Settling into Shadows

As he descended the hill he saw a village and he could see the houses and the smoke drifting lazily from the chimneys, and the people moving about in the town square, "Finally!!," he said as he sighed with relief. His stomach growled with hunger, and his thirst parched his throat. He had been searching for a place to rest and replenish his supplies.

His eyes scanned the village, taking in the layout of the streets, the position of the buildings, and the movement of the people. He spotted a large stone well in the center of the town square he ran towards it to get a sip of water, the well was surrounded by a cluster of wooden buildings that didn't look right to him.

He slowed his approach, his caution taking hold. he had learned to be wary of others ever since his betrayal and made sure to trust no one. But the promise of food and shelter proved too enticing to resist. His gaze moved from the Empirical Knights to a nearby Tavern named Dragons Den. His stomach growling in anticipation.

He took a deep breath and pushed open the heavy wooden door and stepped into the warm and lively atmosphere that was inside. The sign above the door had depicted a sturdy sword and shield, and the aroma of roasting meat and freshly brewed ale had drawn him in like a magnet.

As he entered, the patrons turned to look at him, their faces of curiosity. Kaito's eyes scanned the room, taking in the rustic wooden tables, the roaring fire pit, and the barkeep polishing a mug with a white apron.

He spotted an empty stool at the bar and made his way over, his stomach growling with anticipation. The barkeep, a stout man with a bushy beard, greeted him with a warm smile.

"What can I get for you, young man?" he asked, looking at him in his torn and tattered clothes.

"Unfortunately I don't have any money one me right now," he said since he didn't even know the currency of the world he was in. The barkeep, whose name was Grimbold gave him a drink and some bread and said it was on the house, he then regaled him with tales of the Azure Dragon Sect's recent activities, and the whispers of a powerful new cultivator in the area and the thing that was most shocking to Kaito was that it was the heiress to the Ryujin Family one of the Five Great Families.Kaito listened intently, his ears perked up with interest.

A burly warrior almost the same age as Kaito with a scar above his eyebrow named Asmir sat next to him,"You're a warrior, eh?" the man said,"What brings you to these parts?"

Kaito smirked, "Just passing through," he said, "Is that so, " he said with a smile,"I know the feeling. I'm on a quest to find the legendary Asteria Jewels. Have you heard about them?"

Kaito looked at the man, "Asteria Jewels? Never heard of Them." Thee barkeep looked at both of them," If you guys want to know more about the Asteria Jewels you should go to Master Wong's place, he knows a lot more than anyone in Trayvon but remember one thing he might be old but his strong enough to take down a Saber Wolf. "

Both men looked at each other with a fierce stare, without a word they stood up and walked out together the tension between them grew thicker. They eyed each other sideways their gazes darting banco and forth like rapiers. It was a challenge to see who would reach the house of the Master first.

They both ran in the same direction, Grimbold's friend,Safira, who watched them as they ran asked, "Do they even know where their going," Grimbold laughed, "They'll figure it out eventually......I hope. "

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