A hooded figure stood atop a crumbling rooftop, watching. Below, two figures disappeared through the entrance of Mound Inn, their silhouettes swallowed by the dimly lit establishment.

  The figure raised a pair of binoculars, scanning the room through the grime-streaked windows.

  There.

  Recognition flickered beneath the hood. Dorian Kael.

  The figure didn’t hesitate. With a swift movement, it leaped from the rooftop, landing soundlessly in the alley below. Straightening, it pulled its cloak tighter and began moving toward the Mound Inn.

  Inside, Elias and Dorian sat at a corner table, tucked away from prying eyes. The tavern was dim, the air thick with the scent of aged wood, burning oil lamps, and something faintly metallic. A place where whispers carried more weight than gold.

  Dorian signaled the waiter. “Form-ale for both of us,” he said, sliding over a handful of small, metallic tokens.

  Elias frowned. “What exactly did I just order?”

  Dorian smirked. “A drink. Strong, but not enough to dull your senses.”

  Elias wasn’t convinced, but before he could ask further, he leaned in. “So… where do we go from here?”

  Dorian exhaled slowly. “We wait. There are people here I want you to meet.” He tapped a finger on the wooden table. “The day I found you on the beach, I sent word to a few trusted contacts across different worlds. You’re not alone in this, Elias.”

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  Elias sat back, skeptical but intrigued. His thoughts were interrupted as the door creaked open.

  A new hooded figure entered, moving toward the bar. Elias watched as the bartender and the stranger exchanged a few low words, then the bartender subtly gestured toward their table.

  Elias tensed. “Someone’s coming our way.”

  Dorian barely reacted. “Stay calm.”

  The figure approached slowly, deliberately, before settling into the empty chair beside Elias. The dim glow of the lanterns flickered across sharp features partially hidden by the hood.

  A female voice broke the silence. “Any news on his father?” she asked, her voice smooth but firm.

  Dorian nodded. “Last sighting was near the docks. One of my informants found an empty ship washed up on the shores of Anyra.” He met her gaze. “We’ll need to investigate.”

  The woman’s expression didn’t change. Elias, still piecing everything together, was caught off guard when Dorian casually added, “Oh, I forgot to introduce you.” He gestured toward Elias. “He’s Aldric’s son.”

  The woman finally turned toward Elias, her piercing gaze assessing him. After a brief pause, she nodded. “Pleasure to meet you.” Elias returned the nod. “Likewise.”

  But the warmth of an introduction was fleeting. “You shouldn’t have brought him here,” the woman said to Dorian, her tone sharp. “Did you forget what his father told us before he left?”

  Dorian exhaled, rubbing his temple. “There was no choice. I was out of options.” His voice lowered. “Besides, if there’s anyone who can stand against what’s coming, it’s him.” She didn’t look convinced. “His father said that, when the time came, his son alone would bear this responsibility. No one else.”

  Silence settled between them. Finally, the woman pushed back her hood, revealing striking dark hair and calculating eyes. “The next ship leaves in five days,” she said. “I’ll take him with me. You handle your business here.”

  Dorian nodded. “Fine.”

  Without another word, she stood and motioned for Elias to follow.