Kenji walked along rustic cobblestone roads trailing through forests of pine trees. Birds chirped as Kenji observed them flying south, making their voyage to warmth during the coming winter. He felt the cool breeze across his face, but with it came the subtle scent of iron in the air.

  Kenji continued to follow the path till he eventually came to the remnants of a battle fought. He kneeled down to observe the blood on the path - dried. It's been at least 4 hours since it was spilled. Kenji looked at the corpses - two Regalis soldiers and three elves, though only one elf bore armor and a sword. The others had only their commoner clothes.

  Kenji checked the dead soldiers, who had stab wounds and slashes, though one of them had frostbitten flesh on one arm. Kenji knew the elves were trained in basic magic, such as shooting frost. He glanced at the elf in armor, taking note of what they're wearing - bronze metal plates to match their bronze sword. Standard issue for elf soldiers, but looking at the two other elves, Kenji can see that the elves weren't on the offense. Kenji couldn't understand what he was seeing. When he was in the service, it was a war crime to kill civilians. Perhaps these Regalis soldiers had gone against those rules. Or maybe they were collateral damage in a fight between soldiers. Kenji tried to hold his emotions still and hardened his heart as he began to check their pockets, finding some gold coins and a red potion. Kenji recognized the potion - healing. It could be useful, so he kept it. He continued down the path, but not before he took a final melancholic glance back at the elves. They were young, too.

  The sun set past the trees, an orange glow taking the leaves as Kenji watched the sky darken. He knew he must rest. He saw a patch of dirt next to the road sheltered by a tree. Kenji lied on the ground, then shut his eyes, but sleep never took him. Kenji tried for a few minutes, but he eventually sat up. He let out an exasperated sigh and then rubbed his eyes. His gaze lingered upward towards the stars. His eyes followed the night sky for about twenty minutes as he continued to count.

  When I couldn't sleep, Mother used to tell me to count the stars, he thought. Then, one star caught his attention as if it called to him. He looked at it as it glowed bright in the sky, then another matched its strength, then another. His gaze followed the stars till eventually he caught sight of the moon. It was full that night. His focused expression dropped to that of subtle amazement, his lips shaping a slight frown. He sighed. Why am I alone?

  Two weeks from that night, its the first day of Heimsdies - the winter month. It may be hard for the next ninety days. Kenji entered elven territory, marked by the transition of pine trees to that of a deciduous forest with birch and oak trees lining the path. From here on, he's in the danger zone. Elves weren't likely to attack a human citizen, but getting caught on the road could mean his end as he was wearing armor and owned a weapon. They'd attack, rightfully so as Kenji was here as an enemy, seeking to capture one of their own.

  Kenji looked to the sky and saw daunting clouds ahead. A storm was brewing and heading this way. Then he caught murmurs ahead - two voices. Kenji quickly ran behind a tree and hid. He spied from the tree as he watched two elven soldiers pass him by, but then they paused. Kenji turned to see why, and his eyes widened in shock. A red potion lay where he last stood on the path. Kenji frantically checked his bag and found a small opening within the stitches. Shit.

  The elf picked up the potion and examined it. The other began reciting some complicated language. Kenji peeked and immediately saw the elf casting a spell. Light emitted from their palm, and it grew around them. That might be a detection spell. Kenji rushed out and quickly drew his katana, slicing at the surprised elf's throat. Blood shot from his neck as he fell to the ground, gasping for air. The other elf drew his blade, but it was too late. In an upward slash, Kenji sliced his hand clean off, the bronze gauntlet falling to the ground with his blade in hand. The elf screamed in agony as Kenji sliced his throat open. It was over as both elves bled to death, their blood pooling around them.

  Kenji threw the blood off his blade in fluid motion. He looted their corpses, finding a bit more gold. Looking at the potion, he sighed in frustration. Kenji left their corpses behind till what he considered a safe distance, and then he sat down to stitch his pack up using some string and a needle.

  Suddenly, Kenji felt the raindrops sprinkling from the clouds above. He looked up and felt the cool droplets stream down his face as he closed his eyes and breathed in deeply before letting out a sigh.

