Kaelen made his way to a busier part of the city, where the streets were packed with merchants and all sorts of characters. He was certain that in the more unsavory parts of town, he could get information on Blacktounge—he just needed to draw the right kind of attention.

Arriving at the crowded market square, Kaelen took out his heavy coin pouch and casually tossed it up and down in his hand. The weight of it jingled loud enough to turn a few heads.

"Kaelen, stop being reckless!" Vessira scolded, narrowing her eyes, but he just smiled and ignored her, focusing on his plan. He wanted to attract the city's thieves—the people who likely had connections or at least heard rumors.

With plenty of eyes now watching him, Kaelen slipped the pouch back onto his belt and started walking around, pretending to shop. He moved slowly, letting the pouch dangle conspicuously as he scanned the stalls, waiting for the moment someone would take the bait.

The tension in the air thickened. He could feel it—a few eyes lingering on him longer than usual, a subtle shift in the crowd. It wouldn’t be long now. All he needed was for the right person to make their move.

Kaelen was casually conversing with a merchant when he finally felt it—a slight tug at his coin pouch. Without hesitation, he grabbed the hand that attempted to steal his money and turned to face the would-be thief. The man wore an all-black outfit, a mask covering the lower half of his face, and two daggers hanging at his hips.

The thief, realizing he'd been caught, quickly went for Kaelen's throat with one of his daggers, but Kaelen's reflexes were faster. He caught the man's other hand mid-thrust and, with surprising ease, dragged him off to a nearby shaded alleyway, away from the crowded streets.

"Now," Kaelen said in a low voice, tightening his grip. "Let’s have a chat."

"Wait, Kaelen, was this your plan the whole time? Why didn’t you tell me?" Vessira asked, her voice laced with irritation.

Kaelen glanced at her for a moment before responding with a smirk. "I needed your scolding to be believable."

Kaelen dragged the masked man into the alleyway, pinning him against the wall with one arm. The bandit struggled, but Kaelen’s grip was like iron. Vessira stood by, watching curiously as Kaelen adjusted his stance, making sure no one else could see them.

"Alright," Kaelen said, voice low and calm. "You tried to rob the wrong guy. Now you're gonna answer some questions."

The man’s eyes darted around the alley, looking for an escape. "I don’t know anything, man," he sputtered. "Just let me go, and we’ll forget this happened."

Kaelen tightened his grip on the man's wrist, eliciting a yelp of pain. "You're lying. You’re going to tell me everything you know about Lord Blacktongue."

The bandit froze, the mention of Blacktongue clearly rattling him. He tried to pull away, but Kaelen’s strength kept him pinned.

"Look, I... I don't mess with him," the bandit stammered. "No one wants to! He’s dangerous, man. People who ask too many questions about him tend to disappear."

"Good thing I’m not afraid of disappearing," Kaelen replied, his eyes narrowing. "Now talk. Why is Blacktongue sending assassins after a smith? What’s he up to?"

The bandit hesitated, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. "I don’t know the full story, I swear! But there’s talk... talk in the underground that Blacktongue is gathering resources, building something. People say he’s got plans, big ones—maybe even bigger than the king."

"Building what?" Kaelen pressed, leaning in closer. "And what does Dravos have to do with it?"

"I don’t know!" the bandit pleaded. "Dravos, he’s one of the best smiths in the city. Blacktongue probably wants him for his weapons, or maybe for something else. He doesn’t tell his plans to people like me. I just know the rumors."

Kaelen glanced at Vessira, who raised an eyebrow. She clearly wasn't buying the bandit's ignorance.

"You’re not being very helpful," Kaelen said, his tone cold. "And I don’t like wasting time."

"I swear, that’s all I know!" the man begged, voice cracking. "Just... just go talk to someone higher up. There’s a place in the slums, an old tavern called The Serpent’s Den. People there might know more about Blacktongue’s plans. That’s where his men hang out, but be careful—they’ll gut you if they know you’re snooping."

Kaelen finally loosened his grip, letting the man slump against the wall. "Good to know," he said, stepping back. "You try anything like this again, and next time, I won’t be so forgiving."

The bandit nodded quickly, rubbing his sore wrist before bolting down the alley.

Vessira crossed her arms and looked up at Kaelen. "Well, that was productive. Now what?"

Kaelen glanced toward the direction the bandit ran off. "We head to The Serpent’s Den."

Kaelen stepped out of the alleyway, his expression determined. He glanced at Vessira, who had perched herself on his shoulder, her small form scanning the streets.

"Show me to the slums," Kaelen said, his voice firm. "Let’s not waste any more time."

Vessira gave him a sly grin. "Finally taking my advice, huh? Follow me then. I know just the way."

She fluttered off his shoulder, guiding Kaelen through the winding streets of the city, deeper into the more shadowed and forgotten parts of town.

