Clash of wills

There was a large forest not too far away from a small city. Ordinary people did not visit this place, and even soldiers knew better than to get into it since it was where criminals went to do shady business. You might see something you should not and end up dying, so everybody knew better than to get near it.

There was a full moon in the sky, and an old man waited in a desolate part of the forest. He had short gray hair and a thin build, and there was a large scar in his neck.

Despite his ferocious appearance, the man looked incredibly peaceful, and his smile seemed capable of putting people at ease. 

Suddenly the old man's eyes narrowed as he saw a figure coming out of the forest. Although the person had a robe covering his entire body, it was clear he could not be more than fifteen years old.