The stain
The carriage rattled along the uneven road, its wheels splashing through shallow puddles left behind by the earlier rain. Inside, the girl with the clear black hair sat in silence, her face impassive but her fingers tapping lightly against the armrest. Her maid sat across from her, her posture composed but her expression tinged with frustration.
"Pointless," the girl finally muttered, her voice cold but laced with disappointment. "This entire visit to Rackenshore was a waste of time."
The maid hesitated before responding, choosing her words carefully. "We did everything we could, my lady. We were generous with our questions and courteous to the townsfolk, but…"
"But none of them knew anything worthwhile," the girl finished sharply, her eyes narrowing. "All they could tell us was the same useless story. Lucavion appeared out of nowhere, dealt with the Korvan, and became their savior. That's it. No history, no connections, nothing."