Turbaned attacker holds a dagger to a panicked soldier's throat — AI art by @antapani

Whispers of the Blade Under the cover of night, Kaelen put his gathered information into action. He stalked the perimeter of a heavily guarded compound, eventually cornering a lone gatekeeper in a dimly lit alley near the entrance. Moving like a shadow, Kaelen struck from behind before the guard could even draw his breath. He locked his arm around the man's throat, while his other hand pressed a cold, sharp blade firmly against the guard's collarbone, instantly freezing any chance of a struggle. In a low, terrifying whisper, Kaelen demanded the location of 'The Sand Fox' and the passcodes to the inner sanctum. The guard, paralyzed by the sudden threat and the fierce, unseen gaze of the warrior behind him, could only tremble and frantically nod, ready to whisper back the answers to save his own life. The hunt was getting closer to its end.