“I see…” Kai replied, his voice steady but his mind racing with thoughts of the journey ahead.

  Despite the warnings echoing in his ears from Taimyr, Kai remained resolute in his intention to head towards Northend. The dangers Taimyr had described—giant creatures lurking in the shadows—didn't particularly concern him. Unless these beasts were spirit beasts themselves, he doubted they would pose any real threat. In fact, the prospect of encountering giant animals would be a boon; they would be a resource to his spirit beast menagerie. His carnivorous spirit beasts had voracious appetites, requiring substantial amounts of meat to thrive.

  During their travels, they had managed to sustain themselves, but Kai knew that if he lingered in one area for too long, his spirit beasts would quickly deplete the local game. The scarcity of qi in Zan had already forced them to consume more than usual, as the ambient energy was insufficient to sustain their needs.

  Yet, Kai was not about to divulge his plans to Taimyr. The man had shown him kindness and concern, and Kai could sense that he would do everything in his power to dissuade him from venturing into Northend. Instead, he decided to shift the conversation to a different topic—one that might pique Taimyr's interest and distract him from his worries.

  “What about the Frostlands?” Kai asked, his tone casual as he leaned back in his seat, trying to gauge Taimyr’s reaction.

  Taimyr's reaction was immediate and visceral. The big northerner actually recoiled slightly before shaking his head with such vigor. "The Frostlands?" he repeated, his voice dropping to a near-whisper. "If you're looking for a place to settle, that's the Maker's own mistake right there."

  He leaned forward, his massive hands gripping the edge of the table until the wood creaked in protest. "I've never set foot there myself - no sane person would - but other windriders who brave the northern routes say it's just... nothing. Endless ice, endless snow, and a cold so deep it steals the breath from your lungs before you can scream." Taimyr's eyes took on a distant look. "They say nothing grows there. Nothing lives. Not even the hardiest Northend creatures will cross into that white hell."

  Kai opened his mouth to respond, but Taimyr barreled on, his voice gaining intensity. "And that's assuming you could even reach it! You'd have to cross through the heart of Northend first." He shook his head again, more slowly this time. "No, my friend. I would not recommend going to that place either."

  The fire popped loudly, sending up a shower of sparks. Taimyr's expression softened slightly as he studied Kai's face. "You don't need to run that far. Whatever cultivator war is going on down south will not reach here. Cultivators never come this far north - the land itself rejects their kind. You're safe here." He reached across the table and gave Kai's shoulder a rough, brotherly shake. "The only thing waiting for you in the Frostlands is a frozen grave."

  A sudden gust of wind blew through the camp, carrying with it the faint, mournful howl of what might have been a wolf - or something far less natural. Kai found himself staring into the depths of his bowl, watching the reflections of firelight dance across the liquid’s dark surface.

  “Then, where would you recommend we go?” Kai asked, his curiosity piqued.

  Taimyr’s eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief. “You could come with us. You sound like a capable hunter, and the boy would be more than welcome. He’s young and could learn the way of a hunter or warrior. We would welcome you as part of the tribe.”

  At the mention of becoming a warrior, Lu Bu perked up, his eyes wide with excitement. The idea of wielding a weapon and standing alongside others in battle seemed to ignite a spark within him.

  Kai felt the offer hang in the air like smoke - warm, tempting, but ultimately insubstantial. He thought of his spirit beasts waiting in the forest shadows, of the quiet understanding between them that went deeper than words. "I appreciate the offer," he said at last, his voice steady but not unkind, "but I must decline." He hesitated, then added carefully, "Though... would your tribe consider taking Lu Bu in?"

  Lu Bu’s expression shifted to one of apprehension at Kai’s request. He looked up at Kai, uncertainty clouding his youthful features.

  Taimyr's bushy eyebrows rose as he studied Lu Bu with a hunter's assessing gaze. "The boy looks well cared for," he observed.

  Indeed, the changes in Lu Bu since Kai had found him were striking. Gone was the hollow-cheeked wraith of a child who had once stared at Kai with sunken, starving eyes. Regular meals - thanks to Kai's unconventional family of spirit beasts - had filled out his frame, and the perpetual shadows beneath his eyes had lightened.

