Chapter 11: The rival
Sayra yanked Mikael into the alley, footsteps thundering behind them. Her uncle's men had moved faster than expected, swords drawn and ready to kill.
They ducked behind a stack of crates. Her father hissed through his teeth, pressing a hand to the bleeding graze on his side.
> "We're not getting out of this clean," he muttered.
Three masked men turned into the alley. No warnings. Just cold blades and dead stares.
Mikael stepped forward, calm but tense.
> "Stay behind me," he said without looking back.
> "Please," Sayra scoffed. "You're not the only one who can fight."
The first attacker lunged.
Mikael ducked, caught the man's wrist, and slammed him hard into the stone wall.
Sayra was faster than the second attacker expected—her dagger slashed low into his leg. He dropped screaming.
The third attacker came next, raising his sword—
—but froze.
A hand had grabbed his wrist mid-swing. Calm. Steady. Effortless.
Then came the punch. A single, clean strike to the jaw.
The man collapsed.
Mikael looked up—and frowned.
A stranger stood there. Long black coat, red sash on his arm, a scar curling over his cheek, and his hair tied like he didn't care enough to fix it.
> "Yo," the stranger said casually. "Didn't mean to crash your little drama. But this guy was gonna ruin the scene."
> "Kaelam?" Mikael muttered.
> "In the flesh," Kaelam grinned.
> "Who the hell are you?" Sayra demanded.
> "Handsome mystery with good timing," Kaelam replied, brushing imaginary dust off his coat.
> "You know him?" Sayra asked, looking between the two.
> "Unfortunately," Mikael said flatly.
> "You catching up or running?" Kaelam asked with a grin.
Sayra's father groaned behind them.
> "We can talk later. More are coming."
---
They escaped through a back path Kaelam "just happened" to know, weaving through narrow alleys until the inn came into view. Once inside, doors locked, they sat in heavy silence, breaths still ragged.
Mikael stared across the room.
> "What are you doing here, Kaelam?"
Kaelam leaned back in a chair, tossed his boots on the table, and smirked.
> "Saw your cook acting shady, heard some poison rumors… figured something fun was happening. Guess I was right."
> "You're not staying," Sayra snapped.
> "Already unpacked. Top bunk's mine," Kaelam said, stretching.
Sayra's father pointed at Lino — the nervous cook they'd picked up in the last port.
> "Where were you during the fight?"
Lino froze. His hand shook. Sweat dotted his brow.
> "I—I was in the kitchen..."
Mikael stepped toward him slowly.
> "You're sweating like a man with something to hide."
Kaelam pointed casually to a dusty bottle half-hidden near the crates.
> "That your cooking spice?"
Lino's eyes widened. Panic.
> "They made me do it," he blurted. "They said they'd kill my family!"
> "You tried to poison us?" Sayra shouted.
Lino dropped the bottle. Glass shattered.
> "I didn't want to!"
Then he bolted.
Sayra pulled her dagger.
> "Let him go," Kaelam said without flinching. "He already made his choice."
Mikael looked at Kaelam, voice low.
> "And what choice did you make?"
Kaelam stood and stretched.
> "I chose fun. And you people are full of it."
> "You're not part of this," Sayra growled.
> "I am now. I called top bunk, remember?"
He turned toward the hallway, pausing at the door. Then, with that same grin, he peeked back.
> "You don't have to like me, blondie. Just keep up."
---
[To Be Continued]