from the ashes - hotd

lanta ampā

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Dressed in dark tunic and even darker trousers, Carrden Auelis silently descended down one of the many stairs of the Red Keep. As per usual his dark curly hair was unkempt against his forehead. He hoped his appearance would deter anyone from approaching him. He had waited until after the sun at set to leave his chambers. The moon was stuck behind an overcast of clouds, it seems the gods were in his favor tonight. However, despite the lack of sun, a warm breeze welcomed Carrden as he exited the castle. Sweat started to collect at his hairline, and he regretted not wearing a thinner shirt. 

Trying to go as unnoticed as he could, Carrden tried very hard to keep out of sight. He was on a mission for information about his uncle Crayden and about the fighting in the stepstones. It had been a couple weeks since he received the letter from his father, and he was on the edge for information. He needed to know if his uncle was still alive. It was a burning question that made him restless at night, and he could not share these fears with Raina, as he decided to withhold the information from her. Maya perhaps knew, but she said nothing, nonetheless. 

As he expected, Flea Bottom was still alive in the dead of night. He watched men, drunkly wander from the open doors of taverns. Carrden could hear rowdy music and rumbustious laughter. Deciding to enter the one that was closest to him, the Auelis barley managed to avoid running into a wasted man who was pushed through the tavern door. The man landed on the ground with a loud thud, his face landing in a mix of mud and horse shit. Laughter followed the man's tragic fall, and Carrden could not help but let out a small chuckle. The drunken fool himself rolled over onto his stomach and too letting out a hearty laugh, and soon his friends helped him up and off then they went fumbling down the street. 

Perhaps this was going to be easier then he thought, Carrden stepped through the door way and entered the chaotic atmosphere. He eyed the crowd of people inside, scanning the small building to see who looked like good prey. Not prey, as to hunt per say, though Carrden was hunting for answers. And who better to give him uncensored information then drunk men? 

Walking up to the man behind the counter, Carrden ordered a single cup of ale, sliding a gold coin across the table. He knew that it was too much for a single drink, but the tavern owner said nothing sliding the cup of alcohol across the wood and into Carrden's outreached hand. Taking a sip, the dark haired teen turned on his heel, his dark eyes once again scanning the tables. Upon first glance he met eyes with an older man, who's beard was almost to his knees. He grinned widely at Carrden and stood up.

"Come, lad, have a drink with us." he slurred, spilling his drink on himself as he widely gestured to himself and his comrades. 

Carrden nodded, thinking to himself how easy it was for him to find people to talk too. He decided to stay far from the dipping alcohol and he sat across from the older man. Beside him was a very dark man who nodded to him, who moved over just slightly to make room for Carrden.

"Why is a young man like you in a tavern and not with a pretty woman?" a man from the table asked.

Carrden shrugged, not quite sure how to respond, but decided to answer that question with one of his own, "I'm looking to know about the fighting in the stepstones. With Lord Corlys and Crayden Auelis." 

The man that invited him over laughed, "You came to the right place, laddie, we just got back from there." He then took a long swig of his drink.

Carrden sent the man a confused look, "If you were there, why are you here? the fighting is not over it is?"

The dark skinned man beside his spoke, "No, boy. The fighting will go on for a while. The men and I did not see eye to eye with that General Crayden."