Viren's horse came to a stop in front of a lone guest house. Judging by his progress, he could reach the Twin Towers by tomorrow evening.
Opening the door, he immediately wished he had kept moving. There were six Katolin guards sitting at a table, drinking and playing cards. To make matters worse, he and them were the only patrons present.
While his face was altered by an Illusion cast by Aaravos, there weren't a great many people in the Kingdom of Katolis that would walk about with a mage's staff as well-known as his.
Either way, it was too late to turn around now without raising suspicion.
A few glances wandered his way as he tried to appear natural, stepping inside and approaching the bar.
The guards didn't seem alarmed, which was great.
"What can I get you?", the bartender asked.
"A meal and a bed", Viren said, dropping a golden merlon on the counter.
"Ha! Sir, that'll be enough for a feast!", he eyed Viren's staff, "What brings you 'round these parts? Looks like you're some sort of mage?"
Viren frowned. He hadn't expected the keeper to be so loud about it. Even though it was somewhat dangerous, he wouldn't ever leave his most important tool out of arm's reach. Losing the staff would be problematic and a lot of people understood its value by instinct rather than knowledge.
"I'll have the meal in my room."
"Oh. Sure. It's just around the corner here, the last one on the right. Food'll be ready in a bit."
Viren turned to walk to his room. There was a drunken soldier in his path.
"Oi, your lordship! Come drink with us and play for one of those coins!"
"I'm sorry. I'm tired and need to settle down", the mage said, evenly.
"Aww, come on, just one game!"
"Good night", Viren said, pushing past the guard.
Only after the door of his room had closed behind him, he allowed his concern to creep into his altered features.
"Must we really linger here?", Aaravos asked, a bit testy.
"I've been sleeping on a cot for ages. I've not had a meal for longer! The Potion of Filling is a great tool but one cannot subsist on it for months. So, yes. We must really `linger` here"
After a moment, the voice returned, gently.
"I understand your annoyance. You were used to royal treatment. Forgive me."
Viren took stock of his situation and plans.
With Ezran and the major players of his inner circle out of the game, there was a developing crisis of leadership that would rattle Katolis. He would once more try to take this opportunity to become the strong leader that his country needed at this time.
Whether this was as king, with the help of Opeli's wounded ego, or as dictator, elevated by a people easily influenced under pressure, would not matter. First try one, then the other.
The latter would obviously take time, a luxury he did not want to afford the Pentarchy if it could be avoided. Turning a single, remote town had taken days. Taelin had even been motivated to rebel, given their losses. It would take months, maybe years to find the support he needed in the heartland.
The hours and days he would have to spend politicking and bringing people to his side would give Thunder's spawn time to grow into an actual danger. From what Viren knew, it would take a hundred years for the whelp to reach the full height of its power, but even a teenaged archdragon would be terrifying.
On the other hand, it was clear that he would have to move more carefully now, the posters looking for his capture had just about doubled in frequency.
"Leaving the crown guard alive was a mistake", Aaravos said.
"Because they were able to report on my deed? Friend, I can't go about this killing Katolins wantonly. I am not averse to doing what's necessary, but I don't intend to become a bigger menace than the elves."
"It's merely my view. Of course you are free to do as you wish. You are taking the high road. It's admirable but makes things difficult"
"What of your own plans?"
The voice came closer, sounding bemused. "They are progressing. I've localized the artifact and I believe there is a way to use it as a conduit for my powers, much like our little insect friend. It is imprecise and draining, but I could feel it quiver in my hand twice. I just need more time to find the right incantations and sequence."
Satisfaction saturated his friend's voice now. "However, here too, I have an alternative in mind that may prove more expedient. It appears there are people in Xadia that feel I've not been treated fairly. I may be able to propel them into action. This would be a much easier exchange with the world as compared to acting myself."
"How are you aware of this?"
"Oh Viren", Aaravos said with sarcastic hurt, "Still underestimating my power? I am the stars, friend. I see what I must and hear what I want, now that I have a strong bond with you and a tenuous one with the Key."
"In that case, what was the purpose of the expensive ritual you had me perform for my children?"
"You wanted a clear picture. I only require hints of emotion, specks of thought. It is much easier. I know my supporters are there, but I couldn't tell you who they are or where exactly they hide."
Viren frowned. It sounded like his friend was acting rather brashly on incomplete information.
"You need to be careful. If imperfect data forms the basis of your plans, there's a good deal of variance in their success."
"I am aware of this. However, much like you crave the comforts of a full stomach and a plush mattress, I crave the freedom to go and do as I wish. I will remind you tirelessly of this - You are capable of breaking my prison, but we require the power of Azymondias! Hence, we must retrieve him!"
"Childish impatience is not a quality I respect, Aaravos."
The voice scoffed.
"I have been imprisoned for a thousand years. Childish impatience?", Aaravos laughed brightly, "I gladly accept your accusation, it is well founded. But. Only great risk begets great change", his voice changed to alarm, "Be ready, someone's coming."
There was a knock on the door.
Viren steeled himself for a fight, then opened it.
"Here you are, Sir. Pleasant night.", the keeper said, handing him a tray of food.