Kaelen followed Vessira through the winding alleys and side streets until the bustling noise of the city faded, replaced by the quiet tension of the slums. They finally reached a decrepit tavern at the edge of the district, known as the Serpent’s Den. The worn sign above the door creaked as it swayed in the breeze, depicting a coiled serpent with fangs bared. Kaelen could hear muffled voices from inside, and the scent of smoke and stale ale wafted out as he approached.

"Looks like we’re here," Vessira whispered, perching on his shoulder once again. "Stay low, I’ll keep watch."

Kaelen nodded and slipped quietly around the side of the building, pressing himself against the wall near an open window. Inside, the voices became clearer.

“…how many more do we need?" one man asked, his voice gruff and impatient.

"Lord Blacktongue wants another five from the red-light district. The last batch wasn’t enough. We just need to grab 'em and make sure no one gets wind of it this time," the second man responded, his tone laced with urgency.

Kaelen's eyes narrowed. Kidnapping? From the red-light district? Blacktongue's plans were far more sinister than he'd expected. He leaned in closer to hear more.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

"Yeah, but it’s getting harder," the first man grumbled. "The girls are getting suspicious, and we can’t just snatch 'em in broad daylight anymore. We need to be smarter this time."

"Don’t worry. I’ve got a couple of guys ready to handle it tonight. We’ll sweep through after sundown."

Kaelen clenched his fist. They were planning another kidnapping, and soon. Without wasting any more time, he pulled back from the window, his heart racing.

"Vessira," he said quietly, "we’re heading to the red-light district. We’ve got some people to save."

Vessira tilted her head. "What’s the plan?"

"We stop them before they take anyone else. Let’s move."

With that, Kaelen and Vessira made their way back through the slums, heading toward the red-light district to intercept Blacktongue’s men before they could strike again.

"Kaelen, do you even know what kind of place the red-light district is?" Vessira asked, her tone tinged with curiosity. "You're new to city life, and the fact that you even devised this whole plan is... well, surprising."

Kaelen glanced at the small woman perched on his shoulder as they navigated the narrow alleys toward the red-light district. "Not really," he admitted. "When I was a slave, I overheard some overseers talking about it. They’d complain about missing it when we were in the more isolated camps, but I never actually learned what it was."

As they walked, Kaelen noticed the prying eyes of the slum dwellers, some glaring with suspicion, others quickly turning away when their gazes met his.

"As for how I came up with the plan," Kaelen continued, his voice calm but thoughtful, "that part's simple. I've been around scummy bastards my whole life. From what I’ve seen, rich lords with power and connections always have something shady going on. Plenty of slaves get bought just to be turned into assassins or worse. So I figured the thieves around here would've at least heard whispers about Blacktongue's dealings. It was just a matter of drawing the right attention."

Vessira crossed her arms and smirked. "Well, you certainly did that. But the red-light district... it’s not a place for the faint-hearted. Stick close, Kaelen. Things get ugly fast in those parts, especially if we're dealing with Blacktongue's men."

Kaelen continued walking with Vessira, the streets growing narrower and more shadowed as the sun dipped lower on the horizon. Just as the last light of day began to fade, they arrived at a street that was bathed in the soft, glowing hue of floating red lanterns. The warm light cast an alluring crimson tint over the entire area, creating an almost dreamlike atmosphere.

"The name's kind of on the nose, huh?" Kaelen remarked with a smirk, taking in the sight of the vibrant district.

Vessira rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her amusement as Kaelen stepped into the red-lit streets.

Kaelen walked down the crowded streets of the red-light district, the red glow of the lanterns giving the place an otherworldly vibe. Music played faintly from a few corners, while laughter and whispered conversations filled the air. The scent of perfume and smoke lingered, blending with the warm evening air.

As he moved deeper into the district, the women who worked the streets began to take notice. A tall woman with dark curls winked at him, her painted lips curving into a sultry smile. "Looking for a good time, handsome?" she purred, her hand brushing lightly across his arm as he passed.

Another woman, lounging on the steps of a nearby building, leaned forward and gave him a teasing grin. "Strong arms like those must be good for more than just carrying swords," she teased, her voice dripping with playful intent.

Kaelen barely acknowledged them, his eyes scanning the faces of the people he passed, searching for any sign of Blacktongue's men. He knew they were here somewhere, lurking in the shadows, blending into the surroundings.

A shorter woman with bright red hair twirled a lock around her finger and caught his gaze as he neared. "Hey, big guy," she said with a wink, "I bet you're looking for something special tonight."

Vessira, perched on his shoulder, gave an exaggerated sigh. "You’d think they’d see we’re on business here."

Kaelen smirked but didn't respond, keeping his focus as he searched for the men stationed by Blacktongue. His plan was simple—find them, listen, and get more information. The subtle tension in the air told him he was getting closer. These kinds of places often hid the darkest dealings, and Kaelen could almost feel the eyes watching him from the shadows.

