Chapter 42: First Night In Ranevia
The night air in Ranevia was sharp—cold in a way that ate at the bones rather than sliced at the skin. The wind howled like a mourning widow through the broken windows of forgotten homes, rattling shutters and carrying the scent of blood, rot, and old woodsmoke.
But here, at the edge of the Mad Vipers’ territory, the air shifted.
Lan, Seraphine, and the Fourth Guard followed closely behind Venom through the crooked paths of Ranevia’s main district.
Lanterns burned low along the roads, barely enough to light the mud-caked alleys, but Venom walked with purpose, his pace slower than usual—limping slightly from their earlier clash.
Eventually, they came to a stop before a building.
It stood tall—three stories high, with reinforced stone at its foundation and weathered blackwood making up its frame.
Vines choked the walls, but unlike the surrounding structures, this one had been maintained. Iron-latched windows glimmered with faint warmth from inside, and a heavy oak door marked its front.
Venom turned slightly toward Lan, gesturing at it with his thumb. "This used to be the estate of Ranevia’s first noble governor. Before the gangs took over, before we stopped pretending nobles were worth anything here. We kept it intact for... reasons. Now it’s yours."
Lan gave the place a glance, eyes sweeping from the foundation to the balconies above. For a place like Ranevia, it was practically a palace.
"Not bad," he said.
Venom gave a half-smile, then turned to leave. "We’ll speak tomorrow morning. I assume you’ll have orders."
Lan nodded. "Be ready."