The upstairs of the Tavern was plunged into darkness. The ancient wood creaked under the weight of Kael's footsteps, as if the structure protested his every movement. The smell of alcohol, old wood, and a faint trace of incense mingled in the air, creating an almost suffocating atmosphere.
He passed through the narrow hallway, lit only by a row of low candles mounted on the wall. Every shadow cast by the flames seemed to stretch and contort as he advanced. The silence there was absolute, broken only by the distant sound of wind blowing against the windows.
The door to his room was ajar.
He didn't remember leaving it that way.
Kael stopped before it, his fingers lightly touching the cool wood. An uneasy feeling, a mix of alertness and familiarity, ran down his spine. He pushed the door open carefully, ready to react to any threat.
