The Sleeping Dragon Inn buzzed with life, but for Liam, all attention was fixed on Alistair and Elara in that far corner. Their conversation had just begun, and Elara, predictably from the novel, seemed guarded and hesitant. Alistair, with his characteristic sincerity and persistence, was doing his best to convince her of the Gem of Light's importance and the necessity of her cooperation.
Liam sat at his table, pretending to eat his warm stew, while his senses were entirely focused on the conversation he couldn't quite hear. Fate Empathy offered him flashes of Alistair's emotions – urgency, hope, and a subtle frustration at Elara's resistance.
[New Quest: Help the Hero Alistair earn Elara's trust. Reward: 15 Fate Points.]
The System message popped up, making Liam's lips quirk into a faint smile. "Of course. This is the next step." Elara was crucial to Alistair's progress. Without her, his journey would be far longer and more perilous.
Liam thought fast. How could he help without revealing his prior knowledge? Elara valued intelligence and logic, and she disdained recklessness.
As Alistair spoke passionately, Liam noticed a fleeting look of subtle doubt in Elara's eyes as she glanced at Alistair's rather thin coin purse. It wasn't distrust of his character, but rather a skepticism about his ability to fund a long quest, or even just a private room for their discussion. Alistair, despite being of noble blood, was notoriously careless with money, which often landed him in trouble.
Liam subtly slid from his table and approached the counter. "Bertha," he said to the innkeeper, "what's the cost for a private room this evening?"
Bertha looked at him, surprised. "A private room? My dear, they're a bit pricey."
"That's fine," Liam said, pulling a few silver coins from a pocket that had been empty before he got this body. He had no idea where they came from – perhaps Laith's meager savings, or a System bonus he hadn't noticed. "Could you set one up for those two in the corner?" He nodded discreetly towards Alistair and Elara. "Tell them it's a gift from a well-wisher."
Bertha looked from the silver coins to Alistair and Elara, then back at Liam, her eyes wide. "Certainly, dearie! I'll do that right away."
Liam returned to his table, a slight tension in his chest. Was that intervention enough? Did it seem natural?
Moments later, Bertha approached Alistair and Elara's table. Liam heard a quiet murmur, then saw expressions of surprise on Alistair's face and a flicker of curiosity from Elara. Soon, both rose and headed for the stairs.
[Partial Quest Completion: Provided suitable environment for trust-building. Reward: 5 Fate Points.]
"Good work, Facilitator!" Liam mentally congratulated himself. He felt a surge of satisfaction as things moved forward.
As Liam sat alone, contemplating his next move, he suddenly felt Fate Empathy surge to an uncomfortable level. This wasn't just Alistair's emotions anymore. It was a potent mix of arrogance, a craving for power, and stark jealousy. It was so strong it made him shiver.
Liam looked around, searching for the source. It wasn't Alistair. The emotion was coming from the inn's entrance.
Just then, a tall young man strode into the inn, his blonde hair meticulously styled, his blue eyes cold. He wore lavish clothes emblazoned with a noble crest, flanked by two burly guards. His face was handsome, but his expression was one of undisguised arrogance and disdain for the common folk.
"Prince Kai!" Liam whispered, freezing in his seat. Prince Kai was Alistair's bitter rival in the novel, the King's younger brother, a character defined by his ambition and envy. He was indirectly responsible for many of Alistair's misfortunes.
Prince Kai and his guards took a table close to Liam's, but they were engrossed in their own conversation. Still, Liam felt waves of pride and suspicion emanating from the Prince.
"Oh, god, this is worse than bandits," Liam thought, a knot forming in his stomach. How could he deal with such a significant character without completely derailing the future?
[New Quest: Observe Prince Kai and uncover his intentions regarding the 'Gem of Light'. Reward: 20 Fate Points.]
"His intentions regarding the Gem of Light?" Liam mused. In the original novel, Prince Kai believed the Gem would grant him immense power to bolster his control over fading magic. He wanted it for himself.
