1 Prologue

The man in the black hooded cloak walked down the dark street and the young man followed in silence. He stopped and pointed at the alley ahead. "Here."

"Okay." The boy walked past the man, his stride confident.

"Wait." The man laid a hand on the dirty, torn material of the boy's shirt. "Your bearing is too bold. That is a trait which must remain hidden and blossom over time."

The young man nodded and hunched his shoulders, letting one arm dip lower than the other.

"Better."

He nodded and entered the alley. The man watched until he faded from sight.