???:

The Cloak and Dagger was more than just a bar; it was a sanctuary for the lost and the dangerous. Its shadowy corners and dim lighting concealed more than just secrets.

But tonight, it was a melting pot of destinies waiting to collide.

A girl with striking beauty, pale skin like the snow, and sapphire eyes entered, a polearm slung across her back. Her presence demanded attention, and the patrons subtly shifted, making room for her. She found a seat at the bar, her eyes scanning the room with a vigilance that spoke of a strong sense of justice.

At the far end of the bar sat a young man who looked no older than sixteen. He was downing his fifth pint of ale, yet his eyes remained clear, his speech unblurred. The girl couldn’t help but notice the incongruity.

She approached him, leaning on the bar. “You look too young to be drinking like that. How old are you?”

He looked up, his expression unreadable.

His brown eyes seemed like pools that went on forever.

“Probably as old as you,” he replied, taking another swig. “Age isn’t always what it seems.”

Before she could respond, the bar’s heavy wooden door creaked open, drawing everyone’s gaze. A man entered, his presence like a storm brewing on the horizon. His green eyes glowed under the hood of his cloak, and as he moved, the clinking of concealed weapons echoed subtly. Two swords crossed his back, completing the image of a deadly warrior.

The girl tensed, her hand instinctively moving to her polearm. The young drinker simply raised an eyebrow, seemingly unfazed.

The man with the green eyes approached the bar, his gaze locking onto the girl and the young drinker. “Is there a problem?” His voice was low, threatening.

The girl straightened, meeting his gaze without flinching. “No problem. Just a conversation.”

The young drinker emotionlessly raised his mug in a mock salute. “Care to join us? The more, the merrier.”

The green-eyed man’s eyes flicked to the girl, then back to the young drinker. “I don’t have enough time.”

“Neither do we,” the blue eyed boy replied, tone firm. “But it seems fate has brought us here for a reason.”

The three of them sat at the bar, sizing each other up. The girl ordered a simple fruit smoothie, her grip never far from the polearm on her back. The green-eyed man, now revealed to be a seasoned warrior, ordered a full course meal, eating methodically as his eyes constantly scanned the room.

The silence between them was heavy, filled only by the occasional clink of silverware and the soft hum of the bar’s atmosphere. Each sip and bite was a test of patience and observation.

Finally, the girl broke the silence. “I’ll start. Name’s Katherine, from Winterfront.”

A murderous aura suddenly radiated from the green-eyed man. Both Katherine and the young drinker instinctively jumped back, their hearts pounding in their chests. The oppressive feeling was palpable, but just as quickly as it had appeared, it vanished.

The green-eyed took a deep breath, his expression shifting to one of regret. “I apologize,” he said quietly. “I overreacted to hearing the name of that village.”

Katherine’s eyes narrowed, her hand steady on her polearm. “What do you know about Winterfront?”

He sighed, the tension in his shoulders easing. “More than I’d like to. For now, let’s focus on why we’re all here.”

The young looking man, still holding his mug, watched him with renewed curiosity. “Veritas. Been here in Bridgemond all my life.”

The robed man took a deep breath, closing his eyes. 'Nice to meet you. Mine's Alec, and I hail from the Shimmers.'"

Suddenly, a dart shot out towards Alec. His green eyed opened immediately as he twitched his head just in time, making the dart miss and hit the wall.

A moment later, a burly man stood up, bellowing, “Everyone, kill the Rebel!”

“And it seems that I’m not welcomed here.”

The atmosphere in the bar turned tense as daggers swished through the air towards Alec. With swift movements, he dodged each one expertly, his cloak swirling around him, revealing a phoenix crest underneath his clothes.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

He made a dash towards the door, aiming for an escape route, but as he reached it, more people rushed in, cutting off any chance of exit.

The young drinker took one last swig from his mug and stood up, surprisingly steady despite the chaos erupting around them. His gaze was resolute as he spoke, his voice cutting through the clamor in the bar.

"We should help out," he declared, his words firm and decisive.

Katherine glanced at him, and for some reason, his words stirred something within her. “I see that we have no other choice.”

Launching into action, Alec engaged five assailants simultaneously, his dual swords a blur of motion. He leaped over a table, somersaulting in mid-air to land behind his attackers.

With a fluid spin, he parried a dagger thrust and countered with a sweeping kick that sent one foe crashing into another. His movements were a mesmerizing blend of martial prowess and acrobatic finesse.

Using the environment to his advantage, Alec vaulted onto a sturdy bar counter, using it as a springboard. He executed a series of flips and spins, descending among his foes with calculated strikes. Each swing of his blades was precise, aiming to incapacitate rather than kill, but leaving no doubt about his lethal capability.

