Arphaxad arrived at the outskirts of Zoarlath, where the dark, dirty alleys gave way to a series of run-down warehouses and constructions. He knew this was where the slaves of a known slave trader were kept before being sold or transferred to other areas. The dusk cast long, frightening shadows, perfect for someone like him to sneak around unnoticed.
He hid in the shadows, observing the movement. The guards, all burly and armed, were in strategic positions, ensuring no one approached without permission. Arphaxad needed a way to get in undetected. He saw a small, partly open window on the second floor of one of the warehouses and decided that was his best chance.
With the agility of a feline, he scaled the side of the building, using indentations and cracks in the wall to support himself. Reaching the window, he peered inside. What he saw was a room full of enchained slaves, most in deplorable conditions. Arphaxad felt anger grow in his chest, but he knew he needed to be careful. He entered through the window, silently, and slipped down the dark hallway.
He advanced cautiously, trying to make no sound. But then, as he approached a door that seemed to lead to another confinement area, he heard a subtle sound of magic being conjured. Before he could react, a magic barrier glowed before him, blocking his path.
Two magic guardians emerged from the shadows, their hands glowing with arcane mana. "Halt right there, intruder!" shouted one, as the other began conjuring a containment spell.
Arphaxad knew he was at a disadvantage. He quickly turned and ran back down the hallway, jumping out the window he had entered from. The magic guardians pursued him, casting spells that ricocheted off the walls around him. With agility, Arphaxad descended the building wall and ran through the dark alleys, using his still minor familiarity with the streets to lose the guards.
He continued running until sure he was no longer being followed. Breathing heavily, he knew he would need a new plan to rescue the slaves. But at least now he had valuable information about the location and its magic guardians.
Arphaxad sat in a small hidden clearing, reflecting on what he had seen. He knew he would need his allies' help to free those slaves. "I will return," he thought, determined. "And next time, I'll be prepared."
While Aura played with Catoni's granddaughters, Yorin and Adonis conversed with the old artisan. Suddenly, a loud groan of pain from Catoni's workshop interrupted their talk. He asked their pardon and went inside. Aura, Yorin and Adonis looked at each other worriedly. One of Catoni's granddaughters, who had stopped playing, looked at them and said: "We found an almost dead woman on the outskirts of town. Grandpa was looking for wood for his works when he saw her."
A few minutes later, Catoni emerged from the workshop with a serious expression. "I'm caring for an almost dead woman I found," he explained. "Probably an escaped slave they caught up to. They beat her, leaving her to die. She has six broken bones, huge bruises, internal bleeding, and seems to have taken a very heavy blow to the head. Her will to live is incredible, but she still faces serious risks as she can't even eat or drink water."
Aura, grasping the gravity of the situation, suggested: "We may be able to help with that. We have healing potions that are absurdly expensive to buy but could save her."
Catoni accepted the offer, and they went inside the workshop. Lying there was a person so injured it was hard to discern their gender. Their face was swollen and covered in bruises. Aura administered the healing potion to the woman, who sighed as if feeling relief and fell into a more peaceful sleep.
Aura suggested Adonis use his ability on them to identify who they were. Adonis cut her off before she could finish the sentence. "I can't do that without their consent. It would be an invasion," he whispered, silencing Aura.
Yorin, who cherished beauty, said feeling deep in his heart: "That person has a natural beauty that can't be ignored. I can't forgive who did this to them." He stared fixedly at the woman and said he would care for her until her beauty returned. Aura realized Yorin was crying, while Adonis felt a morbid aura emanating from him, realizing Yorin was speaking seriously this time.
Yorin then stood up and asked Catoni if he knew which slaver was responsible for this. Catoni replied he didn't know, as the city was full of slavers. However, he remembered something and turned to Yorin, saying the Grand Duke required all "merchandise" be registered in documents with details like eye color, hair and specific body marks.
Catoni explained it was possible to find these records in the city's Capitol Building. Yorin then suggested Aura and Adonis go check these records, as they could have information on Draka and Ninea too. They accepted the suggestion and decided to go there the next day.
