The morning rays soaked up the light showers that passed the night before. The window on Khal's room barely had any more droplets remaining. Khal laid in the tub soaking in all the water like before. It was almost as though his body was hungry for water. It was already the fifth tub filled with water and he was considering whether he would need to visit crystal lake before his body was quenched. Half of the water was already gone by the time Khal noticed his pores rejecting any of the water.

His body then trembled as a black substance coated his skin. It was both oily and reeked of death. Khal cleaned himself off before getting dressed. He wasn't sure what the entire process represented but it couldn't be bad since he was still standing, at least he hoped it wasn't. He had a feeling that his body was even better than it was mere moments ago, the water-energy he absorbed told him so. Khal grabbed the gauge stone again, he was amazed at the new reading, E998. If this continued, he would be at the watershed before Knight Sergeant, the same level as Sergeant Michael.

Khal exited the inn, something about the night before didn't sit quite well with him. Although he could tell that Lowel recognized Longcross, he couldn't figure out the connection. Maybe he wanted to show Lady Stigs that he was a dependable man. As sadistic as it was, Khal had seen many sadistic men at the Hive.

He strolled down the pathway towards the merchants. He needed a sword and armor. It had been far too long since he had either. Even Ewin and Arzela had their own armor. The road was crowded with grain and livestock merchants. It was difficult to find anything that remotely interested Khal. He trotted further down the road until he came to an old stall with few customers. Giving a thorough look, Khal realized that the weapons were of good quality despite their worn-down sheath. The old merchant even had small daggers and a meshed vest strapped to leather armor.

Khal nodded in approval as he caught the eye of a few daggers and twin short swords in a box to the back. "Old timer, are those swords for sale," Khal asked.

"Good eyes youngster. These blades are me life's work. I'm afraid yer may not have brought enough gold for em," the man said matter-of-factly.

Khal took no offense to the man's words, "Just give me a price. Whether I can afford it or not doesn't matter."

The old man inspected Khal for a second before saying, "Very well, 10g."

Khal raised an eyebrow, usually, even the best steel sword would cost 50 silvers. "Do I get a discount if I take this leather armor and those ten daggers?" Khal asked.

The old merchant scrutinized Khal before nodding, "Very well lad, 12g."

Khal took the items before shopping around a little more. He grabbed a few valuable items like a small tent and bedroll along with a few food materials. It was afternoon by the time he made his way back to the Inn. He equipped all the items under his Recluse outfit before strapping the daggers to his legs the way he remembered Bryce doing it. Next, he put on his tunic and surcoat before placing both swords on his back before heading out towards the Tavern.

The Tavern was considerably less crowded than the previous night. There were a few people drinking but the majority of the tables were empty. Khal was about to make his way towards one of the empty tables on the far side when he noticed a short, fat man drinking away. Lowel, Khal thought to himself. He slowly walked to the man's table before sitting. "Don't yer spot the table's full?" Lowel said firmly as he gobbled up another jug of Gut-rot. He didn't even look in Khal's direction as he drank. Khal stared at him, observing his every action. It was strange, Varne was dead and it was probably Lowel's fault. Khal turned his eyes towards the 8 empty jugs on the table before Lowel shouted, "Move or I make yer!"

Khal ignored the man's words. He slowly grabbed the scroll in his pocket and placed it on the table. It didn't take long for Lowel to recognize Varne's dismissal slip. His tongue seemed to lose its strength as he quietly sipped his drink. "Who sent ya?" Lowel finally asked.

"Varne," Khal said slowly.

"Horseshit!" Lowel screamed as he glared at Khal for the first time.

Khal slowly placed a pouch filled with 5 gold coins in front of Lowel, "Varne and I are acquaintances, I just want to know how killed him."

Lowel studied the bag of gold for a minute before scoffing at Khal, "Yer stupid fucker, Varne and I knew the bloody same folks. Hell, we grew up together."

"So, he knew Longcross?" Khal asked quickly. He was amused to see Lowel once again lost for words. Lord Tommel was right, words were an effective method to defeat your foes.

"How'd ya know him?" Lowel asked as he touched the sword at his waist.

"How do you?" Khal asked as he cladded the desk, showing Lowel the difference in strength between them.

Lowel's words were lost in his throat. Khal could see the visible sweat running down his fat cheeks. "he's from the Cross mercenaries. They've stationed themselves at Braxton Bridge, looking for three wanted men last I heard."

"Rhodes mercenaries? Why would they-" Khal stilled his tongue. Since one of the Great Houses was involved then he couldn't trust any of them. Rhodes circle of influence did not stretch to Igbal, their presence here must have been noticed but Stigs and Calum. Khal had his money on Calum, Stigs didn't have the influence to control south Igbal.

Lowel could see the change from indifference to worry on Khal's face. It was brief, but he knew he saw it. "Take this, you should disappear before Longcross comes looking." Khal stood up quickly, he needed to hurry to Elfheim as quickly as he could. He had already spent more time here than he intended to.

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"Wait, milord," Lowel said slowly. "The city is surrounded. I came here for one last drink. I'm already a dead man but I beg ya, avenge Varne." Lowel stared at Khal with glossy eyes before placing the pouch of coins in his hands. It was clear to Khal how much regret and pain the man felt. He found it difficult to deny him. Khal nodded before taking off towards the inn.

---

Khal too off his Surcoat, tunic, and trousers before placing his Black Recluse mask over his face. He could hear the chaos in the Tavern nearby. Although he knew Lowel wasn't a good person by any stretch of his imagination, Longcross had played him too deviously. It was one thing to kill but Khal hated how much Longcross had manipulated his way into Lady Stigs heart by stepping over the duo. Maybe it was partly because of his own desire for the young woman, Khal wasn't sure. He had never laid with a woman anyway.

