CREAK!
The door opened.
It was not particularly loud or anything, it just happened that Kaelen was looking at the door at that time.
Kaelen's gaze lingered on the door as it creaked open, almost as if his unspoken wish had summoned something—or someone. The bustling noise of the guild seemed to fade for a moment as a figure stepped through, cloaked in dark fabric that fluttered slightly with the motion. The figure's movements were deliberate, not hurried yet not hesitant either, exuding a quiet confidence that immediately drew Kaelen's attention.
The young mercenary frowned slightly, realizing he didn't recognize the person. Over the past week of frequent visits to the guild, Kaelen had familiarized himself with many of the regulars, from seasoned veterans to fellow newcomers like himself. This stranger wasn't one of them. That left only two possibilities: either they were a client looking to hire or another mercenary—but one clearly from out of town.