That night in Alnuum, Suzannah leafed through her diary looking for the record of the last time she had a lucid dream like that. The terrible memory tormented her, and she didn't know what to do with it, since no one seemed to believe her. She began questioning whether that dream really meant anything. While reliving her thoughts, she heard a knock on her office door. Suzannah found it strange for anyone to knock at that late hour, and when she answered, realized it was Inala.
The little girl was worried about Suzannah, having noticed her acting strange all day. This gesture surprised Queen Scarlet, who thought Inala didn't like her due to her rigidity with the girl. Inala's attitude made Suzannah emotionally break down. She embraced the girl and said she would protect her from anything that happened. Inala, a little sleepy, thanked her and said her brothers Kal and Sin would protect her too.
After that, Inala lay in the same bed as Suzannah, and the two went to sleep. With Inala's presence beside her, Suzannah's mind finally quieted, allowing her to sleep peacefully. However, without knowing exactly what to prepare for, Suzannah vowed to ready herself in all ways possible for the worst.
In the morning, the bells rang loudly, reverberating through the capital Emarlal. The people, still sleepy, began leaving their homes, awakened by the sentinels' call. As the gates opened, the leaders of Volkaron's and the Duchy's armies took the front line. Set, imposing on his white stallion, led the hundred golden-eyed soldiers, his crimson eyes shining under the rising sun. Beside him, Ionna stood firm, her serious expression reflecting the responsibility of leading the five thousand-man army marching closely behind.
Amid murmurs and curious looks, the crowd observed Flamarion's unusual presence. Volkaron's nine-year-old heir was pulled by a caretaker on an improvised horse. Behind him, Alexandria's royal carriage stood out. The regent queen, ambitious, wanted her son seen as a war hero, consolidating her position and legitimacy. However, Flamarion's lost, frightened gaze revealed the cruelty of his situation, removed from his sister's protection and thrown into war's brutality.
Ionna, still intrigued by the Duchy's impressive marching speed, turned to Set and asked how they managed to arrive so quickly. Set, with characteristic calmness, explained he and his men were bred for it, an answer that made Ionna feel a chill. "So you'll run to Nannu too?" she asked. Set shook his head negatively. "No. Saladon's orders are clear: we must let Alexandria lead the attack. We can't arrive there before her."
The response brought some relief but also restlessness. The march to Nannu would not just be a show of force but a clash of destinies. As Emarlal's people waved and offered their prayers, the future of two kingdoms was about to collide on a battlefield promising to be memorable.
Kal, Markel and Sahara searched all night for clues about Lark the slaver's whereabouts.
It was still night when Kal, Markel and Sahara began their relentless search for information about Lark, the notorious slaver. Zoarlath's dark streets were lit only by sparse lanterns, creating a gloomy, dangerous environment. The trio walked stealthily, avoiding patrols and other perils lurking in the shadows. Kal, with his new metal arm, was always alert, while Markel used his brute strength to intimidate anyone who seemed suspicious.
Sahara, realizing brothels were rich sources of intel, decided to infiltrate one. She changed out of her usual garb into simpler clothes typical of the establishment's workers and entered discreetly. Inside the brothel, the loud music and forced laughter created an oppressive atmosphere. Sahara approached one of the workers and, after some conversation, gained her trust.
"I'm looking for information about Lark," Sahara whispered.
The worker looked around, ensuring no one was paying attention, then responded: "Lark is a very famous trader around here. He commands crime in Zoarlath's north end. If you're after him, best be careful. He has many eyes and ears all over the city."
Meanwhile on the dark streets, Markel used his brute strength to interrogate some thugs he came across. With a powerful punch, he dropped one criminal against the wall, holding him by the collar.
"Tell me where I can find Lark," Markel demanded, his voice overflowing with resolve.
Frightened and without options, the thug revealed the same info Sahara had obtained: "Lark controls crime in the north end. He has several brothels and businesses there. He's a dangerous man - best you watch yourself."
