The flickering candlelight inside the inn cast long shadows on the walls, creating an atmosphere of mystery and whispered secrets. Hale walked in, his eyes scanning the room for the right people. His plan was simple—gather information, and what better way than to buy a few drinks and listen?
He approached the bar, where a grizzled old man was polishing glasses. "Two bottles of your finest," Hale ordered, placing a few silver coins on the counter.
The barkeep grunted but didn't question the request. He slid two dusty bottles across the counter, and Hale made his way to the back, where a group of men sat. Some wore simple clothing, others looked a bit more rugged, but they all had one thing in common—they knew things. Hale uncorked one of the bottles and set it on the table before the closest man, an older man with a rough face and weathered skin.
"Care for a drink?" Hale asked, his voice smooth but firm.
The man eyed the bottle, then Hale. "What's your game, kid?"
Hale offered a subtle smile. "No game, just some conversation."
After a long pause, the man took the bottle, poured himself a drink, and then leaned back in his chair. "Alright, if you're buying, I'll talk." He glanced around quickly before speaking in a low voice. "You're looking for the gangs, huh? Thought so. Well, you're asking the right people."
Hale raised an eyebrow but didn't speak, letting the man continue.
"Let me tell you about the big players first," the man said, his eyes narrowing. "There's the Tiger Gang—they're the most violent. They control the east side, and their leader, Kuro, well, he's as ruthless as they come. They're always at war with the Dragon Gang. Those two hate each other's guts. The Tigers are all about power, pure and simple. They've got the muscle, but they're reckless. It's why the Dragon Gang can outsmart them every time."
Hale nodded, committing the names and details to memory. He uncorked the second bottle and poured a drink for the younger man sitting beside the first. The younger man looked jittery, his hands shaking slightly as he reached for the drink.
The man took a sip and then wiped his mouth. "The Boar Gang, they're neutral, but that doesn't mean they're weak," he said. "They don't get involved in the war between the Tigers and Dragons. They focus on their own business—mostly smuggling and extortion. They're led by a brute named Og, but the real power comes from the nobles behind them. Lots of big names have shares in the Boar Gang, and that keeps them safe from any serious conflict."
Hale listened intently, then offered a drink to another man sitting alone at the far side of the table. This man had a quiet, calculating presence about him, and Hale knew he would have more information to offer.
The man accepted the drink without hesitation, his eyes sharp. "And then there's the Snake Gang," he said after a sip. "They don't get involved in the fights. They stay neutral. But make no mistake—they're dangerous. They're all about information, manipulation. They control what people know, what they hear. Their leader, Viper, is a ghost. No one knows what he looks like, but everyone knows he controls the shadows. The nobles, they have shares in the Snake Gang too. It's all about leverage. They get information from the Snake Gang, and in return, they offer protection, resources."
Hale took it all in, the pieces falling into place. Each gang had its own role, its own power, but all were connected by the invisible strings of noble influence.
"There's more," the man continued, his voice dropping even lower. "The nobles own parts of all the major gangs. They use them to control the city. The Tigers and Dragons are too busy fighting to realize they're being used. The Boar and Snake gangs... they play the long game. They have eyes on everything. No one moves without them knowing. And they've got the nobles in their pockets. The nobles have shares in every gang, and that's how they keep control. The gangs fight for power, but it's the nobles who truly pull the strings."
Hale remained silent for a moment, then stood up, offering a coin to each man as thanks. "Appreciate the information," he said, his voice calm but full of intent. He turned and walked toward the door, the weight of the alliances and rivalries settling in his mind.
As he stepped out into the night, the streets felt different. The balance of power was clear now. The gangs were pieces on a chessboard, but the nobles were the players, moving them at will. And Hale... Hale was ready to play.
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