Sai asked, "Do you have anyone you trust right now?"

  Elira hesitated for a moment before replying, "My father can help... but we need to move quickly. It will take two days to reach him."

  Sai nodded, understanding the urgency of their situation. They had survived an attack, but they were far from safe. Staying in one place for too long was a risk they could not afford. He turned to the remaining soldiers, assessing their condition. Though weary and battle-worn, they were still capable. The horses had miraculously survived the chaos, and while the carriage bore signs of fire and damage, it remained functional.

  Without wasting any more time, they set off.

  As they traveled through the dense forest and open plains, Sai found his thoughts drifting back to his first kill. He had taken a life, and though the act itself did not paralyze him with guilt, it had left a mark.

  The journey was not without its challenges. On the second night, they encountered a group of bandits lurking near the edge of the road, eyeing their carriage with ill intent. Sai was quick to sense their presence, his heightened perception catching the subtle rustling in the trees long before an ambush could take place.

  "We’re being watched," he murmured to Elira, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

  She stiffened but gave a slight nod. "Can we avoid them?"

  Sai observed the terrain. They were on a narrow path with dense undergrowth on either side—ideal conditions for an ambush. "No. They’ll attack the moment we turn away. We deal with them here."

  The battle was swift and brutal. Sai moved with lethal efficiency, his blade cutting down those who dared challenge him. The soldiers backed him up, their discipline keeping the skirmish contained. By the end of it, their attackers lay lifeless on the cold ground, their blood soaking into the dirt. Sai didn’t flinch as he wiped his blade clean.

  Elira watched him with an unreadable expression. "You fight like someone accustomed to battle."

  Sai didn’t answer immediately. "I fight to survive. That’s all."

  She didn’t press further, but he could sense the questions lingering behind her eyes.

  Two days later, the city came into view. The towering walls of Vaelthorne rose in the distance, a symbol of power and influence. The transition from the wild roads to the structured streets of nobility was stark. Merchants lined the roads, hawking their wares, while finely dressed nobles moved through the marketplace with practiced grace. The scent of fresh bread, roasted meat, and exotic spices filled the air, yet Sai paid little attention to any of it.

  His focus remained on the meeting ahead.

  As they neared the gates of the Vaelthorne estate, the guards instinctively moved to halt them. However, the moment they caught sight of the noble crest emblazoned on the carriage, their demeanor shifted. With a brief exchange of glances, they stepped aside, allowing the vehicle to pass without question.

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  Beyond the gates lay an opulent mansion—an imposing structure of stone and marble, its grandeur fitting for one of the most powerful noble houses in the region. The carriage rolled into the vast courtyard, coming to a halt at the grand entrance. The doors swung open, and a group of well-dressed attendants stepped forward.

  Elira stepped out first, moving with the practiced ease of someone who belonged there. Sai followed, his expression unreadable. He had no interest in the intricate chandeliers, the polished marble floors, or the gold-trimmed tapestries lining the halls. All of it was nothing more than a backdrop to the real purpose of their visit.

  A steward, an older man with a neatly trimmed beard, greeted them with a respectful bow. "Lady Elira, your father is in the study. Shall I announce your arrival?"

  "There’s no need," she replied curtly. "We’ll go to him now."

  The steward hesitated but ultimately nodded, stepping aside. As they walked through the halls, Sai observed the subtle details—the way the servants cast curious glances at him, the way the guards stationed throughout the estate remained ever-vigilant. This was a place of power, but also a place of caution.

  Upon entering the mansion, the children were separated, escorted away by attendants to ensure their safety. Elira barely reacted, as if she had expected this. Sai, however, made note of it. The children were safe for now, placed under the care of the estate’s trusted servants.

  When they reached a pair of large wooden doors, the guards stationed outside initially moved to block their way. But after recognizing Elira, they swiftly stepped aside and pulled the doors open.

  Inside, the study was dimly lit by the warm glow of a fireplace. Towering bookshelves lined the walls, filled with old tomes and records of noble affairs. Sitting behind a massive oak desk was Duke Aldric Vaelthorne.

  He was an older man with sharp blue eyes that carried both wisdom and cold calculation. His presence alone demanded respect. He glanced up from the documents in front of him, his gaze shifting from Elira to Sai in an instant.

  Elira took a deep breath. "Father, we need your help."

  Duke Aldric leaned back slightly, his expression unreadable. "You arrive unannounced, bring an unknown guest, and expect me to simply agree without explanation?" His voice was calm but firm. "Explain, Elira. And make it quick."

  Sai remained silent, locking eyes with the Duke, reading his reaction. This was a noble with experience, not someone easily fooled. Aldric’s gaze was piercing, assessing him with the same scrutiny one would give a potential threat.

  Elira hesitated only for a second before she spoke. "We were attacked. I barely escaped with my life. And this man," she gestured to Sai, "is the reason I’m still alive."

  Aldric’s gaze didn’t waver. "And who, exactly, is he?"

  Sai spoke for the first time. "A traveler who happened to be in the right place at the right time."

  Aldric’s lips curled slightly, though it wasn’t quite a smile. "A traveler who can fight off assassins and bandits with ease? That’s quite the coincidence."

  Sai didn’t blink. "Call it what you will."

  The room fell into a heavy silence. Aldric studied him for a moment longer before turning his attention back to Elira. "You wouldn’t have come here if you didn’t believe the threat was real. So, tell me, who was behind the attack?"

  Elira’s expression darkened. "I don’t know yet. But someone wants me dead. And they were willing to send killers after me to make it happen."

  Aldric tapped his fingers against the desk. "Then we must assume the worst. You’ll stay here until we determine the threat. As for your... companion." He looked at Sai once more. "I trust you understand that trust is not given freely in this house."

  Sai nodded. "I wouldn’t expect it to be."

  Aldric held his gaze for a moment longer before finally nodding. "Very well. You’ll both stay. But understand this—if you bring danger to my house, you will answer for it."

  Sai smirked faintly. "I’d expect nothing less."

  The meeting was over, but Sai knew this was only the beginning. Danger still lurked in the shadows.