I grabbed Henry by the shoulders, shaking him hard as panic flared again. "Hey -- talk to me! Henry!"
There was no response.
The blond man crouched beside us, checking his pulse before slowly shaking his head. "He's dead," he said. "Poisoned, most likely."
I swallowed and looked up at him. "Who are you?"
"Iloyn," he replied calmly. "I am an Adventurer." His eyes flicked to Henry's body. "Was there something he had that you needed?"
Nysera stepped closer, her brows knitting together. "You keep mentioning a book. What book?"
I let out a long breath, the weight of it all finally settling in. "He sold it," I said quietly. "Whatever answers it held… they're gone now."
I straightened and something slipped from inside my shirt, fluttering to the ground.
A map.
I stared at it for a second, then let out a short, disbelieving laugh. "Right. This."
Relief washed through me as I picked it up. I'd tucked it away when I first opened the book, not thinking much of it at the time.
The book might be gone.
But I still had the map.
As I studied the map, a sudden scuffle broke out beside me.
Nysera had driven her fist straight into Iloyn's stomach.
"You--motherfucker!" she snapped. "How dare you bid on me!"
Iloyn doubled over with a grunt, clutching his gut. "I was trying to help," he managed to say, the words barely making it out as he struggled for air.
She didn't stop.
Taking advantage of the moment, Nysera drove another punch into his back and shoved him to the ground. He hit the stone floor with a wheeze, curling in on himself.
"Help how, huh?!" she barked, planting her hands on her hips as she glared down at him. "That's your idea of helping?"
Iloyn raised both hands in surrender. "I needed someone for my journey," he said quickly. "Someone capable. You seemed like the best fit."
Nysera rounded on him. "So you thought you could just buy me?" she snapped. "I hate privileged pricks like you."
"That wasn't the plan," he shot back. "I was going to free you first. Then ask you properly to join me."
She turned away from him with a sharp huff, arms crossed tight over her chest.
Iloyn pushed himself up, wincing as he straightened. "Look… maybe my approach was wrong," he said, his voice quieter now. "But I'm not your enemy. I'm just trying to make a name for myself. I'm sorry if I hurt you. Truly. And I meant what I said - I want you to join me."
"And what will I get out of it? You will become famous but what is it for me then?"
He hesitated, then nodded toward her. "You said you live for history. I can't promise comfort, but I can promise we'll find things worth your time."
Neysera looked deep in thought before her attention fell on the map in my hand, as if it was like candy to a child her eyes twinkled as she approached me with hands clasped together, "OMG! What is this? Can you please show me?"
I opened the map in my hand, still not handing it over, not after what happened with Henry.
Her face stiffened as she looked at me wide eyed, "Where did you find this?"
I raised my eyebrows at her, before looking at her wide eyed, "Can you read this?"
"Of course, these are puzzles which can be decoded…. Look right here it says water lilies", she said as she pointed towards a symbol of a temple which has something written on top of it. My ears popped open as she said that name. "And this," she continued, tracing another mark, "Temple of Mysthe. Oh--oh, this is fascinating…"
She looked so intrigued with what she was seeing. As soon as I heard Water Lillies, I knew I needed her for my mission.
"If you two can join me, I need manpower and I promise you two that my journey will fulfill both of your desires."
They both turned towards me, "Speak" They both said at the same time.
"I don't know what exactly I am doing but I need people on my side for what I am about to do. Ilyon, I know you are looking for adventure and I am sure you will find plenty and Nysera I promise you along the journey we will find plenty of ancient documents for you to decode. But I am not saying this will be a safe journey, you may die and never come back so I won't force anyone and the decision is up to you."
Neysera's eyes twinkled, "If I can get more stuff like this, then surely I am on board."
I looked towards Ilyon, who nodded, "Well you have just given me a purpose." He said as he grinned at me.
.
.
.
We spent what little time we had left preparing in the black market, moving quickly and carefully. Everything here was cheaper than the streets above, but nothing came without risk and our coin was painfully limited. Every purchase felt like a choice that might decide whether we lived long enough to regret it.
Nysera retrieved her backpack and packed it with efficiency, fingers moving with reverence as she stacked journals, ink vials, first-aid supplies, and a pair of slim daggers. This wasn't her first time preparing for danger and it showed. Iloyn and I followed suit, stuffing our satchels with rope, a few questionable toxins, battered good-luck charms, and what little healing we could afford.
As we moved through the market, my attention drifted and then stopped.
A sword rested against one of the stalls, almost hidden in shadow. Its blade was silver, it looked unnaturally clean, and the jeweled handle caught the lantern light just enough to glimmer. Something about it tugged at me, a quiet pull I couldn't explain.
The seller noticed my stare and shook his head.
"You don't want that," he said flatly. "It's cursed."
That alone should have sent me walking.
This was the black market. People lied for a living here. Sold poison as medicine and chains as protection. Honesty had no place in a stall like this.
So why was he warning me?
I hesitated, my pulse picking up. I didn't like curses but I needed a weapon.
"I'd still like to try," I said.
The seller shrugged and handed it over, as if he'd just passed me a useless trinket. "Suit yourself."
The moment my fingers closed around the hilt, a low current surged through my arm. My breath caught as the sensation lingered.
"How much?" I asked quietly.
The seller blinked at me, genuinely startled. Then he let out a short, humorless laugh.
"Free," he said. "You can have it. Who in their right mind wants to carry a cursed blade?"
I tightened my grip on the sword, my heart pounding.