Chapter 224
The narrow street bustled with life under the cloudy gray sky. Iron lanterns flickered dimly, casting long shadows across cobblestones slick with last night's rain.
Carriages rolled past slowly, wheels clicking over uneven stones. The buildings on either side leaned close, old brick and dark wooden frames stained by time.
Chimneys smoked faintly, and the scent of coal, old metal, and musty wool filled the air. Vendors shouted out their wares—fabrics, tools, strange spices—while men in top hats and women in shawls pushed through the press.
Amid the crowd, a woman with long purple hair tied in loose waves walked with a steady gait, her violet cloak rippling behind her. Her piercing eyes scanned the area, sharp and observant, taking in the bustle and the quiet whispers of hidden things. She was flanked by a few silent guards clad in dark coats, their eyes constantly shifting.
She halted before a small, almost forgotten corner shop with a weathered wooden sign: "Old Tooth's Spirits & Bottles." The place looked rundown, with cracked windows and a crooked door. Yet something about it drew her in.
The bell above the door gave a lazy ting as she stepped inside.
Rows of dusty glass bottles lined crooked shelves. The air was thick with the smell of aging oak and old smoke. Behind the counter stood an old man with a long graying beard, two golden teeth flashing as he smiled lecherously.
"Welcome, lovely lady," he crooned, his tone drenched in mock charm. "To what pleasure do I owe you?"
The purple-haired woman's eyes narrowed slightly, her lips tightening in disgust. His greasy gaze lingered far too long. Her guards tensed, already reaching toward their coats, but she held up a single hand, stopping them.
She stepped forward with quiet authority and flicked a small silver ring toward the man.
He caught it smoothly. The ring clinked lightly in his palm.
The moment he looked at it, his demeanor changed completely.