Kaelen had walked for days, following the twisting paths of the forest, before finally emerging into the bustling town of Delmar. The streets were crowded with merchants, travelers, and common folk, all going about their business with a sense of purpose. The air was thick with the scent of fresh bread, the distant clatter of carts, and the hum of conversation.
The town, situated at the edge of a larger trade route, was known for its market. It had a way of drawing people in, but Kaelen wasn't here for the goods. He was here to rest, to gather what little information he could, and to keep moving. The journey ahead was long, and the shadows of his past were never far behind.
As Kaelen moved through the crowd, his senses sharpened. He had learned to blend in, his cloak pulled low to shield his face. He kept his eyes forward, moving through the sea of people, staying alert.
Suddenly, a figure darted through the crowd, bumping into Kaelen's shoulder with a surprising force. Kaelen's hand instinctively went to the hilt of his sword, ready for trouble.
"Hey, sorry about that!" the figure said, glancing up with wide, almost frantic eyes. The man, no more than twenty, was dressed in a mishmash of scavenged armor and clothing, his face flushed with the telltale signs of being chased. His breath came in sharp gasps as he tried to push through the crowd, but it was clear that whoever was after him wasn't far behind.
Kaelen stepped back, studying the stranger. His eyes were sharp, a mix of curiosity and caution. "What's your hurry?" he asked, his voice low.
The man shot a glance over his shoulder, and for the briefest moment, Kaelen saw the look of fear in his eyes. "Nothing personal, mate. Just don't want to be caught," the stranger said, his voice a little too casual for someone in a panic.
"By who?"
Before the stranger could respond, a group of men in uniform appeared at the edge of the crowd, scanning the area with trained eyes. They were soldiers, but not the kind that belonged to Delmar. They were from the kingdom of Verlyen. Kaelen could tell by their distinctive black and gold uniforms, marked with the symbol of the Emerald Throne.
The man stiffened, but then, without warning, he grabbed Kaelen's arm and yanked him to the side, pulling him into a nearby alley.
"Come on, we've gotta move. They're not gonna stop til they get us," he said, his voice urgent but light-hearted, as though this was a game he couldn't lose. ' Who's us? ' Kaelens thought to himself.
Kaelen didn't protest. He followed the stranger, not sure what to make of the situation. The man's energy was contagious, but Kaelen kept his guard up, knowing that appearances could be deceiving.
The alley was narrow, and the noise of the town faded into the background as they moved deeper into the shadows.
"You're not exactly subtle," Kaelen remarked, his eyes scanning the way they'd come. "If you keep running like that, they'll catch you in minutes."
The man grinned, slowing down only slightly. "Maybe. But it's more fun this way, don't you think?"
Kaelen raised an eyebrow. "You're not taking this seriously."
"Why should I?" the man responded with a shrug. "It's just a bunch of guys who don't like me very much. Besides, I'm just trying to survive the day. Who needs to be all serious and grim?"
Kaelen felt a slight irritation tug at his patience, but he hid it behind his cool demeanor. He wasn't sure what to make of the man, he was an enigma wrapped in a smile and a careless attitude.
"What's your name?" Kaelen asked, still keeping his voice low.
The stranger looked over at him and, after a moment of thought, answered. "Shawn. And you?"
"Kaelen."
"Well, Kaelen, how about we get out of here and figure out how to shake these guys off?" Shawn's grin was almost maddeningly carefree.
Kaelen's response was a sharp nod. "Lead the way."
They walked deeper into the alleys, avoiding the main streets as Shawn continued to talk, telling Kaelen about his "adventures," a jumble of half-truths and wild exaggerations. Kaelen barely responded, his attention split between the task at hand and Shawn's endless chatter.
Suddenly, Shawn stopped mid-sentence and held up a hand, silencing himself as he peered around the corner. Kaelen tensed, sensing that something was off.
The soldiers had found them again.
They were walking slowly down the street, unaware that Kaelen and Shawn had doubled back. Kaelen could hear the faint murmur of their conversation, too quiet to make out, but the soldiers' presence was a warning.
"Perfect," Shawn muttered under his breath. "Guess it's showtime."
Kaelen narrowed his eyes, watching the soldiers with cold calculation. They were too many to face head-on. It was clear that Shawn had some tricks up his sleeve, but Kaelen wasn't about to count on that.
Suddenly, without any further warning, one of the scouts, the one in the back with a pair of binoculars turned and looked right at them.
"Well, well, looks like they've noticed us," Shawn said, his voice dripping with irony. "Guess I'll have to keep you entertained for a bit longer."
Kaelen's gaze locked on the scout. He wasn't going to let them catch either of them. He shifted his weight, ready to move, when something unexpected happened.
Shawn turned to Kaelen, his grin fading, eyes darkening with sudden intent. Without warning, he grabbed a spear from his back, a quick flick of his wrist, and.
The spear flew with deadly accuracy, whizzing through the air and striking the scout with binoculars dead in the head. The impact was so forceful that it pinned him to the tree behind him.
The scout's body jerked once, then went limp, his lifeless eyes staring at the sky. The rest of the soldiers froze, their heads snapping toward the scene, but before they could even react, Shawn was already pulling another spear from his back.
"Well, that was fun," Shawn said, his voice oddly cheerful for the situation. "Shame he won't be walking around anymore."
Kaelen stared at the body, then at Shawn. The young man's grin was back, but there was something darker lurking behind those carefree eyes.
Kaelen didn't say anything for a long moment, then muttered, "You've got a strange way of handling things."
Shawn shrugged. "Hey, sometimes you've gotta do what you've gotta do. Now, let's see what else we can shake loose."