Eyes of the Dragon

Chapter 05

The market district was near the center of the city, between the main gate and the docks. Its placement was appropriate, it was the beating heart at the center of the winding body of Darmane. The market consisted of three long, wide streets surrounded by shops that faded into a network of spider-web roads and dead-end alleys. Street vendors crowded in a dense press of humanity that made it difficult to see very far away.

Tian had difficulty navigating through the thick crowd, his natural instincts towards politeness keeping him from pushing people out of his way. Kayla had no such problem and took the lead, clearing a path that stayed open just long enough for the young monk to follow her. His heart beat a fast pace in his chest as he contemplated his rematch with the Serpent. Their last fight had been close, but before his distraction Tian felt like the tide shifted in his favor. With a second chance close at hand, he wondered if that perceived advantage had been only in his head.

At first as they passed through the market Tian gazed warily at every stranger they passed. Not only was it exhausting, but soon Kayla pulled him close and roughly whispered in his ear, "Stop that! If you keep glaring at everybody it'll alert the Serpent. Just pretend we're out shopping, and learn to look without looking."

Tian gave a reluctant nod. Every instinct in his body told him to be on-guard against his enemy, but Kayla was right. Without luring him into the open it might be impossible to catch the Serpent before he found out that someone was looking for him. It took an effort, but Tian focused on pretending to shop with Kayla.

Soon enough it took less effort as the pair made their way through the marketplace, looking over the many wares. The vendors made every trinket out to be a lost treasure, but Kayla was quick to deflate their overblown talk. Whenever they did find an item of real value it was usually priced much too high, at least according to her. Tian wondered if she really felt that way, or if it was simply a part of their cover so that they could continue moving through the market without stopping to purchase. Regardless of the truth, Kayla's entire focus seemed to be on shopping, so when she very briefly whispered in Tian's ear it was unexpected, "There is a man following us, don't look, he has on a large grey-hooded cloak. It might be a pickpocket, or it could be our man. I'll flash him the guild sign, if he doesn't respond then it probably is him."

Kayla casually turned to face the direction of their hooded watcher. She stretched her neck and at the same time brought her hand across her belt and made a strange gesture. It was intricate, but also very quick. If Tian had not expected it, he might have dismissed the movement as some sort of idle fidgeting.

Apparently the hooded figure felt the same way, because he gave no response to the movement and instead appeared to turn his attention back to the vendor near him. Kayla finished her movement and then casually turned back to face Tian. Her eyes widened and she gave a very slight nod. They continued walking, only they turned down one of the many small alleys leading off the main road. Once there they turned to the right once again and then flattened against the wall to see if their pursuer had followed.

Long moments passed as Tian waited for the man, and just as his anticipation got the better of him, the hooded man entered the alley. Kayla readied a throwing dagger that had been hidden somewhere on her person, but Tian laid his hand on hers and shook his head, "I must have him alive to answer my questions."

He moved to step out to face the figure, but Kayla caught him and whispered fiercely, "You can't just walk out there. Let's ambush him, it's too dangerous."

"No. I need to do this to atone for my prior failure."

She looked at him as if he were crazy, "If we surprise him, it'll be much easier."