The tavern was loud.
Laughter, shouting, clinking mugs–everything blended into a constant him that filled the air.
Aren sat across from Lyra, watching as a server placed two plates of steaming food infront of them.
Roasted meat, bread and something else resembling stew.
He didn't hesitate.
After days in the forest, this felt like a feast.
Lyra ate more slowly, her eyes occasionally drifting across the room.
Watching and listening.
"Try not to look like you've never eaten before" she said.
Aren didn't look up.
"I haven't".
Lyra almost smiled.
At a nearby table, a group of hunters were deep in conversation.
"... I'm telling you, the caravan didn't stand a chance".
"Black Thorn again"
"Who else?"
Aren slowed his eating slightly, and listened.
"They're getting bolder", one of the hunters continued. "They are used to being stuck on the outer roads. Now they're hitting closer to town".
Another man leaned in.
"Heard they've got a new leader".
Lyra's hand paused midair.
"A leader?" someone asked.
"Yeah, no one's seen his face. But wherever he goes things go bad".
Aren glanced at Lyra .
She was listening now.
Carefully.
"What kind of bad?" another voice asked.
The first Hunter lowered his voice slightly.
"... People don't just die".
A brief silence fell over the group.
Then one of them laughed nervously.
"Yeah alright. I think you've had to much to drink".
The conversation shifted, but the tension lingered.
Aren leaned forward slightly.
"You here that".
Lyra nodded.
"That confirms it".
"Confirms what?"
"That Black Thorn isn't just a group of random bandits anymore".
She rested her chin lightly on her hand.
"They're organising".
Aren frowned.
"That sounds like trouble".
"It is".
Before he could say more, the tavern door creaked open.
Aren glanced toward it–
–and saw the hooded man from earlier stepped back inside.
This time, he wasn't alone.
Two others followed him.
All three scanned the room.
Searching.
Lyra noticed immediately.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"... Aren"
"What?"
"Don't turn around to fast", she said quietly.
Aren froze.
"We have a problem".
"They're looking for someone".
Lyra's gaze flicked briefly across the room.
"... Yes".
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"And I think it's us".
Aren's grip tightened.
"What do we do".
Lyra didn't answer immediately.
Instead, she reached for her cup and took a slow sip, as if nothing was wrong.
"Finish your food" she said quietly.
Aren blinked.
"... Now?"
"Yes".
Her tone didn't change.
"We leave without drawing attention".
Aren forced himself to relax, even though every instinct in his body told him to prepare for a fight.
Across the tavern, one of the men stopped walking.
His gaze landed on Aren.
For a brief moment, their eyes met.
Aren looked away instantly.
"Too late" he muttered.
Lyra sighed softly.
"Of course it is".
The man began walking toward their table.
Slowly.
And deliberately.
The other two shifted position, subtly closing of their exit.
Aren's heart started beating faster.
Then the man stopped near their table.
His presence looming over the duo.
His gaze piercing through them dangerously.
"You two" the man said.
Aren and Lyra turned toward him
"You're not from around here" the man continued, his eyes moving towards Aren's short sword then towards Lyra's eyes.
Lyra quietly shifted her hand to her daggers hidden underneath the table.
"Is that a problem".
Lyra replied with a neutral expression.
The man smiled faintly.
"That depends"he said.
"We're looking for some information".
"And you think we have it" Aren replied.
"We think you've seen something you shouldn't have".
Silence.
The tavern noise seemed to fade slightly around them.
Aren's hand tightened around his sword.
Lyra however remained completely still.
Then she smiled faintly.
"You're mistaken".
The man studied her for a brief moment.
Then–
He chuckled.
"Maybe".
Then he stepped back.
"We'll be watching".
And just like that, he turned and walked away.
Aren and Lyra kept quiet until they left the tavern
"... That didn't feel like a normal conversation".
Lyra leaned back in her chair.
"It wasn't".
Aren looked at her.
"They're part of Black Thorn aren't they".
Lyra nodded.
"They are".
Aren frowned.
"But why us".
Lyras gaze shifted towards their door.
"Because we killed their scouts".
Aren's expression hardened.
"... So they're watching us now".
"Yes".
She stood up.
"Which means we don't have enough time".
Aren stood as well.
"For what?"
Lyra looked at him, her golden eyes sharp.
"To decide whether we stay..."
"...or become their next target".