His cloak billowed in the stale wind as his boots crunched over rain-soaked cobblestone. After hours of wandering aimlessly, Cassian finally reached his last stop for the day—a quiet town nestled miles beyond the kingdom's border. It wasn't much, but it was far enough. Far enough from the knights hunting him. For now, at least, he was safe. He approached a food vendor, offering no greeting, no unnecessary words. A silver coin clinked onto the wooden counter—enough to buy the entire menu. Still, Cassian chose only what he needed: cooked steak, some jerky, and a few meals that would last on the road.