The towering man strolled leisurely through the remnants of the encampment. The entire place had been set ablaze, and the corpses were no exception. It was doubtful that anyone had escaped alive. He kicked aside the debris on the ground with his boot, hoping to discover some clue as to who was responsible. It would have been ideal to have a witness. He approached a corspe with a rope dart embedded in its back, extracted it from the body, and inspected it, raising his hat slightly. Handcrafted. This was a lead. The victim's backside placement of the dart indicated that the culprit preferred stealth. He must have been an assassin. Mercenaries were ruled out since they were typically hired by the military, unless someone was seeking revenge. They had all been caught off guard. The individual next to him was sprawled face down on the ground with a puncture wound in their back. The same injuries were present on several other corpses as he traversed the camp. He proceeded to the end and came across a female body that had suffered a gruesome death. He was told a mage was stationed here. This must have been her. Where was her book? They must have battled and they had stolen it. He surveyed the burn marks on the ground and the documents strewn about. They were likely searching for something.

He came to the conclusion that he was facing a cruel killer who was on a quest for something. When his pursuit was fruitless, he opted to set fire to the camp and conceal ever having been there taking the mage's book with them for whatever reason. Usually, an asssasin targeted a solitary victim, but this one appeared to relish taking lives. His gaze shifted towards a woodland perched atop the camp. He would commence his search there and pursue the culprit until he apprehended him. The man's ragged cape fluttered in the breeze as he strode towards the forest.

-------------

Our merciless killer was currently situated in a town close to a shoreline. A pleasant breeze occasionally swept the air around him. He had taken it upon himself to read the book, even though he had promised himself he wouldn't. He figured he'd barter it for something, but his inquisitiveness got the best of him, and he ended up reading it. There were all sorts of incantations in here and a description of what they did. Most of these had to do with elemental abilities, which made sense. There was a section he couldn't decipher since the words quite literally moved around the page. He'd be lying if he didn't attempt to use some of the incantations himself and end up looking foolish. It didn't deter him from attempting it, however.

Alik experienced another event when he had his swords and mask enchanted. Although the story is lengthy, it was worthwhile. Alik was indebted to Trix, the enchantress who performed the enchantments, for two favors, but he was unconcerned about them. Trix gifted him a crystal ball with which she could communicate. While surveying the vicinity, Alik returned the book to the pouch on his waist. The area was not particularly grand, but it was pleasant, with brick and stick houses. If one ventured close to the docks, they would likely smell like fish and leave with the scent of fish. The water was a beautiful, deep blue color that was pleasing to the eye. Alik contemplated living in such a place, which was peaceful, tranquil, and had enchanting views. The fishy odor was bearable due to the serene atmosphere. Alik did not know the name of the place, but that only added to its distinctiveness. A fresh layer of fog awaited Alik further up, beyond the docks.

While strolling near the dock, a band of men were exiting. Alik halted his steps until they had mostly cleared the way, then continued on his path. However, an individual was sprinting after them and accidentally collided with Alik. Their eyes met as he glanced back, and the person had a cigar dangling from his mouth with an amber eye fixed on Alik. Though it was only a fleeting moment, it felt like an eternity. Alik recognized him but had never encountered him before. A feeling of recognition filled him as they gazed at each other. The other's eyes momentarily flickered yellow before returning to normal. He hastily departed from Alik, his head down and coat trailing behind. What did he just witness? Alik pondered this as the individual vanished into the mist. Alik didn't dwell on it and proceeded while remaining vigilant of his surroundings. He couldn't remain there for too long, no matter how much he yearned to.

His stomach disagreed with this idea. He could experiment with the fresh characteristic that Trix had added to the mask. He could essentially consume people's vitality or aura to enhance himself; however, the outcomes were temporary and only an enhancement, but the mask had another feature to conserve the excess for future use if needed. The previous time, he was compelled to sense what his target was feeling, but now, people would be oblivious. Without the mask, it would be challenging to accomplish this without physical contact. Occasionally, he would be capable of imitating someone's voice or seizing power, but once again, it's not permanet. It was best he left it off.

He didn't want a temporary fix; he wanted something that could hold him. He needed to track down a food establishment, and sure enough, he found just that. A place for seafood. How predicatavle. Alik walked inside and saw everyone gathered around one man. He sat down at a table and ordered something as he watched the crowd talk.

"So how did your trip to Skull Island go?" The man took a puff of the cigar.

"I didn't find anything." It was just some old island."

"That's too bad. Where are you going next?"

