Sanctuary: Safe Haven

In Clan Varran, the five sanctuary warriors had been instructed to blend in, to not draw unnecessary attention during their stay.

However, that plan had quickly gone off course.

It had now been four days since they arrived, and just the day before, a grand event was held. The king himself had been present, presiding over a massive bonfire where warriors and citizens alike gathered to honor those who had fallen in the battle against the Black Thorn. Every able-bodied troop, every clan member, and even family members of the deceased filled the central plaza of the city.

The air was thick with the scent of burning wood and incense as the flames licked the night sky, and solemn prayers were whispered for the fallen.

King Aerys Khall, dressed in resplendent armor, stood before the crowd, his voice commanding yet filled with somber respect. "Today, we honor the brave souls who stood against the darkness," he began, his words resonating through the square. "These warriors gave their lives in the fight to protect this kingdom, to protect their families, and to protect the future of Kharath.

We owe them more than we can repay, but we shall try. Their families will be cared for, their sacrifices will be remembered, and their names will live on in our history."

Tears streamed down the faces of many as the king's words echoed in the hearts of the people. Families of the fallen warriors clutched each other in grief, their loss palpable, but so too was the gratitude they felt for the recognition of their loved ones' bravery. The plaza was filled with an overwhelming sense of both loss and reverence.

Standing among the crowd, the sanctuary warriors—Mira, Dot, Maggi, Alex, and Eli—felt a pang of guilt. Although they hadn't personally caused the conflict, they couldn't shake the feeling that their involvement with Canna had brought about the clash between the Black Thorn and the kingdom. It was inevitable, they knew, but still, the weight of the lives lost hung heavily on them.

The solemnity of the event left them reflective.

After the ceremony, the kingdom erupted into festivities, with shops and stalls lining the streets, offering food, trinkets, and celebratory goods in honor of those who survived and the victory achieved. It was a stark contrast to the somber event from earlier. The atmosphere was jubilant, with music and laughter filling the air.

For the sanctuary warriors, the lively market was overwhelming. In the sanctuary, resources were shared freely, and the concept of currency was foreign to them. They had no idea how much the gold they carried was worth in the kingdom, and within minutes, they began buying from nearly every shop and stall they passed.

Their purchases ranged from sweets and trinkets to clothes and weapons, all with the innocent intention of bringing gifts back to their friends in the sanctuary. What they didn't realize was that their excessive spending raised eyebrows.

By the time the shops started to close for the evening, the sanctuary warriors had bought out almost every vendor in sight. Shop owners couldn't help but feel suspicious—how could these young warriors, especially Mira and Dot who were only eleven years old, afford so much? But seeing the Clan Varran insignia on their uniforms kept questions at bay.

To most, they were simply thought to be privileged, wealthy members of the clan.

Mira, Dot, and Sera were together, their arms laden with bags of various goods, while Alex and Eli wandered on their own. Maggi, always the loner, had ventured off to observe the market quietly, taking note of the people and their customs. Little did they know, a group of shady individuals had been eyeing them for some time.

"Look at 'em," one of the thugs muttered to his companion as they observed from a shadowed alleyway. "Clan Varran's too weakened after the Black Thorn battle. Those kids will be easy pickings."

His companion smirked. "Yeah, the clans aren't what they used to be. We could make a quick fortune robbing them blind. No one's gonna protect 'em now."

The men continued to murmur, unaware that the sanctuary warriors had overheard every word. Mira glanced at Dot, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Should we?" she asked with a grin.

Dot chuckled. "Yeah, let's show them how 'weak' we are."

Without hesitation, the five sanctuary warriors moved in. In a matter of moments, the thugs were knocked to the ground, beaten senseless by the seemingly innocent-looking group of teens. The people nearby watched in stunned silence as the thugs were easily overpowered.

As Mira wiped her hands, she looked around casually. "Guess that's taken care of."

Maggi nodded, his expression unreadable. "Let's move on. There's nothing else to see here."

The bystanders, shocked at the power displayed by the young warriors, could only whisper in amazement. To the sanctuary warriors, though, it was just another day.

______________

Meanwhile, back in the sanctuary, there was a man who observed everything in silence. He was one of the refugees rescued from the Black Thorn's grip. Chained for his knowledge, he had been forced to work for the Black Thorn as a researcher. His background was impressive—years of studying ancient magic and forbidden techniques—but now, he was free. Or so it seemed.

For days, the man had quietly observed life in the sanctuary, unsure of what to make of it. He had expected something darker, perhaps even more sinister. After all, the sanctuary's power was undeniable, its warriors stronger than any he had seen before.

He couldn't shake the feeling that this was all too good to be true—that, eventually, the sanctuary's true nature would reveal itself, and the refugees would be enslaved once again.

But the more he observed, the more confused he became. The warriors were disciplined, but not cruel. The non-combatants went about their work with a sense of purpose but also joy. He had spoken to several of the teachers in the sanctuary, to the healers, and to the children who were learning basic magic. Their lives seemed... simple.

Too simple for a place of such strength.

It didn't make sense to him. How could a place with so much power, with the ability to topple kingdoms, not use it? Why weren't they conquering? Why weren't they demanding tribute or forcing the weak into servitude?

His inquiries all led him to the same conclusion—it was because of the sanctuary's leader, Canna Yakane. From what he had gathered, Canna was a most peculiar figure. He walked barefoot, slept wherever he liked, doesn't matter if it's just in the grass or at random tree branches, and ate with his people as though he were one of them. It was unheard of for a leader of such power to act so... ordinary.

He had seen Canna only once, from a distance, but everything he had learned about him made him believe that this man was unlike any ruler he had known. He had served kings, emperors, and warlords, and all of them had been corrupted by power. But here, in this sanctuary, something was different.

Perhaps... perhaps this truly was a place worth serving. For now, he would continue to observe. But the thought had already taken root in his mind—when the time was right, he would introduce himself and prove that saving him was worth the sanctuary's while.