And just as he predicted, it actually was. The next morning brought news that confirmed Astaroth's suspicions. Three more attempts had been made on Aldric's life during the night... a poisoned meal delivered to his room, a crossbow bolt fired through his window, and a fire that had mysteriously started in the inn's kitchen.
"They're determined," Volk observed, examining the crossbow bolt. "The craftsmanship is expensive. Not something you'd find with run off the mill bandits."
"Which means we're not dealing with common criminals," Astaroth concluded. "Someone with significant resources wants you dead." He said while facing Aldric.
Aldric paced nervously in their room, his earlier confidence shaken by the night's events. "Perhaps I should abandon this venture. The risks are becoming too great."
"That would be unwise," Astaroth said coolly. "Running will only confirm their suspicions and ensure that they never stop hunting you. Better to see this through and deal with the problem at its source."
"What do you suggest?"
"We make them come to us. Today's meeting with the local merchants, we'll attend as planned, but we'll set a trap."
Over the next hour, they planned their strategy. Volk would shadow the meeting, using his abilities to detect and neutralize any threats before they could act. Astaroth would remain close to Aldric, ready to respond to any direct assault.
The meeting was scheduled to take place in the merchant district's most prestigious establishment, the Golden Scale Trading House. The building was a fortress of commerce, with multiple levels of security and enough guards to deter most threats.
As they prepared to leave, Astaroth found himself studying his reflection in the room's small mirror. Something had changed in his appearance, subtle but noticeable. His eyes seemed sharper, his build more defined and his hair had grown out a bit. The constant battles and challenges were forcing him to adapt, to evolve beyond his current limitations.
"Master?" Volk's voice interrupted his thoughts. "Are you ready?"
"Yes. Remember, today is about more than protecting our client. It's about understanding the power structures of this city. Watch everything, be vigilant."
The Golden Scale Trading House was indeed impressive, a three story building of polished granite and reinforced glass, with magical wards shimmering along its walls. The lobby was filled with merchants, traders, and their various assistants, all conducting business with the focused intensity of professional negotiators.
Aldric led them to a private meeting room on the second floor, where three local merchants were already waiting. They were an interesting mix, a young woman with the bearing of nobility, an older man whose scars spoke of a violent past, and a middle-aged trader whose nervous energy suggested he was hiding something.
"Gentlemen, lady," Aldric began, "thank you for meeting with me. I believe we have mutual interests that could prove quite profitable."
What followed was a complex back and forth series of negotiations, with each party testing the others' limits and looking for advantages. Astaroth listened with growing interest as the true nature of Aldric's business became clear.
The merchant was attempting to create a new power structure that would help him become the major merchant power in the region, an extremely grand ambition. His evidence of corruption was real, but it was also a weapon he intended to use to destroy his competitors and establish himself as the dominant force in regional trade.
"Ambitious," Astaroth murmured to himself. "He was beginning to like this merchant more and more."
The meeting proceeded smoothly until the scarred merchant, a man named Gareth, raised a pointed question.
"Your proposal is interesting, Kaine, but it requires us to trust you completely. How do we know you won't use this information against us once you've achieved your goals?"
"Because," Aldric replied, "mutual destruction is not profitable for anyone. We all benefit from stability and cooperation."
It was at that moment that Volk's voice whispered in Astaroth's mind, a mental connection that had developed from their bond.
"Master, we have a problem. Armed figures are moving through the building. They're not guild security."
Astaroth's eyes narrowed. "How many?"
"At least thirty. They're coordinating through hand signals and moving to surround this room."
The trap they had expected had been turned against them. Someone had anticipated their strategy and prepared a counter-ambush.
"Gentlemen," Astaroth said, interrupting the negotiations, "I'm afraid we have uninvited guests."
Before anyone could respond, the room's windows exploded inward as armored figures rappelled through them. The door burst open, and more attackers flooded in from the corridor. These weren't the crude thugs from the previous night, they moved with military precision and carried weapons that hummed with dense magical energy.
"Protect the merchant!" one of the attackers shouted, but their target was clearly Aldric, not the local traders.
The battle was fierce and chaotic. Astaroth found himself fighting multiple opponents simultaneously, his enhanced reflexes barely keeping him ahead of their coordinated assault. These warriors were skilled, disciplined, and well-equipped.
Volk emerged from the shadows like a nightmare, his aura covered punches disrupting the attackers' enchanted weapons and leaving them vulnerable to more physical strikes. But even his abilities were being pushed to their limits.
"This is taking too long," Astaroth growled, his eyes beginning to shift from blue to gray. "Volk, shield the civilians."
His disciple immediately understood, moving to place himself between the local merchants and the battle. Shadows coalesced around him, forming a barrier that deflected the attackers' strikes.
Astaroth began to gather mana, preparing to unleash a more devastating attack. But as his power built, something unexpected happened, one of the attackers, a woman with silver hair and familiar eyes, stepped forward and spoke a single word.
"Varnok."
The sound of his true name, spoken by a voice he didn't recognize, sent shockwaves through his consciousness. His concentration shattered, and the gathered mana dissipated harmlessly.
"Who are you?" he demanded, his voice carrying the weight of ancient authority.
"Someone who has been waiting a very long time to meet you," she replied, removing her helmet to reveal features that were both beautiful and enchanting. "My name is Seraphina, and I serve the one who has been anticipating your return the most."
The other attackers had stopped fighting, forming a protective circle around their leader.
This was about to turn into a shit show.