"Don't know. Wherever the wind takes me, I guess. Can I get salmon or something?" He appeared to be well-liked. Based on their conversation, he was some kind of discoverer. An adventurer. Once his meal was ready, though Alik had ordered first, the man stood up and was about to exit when he spotted Alik sitting nearby. Don't sit here. Don't sit here. Don't sit here, Alik thought to himself. But the man went ahead and sat down in the seat opposite him. Alik inwardly cursed and fumed as he looked at the man with an expressionless face. He picked up his fork and began to eat the fish.

"So who are you? I haven't seen you around."

"A traveler."

"Oh. Same."

"Would you be interested in a job?"

"I have one."

"Ah." While they were conversing, a different gentleman entered the room wearing a ragged coat and a bulky cap atop his head. The other patrons whispered among themselves as he made his way over. Strix and Alik observed him intently as he plopped down in the seat at their table. They momentarily averted their gaze as he stretched out.

"Hello." He had a deep and slow voice.

"Hey." Strix mumbled. Alik didn't say a word.

"I'm looking for someone. Perhaps the two of you can help me." He looked between the two with a heated gaze. "Recently, an encampment for an army of Amorgia was burned to the ground. Everyone in that encampment was dead. Stabbed in the back. I'm searching for who did this. Has anyone recently entered this town or have you seen anyone acting suspicious?"

"That would depend on your definition of suspicious." Strix told him. "I wouldn't know. I've been gone for a while." The man turned to Alik.

"What about you? Have you seen any activity that would be deemed suspicious? Any newcomers?" He seemed to lean in closer to Alik. The food he had ordered finally got brought to him, with the man still staring at him.

"No." He said eating a piece of fish. The man leaned back.

"Alright. Thank you for your help. I'll be staying here for a few days, so let me know if you see anything." He said it and stood up, taking one last look at them before leaving. Alik and Strix looked at one another. Strix leaned in and raised a brow.

"You didn't?" Did you?"

"Of course not."

"Are you sure?" He said it with a smug grin.

"Why do you want to know?"

"I'm curious," Alik said as he hurriedly finished his meal and prepared to leave. Strix watched him leave the establishment. The person from earlier had asked about Alik and discovered that he had recently arrived. Strix confirmed this with the same establishment they were in. The person had to be Alik, and he had to be guilty. Strix watched as the man walked out and identified his objective. He went out to find his target and saw him walking alone. He believed that the book was on him, so he decided to take it back and kill him. It was going to be an easy task. He grabbed the short blade attached to his hip and approached the target, who often stopped to look around or slowed his pace. He wanted to make this easier for him. The target came to a full stop, appearing to be looking at something on the ground. The man rushed toward him and pinned him against the wall. As soon as he did so, he stabbed him in the stomach with his own knife, pushing it inside him. The man yelped in pain and lowered his blade toward him. Alik pushed the knife further in, and the man yelled even more. Alik shoved him toward the ground and left the scene before anyone could stop him.

Strix, who had been tailing the man shadowing Alik, hastily pursued him. He zoomed past the man lying on the ground, gasping for breath. Where did he disappear to? He spotted a tiny spot of white on the periphery of his vision and tailed it. He discovered Alik strolling around an unfamiliar neighborhood, seeking an escape route. He knew that someone was pursuing him and he couldn't remain here. He wasn't even certain if the man he knifed was deceased. There was always a possibility that they would send someone after him, even if he died.

"You need any help?" Strix whispered behind Alik. He threw a punch at him, which he caught. He squeezed his hand enough to break the bones, but Alik simply glared at him.

"What do you want?"

"To help with your situation."

"I don't need it."

"Are you sure?" He squeezed some more.

"Positive." Alik yanked his hand away from him.

"That was quite an impressive tactic you used there. Acting vulnerable to make him drop his defenses. Well done."

"He's probably not dead. I should have gone for his neck."

"Maybe. Maybe not. If people are after you, there's a chance someone is at the top ordering them to come after you. You should trace it there."

"Is there a reason you're trying to help?"

"I am a sucker for a good adventure. This is going to be one of many to come. I'm not out to gain anything."

"This isn't a game."

"Who said it was? Adventuring is my life. I take it as seriously as you take your job. Why don't we work together? Can't you use the help?"

"Hm." How was he considering this? He didn't even know this man. Could he trust him? He didn't seem to have any motives. He just wanted an adventure. If that was all, would it be so bad to let him help? It'd probably help this go by a lot faster, and he certainly couldn't return to the castle with people after him. "You can come."

"Good. We should start with him. Whoever he is. We'll interrogate him and get information."

"What if he doesn't tell us anything?"

"We'll kill him."

"And be back at square one."

"If our theory about a group pursuing you is true, they'll send another.."

"And we'll do the same thing until we get answers."

"Exactly."

"Some plan."

"It's the only plan we have."

"You seem excited about this." A little too excited.

"What can I say? I love adventures."

"Mhm."

