Frank crouched at the edge of the watchtower, his eyes scanning every shadow, every corner. Leo trembled beside him, gripping his stick tighter than ever. The wind whispered through the broken windows, carrying the faintest scent of smoke and leather.
"Look," Frank whispered, pointing to a small, crumpled piece of parchment caught under a beam. He carefully picked it up, unfolding it. The handwriting was neat but hurried, and the symbols drawn along the margins were unfamiliar.
"It looks like some kind of map… or instructions," Leo said, peering over his shoulder.
Frank examined it carefully. Lines indicated routes through the town—alleys, rooftops, and hidden passages. Certain buildings were marked with strange symbols. One of the symbols matched the fabric scraps they had seen in the tower.
"They're planning something," Frank said. "And this isn't random. They're targeting specific areas… maybe preparing for a bigger attack."
Leo's voice wavered. "We need to warn the town!"
Frank shook his head. "Not yet. If they notice the warning, they'll change their plan. We need more information first."
He traced a path with his finger. "See this? They're moving through the eastern district. That's where the warehouse fire happened last night. And these symbols… they could indicate weak points, traps, or maybe even accomplices."
Leo's eyes widened. "So this… this could tell us everything about what they're planning next?"
"Exactly," Frank said. "But it's dangerous. Whoever left this won't make it easy for anyone to find it. That's why they're watching from the rooftops. They know someone is observing them. And they've noticed us before."
Frank folded the parchment carefully, tucking it into his pocket. "We take this back, plan, and prepare. The town's safety depends on us understanding this before the next move."
Leo nodded, determination replacing his fear. "Then let's do it. Together."
Frank gave a small nod. "Good. That's the first step. Knowledge before action. Courage alone won't save anyone—but courage guided by wisdom will."
As they descended the watchtower silently, Frank's mind raced. The mysterious figure on the rooftops would not remain idle. The town was in more danger than ever, and the days ahead would test not only his courage but his strategy, leadership, and ability to protect others.
And somewhere in the shadows, the cloaked figure watched, a faint smirk forming beneath the hood:
"There he stands… but does he know what's coming?"