The Crown Hidden in Shadows
The man who was eavesdropping on Videl went into an inn, and headed straight to the second floor.
Night had already begun swallowing Fantom City whole.
The streets outside were dim beneath the flickering lanternlight, and a cold wind drifted through the alleys carrying the smell of rain and smoke. Most inns across the city were crowded at this hour with adventurers, merchants, mercenaries, and drunk nobles wasting coin on cheap alcohol and prettier company.
Yet this inn was different tonight.
Too quiet.
Too empty.
Into the room walked the cloaked figure, causing the innkeeper to bow his gaze without a word. Silence followed him - thick, uneasy, pressing on everyone present.
A step groaned under his boot heel climbing up. The wood sighed low, worn by time and weight.
Most times, guests filled the upper floors of this inn completely. Today, though, every room stood empty.
