Leon travelled 20 km southwards, to the nearest village from Loa. He understood that The Haven would have been the first stop of the assassin if he were to escape. In all likelihood, the assassin would have wanted to get a fast horse from the best stables available there. Theo had accompanied Leon in his chase for the assassin. He persuaded Leon to let him navigate through the village and seek informants.

The Haven did not live up to its name. Its inhabitants consisted of crooks, thieves, murderers and black merchants. It was disconnected from the world, like Kara. People lived there to survive rather than serve. If a person who did not belong to the village went there, he or she would be robbed naked and abused to death. The last law-abiding man in the area was a lawyer named Brian. He was lynched a year ago by the village mob for being "unjust" and "criminal" while all he did was prosecute a case without a bribed jury. On the day of the execution, Brian was skewered with a pole that passed from his mouth to the rectum. His execution was publicly displayed to prove a point to the people. From that day, everyone knew: 'This happens to honest people.'

Leon was disgusted at the sight of the village. There was no proper drainage system. Filthy water flushed directly on the paths. Lack of privies caused faeces to be on every corner. The natives stenched of beer, blood and sex.

The natives of the village looked at the small army with curious yet menacing eyes. Theo halted his horse near a shack. He asked Leon for his permission to go inside the building and meet an informant to which Leon obliged. Theo disappeared inside the doorless shack. It was thatched with wood and mud. Looking around, Leon saw similar types of huts. Some were dilapidated while a small number of huts were in good condition. Leon understood that the well-kept huts were the residing area of well-known killers and bandits. The village's main source of food was chickens. Some hencoops were visible to him. With regards to the amusement of the villagers, there were women near fancy huts made of wood and decorated with flowers that had withered. Some brutes did not have time to go inside a hut so they started humping women in the open. Moans were heard in the distance followed by screams of dying people.

Leon turned to see Theo had returned with a man. The informant introduced himself as Shadow. Amusing as the name was, it was perfect considering his physical features. He was slim, gaunt with a pale face that supported watery grey eyes. He wore a black cloak, like that of a priest, and a necklace made of pearls. Theo confirmed that Shadow was the best spy they had. An amazed Leon asked the spy about the assassin.

"A resident of our village had disappeared for a week. He returned yesterday to this cosy place. Bernard's Inn should be your next destination. Follow that road and turn right to find what you seek, prince.", replied Shadow.

Just then, Leon's eyes flittered in the distance to see a panicking individual with a box going inside a hut. Without his knowledge, he was followed by two men with knives in their hands. After some time, the screams of the man could be heard coming from the hut. None bothered to help him, let alone wander their eyes on the scene of the crime. The natives completely ignored the situation. Leon was about to move towards the killers and teach them a lesson but was interrupted by Shadow.

"I wouldn't do that here, Sire. Refrain from playing the hero. Don't be the saviour. You might create a lot of enemies otherwise. Enemies that will plague your life. Even for a person of your stature, you will live in constant fear."

Bernard's Inn

"Whatcha paying if I have some informason about the person you looken for?", said the man in a silly Southern accent.

Bernard, the owner of the Inn, had a lot of qualities. However, tall hose qualities were negative. Lazy, arrogant, greedy and miserly; he asked the question as a reply to Leon's questioning of the whereabouts of a visitor.

"Fool! Can't you see the fire emblem on my armour? We are the guards of Fire. Here with honourable Leon Fireborne, son of Lucius Fireborne and the soon to be King of Fireborne Empire. How dare you ask such a question to him?", said one of Leon's troops.

"I have a business to take care of. Talk money or go away, y'all noble people.", said the owner.

Theo spurred his horse forward. He pulled out a bag of coins and jingled them in front of Bernard.

"Ohhhhhh. Now we talking. The purson you all looken fo' comes to spend the night in my inn. A nasty lad, that wuon, says he killed a big target the other day. He matches yur description of four fingers, both hands."

Theo approached Leon. He insisted on kidnapping the assassin discreetly with a gang. Then they would take him to Ember for questioning and execution. Leon was excluded from the group of attackers due to safety reasons. However, Leon was adamant to be a part of the kidnapping. He shunned Theo's insistence on him being a spectator during the proceedings.

"Tonight, I catch that menace. If I am old enough to rule Ember and Tyle, I am old enough to carry out plans. Theo, you will lure him outside the Inn. Avoid a direct fight, you know that. When the assassin is alone, we will be ready to pounce on him. Giovanni and Petro... make sure that no one sees us during our act. Bribe them to stay away from the Inn."

Leon finished conveying his plan. He looked towards the sky. The evening sun cast long shadows on the ground. The slanting rays gave an orange tinge to the sky. However, Leon least cared for such aesthetics. He waited for darkness to descend on this rotten place. Then would he finally avenge his father's death.