The walls of Reith rose high into the gray sky, their stone ramparts stretching out like the spine of a slumbering giant. As Gabriel, Lina, Kain, and Elias approached the city gates, the bustling noise of the capital became more apparent—a distant hum of voices, clattering carts, and the unmistakable din of an army on alert.
Gabriel's eyes scanned the scene, his usual emotionless expression in place. The city was far larger than the towns they had passed through, and with its size came a complexity that made him uneasy. The narrow streets, the towering buildings, the sheer number of people—all of it provided too many variables, too many places for something to go wrong.
"This place feels... suffocating," Kain muttered under his breath as they neared the entrance. "How do people live like this?"
Lina shot him a look. "Not everyone prefers sleeping under the stars, Kain."
He scoffed. "I'm not talking about camping. Just look around. There are soldiers everywhere. Feels like we're walking into a trap."
Elias, who had been walking ahead, slowed his pace slightly to join their conversation. "Reith's always on edge these days. The king's paranoia has only grown over the past year. With all the disturbances and rumors of rebellion, he's doubled the city's defenses."
"So we're supposed to sneak into a high-security library in a city run by a paranoid king?" Kain asked, his tone dry. "I'm loving this already."
Gabriel remained silent, his eyes briefly catching sight of a patrol of guards marching along the wall. They were heavily armored and well-armed, their eyes sharp as they scanned the crowd. It was clear that they took their duties seriously.
"The library isn't the only place under watch," Elias said quietly, his voice barely audible over the noise of the crowd. "The palace, the guild halls, even some of the markets have informants. We'll need to be cautious."
"Why do I get the feeling that cautious isn't your strong suit?" Kain quipped.
Elias flashed a grin. "I've survived this long, haven't I?"
Kain rolled his eyes. "Yeah, well, let's hope your luck doesn't run out today."
As they passed through the gates and entered the city proper, the group found themselves surrounded by a chaotic mix of traders, nobles, and commoners, all going about their business. Stalls lined the streets, selling everything from exotic spices to weapons, while children darted through the crowd, chasing each other in play. Despite the heavy guard presence, there was a vibrancy to Reith that was hard to ignore.
Lina took a deep breath, her eyes wide as she looked around. "It's... bigger than I thought it would be. I've never seen so many people in one place."
Gabriel said nothing, his gaze continuing to scan their surroundings for potential threats. Crowded places like this made it difficult to tell who was watching and who was simply part of the background. He didn't trust it.
Elias led them down a series of narrow alleys, away from the main thoroughfare, until they reached a less populated area. The buildings here were older, their walls covered in creeping vines and faded banners. The noise of the city seemed distant now, muffled by the high walls that enclosed the alley.
"We're meeting my contact at a tavern not far from here," Elias explained, glancing over his shoulder to make sure they weren't being followed. "He runs a quiet operation, but he'll get us what we need."
Lina raised an eyebrow. "You're sure we can trust him?"
Elias shrugged. "As much as you can trust anyone in this business. He's more concerned with making money than causing trouble."
"That's comforting," Kain said with a smirk. "Nothing like dealing with someone who'd sell you out for the right price."
Gabriel's eyes narrowed. "If this contact of yours becomes a problem, I'll handle it."
Elias gave a small, almost approving nod. "Good. But let's hope it doesn't come to that."
They continued through the maze of alleys until they reached a small, unremarkable building. A wooden sign hung above the door, faded and barely readable, but the faint scent of ale and roasted meat wafted through the cracks in the door. It looked like any other run-down tavern in the city, which made it perfect for their purposes.
Elias pushed open the door, and they stepped inside. The interior was dimly lit, with a handful of patrons scattered around the room, nursing their drinks. A burly man stood behind the bar, cleaning a glass with a rag that looked like it had seen better days. He glanced up as they entered, his eyes briefly narrowing before settling on Elias.
"You're late," the bartender growled, his voice rough.
Elias shrugged, walking up to the bar. "Had a bit of trouble on the road. But we're here now, aren't we?"
The bartender grunted in response, wiping down the counter with the same rag. "What do you need this time?"
Elias leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "Access to the Grand Archive. And we'll need it tonight."
The bartender's expression didn't change, but there was a brief flicker of something in his eyes—surprise, perhaps, or caution. He set the glass down and crossed his arms. "That's a tall order, even for you."
Elias slid a small pouch across the bar, the faint clink of coins audible as it moved. "I'm sure you can make it happen."
The bartender eyed the pouch for a moment before picking it up and weighing it in his hand. He gave a low grunt of approval. "You always pay well, I'll give you that. Fine. I'll get you in, but once you're inside, you're on your own. If things go south, don't expect me to bail you out."
"We won't," Elias assured him.
The bartender turned his attention to Gabriel, Kain, and Lina, his eyes narrowing slightly as he sized them up. "You sure about these three? They don't exactly blend in."
"They'll do," Elias replied smoothly. "Besides, they're not planning on staying long."
The bartender snorted, tossing the pouch of coins into a drawer behind the counter. "I'll make the arrangements. Be at the east gate of the library after sundown. You'll have one hour inside—no more. And remember, if you get caught, you don't know me."
Gabriel stepped forward slightly, his voice low and even. "We won't get caught."
The bartender raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "We'll see."
With the arrangements made, the group left the tavern and made their way back through the alleys, heading toward a small inn where Elias had reserved rooms for them. As they walked, Kain couldn't help but voice his concerns.
"An hour, huh? Doesn't give us much time."
"We'll make it work," Gabriel said, his tone decisive.
Lina glanced over at Elias. "Is this the kind of thing you've done before?"
Elias gave a half-smile. "More times than I can count."
"Great," Kain muttered. "So we're following the lead of a career criminal."
"Think of it as an adventure," Elias replied, his grin widening.
Gabriel didn't react to the banter. His mind was already focused on the night ahead. Infiltrating the Grand Archive would be the easy part. It was what they would find inside that concerned him.
As the sun began to set, casting long shadows over the city, Gabriel knew one thing for sure—this would be the turning point. What they uncovered tonight could change everything.
And there was no room for failure.