Aria's eyes darted away, trying to conceal the fear that had crept in. "Well, since you're that scared, let's follow the normal route instead," she suggested, her voice laced with a hint of uncertainty.
Kael's expression turned resolute. "No, we should go through Thanatos Valley. We don't have much time on our hands, and that's our best bet."
Aria's body froze, her eyes fixed on Kael as if he had just sentenced them to death. "Are you scared?" Kael taunted, his voice laced with a hint of amusement.
Aria's response was swift, her voice firm. "Of course not." But her eyes betrayed her, revealing the fear she tried to hide. She had the power of the elements, but she had yet to test it in battle, and the uncertainty gnawed at her.
Kael's smirk was faint, but Aria caught it. "Well, let's just hope things work out well, right?" she said, her voice laced with a hint of desperation.
Kael's reply was nonchalant. "Hope so too." But as he sipped his ale, Aria's eyes widened in horror. "What could possibly go wrong?" he said, his words dripping with sarcasm.
Aria's cry was immediate. "Oh, you idiot! You just jinxed us!" she exclaimed, her voice laced with a hint of panic.
Kael's smirk grew wider, his eyes glinting with amusement. He knew he had just provoked Aria, but he couldn't help it. He was an assassin, and danger was his game. But little did they know, Thanatos Valley held secrets that would test their resolve, their skills, and their very survival.
Unbeknownst to Aria and Kael, two watchful eyes had been monitoring their conversation from the shadows. Two dogs of the Order of the Black Oats, disguised as ordinary tavern patrons, had been keeping tabs on the duo. Their ears perked up as they caught the mention of Thanatos Valley.
Without hesitation, the two dogs swiftly exited the tavern, their mission clear. They had to report back to their master, the one who had sent them to keep surveillance on Aria and Kael. The mention of Thanatos Valley was a crucial piece of information, one that could tip the scales in their favor.
As they disappeared into the night, their footsteps echoed with an ominous warning: the Order of the Black Oats was always watching, always waiting for the perfect moment to strike. And now, with the knowledge of Thanatos Valley, their plan was set in motion, like a deadly trap waiting to be sprung.
The two guards, their faces stern and urgent, rushed up to Lord Thrain's balcony, where he stood poring over a map of the land. His eyes narrowed, focused on the strategic points marked in red, as he plotted their next move.
"Lord Thrain," one of the guards said, his voice low and hasty, "we have news. The two targets, Aria and Kael, were just discussing their plans in the Silver Stag Inn."
Lord Thrain's gaze snapped up, his eyes locking onto the guards. "Go on," he commanded, his deep voice firm and commanding.
"They spoke of taking a shortcut through Thanatos Valley," the second guard continued, his words tumbling out in a rush. "They seem to be in a hurry, my lord."
Lord Thrain's expression turned thoughtful, his mind working through the implications. "Thanatos Valley," he repeated, his voice dripping with significance. "That changes things. We cannot let them reach the trinket before us."
He turned back to the map, his eyes scanning the terrain, his mind racing with new strategies. "Summon the rest of the guards. We will leave at dawn. We must beat them to the valley and ensure they never leave."
The guards nodded, their faces set with determination, and hastened off to carry out their lord's orders. Lord Thrain's eyes remained fixed on the map, his mind burning with a singular focus: crush Aria and Kael before they could threaten the Order's plans.
The two guards rushed up to Lord Thrain's balcony, where he stood poring over a map of the land, his eyes gleaming with malevolent intent. As a member of the Dark Arts, he reveled in the misfortunes of others.
"Lord Thrain," one of the guards said, his voice low and urgent, "we have news. The two targets, Aria and Kael, were just discussing their plans in the Silver Stag Inn."
Lord Thrain's gaze snapped up, a sinister grin spreading across his face. "Go on," he commanded, his deep voice dripping with anticipation.
"They spoke of taking a shortcut through Thanatos Valley," the second guard continued, his words music to Lord Thrain's ears. "They seem to be in a hurry, my lord."
Lord Thrain's eyes gleamed with malevolent delight. "Thanatos Valley," he repeated, his voice dripping with relish. "How... fortunate. The valley's dark energies will weaken them, making our task so much easier."
He turned back to the map, his mind racing with the possibilities. "Let them enter the valley. Let them think they have a chance. We will be waiting, ready to strike when they are at their weakest."
The guards nodded, their faces set with understanding, and hastened off to carry out their lord's orders. Lord Thrain's eyes remained fixed on the map, his mind burning with a sinister intent: let Aria and Kael walk into the trap, and let the Dark Arts claim them as their own.
Lord Thrain's eyes gleamed with excitement as he gazed out at the night sky, his mind racing with the possibilities. He couldn't wait to share the news with his fellow members of the Order of the Black Oats. He summoned his most trusted messengers, dispatching them to gather the others for an emergency meeting.
As the members assembled in the secret chambers beneath the city, Lord Thrain's anticipation grew. He paced before them, his long strides devouring the distance.
"Brothers and sisters," he began, his voice low and urgent, "we have received a gift from the gods themselves. Aria and Kael, those pesky mortals, have chosen to take the shortcut through Thanatos Valley."
A murmur of excitement rippled through the gathering, their faces twisted with cruel grins. Lord Thrain's eyes gleamed with malevolent delight as he continued.
"Think of it, my friends. The valley's dark energies will weaken them, draining their strength and willpower. They will be ripe for the picking, and we shall be the ones to pluck them."
The members of the Order exchanged eager glances, their minds racing with the possibilities. Lord Thrain's excitement was contagious, and soon the entire gathering was abuzz with anticipation.
"We must prepare a welcoming party for our unsuspecting travelers," Lord Thrain declared, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Gather our strongest warriors, our most skilled mages. We shall make sure Aria and Kael never leave Thanatos Valley alive."
The members of the Order nodded, their faces set with determination, as they began to make plans for the ambush. Lord Thrain's eyes gleamed with satisfaction, knowing that their victory was all but assured.
In the shadows, the Dark Arts stirred, sensing the impending doom of Aria and Kael. The Order of the Black Oaks was ready to strike, and nothing would stand in their way.