He closed his eyes and meditated on the floor. Khal took a deep breath before blowing out slowly. He had finally begun to feel the wind energy inside of him. He slowly controlled the expelled air and guided it to the window. With a quick howl, the wind cut the curtain before Khal quickly dissipated it. Great, my control is even better, all I need now is to learn the healing properties of water, Khal thought to himself.

Although all the elements were useful for offensive use, light and water were also great at healing. While light was strongest during the day because of the sun, water was stronger at night because of the moon.

Khal coated his index finger in water, thus far he had only been able to control that small amount. It was neither useful for healing or offensive attacks. He allowed the water to seep back into his pores before standing up.

Without further delay, he jumped through the window, landing on the tavern roof below. He quickly used recognizance, finding two men dragging Lowel's unconscious body outside. Longcross wouldn't dare kill him in such a public space, Khal knew. Instead, he sent his lackeys to beat him up before dragging his battered body to a more secluded location. It was nasty business those in power usually involve themselves in.

Khal followed the carriage the two men stuffed Lowel into. It made several turns before stopping at an abandoned building on the far side of the city. Khal was lucky his wind element was only temporarily gone. He assumed it had something to do with his second awakening, but he couldn't be quite sure yet. He would make sure to ask his grandfather when he saw him next.

Khal observed the building. Although it was a small building with shattered glass windows, Khal doubted just the two men would be there. He circled around to the back, checking the door. He controlled a wind-blade in his palm, forcing it between the door and the wall, severing whatever rusty metal laid there. He grabbed the door slowly and cladded the hinges, preventing any creaking noises from alerting the men.

Slipping inside, Khal used recognizance again. He could feel the presence of at least three other men. He couldn't tell what they were doing but they were close. Khal wind-walked towards the first one unnoticed, slicing his neck wide open before pulling his lifeless body further away from the others. It mattered not whether they noticed he was missing or not, at this rate he would take care of all of them before their boss arrived.

Khal took care of the other two just as easily as the first. By the time he was finished, the two lackeys on the outside had already subdued Lowel again. Dragging him inside the building, the tied him to a chair before knocking him unconscious. Khal stood in the dark, further back, watching the entire situation play out. Khal heard a carriage pull up outside, surely it was Longcross.

He waited patiently as the two men went outside to greet their master. Khal removed another dagger from his legs as he waited for the trio to return. He didn't wait long, both men returned with a young woman between them. Wait, Khal froze in shock. It wasn't Longcross but Lady Stigs who stood between them. In his hesitance, Khal watched Lady Stigs approach Lowel before hearing her utter, "Uncle might have been soft on you both by not giving the order to kill but he's no longer here with us. Then that dumb Longcross failed to kill you both, a pity. Men his age are usually much more eager to prove how mighty they are. Worry not though, I will finish what he failed to do."

Khal had more questions than answers now but all of that would have to wait. He wind-walked forward, parrying Lady Stigs small dagger from reaching Lowel. It was with enough force that she was forced backward until she lost her balance. Next, he cladded both of his daggers before lunching them with his wind element. Both men were too stunned to realize what was happening. The daggers went cleanly through them before they could even raise their swords.

The daggers stabbed into the wall as Lady Stigs hit the ground. Khal turned towards her intimidatingly as he withdrew one of his sword swords. "What, what do you want from me Recluse?" She asked him quickly. Although Khal was surprised by her identifying him so easily, she couldn't see it through the mask.

"I'll ask the questions," Khal said slowly. He could tell that she was scared witless at his appearance. Whatever reputation the Recluse had must have been terrible. "Why are you trying to kill him," Khal asked as he turned towards Lowel.

Lady Stigs spat on the floor in disgust, causing Khal to lose whatever semblance of attraction Khal had for her. "He's scum, little concern for the likes of your kind."

Khal cladded his sword to show how serious he was, "I won't ask again."

"He, he an old guard from the estate. He and another conspired to steal my treasure chest."

"You kill for mere gold?!" Khal asked, unable to hold the emotions. It earned him a whimper from Lady Stigs before she crawled backward a little.

"No, it was MY invitation that was important," she blurted in disgust as she stared at Lowel again. "Of course, uncle found the treasure chest and destroyed the invitation. He would never join the Council. It was because of weak men like him that father died."

Her disgust and past pains didn't matter to Khal. He could tell how self-absorbed and conniving she was. "The Raven Council?" Khal asked. He had heard the name so many times before.

"How do you know of it?" She asked, stunned.

"So, Baron Stigs rejected their invite?"

"He was never invited to begin with! The Council only accept those worthy of its cause. Worthy to wield power. My father should have been Baron, Count Dor was the one who sent him to battle the Red King's army. My uncle stood by and watched as he was slain. What about his wife and child? What about his honor?"

Khal knitted his eyebrows. This woman was dangerous. Besides aligning herself to the Raven Council, she was plotting against his family. There was no way he could let her live now. "How does Longcross fit into this?" he asked.

Lady Stigs spat on Khal's feet, "I've answered your stupid questions lackey. You can kill me and report to your precious Dor masters."

Khal shook his head as he gripped his sword and sliced her head off. Next, he picked up his daggers before he untied Lowel and taking off with him in tow. One rooftop after another, Khal ran as he reached the inn. He snuck back into his room before laying the unconscious man on the bed. Removing his masks, Khal placed the tunic along with everything else over his body.