They didn't go to their usual inn that Griffin's team used, instead, they went directly to the inn opposite the Hunter's Association.
Belialthorn thought that the inn owner must be wise indeed to put his business in front of the Hunter's Association where Hunters who just got paid would spend freely through the night.
It was a large building and Belialthorn winced as the full blast of a crowded bar hit him, he toned down his hearing and smelling when the grimy sweaty odors of humans made his nose twitch.
"I thought it would be more....lively," Belialthorn told Rota as they entered. Chairs and tables were full of Hunters drinking and eating. waiters moving gracefully between the chaos with drinks and food on trays.
But something was wrong, the Hunters talked too loudly as if they were putting on an act. For those who had weapons, their hands never stayed far from the hilt. An underlying tension shimmers just under the guise of a lively inn.
"Well, I think we both know why it wasn't lively," Rota said, her eyes flitting about until she spotted a free table. She gestured for Belialthorn and they both made their way across the bar.
Eyes followed them in different shades of surprise, to amusement as if they couldn't fathom what two lower Grade 1 would be doing here.
It occurred to Rota then that the Hunters here were Grade 3 and 4, she wouldn't have been caught dead in an inn like this few weeks ago, but it was different now. Belialthorn was here.
Belialthorn nodded in approval because Rota had chosen a table facing the entrance and backing the wall, it gave them an overview of the whole inn and would alert them to any danger approaching.
It also gave them a direct view of what was causing the tension in the room.
A young man the same age as human Belialthorn, he was dressed in a rich blue robe and was sipping a drink while casually looking around the room with a confidence that didn't quite surprise Belialthorn since a hulking metal-clad knight stood behind his chair.
"So why is he causing all this tension? From the feel of it he's only mid-Grade 1." Belialthorn hailed a waiter.
Rota narrowed her eyes as she took in the sight of the noble sitting in the middle of a room full of peasants. "You must have guessed. From the blue he wore and the Knight behind him I would say he is Lord Alaric Keenreaver. The heir to Havenbrook."
Belialthorn studied the young man. Lord Alaric's black hair was slick back and his face was smooth, too smooth that Belialthorn immediately became suspicious of it. Alaric had the face of a schemer and he raised lazy blue eyes to meet Belialthorn, smiling all the while.
"What is a Noble finding here in the inn? He didn't fit here." Belialthorn said as the waiter served them drinks.
Rota shrugged and drank half of her mug, she smiled in satisfaction. "Who knows? Nothing like a cool drink after a hard day's work."
Belialthorn nodded in agreement as he took a long pull out of his drink. That man, Alaric had smiled when he looked at Belialthorn then but now he had returned to his casual observation of the Hunters in the room.
"Why do you say it was strange for him to be back here in the town his family rules?" Belialthorn asked.
Rota leaned forward. "Well, the Keenreavers don't have that much power here in Havenbrook."
That was a surprise to Belialthorn, how would a lord not have power in the land he ruled? "How is that even possible."
"A long time ago before Havenbrook became what it is today the Keenreaver were neglecting the town. They spent most of their time and fortune in the capital. They didn't develop the town but the Hunter's Association and the Holy Church saw potential in the town since it was close to the wilderness." Rota glanced around to make sure no one was eavesdropping before continuing.
"They opened their branches here and developed the town to what it is today. The Keenreaver came running back to take control but it was already too late. There has been an under-the-surface struggle for power between the three forces after that. The Holy Church, The Hunter's Association, and the Keenreavers." Rota concluded.
Belialthorn frowned. "But shouldn't Keenreavers have the obvious power due to their right as rulers?"
"Normally yes but they lacked the power and money that the other two had," Rota answered.
"How is that?" Belialthorn asked.
"Hunters are also armed forces depending on the situation. The Hunter's Association and the Holy Church have almost all of the ones in Havenbrook between them. The Hunters are loyal to the two organizations for giving them jobs in Havenbrook and turning the town into something." She whispered.
"What about in the kingdom? I can't assume the King and the other Lords would let the two Association in the Kingdom have the Hunters all to themselves." Belialthorn reasoned.
"Havenbrook is something of a special case. In other cities, the Hunter's Association isn't as powerful as they were here. The Lords have their forces of High-Level Hunters that hunt monsters and also act as their Armed forces. Same as the King and it paid more than being in the Hunter's Association." Rota said.
"The Hunter's Association was created by the King and they more or less obeyed him. Though they acted more independently nowadays, they are still one of the forces of the Kingdom. The noble called their independent forces Knight, loyal and honorable." Rota snorted, which turned to her coughing. She had to drain her cup before she stopped.
Belialthorn nodded slowly. Seems the King and other Lords maintain other independent forces for themselves apart from the Hunter's Association.
And it must cost a lot to keep High-Grade Hunters. So money was one of the things Keenreavers lacked.
Belialthorn raised his hand to call the waiter for food when he noticed that the inn was silent and eyes was only now watching as two people made their way across the room. Lord Alaric Keenreaver and his Knight.
They were making their way towards Belialthorn and Rota's table.