Runaan was tasked with leading a group of fledgling assassins on a routine patrol mission. With years of experience and a reputation as Xadia’s deadliest assassin, he was the perfect choice for the job. But his new recruits were eager to impress, perhaps a little too eager.

“Runaan, sir!” one of them called, stumbling back toward camp. The other two followed closely behind, practically shoving a figure forward—a human, bound with a rope around his wrists.

“We found a human!” the assassin proudly declared, his grin wide.

Runaan stared at them, his eyes narrowing. “Yes, I’m aware we’re near the edge of human territory. You’re bound to encounter the occasional human,” he sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose in exasperation. “But tell me, you at least have a valid reason for bringing him here, right? You didn’t just snatch him up for no reason—”

The assassins’ sheepish expressions cut him off.

“You took a random human to interrogate,” Runaan muttered, a mix of disbelief and irritation creeping into his voice.

“Do we… release him?” One spoke up.

Runaan rubbed his temples, then turned toward the human, eyes sharpening. “Not until the patrol is over and we’re a safe distance away. Keep him here for now.”