And they did, they reached it before night fell. It was evening when the town came in and they took a moment to take it in front atop the small hill they were standing on
The town spread before them in massa of red brick buildings and black roofs. There were no elaborate buildings in sight; everyone looked small and tight.
Cormac sighed. "I hope we don't take too long here."
It was almost night when they reached the gate and they were waved in without any issues. Once inside, Cormac changed, not physically, but the aura of danger that clung to him before doubled.
"The town is divided into different blocks and controlled by different gang leaders. There are four blocks and one that serves as a neutral block. That's where we're headed."
Jael wrinkled his nose. The streets stunk and not only from beggars that lined it but dead bodies! Bodies are as common as refuse, and the smell alone makes eyes water, but the people here must be used to it.
Like Cormac said everyone carried weapons of different kinds to differentiate what they do. But Jael often sees those without any weapons while they hurry after their guide.
Cormac led them through interconnecting streets that Jael was sure he wouldn't be able to retract his step if need be.
"We are here," Cormac announced suddenly, jerking away from the street and avoiding a puddle of dark water as he stopped in front of a building.
"An inn?" Jael asked in surprise; he thought their investigation work would start immediately.
"Yes. I am tired, and we need sleep. We can start looking for your man tomorrow. Besides, this is also the best place to gain information."
Jael couldn't argue with all the man said, they had walked for almost all of the afternoon. He turned to Temur and found him already nodding.
The inn wasn't as crowded as Jael thought, and it wasn't rowdy either; people sat in groups at their tables or alone, talking and laughing loudly.
Cormac headed directly to the side where the inn master was pouring wine for a servant to serve. "Food for there and two rooms, side by side." He dropped the needed coins on the table.
"Do you want to eat now...?"
They went upstairs where the room was located, and immediately their head touched the bed; they were asleep.
*****
Jael was in deep sleep when Hermit woke him; he didn't change his breathing when he heard voices in the room he and Temur were sharing.
"Well? What is it?"
"I can't assess their rings; it's keyed to them, so I can't verify anything. But judging by the way they looked and their age I'll say they are the set currently climbing."
"Really? But what are they doing here? Their guide told me they were looking for a boy like them who got lost or something. But there's no such here. Should we just kill them...?"
Jael felt a chill and he almost blew his cover. But one thing was nagging him, why isn't Temur awake? He's a natural-born warrior with sharp instincts. There's no way... unless? His heart skipped but he heard the soft snoring from the big guy.
Then it hit him. They slept immediately after they entered this room; it's either their food or drink was drugged! Jael's blood thrummed; why would they do something like that?
Fortunately, Hermit is inside him, and something like this is easy work for it.
"We can't just kill them without reason. This is a neutral block."
"Neutral block that you black axe wanted for themselves."
Jael heard a new voice, an older female one. "Now, now. No fighting. We can just watch them for a while, and if they cause trouble, what's two little children we can't handle?"
"They might be spies."
"All the more reason to watch them, if we kill someone from the Tower Guards then that'll cause trouble with the deal we currently have with them."
Nobody said anything after that and soon, Jael heard the soft click of the door closing.