bragaton. But your betrayal has served a purpose—you've given me a glimpse into their plans. For that, I'll spare you this time."

Raziel frowned, his hands tightening into fists. "You're letting him go? After everything he's done?"

Layla's eyes narrowed as she turned toward Raziel. "For now. We have bigger issues to deal with than a spineless lord clinging to his false sense of power."

Later that evening, back at their inn, the trio sat around the table in their room, deep in discussion. Mary Ann, always the practical one, leaned forward, her brow furrowed in thought. "If the royal family is planning to use you as a substitute sacrifice, shouldn't we strike first? Eliminate the threat before they can act?"

Layla shook her head. "It's not that simple, Mary. The royal family isn't careless. Whatever they're planning, it's happening in secret for a reason. If we act rashly, we risk exposing ourselves and playing right into their hands."

Mary's lips thinned, but she didn't press the issue further. Raziel, who had been pacing near the window, finally spoke. "So what's the plan? We can't just sit around and wait for them to make their move."

Layla's gaze turned toward the window, her mind racing. "No, we can't. But we can gather information—find out what they're planning and why. If they're desperate enough to use a substitute sacrifice, then whatever they're trying to achieve must be critical. I need to know what that is before we decide our next step."

Her tone left no room for argument, and her companions exchanged a glance before nodding in agreement. Raziel stopped pacing and leaned against the wall, his arms crossed. "Fine. But if they make a move against you, I'm not holding back."

Mary smirked. "And I'll be right there with you."

Layla offered a faint smile. "Thank you, both of you. For now, let's focus on finding out more about this ritual and their ultimate goal. If they want me to play their game, they'll find out soon enough that I'm not a piece—they've invited the wrong player to the board."

______

The day following Lord Bragaton's sudden disappearance, the entire town buzzed with gossip and speculation. The lord's absence, combined with the abrupt cessation of his oppressive policies, left the citizens in a strange state of upheaval. However, rather than fear or worry, the dominant mood was one of relief—and, for some, outright celebration.

Merchants in the market openly expressed their joy, whispering about how the exorbitant taxes might finally be repealed. Farmers nodded to one another in solidarity, hopeful that their goods would no longer be arbitrarily confiscated. Even the town's guards seemed less tense, albeit cautious, unsure of what the absence of their lord would mean for their future.

The inn, where Layla and her companions had chosen to spend the night, was no exception to this jubilant atmosphere. When they came downstairs for breakfast, the innkeeper greeted them warmly, his usual nervous demeanor replaced by an air of contentment.

"You'll be pleased to know," he said with a wide grin, "that today is on the house. No rent, no meals to pay for. Lord Bragaton's... well, let's just say his absence has saved us all some coin." He glanced around, lowering his voice. "I may not know what happened, but whoever got rid of him did us all a favor."

Layla exchanged a glance with Mary and Raziel. Though they had played a direct role in Bragaton's downfall, they said nothing to claim credit. Layla simply offered a polite smile. "That's generous of you. Thank you."

The innkeeper waved a hand dismissively. "Least I could do for such fine folks. Take your time, enjoy the food, and rest as much as you like. You've got rooms for the night, no questions asked."

The trio settled into their table, where a hearty breakfast was promptly served. The food was simple but satisfying—warm bread, freshly churned butter, spiced porridge, and a small platter of cured meats. The dining room, usually quiet with patrons keeping to themselves, was livelier than usual. Conversations buzzed around them, centering on the changes Lord Bragaton's absence might bring.

Mary leaned closer to Layla, her voice low. "Seems like his disappearance is already making waves. The people are happier without him in charge."

"Happy now," Raziel interjected, taking a sip of his drink. "But give it time. Someone will try to fill the void he left behind, and not all contenders will have the town's best interests at heart."

Layla nodded thoughtfully. "True, but for now, let them enjoy this moment. They've lived under his thumb for long enough." She glanced out the window, where the rising sun painted the town in golden hues. "We'll leave tomorrow. I don't want to linger longer than necessary."

The day passed quietly, a welcome reprieve after the events of the previous evening. Layla and her companions spent their time discussing their next steps and the implications of Bragaton's cryptic confession. If the royal family truly sought a "substitute sacrifice," it meant their plans were far more sinister than Layla had initially suspected.

That night, the innkeeper approached their table during dinner, carrying a fresh jug of cider. "You'll be heading out tomorrow, then?" he asked, his tone friendly but tinged with curiosity.

Layla nodded. "Yes. We have other places to be."

"Well," the innkeeper said, setting the jug down, "you're always welcome here. Folks like you—we could use more of 'em around these parts."

Raziel raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical of the sentiment, but Mary offered the man a kind smile. "We appreciate that. Thank you for your hospitality."

As the night deepened, the trio retired to their rooms, finding solace in the quiet. Raziel stood watch, his sharp eyes scanning the streets from the window, while Mary double-checked their provisions for the journey ahead. Layla, seated on the edge of her bed, stared at the faintly glowing crystal she held in her hand—a magical artifact that had guided her through countless trials.

"They won't stop," she murmured, more to herself than anyone else. "The royal family won't stop until they've achieved their goal."

Raziel turned toward her, his expression unreadable. "Then we won't stop either. Whatever they're planning, we'll put an end to it."

Layla nodded, her resolve hardening. Tomorrow would mark the next step in their journey, but tonight, they allowed themselves a moment of quiet determination.