They didn't head to the central districts. They turned toward the outer edge, where the real Frahein began.
Beyond the gilded spires and merchant towers lay the borderlands—the half-mud, half-stone sprawl that every major empire had. Frahein's was better than most.
No rot. No beggars. But it was still where the undesirables and wanderers made camp.
It was also where a man once known as Derek Maglor, a former noble of Starfall kingdom and Kaelen's father now ran a modest tavern.
They found it tucked between a smithy and a dusty adventurers' lodge. No fancy signage. Just a burnished wooden plate swinging lazily above the door.
"The Ashen Boar."
The three of them stood before the door. It was still early and the door was still closed
Kaelen's hands trembled and hesitated for a moment. He took a deep breath and mustard up his courage.
Then he rang the bell.
Cling cling.
"Hold on a second. I'm almost done." A reply came from behind the doors which gave Kaelen's heart a tug.
