As afternoon faded toward evening, they took their purchases back to the forest edge where Kalen had left a small cart hidden among the trees.
After securing their supplies, they returned to the village, following the river path to where a massive willow tree overhung the water.
A small group had already gathered there. Perhaps fifteen people, mostly younger villagers in their late teens and twenties. Someone played a simple stringed instrument, while others sat in small conversational clusters.
A few had brought food or drink to share, creating an atmosphere of casual community that was entirely foreign to Ash's experience of formal palace gatherings.
Mira spotted them first, breaking away from a conversation to greet them. "You came!" she said, genuine pleasure in her voice. "I wasn't sure you would."
"Thought it might be good for Ash to meet more people his age," Kalen replied, his gruff manner softened slightly in the relaxed setting.
"Well, you're both welcome," Mira said, gesturing toward the gathering. "Nothing formal, just friends enjoying the evening. There's cider if you're thirsty, and Tomas brought bread from his mother's baking."
Ash recognized the name. "Tomas? The one who spoke about the prince at the notice board today?"
Mira's expression grew more serious. "The same. He's... passionate about politics lately. His brother was a palace guard who disappeared the night of the coup. No official word on what happened to him."
The information added context to the young man's interest in rumors of a surviving prince.
Ash felt a pang of sympathy, wondering if Tomas's brother had been among those who resisted the coup and what fate had befallen him as a result.
"I'll be careful what I say around him," Ash promised.
Mira led them to the gathering, introducing them to those who hadn't met them during their previous visits.
Kalen found a comfortable spot at the edge of the group, positioning himself where he could observe both the gathering and the path back to the village.
Ash, meanwhile, was drawn into conversation with several young villagers curious about life in the northern provinces.
He navigated their questions carefully, providing enough detail about Coldwater to seem knowledgeable without risking contradictions.
The fabricated background Kalen had helped him construct proved its value as he spoke of harsh northern winters, the local economy based on timber and fur trading, and the relative isolation from imperial politics.
"Sounds peaceful compared to what's happening now," commented a young woman named Sera. "My cousin's family in the eastern provinces had to abandon their farm when imperial troops requisitioned it for a garrison. They said soldiers are everywhere along the border."
"The war's getting worse, then?" Ash asked, careful to maintain his role as someone with limited knowledge of current events.
"Not officially a war yet," Tomas interjected, joining their conversation.
Ash recognized him from the notice board, gathering a stocky young man with intense eyes and a serious demeanor. "But it's coming. The Eastern Kingdoms are testing our defenses, seeing how far they can push before meeting real resistance."
"And our new Lord Protector is letting them push," added another young man bitterly. "My brother was conscripted last month. His letters say they're ordered to avoid direct confrontation, even when eastern forces encroach on imperial territory."
The conversation had taken a political turn that made Ash uncomfortable, not because he lacked interest but because he knew too much had been raised. Understanding the complex relationships between the Valerian Empire and its neighbors.
He had to remind himself that Ash from Coldwater would have only a commoner's grasp of such matters.
"Strange strategy," he said carefully. "Letting them take ground without a fight."
Tomas leaned closer, lowering his voice. "Some say it's because Varius made deals with the eastern kingdoms to secure their support for the coup. Promised them territorial concessions in exchange for recognizing his authority."
The assessment aligned perfectly with what Ash himself had concluded. Varius would have needed foreign support to overthrow the established dynasty, and territorial concessions would be the most likely price.
"That's just speculation," Mira cautioned, joining their circle. "Dangerous speculation at that."
"Is it speculation that the entire royal family died conveniently in one night?" Tomas challenged. "Or that anyone who questions the official story tends to disappear?"
"Tomas," Mira said gently, "I understand your concern for your brother. But this isn't the place."
The young man subsided, though his expression remained troubled. "You're right. I apologize for bringing politics into the gathering." He turned to Ash. "You must think we're all conspiracy theorists here in Riverend."
"Not at all," Ash replied honestly. "These are uncertain times. Questions are natural."
The conversation shifted to lighter topics local events, shared memories of childhood adventures, and gentle teasing between friends who had known each other all their lives.
