What business have you here?

As the pale moon cast its dim light through the thick canopy, the silence of the forest was shattered by the rustling of leaves and the snap of twigs. Dawn's heart pounded violently in her chest as she realized the danger that lurked in the shadows. Suddenly, a group of masked figures emerged, their presence suffused with an air of malevolence and silent intent.

Before she could react, the Greyhound assassins lunged at her, their movements swift and precise. Dawn barely managed to dodge their initial assault, her mind racing with fear and adrenaline. With a swift kick and a desperate sprint, she propelled herself forward, the thudding of her footfalls resonating through the forest as she weaved between trees, her breath ragged and laboured. The assassins pursued her relentlessly, their stealth and swiftness a testament to their training and proficiency.

In the cover of darkness, Dawn's senses were heightened, every rustle and movement magnified to an unbearable cacophony in her mind. She could feel the cold night air clawing at her throat as she strained to put as much distance as she could between herself and the relentless pursuit. Her legs burned with exhaustion, her chest heaving with each laboured breath as she desperately sought a safe haven in the labyrinthine wilderness, her only hope for survival lying in the shadows and the mercy of the forest's embrace.

With every fleeting moment, Dawn's heart hammered in her chest, a thunderous rhythm that matched the pace of her frantic steps. The chilling night air filled her lungs, the moist earth below her feet offering scant respite from the relentless pursuit. She could hear the muffled voices of the assassins behind her, their harsh whispers cutting through the silence of the night like serrated blades.

Dawn's mind raced, frantically scanning the surrounding darkness for any glimmer of hope, any sign of salvation. In the distance, she spotted the faint glow of a flickering fire, the feeble beacon of what appeared to be a solitary cabin nestled among the trees. It was her only chance. With renewed determination, she pushed herself forward, her muscles burning with the strain of each step, her resolve the only thing propelling her forward.

As she neared the cabin, Dawn could hear the crunch of footsteps behind her growing louder, the sharp hiss of blades being unsheathed sending a shiver down her spine. She spared no time to look back, her focus unwavering as she lunged toward the cabin door. With a forceful push, she barged inside, her breath ragged and her chest heaving with exhaustion.

Inside, the cabin offered little solace. The cold, musty air clung to her skin, the darkness within almost as suffocating as the one she had fled. The sound of the assassins' footsteps grew closer, their presence looming like a shadow over her, threatening to snuff out the last flicker of hope that remained. With a silent prayer, she braced herself for whatever came next, her mind racing with the gravity of her perilous situation.

Amidst the oppressive silence of the cabin, Dawn's heart raced, and her breaths came in short, anxious bursts. Her wide-eyed gaze scanned the dimly lit room, her fingers trembling as she sought anything that might aid her. The flickering candle on the table cast dancing shadows that deepened the eerie atmosphere.

Just when it seemed the assassins would breach the cabin's fragile barrier, the door swung open, and a figure emerged from the shadows. Dawn's heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively pressed herself against the wall, her exhaustion momentarily forgotten. The stranger was cloaked in darkness, their face obscured, and a cloak shrouded their body.

The attackers, who had been about to burst into the cabin, faltered and withdrew a step in the presence of the stranger. In the uncertain silence that followed, the stranger's voice, calm and resolute, cut through the tension. "What business have you here, chasing a lone child through the night?"

The assassins, though menacing, seemed to cower under the weight of the stranger's voice. They stuttered to explain, casting nervous glances at the steel glinting in the stranger's hand. In a matter of moments, the room was filled with the sounds of struggle, echoing in the cramped quarters. When it was over, the attackers lay defeated, no longer breathing, and their weapons scattered.

The stranger turned to Dawn, the mystery still veiling their identity. "Child, what is happening? Why were these men after you?"

Tears welled in Dawn's eyes as she recounted the harrowing events of her flight from the Greyhound Empire, the loss of her mother, and the pursuit by the shadowy assassins. It was all too much for Dawn at the moment and she had knew she had to figure out what was happening but she knew not how.

The older man knelt beside Dawn, offering a reassuring hand on her trembling shoulder. His eyes, warm and kind, met hers as he whispered comforting words. "Fear not, dear child. You're safe now, and those who pursued you will trouble you no more."

Dawn nodded through her tears, relieved to have found refuge in this stranger's care. As she gradually regained her composure, she noticed the lines etched on his weathered face and the wisdom that seemed to emanate from him. She realized she didn't even know his name.

The man offered her a gentle, fatherly smile and extended his hand to her. "My name is Tobias. You may call me Toby."

Gratitude welled up within Dawn, and she clasped Toby's hand with a grateful smile. "Thank you, Toby, for saving my life. I'm Dawn."