The Fool’s Ascension

Jarek had been in Rookhaven for all of twenty minutes, and he had already drawn attention.

Unfortunately, it wasn't the good kind of attention.

"Did you really have to get involved?" Sylva muttered as they moved through the streets.

Jarek grinned. "It was a marketplace scam, Sylva. I wasn't going to let that guy get robbed."

Sylva sighed. "And now, we've made ourselves known."

Tobias snorted. "Please. Who's gonna care about some random travelers calling out a fraud?"

Jarek patted Tobias's shoulder. "See, Tobias, that is the kind of question that always gets us in trouble."

Tobias rolled his eyes.

But Sylva was still watching the street behind them, her sharp eyes scanning the crowd.

Jarek followed her gaze. The marketplace bustled with people, but… something felt off.

A few figures stood too still. Watching.

Sylva's voice was quiet. "We need to move. Now."

Jarek didn't argue.

A Place to Lie Low

They moved quickly through the narrow streets, slipping into the quieter parts of town. Rookhaven was big, but it wasn't endless. Eventually, people would start asking questions.

Jarek glanced at Sylva. "Any place we can lay low?"

Sylva nodded. "There's an inn. The Hollow Oak. It's discreet."

Tobias sighed in relief. "Finally, a bed."

They reached the inn within minutes.

It was a modest place—nothing fancy, just a sturdy wooden building nestled between a smithy and a tailor's shop.

Inside, the air smelled of ale and roasted meat. The innkeeper, a burly man with a scarred cheek, looked up as they entered.

Sylva stepped forward. "We need rooms. Two."

The innkeeper eyed them but didn't ask questions. "Four silver a night."

Sylva nodded, sliding the coins onto the counter.

Jarek whistled. "Expensive."

Tobias clapped him on the back. "That's what you get for having a dangerous reputation."

Jarek rolled his eyes.

Once the deal was made, the innkeeper tossed them a set of keys.

"Rooms are upstairs. No trouble."

Jarek grinned. "Wouldn't dream of it."

The innkeeper didn't look convinced.

Unwanted Visitors

They barely had time to settle in before trouble found them.

Jarek was halfway through his first real meal in days when Sylva stiffened.

"They're here."

Jarek didn't even need to ask who.

The inn doors swung open.

Three men stepped in, each dressed in fine dark coats, the kind that screamed nobility but carried the dangerous edge of trained killers.

One of them—a man with slicked-back black hair and a golden pin on his lapel—smiled as he spotted Jarek.

"Ah. There you are."

Tobias groaned. "Fantastic. Who are these guys?"

Sylva's hand drifted toward her blade. "Duke Orlan's men."

Jarek frowned. "Oh, great. What does he want with us?"

The man in the golden pin approached, his hands behind his back, exuding the confidence of someone who wasn't afraid of much.

"Jarek Thorn."

Jarek sighed. "Depends on who's asking."

The man smirked. "I am Edric Vale, and I come with an offer."

Jarek crossed his arms. "Not interested."

Edric chuckled. "You haven't even heard it yet."

Jarek smirked. "If it involves me getting stabbed, then no thanks."

Edric raised an eyebrow. "Oh, we wouldn't dream of harming you. In fact, the Duke wants to help you."

Jarek blinked. That was new.

Tobias scoffed. "Oh yeah? Rich noblemen just love helping broke wanderers like us."

Edric ignored him. His gaze locked onto Jarek. "We know you're being hunted. By Caden's assassins."

Sylva's expression didn't change, but Jarek knew she was listening very carefully.

Edric continued. "The Duke has no love for Caden. He'd rather see that snake gone."

Jarek frowned. "And why does he care?"

Edric's smirk widened. "Because Caden is a liability. And because you, Jarek, are… interesting."

Jarek hated how that sounded.

Tobias muttered, "Why do people keep saying that?"

Edric ignored him. "Come with me. Meet the Duke. He may have what you need."

Jarek studied the man. He didn't like this.

But at the same time…

He wasn't stupid.

The Duke was one of the most powerful men in this region. If he really wanted to help, it could be useful.

Jarek glanced at Sylva. She gave a small nod.

Tobias groaned. "Oh, I hate this idea."

Jarek exhaled. "Alright, Edric. Lead the way."

The Duke of Rookhaven

They were escorted through Rookhaven's upper district, past lavish manors and streets paved with polished stone.

The Duke's estate was exactly what Jarek expected—huge, extravagant, and heavily guarded.

Inside, the halls were lined with expensive tapestries and gold-trimmed chandeliers.

Tobias whistled. "Man, we should rob this place."

Sylva shot him a look.

They were led into a grand study, where the Duke himself sat behind a heavy oak desk.

Duke Orlan Vale was a broad-shouldered man in his fifties, dressed in a dark coat lined with gold embroidery. His sharp blue eyes studied Jarek like a hawk.

Jarek crossed his arms. "Alright, Your Lordship. What's the deal?"

The Duke smiled. "Straight to business. I like that."

He leaned forward. "You want to take down Caden, don't you?"

Jarek tensed. "…I might."

The Duke's smile widened. "Then we have common ground."

Jarek didn't trust this. "Why do you care?"

Orlan chuckled. "Because Caden is a pest. One I've been meaning to remove."

Jarek wasn't buying it. "And you just happened to seek me out?"

Orlan nodded. "You've drawn attention, Thorn. People are talking."

Jarek sighed. "Of course they are."

The Duke tapped his fingers on the desk. "I am willing to offer you resources—gold, weapons, even men—to deal with Caden."

Jarek raised an eyebrow. "And in return?"

Orlan's smirk was razor-sharp.

"I want you to kill him."

The room fell silent.

Jarek met the Duke's gaze. "And if I say no?"

The Duke exhaled. "Then you leave Rookhaven with nothing. And Caden will find you. And this time, you won't escape."

Jarek clenched his fists.

He hated being cornered.

Sylva murmured, "This is dangerous."

Tobias sighed. "That's an understatement."

Jarek stared at the Duke.

He wanted Caden gone.

But working for the Duke?

That was a different kind of risk.

Jarek took a deep breath.

And then, he made his choice.