Krugger shifted his weight, his boots sinking slightly into the black mud of the riverbank he entered the small house.
Behind him, a group of soldiers stood guard, their eyes constantly scanning the surrounding brush. Las Pailitas was, after all, a place beyond the firm grasp of the Crown—beyond any true authority. If they reacted too slowly, they could easily fall into the hands of thieves… or worse.
Suddenly, a movement of the trees startled them.
One of the soldiers hesitated before opening the window. The moment he saw the figure outside, he froze.
The man's face was painted in shifting shades of green, blending almost unnaturally with the jungle. His torso was bare, his skin marked with faint scars, and several daggers rested across his back. He stepped inside without asking permission, ignoring the soldiers entirely, his gaze locking directly onto Krugger.
