Chapter 18: Just a little persuasion...

Adrian and Lilith walked into the town with the quiet purpose of hunters on a mission. The town was a modest one, nestled between rugged hills and the vast expanse of desert they had crossed earlier.

The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the cobblestone streets. The town's buildings were simple, with wooden facades and thatched roofs, but the air was thick with the scent of roasted meat and the sound of distant laughter.

They had entered under the cover of night, their figures shrouded in heavy cloaks that concealed their identities. Adrian's thoughts were preoccupied with the information Kyros had grudgingly shared.

According to the Draegonian commander, he and his men were mere mercenaries, handsomely paid by an unknown benefactor to lay waste to Meridia.

Kyros had claimed ignorance of the contractor's true identity, but there was a way to track him down—a map maker, known for his uncanny ability to locate anyone, anywhere, provided he had something of theirs to work with.

Adrian's hand instinctively brushed against the pouch at his belt, filled with the gold coins Kyros's men had received as payment. If the map maker was as skilled as Kyros claimed, those coins would be the key to unlocking the mystery behind the fall of Meridia, the fall of his kingdom.

Adrian had a feeling in his gut that this was the right move. They just had to find the map maker.

"Do you have any idea where we're supposed to find this person?" Lilith asked, her voice low.

"The name's Kaleb, and supposedly he lives somewhere in this town. Let's see what we can find in the tavern," Adrian responded, keeping his tone hushed.

Lilith nodded and followed Adrian as they made their way to the centre of town.

They turned down a narrow alley, the dim light from the occasional lantern casting flickering shadows on the walls. At the end of the alley, they spotted the bar they were looking for—a worn sign hung above the door, creaking in the gentle breeze.

Without hesitation, Adrian pushed open the heavy wooden door and stepped inside.

The tavern was dark and smoky, the smell of stale ale, smoke and sweat greeting them. A few patrons sat at the bar scattered around, nursing drinks and exchanging low murmurs. The bar was a simple wooden counter, behind which a burly bartender polished glasses with a rag that looked like it had seen better days.

They moved quietly to the bar, their cloaks still drawn tight around them. The bartender eyed them warily as they approached.

"What'll it be?" he asked, his voice gruff and suspicious.

"Two drinks," Adrian replied, his tone even. "And keep them coming."

The bartender grunted and turned to fill their order.

Moments later, two wooden mugs were placed in front of them, filled with a dark, frothy liquid. Adrian took his drink and brought it to his lips, taking a cautious sip. The ale was bitter, with a hint of something sour, but he downed it without complaint.

Lilith, on the other hand, was less restrained. She took one sip and immediately spat it out, her face contorted in disgust.

"Is this the best drink you've got to offer?" she hissed at the bartender.

The bartender's eyes narrowed, and he leaned in closer, his voice low and threatening. "It's the best you're going to get around here, sweetheart. If you don't like it, there's the door."

Lilith grimaced at the mug in her hand, her delicate features contorted in displeasure. "But it's bitter," she pouted, setting the drink down with an audible clink.

Adrian shook his head, trying to stifle a laugh at her expression. "It's not supposed to taste good," he replied, taking another sip of his own drink. The bitter taste lingered on his tongue, a reminder of simpler times when he could drink without the weight of revenge on his shoulders. "But it gets the job done."

Lilith's frown deepened. "How can you manage to drink this disgusting liquid? Just don't kiss me with that taste in your mouth."

Adrian smirked, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "I'll keep that in mind," he said, his tone teasing. "But unless you've got another option, this is all we're getting tonight."

"Get me something else," Lilith demanded, her voice carrying a tone of finality. She glanced at the bartender, her eyes narrowing slightly as she waited for him to comply.

The bartender scowled, his face scrunching up in disapproval. "Listen here, missy, we don't—"

He stopped mid-sentence, his words catching in his throat as his gaze met Lilith's. His eyes widened, and his body went rigid, as if someone had taken hold of his mind. For a brief moment, the whites of his eyes turned pitch black, a darkness that seemed to swallow all light.

Then, just as quickly, his eyes returned to normal, though they were now glassy and vacant.

"Yes, mistress," the bartender murmured, his voice devoid of emotion, almost as if he were in a trance. He turned to the shelves behind him and grabbed a dusty bottle of amber liquid, pouring it into a fresh glass with an almost mechanical precision. "This will be more to your liking."

Lilith flashed a smile, her expression one of satisfaction.

"Thank you," she said, taking a sip of her new drink. Her eyes lit up, a look of pure bliss crossing her face. "Much better."

Adrian's eyes narrowed as he observed the bartender's strange behavior. He reached out and gently pulled Lilith closer, his voice low and cautious. "What did you just do?"

Lilith shrugged nonchalantly, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "Nothing much," she replied, her tone light and airy. "Just a little persuasion. He was being difficult, so I made it easier for him to see things my way."

Adrian's expression darkened slightly. "We need to be careful," he whispered, his tone serious. "We don't want to draw unnecessary attention."

Lilith's smile softened, and she placed a hand on Adrian's arm, her touch gentle and reassuring. "Relax," she whispered back. "No one noticed a thing. Besides, he'll be back to his grumpy self once we leave."

Adrian glanced around the tavern, noting that none of the other patrons seemed to have noticed the exchange. They were too engrossed in their drinks and conversations to pay any attention to the newcomers. Still, the unease gnawed at him.

He knew very little about Lilith's power, so for now, she was unpredictable.

The bartender with his eyes still slightly glazed over, walked over. "Is there anything else you need, mistress?" he asked.