---
He slept in a crevice for three hours. He dreamt of Mia welcoming him at the gate.
Kai perched on a ridge. Ahead, the desert ended; scrub plains rolled under violet dawn, punctuated by twisted basalt pillars. In the distance shimmered a lone fortress ruin, ancient termite bastion, rumors said now it was occupied by mercenaries beast man.
The system arrow pointed straight at it.
"Well, traitor," Kai whispered, "you found yourself new friends."
He estimated the distance, two, maybe three days' marches if he skirted patrolled valleys. "Eight days left. Plenty of time to kill him."
He knelt, tapped pouch: "Miryam, quiet now. Things will get loud from here."
A soft heartbeat pulse answered. He set off at a trot, mind sharpening into kill-focus, spear thirsty, timer ticking:
[Reaming Time: 8 days 11 hours 17 minutes ]
