Riding on the back of a Subterranean Lizard, Renato warily scanned the surrounding streets and alleys. A Hand Crossbow hung beside his saddle, its string fully drawn, ready to fire at any moment.
Although the [Quest] offered little experience and the Nightwind Family maintained a firm grip on the West Wall district, Renato had still made every preparation for battle.
In this Drow city, letting down one's guard often meant death.
After all, this was a city rife with murder and betrayal. A few Cultists or crazed commoners might burst out of some dark alley at any moment and attack them.
A little caution never hurt.
"It doesn't seem to have changed much since I was little."
Rodi's lizard walked ahead, a trace of nostalgia in her voice.
Her red eyes swept over the buildings on either side, as though comparing them to a moment in her memories.
"But I couldn't stroll around so leisurely back then." She paused, pointing toward a distant street corner. "A band of hired cutthroats had their sights on me. If Mother hadn't ordered a squad of soldiers to follow me everywhere, a rival family probably would have had me assassinated..."
Renato said nothing.
He had no idea what the Nightwind Family had been like during Rodi's childhood, but it was powerful now. The entire West Wall district was practically Matron Mother Quelyn's backyard.
Spies and informants filled every street, alley, and shop. Other noble families could barely extend their influence into the district.
Even the Ruling Council stationed only a handful of soldiers along the shores of Lake Tonnigat, tacitly acknowledging the Nightwind Family's control over most of the West Wall.
That unspoken understanding and concession of power were clearly the fruits of Matron Mother Quelyn's century of careful maneuvering.
"By the way, Renato,