>>5949036“There’s light in the building with a sign, it’s the only place on this side of the street that has their lights on,” you say while pointing to a decently sized building across the plaza.
When you turn to look at the inquisitor you see him looking… Impressed, “That would’ve been my first choice too, though I think for different reasons. Do you know what that building is?”
You think for a second about lying to make yourself look smarter but disregard the notion. You’ve done that before and only ended up looking like a larger idiot, “No, I don’t.”
“It’s the Dawn’s Light, an inn with more adventurous clientele. If you look to the building left of it you see it’s a branch of the Adventurers Guild. Not exactly the kind of place one would imagine a princess would like to spend her time at.”
Wait, does he know? You try and analyze his face for any hidden taunt but can’t see anything. Maybe he’s making a jab at your status and not your completely normal fascination? Or maybe- ah, he started walking away.
“Um, not that I wouldn’t have inferred, I definitely would in time, but since time is naturally of the essence why is that place the first one you’d search?” You ask.
“Well, since time is of the essence I won’t bore you with the long-winded theoretical reason, naturally. Instead, just remember that Strangers tend to be drawn to the Adventurer’s Guild and adventurers for one reason or another.”
“And that is why you would investigate an area with them first?”
“That and adventurers are some of the most dangerous people out there, if the Stranger got a few of them under control it’d be hell in a handbasket.”
“So you would want to deal with the problem before it can fester? I suppose that is a logical enough conclusion to make, good job.”
“...Why are you acting like you’re the mentor here?”
It feels weird walking through a market that usually has so much life in it while it’s deserted. You can count the times you’ve been here in person on one hand, and that was surrounded by guards, but through the palace windows, it always seemed so alive. Even at night, there was still a healthy amount of activity, all above board being so close to the palace, but with the storm, the inquisitor and you are practically the only people here.
That is except for the building you’re rapidly approaching. Even from outside you can hear the sounds of boisterous laughs and outraged yells. Through the brightly lit windows, figures dance and act rowdy as they engage in what only commoners would refer to as a party. It looks and sounds like nothing you’ve participated in before and as you open the door and step inside with the inquisitor it all stops, immediately. What a shame.
