The salty breeze from the docks carried a hint of fish and damp wood as Aedric made his way toward the eastern storage houses. The sun had begun its descent, casting long shadows over the wooden piers. Seagulls cawed overhead, circling the masts of ships anchored in the bay.
Seris and Tessa flanked him, their movements careful but casual. They weren't the only ones watching the docks tonight—Velmire's underbelly thrived here, where smuggling, bribery, and quiet assassinations were just another part of daily life.
Aedric kept his voice low. "The informant mentioned a storage house. If 'The Raven' really operates from here, they won't be easy to catch."
Tessa adjusted the hood of her cloak. "I checked around before coming. The eastern warehouses are owned by different merchants, but there's one that no one seems to know much about. No workers, no shipments, just a few guards keeping watch."
Seris smirked. "Sounds exactly like the kind of place we're looking for."
Aedric's fingers twitched toward the dagger at his belt. This wasn't just about finding the informant anymore. Whoever 'The Raven' was, they were the true force guiding the Red Vipers' actions in Velmire. And that made them far more dangerous than some common street spies.
They approached the row of warehouses, careful to avoid open streets. The storage houses were large, wooden structures reinforced with iron locks and thick chains. Some were bustling with activity, workers hauling crates under the watchful eyes of merchants. Others sat in silence, their doors bolted shut.
Tessa pointed toward one near the end of the pier. "That's the one. No lights, no workers. Just two men standing at the entrance."
Aedric examined the guards. They weren't regular dockworkers—these men were armed, their posture stiff with trained discipline.
Seris leaned in slightly. "We can take them out quietly."
Aedric shook his head. "Not yet. If we're right about this place, it's more than just a meeting spot. We need to see who comes and goes."
They settled into the shadows, watching from a distance. The minutes dragged into an hour. The guards remained motionless, only shifting occasionally to adjust their grip on their weapons.
Then, movement.
A lone figure approached from the northern path, their steps brisk and purposeful. They wore a long cloak, the hood pulled low to obscure their face. As they neared the warehouse, one of the guards stepped forward and exchanged a brief word before opening the door.
The figure slipped inside, and the door shut behind them.
Aedric exhaled slowly. "That's them."
Tessa glanced at him. "What now?"
Aedric's mind raced. They needed to get inside, but if the warehouse held more than just a few guards, a direct fight could turn ugly. There had to be another way.
His gaze swept across the nearby buildings. A few of the older warehouses had upper ventilation openings—small, but just large enough for someone to slip through.
He turned to Seris. "How's your climbing?"
She raised an eyebrow. "Better than yours."
Aedric smirked. "Then let's get moving."
Carefully, they circled around the back of the warehouse, keeping low behind stacked crates and barrels. The other warehouses provided some cover, but if they made too much noise, the guards would notice.
Seris reached the nearest wall first, scanning for handholds. The wooden planks had aged, some warped and loose from years of exposure to the sea air. Without hesitation, she tested the grip and pulled herself up, moving swiftly and silently.
Aedric followed, his fingers finding purchase on the rough surface. The climb wasn't easy, but he pushed through, keeping his breathing steady.
At the top, they reached a narrow ledge near the ventilation opening. It was covered by a rusted grate, but the nails holding it in place had loosened over time. Seris carefully pried it off, handing it to Aedric before slipping inside.
Aedric followed, lowering himself onto a wooden beam that ran across the ceiling. The warehouse was dimly lit by lanterns, casting flickering shadows over rows of crates and barrels.
Below, a group of figures stood near a table. The hooded individual from earlier sat at the center, their hands folded. The guards flanked the walls, their weapons at the ready.
Aedric strained to hear their conversation.
"…failed to eliminate the target," one of the men reported.
The hooded figure—The Raven—remained still. "Unacceptable. The Red Vipers do not fail." Their voice was smooth, almost amused.
The man hesitated. "We underestimated them. The boy—he's more dangerous than expected."
The Raven chuckled. "Then we adjust."
Aedric narrowed his eyes. They were talking about him.
The Raven reached into their cloak and pulled out a small parchment, sliding it across the table. "Double the bounty. The one who kills Aedric earns a fortune."
Aedric tensed.
Seris barely breathed beside him.
The Raven continued. "And if they do not? Then I'll handle him myself."
Aedric exhaled slowly. The game had changed. And now, he was at the center of it.