Chapter 41: Shadows in Vaelport

The streets of Vaelport stretched ahead like a living maze, twisting and shifting with the ebb and flow of the people. The air smelled of salt, damp stone, and the faint tinge of burning oil from the countless lanterns lining the streets. Mira led the way through the city's narrow alleys, her posture tense, her grip firm on the map now tucked beneath her cloak.

Aria kept close behind her, head down, hands clenched. She could still feel the lingering hunger curling in the pit of her stomach, a dark whisper at the edge of her mind. The encounter with Scarface had been too close—too dangerous. If Elena hadn't intervened, if the confrontation had escalated just a moment longer, she might have lost control.

The thought sent a shiver down her spine.

Elena, ever the opportunist, walked beside them with her usual carefree stride. "So," she mused, glancing at the crowded market ahead, "what's next? We have our map, but we still need information. And I, for one, could use a drink."

Mira shot her a warning glance. "We need to be careful. That mercenary was watching Aria too closely. And I have a feeling he wasn't the only one."

Aria felt the weight of Mira's words settle in her chest. Someone in this city had noticed her—someone who saw past the cloak, past the mask of an ordinary traveler. And if word got out…

She exhaled slowly, trying to steady herself.

"We'll find an inn," Mira continued. "Somewhere quiet, away from the main streets. Then we'll figure out our next move."

Elena smirked. "An inn? Quiet? I'm starting to think you don't know how to have fun."

Mira ignored her.

They moved deeper into the city, past the bustling market and toward the lower districts where the buildings pressed closer together, casting long shadows over the narrow streets. The further they walked, the quieter it became. The voices of the traders faded into murmurs, replaced by the distant creak of wooden docks and the rhythmic crash of waves against stone.

Vaelport's underbelly.

It was here that secrets were sold.

A Whisper in the Dark

The inn they found was nestled in a forgotten alley, its wooden sign swaying gently in the breeze. The Rusted Lantern. It looked unremarkable—just another establishment catering to sailors and traders passing through the city. But the moment they stepped inside, Aria knew it was more than that.

The air was thick with the scent of spiced ale and burning wood. Dim lanterns cast flickering light across the room, illuminating tables filled with men and women speaking in hushed voices. No one looked up as they entered, but Aria could feel the weight of their awareness.

This wasn't an ordinary inn. It was a place where people listened. A place where information could be bought and sold.

Mira led them to a corner table, keeping her back to the wall as she sat. Elena dropped into the seat opposite her, stretching with a contented sigh. Aria hesitated before sitting, her senses still on high alert.

A woman approached, her dark hair braided over one shoulder, a knowing smile on her lips. "You don't look like regulars," she murmured, setting three tankards on the table. "Passing through?"

Mira nodded. "Something like that."

The woman tilted her head, eyes scanning them with quiet curiosity. Then, without another word, she turned and disappeared into the crowd.

Elena raised an eyebrow. "Friendly."

"She was watching us," Aria muttered.

Mira nodded. "Everyone in this place is watching us."

That was the price of stepping into a den of secrets.

The Price of Information

They waited. Mira pretended to sip her drink, eyes scanning the room for anyone who might be listening too closely. Elena leaned back, casual but alert. Aria stayed quiet, fighting the gnawing hunger at the edge of her mind.

Then, a figure approached their table.

A man, cloaked and hooded, slid into the seat beside Elena as if he had been invited. His presence was smooth, practiced. He belonged in places like this.

Mira tensed.

Elena smirked. "You don't waste time, do you?"

The man chuckled, low and rasping. "In this city, time is gold." He leaned forward, gloved fingers tapping against the table. "You're looking for information."

Mira didn't respond immediately.

The man took that as confirmation. "And I happen to deal in such things."

Elena rested her chin on her hand. "And what, exactly, do you think we're looking for?"

The man smiled. "Recent events. The shifting tides of the kingdom. A map of more than just roads and mountains." His gaze flickered briefly to Aria, lingering for a fraction too long. "And perhaps… something more."

Aria fought the urge to move. To run.

He knew.

Mira's voice was calm, measured. "How much?"

The man chuckled. "Coin is valuable. But knowledge is priceless. A trade, perhaps?"

Elena's expression didn't change, but Aria saw the flicker of tension behind her eyes.

Mira set her drink down. "We don't trade in secrets."

The man sighed as if disappointed. "A shame. Then I'll settle for something simpler." He tapped the table once, and from within his cloak, he withdrew a small parchment, sliding it toward them. "A token of goodwill."

Mira hesitated before taking it.

The moment her fingers touched the parchment, the man stood. "A storm is coming," he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "Be careful where you stand when it breaks."

Then, as swiftly as he had appeared, he was gone.

A Threat Unspoken

Mira unrolled the parchment.

It was a list of names.

And at the bottom—

Aria's name.

A bounty.

A price on her head.

The realization settled like ice in her veins. Someone knew about her. Someone had seen past the mask.

And now, she wasn't just being watched.

She was being hunted.

Mira clenched the parchment in her fist. "We need to leave."

Elena's usual smirk had vanished.

Aria's hands trembled beneath the table.

The walls of Vaelport had become a cage, and outside, in the darkened alleys, the hunters were waiting.

To Be Continued…