One second he was there, the next gone, a riddle written on paper was left on the stone
The riddle was scrawled on brittle parchment, left exactly where the wizard had stood.
"To those who seek, to those who strive,Follow where the town's three rivers collide. Pass the stone that weeps at dawn, And knock on wood where shadows yawn."
Tory stared at it like it was written in ancient tongue.
"What the hell does that even mean?"
I folded the paper and slipped it into my cloak.
"It means we're going for a walk."
The first clue was simple. Win wasn't called Win for no reason—it sat between three tiny rivers that forked around the town. I walked to where the rivers collided, asking a few half-drunk fishermen about the flow, the soil, and the depth. Tory trailed behind me like a confused puppy.
"Seriously, what are we doing?"
"The riddle. First line is the river convergence. Next is the weeping stone—there's a grave marker by the bridge that always drips with morning dew. Locals say it cries for a lost child."
We stopped by the stone. Cold. Damp. Still crying, even now.
"So that just leaves... wood and shadow?" Tory asked.
"Yeah. There's an old logging shack beyond the cemetery. Locals say no one goes near it because it stays dark, even during the day."
He blinked at me.
"Do you just... store all this in your head?"
"I listen. Unlike most people."
We reached the shack. It was nothing impressive—barely standing, mold creeping along the edges of the doorframe. I pushed it open and stepped inside.
And the entire world changed.
A massive lobby stretched before us. Marble floors. Floating candles. Walls lined with magical paintings that moved when you weren't looking. Tory whistled under his breath.
"Looks like we found it."
Three others stood in the grand hall already.
The first wore worn, gleaming armor, a paladin with a forgotten god's sigil pressed into his chestplate. No one followed that god anymore... not after the sky burned.
The second was a Dashin Empire city guard—not just any, a captain, judging by the polished insignia. Probably here to sniff out a cure for the Queen's illness.
The third was someone I didn't recognize. A woman in her late twenties. Elegant black robes, eyes sharp as razors, and a permanent smirk. She held herself like nobility but didn't wear any crest. Something about her felt... calculated.
The wizard appeared with a wave of his staff, robed in twilight colors that shimmered like oil.
"It is time for us to dine."
We followed him to a sprawling dining room. A long oaken table sat beneath a chandelier that sparkled like ice. We all took our seats.
Just as the last plate was set, the door creaked open.
"Sorry I'm late!"
A boy stumbled in—fifteen, maybe sixteen. Ruffled hair, awkward smile. The wizard frowned and whispered something sharply to him before the boy slunk into a seat.
"That's my son," the wizard finally said to the room.
The paladin leaned forward, barely containing his eagerness.
"When do we get to ask our question?"
"Patience," the wizard replied. "Eat first. Magic waits for no one—but I do."
Two staff members entered with trays—one a tall, emotionless woman, the other a younger man with nervous eyes. They laid the food carefully before us.
Moments later, a wide-chested chef stepped from the kitchen, wiping his hands on a stained apron.
"Hope it's to your liking," he said cheerfully.
Everyone mumbled some form of approval.
Everyone except me. I didn't even look at the food.
I was watching the wizard.
If he really knew about the fire... about the spell that killed my family...
Then this might be my only chance to find the source. And destroy it.
I stared at him. I watched his every move. Every bite. Every blink.
Then—
The lights went out.
A scream.
A crash.
Silence.
When the lights flickered back on, the wizard lay slumped forward in his chair. A dagger buried in his chest. The blade shimmered with silver, carved with runes of both holy and dark origin.
A weapon designed to kill things blessed or cursed.
I stood immediately. My eyes scanned the room. My mind raced.
Seven suspects.
The tall staff woman, expressionless.
The young male staffer, sweating more than he should.
The wide-eyed chef, now backing away from the body.
The wizard's son, shaking.
The paladin, hand on his sword.
The robed woman, sharp-eyed and smiling no more.
The Dashin guard, fuming, already barking accusations.
one of them Killed the wizard, maybe ruined my chance to find the killer of my family