"You're telling me ther's been a smuggler's hideout in Lookout landing for ten years, and we've never known about it?" Link asked incredulously, pulling the hood of his cloak tighter around his head. Arys nodded, pushing through the crowded marketplace of Lookout Landing. "Yeah, and if it gets out that I brought Link Demonslayer there, I won't make it to the end of the month," He turned sideways to squeeze past a pair of Zora, then continued, "Listen. I know you're going to want to bring the full might of the Royal army down on this place when we're finished, but you need to leave it alone. The Den is probably the best well of information in Hyrule, and razing it would signal to every criminal across the kingdoms it's time to go into hiding." "You're asking me to let known thieves and murders thrive illegally." Link agrued. Arys didn't respond at first. Link was right, The Den was a nest of cuthroated criminals; locking them up would make the streets much safer. But it was also an extermely valuable tool. In the end, taking it out of play would do more harm than good . "Look," He said stopping. "If we want to find the guy who's been pulling the strings for months, then this is out best bet for information. But if you don't promise to let it survive, I'll turn us around right now. You don't know how to get there without me, and I'm not going to let you tear it down." Link glared from beneath his hood. "You sound like you want to protect them." he said. "I want to protect what they offer." Arys corrected. "Do we have a deal?" A long pause filled the night. "Fine." Link said. "But if they try anything--" Arys' laugher drowned out the rest of his threat. "What?" Link asked, frowning. Arys shook his head. "Oh this is going to be fun." he said. "What's going to be fun?" Arys shook his head and started down the street again. "Nothing," He said. Link jogged to his side. "This is seeming like a worse and worse plan." he muttered. Arys glanced at him. "Listen, if you want to get out of there with the information we need, and without a mob of angry thieves on our tail, then you need to do everything I tell you." He said. Link nodded. "Alright, what does that look like?" "Keep your hood down. You probably have the most recognizable face in Hyrule, and if one of the criminals see under your cloak, it's game over. From the time we arive until the moment we leave, don't say a word. I'm going to pretend you're not there. It's not unusual for someone to pull that move in the underworld. It basically means that we're on a secret job and you're not officially a part of it, picture a ghost assasin. "Any kind of physical contact isn't permited in the Den, and don't accept any of food or drink handed to you directly except from the bartender. Be careful with how much you drink, they brew their alchohol especially strong, and the last thing we need is to lose our wits. Keep your sword hidden underneath your cloak, it's probably the only thing more recognizable than you, and if somebody trys to broker or offer a deal with you stay quiet and motionless, they'll just be testing you." "You know what," Link said, holding up his hands, "I'm just going to follow you." Arys cracked a smile. "Good call. One of my old contacts should be meeting us there, if anyone knows who or where this guy is, it'll be her." "Arys," Morey grunted, cracking the door to the Den open. "Good ter' see ya' again." His good eye drifted to Link standing shadowed over Arys' shoulder. "Who's yer friend?" He asked. Arys turned, eyes roving right over Link. "Who?" He asked. Morey rolled his eye. "Come off it, the feller' standing righ' there." "I see no one." Morey grunted. "You know I can't jus' let anyfeller' in 'ere righ'? This place is a bi' of a secre' see." "I said he's not here." Arys said firmly. Morey scowled but held up his hands. "Can ye blame a man fir wantin' to see who's enterin his tavern?" He said, swinging the door open. Arys strode through confidently, weaving between the scarce tables and to the bar at the center. "Wha' can I fetch for ya?" Morey asked, walking behind the counter. "Two Grumblers. I'm waiting to meet with an old friend." Arys answered, sliding into one of the stools sitting against the bar. Link followed suit to his right. "And who migh' this friend be?" Morey asked, pulling a jar out from under the counter. "Someone who apreciates anonymity." Morey grinned wickedly, pouring the smoking concoction into two glasses. "Aye. Well if yeh need anythin, jus holler." He slid the Grumbers across the bar and strode off. "He seemed a little too intrested." Link said quietly, pulling the second Grumbler to the side. "Morey?" Arys asked, stirring his drink. "Nah, he's just fishing for secrets. It's his job to know things he shouldn't; whenever you need information and don't know where to get it, you go to him." Link nodded.
"So where's this contact of yours?" He asked. Arys looked to the door. "Not sure, nothing's very exact in this buisness. She'll be here sometime between now and midnight." "That's in three hours." "Better get comfortable then." Arys slowly took in the room from beneath his hood, marking each occupant in his mind. Three Zora women sat huddled in the far corner, talking in hushed tones. A quick burst of lightning enhanced ears let him know they were discussing the layout of a wealthy Hylian's mansion. A massive goron reclined in a booth, downing copious amounts of drink through a heavy steel mask that obscured his face, while a group of Rito sporting eyepatches and tattoos debated at a table several feet away. As Arys watched, one slid a jingling sack across the table, while another passed a yellowed scroll. "I recognize some of these people from our wanted list." Link said darkly, gesturing to a lone Hylian in the corner, "That's Brosa Lanrik, he's wanted for over a dozen caravan thefts, and that over there," He nodded at the massive goron, "Is Roch Hammerfist, one of the most expensive mercenaries in the trade. He's personally taken down an entire platoon of my soldiers." "I warned you about the company." Arys said, "But remember the promise you made. If you go all 'legendary hero' on them now, then every single one of them will go on high alert, and you'll never find them again." Link ground his teeth but stayed quiet. A series of knocks rapped against the door, and Morey strode over, cracking it open. He said something, and the person outside responded heatedly. Within a couple seconds they were in a shouting match. Link glanced at Arys questioningly, but the Rito had his head in his hands. "I get it, I get it, get next time I'll give the CORRECT knock." A tall, spindly woman pushed past Morey and strode into the dimness of the Den. "Let's go find a private table," Arys said, sliding out of his seat and moving towards the woman. "Arys! How have ya been?" She said, and Arys gestured to a booth against the wall. "Tira." Arys greeted, sliding onto the bench, followed by Link. "What was Morey upset about?" Tira waved a hand. "I gave the old knock, you remember the original one? Well, he didn't like that so much, said something about me having to pay extra on my drink to get in." She tutted, "It's not my fault I haven't been here in practically forever." "Well, I took care of the drink problem for you." Arys said, sliding the remaining grumbler across the table. "Thanks." Tira took a deep draught of the concotion. She pointed to Link. "Who's the creepy guy?" "He's working the same job I am. We need information. You're the best in the buisness." "And what buisness is that?" Tira asked with a smirk. "Secrets, information, gossip, whatever you want to call it." Arys said. Tira grinned. "Right as Hylia." She said. Arys felt Link bristle next to him at the blasphemy, but he kept his expression neutral. "Hey new guy," Tira said, "You ever tried a grumbler?" Link slowly shook his head. "Tell you what, I'll let you try some of mine. Turns out I'm feeling generous today." She slid the smoking drink across the table. Link hesitantly picked it up. "Tira, we're here for information, not dares." Arys said. He could burn off alcohol quickly and easily with lightning, but Link didn't have the same advantage. "Ah, come on. Let the guy live a little. Go on, take a sip." She pressed. Link looked at Arys, and the rito just shrugged through a sigh. Tira could be... difficult. Link raised the glass to his lips, and took a long sip. The moment the drink hit the back of his throat he hacked, spewing Grumbler across the table. Tira cackled. "Burns doesn't it?" She said gleefully. Link gasped, eyes watering. "Tira, we have buisness we'd like to get to." Arys said. The woman grinned. "Come on Arys, let a girl have her fun." "Fun's been had." "Alright, alright, let's get started." She leaned foreward, a wicked smile on her face. "Whatch a need?"
