The three knights entered the village of Miran at a trot. The captain was determined to wrench the truth from them, no matter the cost, he wouldn't leave without answers.

  Torren looked around him, and what he saw resembled a scene of terror. He pulled the reins in shock. The storm had devastated everything: the villagers were clearing the debris from ruined houses, roofs torn off, fishing nets torn apart, boats shattered against the cliffs. A massive destruction, unlike anything he had ever seen before. The air smelled of salt and burnt wood, they had lit bonfires to try to warm themselves and protect themselves from the extreme cold.

  They dismounted from the horses. As soon as they set foot on the ground, their boots were gripped by the mud, making walking difficult.

  "What kind of hell is this?" Jorem murmured. He spotted an elderly woman struggling to lift a beam and quickly approached to help her.

  Garrick and Torren were still incredulous. "Not long ago, when we came to question them, we didn't notice such destruction. But now... it looks like a tornado passed through here," Garrick said.

  "Captain, allow me my opinion. I doubt anyone gave birth on the trail in this weather, I find it very unlikely. We still searched for clues, but there was nothing, not even a bloodied cloth. I believe they had it at home and left it there."

  "You may be right, Garrick. It's the most likely, but without proof, anything is possible. We must stay alert; any sign, even the smallest, can already help." As they spoke, they advanced, observing their surroundings in search of someone who might know something. Torren immediately remembered someone who knew everything in the village: the bar owner.

  Meanwhile, Jorem joined them on the path. The captain quickened his pace to the bar, which had only one wall standing. It was a pitiful sight.

  They reached the owner and began the interrogation.

  "Captain... can I help you?" The woman felt a little afraid. They had a very serious look, she feared something had happened. She already had enough problems to deal with after the damned storm.

  "Yes, I need information. I'll be very direct: it's best you answer sincerely, understood?" Torren approached slowly. She was trembling slightly; she knew he wasn't in the mood for games. She had never thought the captain would be like this, he was always friendly and approachable, but now he was uncompromising.

  "Do you know of any recent pregnancy from someone in the village? If you do, tell me who."

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  "Captain... I... I..." The woman tried to speak, but fear prevented her.

  "Spit it out... don't make me waste time", the captain said, without patience.

  She swallowed hard and spoke: "Well, there's Rene, the jailer's daughter, but... why?"

  "Someone abandoned a baby yesterday on the trail. We've come looking for the parents." The woman quickly lost her fear.

  "This story again, captain? Your soldiers already came to interrogate us this morning. Can't you see we're busy?" She spoke boldly, even putting her hands on her hips.

  A storm of rage formed inside the captain, worse than that of the Ebon Sea.

  "How dare you! We'll search and ask as many times as necessary! And it's best that, if you know something, you open your mouth to speak. My patience is wearing thin." The bar owner recoiled in fear, his voice sounded like thunder over her.

  "I'm sorry, I don't know anything else, I swear... that's all I know." Her voice was now sweeter and calmer. She didn't want to challenge Torren, she knew it was a lost battle.

  The soldiers turned their backs, leaving the woman behind, and headed toward the next lead, the jailer's daughter.

  When they arrived, they saw the old man chopping wood with an axe. The captain, with a firm voice, called the man's attention.

  "We need to talk."

  The old man, about to deliver another axe blow to the log, stopped abruptly and looked toward the voice.

  "Captain Torren, what do you want?" The man seemed innocent and harmless, but the captain had to make him talk. There was no other way.

  Once again, he approached close enough to apply pressure, using his deepest voice.

  "Your daughter. I heard she had a child..." The man, realizing the captain's attitude, sensed something was wrong and backed away in fear.

  "Yes, it's true..."

  "Tell me: would she be capable of abandoning it?" he said with irony, trying to get to the truth.

  "Captain, how dare you insinuate such a thing?!" He was offended and stared at Torren, but he wasn't expecting what was coming...

  "Answer! If your daughter is innocent!" His voice emanated strength and power. The old man was speechless on the spot, from the shock.

  The daughter, hearing the argument, came to the door.

  "Father? What's happening... captain?" To the soldiers' astonishment, she had a baby in her arms, which made her innocent.

  Torren sighed in agony. Another dead end.

  Jorem intervened to try to calm the tempers.

  "We're looking for the parents of a baby that was abandoned on the trail yesterday. We were told you had been pregnant recently", he explained calmly.

  "Oh... I see, and it's true, I had a daughter yesterday, but I would never abandon her. She may no longer have a father... he died yesterday, he was one of the sailors on the boat that disappeared in the Ebon Sea. But even in desperation, I would never abandon my daughter. I would never do it." The young woman said, with tears almost falling. A weight fell upon them.

  "I'm very sorry. If you learn of anything, let us know. We need to find out who the parents are. If you know of anyone else who might have been pregnant or gone missing," Garrick said to end the conversation.

  The soldiers turned their backs again, without clues or a path to follow.

  "Wait!" the young woman said, seeing them walk away.

  A spark of hope reignited in Torren's heart.

  "I only know one place that might give you answers... the church. After all, we all confess to Father Meleq. Whoever committed that sin may have sought him out."

  "Thank you, that's a good thought." The captain thanked her for the help and they continued on their way.