Inside, the air was cooler, heavier, and laden with the weight of expectation. Unlike the vibrant market, this place was subdued, its illumination provided only by faintly glowing pearls embedded in the walls.
To most, the space might have seemed oppressively dim, but Arthur's eyes, sharp and unnatural, cut through the shadows with ease.
Masked figures dotted the chamber, their expressions hidden, but their wary glances betrayed them. Nobles, merchants, and shady dealers whispered in tight circles, their voices barely audible over the muted sound of water lapping against the far walls.
A masked server approached Arthur hesitantly, carrying a tray of local delicacies, kelp-wrapped morsels and glowing sea-fruits. They offered the tray with a small bow. "To sustain you as you wait." They murmured, eyes flicking nervously to the lantern.
