Kael tried to continue eating, but it was becoming difficult.
Every bite felt heavier than the last.
His mind kept drifting toward the hooded man sitting by the window.
The stranger had not moved from his seat.
He quietly drank from his cup, his face still hidden beneath the shadow of his hood.
But Kael could feel it.
The man was watching them.
Mira, however, appeared calm.
She slowly finished her stew and wiped her hands with a cloth.
"Relax," she whispered without looking at Kael.
"You're staring at your food like it's about to attack you."
Kael lowered his voice.
"How can you be so calm?"
Mira shrugged slightly.
"Panic makes you predictable."
She picked up another piece of bread and took a bite.
Across the room, the mysterious man finally moved.
He set his cup down on the table.
Then he slowly stood up.
The wooden chair creaked softly as he pushed it back.
Kael stiffened.
"He's moving," he whispered.
"I can see that," Mira replied quietly.
The stranger walked across the room with slow, steady steps.
Every movement was calm and controlled.
He stopped beside their table.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Kael slowly looked up.
The man's hood still covered most of his face, but Kael could see a short beard and sharp eyes hidden beneath the shadow.
The stranger studied them both.
Then he spoke.
"Two young magicians," he said quietly.
His voice was deep and calm.
"That's not something you see every day."
Kael's heart jumped.
Mira leaned back in her chair.
"So you noticed."
The man tilted his head slightly.
"You weren't exactly hiding it."
He glanced briefly at Mira's hands.
"Fire magic."
Mira's fingers twitched slightly under the table.
"You seem very confident for someone approaching two magicians," she said.
The stranger smiled faintly.
"I've met many magicians in my life."
Kael frowned.
"Who are you?"
Instead of answering, the man pulled out the empty chair and sat down at their table.
The innkeeper glanced over but said nothing.
Travelers often shared tables in small inns like this.
The stranger lowered his hood slightly.
Kael could now see his face clearly.
He looked to be around forty years old, with dark hair streaked with gray and calm, observant eyes.
"You can call me Rowan," the man said.
Mira didn't relax.
"And why exactly are you interested in us, Rowan?"
Rowan folded his hands calmly on the table.
"Because," he said, "the Highlands are looking for you."
Kael froze.
Mira's eyes narrowed.
"You seem very well informed."
Rowan nodded.
"Word travels quickly."
He leaned slightly closer.
"Two young magicians attacked Highland soldiers in Raven's Crossing earlier today."
Kael felt his stomach tighten.
"So you're here to turn us in?" he asked.
Rowan chuckled softly.
"If I wanted to do that, the soldiers outside would already be here."
Kael blinked.
"Soldiers?"
Rowan nodded toward the window.
"Three of them arrived ten minutes ago."
Kael's heart began pounding again.
"They're checking the road."
Mira remained perfectly still.
"You're surprisingly helpful for a stranger."
Rowan smiled faintly.
"That's because I'm not your enemy."
Kael exchanged a glance with Mira.
Neither of them fully trusted the man yet.
Mira crossed her arms.
"Then why warn us?"
Rowan leaned back in his chair.
"Because I know where you're going."
Kael's eyes widened.
"What?"
Rowan's calm gaze shifted toward Mira.
"You're heading for the mountains."
"To find the hidden city of magicians."
Silence fell over the table.
Mira's expression darkened.
"That information isn't supposed to be public."
Rowan nodded.
"It isn't."
He paused for a moment.
Then he spoke quietly.
"That's why I'm offering to guide you."
Kael stared at him.
"Guide us?"
Rowan smiled slightly.
"The path to that city is not easy."
"There are traps, hidden guards, and more Highland patrols than you can imagine."
He looked at Kael carefully.
"You won't survive the journey alone."
Mira leaned forward slightly.
"And why would you help us?"
Rowan's expression grew serious.
"Because the Highlands have ruled this continent with lies for far too long."
His eyes hardened.
"And it's time someone finally challenged them."
Kael felt the fire inside his chest stir again.
For the first time since entering the inn, he felt something else as well.
Hope.
But Mira still looked unconvinced.
She stared at Rowan carefully.
Then she asked the most important question.
"How do we know you're telling the truth?"
Rowan smiled slightly.
Then he quietly placed something on the table.
A small silver pendant.
Kael's breath caught in his throat.
It looked almost identical to the pendant his father had given him.
Rowan looked directly at Kael.
"Because," he said calmly,
"I knew your father."