The team dispersed, each heading to their quarters, but Reign couldn't find solace in sleep. He lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, the weight of his responsibilities pressing down on him. Thoughts of Nicholas, the Grand Auction, and the future of Doncaster swirled in his mind. Despite the fatigue, sleep eluded him.
After what felt like hours, Reign decided to take a walk. He slipped out of bed, careful not to make any noise, and quietly left his room. The corridors of their base were dimly lit, and the silence was almost eerie. He wandered through the hallways, his mind still racing.
Reign found himself in the training hall, the familiar space filled with equipment and the scent of hard work and determination. He took a deep breath, the atmosphere grounding him somewhat. He walked over to a punching bag, his fists itching for an outlet.
The punching back was made with dragon leather, it was incredibly sturdy and even a Tier VII would find it difficult to damage it.
With each strike, he imagined Nicholas's face, his frustration, and anger fueling his punches. The physical exertion helped clear his mind, each blow a release of pent-up emotions.
As he pounded the bag, he heard footsteps approaching. He turned to see Wolf standing in the doorway, arms crossed, a knowing smile on his face.
"Can't sleep either?" Wolf asked, stepping into the room.
Reign shook his head, sweat dripping from his brow. "Too much on my mind."
Wolf nodded in understanding. "Yeah, it's been a hell of a night."
They stood in silence for a moment, the only sound being Reign's heavy breathing and the faint hum of the building.
"Want to spar?" Wolf suggested, a glint of challenge in his eyes.
Reign nodded, grateful for the distraction. They moved to the center of the room, assuming fighting stances. Wolf was a formidable opponent, and Reign knew he had to be on his toes. The sparring session was intense, with each move calculated and each strike precise. It was a dance of power and skill, a testament to their training and camaraderie.
For a while, Reign managed to push aside his worries, focusing solely on the fight. The adrenaline coursing through his veins was a welcome distraction. When they finally called it a draw, both of them were drenched in sweat and breathing heavily.
"Thanks," Reign said, panting. "I needed that."
Wolf clapped him on the shoulder. "Anytime man."
"My father replied, you know?"
"He did?!" Reign asked in shock as Wolf nodded his head and smiled.
"Yeah, he got the message, and he will be coming here, unfortunately, he isn't close so it will take him some time to arrive."
"I'm surprised he answered so quickly, I thought it would take him longer." Reign stated as Wolf chuckled.
"I thought as well, but we were lucky, he had just arrived in some city, so he was able to see the message."
Reign's decision to reach out to hidden information brokers was a calculated risk. He knew that such individuals often operated in the shadows, dealing with sensitive information that could either help or hinder their cause. As he made his way to his quarters to prepare for the day, he pondered the best approach to contact these brokers without alerting Nicholas or his spies.
Reign quickly got dressed and gathered his thoughts. He went to the auction house, showed his identity, and once again managed to enter the grand auction house before entering a small room where a man greeted him.
"To get in touch with the brokers is expensive, you are well aware of that?" The man, a higher-up of the auction house asked Reign who merely nodded his head.
The man eyed Reign with a hint of skepticism, but Reign's reputation and the weight of his recent successes seemed to mollify any doubts.
"I understand what you are saying," Reign said calmly. "But the information we seek is critical, we're prepared to pay the necessary price."
The auction house representative nodded, recognizing the determination in Reign's eyes. "Very well."
"Follow me."
Reign was led through a series of narrow hallways and down a flight of stairs to a secluded chamber. The room was dimly lit, with an air of secrecy that suggested many clandestine deals had been brokered here.
The representative stopped in front of a heavy wooden door and knocked twice. The door creaked open, revealing a middle-aged man with sharp features and piercing eyes, the face definitely a disguise in Reign's opinion.
He scrutinized Reign for a moment before stepping aside to let him enter.
"Welcome," the broker said, his voice smooth and measured. "I am Kieran, what information do you seek?"
Reign took a seat across from Kieran, meeting his gaze with unwavering intensity. "I'm looking for information on a man named Nicholas."
"He operates under the alias 'Richard.' I need to know his movements, his allies, and any weaknesses he might have."
Kieran leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled under his chin as he seemingly started at a screen from the system. "Nicholas is a dangerous man, highly skilled and elusive, information on him will not come cheap."
Reign nodded. "Name your price."
Kieran considered for a moment before speaking. "Fifty thousand gold coins for the initial search, additional costs may arise depending on what we uncover."
Reign didn't flinch at the amount. "Done, how soon can you start?"
"Immediately," Kieran replied. "But understand that this will take time, the target is not an easy man to track."
"I understand," Reign said. "But time is of the essence, keep me informed of any developments."
Kieran inclined his head, signaling the end of their meeting. "You'll be contacted as soon as we have something."
Reign left the grand auction house and then made his way to the monastery, wanting to meet with Drayce and ask for his assistance as well.