The streets of the eastern quarter stretched before them, cobbled paths winding between rows of brick buildings that leaned together as though conspiring in whispers. It was early afternoon; the place hadn't yet roused to its nightly chaos.
A few taverns had their doors cracked open, their signs swaying faintly in the breeze, while the stench of stale ale clung to the air like a memory that never faded. Drunks from the night before lingered in shadowed corners, heads drooping, their snores drowned beneath the clatter of a distant cart.
"So…" Aeris finally broke the silence, her tone sharp against the muted hum of the streets. "How are we going to do this?"
Edward kept his gaze ahead, watching a group of boys chase each other with sticks. "We'll split up. That way we can cover more taverns at once. We start with the ones closest to the murder scene and work our way out."
She gave a firm nod.
"And if we find some newcomers?" she asked.
