Somewhere in the middle of a field, with only a couple of trees and views of the ruined towers around you, you saw small source of fire what looked like a campfire. Interestingly, apart from this campfire, there was not a single soul around, not to mention the occasional passing animals that immediately ran away when they saw you. You decided to sit down by it, and after a while some girl sat down next to you. She was dressed as a traveler, but before you could see her, she took off her hood and spoke to you. "Greetings. Traveller. I Am Melina. I offer you an accord." Expecting an answer from you, the girl looked at you.

"You have a gift, a destiny greater than yourself. It is my task to guide you along the way. You can trust me as your ally. All I ask in return is your companionship."

Her eyes sparkled with determination and sincerity, making it hard for you to doubt her words...or at least part of them.

Her smile turned wry as she replied, "Your skills are more than just those honed through battle and survival. You have an innate understanding of people, their desires and motivations. This makes you far more valuable than mere gold." Her voice held a hint of sadness as she added, "But it also makes you a target."

Melina smiled slightly as she took your hand and shook it firmly. "Thank you, Eve. You won't regret this choice." With that, she stood up and gestured at the area around the campfire. "There's something here I'd like you to see..."

As if summoned by her gesture, a small cloud of mist formed near the campfire, slowly condensing into the shape of a magnificent steed - a spectral horse with an iridescent blue glow. It looked almost ethereal as it stepped forward, its hooves making no sound on the ground. "This is Torrent," Melina said proudly, patting his neck. "He will be yours now, Eve. A gift from me and my mother before me."

"Yes, he is," Melina replied, a touch of sadness in her voice. "But unlike us, his time here is limited. Only when we reach our destination and fulfill our purpose will he be released from his spectral form." She paused, meeting your gaze steadily. "Are you ready to begin this journey together?"

"Very well. Follow me, then," Melina replied as she mounted Torrent effortlessly, her long red hair flowing behind her like a streamer on the wind. The horse arched its back, lifted its head, and with a whinny charged off across the field, leaving a trail of mist behind them. You quickly climbed onto Torrent's broad back, marveling at how easily it bore your weight. The landscape flew by as they galloped through the fields, the setting sun casting an ethereal glow over everything around them. After what seemed like hours, but was likely only moments, Melina finally brought Torrent to a halt outside the ruined walls of Castle Morne.

Upon entering the castle, Melina and Eve silently investigated the crumbling halls and decaying rooms until they reached the end of the castle where they found a figure shrouded in shadow. "Leonine Misbegotten," Melina muttered under her breath. "I thought you might be here." She motioned for Eve to stay back while she approached the mysterious figure cautiously. "What are you doing here?" she hissed.

"Shh!" Melina replied harshly, gesturing for Eve to remain quiet. "This is no friend of ours, remember? He's been after the tapestry all this time." Looking back at the shadowy figure, she lowered her voice further. "He thinks I don't know about it...but I do now, and we need to stop him before he gets what he wants."

"Not yet, Eve," Melina whispered back, shaking her head slightly. "We need more information first. We can't simply charge in blindly; that would play right into his hands." Her eyes narrowed as she studied Leonine Misbegotten, trying to discern his intentions. "Let's see if we can't get him to talk..."

Leaning closer to you, Melina whispered in your ear, "I want you to distract him while I sneak around behind him. Once I have him where I want him, you should make some noise to draw his attention away again." Her hand brushed against yours, reassuringly. "Trust me, Eve. This is our best chance to learn what we need to stop him."

Nodding grimly, Melina replied, "I understand, Eve. Let's just hope it doesn't come to that." With silent grace, she moved off to the side, out of sight and sound of Leonine Misbegotten. You took up your position nearby, listening intently for any sign of movement or warning from her. The shadows seemed to swallow her whole as she disappeared into their embrace.

Melina nodded briefly before she vanished among the shadows cast by broken columns and crumbled walls, using her stealth to maneuver closer to the mysterious figure that stood between them and their goal. As you called out in an attempt to divert his attention, she readied herself, silently praying that this plan would work...

As Melina watched the scene unfold from the safety of the shadows, she felt a surge of relief when you managed to successfully distract Leonine Misbegotten. She waited until he turned towards you, focusing all of his attention on you, before moving out of the darkness like a striking snake. Her movements were quick and silent as she closed the distance between them, her dagger appearing almost as if by magic in her hand. Without warning, she struck at the shadowy figure with lethal precision, driving her blade deep into his heart. With a sickening gurgle, he collapsed to the ground, lifeless.

When you turned back to where Leonine Misbegotten had been standing moments ago, you saw Melina leaning casually against one of the fallen pillars, her face expressionless. "That took care of our immediate threat," she said quietly, pulling her dagger free from the dead man's chest with a wet sucking sound. "But we still have much to do, Eve. Are you ready to continue?"

Melina raised an eyebrow as you pulled the massive greatsword from its scabbard. "The Grafted Blade... That's quite a find," she said admiringly. "It'll serve you well, I'm sure." She paused for a moment before adding, "Now then, back to business. Do you remember the path we were taking earlier? Leading us deeper into Castle Morne?" She gestured vaguely ahead, indicating the route they needed to take. "We must press forward if we hope to reach the tapestry before anyone else does."

Nodding grimly, Melina led the way through the shadow-filled corridors, her movements almost fluid as she effortlessly avoided traps and pitfalls that would have caught less cautious explorers unawares. Despite your own growing proficiency in battle, she remained watchful and alert, ever ready to defend you should the need arise. As they progressed deeper into the heart of Castle Morne, the atmosphere grew steadily more ominous, the air thick with a sense of foreboding that even the most battle-hardened of veterans might find unsettling. But you didn't hesitate, trusting Melina's guidance and knowing that together, you could face whatever challenges lay ahead.