Kal, Sahara and Markel regrouped to share intel. Sahara, still feeling the weight of the words she'd heard in the brothel, said: "All signs point to Lark being in the city's north end. He's a powerful, dangerous man."
Kal nodded, determined. "Then that's where we're headed. We need to find his office and discover where he's keeping the slaves."
With resolve, the trio followed the path north toward Zoarlath, where the streets grew even more perilous but they were ready to face any obstacle. They finally arrived at the area controlled by Lark, where a large, dark construction stood out: the slaver's office.
With their faces covered by hoods, Adonis, Yorin and Aura headed to Zoarlath's Capitol Building. The imposing structure, located in the city's east end, contrasted with the bustle of the large outdoor market. The gray stone walls and tall windows reflected the dawn light, giving the building an austere, impenetrable aura.
As they approached, Yorin quickly assessed the situation. "There are many guards here. Storming in would be impossible without notice," he whispered to his companions. The area teemed with bureaucrats and soldiers, making any covert entry attempt suicidal.
Yorin pondered for a moment, considering their options. He had a risky idea: "Perhaps we could bring the injured woman Catoni is caring for and deliver her to the authorities. That could give us an excuse to enter and possibly access the records."
Adonis looked at Yorin with a grave expression. "That could mean her death. If she was left to die outside the city, it's because they no longer wanted her. Turning her back in could seal her fate."
Aura, always concerned with the group's moral actions, agreed with Adonis. "We can't do that. We need to find another way to access those documents."
Determined to find a less risky solution, the three began circling the Capitol, looking for a less guarded entrance point or security weakness. They passed by the building's front, observing the bureaucrats' and soldiers' comings and goings, noticing a small side door that seemed used by employees.
"Perhaps we could infiltrate as staff," suggested Aura, eyeing the servants' uniforms.
Adonis nodded. "It could work, but we'd need the uniforms. Let's continue observing and see if we spot an opportunity."
While circling the structure, Yorin noticed a young servant girl leaving the Capitol with a basket of clothes. "That servant could be our chance," he said, discreetly pointing. They followed the girl to a nearby laundry facility.
"If we get uniforms, we can infiltrate without raising suspicion," said Adonis.
At the same time, Adonis realized Yorin's hair could draw too much attention from the guards, so he decided to go in alone with his sister Aura.
"Yorin, I think your hair would bring too much notice if you came too, wait for us outside!" said Adonis.
Aura agreed. "Let's wait until she goes in and see if we can at least grab two uniforms."
They waited patiently hidden in the shadows until the girl entered the laundry room. Silently, Yorin snuck up to the door and peeked inside. Seeing she was alone, he signaled to Adonis and Aura.
Adonis entered first, followed by Aura. They quickly overtook the girl, explaining they didn't want to harm her. Aura, with her soft, calming voice, managed to soothe the girl enough to take three uniforms.
"Thank you for your cooperation," said Aura, leaving some gold coins for the girl as compensation.
Back at the Capitol building, now disguised as servants, Adonis and Aura waited until the small side door was momentarily unguarded. Seizing the opportunity, they entered the building silently, while Yorin remained outside in disguise.
Inside the Capitol, the atmosphere was tense. They walked the hallways, blending in with the other servants, and finally reached the records room. There, Adonis began searching the files while Aura kept watch at the door.
"We need to find anything about Draka and Ninea," Adonis whispered, quickly flipping through documents. Alert for any signs of danger.
After some frantic searching, Adonis found a relevant record. "Here it is! Names and locations of all registered slavers in this city - it's not exactly what we wanted but should help!" he said, showing the paper to Aura.
Aura nodded with a satisfied smile. "Great work. Now we have a lead."
With the information in hand, the siblings left the Capitol the same way they'd entered, ready for the next step of their mission: rescuing Draka and Ninea and dismantling Zoarlath's slave operation.
With the discovery of the records, Adonis, Yorin and Aura knew the real battle was only beginning. But now, armed with vital intel, they stood a real chance of making a difference and saving their friends.