Again, Drunken Boar

Ahli and Mr. Granger finally able to reach the alley where Drunken Boar is located. Ahli checked first the alley and he did not see any of the familiar faces that were pursuing him before, nor any suspicious individual observing him.

"Where is the place?" Asked Mr. Granger who seemed to be a little impatient.

"There, quite down the alley." Ahli pointed to the deeper end of the alley before he led the way toward it.

The alley itself was crowded like usual, therefore anyone could enter and exit without being noticed by everyone else. Ahli kept on looking at his left and right as well as front and back every few steps. With many people like that, he knew he really need to be extra cautious.

They finally arrived at the Drunken Boar entrance. After checking their surrounding for the last time, Ahli and Mr. Granger entered the tavern. It was the same Drunken Boar, with its dim light and questionable people getting drunk in the middle of the day.

As Ahli entered, he quickly saw toward the seat where Mr. Nald sat the last time Ahli visited this tavern. He was not there, and nor did Sharon. It was odd for Ahli, as Sharon should have arrived earlier, as she was more skillful in avoiding her pursuer.

"Where is lady Sharon?" Asked Mr. Granger who also observed the entire room.

"I don't know. She is supposed to be here."

As he was looking around, suddenly a hooded figure approached him. Ahli and Mr. Granger were on guard seeing that person, but their alert was quickly calmed down when they heard a familiar voice.

"It's me." Sharon showed her face from underneath the hood.

"Why are you…?"

Before Ahli finished her question, Sharon put a finger on her lips, gesturing to him that he needed to keep his voice low. She then continued by flicking her index finger, notifying Ahli and Mr. Granger to follow her.

Sharon made some gestures to the bartender, who replied to her with a nod. His hand was being put under the counter. Not long after, Ahli heard the sound of something being unlocked. A cabinet near the edge of the bar counter was moving slightly. Sharon moved to its side and suddenly she was gone from sight. Ahli and Mr. Granger looked at each other as they saw that. They seemed not to believe it, yet, they followed her.

As Ahli reached the side of the cabinet, there was a hidden passage at its side. Ahli clearly saw how a part of the wall had opened, with the cabinet moving slightly, for extra space entrance. There were stairs going up, a circular one.

Ahli started to climb on it, followed by Mr. Granger. As he reached the end of it, he saw a door not far from the stairs. As he was approaching the door, it was opened from inside with Sharon opening it.

"Get in." Said her as she made a gesture with her head as well.

As Ahli entered the room, he saw Mr. Nald sitting on the sofa inside. Half Drunk, but still aware of his surrounding.

"Ah, young boy! You've made it." Mr. Nald raised his glass when he and Ahli locked their sight. "Come here, come here."

Ahli did not follow the command immediately, and he heard Sharon give a question to Mr. Granger, "What are you doing here, Mr. Granger?"

"It's another problem that we're facing."

Sharon was almost asking another question at Ahli, of what he meant by that, which quickly cut by Ahli saying, "I'll explain about it after we sit."

The three of them sit on the chairs that were circling a round table, while Mr. Nald was still on the sofa.

"So, after we left Yakul, one card mage went there and demanded info from Mr. Granger. He was almost able to deceive the card mage, but he was smarter. So, in the end, he took Ecuti with him to a place called Dikar."

Ahli gave Sharon a short version of the situation as time was an essence for them.

"Dikar? Lord Bradley ex-stronghold?" Asked Sharon for confirmation from Mr. Granger, as well as Mr. Nald. Both of them gave a nod as an answer.

"You know about it?" Asked Ahli to Sharon.

"Yeah, it was taken over by the card mages around a year ago in a siege. Supposedly the person who ruled over it now is a part of the siege."

"Do you know what's his name, Mr. Granger?" Ahli shifted the question to Mr. Granger who had encountered him, which answered quickly by a silent shook.

"Leon, the Lion of Dikar." Everyone in the room quickly looked at Mr. Nald who suddenly started to speak properly.

"He is new, however, he got that nickname because of the card mage monster that he has. A red lion."

Those last few words suddenly bothered Ahli, as he found a contradiction in the fact that Mr. Granger had stated compared to the one Mr. Nald said.

