Liana and Wallace quickly duck into a nearby alleyway, trying to blend in with the crowd. They listen intently as the guards rush past, searching for them. "We need to find a safe place," Wallace whispers, his eyes scanning the surrounding buildings. "Somewhere we can lay low for a while." Liana nods, her mind racing. She's never been to the city before, and now she's on the run with a clandestine mission. Where can they hide? As they peer out of the alleyway, they spot a small, mysterious shop across the street. The sign above the door reads "Moonwhisper's Curios." Wallace raises an eyebrow. "Looks like our best bet," he says, already moving towards the shop.
As they push open the creaky door, a bell above it rings out, and the shop's proprietor, an eccentric old woman with a wild shock of white hair, looks up from behind the counter. Her eyes sparkle with curiosity as she takes in Liana's royal attire and Wallace's determined expression. "Welcome, young ones," she says, her voice low and soothing. The old woman's eyes lock onto Liana, and a knowing glint sparks in her gaze. "Ah, a member of the royal bloodline, I see," she says, her voice low and mysterious. "The threads of magic that once ran deep in your family's veins have been forgotten, haven't they?" She steps closer, her eyes gleaming with a hint of curiosity. "The whispers of ancient power, the echoes of forgotten spells... few remember the true nature of your lineage."
The old woman's words send a shiver down Liana's spine. How does this stranger know such things about her family when liana herself has no idea about it? Wallace looks at her with a questioning glance, but the old woman continues, "Come, let us speak in private. I think I can help you, Princess. The city can be unforgiving, especially for those with... royal secrets to keep."
Liana's eyes narrow, skeptical of the old woman's words. "I don't know what you're talking about," she says, trying to sound confident. "My family's just... royalty. We don't have any special... abilities." She exchanges a glance with Wallace, who looks equally unsure. The old woman's claims seem like mere fantasy, an attempt to intimidate or manipulate them.
The old woman chuckles, a low, throaty sound. "Ah, but that's exactly what they'd want you to think, isn't it?" She winks, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Come, Princess, let's talk in private. I'm sure we can... enlighten each other."
Liana's not convinced, but the old woman's words have piqued her curiosity. She nods, and the old woman leads them to a back room, filled with strange artifacts and dusty tomes. The air is thick with the scent of old books and something else... something Liana can't quite place.