  “I’ve been able to feed him,” Kai continued, “but there is a lot more to raising a child than I think I’m capable of. I can provide for him, but I can’t offer him the guidance he needs to grow into a strong young man.”

  Taimyr nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. "I see your meaning," he rumbled. Then, unexpectedly, he turned to Lu Bu with surprising gentleness. "Little hawk, what do you want?"

  The question seemed to startle Lu Bu. His grip on Kai's sleeve tightened momentarily before he shook his head violently, pressing closer to Kai's side as if trying to disappear into his shadow. The message was clear, written in the fearful tension of his small body.

  "Well then," Taimyr said with finality, "that settles that. The Windriders don't take people against their will. Not even for their own good." There was a story behind those words, Kai suspected, one written in the faint scars that criss crossed Taimyr's arms.

  Kai exhaled slowly, feeling the weight of responsibility settle more firmly on his shoulders. He absently rested a hand on Lu Bu's head, surprised to find the boy's hair warm from the fire. "I suppose... he did come from a farming community," Kai mused aloud. "Maybe the hunter's life isn't for him." He met Taimyr's gaze. "Do you know of any farming communities that might take in a child?"

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  “I know of plenty of such communities,” Taimyr said, his brow furrowing in thought, “but none I can guarantee would take in the boy.”

  “That’s fine,” Kai replied, trying to keep his voice steady despite the disappointment creeping in. “If you could point me to the nearest one, I would appreciate it.”

  “The closest one I can think of is north from here, in a town called Biragawa.”

  Kai’s heart sank at the mention of Biragawa. He had already been heading toward that town before he met Taimyr and his tribe. He had hoped to discover another community nearby that wasn’t marked on the map he had taken from Sato, but it seemed that the options were limited. The world felt smaller than he had anticipated, and the prospect of returning to a place he had already planned to visit was disheartening.

  “Hmm, thank you for the information,” Kai said, forcing a smile to mask his frustration.

  “If you want, you can travel with us,” Taimyr offered, his tone warm and inviting. “We’re not heading toward Biragawa, but we’re following the caribou eastward. The herd will eventually move to a place not too far from a town or city, and then you can depart from us there. It’s safer to travel with us than to try to make your way to Biragawa by yourself.”

  Kai considered the offer, weighing the safety of traveling with the tribe against his desire to reach Biragawa as quickly as possible. “Thank you for the concern, but I think I’ll still head toward Biragawa. I would really like to find a place to settle down soon. I’m not much for traveling.”

  Taimyr nodded, though a hint of disappointment flickered in his eyes. “If you insist. But at least let me give you some aid.” He turned to a middle-aged woman who had been tending to a nearby fire. “Noma, can you get some spare clothing that might fit our guest?”

  The woman named Noma nodded, her expression warm and welcoming, and she entered one of the nearby yurts. Kai opened his mouth to protest, but Taimyr raised his hand to stop him.

  “No, I must. Remember what I warned you about—the freezing rain. The least I can do is provide you with some clothing to help protect yourself.”

  Kai felt a swell of gratitude mixed with reluctance. “I appreciate it, but I don’t want to impose on your generosity.”

  “It’s not an imposition,” Taimyr replied firmly. “It’s a necessity. The weather can turn harsh quickly, and you’ll need every bit of protection you can get. Besides, it’s what we do in our tribe—we look out for one another, and that includes you.”

  Noma returned shortly, carrying a bundle of clothing. She handed it to Kai with a kind smile. “Here, these should fit you well enough. They’re warm and made for the cold. You’ll need them if you’re heading north.”

  Kai accepted the clothing, feeling the weight of their kindness. “Thank you, Noma. I truly appreciate this.”

  The woman nodded and returned to her previous task, her movements fluid and practiced. Kai and Lu Bu were invited into a nearby yurt to change into their new clothing. The interior was warm and inviting, filled with the scent of herbs and the soft glow of lanterns. As they changed, Kai couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation.

