Uncovered

Chapter Two - Loky

Silently sitting at a table by himself in an old, decrepit tavern on the outskirts of Pryden, Loky Tallon felt exhausted. Months and months of endless travel had led him here, to where he hoped he would find the next clue or sign that would bring him closer to finding her. Two days had passed without anything noteworthy, the only human contact from the pretty young waitress serving his meals. Frustrated he'd come to a dead end, he began constructing a plan to leave tonight, which involved stealing a horse and riding for the city under the cover of darkness. He kept telling himself he wasn't a criminal. It wasn't illegal if you didn't get caught right? The gold he stole was from wealthy men only and he used it solely to put food in his belly and keep a roof over his head. His conscious was semi-clear and he liked it that way. For now.

It would probably take him all night before he arrived in the large city. He'd never been there before but from what he knew from stories his folks used to tell him was that it was set amid beautifully rich country, which made crops flourish. The most beautiful of any other region which made living there so popular. It had crowds and crowds of people, but the rich only got richer, and the poorer only got poorer. He'd also heard whisper that it was full of slaves. Particularly young, beautiful ones.

The young waitress came over and re-filled his ale with a perky smile. Her sad, empty eyes told him that she could be a slave too. Or perhaps it was because the food and company here were utterly dreadful. Either way, the last thing he needed was extra baggage. He felt sorry for her so he slipped a silver coin in her hand. Before she left she bowed her head tentatively and Loky returned her thanks with a wink. Hopefully she could hide it from the tavern owner.

A loud thud echoed through the tavern as the large wooden door crashed open. Two looming figures walked in side by side up to the bar. Loky analysed each of them steadily. He noticed as they walked, the two middle aged men both had an array weapons, were well built like soldiers and looked worn from travelling.

Much like himself.

If they noticed he was also in the room they didn't pay him any attention. Why would they anyway? He was the least threatening person in here if you're going by looks alone, so he watched them for a little while hoping to gain some valuable information. They were conversing about their journey and what they were saying was interesting to begin with, but as the hours passed and the group of empty ale mugs grew, the worse it became.

Slowly Loky's eyelids began closing and the weight of his head increased but he jolted upright. He rubbed his eyes and let out a deep sigh, obviously the lack of sleep was finally catching up to him. He had a whole night's ride ahead so he needed to get some sleep or he'd probably fall off his horse from exhaustion. So, he put a gold coin down on the table for his meal and stood up. The scrape of his chair was muffled by the two booming male voices; now the only thing you could hear in the tavern. Loky was quite happy to ignore them on his way up to his room until he overheard something one man said, and it sent chills down his spine, stopping him dead.

"Rumour is... Mr Wyatt's looking f-for recruits again." His voice now slurred from intoxication.

This made the other man laugh. "G-good luck to whoever's brave... enough to go there. I 'aint never heard anyone leavin' that place. Dead o' alive."

Loky let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. His whole world stopped in that moment as he slowly turned around to face the voices. His heart was thundering fast, booming loudly in his ears. One man was tall and lean but Loky could still see the muscles beneath his clothes, the other much rounder but just as tall.

"Y-you couldna' even p-pay me to go there." The round man said to the thin one.

Loky had no words for what was happening in front of him right now. Was it fate? A miracle? Dumb luck? Surely he wasn't this lucky to have the answers he's been searching for, for over a decade fall right in his lap. It felt too easy. This was the lead he'd been waiting for. In a filthy tavern with shit food of all places, and coming from babbling drunk idiots. He'd almost given up hope until now.