On his journey out of town, Kairos passed by fields that looked uncared for. In one small field, he saw a thin man working hard, his face filled with despair.
Kairos approached him and asked, "Excuse me, I'm lost. Can you show me the way to the Iron River Bridge?"
The man, named Finnan, wiped his brow. "Oh, sure thing. Just follow this road north, then turn left at the crossroads up ahead."
"Thank you," Kairos said with a smile, then his eyes scanned the field Finnan was tending. "This field seems hard to manage alone."
Finnan sighed heavily, a resigned smile on his lips. "Yeah, my land was taken by Veridian soldiers, said it was on Therion's orders. This little patch is all that's left."
Kairos pretended to be shocked. "Seized? That's not fair. What will you do then?"
Finnan clenched his hands at his sides and looked down. "I don't know... All I know is I can't keep going like this."
"Maybe there's a way to fight back," Kairos said seriously, "to reclaim what should be yours."
The thin man looked up, his eyes full of hope as he stared at Kairos. "Really? How?"
"Not here," Kairos whispered, even though no one else was around. "I'll tell you later. Keep your spirits up, Finnan."
***
That same night, a small party was held at a local nobleman's house. Kairos, having managed to get a nice suit from a town vendor, disguised himself as a guest from out of town and, somehow, got in.
In a corner of the room, he saw Count Ronan, whose name he already knew, a nobleman sitting by the edge of the room, looking gloomy.
Kairos approached him with two glasses of wine. "Are you Count Ronan? I've heard your name mentioned often among the nobility."
Ronan turned to Kairos, a little surprised, and accepted the glass of wine Kairos offered. "Oh, yes. I am Ronan. And you are?"
"I am Remus, from the northern territories," Kairos replied, sitting beside him. "I hear you are an influential man, but unfortunately, Therion does not value you as he should."
Count Ronan fell silent at these words, looking at the tips of his shoes. Then, softly, he said, "Therion is indeed blind to loyalty. I have sacrificed much, but he has betrayed me."
"Yeah, that's not fair," Kairos said, full of understanding. "Someone like you should be in a much better position now. Perhaps there's a way to change things."
Ronan looked at him sharply, his eyes growing suspicious. "What do you imply?"
"Let's talk in a more private place," Kairos said, looking at the count with a sly smile. "I have a proposal that may very well appeal to you."
***
A few days later, Kairos sent anonymous messages to the four people. The messages were short, but they all understood who sent them.
'If you seek justice, come to the old house by the river at midnight.'
In the dark and silent old house, Kairos waited, playing with a ball of embers in his hand. One by one they arrived: Jaxon, Mira, Finnan, and Count Ronan, their faces filled with confusion and high alert.
When they were all gathered, Kairos stepped out from his hidden waiting spot, surprising them all. The lantern he had deliberately placed on the table in the center of the room illuminated his blue eyes.
"Thank you for coming at my invitation."
Jaxon, still in his soldierly manner, crossed his arms. "Who are you really, Remus?"
"I am merely someone who will give you a chance to take revenge on Therion," Kairos said with a sweet smile on his face. "We all have reason to hate him, and we will get our revenge together."
Mira, pulling her shawl tighter against the cold air, asked, "How are we gonna do that?"
Kairos took out a map and laid it on the table, right under the lantern. "The supply convoy Therion requested will cross the Iron River Bridge next week. We will ambush it. Jaxon, you will lead this ambush. Mira, you will provide the necessary equipment and information."
He then straightened up and placed his hand on Finnan's shoulder. "You know the terrain here, and we can set traps."
And then he bowed slightly to Count Ronan, saying, "You can help all of us by bringing as many allies as you can into our circle."
Finnan looked nervous, fiddling with his arms out of habit. "But, we ain't soldiers."
Kairos chuckled slightly. "None of us need to be soldiers to do this," Kairos replied. "You each have valuable skills. Trust me, we will succeed."
Count Ronan, who would usually not easily agree to such things, found that this young man's plan seemed like it could work, and he certainly didn't seem like an ordinary nobleman.
This young man also had black hair and blue eyes, typical traits of the Veridian imperial family. And his demeanor carried a strong presence, unlike anyone he had ever met.
And Therion, his family, even his own father, he could kill coldly, let alone what he would do to his people, and anyone who opposed him. Remembering this made him feel he had to help bring him down from the Veridian throne.
He said hesitantly, "This bears significant risk. Should we be apprehended..."
Suddenly Jaxon slammed his fist on the table, startling everyone except Kairos. "Better to die trying than live under that bastard Therion's tyranny!"
Mira nodded, hearing Jaxon's words. "I agree. We just gotta be smart about it."
Finnan took a deep breath, and though he was scared, he sighed. "I'm in."
And finally, all eyes turned to Count Ronan, who had not yet stated his willingness. The Count continued to examine the map laid out, silent for a few moments, weighing his options, while the others waited patiently.
Finally, he nodded. "Very well. I shall join."
Hearing the Count's words, Kairos smiled with satisfaction. "Good. We will plan the details tomorrow. Until the ambush, keep this secret tightly."
And they parted ways, going back to their own homes, leaving Kairos alone in the old house. He extinguished the lantern and stepped out, feeling satisfied that his first step had been successful.
Now, he had allies, and they would carry out their first action for a larger plan: shaking Therion's power.