We hadn't even reached the orphanage yet. As Carlos and I walked along the bustling outer edge of the main market, my eyes drifted past the crowded stalls of vibrant fabrics, fresh produce, and shouting merchants. Tucked away right beside the busiest corner of the marketplace, behind a cluster of overgrown briars and ancient oaks, I caught sight of a young couple laughing as they hand-in-hand disappeared down a narrow, sun-dappled path I had never noticed before.
I blinked, stopping near a spice vendor's stall to point toward the hidden trail. "What's down there?"
Carlos followed my gaze, his expression softening with a nostalgic smile. "Ah, that leads to the very edge of our territory, and the river the local fishermen use. It’s right beside the market, but the brush keeps it hidden. No
