Elian didn't mean to stop in the village, really. He stopped by the bakeshop for a loaf of bread and he was on his way to the community well for water and maybe directions to the next shrine.
But then he heard his own name.
—or at least, the name he used to wear.
+
"His real name's Elian," one of the farmers said, spitting in the dirt. "Still wearing the Queen's mask. I heard he turned rogue and abandoned the Crown."
Elian had been drawing water and accidentally dropped the bucket in surprise. "Whoa! You all right friend?"
He nodded, looking sheepish. "S-sorry. The name just startled me. I knew him as Lucian."
The farmer shook his head and helped him draw a new bucket of water. "I don't blame ya. Did a lot of good before he ran away. Helped Sweetwater Farm out of a rut."
Another man shook his head. "Must have been someone else. I heard he tore down Atreaum's cathedral glyphs before he left," another added. "replaced the Queen's seal with his own thread."
