117
Leaving the Venatori under the watchful eyes of your colleagues, the four of you head back out to the Grand Proving Arena. It’s a fair distance away and no less complex inside than Minrathous itself and the night isn’t getting any younger.
Tarquin and Ashur are having a whispered conversation behind you. It sounds intense and you’re fairly sure you catch a few words about Ashur’s having made decisions on Tarquin’s behalf that Tarquin pretty strongly disagrees with, but it’s not your business and you do your best not to listen.
Your focus on your goal—and whatever it is Ashur and Tarquin are focused on—almost distracts you from the unusual quiet in the streets, the shuffling sounds around you, the movement in the shadows, heading back the way you’ve left…
The moment you realize your mistake, you’re running back to headquarters as fast as your feet can carry you—but it’s already too late.
By the time you arrive, everyone you left behind is either dead or a prisoner. The cultists own the pawn shop now and, with it, the Shadow Dragons.
Maybe you should’ve listened to Tarquin after all.