The next morning, Kairos did not immediately return to the swamp. He knew his appearance as the "lost Prince Aerion" would cause chaos. He had to take advantage of the villagers' ignorance before his disguise crumbled or doubts began to grow in their minds.
He spent a few more hours at Marta's tavern, sitting in a corner, drinking bland tea, and listening intently.
He noted who whispered in fear, who showed eyes full of vengeance, and who displayed signs of blind resignation. Each individual was an open book to be read, and their every reaction was information for him.
Silently, he observed an older man, a blacksmith, who constantly complained about the lack of raw materials and high taxes. The man would occasionally spit on the floor whenever Therion's name was mentioned.
Kairos saw the anger through his teacup, a smirk appearing at the corner of his lips. He also saw a young woman, whom he later learned was a widow of an employee who worked at the Lyceum, staring blankly out the window, her eyes full of sorrow.
As noon began to shift towards afternoon, Kairos decided to leave. He could not spend too much time in one place. He had to keep moving, absorbing all the information he could get.
Carefully, he approached Marta, paying his bill with another silver coin.
"I must continue my journey," he said, with a prepared tone of regret. "Searching for... family who might have survived."
These words were the perfect excuse for his movements.
Marta, her eyes scrutinizing the coin now in her hand, nodded. "Watch yer back, Sir. Roads ain't safe. Don't trust nobody, not even Therion or Vaelgard acting all friendly."
An unnecessary warning for him, but useful for testing the woman's loyalty. Marta, clearly, was only loyal to coins.
Kairos nodded, then turned, stepping out of the tavern. He did not go towards the swamp, but walked to the edge of the village, observing the surrounding forest.
Before leaving, he searched for a less-traveled path, perhaps an old hunter's trail now abandoned.
Finally, he saw a gap between old trees, a barely visible crossing, heading northeast, a path that could potentially lead him deeper into Therion's territory, or perhaps past the outskirts of Vaelgard's territory.
Etheleum, where Therion's rats are...
The name of Veridian's capital echoed in his mind. He needed closer information from there, and a deeper understanding of the power structure, key players, and weaknesses he could exploit.
***
And that afternoon, he began to leave the remote village. He did not carry many belongings, only a knife and a few leftover coins from Aerion that were not very important to him.
His steps, though still feeling a little awkward, were now more steady. His muscles had begun to respond more quickly, and his senses continued to absorb every detail around him.
The sound of forest insects, the smell of wet earth, tiny animal tracks among the bushes—he absorbed it all. He was a hunter, and nature was his training ground.
He walked without a clear destination in the eyes of other humans, but with a very clear purpose in Kairos's mind. Every step he took was part of his training, and every observation was part of his information gathering.
He walked, avoiding main paths, staying away from the possibility of encountering patrols from either kingdom. He moved like a shadow, blending with the landscape, like a predator moving silently in its habitat.
As dusk began to paint the sky with orange and purple hues, Kairos found a small cave on the hillside, hidden by dense bushes, a perfect place to hide.
He entered, checking the interior. Damp, but dry at the back. There was a smell of earth and roots, no signs of occupants, old or new.
He sat cross-legged on the cave floor, at the back, closing his eyes. The magma fire at his core swirled, emitting a soothing heat.
While doing so, he replayed all the information he had gathered from the village. Names, places, complaints, and potential conflicts. He filtered it, organizing the important parts in his mind.
Baron Varkos, Duke Malkor, Bren the one-eyed, the Iron River bridge, Veridian's supply convoy under Therion's command, the potential rebellion that was beginning to gnaw.
All were puzzle pieces beginning to form a larger picture.
He envisioned a plan, a sequence of events, that would exploit all these potential conflicts.
But he knew, to do this, he must possess greater strength. This body must become a perfect tool for his draconic power. This body must be able to move undetected, wound without a trace, and withstand blows.
***
The sound was almost imperceptible. Not the chirping of insects, nor the rustling of wind. Just a faint rustle of displaced gravel, just beyond the curtain of bushes that concealed the cave mouth.
Kairos opened his eyes. The dense darkness inside the cave was not an obstacle for him.
His pupils dilated abnormally, observing his surroundings under the starlight and moonlight filtering through the gaps in the leaves at the cave entrance.
In his chest, the magma vortex at his core moved slightly faster, showing him to be more alert, like a predator waiting for prey to enter its trap.
He did not move, breathing almost silently. All his senses were focused on the source of the sound outside.
The sour smell of human sweat, the scent of leather goods, worn metal, and most clearly to him, he could smell fear.
Two? No, three people.
Although they moved very carefully, it was not enough to escape his senses.
They stopped just outside the bushes in front of the cave. Then muffled whispers were heard in hoarse, hushed voices.
"...here? Dead end, ain't it?."
"The tracks go right here. Maybe he's hiding."
"Or maybe some beast got him. This place... it smells off."
Kairos almost smiled. These people must have seen him leave the village, a nearly dead nobleman who could still pay a few silver coins.
Foolish and greedy people...
Suddenly, the bushes at the cave entrance were violently pushed aside by a short knife, glinting with rust stains. A foul face with small, lust-filled eyes emerged from the darkness, peering into the pitch-black cave.
His eyes hadn't adjusted yet, blind to Kairos's silent, rock-still silhouette in the deepest part of the cave.
Once accustomed, he saw Kairos sitting silently at the innermost end of the cave.
"He's here!" he hissed, his voice trembling between fear and excitement. "Alone, you bastard!"