[[A/N: I have an announcement to make guys. So the story has been taking a different direction from how I initially intended. That being said, I will get back on track while making a few changes. That aside, sorry for not updating for so long, I have been busy, but seeing as waiting until I have more free time is not going to work, I will start making more time to write.]]
…
Once it was well past dark, Keane checked for Elara to question her on some of the things that had happened during the day, specifically concerning the cloaked man and the meeting. As it was, he had gotten enough of the drama. Everything had been progressing too smoothly, like from a script, and if he was to recall how these things went, nothing was adding up.
As expected, Elara was not back from whatever business she had to attend to since she dropped him off. Instead, Keane met Mara alone in the lodge. Deciding to make the most of his time, he went out into the city.
Night had swallowed Valewind whole as it was. The lively chatter of the day had melted into the murmur of merchants packing up their stalls, while others set up thiers. Apart from that, the atmosphere was accompanied by the rhythmic clack of patrol boots, and the occasional shout of a drunk who'd spent more coin than sense.
Torches burned low in most places, staining the streets gold and shadow, while other places were brighter with magical lights from shinning crystal lanterns.
Keane moved through it all, walking rather slowly, but with purpose.
He'd spent the day letting the city's noise wash over him. Now it was time to listen.
The place was quite fascinating. The market district was still very much alive in all areas, Keane even spotted some shady seller selling something he could only call a drug for special effects, and even women whose smiles cost a few coins.
With the sight seeing, Keane didn't spare any time making enquiries, as naturally as he could, his sub-skills seeing to it also. Within an hour, he had a rough outline of what he needed to know.
From what he had gathered, mercenaries were the muscle that kept the city's balance intact, from unofficial guards, debt collectors, bodyguards, to thugs, it all came down to who paid better.
Above them, favoured in better light, were the 'Adventurers'.
As their name suggests, they appeared to be a half-mythical breed of men and women who ventured into the unknown for all sorts of reason, but usually tied to wealth and prestige.
Keane also learned about something fascinating about this world… there were dungeons… or as the people referred to it, gates, that connected their world to other realms.
These gates that led to other realms were primarily frequented by adventurers, which is where they got their names. With the exploration, some never even returned. Those who did came back rich, or mad, or both, or none, some more powerful, others scared. The gist of it was that, whatever existed on the other side was treacherous and not for the faint of heart.
"Adventurers, huh," Keane muttered, sipping cheap ale by a vendor stall. "So basically, professional lunatics as always." He said to himself while shedding a tear in his heart. This world didn't even seem to know what elves or dwarves were… this was no fantasy at all…
He'd just begun considering which adventurer's guild to visit first when he felt eye behind him, like a faint prickling on the back of his neck, subtle yet distinct.
He finished his drink and paid for it, then he walked on for several more minutes, turning casually into a narrow alley between two big two-story buildings. The moment he slipped into the gloom, he vanished. One instant he was there, the next the alley was empty.
A few seconds later, soft footsteps entered the same alley. The person was cautious and a bit hesitant, not rushing in.
"Move, and you die." Keane's voice rang casually behind the figure. He studied the figure briefly, recognizing who it was instantly.
"Following me at night, Lina?" He said in a mild tone.
Her breathing hitched. "I–I wasn't— I was just—" She tried to explain, but fumbled on her words.
She felt as if his presence was pressing on her like invisible weight. She tried to run, but before she could move, Keane had already caught her wrist and pinned her lightly against the wall.
"Spare me the excuses." He leaned in slightly. His voice dropped, smooth and calm. "You better start talking too." He said.
Her lips trembled under pressure, and it didn't take up to quarter of a minute for her resolve to crumble. "My uncle told me to!" she finally burst out, her voice shaking. "He didn't say why precisely… that I should watch you, that— that Elara isn't who she says she is."
Keane's expression didn't change as he listened, though internally, he filed it neatly under 'things I already know'.
"I see." He let go of her wrist, stepping back. "So your uncle sent you to keep tabs on me. How thoughtful of him."
She nodded quickly, her eyes darting around as if expecting someone to jump out of the shadows.
Keane crossed his arms. "You realize this could get you killed, right?" He was referring to Elara, but didn't mind the misunderstanding it could bring.
Her face paled as she heard him. "I— I didn't mean harm, I swear. I just—"
Her words cut off when a faint ripple in the air made Keane's senses tighten. He didn't need to turn to know someone else was here.
Catching the glint from the pale hair, Keane recognized the figure, "Sylvi," he said.
Lina went stiff as she heard the name. "H-Her..."
Sylvi tilted her head slightly, eyes flicking between them. There was no hostility in her gaze, but something about her silence was heavier than any accusation, more so to Lina.
Lina trembled. "She— she'll tell Lady Elara... won't she?" She said, her voice almost mute.
Keane's brow rose. "Depends. Maybe she just enjoys evening strolls in dark alleys." He said sarcastically while processing the situation he was in at the moment.
As if on cue, the sound of metal boots clinking against stone cut through the tension.
A guard appeared at the mouth of the alley, carrying a spear and a half-bored expression, passing by. Sylvi was the one standing in a more visible part, so his eyes grifted to her and across, first admiring her beauty… even though just a silhouette and hair, then his gaze landed on the other two figures, and his posture stiffened.
"What's going on here?!" He called aloud.
Before Keane could answer, Lina did something entirely unexpected, but perhaps stupid from Keane's perspective.
"Help! He— he is harassing me!" she cried, voice trembling on cue.
Keane blinked, taken aback for a moment... "Really?"
Immediately, the guard's eyes narrowed, spear rising. But by the time he blinked, Keane was gone, the space where he'd stood now empty. Sylvi, too, had vanished right before his eyes, leaving only a startled Lina and a confused city guard who struggled to make sense of the situation.
Using that opportunity, Lina bolted down the alley, skirts flaring, "Stop! You there!" The guard shouted, cursing as he gave chase for a few steps then stopped.
Thinking about how the other two figures vanished in the blink of an eye, he quickly concluded that whatever the situation was, it was above his paygrade, not to mention ability, there was no need to bite onto anything that could cost him his life.
…
High above, Keane crouched on the edge of a slanted rooftop. His coat fluttered lightly in the night breeze, and the city sprawled beneath him.
He spotted Lina again, smaller now, pushing through a crowd at the street's end.
Keane's eyes followed her until she disappeared around a corner, heading in the direction of the inn as he expected, perhaps, she was telling the truth? Or just a good liar that came up with something on the spot.
He stayed there a while longer, thoughtful. Lina was one thing, but why Sylvi was there, he had no idea.
He stood and dusted off his hands, ready to move. "Well," he said quietly, "This life just keeps getting more interesting."