The inn's common room smelled of smoke and something distinctly medicinal that made Rowan's nose twitch with interest. He sat cross-legged on a cushion, sorting through their new supplies while Hui Fan spoke in low tones with the innkeeper.

"The rest of our crew will arrive by dawn," Hui Fan said, returning to their table. "We'll need two rooms for the night."

"More people?" Rowan perked up, then remembered he was supposed to be examining the stitching on their new Frost Drake-hide boots. "I mean, that's good. Very practical. More people means more... people."

"Eloquent as always, doctor." Liu Shen materialized from nowhere, making Rowan jump.

"I specialize in medicine, not words," Rowan muttered, looking down. "Though speaking of medicine, the waterproofing on these is fascinating. The scales are treated with some kind of resin I've never seen before.”

"Careful with those—" Liu Shen eyed Hui Fan from the corner of his eyes. "Frost Drake hide's worth more than my yearly salary." Hui Fan could feel Liu Shen’s judgement from the back of his head and turned towards them.

"Really?" Rowan squinted at the iridescent scales. "But I saw at least three pairs in that shop."

"Exactly." Hui Fan's voice went quiet in that particular way Rowan was learning meant trouble. "More than there should be, this far from their hunting grounds."

A chill that had nothing to do with the evening air crept up Rowan's spine. "You think someone's—" "Time for bed." Hui Fan stood abruptly. "Doctor, you're with me. Liu Shen, take first watch."

“Tsk-” Liu Shen walked towards their wagon.

Rowan gathered his supplies, trying not to think too hard about sleeping arrangements. Or about the way Hui Fan's hand hovered near his back as they climbed the stairs, like he was ready to catch him if he tripped over his own feet again.

The room was small but clean, with two narrow beds and a window overlooking the street. Rowan immediately claimed the one by the window, dropping his medical supplies within easy reach. He'd learned that lesson after the merchant caravan incident.

Rowan gathered his supplies, trying not to think too hard about sleeping arrangements. Or about the way Hui Fan's hand hovered near his back as they climbed the stairs, like he was ready to catch him if he tripped over his own feet again.

The room was small but clean, with two narrow beds and a window overlooking the street. Rowan immediately claimed the one by the window, dropping his medical supplies within easy reach. He'd learned that lesson after the merchant caravan incident.

"You should sleep," Hui Fan said, settling into a meditation pose by the door. "Tomorrow will be... busy."

"Sure, sure." Rowan was already pulling out a book on rare creature classifications. "Just let me finish this chapter on Inanilupus umbra, or shadow wolf, pack dynamics—"

"Rowan."

He looked up. The martial artist's eyes seemed to glow in the dim light, like a cat's. Or something larger.

"Sleep."

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Rowan opened his mouth to argue, then caught something in Hui Fan's expression. "Fine. But wake me up if anything interesting happens."

"Naturally."

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

The interesting thing happened around midnight.

Rowan awoke to Hui Fan's hand over his mouth and the sound of breaking glass from downstairs. He blinked, mind already cataloging the contents of his medical kit. Hui Fan's face was inches from his, eyes fierce in the darkness.

"How many sleeping darts do you have left?"

Rowan held up three fingers. Hui Fan nodded and removed his hand.

"What about that thing you used on the pickpocket?" He whispered.

"The paralytic? Two doses, but—" A crash from below cut him off. "Okay, technically three doses if you count the experimental batch, but I haven't tested the proper dosage for anything larger than a—"

The door burst open with a crack of breaking wood. Three figures in Shadow Wolf pelts rushed in, metal glinting in their hands. Hui Fan moved like water. The first attacker went down before Rowan could even process what happened. One moment Hui Fan was beside him, the next he was flowing between the attackers. His movements were carried no wasted motion and no hesitation.

A sword clattered to the ground. Then another. Then a body.

Rowan had seen death before—he was a doctor after all. But never like this. Never so... immediate. His analytical mind kicked in, a defense mechanism perhaps, noting the precise angle of Hui Fan's strikes, the way he protected vital points while targeting others.

The last attacker backed toward the window. Hui Fan's hand shot out, quick as a snake, and there was a wet sound that Rowan's medical knowledge provided far too many details for.

Hui Fan stood among the fallen, his breathing steady. In the moonlight, his hands gleamed dark. When he turned to Rowan, his eyes were different—harder, older somehow.

"Are you alright?" His voice was gentle, at odds with what Rowan had just witnessed.

"I—" He stopped, realizing he was shaking slightly. "Yes. I'm fine. That was... efficient."

Something flickered in Hui Fan's eyes—regret? Concern? But there was no time to analyze it as more footsteps thundered up the stairs.

"My books—" Rowan started, trying to focus on something normal.

"Priorities, doctor."

"These are my priorities! That's a first edition on Void Beast anatomy!"

Hui Fan made that sound that might have been a laugh or might have been exasperation. "Your books will be fine," Hui Fan said, already moving toward him. Before Rowan could grab more than his essential medical supplies and two precious books, strong arms wrapped around his waist.

"Liu Shen has the rest of them. Hold on."

They were out the window and onto the roof before Rowan could point out that holding on was technically unnecessary given Hui Fan's grip, but he wrapped his arms around the martial artist's neck anyway. You know, for safety.

Liu Shen met them on the roof, somehow carrying all their supplies. Including, Rowan noticed with relief, his books.

"Six of them," he reported. "All wearing Shadow Wolf pelts."

Hui Fan's arms tightened fractionally. "Hunters."

"They seemed very interested in our new boots."

"The resin," Rowan blurted. Both men looked at him. "The waterproofing? It's not just resin. There are traces of void energy in the molecular structure. I noticed it earlier but didn't think... um." He became very aware that Hui Fan still hadn't set him down. "We should probably run now?"

"Run," Hui Fan agreed, and they did.

They quickly made it to the stables. Their horses were already saddled, and three more riders waited in the shadows.

"You're late," one of them said, then paused. "Why is the doctor being carried like a sack of rice?"

"Don't ask," Liu Shen muttered, already mounting up.

Hui Fan finally set Rowan down, keeping one hand on his shoulder until he found his balance. "Introductions later. We ride north."

Rowan swung himself into the saddle, mind already racing with questions about void energy signatures and illegal hunting operations and the lingering warmth of Hui Fan's arms.

The sun rose fully as six riders fled from the trading port.

"So," Rowan called to no one in particular as they rode. "Does anyone want to explain why those hunters had void-infused boots? Or why they were tracking us? Or why there are apparently Shadow Wolves in a trading port? Or—"

"Doctor," Liu Shen's voice carried from somewhere ahead. "Focus on riding."

"I am focused! I can focus on multiple things at once. It's called multitasking. Speaking of which, did anyone grab my book on void energy manifestation in—"

The sound of multiple people sighing was lost to the wind as they rode north, toward mountains that loomed against the morning sky.