The towering spires of Arcathia rose like blackened fingers against the night sky, their tops piercing the clouds. From their vantage point on the outskirts of the city, Rina, Torin, and Alara could see the faint flicker of torchlight dotting the walls, guards patrolling the perimeter. Arcathia, the beating heart of the Kingdom of Illyria, looked as foreboding as it felt.
"We're really going back?" Alara asked under her breath, her eyes scanning the walls as they approached. "This place will be crawling with the Pale King's spies. Not to mention the King's Council will have people watching too."
"We have no choice," Rina said, her voice firm. "The Box is drawing too much attention. If we keep running, we'll end up with enemies we don't even know about hunting us down."
Torin nodded, his gaze steady. "We need to go underground, get information, and figure out who those two in the forest were. Without knowing who's after the Box and why, we're playing blind."
Alara let out a slow breath, adjusting the hood of her cloak. "I just hope we're not walking into a trap."
The three of them made their way toward one of the lesser-known entrances into Arcathia, an old tunnel used by merchants and smugglers. The tunnel, long abandoned by the city's officials, was their best bet to slip inside unnoticed. The passage was hidden behind a thicket of vines and moss, tucked beneath a dilapidated statue of an ancient mage.
Torin went ahead, pulling back the vines to reveal the crumbling stone entrance. "Let's make this quick," he muttered.
They entered the tunnel, the damp air immediately filling their lungs. The walls were slick with moisture, and the faint scent of rot lingered. Rina clenched her jaw and pressed forward, her mind focused on what lay ahead. The weight of the Box in her satchel was a constant reminder of the danger they were in.
As they moved deeper into the tunnel, the only sound was the quiet shuffle of their feet. The darkness pressed in around them, but Rina's thoughts were on the figures they had encountered in the forest. They had known too much—about her, the Box, everything. But who were they working for?
Finally, after what felt like hours, they emerged into the lower district of Arcathia. The streets here were narrow and crowded, filled with the smell of smoke and sweat. People moved in shadows, conducting quiet business in the dead of night. It was a place where eyes followed strangers, but few asked questions.
"Where now?" Alara whispered.
Rina scanned the area. She had contacts in the city, people who could provide the information they needed. But she couldn't trust them. Not yet.
"There's someone we need to see," she said, her voice low. "A contact in the Undercroft."
Torin raised an eyebrow. "The Undercroft? You think we can trust anyone down there?"
"We don't have to trust them," Rina replied. "We just need answers."
The Undercroft was a labyrinth of tunnels and chambers beneath Arcathia, home to the city's criminal underworld. It was a dangerous place, but it was also where secrets were bought and sold. If anyone knew about the strange figures hunting them, it would be someone there.
They moved swiftly through the lower district, keeping to the shadows. Rina led the way, her thoughts racing. The Box pulsed faintly in her satchel, as if it could sense the tension in the air. She ignored it. She had to focus on the task at hand.
When they reached the entrance to the Undercroft, Rina hesitated. The old iron gate in front of them was rusted, barely hanging on its hinges. A faint glow emanated from the tunnel beyond, the flicker of torchlight casting eerie shadows on the walls.
"Last chance to turn back," Alara said, her voice light but her eyes serious.
Rina shook her head. "We go in."
Torin pushed the gate open with a creak, and the three of them stepped into the tunnel. The air was even thicker here, and the distant murmur of voices echoed through the stone corridors. They moved quickly, passing by figures huddled in dark corners, their faces obscured by cloaks and hoods.
Rina led them deeper into the Undercroft, navigating the winding passages with practiced ease. She had been here before, though never for something this dangerous. As they approached a particular alcove, she slowed.
"This is it," she whispered.
The alcove was small, with a single torch burning on the wall. A hooded figure sat at a rough wooden table, their back to the entrance. As they approached, the figure turned slightly, revealing the glint of steel beneath their cloak.
"Rina," the figure said, their voice low and gravelly. "I was wondering when you'd show up."
Rina stepped forward, her heart pounding. This was an old contact of hers, a man who went by the name of Garrick. He dealt in information, and while his services didn't come cheap, he was one of the few people in the city who could be trusted to keep his word—for the right price.
"I need answers, Garrick," Rina said, her voice steady. "And fast."
Garrick's eyes flicked toward the satchel at Rina's side. "You're carrying something dangerous, aren't you?"
Rina didn't respond, but the look in her eyes was enough to confirm it. Garrick let out a low chuckle.
"I thought as much. Word's been spreading. There are a lot of people looking for you, Rina. And some of them are willing to pay a fortune for what you've got."
"I'm not selling," Rina said sharply.
Garrick leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "Good. Because I wasn't offering to buy. But if you're looking for information, you're going to have to pay."
Torin stepped forward, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "We don't have time for games, Garrick. Just tell us what we need to know."
Garrick's eyes flicked to Torin, then back to Rina. "Fine. But it's going to cost you more than gold this time."
Rina's stomach tightened. She had expected as much. Information in Arcathia was a dangerous currency, and the stakes were high.
"What do you want?" she asked, her voice cold.
Garrick leaned forward, his voice dropping to a whisper. "I need a favor. There's someone I've been looking for, someone who's gone to ground. You find them for me, and I'll tell you everything you need to know about the people after you."
Rina exchanged a glance with Torin and Alara. This was a risk, but they didn't have a choice.
"Who?" Rina asked.
Garrick smiled, his eyes gleaming in the torchlight. "A man named Elias Blackthorn. Find him, and you'll have your answers."
Rina's heart skipped a beat. Elias Blackthorn was a name she hadn't heard in years. A name tied to the darkest corners of Arcathia's past.
This wasn't just a simple favor.
This was a game of shadows. And they were already in too deep.