Kael and Lila made their way to The Iron Flask, the tavern Thorne had mentioned. It was located in the southern district, a rougher part of Eldrin where the buildings were older and the streets narrower. The tavern itself was a sturdy, weathered structure with a dimly lit interior and a lively crowd.
As they entered, Kael could feel the eyes of the patrons on them. The atmosphere was thick with tension, the air filled with the murmur of low conversations and the clink of tankards. They approached the bar, where a burly man with a grizzled beard eyed them suspiciously.
"We're looking for the leader of the resistance," Kael said, keeping his voice steady. "Thorne sent us."
The bartender's eyes narrowed, but he nodded towards a door at the back of the room. "Through there. And be careful. They don't take kindly to strangers."
Kael and Lila made their way to the door and knocked. It was opened by a tall, stern-looking woman with short-cropped hair and a scar across her cheek.
"We're here to see the leader," Kael said, meeting her gaze.
She scrutinized them for a moment before stepping aside. "Come in."
They entered a small, dimly lit room where a group of people sat around a large table. At the head of the table was a broad-shouldered man with a commanding presence. His eyes were sharp and assessing as he looked up at them.
"I'm Gareth, leader of this resistance cell," the man said. "Thorne mentioned you might be coming. But we don't ally ourselves with just anyone. We need to know if you're strong enough to be of any use to us."
Lila stepped forward, her eyes gleaming with determination. "We're more than capable. But if you need proof, I'm willing to provide it."
Gareth's lips curled into a slight smile. "Very well. We'll see about that. I propose a duel. If you can best me, we'll consider you strong enough to join our cause."
The members of the resistance murmured among themselves, their expressions a mix of curiosity and skepticism. Kael felt a surge of pride and anticipation. He knew Lila was more than capable of handling this challenge.
They moved to a cleared area at the back of the room, where a makeshift ring had been set up. Gareth stood opposite Lila, rolling his shoulders and stretching his arms. He was a formidable-looking man, an ex-soldier with the athleticism to match. But Kael knew that Lila's strength and skill were on another level.
The crowd gathered around them, the air thick with anticipation. Gareth nodded to Lila, signaling that he was ready. She returned the nod, her stance relaxed but alert.
The duel began with Gareth launching a series of quick, powerful strikes. Lila dodged and parried with ease, her movements fluid and precise. She danced around him, waiting for the right moment to counter.
Gareth tried to close the distance, aiming a heavy punch at Lila's midsection. She sidestepped effortlessly, using his momentum to throw him off balance. With a swift kick to the back of his knee, she sent him sprawling to the ground.
The crowd gasped, their murmurs growing louder. Gareth quickly got to his feet, his expression more determined than ever. He attacked again, this time with a series of feints and jabs designed to test Lila's defenses.
Lila blocked and countered with lightning speed, her strikes precise and controlled. She moved like a whirlwind, her agility and strength leaving Gareth struggling to keep up. Finally, she saw an opening and delivered a powerful roundhouse kick to his chest, sending him crashing to the floor once more.
Gareth lay on the ground, panting and dazed. The room fell silent, the members of the resistance watching in awe as Lila stood victorious. Kael felt a surge of pride and relief, knowing they had proven their worth.
To his credit, Gareth didn't show any signs of anger or resentment. Instead, he pushed himself up and let out a hearty laugh.
"Well, I'll be damned," Gareth said, still catching his breath. "You're the real deal, aren't you?"
Lila offered him a hand, helping him to his feet. "We're here to help. We want to take down the council as much as you do."
Gareth grinned, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Welcome to the resistance. With strength like yours, we might just stand a chance."
The crowd erupted in cheers, the tension in the room dissolving into a sense of camaraderie and hope. Kael felt a sense of relief and exhilaration. They had found allies, and with their combined strength, they could take the fight to the council.
Gareth clapped Kael on the shoulder. "Thorne was right to send you. We've needed someone like you to lead the charge. What's your plan?"
Kael and Lila exchanged a determined glance before Kael began to outline their strategy. "First, we need to warn the people on the council's list of targets. We have information about planned raids, and we need to move quickly to protect them."
Gareth nodded. "We've got people who can help spread the word. What else?"
"We also need to gather more fighters," Lila added. "The more people we have on our side, the better our chances of success. We need to unite the scattered pockets of resistance throughout the city."
Gareth's eyes gleamed with determination. "Consider it done. We'll start reaching out to our contacts and gathering support. What about supplies?"
"Thorne has agreed to provide us with weapons and armor," Kael said. "We'll need to make sure everyone is equipped and ready for the battles ahead."
Gareth grinned. "Sounds like a plan. Let's get to work."
As they began to organize and mobilize the resistance, Kael couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of purpose. They had proven their worth and gained valuable allies. The fight against the council was far from over, but with the support of the resistance, they were stronger than ever.
As the evening wore on, Kael and Lila worked tirelessly alongside their new comrades, preparing for the challenges ahead.