Up the misty highland curve, Johan spotted a hot spring inn nestled amongst the craggy mountainside.

"There, that should be a place with folks passing through," he said, reining his track to a stop.

Heydan nodded, his sharp eyes scanning the surrounding slopes. "Keep alert. Could be criminals hiding amongst the travelers."

Haruna tightened her grip on her katana, senses heightened for trouble. Silently they guided their steps up the steep, winding path, fog swirling around them.

At the inn's entrance, Hayden went first, hand on his sword hilt. He peered into the windows, where shadowy figures lounged inside. Low voices and laughter echoed from the walls. His companions joined him, weapons ready.

"Let's split up and gather intel," Hayden murmured. "We'll meet back here in an hour."

With quick nods, they entered the inn, blending into the crowd. Hayden kept his face neutral, eyes darting from person to person, looking for anything suspicious.

Hayden approached the front desk where a cheery woman greeted him.

"Welcome to our fabulous retreat! We've got hot springs, cozy beds, and hearty meals. What can I do for you?"

"I'd like to book a room for the night," Hayden replied.

The woman nodded, flipping through her log book. "We've got one single left, lucky you. That'll be 5 silver."

He paid her and took the key. "I'm traveling with two companions as well. We'd like to try the hot springs later."

"Wonderful! They're just up the path behind the inn. Let me know if you need anything else."

Hayden gave a polite smile and went to find his room. After depositing his pack, he headed back outside towards the hot springs. Wisps of steam rose into the late afternoon air. A few bathers lounged in the various pools tucked amongst the rocks.

He scanned the area but saw no signs of Johan or Haruna yet. He slipped into the water, letting the heat relax his tired muscles. But his mind stayed alert, listening for any interesting conversations happening around him.

This inn was a perfect place for gathering intel. Now he just had to keep his ears open for anything useful.

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Heydan slipped into his room, closing the door behind him with a quiet click. The day's investigation had been fruitless, leaving him disappointed but not deterred. He began unbuckling his armor when the door to the adjacent room opened and Johan emerged, skin flushed from the sauna.

As Johan passed, he leaned in close. "Look for T-Bone," he murmured under his breath. "Heard whispers about a traveling thug by that name."

Heydan didn't react, keeping his face impassive. Johan continued down the hall while Heydan mulled over this new lead. T-Bone. The name meant nothing to him yet, but if Johan had caught wind of him, he must be involved with the crime miles away.

After changing into lighter attire, Heydan headed downstairs. Dusk was falling, casting long shadows across the courtyard. Paper lanterns glowed warmly from the rafters as he wound through the tables, finally spotting Haruna sitting alone near the edge.

He joined her without preamble. "Any information about syndicate members?"

Haruna smiled thinly. "I thought you'd find me. I heard about a man passing through, maroon eyes and light armor. Could be something."

Heydan nodded. If this man was headed to Zan, perhaps their paths would cross. For now, he had another target

Around midnight......

Heyden jolted awake to the crash of his door flung open. Johan stumbled in, dragging a disheveled man by the collar.

"Look here's the man!" Johan slurred, shaking the man violently.

The captive's drunken laughter turned to sobriety. "Huh, what's going on?" he mumbled in confusion.

Heyden bolted upright, shocked to see Johan had worked so quickly. Without hesitation, Johan drove his fist into the man's gut. The man wheezed and crumpled.

"Was it you who robbed and killed a man miles from here?" Johan growled, punctuating his accusation with another heavy blow.

The man whimpered, struggling to form words through split and swollen lips. "I don't...I didn't..."

Johan's eyes were wild, his knuckles raw and bloody. Heyden leapt from his bed and grabbed Johan's arm before he could land another punch.

"Easy there," Heyden said firmly. "We need him conscious if we're going to get any answers."

Johan hesitated, chest heaving. He glared at the cowering man with unchecked rage.

Heyden tightened his grip on Johan's arm.

After a tense moment, Johan relented with a curt nod. He released the man, who crumpled to the floor, moaning.

Heyden knelt down. "You're safe now," he said gently. "But you need to tell us what happened. The truth."

The man looked up, eyes wide with fear. Blood dripped from his mangled face as he began recounting his story.

Hayden stared at the disheveled man before him, having a wild look in his eyes. "Name's T-Bone. I came from Zan, running away from her. She's a devil, I tell you, a devil."

T-Bone's voice cracked as he spoke, his hands trembling. Hayden's mind raced, filing away details - the strange name, the unknown location, the vague 'her'.

"Slow down, man," Johan said evenly. "Tell me what happened."

"Ain't got time for tales," T-Bone spat. "She's coming for me, I know it. Gotta keep moving."

He made to push past Hayden, who swiftly blocked his path. T-Bone scowled, his hands curling into fists. Hayden's muscles tensed, ready to act if needed.

They learned two things: firstly, the kunai belonged to someone else who had stopped mid-way pursuing T-Bone, and secondly, he was the one who robbed the traveler when he was caught off guard. They took his possessions and returned to their rooms for the rest of the night.