Liam activated Fate Sight. The sounds in the inn sharpened, and he managed to catch snippets of Prince Kai's conversation with his guards.
"...We cannot allow Alistair to get his hands on it," Prince Kai said, his voice low and venomous. "He sees it as a symbol of hope. I see it as a key to power. If magic truly fades, I will ensure I control what remains."
"But, Your Highness, finding it is difficult..." one of the guards said.
"I've heard rumors of a sorceress who might be able to pinpoint its location," Kai interrupted. "A silver-haired mage... perhaps she's here in this very city."
Liam felt a chill. Prince Kai was looking for Elara too! This was a new complication that hadn't happened in the original novel at this exact point in time. Had his interference already altered the timeline?
Liam knew he had to act. If Prince Kai found Elara before Alistair could send her on her quest, everything could change. "I need to warn Alistair," Liam thought. But how? He couldn't just walk up and say, "Prince Kai is looking for the silver-haired sorceress."
Alistair and Elara returned a short while later. Their faces wore more serious expressions, suggesting they had reached an agreement.
"Liam," Alistair said, "Elara has agreed to help. We'll start planning tomorrow."
"That's great news!" Liam said, trying to sound genuinely pleased. "Are... are you going to discuss plans here?" He subtly glanced towards Prince Kai.
Alistair noticed Liam's look and followed it, spotting Prince Kai. Alistair's face immediately hardened. "Kai. What is he doing here?"
"I don't know," Liam said quietly, then whispered, "but he seems interested in... certain matters. And he might have ears everywhere."
Liam said no more. It was up to Alistair to pick up on the hint. Liam saw a flicker of understanding in Alistair's eyes.
"Liam," Alistair said, "come with us to our room. We can plan there. Elara, is that alright?"
Elara agreed, casting a curious glance at Liam.
The three ascended the stairs. In the room, Elara used her magic to create a faint sound barrier around them.
"What happened downstairs, Liam?" Alistair asked immediately. "I noticed your look towards Kai."
"Prince Kai is looking for a silver-haired sorceress," Liam stated plainly, omitting details. "And I overheard hints about his interest in the 'Gem of Light.' He didn't sound like he wanted it for the city's benefit."
Elara's eyes widened. "Damn it. I knew he'd come looking eventually. He sees magic as a tool for power, not a gift."
"Then our plans must be kept absolutely secret," Alistair said, his face growing more serious. "We need to move fast before Kai finds Elara or interferes with our search for the Gem."
[Quest Completed: Observe Prince Kai and uncover his intentions regarding the 'Gem of Light'. Reward: 20 Fate Points.][Partial Quest Completion: Warned heroes of Prince Kai's intentions. Reward: 5 Fate Points.]
[Current Fate Points: 55.][New Skill Unlocked: Fate Foresight (Novice).]
"Fate Foresight?" Liam wondered. What did that skill mean? Would it grant him the ability to see the future?
As Liam pondered, he felt a faint prickling in his head, and a blurry image flashed for a moment: Elara running through a dark forest, pursued by shadowy figures. Then a flicker, and Alistair's face, streaked with blood.
The vision vanished as quickly as it appeared, leaving Liam gasping. Was that Fate Foresight? Had he just seen a piece of the future?
"We need a detailed map of the area around the cathedral," Elara said, tracing lines in the air with her fingertip. "I believe the thieves might have hidden the Gem in the secret passages beneath the ground."
Liam felt a mix of relief and dread. The cathedral wasn't the forest. Perhaps he could change that horrific future. But how?
His role as a Facilitator was becoming increasingly complex. It was no longer just about observing and offering hints. He was starting to alter events. And that meant the "Hidden Fate" was becoming less hidden.
Author's Note:
What a chapter! Prince Kai's arrival adds a whole new layer of complexity to Alistair and Elara's quest, and Liam just gained a mysterious new skill. Will Liam be able to change the dire fate he just glimpsed? And what challenges await him as his hidden role becomes less hidden?
Don't forget to add the novel to your library and leave a review to support Liam on his adventure! Your support keeps me writing exciting new chapters!