They didn’t go to the usual inn that Kaelith’s team used. Instead, they went directly to the inn opposite the bounty hunter’s Association since it’s far easier to eat there than going all the way around.
Kaedros thought that the inn owner must be wise indeed to place his business in front of the bounty hunter’s Association, where freshly paid hunters would spend freely through the night.
It was a large building, and Kaedros winced as the full blast of a crowded bar hit him. He toned down his hearing and smell when the grimy, sweaty odors of humans made his nose twitch.
"I thought it would be more... lively," Kaedros told Taria as they entered. Chairs and tables were packed with Hunters drinking and eating, while waiters moved gracefully through the chaos with trays of food and drink.
But something was off. The bounty hunters spoke too loudly, like they were acting. For those who carried weapons, their hands never strayed far from their hilts.
An underlying tension shimmered just beneath the guise of a lively inn.
"Well, I think we both know why it isn’t lively," Taria said, her eyes flitting about until she spotted a free table. She gestured for Kaedros, and they both made their way across the room.
Eyes followed them with a mix of surprise and amusement, as if wondering what two low ranking Ascendants were doing there.
It occurred to Taria then that most of the Ascendant there were stage seven of rank one and above. She wouldn’t have dared set foot in an inn a few weeks ago, but it was different now.
Kaedros nodded in approval at her choice of table. Facing the entrance with their backs to the wall, it gave them full view of the inn, and a clear look at what was causing all the tension.
A young man, about the same age as human Kaedros, sat in the center of the room. He wore a rich blue robe and sipped from his drink while casually observing the crowd with calm confidence.
Behind his chair stood a hulking knight clad in full metal, radiating aura at the rank two.
"So why is he causing all this tension? From the feel of it, he’s only stage two of rank one at most," Kaedros said, hailing a waiter.
Taria narrowed her eyes, studying the noble seated among peasants. "You must have guessed. From the blue robes and the knight, I’d say he’s Lord Rauk Lythienne, heir to Solmere."
Kaedros studied the young man. Lord Rauk’s black hair was slicked back and his face too smooth, too perfect.
Instantly, Kaedros distrusted it. He had the face of a schemer. As Rauk met Kaedros’ gaze, he smiled lazily, eyes cold and calculating.
"What is a noble doing in an inn ? He doesn’t fit," Kaedros said as the waiter delivered their drinks.
Taria shrugged and drank half her mug, smiling with satisfaction. "Who knows? Nothing beats a cool drink after a hard day."
Kaedros nodded, taking a long pull from his own mug. Rauk had smiled at him once, but now his attention had returned to scanning the room, watching the bounty hunters like a predator eyeing prey.
"Why did you say it’s strange for him to be back in the town his family rules?" Kaedros asked.
Taria leaned forward. "Because the Lythienne family doesn’t hold much power here in Solmere."
That surprised Kaedros. How could a lord not be powerful in his own domain? "How is that possible?"
"A long time ago, before Solmere became what it is, the Lythiennes neglected the town. They spent their time and fortune in the capital Island. It was the bounty hunter’s Association and the Celestial Order that saw potential here because of its proximity to a lot of Forbidden zones," she explained, lowering her voice. "Actually, they were the ones that have the funds to crack the forbidden zones as this Island is considered backward and unsafe."
"They opened branches and built the town up. When the Lythiennes tried to reclaim authority, it was already too late. Since then, there’s been an ongoing power struggle, between the Celestial Order, the Association, and the Lythienne family."
Kaedros frowned. "But shouldn’t the Lythiennes have the obvious power, being rulers?"
"Normally, yes. But they lacked the strength and resources the others had," Taria said.
"Hunters are Ascendants. And nearly all the Hunters in Solmere work for the Association or the Celestial Order. They’re loyal because those organizations gave them purpose and income," she whispered.
"What about the kingdom? Surely the King and other Lords wouldn’t allow the Associations to monopolize the Ascendants."
"Solmere is a special case. In most cities, the bounty hunter’s Association isn’t this strong. Lords and the King have their own elite Ascendants who serve as military forces. They’re paid more than what the Association offers."
"The Association was created by the King, and while they still technically obey him, they operate more independently now. Nobles call their own forces ’Knights’ loyal, honorable, and expensive to maintain," she added, before a coughing fit forced her to drain her cup.
Kaedros nodded slowly. It made sense. The King and Lords had their own Ascendants, independent from the Association. And keeping such forces would be costly.
So wealth and power were what the Lythiennes lacked. Kaedros deduced.
Kaedros raised his hand to call for food when he noticed the sudden silence in the inn. All eyes were now following two figures making their way across the room, Lord Rauk Lythienne and his knight.
They were heading straight for Kaedros and Taria’s table.