From the report that Adam had read about Liriel, he surmised that the elf and Kael often worked together. They were a team, their skills complenting one another.
Liriel acted as the face of the operation, infiltrating the target location, and gaining the trust of key players in the mission. She had high skills in manipulation and used subtle magic to uncover information, sowing discord among her targets.
She was an expert at infiltration, no doubt. However, her true expertise lay in the domain of deceit—more precisely her usage of illusion magic.
A flash of smugness glead in the elf's eyes as she replied, "An expert at illusion magic? That I am. Even so of the gnos I know were full of praises."
"Oh, really?" Adam smirked. To which, Kael nodded silently.
The pride in Liriel's eyes gradually vanished. She could faintly feel a trace of ridicule in the raven-haired human's tone.
She was about to prove it to him when once again she turned her head, gazing at another peculiar slab on the bookshelf. The frown on her face returned and she wondered, What is it? Sothing doesn't add up…
Adam's enchanted voice drifted into her ears, snapping her out of her daze once again. "I'll reserve one of Saratoga's training grounds in the coming days and you can show your illusion magic, what do you say?"
Liriel confidently answered, "Anyti!"
"Hmm." Adam nodded, turning his attention to the burly Kael who had taken the liberty to grab the wine gourd and pour himself another drink.
And this is the brawn, huh? Adam thought. He's going to serve as the muscle for the operation. He also seems to be a great scout according to the intel I have on him. The reports say his area of expertise lies in urban tracking. Not bad.
He sized up Kael's rugged and weathered appearance. The man was lean, yet had a muscular build. From the callouses on his palms and the scars on his hands, he could surmise that the man wielded a weapon.
"Sword?" He ventured a guess.
"Dual." Kael nodded.
"I see," said Adam, his eyes gleaming with a trace of anticipation. "We should definitely spar one of these days."
Once again, Kael nodded in response. Except this ti, there was a wide grin on his face.
"Brief us on the current status of the mission," Liriel spoke up. "Apart from the fact that our target this ti is the Cult of Bones, I'm not aware of much. I need you to be as detailed as possible."
"Very well." Adam nodded with a solemn expression. Then, he began explaining about everything related to their mission.
First, he ntioned the ergence of the gang in Corvid Quarter, the Red Fists, and the strange pandemic that has plagued the district in the recent past.
Then, he explained about the Umbra Thieves and how he speculated that they might be in cahoots with the cult. Although there was no conclusive evidence supporting this, he believed that it was likely.
Liriel lowered her head, resting her chin on her hand as she thought of various things in the span of a few seconds.
Then, she looked at Adam and stated, "If the Red Fists really are related to the Cult of Bones, we can't overlook the possibility of them also having the support of soone influential within the city.
"From the way I see it, no matter how frowned upon and detested the back alleys of any city are, they are ignored but never abandoned. But in the case of Ravenfell, it's like soone wants the people of Corvid to die from the disease."
"You're right about that." Adam nodded. "It has to be soone high up the social ladder for them to influence the lack of support that Corvid's currently getting."
He paused for a mont. Although he didn't want to admit it, he felt that it was very likely. "I suppose soone from the city council is secretly supporting the Red Fists," he said with a grim tone.
"This city council," Liriel began, "what's their structure like?"
"Seven aristocratic families of Ravenfell," Adam answered. "These noble houses are the most influential."
"The Flynn Family that you ntioned, they're one of the seven, correct?" Liriel asked.
Adam nodded. "Indeed."
"We can strike them off the list then. Although, I'd still keep my eyes on them secretly," said the elf. She then looked at Adam and asked, "You said the Umbra Thieves might have a connection with the cult. Is it because they're the biggest criminal enterprise in the city?"
"Exactly." Adam nodded again. "For an organization with such a vile background, I'm sure the Cult of Bones would get in touch with a similar group in a foreign land. Forming an alliance with the Umbra Thieves would also make things easier for them."
"Speaking of alliances, how's everything going with the Flynn Family?" Liriel asked.
"They've acted on the valuable intel that Lord Krummor Grimriver gave them on his recent visit to the city," said Adam. "Needless to say, the Flynns were very happy about it."
The conversation went on for what felt like a long ti but also an instant, with both Adam and Liriel explaining the related information that would help smoothen their partnership. Kael was mostly quiet, no, he was utterly quiet.
"Alright then," said Liriel as she stood up from her seat. "Kael and I will begin gathering intel from tomorrow. Hopefully, we should be able to find sothing conclusive very soon."
Adam too got up from his seat and walked them out of the library. "Rowan will show you both to your lodgings then. Oh, by the way, I'll be away for so private matter, so you won't be able to reach for the next few days."
"Understood." Liriel nodded. She saw Adam reach out to open the polished oak doors when suddenly sothing in the corner of her eye caught her attention.
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She turned her head, her eyes landing on the corner of the ceiling. In that instant, her back turned cold and she finally realized the source of the strange feeling.
I see… so that's what it was, she thought in admiration, but also fear.
A bead of sweat trickled down her forehead and she slowly turned her head toward Adam. Except, the raven-haired youth wasn't there anymore. He was never there, to begin with.
In his place, stood Rowan!
Standing before the polished oak doors, Rowan bowed. "He is waiting inside."
With that said, he left.
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