Smokey incense burned poorly in the underground cavern of the Sunfall black market, failing to hide the smell of sweat and fear.
Kai walked beside Yena through the winding rows of vendor stalls, pulling his hood low over his eyes to avoid drawing unnecessary attention.
Patrons bartered fiercely over stolen celestial artifacts laid out on cloths, and the dim lantern light caught the nervous shifting of chained men waiting to be sold.
Whispers followed Kai as they moved past a group of noblewomen inspecting a rack of curved swords.
"That is the boy from the Crimson Sands," a woman in a green silk dress murmured behind a painted fan.
"I heard he froze three men solid without even breaking a sweat. Veyra tried to buy him, and he actually turned her down."
"He looks far too dangerous for a simple guard," her companion whispered back, her eyes raking over Kai's shoulders.
"I wonder if he is planning to enter the trials."
