Kairos watched them one by one. His eyes were sharp, missing no small detail.
He could feel their exhaustion, the lingering smell of sweat mixed with blood on their clothes, and the gaze in their eyes full of doubt, anxiety, and also fear.
However, most importantly for Kairos, they had all crossed a line. They had taken human lives, seen blood, and obeyed his orders without much protest.
And that was a good first step.
"Rest," Kairos commanded in a calm voice, yet containing a firm tone that could not be denied. "Two hours. After that, we move again."
Jaxon immediately collapsed onto the cold cave floor. He leaned his back against the rock wall, trying to calm his still pounding heart. His mind was blank, too tired to process everything that had happened.
Finnan examined his new bow, his fingers gently stroking the bowstring. There was a strange glint in his eyes, a kind of hidden satisfaction.
Meanwhile, Mira sat silently in a corner of the cave, hugging her knees. Her face was still pale.
Occasionally, she glanced at Ronan, who was still talking to the captive, as if her nausea had not completely faded.
Ronan himself seemed tormented. He struggled to utter words to interrogate the wounded captive, and repeatedly wished to leave him, but Kairos made sure he couldn't.
The information on supply routes that Ronan had obtained was very important and useful. Kairos, now standing near them, let him speak, occasionally interjecting with short, sharp questions, ensuring no information was missed.
"Good," Kairos commented, after Ronan finished. "You have potential, Ronan. Don't waste it."
Ronan just nodded stiffly, hearing Kairos's praise, his eyes still staring blankly ahead. He felt as if something had been torn inside him.
He was a noble, accustomed to luxury and political intrigue, not murder and prisoner interrogation, especially if Kairos were to order him to torture to get answers someday.
Kairos stood up and walked towards the pile of weapons and items obtained from the captives, in one corner of the cave. He chose several swords and checked their sharpness.
"Weapons are an extension of yourselves," he said, without turning around. "Take care of them as you take care of yourselves. For they will save your lives."
He then threw a short sword towards Jaxon. "Clean it. By tomorrow morning, I want to see it gleaming."
Jaxon caught the sword by reflex. Its hilt felt cold, and the remaining blood on its blade felt sticky. He nodded stiffly, then began scraping off the dirt on the sword with a cloth belonging to the fallen soldiers from the pile.
To Finnan, Kairos threw several quivers full of arrows. "Examine your bow carefully. Make sure the string and limbs are in prime condition. I will test your archery skills tomorrow."
Finnan smiled faintly, his eyes sparkling. This was the kind of task he liked, one that involved practical skills.
For Mira, Kairos pointed to some plants near the cave entrance. "Look for herbs that can reduce swelling and bruising. We will need them."
Mira nodded, a little relieved to get a task that did not involve violence. She moved quickly, starting to identify the plants Kairos mentioned.
Ronan received no tasks. Kairos simply let him sit, as if giving him time to process the new experience he had gained.
Perhaps he believed Ronan would learn from it, and act better than before.
Two hours passed quickly. The sun had risen higher and the cave became a little warmer. The smell of mud and moss mingled with the scent of metal and a faint lingering smell of blood.
"Time to move," Kairos announced, his voice breaking the silence. "Jaxon, you lead the way. Stay vigilant. Finnan, at the back, erase our traces. Mira, in the middle, guard the captive. Ronan, you are beside me."
They all got up, packed their remaining belongings, and left all the steel equipment in the cave. They all still felt tired, but a new kind of discipline was beginning to form.
They began to understand the consequences of their future disobedience.
***
The journey was long and not one of them spoke. They traversed dense forests, descended steep hills, and crossed small rivers.
Kairos did not say where they were going, only occasionally giving vague directional instructions.
Jaxon led the group carefully, his eyes scanning his surroundings, looking for any potential danger. He tried not to think about the bodies they had discarded, or the last scream of the Veridian soldier he had killed while still trapped in the net.
He tried to focus on his steps, on the sound of fallen leaves under his boots, and on the heavy sensation of the sword tied to his back.
It was different for Finnan; he moved nimbly, his eyes and ears very alert. He could hear every broken twig, or every small movement in the bushes.
He greatly enjoyed the sensation of his new profession, although this time, everyone felt they were under the pressure of the hunter, Kairos, who seemed keen to test them.
Mira walked tensely, her hand gripping the dagger on her wrist tightly. She felt uncomfortable being near the captive, even though the man was just quiet and stared blankly ahead.
And Ronan, who was beside Kairos, felt very uneasy. He glanced at Kairos, trying to read his ever-flat expression.
What did this young man want from him? Why were his eyes like a reptile's back on the bridge?
With their own thoughts, they finally arrived at a small abandoned village, hidden in a valley. Dilapidated wooden houses stood empty, and wild plants grew everywhere.
"This is our temporary base," Kairos said, looking in all directions. "Jaxon, clean one of the sturdiest houses. We'll spend the night there. Finnan, build a simple defensive perimeter around the village. Use whatever you find. Mira, find a source of clean water. And, Ronan, I will give you a special task."
Kairos looked at Ronan with his cold blue eyes. "You will interrogate this captive further. I want all details about the Veridian military strength in this area. Troop numbers, weapon types, movement plans, and more. Don't let him rest until you get everything I want."
Ronan swallowed hard. "B-but... I already got the supply routes, didn't I?"
"That's not enough," Kairos interjected flatly. "Veridian is our enemy. The more we know about them, the greater our chances of survival. Remember, your family's lives."
Ronan swallowed hard and nodded slowly, his shoulders slumping. He knew there was no point in arguing, because Kairos's words were always true.
They all dispersed, carrying out their respective tasks.
***
The sun began to set, painting the sky with shades of orange and purple. Thin smoke curled from the house Jaxon had cleaned, where they would cook a simple meal.
Kairos sat on a large rock in the middle of the village, observing his men. Jaxon worked tirelessly, Finnan had completed most of his traps, and Mira had returned with clean water.
Ronan was still inside the house, his voice faintly audible. Kairos smiled faintly, almost imperceptibly. They had all shown progress. Still raw and still doubtful, but they all had potential.