CHAPTER 436: THE EDGE OF THE OLD WOLF TAVERN

The Edge of the Old Wolf Tavern

The sun hung low over Vellore, streaking the sky with molten orange and crimson. Out where they walked, the capital spread out before them in seemingly endless sequence, cobblestone streets and vibrant squares tangled together, every corner thrumming with voices, footsteps, and the distant rattle of carts. Leon and his friends moved with measured intent, gliding through the crowd as if they were shadows themselves among the living. Their cloaks brushed elbows and shoulders, provoking passing glances from fascinated passersby, but no one dared get close. The city pulsed with life, but beneath it all was a taut, unspoken pressure pressing against them—an automatic warning that this grandeur, this energy, was that of strangers, not trespassers.

Even under the hood that half-concealed his face, Leon’s eyes scanned the market with keen, deliberate intent. Stalls were filled with promise of the day’s bounty: yellowing fruits piled like gems, glistening meats grilled before the open fires and delicate trinkets carved from wood and stone that sparkled in momentary flashes. Each breath had a symphony of perfumes—the rich dampness of fresh herbs, the fiery smokiness of roasted fish, the luxury sweetness of dough fried until golden brown. Troops in burnished armor marched at a measured pace, their steps confident but unobtrusive, the metal of their breastplates glinting like molten sunlight as they moved. The heartbeat of the city was even, but Leon sensed the fine undercurrent of vigilance that ran through the air, and his hand rested close to the hilt of his sword, an unspoken assurance of preparedness.

His friends stepped forward, hoods down low, but rather than becoming part of the crowd, they appeared to attract even more attention. Heads turned, people whispered, curiosity flashing among the crowd of the market. But Natasha led the way with quiet assurance, her pace deliberate, taking them through narrow alleys and sidestreets where the crowd was thinner, where they could go with a bit more ease. Leon’s eyes wandered over the marketplace, focusing on the individuals, the way their clothing testified to status—expensive materials that shone in the light, jewel-studded collars that glimmered softly, embroidered tunics with their patterned designs. How can the streets of a capital, the streets the common people walk upon, be so. luxurious? he questioned, a complicated mixture of fascination and wariness rising up within him. Each sound—the rumble of carts, the vendors’ chattering, the clang of a blacksmith in the distance—seemed more distinct here, closer, almost as if the city itself were listening.

They strolled for perhaps five minutes before Natasha led them to the quieter periphery of the market. The clamor subsided, giving way to a soft thrum of everyday life. There was a line of humble structures above the stalls, their stone fronts worn but strong. Outdoors, a few citizens hung about, some speaking in hushed voices, travelers stopping to verify directions or catch their breath. The world seemed to move more slowly here, gentler, as though the city’s majesty could lend no intensity to these streets.

They stood at last before a two-story grey-stone building. Its name was inscribed simply above the door: Old Wolf Tavern. There was nothing showy about it, but an unobtrusive warmth seemed to emanate from within its walls, a mellow friendliness that invited them in, even in the midst of the crowded capital. Leon’s lips curled upward as he examined it. Something about this establishment—unpretentious, earthy, authentic—guaranteed asylum, a welcome interval from the noise that churned about them.

"Lord," Natasha whispered, shifting her eyes to Leon, her tone low but sharpened with conviction, "this restaurant provides the best food you’ll ever have. You’ll soon see. Shall we enter?"

Leon’s lips twitched into a small, and near-tantalizing, smile. "Why not." And so, he raised the handle of the door, and the others fell naturally behind him.

With the door opening, a gentle bell rang out, proclaiming their arrival. The tavern pulsed with activity and the hum of talk, a cozy, earthy vitality closing around them. Wooden tables and benches receding back along the walls, crowded with customers hunching in over hot plates and banging mugs. The smell of roasting meat, hot-baked bread, and strong herbs mixed with the pungent zip of spiced ale, striking their senses all at once. There was life here, a persistent beat of laughter, disagreement, and easy hello’s, and still it was intimate, as if walls retained the tales of thousands of nights such as this one.

Heads twitched discreetly as Leon and his group walked across the room, hoods pulled low. Fourteen figures froze in mid-step, eyes darting to the group, interested but cautious. Whispers flowed for a moment but died rapidly; no one ventured more than a fleeting glance. The quiet air of authority that surrounded Leon stilled any desire to challenge or question.

He guided them slowly to the big, vacant corner table, one that was private without being openly conspicuous. Nova and Natasha glided in beside him, their movements smooth, almost reflexive in deference. The others hung back, respecting their lord’s unwritten rules, not wanting to encroach on the space he had occupied. Even Captain Black, Ronan, and Vice-Captain Johnya stood back far enough, the gravity of respect more than any curiosity smoldering in their eyes.

Leon’s eyes canvassed the room for a moment, taking in the low rumble of voices, the light from lanterns reflecting off varnished wood, the clinking of dishes. He gave himself a small, confident smile, as if relishing not only the warmth of the tavern, but the foreknowledge of what lay ahead.

Leon dropped his hood just far enough to show his eyes, allowing them to pass over the tavern with relaxed, deliberate measurement. Sit here," he instructed softly but resolutely, the force in his voice precluding argument. "It’s safer to demonstrate order. To hesitate here could make others leery." His friends agreed, descending onto the benches as if intuitively accepting his decision. In the background, the inn’s subdued buzz recaptured its usual pattern—the clinking of mugs, soft laughter, and the occasional harsh word receding back into its habituated rhythm.

Out of the corner of his eye, Leon detected a movement—one so slight, it bordered on willful. A young woman was coming toward their table, her steps light but assured, each measured as though the place belonged to her. Her voice, melodious and low, sliced through the low hum of the tavern. "Hello, travelers,"