As the dramatic moments has past
Crack. Crack. A sound of key unlocking the door and a small screen that could not be found easily opened and closed after confirming who they are. The door opened and the five processed to walk inside. The door shut and another sound of locking can be heard.
Little did they know. That everything that was happening and each of their action was being observed by Alden and the shadow creatures.
Inside. As they enter, hooded 2 started to remember the last time he come here. From the outside it looks peaceful, cheerful, and snug. Stacked stones and hard wooden pillars make up most of the building's outer structure.
It's hard to see through the darkened windows now, also the energy and excitement from within can be felt outside before. But now It's as dull inside as it is on the outside. Hard wooden beams support the upper floor and the candles attached to them. The walls are covered in souvenirs of what were undoubtedly better times for this tavern. They're now more of a painful reminder of what it has turned into.
The tavern itself is almost completely abandoned. The two people inside, hooded 2 would like to stay away from, but whoever they are, they give hooded 2 and the rest an uncomfortable feeling of dread.
Hooded 2 did hear claims about this tavern, supposedly it's infamous for something, but for the life of him, he can't remember what for. Though judging by everything he has seen so far, he doesn't really care and probably don't want to know either.
In trance with his thoughts, hooded 2 watches as Albert started to walk towards a particular individual located in the middle of the of time stilled tavern. They also proceeded to fallow behind as well. Arriving. they bowed silently and waited.
Silent befell the tavern.
At the table, a tapping noise could be heard. "TAP" "TAP" "TAP". With just the finger, the men that is sitting at the round table was emanating a kind of malice. This type of gesture does truly belong to the strong. With just all five who are still in a bowing position felt the pressure of the one making it.
I don't know if the one tapping the table trying to assert dominance or just to scare those who still bowing. What ever it is, is working. Or At least to some people.
"Sit" he spoke.
Then Albert was the first to precede, he took the chair that is beside the men, hooded 2 took the one facing opposite the men, and the rest found their seat around the tavern.
"I believe everything is going according to plan?" he spoke first again.
Hooded 2: "yes" he replied.
"And the child"
Hooded 2: "after the initial treatment that Albert has given him, I believe it won't be long before he dies" he said then continued.
"Even if he did not, Gwen has made sure to keep him in his room without food or water".
"Good" the men spoke.
"Remember, Alden can be left to live but as long as he lives the reputation of Van farrow will continue to be tarnished by the rest of the Nobles. Especially the royal family. He is an abomination that should not exit".
"I have grown quite impatient for his treatment for the last time. To be left alive is not an excuse for the Van farrow. Lord Duke Mason Van Farrow is too kindhearted of men to such a waste".
"Now, on to the main subject as to why I have gathered you all hear tonight"
"After the initial plan 1 has been done. I will send a letter to Lord Mason highlighting our service for the last years, serving the waste with the best of our abilities"
"A men like Lord Mason will surely reward us with duties of protecting the castle afterwards and will also reward us power to control this city"
"Lukas, I believe you are the men who oversee the yearly incomes. Yes?"
[Hooded 2 is Actually Lukas.] Alden thought above.
Lukas: "Yes, This years harvest, fallow by the tax income from the merchant and the lower nobles has garnered three times then the last" he continued.
And as he heard his name being called, Lukas proceeded to take of his hood. Under the hood showed black, short mixed with grey hair reveals a fine, lived-in face. Dancing amber eyes, set well within their sockets, and a beard gracefully compliments his cheekbones.
This is the face of Lukas Denver, A butler that oversea not only Alden's wellbeing but also the one who is in charge of the financial assets of Summer city.
At first, this man was a lot friendlier to Alden when he was stationed to Summer city. Matter of fact those people who are in this tavern were all are. But as the years paste and the more, they found about Alden's situation, the more they were tempted to get rid of him. For what courage have they summoned, from which plane, did they think plotting to ice a noble slowly would work. Ahh yes. It's all because of the man that is sitting right across Lukas.