It was as quiet as a mouse after the Guardsman had introduced himself, Josiah sneaked a couple of glances around the tavern as at this point everyone's ears were perked up trying to get a dig into the upcoming conversation. Many new to the continent aren't privy to the fact that Josiah and his brothers have an in-depth information network.

All giants across the continent have a relation to one another that dates back a millennium, some may question how they are to reproduce if they are all related as there would naturally be deformities. The females are born unnaturally as they require 24 ribs of a male giant even to begin the spawning ritual needed to produce 1 female. This makes it extremely difficult for the giants to reproduce, this is also not taking into account the war of 3 centuries past.

With that in consideration there is a high chance there are not more than 500 giants left on the continent today, so to ensure their survival in the future the giants came together under the watch of the empire to form an information bureau. Every city across the continent has a few giants in place to act as guild members, tavern workers, helmsmen, etc. all for the sake of survival and information.

Josiah and his brothers were a small piece of this network so the first stop the King's Guard had made was to this tavern to gain an inkling into what pieces they were looking for. However, there are levels to the information one can get from the giants, most information anyone can ask is surface level at best. The common rumors that have been spread around the continent, you can get more if you request their services. From buying their wares to mercenary work to food as long as you bought something from them they trade information.

But for the information of magical depth, one requires an engraved TIkro to have a chance to ask for their knowledge on past magic, magic is a harsh topic for the giants due to how most of them were wiped out in the aforementioned war. Their thoughts to confirm that such a situation wouldn't happen In the future was to scatter these Tirko coins around the continent 2 centuries ago to protect information on magic that could potentially cause their downfall again.

"Would you like this conversation to the brought to a more private setting Captain"? The giant asked

"Well I wouldn't want you to just answer some of my questions, we'll buy a meal and drink since we are here. I suggest you clear out some of the... unwanted if you catch my drift."

Nodding curtly, Josiah turned to the many onlookers and using his thumb to gesture over his shoulder spoke. "You heard the man clear out for the time being, if you come back after an hour or two I'll have a round of drinks ready for all those who come back." This got a couple of chuckles from those grumpy about being put out into the harsh sunlight.

"Well, what would you gentleman like before we start it's easier to talk when the food and alcohol start flowing." There were 11 people including the captain inside his tavern currently, it was honestly a small party in Josiah's mind especially if they were sent from the capital to Carostin. But at the same time, it spoke for their skill levels these are people you would not want to mess with.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Lincoln none the wiser felt his tingling sensation grow stronger, standing up from the table in the side office he went to exit the door into the hallway. Thinking that it would be best to just go to his room until whatever was happening in the tavern died down. He should be allowed to rest and nap in his room right? Knocking twice on the hallway door before slowly peeking out, he looked to his left out towards the tavern spotting Caroline walk out of the kitchen with a fresh tray of food. This was probably his best chance to go up to his room deciding to go for it he quickly and silently caught up to the waitress and glided out the hallway to the par alongside her shadows. He wasn't sure how the weird shadow tendrils floated around him or how they worked yet, but he was sure she didn't notice and there was no reason to waste his abilities to sprint up to his room real quick.

Timing the exit of Caroline and his by half a second, as she went left out from behind the bar, he lined himself up with her figure and quickly moved towards the stairs keeping conscious to make sure her body stayed in line with his so those at the tables couldn't see him. And when he felt the eyes of the room shift to the new person 'Caroline' he took that time to bolt up the stairs at the far end of the tavern. Unfortunately for Lincoln, however, was the fact that out of the few people still left in the tavern two of them in the room were well over 7 feet tall. And even though Caroline was a little taller on the Womanly side she was nothing to these behemoths. Namely, Josiah caught a glimpse of Lincoln on his way to the stairs, a momentary flash of confusion adorned his face before the same servient mask of the local tavern keeper fell back over it, too late.

Captain Tovar who was in the middle of questioning Josiah about some of the patrons who had parted saw this lapse on Josiah's face, whipping his head around he was able to catch the back of Lincoln's boots on the steps before he disappeared out of sight. Turning back to the giant he cocked his head sideways with a look feigning confusion while simultaneously tapping the fork in his right hand on his plate in the direction of the stairs three times. Josiah felt a large headache coming on as he let out an exasperated sigh and went on to quickly explain, shaking his head slightly. "That fellow was who I was talking with before you all showed up. He got here today right Caro?" He said looking up to Caroline as she reached the table and began spreading food around.

Meanwhile, the hooded man who saw Tovar's signal was finishing his check under the table using a sleek, sphere-like object. Pushing essence into the orb it would react and use the energy it's been infused with to track the nearest energy similar and compatible with it. This allowed hunters who are given a specific essence before their assignment to track their targets. This was an essence-seeking orb and many elite trackers of the empire carried them as their missions were often far from the Capitol and just as arduous. The essence the hooded man pushed into the orb was the same essence that was inside the pouch Lincoln received as prior payment to the assassination of the second prince.

The hooded man put the orb away picked up his spoon to 'try' his soup and tapped in the direction of the stairway twice before indulging in the food laid before him. "Yes he got here today and he looked like trouble to me." Caroline responded rubbing the imprint she received on her hand from Lincoln's coin "He paid and ate his food well so I guess I can't complain too much, slightly handsome, but a prick no doubt about it." Turning towards the stairs with a huff she asked the table "Would you like me to go fetch him for you?" Raising an eyebrow towards Captain Tovar and receiving a nod in response "Yes, please if you wouldn't mind miss, I'd be highly appreciative as would the rest of us here. I've some questions to ask that man."