The city of Myrlen rose from the horizon as the group approached, its tall spires and intricate stonework gleaming in the afternoon sun. The city was built into the side of a great cliff, with winding roads that spiraled upward toward the towering citadel at its center. Known as a hub of magic and scholarship, Myrlen was a place where knowledge—and secrets—were carefully guarded.
As Cedric and his companions walked the road leading into the city, they could already feel the shift in atmosphere. Unlike the desolate borderlands they had left behind, Myrlen was bustling with life. Merchants called out from their stalls, offering rare trinkets and magical goods, while scholars in flowing robes moved purposefully through the streets, their arms full of scrolls and ancient tomes.
"Looks lively enough," Kellen commented, glancing around. "You sure this place has answers and not just a bunch of dusty books?"
"If the answers are anywhere, they'll be in the archives," Cedric replied, his gaze sweeping over the city. "But getting access will be the hard part."
Lira, ever focused, scanned the busy streets. "We should find an inn first. Lay low and gather information before we draw attention to ourselves."
Maeve grinned, nudging Kellen. "Sounds like a good plan. I bet you're already thinking of ways to sneak into those archives, aren't you?"
Kellen winked. "Always."
They made their way toward the lower district of the city, where travelers and traders from across the land often gathered. The inns there were plentiful, though not particularly luxurious, and the group easily found a place to settle for the night—a small, dimly lit inn called The Silver Griffin.
Inside, the air was warm and filled with the sound of quiet conversations. Cedric led the group to a table in the corner, away from prying eyes, and they quickly fell into hushed discussion.
"So," Kellen said, leaning forward with a conspiratorial grin. "What's the plan? We wait until dark, sneak into the archives, and start digging through ancient scrolls? Because if so, I'm all in."
Lira shot him a warning glance. "We're not here to cause trouble. If we draw too much attention, we could end up in more danger than we already are."
"She's right," Cedric agreed. "The archives are likely guarded. If we make the wrong move, it could attract people who don't want us poking around."
Maeve leaned back in her chair, her eyes thoughtful. "We need a way in quietly. Do we know anyone in the city who might help?"
Cedric frowned, thinking. "There's someone I know. A scholar named Erion. He used to study magic at the same academy I attended. If anyone can get us access to the archives without raising suspicion, it's him."
Tamsin, who had been listening quietly, nodded. "That could work. If he's a scholar, he might have connections in the city."
Lira narrowed her eyes slightly. "Do you trust him?"
Cedric hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "I do. Erion's always been more interested in knowledge than politics. If he can help us, he will."
"Then we should find him," Lira said firmly. "But we need to be careful. If the corruption we're following is as dangerous as we think, it's possible others are looking for answers too."
---
After settling their belongings in the inn, Cedric led the group through the winding streets of Myrlen, heading toward the district where many of the city's scholars resided. The houses here were tall and narrow, their stone façades etched with intricate magical symbols. The air buzzed with the quiet hum of arcane energy, and Cedric couldn't help but feel a strange mix of nostalgia and unease as they walked through the district.
Erion's home was a small, unassuming building tucked away between two larger structures. Cedric knocked on the door, and after a moment, it creaked open to reveal a man in his early thirties with disheveled hair and spectacles perched on the edge of his nose.
"Cedric?" Erion blinked in surprise, then smiled warmly. "It's been years. What brings you to Myrlen?"
Cedric returned the smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "It's good to see you, Erion. I wish I could say this was a social visit, but I need your help."
Erion raised an eyebrow and stepped aside to let them in. "Of course. Come in, come in."
Inside, the house was filled with books, scrolls, and strange magical artifacts. Papers were scattered across the table, and various magical devices hummed faintly from the shelves. Erion motioned for them to sit, his curiosity piqued.
"What kind of help are we talking about?" he asked, leaning forward as he adjusted his spectacles. "You've piqued my interest."
Cedric glanced at his companions before speaking. "We've encountered something… dangerous. Dark magic, spreading through the land. It's corrupted creatures, powerful ones, and we think it's part of something much larger. We need access to the archives here in Myrlen to learn more, but we can't exactly walk in and start reading."
Erion's expression grew serious. "Dark magic, you say? That's… concerning. The archives might have what you're looking for, but you're right, they're heavily guarded. The knowledge kept there is old and powerful. You can't simply walk in."
"Can you help us?" Lira asked, her voice calm but direct.
Erion hesitated, glancing between them. "I can't promise anything, but I do have a few friends in the archive. If I can get you in under the guise of research, you might be able to find what you need without drawing too much attention."
Cedric exhaled in relief. "That's all we're asking for."
Erion stood, pacing the room thoughtfully. "I'll reach out to my contacts tonight. In the meantime, you'll need to stay out of sight. There are eyes everywhere in Myrlen, and if the wrong people find out what you're looking for, things could get… complicated."
Kellen smirked. "We're used to complicated."
Erion chuckled, though the worry didn't leave his eyes. "I'm sure you are. But trust me, Myrlen is a place where knowledge can be as dangerous as any weapon. Be careful."
---
That night, the group returned to the inn, the weight of their mission hanging heavily over them. The city outside seemed peaceful enough, but Cedric couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched, that every step they took was being scrutinized by unseen eyes.
As they sat around the fire in the inn's common room, Kellen leaned back in his chair, watching the flames dance. "So, what's the worst that could happen if we don't get those answers?"
Lira shot him a sharp look. "We don't have the luxury of thinking like that. We'll get what we came for."
Cedric stared into the fire, his mind already racing with possibilities. The dark magic that had corrupted the land wyrm was only the beginning, and he had a feeling that what they were about to uncover in Myrlen would only deepen the mystery.
Whatever they found in the archives, Cedric knew one thing for certain: the darkness was growing, and they were running out of time.