James woke before dawn, the faint gray light of morning filtering through the small window of his room. The events of the previous day lingered in his mind, a mix of unease and determination. He had delivered the package Garrick had given him without incident, but something about the entire exchange felt off. The Iron Spire—a towering structure of dark stone that loomed over the city's southern district—had been as foreboding as its name suggested. Corvin, the recipient, had barely said a word, his piercing gaze unsettling.
Pulling himself out of bed, James stretched and began preparing for the day. He couldn't afford to stay idle. The city offered both opportunities and dangers, and he needed to navigate its labyrinthine streets carefully. The Heart of Eldarath was tucked securely into his spatial inventory, its enigmatic glow a constant reminder of the secrets he carried.
As he descended the stairs to the common room of the inn, the innkeeper gave him a sharp look. "You're up early. Heading out?"
James nodded. "Got things to do."
"Be careful," she said, her tone laced with a hint of warning. "City guards have been more active lately. Seems they're cracking down on… certain activities."
James acknowledged her words with a slight tilt of his head, then stepped out into the cool morning air. The streets were quieter than usual, the city still waking up. He pulled his cloak tighter around himself and made his way toward the market district. His plan was to lay low, gather information, and maybe find another small job to keep himself afloat.
As he navigated the winding streets, James couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched. He'd felt it before in the forest, and it was no less unsettling here. His hand brushed against the hilt of his scythe, hidden within the Ether. The thought of the weapon brought a small measure of comfort, though he knew he couldn't openly wield it in the city without attracting attention.
The market was already bustling by the time he arrived, vendors shouting to advertise their wares. James kept his head down, blending into the crowd as best he could. He purchased a small loaf of bread and some dried meat, using the last of his remaining coin. As he ate, his eyes scanned the crowd, searching for anything out of the ordinary.
It didn't take long for trouble to find him.
"You there!" a voice barked from behind him. James turned to see a pair of city guards approaching, their expressions stern. The taller of the two, a woman with a scar running down her cheek, pointed directly at him. "Stop where you are."
James's mind raced. Had someone reported him? Was this about the package he'd delivered? He forced himself to remain calm, his hands at his sides. "Is there a problem?"
The scarred guard stepped closer, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword. "You're coming with us. Don't make this difficult."
"What am I being accused of?" James asked, his voice steady despite the tension coiling in his chest.
The second guard, a stocky man with a thick beard, sneered. "Possession and delivery of illegal magical ingredients. We've been watching you."
James's stomach dropped. Garrick's job had seemed too simple, and now he understood why. The package must have contained contraband, and he'd walked straight into a trap.
"This is a misunderstanding," James said, raising his hands slowly. "I didn't know what was in the package."
"Tell it to the magistrate," the scarred guard said. She gestured for him to move. "Let's go."
James considered his options. He could try to run, but the crowded market and the presence of multiple guards made escape unlikely. Fighting was out of the question; he'd only draw more attention to himself. Reluctantly, he nodded and allowed the guards to lead him away.
The walk to the city's central garrison was humiliating. People stared as they passed, some whispering, others openly gawking. James kept his head down, his mind racing as he tried to formulate a plan. The guards' grip on his arms was firm, and any attempt to resist would likely end badly.
The garrison was a large, imposing structure of gray stone. Inside, the air was cool and smelled faintly of damp. The guards led James to a small chamber and locked him inside. The room was sparsely furnished, with only a wooden bench and a small window high on the wall. James sat down, his shoulders slumping as the weight of his situation settled over him.
Hours passed. The faint sounds of the garrison—footsteps, muffled voices, the clink of armor—were his only company. James's thoughts churned, frustration and anger bubbling beneath the surface. He'd been used, manipulated into doing someone else's dirty work. And now he was paying the price.
Finally, the door creaked open. The scarred guard entered, followed by a man in finely tailored robes. The magistrate, James assumed. The man's expression was unreadable as he studied James.
"You've been accused of delivering illegal magical ingredients," the magistrate said, his voice cold and measured. "Do you deny it?"
"I didn't know what was in the package," James said, meeting the magistrate's gaze. "I was just hired to make a delivery."
The magistrate's brow furrowed. "Ignorance is not an excuse under the law. However, we do take cooperation into account."
James hesitated. "What kind of cooperation?"
"Tell us who hired you," the magistrate said. "Give us a name, and we may consider leniency."
James's mind raced. Garrick had been careful not to reveal too much about himself, and James doubted the man would hesitate to retaliate if betrayed. But refusing to cooperate could lead to harsher punishment.
"His name is Garrick," James said finally. "I don't know much about him. He approached me near the docks and offered me the job."
The magistrate's expression didn't change, but he nodded. "We'll investigate your claim. For now, you'll remain in custody."
The scarred guard stepped forward and motioned for James to stand. He complied, and she led him out of the room and down a narrow corridor to a small cell. The door clanged shut behind him, the sound echoing in the confined space.
James sank onto the hard cot, his thoughts a whirlwind of regret and determination. He'd been reckless, too eager to trust someone in a world where trust was a luxury. But he wasn't done yet. Somehow, he'd find a way out of this mess—and he'd make sure Garrick paid for dragging him into it.
For now, all he could do was wait and prepare for whatever came next.