Ground blurred beneath Kairos's feet as he leaped from one roof to another. Dawn was approaching, and after an entire night spent running across the village, he was almost at the stable. The village, now much brighter, could reveal his position any time.
He could already hear people waking up. Kids running around houses, adults waking up from creaking beds.
One jump after another, he moved as fast and silently as possible. Now, all that remained was to find the cultists, and his main target, the "grandmaster." A smile tugged at his lips.
The east sky brightened. The stable was nearly in sight, but before he could drop to the ground, voices carried to his ears:
"That's exactly where he should be, I swear!" said one voice.
Kairos immediately recognized the bartender from yesterday.
"Maybe," muttered a second voice. "But all we found is a bag with supplies and other stuff. Are you trying to fool us, Arne? You do realize false alarms are against the law, right?"
Kairos froze. "Bastard was planning to sell me in the morning. Clever, most would be asleep, but not me."
"No, I swear he was different," Arne insisted. "His eyes, they didn't… they didn't look normal!"
"And that's the only reason you called me, because of someone's eyes!?" the guard snapped. "Enough. I'm taking you to the garrison with the bag. I'll need to consider every option. And if he shows up for it, I'll give it back."
"He's lying," Kairos thought. "He wants to steal my stuff and can't risk the bartender talking. I can't afford to lose my belongings, not now, not when I'm so close." His hand trembled slightly. Should he risk exposing himself over a bag? On the other hand, everything, food, money, tools, was there. The cultist meeting could happen weeks from now. Going without anything would be a death wish.
He dropped silently into one of the nearest alleys and melted into the shadows immediately.
"No, Hans, you have to believe me. He was there. I saw him yesterday with my very own eyes, and there was just something…"
"Enough! Let's go, Arne. And don't try anything fun…" the guard started.
The bartender looked confused. Then fear filled his eyes as a sword tip slowly emerged from his chest, right at his heart.
Arne fell backward, paralyzed with terror, cold sweat starting to cover his face. "N… No, please, I...I'm sorry I informed them. Please don't kill me," he begged silently, his hands trembling.
Kairos ignored him. The sword slid out, letting the body collapse. Another step, and he caught the man reaching for his pockets.
"Look, I can give you your money back. Just please don't kill me. I have famil...."
Before he could finish, his eye was pierced to the skull by Kairos's sword. He quickly pulled it back, leaving the two dead on the ground.
No time to hide the bodies, nor did he care. To him they were just two dead strangers. He grabbed his bag and ran.
*****
The sun was near its zenith when Kairos paused for a small break. Trees surrounded him, and cold air filled his lungs. He could smell the pure air, without a hint of alcohol or smoke nearby.
The sounds of small animals moving under the snow filled his ears, an owl hunting nearby, a squirrel making sounds in a hollow.
"This could be a good place to rest."
After a night of near-constant running and jumping, a quick rest, and a meal, wouldn't hurt.
The main road to the salt mine was nearby, far enough to remain unseen but close enough to see it. His speed surpassed most humans, yet he wasn't sprinting. Getting tired before reaching his destination would be fatal. Cultists—specifically the grandmaster, could gather at any moment, and meeting them while trying to catch one's breath is not a good idea.
Kairos settled against a tree and pulled a piece of bread from the bag.
"A quick meal won't hurt anyone," he thought, before noticing a piece of mold on it. "Well, guess I'll have to cut it out."
Then a noise made him freeze in place. His hand flew to the sword hilt, muscles tensing instantly. The sound stopped, leaving only silence.
"What was that?" he whispered. Definitely human footsteps. Not an animal.
A voice came from behind. "Hello there!"
Kairos spun around and jumped back, drawing the sword from its sheath midair.
In front of him stood the doctor from that night, smiling calmly.
"How the hell?!" His right hand pointed the blade. "Who are you? And how did you sneak up behind me?!"
"Oh, don't worry. Name's Conrad. As for the other… I just walked behind you. Nothing more."
"He's spitting lies, yet I can't sense it," Kairos thought.
Conrad raised his hands slightly. "I bear no ill intent. I saw you eating that dry bread and thought, 'Maybe you'd like some company.' That's it."
Kairos narrowed his eyes. "Why should I trust you?"
"Don't have to. I won't poison or attack you, I give you my word. Just a simple invitation."
He hesitated, evaluating the man. The heartbeat, the tone, even the calmness suggested honesty. On top of that, if he wanted to, he had a chance to hurt him. Kairos didn't notice him until the last moment. All it would take is just one stab in the heart and… better not to think about that.
Finally, he lowered the blade slightly. "Fine. But don't try anything funny."
"Oh ho, so you're that type," Conrad said "Unfortunetly for you people say I am a very funny person." He added with a smug smile.
Kairos's eyes narrowed with annoyance.
"By the way, what's your name?" Conrad questioned.
"…Karl," he muttered in response.
"Nice to meet you, Karl. Let's go."
*****
The scent of food guided them toward the doctor's camp. A horse stood under a tree, and near the campfire, Agnes stirred a pot of pottage while humming to herself.
"Ah, you're back, doctor!" she said, smiling and waving at him.
"Yup. Brought a guest. We'll have to share," Conrad replied.
"That's fine," the girl said.
"Agnes, this is Karl. Karl, meet Agnes. We're traveling to the salt mine. Feel free to join if you're going there."
"I remember you from yesterday, mister," the girl said, pointing at him.
"Much more energetic than before," Kairos observed. They waited for a response, but he only sat down away from them.
He couldn't trust them yet. The doctor was the first person ever to sneak behind his back like that. Even if they probably aren't part of the cult, being careful wouldn't do him any harm.
"Well, looks like our guest isn't talkative," the man said. Agnes nodded in agreement.
"Anyway, here's food," Conrad proclaimed, handing Kairos a bowl of pottage.
At first, he smelled the stew and tasted a bit of it, seeing if his tongue would go numb. When it didn't, he finally took a sip.
Both Conrad and Agnes closed their eyes and pulled their heads down. Kairos blinked, confused. They stayed like that for a minute or so. When they looked back at him, the doctor said:
"Oh, that? We were just praying. You are not religious, my friend?"
He looked away and began eating; the soup didn't have any taste. Like all food he ate in the last couple of years.
"Maybe traveling with them isn't bad. If guards chase me, they can testify I'm with them."
Before he knew it, the pottage was gone.