Chapter 7 – The Road Ahead

  The morning sun cast long shadows as Viktor and Kaavi prepared to leave the vilge behind. The vilge had provided a brief respite from their journey, but the dangers still loomed rge. After the information they had gathered, the tension between them and the bandits had only grown.

  As they packed their belongings, Kaavi’s mind was sharp, already plotting their next moves. Viktor stood beside him, his usual curiosity and perceptiveness in full dispy. He noticed the tense set of Kaavi’s shoulders, the way his grandfather’s gaze lingered on the horizon as if searching for an invisible threat.

  "Grandpa," Viktor spoke up, his voice steady and filled with an underlying seriousness. "What do we do if the bandits catch up to us?"

  Kaavi paused for a moment, considering the question. His voice was low, almost a murmur. "We don’t fight unless we have to. Our priority is to stay hidden. But if they do find us, we will not let them take us easily. They’ll want to control me, Viktor. They want to force me to use my powers. And that’s something I will not allow."

  Viktor nodded, his eyes narrowing. He wasn’t a child anymore, and he understood the gravity of their situation better than anyone. His mind worked through the options, his thoughts sharp and methodical. "I’ll help you, Grandpa. We’re in this together."

  Kaavi smiled, a rare softening of his usually stoic expression. "I know you will, Viktor. And I’m proud of you for it."

  They set off on the road, the path leading north through rolling hills and sparse forests. As they walked, the ndscape changed, becoming more rugged and remote. The further they went, the more the world seemed to narrow—just the two of them, surrounded by the vast silence of the wilderness. Their steps were quiet, but the weight of their mission hung in the air.

  The day passed slowly, with only the occasional rustle of the trees and the distant cry of birds filling the silence. Viktor kept close to Kaavi, his eyes constantly scanning their surroundings. He was more alert than ever before, constantly on the lookout for signs of danger. The memory of the bandits and their unrelenting pursuit weighed heavily on him.

  As the sun dipped below the horizon, Kaavi finally spoke, breaking the silence. "We’ll stop here for the night. It’s safer to rest while it’s dark. We’ll resume the journey at first light."

  They set up camp in a small clearing, a secluded spot where the trees provided cover. Kaavi built a fire, its warm glow flickering in the dimming light, and they settled down for the night. Viktor watched the fmes dance as Kaavi prepared their simple meal, the crackling of the fire providing a comforting backdrop to their tense silence.

  "Grandpa," Viktor asked after a long pause, his voice quieter now. "How did you end up in hiding all those years ago? You never told me much about it."

  Kaavi’s movements slowed, and for a brief moment, he seemed lost in thought. His gaze drifted towards the fire; his expression unreadable. "It was necessary," he said at st. "When the enemies of my past found out what I could do, I had no choice but to disappear. They wanted to use me for their own purposes. I didn’t want you to grow up with that danger hanging over us."

  Viktor didn’t respond immediately. He had known, deep down, that there was more to Kaavi’s past than he had let on. But hearing it out loud, spoken so pinly, was a sobering reminder of the danger they were still in.

  "Are you worried about what happens next?" Viktor asked after a moment, his voice low.

  Kaavi took a deep breath, the weight of the question settling over him. "Worry is something that doesn’t help in situations like this. We face what comes, one step at a time. But I won’t let them take me, or you, Viktor."

  Viktor nodded, though there was still a nagging uncertainty in his chest. "And your old colleague… Do you think he’ll be able to help us?"

  Kaavi’s gaze hardened as he looked towards the northern horizon. "He owes me a debt. He’s the only one who can help us now. If the bandits continue their pursuit, we’ll need all the help we can get. I don’t trust anyone else."

  Viktor mulled over his words. He had met some of Kaavi’s old allies in the past, but he knew little about this particur one. The bond between them seemed to run deep, though—deeper than Viktor had ever fully understood.

  The thought of their journey growing more perilous weighed heavily on him, but he also felt a stirring of resolve deep within his chest. Whatever y ahead, he knew one thing for certain: he was ready.

  Kaavi finished preparing their meal, and they ate in silence, the crackling fire the only sound accompanying them. Once they had eaten, Kaavi leaned back against a tree, his eyes scanning the surrounding woods for any signs of movement.

  "Rest, Viktor," Kaavi said quietly. "We move at first light. We’ll need all our strength to reach the vilge tomorrow."

  Viktor didn’t argue. He knew Kaavi was right. As the night grew darker and the fire began to burn lower, he settled onto his bedroll, his thoughts still racing. But exhaustion soon overtook him, and sleep came, though fitful and restless.

  The morning came quickly. The sun had barely risen when Kaavi stirred, waking Viktor from a troubled sleep. They packed up their camp in near silence, the urgency of the situation pressing on them.

  By the time the first rays of sunlight filtered through the trees, they were on the move again, pushing northward toward the vilge Kaavi had spoken of.

  The road was long, but the distance didn’t seem as daunting with the knowledge that help was waiting for them ahead. Viktor gnced at Kaavi, noting the determination in his grandfather’s eyes.

  "Just a little further," Kaavi murmured. "Stay alert."

  Viktor nodded. Though the road ahead was still uncertain, there was one thing Viktor was certain of: they would face whatever came together. And no matter what the bandits wanted; they would not break them.