—Lucius
As twilight descended upon Shadowvale, I found myself once again ensconced in the Broken Fang's smoky interior. The tavern buzzed with a nervous energy, patrons speaking in hushed tones as they cast furtive glances towards the windows.
The blue-tinted lanterns outside seemed to flicker more erratically than usual, their ethereal light struggling against an encroaching darkness that felt almost alive.
I nursed my customary glass of untouched wine, my heightened senses attuned to every whisper, every stifled gasp of fear. The pieces of the puzzle were slowly coming together, but the full picture remained maddeningly elusive. There was knowledge locked away somewhere, I just didn't know where.
A commotion near the door drew my attention. A group of town guards entered, their faces grim and postures tense. Among them was the shapeshifter I'd noticed earlier, its mimicry of human movement almost perfect. Almost.