Raziel took a single step forward, his broad frame eclipsing Layla's. His presence alone made the guards on either side of the door visibly tense. "If you think we'll walk into whatever trap this fool has planned, you've underestimated us."

The older guard narrowed his eyes. "Don't make this harder than it has to be."

Mary stepped closer, her lips pursed as she whispered to Layla, "We can take them all if it comes to it."

Layla raised a hand to stop her. "No," she said softly but firmly. "Enough violence." She turned her gaze back to the older guard. "Very well. I'll go with you."

"Layla," Raziel warned, his tone edged with concern.

She met his gaze, her expression calm but resolute. "I'll be fine. Stay here and ensure nothing happens to the innkeeper or the others. This isn't a battle worth fighting."

The older guard nodded and gestured toward the door. "Wise choice. Let's move."

Layla stepped forward, her posture regal despite the tense situation.

Raziel and Mary watched her go, their expressions unreadable but their hands hovering near their weapons.

As the guards surrounded her and escorted her out of the inn, the once-bustling space fell into an uneasy silence, broken only by the faint whispers of the remaining patrons and the distant sound of retreating footsteps.

As Layla walked between the guards, her calm demeanor contrasted sharply with the tension crackling in the air. Her steps were measured, her head held high as though she were a guest on a formal tour rather than someone being escorted into uncertain territory. The armored men flanked her closely, their gazes fixed ahead, but their rigid postures betrayed an unease. Layla, however, was unperturbed.

After several minutes of walking through the winding streets, Layla glanced at the knight walking closest to her. He wore an insignia that marked him as a higher-ranking officer, his polished armor reflecting the torchlight.

"Where are you taking me?" Layla asked, her voice calm but carrying a note of authority that couldn't be ignored.

The knight turned his head slightly, meeting her gaze briefly before looking forward again. "You'll know when we get there," he said curtly.

Layla raised an eyebrow at his evasive response. "Surely I have the right to know. Am I being arrested? Or am I simply an unwilling guest?"

"You're safe as long as you cooperate," the knight replied, his tone neutral but firm. "That's all you need to worry about."

Layla chuckled softly, an edge of amusement creeping into her voice. "Safe? A curious choice of words when I've just been accused of crimes I didn't commit."

The knight didn't respond, his jaw tightening as if to signal the conversation was over. The group pressed onward, the silence broken only by the rhythmic clinking of armor and boots against cobblestone.

Layla allowed herself a brief sigh. She wasn't entirely surprised by the guard's refusal to elaborate, but the lack of clarity left her mind racing. This isn't a simple misunderstanding, she thought. Whoever orchestrated this is playing a larger game.

Back at the inn, Raziel paced the room like a restless predator. His eyes glinted with frustration as he mulled over their options. "This is ridiculous," he muttered, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword. "We shouldn't have let them take her."

Mary leaned against the wall, arms crossed, her expression calm but thoughtful. "Storming into their territory without a plan is exactly what they're hoping for, Raziel."

He stopped mid-step and turned to her, his eyes narrowing. "And sitting here doing nothing helps Layla how, exactly?"

Mary sighed, uncrossing her arms. "We don't even know where they've taken her yet. Charging in blindly could make things worse. Layla trusted us to handle things here. We need to wait for her signal."

"She might not get the chance to send one!" Raziel shot back. His voice wasn't loud, but the intensity in it filled the room. "What if they're planning something? What if—"

"She can handle herself," Mary interrupted, her voice calm but firm. "You know that. And she wouldn't want you jeopardizing the situation by acting impulsively."

Raziel clenched his fists, the tension in his body evident. "I know she's strong, but she's still in their hands. We can't ignore that."

Mary stepped forward, her tone softening. "And we won't. But if you storm in now, you'll just play into their hands. Layla has always been good at staying one step ahead of her enemies. Trust her."

Raziel didn't respond immediately, his jaw tightening as he stared at the floor. Finally, he exhaled sharply and ran a hand through his hair. "Fine. We wait. But not for long."

Mary nodded, her gaze steady. "Agreed. If we don't hear from her soon, we'll find another way. But for now, we trust her."

Unbeknownst to Raziel and Mary, Layla was already working on a plan. As she walked through the city streets with her captors, her sharp eyes took in every detail of her surroundings.

he guards were wary, their formations tight, which suggested they were either expecting trouble or deliberately trying to intimidate her. The streets were quiet at this hour, with only a few scattered onlookers peering out from shadowed doorways.

Layla, however, was unshaken. She knew Raziel would be fuming back at the inn, and Mary would be trying to calm him down. She trusted them both to act wisely, but she also knew she needed to send some kind of signal soon—something to guide them if things went awry.

As they passed a narrow alley, Layla discreetly kicked a loose stone into a stack of crates. The noise was subtle but enough to mark a trail if someone sharp enough was following. Patience is key, she reminded herself. The moment will come.

For now, she allowed herself to be led deeper into the unknown, her mind racing with possibilities. Every step brought her closer to danger, but also closer to the answers she sought.

Now, she only need to wait a little more.