The months blurred together Training meditation sparring Every day bled into the next until suddenly the routine of the village broke
The first sign was the sound of clattering hooves on the mountain trail rare jarring against the usual quiet rhythm of the isolated settlement Children darted toward the path shouting over each other and soon half the village was gathered peering down the sloping dirt road
And then they saw him
A boy no not a boy older than any of the temple students perhaps sixteen maybe edging toward seventeen His frame was lean but poised his back straight as if a rod of steel had been fixed there His dark blue hair thick and slightly fluffy caught the sunlight as he walked carrying himself with a posture that screamed of cultivation and education His skin was pale untouched by the harsh weather of the mountains and his face was clean almost delicate handsome in the way that drew stares though his expression was cool detached almost dismissive
