Rina could feel the weight of the name **Elias Blackthorn** settle over her like a cloak of ice. The air in the alcove seemed to grow colder as the name lingered between them. She hadn't heard that name since the early days of her life in Arcathia, when whispers of the man's deeds spread like wildfire. Elias Blackthorn was not just a criminal; he was a legend, a ghost haunting the very core of the city's underworld.
"What do you want with Blackthorn?" Rina asked, narrowing her eyes at Garrick. She didn't trust him, but she needed to know why he was so interested in a man like Elias.
Garrick leaned back in his chair, the flickering torchlight casting shadows across his face. "That's none of your concern. All you need to know is that I've been searching for him for years, and he's slipped through every net I've cast. If you find him, you'll get the information you need."
Torin stepped forward, his patience wearing thin. "And if we refuse?"
Garrick's gaze shifted to Torin, a thin smile curling at the edge of his lips. "Then you're on your own, friend. I'd wish you luck, but I doubt you'd last long against the ones hunting you."
Rina clenched her fists, feeling the pressure mounting. She didn't like being cornered, especially not by someone like Garrick. But the reality of their situation was grim. They didn't have the time or resources to keep running blind. The Box was already drawing too much attention, and if these mysterious figures from the forest were as dangerous as they seemed, they needed every advantage they could get.
"Where do we start?" Rina asked, her voice tight.
Garrick's smile widened. "Now we're talking." He reached into his cloak and pulled out a small, folded piece of parchment, sliding it across the table toward her. "This is the last known location where Blackthorn was spotted. It's not much, but it's a lead."
Rina picked up the parchment, her fingers brushing against the rough paper. She hesitated for a moment before opening it. The location written on it made her stomach twist.
"The **Silver Dagger**?" she muttered under her breath.
The Silver Dagger was one of the most infamous taverns in Arcathia, a place where only the most dangerous and desperate people gathered. It was the last place she wanted to go, but if Blackthorn had been spotted there, it was her only option.
Torin glanced at the parchment over her shoulder and frowned. "This could be a trap."
Alara crossed her arms, clearly not pleased with the situation. "It probably is. But what choice do we have?"
Rina tucked the parchment away, her mind already spinning with possible scenarios. The Silver Dagger was a dangerous place, but she had dealt with dangerous situations before. The key would be staying one step ahead, playing the game without tipping their hand too soon.
"Fine," she said, standing up. "We'll find Blackthorn."
Garrick's grin widened, but his eyes remained cold and calculating. "I knew you would. Don't take too long. Arcathia has a way of swallowing people whole if they linger too long in the wrong places."
Without another word, Rina turned on her heel and motioned for Torin and Alara to follow. They left the alcove, stepping back into the labyrinth of the Undercroft's dark passages.
As they made their way through the winding tunnels, Alara shot Rina a questioning look. "Do you really think we can trust him?"
Rina shook her head. "No. But we don't have a choice."
Torin's brow furrowed as he glanced back over his shoulder. "Elias Blackthorn… I've heard stories about him. He was supposed to be dead."
"He's not," Rina replied, her voice tight. "At least, not yet. But if Garrick wants him found, there's more going on here than we realize."
The three of them continued in silence, the weight of their next move settling heavily on their shoulders. Rina could feel the Box pulsing faintly in her satchel, its power humming just beneath the surface. She had to resist its pull, had to keep her mind clear. The city was full of danger, and one wrong move could cost them everything.
As they emerged from the tunnels and into the dimly lit streets of the lower district, the familiar sights and sounds of Arcathia washed over them. The city was alive with its usual nocturnal activity—merchants selling goods, thieves slipping through alleys, and shadowy figures conducting deals in dark corners.
But beneath the surface, Rina knew something darker was at play. The Box was drawing forces beyond their understanding, and Elias Blackthorn was somehow connected to it all. The question was how.
They made their way toward the Silver Dagger, keeping to the shadows as much as possible. The tavern sat in the heart of a rundown part of the lower district, its exterior worn and weathered from years of neglect. The sign above the door—a dagger plunged into a silver coin—swayed in the breeze.
"Stay sharp," Rina muttered to Torin and Alara as they approached. "This place is a pit of vipers."
They entered the tavern, the heavy door creaking as they stepped inside. The air was thick with smoke and the smell of ale. Rough-looking patrons sat at scattered tables, their conversations low and suspicious. Eyes followed them as they made their way to the bar, and Rina could feel the tension in the room ratchet up a notch.
A grizzled barkeep, wiping down a glass with a rag that looked dirtier than the glass itself, glanced at them. "What'll it be?"
Rina leaned in slightly, keeping her voice low. "We're looking for someone. Elias Blackthorn."
The barkeep froze for a moment, his eyes narrowing. Then, with a grunt, he pointed toward a dark corner of the room. "Don't know where he is, but if you're looking for answers, talk to him."
Rina followed his gaze to a hooded figure sitting alone at a table, nursing a drink. The man's posture was relaxed, but there was an air of danger about him, something that put Rina's instincts on edge.
"Let's go," Rina said softly, leading Torin and Alara toward the man.
As they approached, the hooded figure raised his head slightly, revealing a sharp, angular face. His eyes gleamed with intelligence and malice.
"You're looking for Blackthorn," he said, his voice a low rasp. It wasn't a question.
Rina's heart raced. "Yes. Do you know where he is?"
The man smiled, though there was no warmth in it. "Maybe. But finding him comes with a price."
Rina tensed, feeling the familiar sense of unease settle over her. They were playing a dangerous game, and every step brought them closer to the edge.
But she had no intention of backing down.
"What do you want?" she asked, her voice steady.
The man's smile widened. "Information. And perhaps a little favor. You see, finding Elias Blackthorn… that's not something done without getting your hands dirty."
Rina's pulse quickened. The deeper they went, the more they became entangled in a web of shadows and deceit.
And there was no turning back.