Charter 21: The Drunken Raven

The night city had its own life: somewhere in the distance, ringing laughter sounded, dark figures whispered in the alleys, and the windows of the taverns glowed, inviting tired travelers to relax. But Calcium knew that the answers to her questions were hidden not in cozy places, but in shadows where light did not penetrate.

Lian walked beside her, clearly not happy with her determination.

–So you're just going to wander around the city until you accidentally bump into someone who knows about the Shadow Council? – His voice was full of skepticism.

Calcium shrugged her shoulders.

–Do you have a better plan?

– How about contacting informants? People who will tell you everything they know for coins?

She thought about it. It wasn't such a bad idea. In any city, there are always those who sell not only goods, but also information. The question was, who can I trust?

"System, do I have contacts among informants?"

A notification flashed on the screen:

[Search...]

[Found: 1 contact]

[Name: Hans "Slippery"]

[Location: The Drunken Raven Tavern]

Calcium chuckled.

–Well, it looks like we have a lead. We're going to the Drunken Raven Tavern.

Lian crossed his arms over his chest: –Drunken Raven? Are you sure you want to go there? It is a breeding ground for thieves, smugglers and murderers.

She just smiled.

– Even more so. Where else to look for those who know the darkest secrets?

The Drunken Raven Tavern was located in the most stuffy part of the city, where the air was heavy with smoke, alcohol, and other people's secrets. The sign with the erased raven image swayed on creaking chains, welcoming the guests with an ominous screech.

Calcium confidently stepped inside, feeling the gazes of several regulars slide over her, assessing whether it was worth getting to her. The dark figures in the corners did not show open aggression, but tension hung in the air.

Lian followed, casting warning glances at the particularly close observers.

–Where's your informant? – he muttered, standing a little behind.

Calcium scanned the room. A man in a tattered shirt and a scar on his cheek sat against the far wall, immersed in semi-darkness. He was idly swinging his mug, but his dark eyes were tenaciously following everyone who entered.

"System, confirm identity."

[Confirmed: Hans is "Slippery"]

Calcium went straight to him: –Are you Hans?

The man slowly looked up, grinned, and took a long drink from his mug.

–Who's asking?

She leaned closer so that only he could hear her words.

–Someone who pays for good information.

Hans chuckled, appraising her.

– Interesting… And what does such a nice girl want to know?

Calcium leaned forward, her blue eyes glinting in the candlelight.

–Tell me everything you know about the Shadow Council.

At the same moment, Hans's smile disappeared, and his fingers tightened on the mug. The atmosphere around them became noticeably colder.

–You're asking dangerous questions, girl. Are you sure you want to hear the answer?

Calcium met Hans's gaze without blinking.

–If I didn't want to know, I wouldn't have come.

The man was silent for a few seconds, then leaned closer, so that his voice turned into a whisper.

–The Shadow Council is not just a group of conspirators. This is an organization that has existed for longer than this city. They watch, bribe, and remove those who become inconvenient to them.

He took a long sip of his ale, looking around before continuing.

– But here's what's interesting… They never act openly. No one knows their true goals. Now imagine how it feels for me, an ordinary informant, when suddenly people start asking me questions about them.

Calcium chuckled slightly.

–You're going to answer anyway.We both know that.

Hans laughed hoarsely.

–I like you, red.Okay… That's what I know.

He leaned back, looked around again, and lowered his voice:

–They're looking for something. Or someone else. For the past few months, their people have been scouring the city, buying back ancient artifacts, exploring ruins, interrogating those connected with the magic of the past.

Calcium tensed up: –Do you know what exactly they need?

Hans shook his head.

– Definitely not. But there are rumors. They are said to be hunting for the power that can change everything. For the ancient knowledge that was lost hundreds of years ago.

Calcium felt something inside her shrink.

"They're looking for power… Can they know about my tattoo?"

She nodded, thinking quickly: –Where can I find part of them?

Hans frowned.

–Are you sure you want to know?

She just looked at him in response.

Hans sighed.

– Okay. If you want to seek death, go to the Abandoned Library outside the north gate. That's where they've been gathering for the last few days. They're looking for something... or waiting for someone.

Calcium memorized every word he said: – Thank you for the information.

She threw some gold coins on the table and stood up.

Lian, who had been silently listening to the conversation all this time, stepped closer.

–Are you really going there?

Calcium turned around, a familiar fire burning in her eyes.

– Of course. I told you, I want answers.

The night enveloped the city in a thick blanket, but Calcium and Lian were not going to wait for morning. The abandoned Library was located behind the north gate, a place that had long been the subject of terrible rumors. It was said that its walls were imbued with ancient spells, and its corridors hid secrets that had no place in the world of the living.

The road there was surprisingly quiet. Too quiet.Lian walked beside her, frowning.

–It's a trap. – They obviously know that someone will show up sooner or later.

Calcium shrugged, but inside she knew he was right.

"System, scan the area."

Lines flashed on the screen:

[The area has been scanned.]

[Found: 6 magical traces.]

[Condition: they are active.]

She gritted her teeth.: –An ambush.

Lian pulled out a dagger.

–Then let's surprise them.

As she got closer, Calcium felt a faint throb in the tattoo on her palm. It was as if the library itself was inviting her inside.

They crossed the threshold, and the world around them seemed to have fallen into a dark dream.

The shadows stirred. Figures in dark cloaks slowly emerged from behind the pillars, their faces hidden by masks patterned with black snakes. One of them stepped forward.

–You came as we expected.

Calcium tensed: – So you really were looking for me.

The man nodded.

– We were looking for the power that sleeps in you.

Calcium clenched her fists, and the tattoo glowed blue.

–Then you're looking at the wrong place. She took a step forward, and at the same moment, the shadows took off.

The shadows rushed towards her, and Calcium barely had time to retreat, dodging the first blow. The air around her thickened, as if the darkness itself was trying to swallow her up. Lian immediately joined the fight, his dagger flashing in the moonlight, cutting through the darkness.

"System, show the enemies' parameters!"

A window flashed in front of my eyes:

[Opponents: 6 people]

[Classes: Shadow Mages (4), Council Assassins (2)]

[Level: 25 to 30]

[Difficulty of the battle: High]

"Damn, they're stronger than I expected."

Calcium gritted her teeth and activated her ability. Her tattoo flashed blue, and a tablet instantly appeared in her hand. She didn't know whose story she was going to write, but right now she needed something that would give her an advantage.

[Creating the Tablet...]

//To be continued, please like and save 🥺...