Kain stood in front of the mirror trying to pull back the choking collar of his red frock coat, the tight black vest and white shirt underneath the layers didn't make the situation any better. The billowing patterns, wide sleeves, and black pants weren't what Kain was used to.
The sunset covered the Hollow Patch, and the entire town was preparing for one event - Old Eye's feast. If there was one person known to everyone, it was him.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
With a knock but without asking, Greyna entered the room, she prepared as well, wearing a tight black dress with loose, wavy sleeves.
Kain turned around. "Is that really necessary? I liked the hunter's outfit much better than this."
"Hah, boy, I wouldn't advise you to disrespect the Old Eye. And, if you want to get connections, looking good is a must."
"Pffft," he snorted. "If a man is known and respected, he can come in his pajamas, and people's attitudes won't change."
Greyna waved her hand. "That's your truth. No one knows you but you need to. That's why everything matters: your appearance, your clothes, your manners, your tone, and even how you smell. Maybe you'll find someone to guide you at the Forgotten Tomb, maybe you'll meet somebody who can give you better advice than mine. At the Hollow Patch, anything is possible."
"Who is this Old Eye anyway? I've heard more about his frightening reputation than about him."
"Well, we'll have plenty of time to tell you all about it on the way. In five minutes, downstairs. Everyone but Derek is ready."
Then, she walked away, leaving Kain to himself.
'Hmm, so I was lucky enough to meet Derek. I look like his dead little brother...'
He found out a day ago, by overhearing Greyna's conversation and getting her to tell him everything.
'That's a good thing. When kindness is done for no reason, it looks suspicious, it's possible, but still, I felt weird about it.'
After that, Kain stooped down, pulling out from under the bed the black cube that he stole from Anissa and Roy.
With a calm look, he tucked it into a deep inside pocket, in another pocket an amulet was ready.
'A feast at the Astral Dimension? That doesn't sound very safe.'
Tugging on the reins, Yerez set the two black horses as the carriage moved off.
Kain leaned forward, his arms folded. "Who is the Old Eye? The whole town is buzzing for his feast."
"Hah, earlier I told you that at the Hollow Patch, there is no single leader," Derek crossed his arms over his chest. "But, if there is someone who would fit that role, it would definitely be the Old Eye. His real name is Oldric. He's one of the strongest Awakened at the Hollow Patch and the proud leader of the Twilight Owl."
Kain raised an eyebrow questioningly. "Twilight Owl?"
"Yes, they are the most powerful faction in this city, though they don't have many members. They're a sort of guardian. They don't control territories or trade on their own, but they make sure the deals of others are fair and running smoothly. If you want to sell or buy something of great value, you're bound to use their services."
"Is it mandatory? I mean, they force others to call on them?"
Derek grinned.
"You think the Twilight Owl members are some low-grade outlaws? No, people turn to them for help themselves. If you want, you can make a deal without them, but if you get tricked, there's nothing you can do. It's a guarantee of safety, and..."
His gaze grew darker.
"They don't care what the commodity of the bargain is: flour, meat, iron, crystals, or slaves. They will always show up and do the work of an arbitrator. As you realize, for many people, they are simply essential. They also take on the job of defending the city from monsters."
After a few moments, Kain nodded deeply.
"To do such a job, they must be strong, right?"
Greyna smirked. "That's why they are few in number, and their leader is Oldric, Old Eye. It takes not only honesty but power to gain the public's trust. The Twilight Owl has both."
"I see. How strong is this Old Eye?"
"The Blighted Warden. I realize it's hard for you as a Tainted to understand the power behind those words, but I have an example for you."
Greyna held up a hand pointing to herself and Derek.
"As you know, we are the Tarnished Bearers. That's one rank and one stage lower than the Old Eye. It seems that the difference is not significant, and in a 2 vs 1 fight, we can win or at least draw due to our advantage in quantity, but that is not the case."
Her eyes grew serious, Kain had never seen Greyna like this before.
"The Old Eye will just crush us like bugs, and a big part of that outcome is not because of a more powerful core but a higher rank."
Kain scratched the back of his head. "Damn, that sounds threatening."
"It is what it is. So do what you want, but don't cross anyone from the Twilight Owl, much less be rude to the Old Eye. We support you for our own reasons..." she coughed, glaring at Derek. "But in the face of something like this, we'd be powerless."
Crackle.
At the same moment, the carriage came to an abrupt halt to the whoop of two powerful steeds.
The door opened, revealing Yerez's silhouette.
"We've arrived. Enough talking. You'll have more than enough time for that at the feast."
Kain raised his head up to look at the intimidating structure of solid black bricks, the top hidden by a cascade of blades like an owl's wing while in the very center was mounted a massive curved fang of an unknown creature, a trophy.
'Now that's huge...' he gulped in disbelief. 'And that fang... The Swirl Worm, even it is not big enough.'
In an excited stride, Derek stepped forward, touching him on the back.
"Enough gawking around. The most interesting thing awaits us up there!"