Chapter 7: The Capital Market
The streets of the capital were alive with the hum of voices, the clatter of carts, and the rhythmic sound of footsteps against cobblestone. It was late afternoon, but the market was as bustling as ever. Riven's senses were overwhelmed by the smells of freshly baked bread, sizzling meats, and exotic spices, mixed with the musty scent of animal hides and leather. The air seemed thicker here, weighed down by the vibrant chaos of hundreds of people moving in all directions.
"Stay close," Eryk advised, walking briskly beside him. "The market's a maze. Easy to get lost, especially if you don't know how to navigate it."
Riven nodded, keeping his eyes sharp as they weaved through the crowd. He'd been to a few markets in smaller towns, but none were like this. The capital's market was massive—stretching across several city blocks, with vendors selling everything from rare fabrics and jewelry to magical artifacts and enchanted beast gear. The noise was deafening, the calls of salesmen trying to outdo each other blending into a single continuous roar. Above them, banners fluttered in the breeze, advertising everything from new potions to exotic beasts for sale.
"Here's where you'll find the real pulse of the city," Eryk said, glancing around. "Information, rumors, deals—all of it's exchanged here. Keep your ears open. You never know what you might hear."
Riven felt both excited and overwhelmed. He had learned much from Eryk in the past months—about taming beasts, about the capital's complex political landscape, and about the dangerous undercurrents that shaped the world. But there was still so much he didn't know. As they moved deeper into the market, Riven tried to focus on the faces around him, noting the types of people who walked by—noblewomen draped in fine silks, burly mercenaries in heavy armor, and merchants who carried themselves with an air of quiet authority. Everyone seemed to be walking with a purpose, their movements sharp and deliberate. No one here had time for distractions.
"I've got some business to attend to with a few contacts," Eryk said, stopping in front of a stall filled with rare herbs. "I'll catch up with you in a bit. Don't stray too far."
"Got it," Riven replied, though part of him was reluctant to let Eryk go. The older tamer had become his guide and mentor, but now, Riven was on his own in the heart of the capital.
Eryk disappeared into the crowd, leaving Riven to explore the market. He moved slowly, taking in the sights and sounds around him, but a part of him couldn't help but feel uneasy. The sheer number of people, the complex web of transactions taking place, it was all so foreign to him. As he wandered, his mind kept drifting back to the rumors Eryk had shared with him during their travels—rumors about shadowy figures known as the "Shadow Lords."
He'd heard the name whispered in hushed tones among the tamers, but no one seemed to know exactly who or what they were. Some claimed they were a secret society that controlled the beasts of the capital, pulling strings behind the scenes to maintain their power. Others said they were connected to political factions vying for control of the city. Whatever the truth was, Riven had no doubt that they were dangerous.
Riven's thoughts were interrupted when a shout broke through the noise of the market. He turned to see a commotion up ahead, near a stall filled with strange trinkets. A crowd had gathered, and two figures were standing in the center, shouting at each other.
"You don't know what you're talking about, old man!" a voice spat.
"Watch your mouth, boy. You'll regret that," the older man growled in return.
Curious, Riven moved closer, slipping through the throngs of people to get a better view. The two figures at the center of the argument were a young man, no older than Riven, and an older merchant with a grizzled face and a thick beard. The young man wore a long black cloak, his eyes burning with intensity, while the merchant stood his ground, leaning on a wooden cane.
"What's going on?" Riven asked one of the onlookers, an older woman with a basket of fruit in her arms.
"Nothing good," the woman said, her voice laced with disdain. "That boy's a troublemaker. He's been asking around about beasts, about the Shadow Lords. Wants to buy information. The old man's just trying to get him to leave."
Riven felt a jolt of interest. The mention of the Shadow Lords was enough to catch his attention. He pushed through the crowd until he was standing just behind the merchant.
The young man, noticing Riven's approach, turned his sharp gaze in his direction. For a moment, their eyes locked, and Riven felt an odd sense of recognition, though he couldn't place it. The boy was tall, with pale skin and dark eyes that glimmered with a strange, dangerous intensity.
"Who are you?" the boy asked, his voice cold. "Another one of them?"
Riven blinked, confused. "What do you mean by 'one of them'?"
The boy smirked. "You don't know, do you? I can see it in your eyes. You're not from around here. You're just another pawn in the game."
Riven took a step back, feeling a chill run down his spine. Something about the boy's words struck a nerve, but before he could respond, the old man interrupted.
"Don't mind him," the merchant said, his voice thick with irritation. "He's just some misguided fool. There's no point in getting involved with people like that."
The young man gave the merchant a sharp look, his eyes narrowing. "You're just too scared to speak the truth. You've seen it, haven't you? The way the Shadow Lords operate. They're pulling the strings of this city, controlling everything, from the beasts to the people."
Riven felt his heart race as he processed the words. Shadow Lords? Could they be involved with the taming of beasts? Were they the ones behind all the rumors?
Before he could ask another question, the young man turned on his heel, brushing past Riven and disappearing into the crowd. Riven's mind whirled with questions. Who were these Shadow Lords, and why were they so feared? And what did they have to do with the market and the beasts?
He stood there for a moment, unsure of what to do next, when a soft voice interrupted his thoughts.
"You shouldn't listen to him," a woman said, stepping up beside him.
Riven turned to face her. She was tall and slender, with dark hair pulled back into a neat ponytail. She wore a cloak similar to the young man's but with a hint of elegance that set her apart from the rest of the crowd. Her eyes were sharp, calculating, and there was something about her that made Riven instinctively wary.
"Why?" he asked, still trying to process everything.
"Because he's dangerous," she replied with a small smile. "He's digging too deep into things that don't concern him, asking questions about forces he doesn't understand. People like that tend to get themselves hurt."
Riven frowned. "And you?"
"I'm someone who knows better," she said cryptically. "Someone who has learned the hard way that there are some things you don't mess with. You're not from around here, are you?"
"No," Riven admitted. "I'm new in the city, just passing through."
The woman studied him for a long moment before nodding. "Then you're best off staying out of this. There are bigger things at play than you realize."
Riven's curiosity flared. "What do you mean?"
But before she could answer, a voice from behind him called out, "Lara, there you are!"
The woman turned with a soft sigh, her expression shifting as she glanced back at Riven one last time. "Watch your back, boy. The capital isn't as welcoming as it seems."
With that, she turned and walked away, her cloak swaying as she disappeared into the throng of people.
Riven stood still for a moment, digesting the strange encounter. Something about the woman, Lara, felt off—her words, her demeanor. He didn't know if she was an ally or an enemy, but there was no doubt she knew more than she was letting on. And the mention of the Shadow Lords still echoed in his mind.
He glanced back at the merchant, who was now packing up his wares, seemingly unfazed by the confrontation. Something was definitely happening in the capital—something far more complicated than Riven had initially realized.
As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the market, Riven made a decision. He wasn't just here to tame beasts; he was here to uncover the truth. And the truth, he was beginning to suspect, was much darker than he had ever imagined.
End of Chapter 7.