While conversing, the previous gentleman received medical attention for his injury. Fortunately, he had on a coat of chainmail beneath his garments. He was seated upright in someone's abode after being discovered on the ground. The inhabitants were scurrying about, endeavoring to assist the unfortunate fellow. He couldn't comprehend why they were making such a fuss over a stranger they knew nothing about. Conceivably, he could have deserved to be stabbed. As he lay in bed, he recalled the incident. He had miscalculated his attacker, which was a significant error. He wouldn't make the same mistake twice. Following this, he would locate and ensure that the asssassin was deceased. He saw another individual trailing him. He couldn't discern the details since he had lost consciousness. Did his assasin have an accomplice, or was someone else in pursuit? If it was the latter, it would simplify matters. The alternative would be chaotic.

He couldn't simply remain still here and allow his target to gain an advantage. He rose from his bed and groaned a bit. It was painful, but he would persevere. He placed one foot on the floor, then the other, before standing up. He attempted to stand but ended up collapsing back onto the bed. He needed a bit more rest for the time being. It was difficult for him to acknowledge. He wouldn't let the assassin emerge victorious. After a few more days, he was back on his feet and left in the middle of the night with his belongings. The assassin had already gained an advantage, so he had a lot of ground to cover. He speculated and assumed that he had departed as soon as he realized he was being followed, indicating that he was aware of his presence. His guard would be up, and he would be constantly on the move, searching for any indication of his presence. Excellent. He wanted the assassin to be at his best when he took his life.

He would know the taste of swift justice. Anyone who attacked or rose up against Amorgia would know pain. This wasn't just about justice though. This was bigger. The entire reason he was here was to get the book. Killing him was optional. As he was starting his journey to track down Alik once more, he was still near coastal towns with Strix. He had opened the book against his better judgment and tried to decipher the moving words on the page. It was a great way to pass time. Strix glanced over at the book. "Where did you get that?"

"From a woman."

"Why did she give it to you?"

"She didn't."

"You took it?"

"I killed her. Is there anything else you want to know?"

"Just asking. Are you sure no one noticed it was gone when you killed her?" Alik paused.

"I'm not sure."

"Hm. I'd hold onto that tight if I were you. Looks valueable. Maybe you can use it."

"I doubt it." Maybe Trix would be interested in it, and she'd trade the book for a favor. "What's the plan?"

"Get to the closest town and wait there. We wait until he arrives, and then we pounce." He clapped his hands together. "We question him, and if he doesn't tell us what we want to know, we kill him. If he does, we kill him anyway. It'll take some time for them to send someone else after you."

"I suppose."

"We can get a head start and get to the leader of this whole thing."

"This seems too easy. We'll see."They arrived at a diminutive settlement that seemed inconspicuous and peaceful. Ideal. Where was he? It was approximately the third day, and he had yet to appear. Was he attempting to unnerve them or purposely delaying? Finally, the man arrived and inquired about any recent arrivals, but no one admitted to seeing anything. Strix had bribed nearly everyone. Nevertheless, there was one source he had overlooked. The man approached a group of young children playing in the soil. They all scattered, except for a little girl who gazed up inquisitively at the man.

"Who are you?"

"They call me The Hunter. Who are you?"

"Why do you wanna know?" She looked at him skeptically.

"Because it's only polite, but I understand. Has anyone new entered recently?"

"Maybe."

"What do I have to do to get you to tell me?"

She hummed. "I wanna wear your hat."

"My hat? You don't want money?"

"I want the hat."

"It's too big."

"I don't care." The hunter sighed and placed his hat on the girl's head.

"Two strangers have been hanging around here. I see them talking to each other all quiet. I think they're at some inn."

"Thank you. You have been very helpful." He took his hat back.

"Hey! Give it back." He tossed some money at her.

"Buy your own." She girl stuck her tongue out at him. He walked toward the only inn in town and questioned the owner about it.

"Sorry. No one's asked for a room."

"Are you sure? I've been told they came here."

"You were told wrong. Now get lost."

"Are you aware you're housing a criminal?"

"So?"

"He killed men who had families. They're all gone now, and do you think he won't come after you? Do you think that just because you've gotten a little bribe that you're safe? He'll turn on you any second and think nothing of it. You have a family. I'm sure you have children. Do you want them to be fatherless?" The man had started to perspire and gestured for the other man to accompany him. They ascended the stairs to the chambers while he utilized a key to unlock the door. The man wiped a droplet of sweat from his forehead as he scrutinized the room. Nobody was present, and there didn't appear to be any indication of anyone being there.

"Who purchased this room?"

"Two gentlemen. Didn't give me their names."

"Did you see them walk into this room?"

"No. I don't follow customers upstairs." The hunter hit the doorframe, causing the man to jump and sweat some more.

"Thank you." He left the inn and continued his search.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.