His opponents, initially taken aback by Alec's aerial assault, struggled to keep up with his speed and agility. They lunged and slashed, but Alec deflected their attacks effortlessly, his reflexes honed to perfection.

With a twirl and a flourish, he disarmed one adversary, sending the dagger straight to the ground.

The young drinker joined the fray as well. He leaped onto a table, using it as a platform to survey the battlefield. With a swift movement, he grabbed a chair and swung it around, knocking back an approaching assailant. His moves were raw but effective.

Katherine, meanwhile, maintained her stance. Her polearm became a whirling beacon of defense, its blade slicing through the air in precise arcs. She intercepted attacks meant for Alec and Veritas.

As the chaos subsided and the last of their assailants lay incapacitated on the floor, Alec, Veritas, and Katherine took a moment to catch their breath.

The bar was now filled with the heavy silence of the aftermath, broken only by the soft groans of the fallen and the distant sounds of the village outside.

Veritas glanced around cautiously, ensuring that all threats were neutralized.

Alec, wiping sweat from his brow, approached the burly man who had initiated the attack. The man lay slumped against a table, a dagger protruding from his neck.

"I didn't kill anyone," Alec stated firmly, his gaze unwavering as he looked towards Veritas for confirmation.

Veritas nodded in agreement, his expression serious. "He's right. We incapacitated them, but none of us struck a killing blow."

Katherine, visibly shaken by the violence, looked pale and queasy. She kept her grip tight on her polearm, her eyes darting around the room nervously.

Alec knelt beside the fallen man, examining the dagger embedded in his neck. Carefully, he pulled it out, revealing an etched symbol on the blade.

It was a field of silver flowers punctuated by a red rose.

"What does it mean?" Veritas asked, his voice low with suspicion as he studied the symbol.

Alec ignored the question, whispering to himself. “I see…”

He carefully wrapped the dagger in another cloth to preserve any potential evidence. "Let's go. This place won't stay quiet for long."

Alaric:

He led them out of the bar, moving through the village and into the dense forest beyond. The path was narrow and winding, almost imperceptible to those unfamiliar with the terrain.

After a while, they arrived at a cleverly disguised rock face. Alaric approached it with confidence, locating a hidden lever and pulling it. The rock face shifted, revealing a concealed entrance.

“This used to be used by the Kingdom during the Great War,” Alaric explained as they entered.

"The Great War?" Katherine asked.

"I'm surprised you don't know about it. It's when Lutra went from fragmented Kingdoms to a single entity."

The entrance resembled a natural rock formation, covered with moss and vines. Alaric manipulated a hidden mechanism, and a small, concealed hatch opened, blending seamlessly into the rock. They stepped inside, greeted by the spacious main hall, dimly lit by strategically placed lanterns and natural skylights allowing beams of sunlight to filter through.

The walls and floors were made of sturdy, polished wood and stone, providing both durability and a natural aesthetic that matched the forest surroundings. The main hall led into cozy living quarters with wooden furniture, handmade quilts, and simple yet comfortable bedding. Small windows, covered by shutters, allowed inhabitants to observe the outside without being seen.

As they moved further in, they reached a large, central common area with a hearth for warmth. Tables and seating were arranged for gatherings, meals, or strategy sessions. The walls were adorned with tapestries and maps of the surrounding area.

Alaric then guided them to the armory, a secure room stocked with weapons, armor, and supplies. The armory was hidden behind a false wall, ensuring it remained undiscovered by intruders. "This was an old military bunker for Nobles," he told them.

They passed the storage room, filled with preserved food, water, medical supplies, and other necessities. Shelves and barrels lined the walls, and the room was kept cool by the natural insulation of the surrounding earth.

In case of emergency, multiple hidden exits led to different parts of the forest, disguised as hollow logs, concealed trapdoors, or hidden tunnels. Alaric showed them an observation post built into the treetops, accessible via a hidden ladder. It provided a panoramic view of the surrounding forest, allowing for early detection of approaching threats.

Finally, when they made it to the common main area, Alaric turned to Katherine and Veritas, his demeanor cool and composed. "First of all," he began, his voice steady, "Like that man said, I am part of the Rebellion."

He let the weight of his words sink in before continuing, "Second of all, as thanks for protecting me back there, and since I don't have any money to compensate you both with, I would be delighted to provide you both with accommodations for the night."

Katherine and Veritas looked at each other briefly.

He gestured around the hidden bunker. "Welcome to my humble abode. Make yourselves at home."