The deeper Kai followed the assassins, the more convinced he became that Yggdrasil had an entire second city hidden beneath it.
The streets grew narrower.
The buildings older.
Torchlight replaced lanterns.
The clean stone roads of the upper districts gave way to cramped alleys and underground tunnels.
At some point they passed through what looked like an abandoned warehouse.
Then a wine cellar.
Then a tunnel hidden behind a collapsed wall.
Kai eventually stopped trying to memorize the route.
There was no chance he'd find his way back.
---
"How much further?"
One of the assassins glanced back.
"Almost there."
"You said that twenty minutes ago."
"We're almost there now."
Kai didn't believe him.
Andre didn't seem concerned.
He casually walked beside them as if this happened every week.
Which, knowing Andre, it probably did.
---
Eventually they reached a large iron door.
Two armed guards stood outside.
Neither spoke.
Neither moved.
The assassins approached.
One knocked three times.
Paused.
Then knocked twice more.
The iron door slowly opened.
Kai immediately regretted following them.
---
The room beyond looked less like a hideout and more like the headquarters of an organized criminal empire.
Maps covered the walls.
Stacks of documents filled shelves.
Weapons rested neatly on racks.
Several armed men stood guard throughout the chamber.
Every one of them looked dangerous.
At the center sat a man.
White hair.
Calm eyes.
Light armor beneath expensive clothing.
One leg crossed over the other.
Completely relaxed.
As if he owned the room.
Which he probably did.
---
The assassins immediately bowed.
"Boss."
The man sighed.