  As they dressed, Kai marveled at the craftsmanship. The tunic fit snugly across his shoulders without restricting movement, the thick wool lined with some lightweight insulating material he didn't recognize. But it was the cloak that truly impressed him—thick oiled leather on the outside with a dense fur lining that felt like wrapping himself in sunlight. The ingenious fastening system allowed it to be worn close-wrapped against the coldest winds or, with a simple adjustment of the bone toggles, to hang loosely like a cape when the temperature rose.

  "Look!" Lu Bu whispered excitedly, demonstrating how the cloak's hood could be pulled forward to create a protective tunnel for his face or folded back completely. The boy's cheeks were already pinkening with warmth beneath the luxurious fur trim.

  Stepping back outside, Kai took a moment to examine their new clothing. The bright red of their clothing stood out starkly against the muted tans and browns of the camp, the blue embroidery catching the light with every movement. He adjusted his cloak to hang cape-style, appreciating how the design allowed air to circulate while still keeping the weight evenly distributed across his shoulders.

  Taimyr looked up from his steaming cup as they approached, his eyes crinkling in approval. The herbal tea in his hands sent up tendrils of fragrant steam that smelled faintly of pine and something earthier—perhaps the wild bergamot Kai had seen growing near the tree line.

  "Looking like proper northerners now," Taimyr rumbled, setting his cup down with a satisfied thunk. His gaze lingered on the way Kai had adapted the cloak's wearing style.

  “Thank you. Will this clothing help us not get turned away at the gates?” Kai asked, adjusting the cloak around his shoulders.

  “Possibly,” Taimyr replied, his expression thoughtful. “As you’ve already discovered, there are a lot of people in Zan who don’t like southerners. It’s a ridiculous thing, really. We should judge a person as they are, not by what others say about them. Most people in Zan have never met a southerner; they just listen to stories and rumors. As long as you don’t advertise that you’re from the south, most people won’t be able to tell. They’ll just assume you might have some sort of connection to the Windriders clans.”

  Kai nodded, understanding the implications of Taimyr’s words. Based on what he knew of cultivators in the south, he was sure that the rumors stemmed from the arrogance of those who looked down on anyone they deemed lesser. They would likely see anyone from Zan as beneath them, a sentiment that only fueled the divide between the regions.

  “I see. Thank you again. I promise to repay you,” Kai said earnestly.

  Taimyr smiled, a glimmer of warmth in his eyes. “You can repay this kindness by paying it forward. My father used to say that if people repay kindness with greater kindness, then men would stop killing each other.”

  “Your father sounds like he was a wise man,” Kai replied, appreciating the sentiment.

  "That he was," Taimyr agreed, raising his cup in salute before draining the last of his tea. "Stay the night at least. The forest paths grow treacherous after dark—wolves aren't the only things that hunt by moonlight."

  Kai's gaze flickered involuntarily toward the tree line where his spirit beasts waited. The faintest rustle of leaves betrayed their presence—or perhaps just his imagination. "That's kind, but we should head out now."

  “There’s no point in heading out now,” Taimyr protested, his voice firm but not unkind. “You won’t make it that far before night sets in.”

  “I just want to get to Biragawa as soon as possible,” Kai insisted, his determination hardening. He could already envision the town, a place where Lu Bu could find safety and a sense of belonging.

  The tribesman studied them both for a long moment, then sighed in surrender. "Stubborn as a mountain goat," he grumbled, but there was no real heat in it.

  With final thanks and farewells, Kai and Lu Bu stepped beyond the circle of firelight. The crisp evening air carried the scent of coming frost as they moved toward the waiting shadows beneath the pines. Behind them, the sounds of the Windrider camp faded—the clatter of cookpots, the low murmur of voices, the occasional burst of laughter.

  As they left the safety of the camp behind, Kai adjusted his new cloak against the gathering chill. The weight felt different now—not just physical protection, but a reminder that kindness could be found even in the harshest lands. Some debts couldn't be repaid with coin or favors. Some truths, like the designs woven into his new clothing, required deeper understanding.

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