The silence in the tavern was suffocating, and the flickering flames seemed to grow dimmer with each passing second. The cloaked figure stood motionless at the door, his dark eyes scanning the room like a predator searching for its prey. The patrons, once engrossed in their conversations, now paused, their gazes shifting toward the stranger with a mix of curiosity and apprehension.
Fred's instincts were razor-sharp, and his fingers subtly tightened around the handle of his mug, though his face remained impassive. He had seen men like this before—dangerous, calculated, and always one step ahead. This was not a traveler seeking shelter from the cold; this was someone with purpose.
The man's cloak billowed slightly as he took a step forward, his boots muffled against the worn wooden floor. His presence was commanding, and though his face was mostly hidden by the hood, Fred could sense the weight of the man's experience. He wasn't here by chance. He was here for something—or someone.
Lila, still standing behind the bar, caught the look in Fred's eyes and hesitated. Her breath caught in her throat as she recognized the figure, and for a brief moment, the world seemed to slow. She knew who he was.
His name was Kaelen, a man of mystery, a shadow in the world of those who dealt in the darker arts. The rumors surrounding him were enough to make even the bravest men shudder. He was rumored to be a mercenary, a hired sword, someone who had no qualms about bending the world to his will, and his motives were as obscure as his past.
Fred's gaze remained fixed on Kaelen, his mind working quickly to piece together the situation. There was something personal about this encounter, something that didn't sit right. Kaelen was no random wanderer. The way he carried himself, the way his eyes flicked over the room—it was as if he was searching for someone. But who?
Lila's hands trembled as she reached for a bottle of ale, her eyes flickering toward Fred before she turned to face Kaelen.
"You... You're not welcome here," she said, her voice shaking just slightly.
Kaelen's lips curled into a smile that didn't reach his eyes. His tone was smooth, almost playful, but there was an undeniable edge to it. "I wasn't aware I needed permission to enter, Lila. But then again, I don't think I'm here for what you're offering. I'm here for something... or rather, someone."
Fred's pulse quickened. Every muscle in his body tensed, ready for action. He had no idea what this was about, but he could feel the storm brewing.
With a deliberate movement, Kaelen's hand slipped beneath his cloak, pulling out a small, intricately carved box. He placed it on the bar with a soft thud, his eyes locking with Lila's. "Tell him it's time."
Lila's face paled, and Fred could see the flicker of recognition in her eyes—fear mingled with something else, something darker.
"Tell who?" Fred's voice cut through the tension, his words calm, yet heavy with authority.
Kaelen's gaze shifted toward him, his smirk widening. "Ah, I see. The man who thinks he knows everything. This isn't your business, friend. But since you seem so... eager, perhaps you'll learn something tonight."
The room was eerily quiet now, save for the crackling of the fire. Fred's eyes remained locked on Kaelen, trying to read him, trying to understand why he had come all this way. What connection did he have with Lila? And what was in that box?
Lila's eyes darted nervously from Kaelen to Fred, and for a moment, Fred caught a fleeting glimpse of something—regret, or perhaps guilt. But it was gone as quickly as it had appeared.
"Please," she whispered, almost too quietly for Fred to hear, "you don't understand. It's not what you think."
Fred's brow furrowed. The pieces of the puzzle were slowly falling into place, but he still didn't have the full picture. He stepped forward, his eyes never leaving Kaelen.
"What do you want with Lila?" Fred demanded, his voice low and steady, but the undercurrent of danger was clear.
Kaelen's smile remained, but there was something colder behind it now. "I want what's mine," he said simply. "Lila knows what I mean. She knows what I've come for."
Lila recoiled at the words, her body visibly trembling. Fred's mind raced. Whatever this was, it wasn't going to end quietly.
"I won't let you take her," Fred said firmly, stepping between Kaelen and Lila, his body instinctively positioning itself as a shield. "Whatever this is, it ends here."
Kaelen regarded Fred for a moment, his expression unreadable, before he let out a soft chuckle. "You think you can stop me? You don't even know what this is about."
Fred's hand hovered near the hilt of his sword, but he didn't draw it yet. He needed answers, needed to understand the full scope of the situation before making any rash moves.
"I don't care what it is about," Fred said through gritted teeth. "If you hurt her, I'll make sure you regret it."
Kaelen's eyes flashed, a moment of fury sparking within him. But just as quickly, he regained his composure. "Very well," he said coldly. "If it's a fight you want, I'll give you one. But be warned, Fred. You're not prepared for what's coming."
With those final words, Kaelen stepped back, his hand lingering near the box on the bar. Fred's heart raced as he tried to anticipate the next move, but the tension in the room only thickened.
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