Kapitel 76: Sir Riven
"I'm impressed," lila said with a hint of pride. "You bought important equipment and still came out with more money than you spent."
Aldwyn glanced over at her briefly until he turned his gaze forward again. " We should go to the Arkane Emporium auction house next. I was going to look for a suitable weapon there."
She nodded in agreement. "That sounds good, maybe I'll find something for myself there too."
The Arcane Emporium was nestled between two grand houses, a modest building that belied the power and wealth contained within. Above the arched doorway, a sign swung gently in the breeze, the gold lettering catching the light of the gas lamps that lined the street.
They stepped inside, the warmth of the candlelit interior a stark contrast to the air outside. The walls were lined with shelves of ancient artifacts, their origins and purposes lost to time. A clerk at the counter looked up from his ledger, his eyes lingering briefly on them before he schooled his expression into one of polite curiosity.
"Welcome to the Arcane Emporium," he said, his voice a smooth tenor. "How may I assist you today?"
"We've come for the auction," Aldwyn said, his eyes scanning the room, searching for any signs of the impending event.
The clerk's eyes lit up. "Ah, the evening exhibition," he said, his voice dripping with excitement. "This month's collection is truly exceptional."
He paused briefly before continuing, "It's very special this month, the auctions aren't taking place as usual, so there's no bidding. This time there is a fixed price and everyone has the right to buy the items on exhibit."
The clerk's words sparked a flicker of interest in Aldwyn's otherwise emotionless gaze. "I see," he said, his voice measured. "We would like to be part of it."
The clerk nodded and pulled out a set of parchment forms from a drawer. "Very well," he said, his excitement palpable. "Please, take these to the back room and fill them out." He handed over the forms with a flourish. "Once you've finished, press your thumbs into the wax at the bottom to leave an imprint."
They took the forms and made their way to the back, passing through a curtain into a dimly lit room where the air was thick with the scent of old tomes and arcane incense. A long, polished table stretched the length of the chamber, surrounded by chairs that looked as if they had borne the weight of countless scholars and treasure hunters.
Quickly, they filled out the paperwork, their quills scratching against the parchment. The room was quiet except for the distant murmur of the street and the occasional crackle of a candle flame. Lila watched Aldwyn with a mix of admiration and concern. His swiftness and confidence in their actions was something she hadn't seen in him before. It was as if he had been reborn from the ashes of Helgarde, more focused and driven than ever.
When they returned to the counter, the clerk looked over their forms with a critical eye before nodding in approval. "Very well," he said, his voice holding a hint of awe. "You are now officially part of the evening's exhibition. Follow me, please."
The clerk led them through a narrow corridor, the air growing heavier with the scent of the arcane. The walls were lined with dusty tomes and peculiar artifacts, their true purposes shrouded in the mystery of time. At the end of the corridor, a set of grand double doors stood open, revealing a chamber bathed in the flickering light of candles and the hum of hushed conversations. The space was vast, filled with elegantly dressed patrons milling about, their eyes glittering with greed as they scrutinized the items on display.
The auction room was a treasure trove of the arcane and the exotic, with glass cases and velvet-covered pedestals showcasing an array of weapons and artifacts. The air was electric with anticipation, a palpable energy that seemed to crackle against the very walls. Lila's eyes widened at the sight, her heart racing at the prospect of what they might find.
They found seats at the back, the plush velvet of the chairs whispering against their new winter coats as they sat. The room buzzed with the murmur of conversations, the clink of silverware against fine china, and the occasional peal of laughter from the well-heeled guests. A buffet laid out along one wall was laden with an assortment of delicacies, the aromas wafting through the air in a tantalizing dance of flavors. The guests mingled, their eyes darting to the displays, their lips moving in hushed whispers of speculation and strategy.
„I didn't expect the auction to be like this... Last time it was a lot more relaxed." He thought as he looked around.
As they waited for the exhibition to begin, a man approached them, his gaze lingering on Lila. He was tall and slender, with a neatly trimmed mustache and piercing blue eyes that seemed to bore into her soul. His attire was impeccable, a tailored suit that whispered of wealth and power. In his hand, he held a crystal goblet filled with a deep crimson liquid that matched the color of the velvet that lined the walls.
"Pardon me, Miss," he said, his voice smooth and cultured, with a hint of a foreign accent. "But you seem out of place amidst these...lesser artifacts." His smile was predatory, and his eyes raked over her figure in a way that made Lila's skin crawl.
Aldwyn noticed her unease and his hand gripped his new revolver, his emotionless gaze fixed on the man. "I assure you she is quite capable of taking care of herself," he said in a low and dangerous tone.
The man's smile didn't waver, but his eyes flickered to Aldwyn before returning to Lila. "Ah, I see," he said. "Forgive me if I overstep. I am Sir Riven, a collector of rare and exquisite artifacts. And you, young lady, look like you could appreciate the finer things in life." He offered her a glass of the crimson liquid from a silver tray held by a nearby servant.
Lila's gaze flitted to Aldwyn, who nodded almost imperceptibly. She took the glass, the liquid shimmering in the candlelight like a drop of freshly spilled blood. The first sip was sweet and potent, warming her from the inside out.
"Thank you, Sir Riven," she replied, her voice steady despite the chill that his gaze sent down her spine. "We're just passing through."
Sir Riven's smile remained unchanged, but his eyes grew cold. "A shame," he said, his tone light but the implication clear. "I'm sure you would find something to your taste here." His eyes lingering for a moment before he turned away. "But, I mustn't monopolize your time. Do enjoy the exhibition."
The clerk from earlier took the podium at the center of the room, tapping a small gavel against the wood to silence the murmurs. "Ladies and gentlemen," he announced, his voice carrying over the crowd. "Welcome to the Arcane Emporium's monthly exhibition. Tonight, we have a collection that is truly one of a kind."
With a dramatic flourish, the two doors on either side of the room swung open, revealing more rooms filled with the gleam of precious metals, the shimmer of enchanted gems, and the glow of mystical artifacts. The patrons leaned forward in their seats, their eyes glinting with greed. Each chamber held a new secret, a new treasure waiting to be claimed by those with the means and the will.
The clerk's voice grew in volume and excitement as he gestured towards the open doors. "Ladies and gentlemen, the floor is now open for your perusal. Feel free to inspect each item, for tonight, you may take home any piece that calls to your heart and your coin is worthy."
Aldwyn and Lila exchanged a look, the tension between them palpable. They rose from their seats and joined the throng of eager buyers as they moved through the chambers, each step taking them deeper into the heart of the Emporium.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein