The bartender with his eyes still slightly glazed over, walked over. "Is there anything else you need, mistress?" he asked.
Adrian watched as the bartender, still under Lilith's influence, stood waiting for further instructions. His vacant stare sent a chill down Adrian's spine, reminding him of the power Lilith wielded so casually.
He couldn't afford to linger in this place any longer. "Information," Adrian said firmly, waiting for an answer but got nothing. "I said we need information."
Still, nothing.
Lilith patted Adrian and spoke softly, "Allow me." She leaned forward, her voice taking on a sweet, coaxing tone. "Hey, dearie, I need some information from you. Are you willing to help?"
At the sound of her voice, the bartender seemed to snap out of his trance, his gaze refocusing. He blinked a few times before finally answering. "Ask away, and I will tell you anything you need to know."
Adrian frowned at Lilith. "Can you release him?"
"Why would I? He's quite useful like this," she answered.
Adrian shook his head, turning his attention to the bartender as he allowed Lilith continue with the 'interrogation'.
"Tell me about the map maker, Kaleb."
The bartender's brow furrowed as he searched his clouded mind. He then blinked slowly with a dull expression.
"Yes, the map maker," he said, "He lives on the edge of town, just past the town gates. You can't miss it. The old house with the weathervane on top."
Adrian nodded, satisfied. "Thanks for the help."
Lilith waved a hand dismissively, and the bartender blinked rapidly as if awaking from a dream. He frowned, looking at the pair before shaking his head.
"Don't you have somewhere to be?" he asked gruffly.
Lilith grinned, a hint of mischief in her eyes.
"Not really," she replied in an innocent voice.
The bartender grunted, shaking his head again as he moved to serve a group of new patrons.
"Let's go," Adrian murmured, downing the rest of his drink and gesturing for Lilith to follow.
They both stood up, leaving the tavern behind as they stepped back out into the cool night air. The streets were quiet, the only sound the distant echo of voices from inside the buildings.
The streets were quieter now. The earlier sounds of laughter and conversation they heard while walking in had faded, the town settling into the stillness of night.
The moon was high above, casting a pale light over the cobblestone streets, guiding their way as they headed towards the outskirts of town.
The old house came into view, just as the bartender had described. It was a small, ramshackle building, the wooden walls weathered and rotting, the windows cracked and dirty. A single, tarnished weathervane sat atop the roof, spinning slowly in the breeze.
"Are you sure this is the place?" Adrian asked, eyeing the building warily.
Lilith shrugged. "It's the only house on the outskirts. So, I suppose so."
"Okay then," he said, more to himself than to Lilith, as they approached the entrance.
They stood at the doorway, hesitating. The house looked... abandoned, and neither could explain the sense of unease that had suddenly crept over them.
Finally, Adrian swallowed, his mouth dry, and rapped his knuckles against the wooden door.
There was no response.
He knocked again, a bit louder, and this time, they was still... no response.
"Hello?" Adrian called, his voice echoing in the silence.
There was a pause, before he pushed the door open, the hinges groaning in protest as it swung inward.
The inside was dark and musty, with a layer of dust coating every surface. The floorboards creaked beneath their feet as they stepped into the small foyer, their eyes straining to adjust to the dim lighting. Furniture lay scattered and overturned, as if the occupants had left in a hurry. Papers and maps were strewn across the floor, some torn, others yellowed with age.
Adrian frowned as he surveyed the room. "Are we sure the bartender knew what he was saying? This place looks like it hasn't been lived in for years."
Lilith crossed her arms, leaning against the doorframe with a sly smile. "Even if he wanted to lie, he wouldn't be able to under my spell. We're in the right place, Adrian."
Adrian's gaze drifted to the table at one corner of the room. "Stay close," he said, moving toward it.
"I always stay close," she replied, her voice trailing off.
The table was covered with various items—parchments, quills, and inkwells. But there was one thing that stood out amongst the clutter—a piece of parchment, with a half-finished map sketched on it.
Adrian picked up the parchment and held it up, studying the lines and the orange glow on one spot. His eyes widened as he realized what he was staring at -- a map that leads to... him?
The orange glow was the same location he was right now.
He was still grappling with the implications of this when Lilith's voice broke his thoughts. "What do we have here?"
Adrian looked over and saw her flipping something in her hand -- a letter.
She handed it to Adrian and immediately, he recognized the royal seal of the House of Zarpha.
The seal has been broken and inside was a folded paper with a message. Lilith watched as Adrian read through the contents.
"It's a summon," Adrian said. "Kaleb was summoned to the capital by the king himself. They requested his expertise. That's why he's not here."
Lilith's eyes glimmered with interest. "The capital city, then. That's where we're going."
Adrian folded the letter and slipped it into his pouch. "Yes. The capital it is."
He turned and walked towards the door, but Lilith remained where she was, her arms still crossed.
"Now?" she asked, her voice filled with surprise.