CHAPTER 25: CHASING MASTER SYLAS

Kai tried to push his way through the crowd. Just then, a horse-drawn carriage passed in front of him. It was covered, with several men on horseback in black cloaks riding both ahead of and behind it.

Kai couldn’t take his eyes off them. None wore a white cloak. He didn’t recognize any of them, but they were calling out the name Sylas.

And they were on horseback. He was certain his master was there. Or perhaps the man was inside the carriage?

"S-Sorry..." Kai shoved aside a large man blocking his view. He couldn’t afford to lose sight of his master.

"M-Master..." he muttered, struggling to push his way through the thickening crowd.

"Hey, watch it!" a man shouted, irritated by Kai’s sudden push.

"I-I’m sorry..." Kai bowed quickly in apology, but his mind was still fixed on the carriage that was now growing more distant.

Master...

Kai dragged his feet forward, forcing himself to move faster, ignoring the pain. He just wanted to see his master. That longing overpowered his body’s protest.

The crowd had begun to thin, though some lingered in clusters, gossiping. They paid no attention to Kai, limping as he pushed through them.

He was exhausted. His breathing was labored. A cough forced him to stop. Looking up, he found himself at the market’s last stall. Ahead, there was nothing. The cavalry had vanished. Only a few people wandered by, some casting curious glances at his strange behavior.

Kai lowered his head. His legs trembled. The brief spark of hope that had made his heart race had once again been extinguished. Still, he kept walking, hoping he could catch up with the group somehow.

Meanwhile, Obi was frantically searching for Kai. He’d been distracted, daydreaming about the palace entourage, when he realized Kai was no longer in front of him.

He had scoured the entire market. The slave was nowhere. Exhausted, Obi collapsed beside his cart, trying to catch his breath.

Was this his chance? He could go home and say Kai had vanished. It wasn’t his fault, was it?

But he was worried. Where had the slave gone? How could he disappear so quickly? Even in a market this large, Kai’s steps were slow. It didn’t make sense.

Obi took another breath. His chest still pounded from the search. He had to make a decision—should he go back?

He finally decided to head home. He pushed the cart quickly through the market and toward the forest that led back to the manor.

But after barely ten meters, he stopped. His hands tightened on the cart handle. He couldn’t do it. He couldn’t leave Kai behind.

"AAArrghhh! Where is that slave?!" he muttered in frustration, turning the cart around. He began searching every corner of the market again.

The sun blazed overhead. Obi was beyond exhausted.

"Hey, kid! What are you looking for? I’ve seen you going back and forth," said an old man from a cloth stall, watching Obi curiously. His shop was on the far edge of the market, where few ventured unless they were passing into the forest. He quickly sensed Obi was either lost or troubled.

Obi turned to the old man behind the fabric piles. "Sir, did you see a young man limping?" he asked, though he doubted it would help.

But the man’s reply gave him hope.

"Oh, I saw him head toward the forest," he said, pointing to the trees ahead.

Obi turned to look. In the daylight, the forest still appeared dark and foreboding. He swallowed hard at the thought of entering it.

The forest marked the border between the village of Randan and the capital. It was one of the largest in Valigria and steeped in terrifying legends. Some claimed a witch settlement lay deep within. Many simply called it the Dark Forest.

There was a safer way to the capital—a main road carved through the forest. It was brighter, more secure. Most chose that path unless they had no other option.

Obi stood still, restless. What was Kai doing in the forest? What was he thinking? Was he trying to escape?

If that was the case, why not just say so? Obi would have helped him. Why make things harder? Now what—enter the forest or leave?

Annoyed, Obi stepped into the woods.

The old man’s eyes widened in surprise as the boy left his cart and walked into the forest alone.

"Hey! Don’t go in there!" the old man shouted in warning.

Obi knew he shouldn’t. But he couldn’t abandon Kai. Maybe he’d regret this later.

He followed the grassy path, noticing the tracks of a cart and horses. He followed them. Already, he could feel the chill of the forest air, his hair standing on end. He was still near the edge.

He froze as the sound of many horse hooves reached his ears. He looked around.

Empty.

But the sound came again—faint but distinct. He shivered at the possibilities. What if it was bandits?

Obi ran behind a massive tree, choosing to walk among the trunks.

"KAAAAIIIII!!" he shouted.

He didn’t know how long he’d been walking when he spotted a shadow ahead. The footsteps were uneven, sharp in the forest’s silence.

The horse sounds grew clearer. Obi exhaled in relief when the figure ahead came into view.

"KAI!!" he cried, overjoyed.

But through the dense foliage, Obi also saw a group of men in black masks on horseback. His eyes widened in shock.

Kai, startled by Obi’s voice, turned—just as the boy grabbed him and yanked him behind a tree. Kai let out a muffled cry as he tripped on a root and fell, but fortunately, his body landed out of sight just as the masked riders passed along the path in front of them.

Obi clutched his knees to his chest, heart pounding. Whoever they were, masks meant danger. He didn’t want to die here.

He didn’t dare look. Only when the sound of hooves faded did he finally breathe again.

Kai knelt beside him, watching the pale-faced boy. Kai was surprised too, but not nearly as afraid as Obi. In fact, had Obi not pulled him aside, he might have approached the group to ask about his master.

"Are you crazy?!" Obi shouted once he caught his breath.

Kai flinched, nearly falling back at the harshness of Obi’s voice. He shrank away, frightened.

"Where have you been?! Do you want to die out here?!" Obi snapped.

Kai looked lost and afraid.

"You left me in the market! Where did you go?! You’re really causing trouble!" Obi said, his voice filled with frustration.

Kai was silent, his head bowed.

"Don’t you know this forest is dangerous?!" Obi barked.

Kai swallowed hard. He knew he’d made a mistake. He had left Obi without thinking—his only thought had been to chase after his master.

He winced as Obi stood, expecting a blow. He closed his eyes in fear.

But Obi just brushed dry leaves from his clothes.

He looked at Kai, still trembling on his knees. Though he was angry, seeing the slave again made it hard to stay that way.

"Don’t ever do that again. Do you hear me?" Obi said, his voice low.

Kai didn’t answer at first, then nodded slowly. "I-I’m sorry..." he said, his voice choked.

Obi exhaled deeply. "Tell me—why did you go into the forest?" he asked once he calmed.

Kai looked down. He didn’t dare speak. How could he say he was chasing after his master?

"Answer me!" Obi demanded, still irritated.

Kai swallowed. "Uhm... I-I thought I saw my master..." he replied softly, cautiously.

Obi frowned. "Master Vlad? Out here?" It was hard to believe—Vlad never left his estate during the day.

Kai shook his head. "M-My master... before Master Vlad."

Obi stared at him, confused. "Your previous master?"

Kai nodded.

"He’s here?"

Another nod. Then Kai pointed toward the forest. "H-He’s inside the carriage..."

Obi didn’t understand. The carriage they saw belonged to the royal guard. Could Kai’s master be one of them?

"Why are you chasing him? You know you can’t serve him anymore," Obi said.

Kai bowed his head. He hadn’t thought that far.

Obi was silent for a while. Then he smiled faintly.

"Do you want to go back to your master?" he asked.

Kai looked up, his eyes revealing the answer, though he was too afraid to say it.

"If that’s truly what you want, I’ll help you. But don’t let Master Vlad find you," Obi said. It seemed like the best option. Kai would be happy to return to his master, and Obi would be glad to be free of the trouble.

He just had to make sure Kai’s master could protect him from Vlad.

Kai didn’t think that far ahead. He was just happy Obi was willing to help.