Kaelen walked down the dimly lit street when three men stepped out from a dark alley, weapons drawn. One of them, a lanky man with a scar across his cheek, sneered. "Well, well, you're a bigger rat than we expected. Lookouts told us there was a mercenary snooping around, but you? You’re something else."

Kaelen shot a glance at Vessira, cursing under his breath. They’d been spotted, likely by someone with good stealth or sharp eyes.

He took a step back, creating some distance between himself and the men. "I have no idea what you're talking about," he said, trying to keep his voice steady. "I’m just here for some fun, same as anyone else."

The men chuckled darkly. The scarred one took a step forward. "Yeah, right. Maybe don’t ignore every pretty woman who throws herself at you if you want to sell a story like that." He tapped the hilt of his dagger against his hand. "You know what happens to people who get too nosy around here, don’t you?"

The tension in the air thickened, and Kaelen could sense they weren’t going to let him walk away easily. To make matters worse, the narrow street left little room for him to draw his sword.

With a quick decision, Kaelen swung his fist at the scarred man, channeling his Brutal Swing. The blow landed with a sickening thud, catching the man off guard. He crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

Before Kaelen could react further, the other two men lunged at him, their weapons flashing in the dim light of the alley.

As the first man fell to the ground, the remaining two exchanged startled glances before charging at Kaelen. The first, a burly figure with a jagged scar running down his cheek, swung a heavy club aimed at Kaelen’s head. With quick reflexes, Kaelen ducked under the strike and delivered a powerful uppercut that sent the thug reeling back.

The second man, lean and wiry, darted to Kaelen's side, attempting to flank him. Kaelen anticipated the move, spinning on his heel to face him, and unleashed a kick that connected hard with the man’s chest. He stumbled back, gasping for breath.

"Who the hell are you?" the scarred thug grunted, clutching his jaw as he regained his footing. "We're level seven! We shouldn’t be losing to a nobody like you!"

Kaelen smirked, feeling a surge of adrenaline. "Level means nothing if you can't land a hit," he taunted, as he advanced on the two men. He threw a quick jab at the scarred thug, followed by a knee to his gut, driving the air from his lungs. The man doubled over, and with a swift kick to his head, he was out cold.

The lean man, realizing the situation was rapidly spiraling out of control, lunged at Kaelen with his dagger drawn. Kaelen sidestepped the attack and grabbed the man’s wrist, twisting it violently. The dagger clattered to the ground as Kaelen spun him around, locking him in a tight hold.

"You're all bark and no bite," Kaelen said, his voice low. "Maybe next time you should pick your fights more wisely."

With a final shove, Kaelen sent the man crashing into the alley wall. The thug slumped to the ground, dazed and defeated, as he struggled to comprehend what had just happened.

Kaelen took a breath, his heart pounding from the fight. He surveyed the two men lying unconscious at his feet, a satisfied grin on his face. "Level seven? More like level zero," he muttered.

"No, Kaelen, they were normal. You're just strange. There should be no way you won a fight against three level sevens."

Kaelen sighed, shaking his head. He pulled the water skin from his belt and splashed the cold liquid on the man who seemed to be the leader. The thug jolted awake, sputtering as he wiped the water from his eyes, confusion mixing with anger as he took in his surroundings and the sight of Kaelen standing over him.

"Get up," Kaelen commanded, his voice steady. "I have some questions for you."

"Well, you can go ahead and finish me. I ain't talking. I'm way more scared of Blacktounge than I am of you."

Kaelen leaned down to face the man, locking eyes with him. "Well, Blacktounge isn't here, is he?"

The thug seemed to realize Kaelen wasn't playing around and shook his head.

"Now, what does Blacktounge need with the red-light girls? And more importantly, what does he want with Dravos?"

"I'm not completely sure why he needs the whores, but I know he needs their blood. As for Dravos, he's building something. He plans to subjugate a Primal Dragon, and he's been hiring hundreds of smiths to craft something that will help him do it."

Kaelen looked at Vessira, who nodded, believing the man was telling the truth. "Do you know why he wants a Primal Dragon?"

The man winced, still in pain from the sucker punch. "He wants to be stronger. He's a Drakewarden, and the average Drakewarden has a wyvern. They can summon armor as tough as their scales and weapons as sharp as their teeth. But those are just average. The stronger ones have pact-bound dragons, and Blacktounge has one. The strongest of all have Primal Dragons—like Sir Alexander the Stormsent. Blacktounge hates Alexander; he’s the only person blocking him from claiming the entire desert for himself."

Kaelen's face grew serious. Alexander was his father's name. He knew the man was strong, but a Primal Drakewarden? It had to be just a coincidence.

“Thanks for the information. I'm sure Blacktounge will be looking for me. He probably already knows I stopped the assassination, and now this? He’s likely sending someone to take me as we speak.” Kaelen finished, rising to leave the alleyway.

“Now run off. I doubt Blacktounge will kill you; he’ll want you alive to gather information about the person who's been messing up his plans.”

"That's one insane bastard." One of the men spoke who was pretending to be unconscious.