Chapter 1:Beginning

### **Chapter One: Beginning**

Kade hunched his shoulders against the chill of the early morning air, his tattered cloak doing little to ward off the cold. The narrow alleyways of Ashvale were beginning to stir with life, but for Kade, the day had already begun hours earlier. The heavy sack slung over his back was filled with stolen goods, pilfered from the market stalls before dawn broke.

He slipped through the streets with practiced ease, his steps silent on the cobblestones. The weight of the sack was a familiar burden, one that meant another day of survival. Food, metals, anything he could get his hands on—it all went into the sack. His nimble fingers were his greatest asset, his ability to go unnoticed his most valuable skill.

As he rounded a corner, the familiar sound of laughter and jeering reached his ears. Kade's heart sank, but he didn't break his stride. Ahead, a group of boys from the local gang loitered near the entrance to the alley, their eyes lighting up as they spotted him.

"Well, well, if it isn't Kade the Rat," sneered Bren, the largest of the group. His cronies chuckled, stepping forward to block Kade's path.

"Morning, Bren," Kade said evenly, his eyes darting for an escape route. "Just passing through."

"Not so fast," Bren growled, grabbing the sack from Kade's shoulders with one meaty hand. "Let's see what our little rat has been stealing today."

Kade didn't resist. He knew better than to fight Bren and his gang head-on. Instead, he focused on keeping his expression neutral, not giving them the satisfaction of seeing him flinch.

Bren rifled through the sack, pulling out a loaf of bread, a couple of apples, and a small, intricately carved wooden box. He tossed the bread and apples to his friends and opened the box, revealing a few silver coins and a delicate necklace.

"Not bad, rat," Bren said, pocketing the coins and tossing the necklace to one of his cronies. "You're getting better at this. Maybe we should keep you around."

"Sure, Bren," Kade replied, his voice hollow. "Whatever you say."

The gang sauntered off, leaving Kade with an empty sack and a bruised pride. He waited until they were out of sight before allowing himself a moment of frustration, kicking a loose cobblestone and watching it skitter across the alley.

With a sigh, he adjusted his cloak and set off again. The day was still young, and there were more opportunities to find. He slipped into the bustling marketplace, blending into the crowd. His eyes scanned the stalls, searching for another mark.

He spotted a merchant distracted by a haggling customer and seized his chance, swiping a couple of ripe pears and a small vial of herbs. He was just about to move on when a heavy hand clamped down on his shoulder.

Kade froze, his heart racing. He turned slowly to see the stern face of the market guard staring down at him. "What do we have here?" the guard said, his voice low and menacing.

"Just a misunderstanding," Kade stammered, trying to pull free. "I was just—"

"You were just stealing, as usual," the guard interrupted, tightening his grip. "Come with me, rat."

Kade's mind raced, searching for a way out. As the guard began to drag him through the marketplace, he noticed a shadowy figure watching from the edge of the crowd. For a split second, their eyes met, and Kade saw something in the stranger's gaze—recognition, perhaps, or curiosity.

Before he could ponder it further, the guard yanked him toward the town square, where punishment awaited. Kade's daily life was a constant struggle, but today felt different. Unbeknownst to him, this encounter would set off a chain of events that would change his life forever.

As the crowd gathered to witness his punishment, Kade couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched, that the shadows themselves were shifting, whispering secrets only he could hear. And in that moment, amidst the jeers and the rough hands of the guard, a spark of something new flickered within him—a spark of defiance, and perhaps, a hint of destiny.