Just as the meeting was about to adjourn, a hand shot up from the far end of the table. "What of the mystery man who slaughtered our men while they attacked Aria and killed my favorite bodyguard, Jonas, at the Gold Griffin tavern?" Lord Thrain's voice was laced with anger and a hint of curiosity.
Lord Xandros's expression turned thoughtful, his eyes narrowing as he spoke. "Ah, yes. The mysterious warrior. We've been trying to identify him, but so far, no one knows who he is or where he came from."
Lady Arachne's gaze turned icy. "But we do know one thing - he's a formidable fighter, and he seems to have a personal vendetta against us. We need to be cautious and prepare for the possibility of him interfering with our plans again."
Lord Cygnus grunted. "I'll increase the guard and add more patrols. If he shows up again, we'll be ready for him."
Lady Valtira's voice was laced with a hint of excitement. "I'll make sure to spread the word and gather more information. Maybe we can use him to our advantage, or at least neutralize him before he becomes a bigger problem."
The room fell silent once more, each member of the Order lost in their own thoughts, pondering the mystery of the unknown warrior and the threat he posed to their plans. Little did they know, the mysterious warrior was watching from the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike again.
At the Silver Stag Inn, Liam lay slumbering, his exhaustion finally catching up with him. His rest was fitful, his mind still reeling from the events of the past few days. As he slowly came to, his eyes fluttered open, heavy with sleep. He groggily sat up, rubbing his temples, trying to shake off the haze.
His hair was disheveled, sticking up in every direction, and his eyes looked sunken, with dark circles beneath them. His skin was pale, and his stubble had grown into a short, scruffy beard. His clothes were rumpled, and his leather armor creaked as he moved, evidence of the many battles he had fought.
Liam yawned, stretching his arms above his head, and swung his legs over the side of the bed. He planted his feet firmly on the ground, feeling the solid wooden floor beneath him. He took a deep breath, trying to clear the cobwebs from his mind.
As he stood up, his muscles protested, sore from the physical exertion of the past few days. He stumbled slightly, catching himself on the bedpost. He chuckled wryly, realizing he was still half asleep.
After a few moments of orientation, Liam made his way to the inn's common room, seeking a hot meal and a mug of ale to revive himself.
Aria and Kael stood outside the city gates, ready to embark on their journey to recover the hidden trinket. But Aria's stomach had other plans. "Kael, I'm starving!" she exclaimed, her eyes scanning the surrounding area for a place to eat.
Kael hesitated, his mind focused on the task ahead. "Aria, we shouldn't waste time. We have a long journey ahead of us."
But Aria's persistence won out. "Just a quick bite, please? I can't think straight on an empty stomach."
Kael relented, and they made their way to the Silver Stag Inn, the same place where Liam was currently enjoying a meal. As they entered, the aroma of roasting meat and freshly baked bread filled their nostrils, making Aria's stomach growl even louder.
They took a seat at a wooden table, and Aria ordered a hearty breakfast, much to Kael's chagrin. As they waited for their food to arrive, they discussed their plan of action, poring over the cryptic map that supposedly led to the trinket.
Unbeknownst to them, their conversation was being watched with great interest by a certain mysterious warrior, who sat in the corner, sipping his ale...
Liam, sipping his ale, gazed into the flames dancing in the fireplace when two figures emerged from outside into the inn. His eyes widened as he recognized Aria and Kael, the same duo he had crossed paths with at the city gates. They seemed oblivious to his presence, too engrossed in their conversation.
Aria, with her usual exuberance, dragged Kael to a table adjacent to Liam's. "Hey, ma'am! Can I get a large bowl of buffalo soup with a double Jaman wing and ale to go?" she exclaimed, her voice carrying across the room.
Kael's expression turned wry, his eyes rolling heavenward. "With that slim figure, she eats like a cow," he muttered under his breath, a mix of annoyance, amusement, and admiration flickering across his face.
Aria's eyes narrowed, her gaze snapping to Kael. "You talking to me?" she asked, her tone laced with a hint of warning.
Kael feigned innocence, his hands raised in defense. "No, I'm not," he replied, his eyes darting away from Aria's piercing stare.
Liam watched the exchange with interest, a chuckle rising in his throat. He remembered Aria's fiery spirit and Kael's deadpan reactions from their previous encounter. He wondered what other adventures this unlikely duo had gotten themselves into.
As he waited for his food to arrive, Liam couldn't help but eavesdrop on their conversation, his ears perked up for any clues about their mission or the mysterious trinket they sought. Little did he know, their paths would soon cross in ways he never imagined.
Aria's eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief as she gazed at the map, her finger tracing the route to the trinket. "Why don't we skip the long route and just cut through Thanatos Valley? We'll be there within two days," she suggested, her voice laced with a hint of excitement.
Kael's reaction was immediate, his calm demeanor shattering like fragile glass. He spat out the mouthful of ale he was sipping, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Are you crazy? What made you think they called it Thanatos Valley?" He exclaimed, his voice rising in incredulity. "It means 'Death Valley'! If you're that eager to die, then fine, you can go ahead, but don't drag me along!"
Aria's laughter was like a gentle breeze, mocking and teasing. "Oh, I never knew the formidable Kael the assassin was afraid! Just because of some fairy tale told to children to get them to bed?" She taunted, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Kael's expression turned stern, his voice cold and even. "That's not just some fairy tale, it's true. I've seen men who could take on 30 people in one go venture into that valley and never return. I'm not scared, just being cautious, that's all," he replied, his eyes gleaming with a hint of warning.
The air was tense, the weight of Kael's words hanging heavy between them. Aria's smile faltered, her eyes gleaming with a hint of understanding. She knew Kael's reputation, his skills, and his unyielding dedication to their mission. But she also knew that Thanatos Valley was no ordinary place, its reputation for death and danger a warning to even the bravest of warriors. The question was, would they take the risk, or play it safe? Only time would tell.