Ash listened more than he spoke, absorbing the dynamics of ordinary friendship that he had never experienced in the isolated environment of royal upbringing.
As evening deepened, someone lit lanterns that cast a warm glow over the gathering. The music continued, joined occasionally by singing when someone knew the words to a particular tune.
Kalen remained at his post, watchful but relaxed enough to engage in conversation with some of the older participants.
Mira eventually settled beside Ash on the grass near the willow's trailing branches. "You're quiet," she observed. "Taking it all in?"
"It's different from what I'm used to," he admitted truthfully.
"How so?"
Ash considered how to answer without revealing too much. "Where I grew up, gatherings were more... formal. Structured. This is more natural."
"And better?" she asked with a smile.
"Definitely better," he confirmed, returning the smile without thinking.
They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, watching the lantern light reflect on the river's surface. The sword fragment in Ash's chest remained quiet, a warm presence rather than the sharp pulses he had experienced during moments of stress or danger.
"My mother says you visited Elder Thorne today," Mira said eventually.
"News travels fast," Ash observed.
"Small village," she replied with a shrug. "Was it helpful?"
"I think so. She gave me herbs for tea that should help with my recovery."
Mira nodded. "Her remedies are powerful. She taught my mother much of what she knows about healing, though some of her knowledge seems to come from somewhere beyond ordinary herbalism."
"What do you mean?" Ash asked, curious about others' perceptions of the unusual elder.
"She sees things others don't," Mira explained. "Sicknesses before symptoms appear. Capabilities in people they haven't discovered themselves." She glanced at him. "She told my mother there's something special about you. Something 'awakening,' she called it."
Ash tensed slightly, though he kept his expression neutral. "I'm not special. Just recovering from a difficult journey."
"Everyone's special in some way," Mira countered. "Some just more obviously than others." She studied him with those unusual green-gold eyes. "You carry yourself differently than other people I know. Like you're used to being seen, being important."
The observation was dangerously perceptive. Ash forced a self-deprecating laugh. "My father always said I had too much pride for a scribe's son. Wanted to be more than my station."
"There's nothing wrong with ambition," Mira said. "Or with being different from what others expect." She looked out over the water. "I was supposed to marry the miller's son last year. Everyone expected it childhood friends, suitable match, a practical alliance between our families."
"What happened?" Ash asked, genuinely interested.
"I refused," she said simply. "Not because he's a bad person, he isn't. But because I wanted something different for my life than what everyone had planned." She smiled slightly.
"Caused quite the scandal for a few months. Now he's courting the blacksmith's daughter and much happier for it."
"And you? Are you happier?"
"I am," she confirmed. "I'm training as a healer like my mother, but also studying with Elder Thorne to learn the older remedies, the knowledge that doesn't appear in common herbals. I'm choosing my path rather than following one laid out for me."
The parallel to Ash's own situation, forced by circumstances to abandon his predetermined royal path and forge a new identity, struck him forcefully.
Though their circumstances differed dramatically, the fundamental experience of stepping away from expectations resonated.
"That takes courage," he said.
"So does starting over in a new place after losing your father," she replied. "We all have our challenges to overcome."
Before Ash could respond, a commotion from the village direction drew everyone's attention. Torchlight approached along the river path, accompanied by the sound of multiple people walking with purpose.
Kalen was immediately alert, moving to Ash's side with quiet efficiency. "Time to go," he murmured.
"Wait," Ash said, watching as the approaching group came into view. "Let's see what this is first."
The newcomers were a mix of village officials and strangers wearing imperial uniforms, not regular army, but the distinctive dark blue of administrative officers. The village headman, a middle-aged man named Gareth, led them directly to the gathering.
"Apologies for the interruption," Gareth announced, his expression tense. "These officials have arrived from the capital with urgent business that cannot wait until morning."
One of the imperial officers stepped forward, unrolling a document bearing the modified imperial seal. "By order of Lord Protector Varius, we are conducting an immediate census of all settlements within the empire. All residents must present themselves for registration and verification of identity."