The morning brought an air of unease. Veylin's presence lingered like a shadow over the inn, and the guests seemed more restless than usual. Mikel found himself pacing in the main hall, his thoughts swirling.
Naira and Dorian joined him shortly after breakfast, their expressions grim.
"He hasn't left his room," Naira said. "I don't like it."
"Neither do I," Mikel admitted. "But we can't just kick him out without knowing what he's after. The inn might want us to learn something from him."
Before they could discuss further, Veylin appeared at the top of the stairs, his dark robes flowing as if moved by an unseen breeze. He descended slowly, his sharp gaze sweeping the room.
"Good morning, Keeper," he said smoothly. "I trust the night was uneventful?"
"For now," Mikel replied, crossing his arms. "But you're not here to make small talk. What is it you really want, Veylin?"
The merchant smiled, his teeth gleaming unnaturally. "Straight to the point—I respect that. Very well, Keeper. I'm here because I sense something extraordinary about your inn. It's not just a refuge; it's a gateway. A bridge between realms. And such power... attracts attention."
"We know that already," Naira said. "Get to the part where you tell us why we should trust you."
Veylin chuckled. "Trust, my dear, is such a fragile thing. I don't ask for your trust—only your consideration. I can offer insight into the forces that threaten this place. The Rift is but one of many dangers, and you are woefully unprepared for what's coming."
Mikel's pendant glowed faintly, its warmth steadying him. "If you have knowledge that can help us, prove it. Tell us something we don't know."
Veylin's expression darkened, and he stepped closer. "Very well. You've felt it, haven't you? The shifting energy within the inn. It's growing stronger, but it's also unstable. That's because it's missing something—a piece of its core. Without it, your precious sanctuary will collapse under its own power."
Mikel's breath caught. The whispers in his mind had hinted at something incomplete, but he hadn't understood what it meant until now. "What's missing?"
"A shard," Veylin said, his voice low. "A fragment of the inn's heartstone. It was stolen long ago, and its absence weakens the inn. If you want to protect this place, you must find it."
"And let me guess," Dorian said, his tone biting. "You know where it is, but it'll cost us."
Veylin smirked. "Not exactly. I know who has it—a warlock by the name of Arkanis. But retrieving it will be no simple task. Arkanis is dangerous, and his domain is well-guarded."
"Why tell us this?" Mikel asked. "What do you gain?"
"Let's just say I have a vested interest in seeing this inn survive," Veylin replied cryptically. "Its power is... useful to me. But don't mistake this for altruism, Keeper. I offer you this information because it aligns with my goals. What you do with it is your choice."
Mikel glanced at Naira and Dorian, both of whom looked skeptical but willing to follow his lead. "We'll discuss it. For now, you're free to stay—on our terms."
Veylin bowed slightly. "Of course. I look forward to seeing how this unfolds."
---
After Veylin retreated, Mikel, Naira, and Dorian gathered in the archives to discuss their next steps. The air was thick with tension as they pored over the ancient texts and diagrams.
"Do you think he's telling the truth?" Naira asked, her arms crossed.
"The whispers in the inn have hinted at something missing," Mikel admitted. "If Veylin knows about the shard, he might be right."
Dorian frowned. "Even if he is, we can't just walk into a warlock's lair unprepared. We need more information."
Mikel nodded, his gaze scanning the shelves. The inn seemed to respond to his thoughts, guiding him to a section he hadn't noticed before. A single book glowed faintly, its title written in the same runes as The Keeper's Code.
He pulled it from the shelf and opened it to a page marked with a delicate ribbon. The text described the heartstone, its power, and its significance to the inn.
"There's a map," Mikel said, his voice tinged with excitement. "It shows the shard's original location. If Arkanis took it, this might give us clues about where to find him."
The map was ancient, its ink faded but legible. It depicted a desolate wasteland beyond the reach of any known realm. The text identified it as the Shadow Spire, a fortress shrouded in darkness.
"That doesn't look welcoming," Naira said, her tone dry.
"It's not supposed to be," Dorian replied. "If Arkanis is there, it'll be a fight to get in—and an even bigger one to get out."
Mikel closed the book, his resolve hardening. "We don't have a choice. If the shard is what the inn needs, we have to go after it."
Naira placed a hand on his shoulder. "Then we go together. But let's make sure we're ready. Veylin might not be lying, but he's definitely not telling us everything."
Dorian grinned, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "I'll start sharpening my blade. Something tells me we're going to need it."
As they prepared for their journey, the inn seemed to hum with anticipation. The path ahead was fraught with danger, but they were determined to face it head-on.
In the shadows of his room, Veylin watched them through a small, shimmering portal. His smile was cold and calculating.
"Good," he murmured. "The game is just beginning."