  Kenji got up and looked around, wondering where he may find the location of his target. He looks past the trees and notices something in the distance - a building. Kenji walked slowly towards it, then got into a crouched stance as he drew closer. From behind a tree, he examined the place. It looked like a manor, and there were elven soldiers guarding the place. Kenji felt he had found his target, and so he pulled out his hunting knife, holding its hilt tightly.

  Their armor completely covers their body, though their necks are open, I must be careful. I must stay hidden.

  As the rain becomes a storm and the sky darkens, Kenji snuck forward, being careful with each step. He placed his feet on damp earth, though not so soft to sink his feet. Kenji came to the side of the manor, placing his back against the sturdy oak walls. He checked around one corner to see the front - two guards.

  Too risky.

  Kenji turned and crept to the back of the manor, where he spots a single guard. He grabs a stone off the ground and tosses it at the elf's leg, hitting his boot. Immediately, the elf turns.

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  "Who's there?" The elf demanded, his voice stern. "Be you a human or elf, you will face the end of my blade."

  Human or Elf? Is he not a soldier in the Elven Empire?

  The guard drew his curved bronze blade and approached the corner where Kenji was hiding. Kenji focused himself and gripped his knife tightly, listening closely to the approaching foe.

  The guard immediately attacked in downward arc as he turned the corner. But Kenji was ready. He caught the elf's blade on his dagger, pushing as he slid it along the edge of the sword, throwing the elf off guard. The elf opened his mouth, but Kenji immediately shoved his knife into his throat as he grabbed him, clamping his mouth shut as he pressed him against the wall. Kenji watched him struggle as he kept the knife in his throat. Eventually, the life faded from his eyes, and Kenji slowly lowered his body to the ground.

  Kenji checked the guard's pockets and took his keys. He approached the door stealthily and unlocked it. Kenji peeked into the manor, being presented with a hallway that passes a single door on the right before reaching a door at the end. There was also a left turn in the hallway halfway through. Kenji snuck forward, reaching the left turn. He peeked around the corner and immediately spotted an elven guard with his back turned. Kenji gripped his knife tightly, and then he quickly grabbed the guard by the mouth, clamping it shut as he plunged the knife into his throat. The guard struggled at first, but eventually, he went limp. Kenji lowered his body to the floor, but suddenly, a noise caught his ear – a door opening.

  Kenji turned to face an elven woman, not a guard, as she wore a green dress. He knew he must act fast. He swiftly ran toward her, prompting her to let out a brief scream before being held in a chokehold, Kenji's arm tightening around her neck. He waited till her struggles vanished, then he laid her on the floor. He pressed two fingers to the pulse on her neck – she's just unconscious.

  As he dragged her away from the door, he suddenly heard a door down the hall open. Kenji knew he'd find the dead guard. Then he heard a voice juxtaposed with the sound of a sword being drawn.

  "Fucking hell! I'll find whoever did this to you, Devlin."

  Kenji, acting quickly, hid behind the door as he waited for the guard to enter the room. His wait paid off as the guard walked in. Kenji lunged and shoved his knife into the side of the guard's neck. He clamped his mouth shut as he blood covered Kenji's hand. The guard eventually went limp, and he put him on the floor.

  Kenji leaned out of the room to check the hall. The door at the end was open, and there was no one in sight. He crept toward the door and entered what seemed to be a living area, complete with couches filling the center on a very large rug. He examined the room, taking note of the bookcases lining the wall, leading to a staircase against the wall. He, then, saw a door with a sign titled "Kitchen." Then there's the entrance. Kenji made sure to remember that there are two guards just outside those doors. Suddenly, his ears perked; he heard someone speaking in a different language – elegant; likely Elvish.

  Kenji quickly crouched behind one of the couches as a woman entered the living area from the kitchen, holding a child's hand – looking to be only about eight years old.

  "Upari gach, Aasha," she spoke, meaning "Go upstairs, Aasha."

  What the fuck is going on? I thought there'd only be soldiers.