"Are you sure it's not a cub, old man? Mr. Granger said that he summoned a red cub."

"Well, it will grow as battle prolongs."

[Monster that grow…we have two candidates for which system he uses then.]

"Something in your mind Ahli?" Sharon's question ceased Ahli from his thought.

"Nothing, only thinking what could be the system that he used. Anyway, are we okay to go to Dikar?" As Ahli asked the question, there was surprise seen in Sharon's face. She might never expect Ahli to ask such a question in that situation.

"What's with the question? Ecuti is important for me too. Of course, we're going."

"I just need to confirm in case you have other important business too." Explained Ahli.

"No, we are going."

A sob was suddenly was heard and as Ahli and Sharon looked at the sob voice heard from, it was Mr. Granger who started to shed some tears.

"Thank you. Thank you for your willingness. I am sorry for making a problem in the first place. If only I told him straight, he would not have taken Ecuti."

Sharon placed her left hand on Mr. Granger's shoulder and said, "It's fine. You were going to protect us. We understood."

"Are there any safe ways to go out of the town? The people chasing us would be monitoring the gate by now." Asked Ahli to Sharon, and she then took it to Mr. Nald.

"So, what's the answer would be Mr. Nald?"

Mr. Nald took a sip before answering, "Of course there is. However, if I can give you advice. I suggest not to go to Dikar at the moment. One of the dangerous card mages is currently there. And I'm not talking about The Lion."

[Another one…This could be tough without unit spells.]

"We still need to go though. Even if we have to sneak around."

Before they were able to think more about how they escaped the town, a loud commotion could be heard outside.

"I WANT THE PEOPLE INSIDE CHECKED CAREFULLY! OUR TARGET IS AMONG THEM!"

Mr. Nald hurriedly ran toward the window and took a peak.

"It's a card mage and his squad."

"Are they from Dikar?" Asked Sharon.

"Nope. Worst. They carried the 3-headed dragon in yellow color. It's under one of the worst that I mentioned before."

[3-headed dragon in yellow? That sound familiar.]

Mr. Nald moved away from the window and went to its opposite. There, he touched the wall and as he pushed, it opened slightly to reveal another hidden door.

"Hurry, you guys go out from here."

"What about you?" Asked Ahli in concern.

"Someone has to close this again from here. Besides, I'm just an information broker. What will they do to me?"

Ahli, Sharon, and Mr. Granger looked at each other. They finally agreed with Mr. Nald decision and Mr. Granger passed through the door first, followed by Sharon, who stopped before passing the door.

"Thank you, old man. Hope we meet again."

"The pleasure is mine pretty lady." Mr. Nald smiled and it was replied by Sharon with a smile as well. Sharon passed through the door and left Ahli with Mr. Nald in the room.

"Mr. Nald, thank you for your help."

"Not a problem. Oh, wait. I forgot about telling you about your beloved one."

When Mr. Nald said that, Ahli also finally remembered why he was in Shar in the first place. Because of the trouble brewing, he completely forgot about it.

"She's fine and well. One of my informants had met her in Ocani, a town north of here, with 3 days worth of travel. She has been told about you, and we asked her to stay there so you can visit her there. However, with the current situation, it seemed her wait would be worthless."

Ahli never expected to receive such news about Jena, even though at the moment, going to Ocani was not an option, as Ecuti's safety would come first.

"Can I ask you for another favor then, to ask your men to tell her that I'm going to Dikar?"

Mr. Nald smiled and then said, "Yes, young man. I'll ask my men to do it."

"Thank you. Oh, how much the payment would be?"

"No need to. However, if we meet again, I would like a fine bottle of alcohol that you can find. Promise?"

"Promise."

"Good, now go."

Ahli looked at Mr. Nald again. He had done so much this time, and somewhere inside Ahli's heart, he regretted a bit of ever doubting him. He gave him a nod and entered the secret passage. Before closing it, Mr. Nald said one last thing, "May you bring peace to this land again young man."

He then locked it. Ahli tried to push the door and it would not budge. He then turned and went toward the end of the passage.