  The child obeyed and swiftly went up the stairs. Kenji had lost himself in thought but quickly realized and centered his focus. The woman sat on the couch as Kenji stayed crouched behind her. He wrapped his arm around her neck tightly. She kicked as she attempted to open her airways to scream. Kenji held tight as her hand scratched at his face. With a slight tug, Kenji squeezed his arm tightly, and she went limp. Kenji made sure to check her pulse – she was alright.

  Suddenly, a scream erupted as another woman came out of the kitchen. Kenji looked in shock – eyebrows raised, mouth opened – as he realized she was there. The entrance doors slammed open, and swords were drawn as the two guards entered. Kenji jumped back from the couch as he threw his knife away and drew his katana, holding it steady in front of him.

  "You there! What do you want with the girl?!"

  "Not here for a girl," Kenji explained.

  "He's full of shit, Lyvel. Let's gut him."

  "Agreed."

  They both charged Kenji, but he quickly twisted to the left, swinging his katana with brutal force into one of their waists. When Kenji turned to face the other, the guard was looking in shock as he saw his friend's body, now made into two, cut by the waist. His organs lay in a pool of blood as he tried desperately to cry out in pain, as if pleading to the gods for mercy.

  "L-Lyvel..." he muttered, then he turned to Kenji with a furious, tear-stained glance. "Grr... you monster!"

  The guard swung wildly as Kenji swayed around each hit, dodging effortlessly. Then, suddenly, a hilt to the face knocked the guard off balance. As he looked at Kenji after catching himself, he saw the frightening red irises of his eyes, freezing him in place. Then it was over as Kenji swiftly sliced the guard's head clean off. Blood shot in an arch as his body fell to the floor, landing on his fallen comrade.

  Kenji looked at their fresh corpses. His expression dropped as he remembered that final glance the guard had given him. Kenji hardened his heart as he remembered he had a job to do. He looked toward the stairs.

  Kenji approached the top of the stairs, his steps quiet as he walked to the open left door at the end. He held his katana at his side with both hands, ready for an upward slash if needed. Kenji approached the door, and then suddenly someone jumped in front of him. Kenji slashed up without a second thought. Kenji stood in absolute horror as his mouth gaped open and his eyes widened. In front of him stood the woman from before, now with a large wash from the side of her waist to her shoulder. She tried to scream as blood poured profusely out of her mouth mouth before she dropped in mere seconds. Kenji looked at her hand – she had been holding a large kitchen knife.

  What have I done? No. She jumped in front of me. I... No. I have a job to do.

  Kenji heard a scream and a cry come from the room. He entered, only to notice nobody – just a queen-sized bed and a dresser. He quickly looked under the bed to find the child from before. The child wore a long-sleeved, dark green tunic with a hood that seemed to cover her long blonde hair. Kenji grabbed her arm and pulled her out. She immediately began hitting him in the face and arm as he held her firmly.

  "I won't hurt you. I just need to know if there are any more here?"

  "Maam munchatu! Dure gach!" She cried, tears pouring from her eyes.

  Dammit. I may have gotten the wrong house.

  Then Kenji spotted it, just underneath her tunic. Kenji moved up her sleeve and was immediately presented with strange markings that covered her arm. They seemed to portray vines growing across her arms. Kenji was suddenly hit with the realization. The elf he was meant to capture... was a child.

  Abruptly, Kenji heard voices outside. He looked out the window to witness two elf soldiers approaching the house from the back.

  "Get in there. Those fugitives have to be housing the girl here."

  Fugitives?

  Kenji looked at the girl, who had a furious yet scared look on her face. Then instincts took over and he grabbed her, but he was met with strong resistance. Kenji stopped briefly to organize a plan. He saw some roap on the dresser.

  I don't want to do this, but she'll alert those soldiers.

  Kenji tied the girl up with the rope, making sure to tie one around her head in her mouth. She tried to make noise, but all that came out was muffled screaming. Kenji grabbed her and left the house out the front. It was still pouring down. He went to the side of the house to grab his bag and left for the woods, moving quickly to create distance between themselves and the soldiers.

  Damn you, Rombart. Damn you to Hell.