As the two once again enter the gnome's shop. Natalak felt chastened by his return. He looks around, searching for Serin… once there was no sign of him. He sighs in relief.
To the counter they go, the gnome once again measured the two.
"What is it this time?" The gnome asks once the two catch up through the line.
"I need the following materials from this list," Riya replied as she placed a single sheet of paper along with her adventurer's crest. "My companions and I will be having a small session regarding maps and items." She continues, giving the gnome a more official look.
The gnome, however, wasn't impressed by her demands, but as part of the guild. He too needs to abide by Riya's request. The gnome gave a long grunt before calling one of his servants. And what came wasn't Serin, but a woman.
"Give these two adventurers what they need." The gnome stretched the paper. "They are for teaching." He extends, now with a calm manner.
When he returns his gaze towards the two—
"So, are you going to stand in front of my customers or what?" The shopkeeper then widened his glares.
"Thank you." Riya nods and leads Natalak to where they would begin their teaching.
As the two wait for the servant to deliver the materials, Natalak's curiosity itched his tongue…
"How does the adventurers' guild's policy work with shops like this?"
"Well…" Riya took a deep breath, her eyes wandering from the ceiling to the shelves, thinking of retrieving the policies she had studied. "It's… a partnership, more or less… the guild gives them a share of its taxes… it helps keep the shops running."
Natalak gave an appalling eye. "So, everything here is free to use?"
"Not exactly." She shook her head.
"You can use what's here to learn and study." She points towards the vast shelves. "Maps, materials, even some tools, but only inside the shop." She adds.
"Ah, so it is like a library?"
"Yes… something like that." Riya nods. "You don't pay to learn… but you don't take anything with you either." She glanced toward the counter, towards the gnome busy dealing with some customers. "In return, the shop gets steady business from the guild. And the guild gets better-trained adventurers."
"Ahh…" Natalak shakes his head.
While pondering another query to tell. The female servant came, along with her, were dozens of items and materials packed neatly on a light wooden crate. Yet as she begins to place the items on the table, Riya gestures her hand.
"That will be okay, I'll take it from here." She smiled at the employer.
Once the employer left their presence, Riya then one by one fishes out the materials needed for Natalak's enlightenment.
"This here is what we called Avitah Tesen." Riya initiates, showing him a green stone, no more than the size of a clover. "Do you remember the green stone that was placed on your enchanted bow? As to the ring?"
"Y-yes, I do." Natalak leans closer.
"This green stone is what fueled your bow and the ring. Well, it is an AptitudeEnchantment I can tell… it is the reason why your bow had precision and accuracy. Same with the ring."
"Hmm…" Natalak's eye gradually turns serious, an excitement he feels the more Riya explains the item's uses. "So, about the Adra's Map, any alternatives…"
"I'm glad you asked." Riya then chooses two items, a map and an odd spherical device. "I think this should be the thing that you need." She continues, then explains each item in a way a toddler can comprehend.
Fleeting two hours of his education, their stomachs need fuel to continue. Natalak's appetite now groans for food.
"You hungry?" Natalak spoke.
Riya nods. "There's a place I know we can get some pleasant food."
Returning all the materials to the counter, they quickly sally their way out from the market square. What concerns Natalak the most are the coins in his pouch. He prays that the food they offer suits his peasant wages. Through and all, he was led to another inn, another partnership of the adventurers' guild.
The building was large enough to store twenty mammoths, and one can still roam freely through it. When they entered, the place was rather full, mostly by merchants of all kinds, petty or not. Their voices were bursting with triumph, praising Shar as they gulped a mug full of ale. And some are in deep thoughts, perhaps to silence their loss.
"Dam it, if I should have waited more days before selling. I might have gained a hundred silver." Mutters one merchant as he pokes his pen on the ledger, just as he fills his belly with ale.
Filling their orders from the wench, the two sat in a place where voices from every direction filled the ear. What came to their table was not a peasant's meal, but rather more stable than that of a noble's meal. Not as expensive as Natalak expected, it was all thanks to Riya's adventurer's crest that they were able to avail a discounted price.
In the midst of their meal, Natalak's ears are on the prowl. The noise wasn't as bad as that from the market; all he needed was a good concentration for the words to become clear.
"What do you think of the visit of Endregar's priestess?"
"Beats me… probably for reconciling of diplomacy. Heck, if war broke out, I've got the coin to leave this place."
"Coins… now where should I make more coins? I've been tired of adventuring these days."
"Why not enter any of the tournaments? I think it would be fun to watch you scrabble through the dirt."
"I think I'll try my luck… Endregar seems to be a promising way to fill my pouch."
Suddenly, three men, three merchants caught Natalak's attention.
"Strange, do you find it odd that Lord Ariendal's daughter just suddenly takes over Shilvia's estate?" One of the merchants spoke.
"Indeed, though they said it was temporary."
"Well, I don't think so… it's been a couple of days and still no reports of Lord Ariendal's presence in every meeting, only his daughter."
"I heard rumours that before her daughter took his place, Lord Ariendal was said to be doing some duplicity with the king."
"Treason?! Bah… C'mon, even the king would not believe that kind of rumour."
"Rumours are rumours, leaving that aside… how were your sales today. I've heard it wasn't very good."
"Not much of a loss for five hundred silvers." Then the merchant scoffs. "Those bastards from Mavigrid keep trying to monopolise the market. I bet they have some help with Maginum."
The conversation they spoke rings a familiar name to Natalak's mind. The word Shilvia pulls his attention to the past, the paladin and her sister. Unbeknownst to him, he'd already finished his meal. And Riya was glancing at him with a muddled look.
"You seem to be lost in thought. I was calling your name thrice… I thought you were sick or something."
"It's a habit of mine, I sometimes lose track of my surroundings whenever I'm thinking of something." Natalak reasons, jabbing his fingers on the table. One could say he is still in deep thought. Maybe contemplating Riya's schooling, or a notion of his goals in obtaining what he needs.
Now with their belly filled, the two took their time resting in the slowly crowded inn.
Parting ways—enter through the heart of the city, after Natalak had left the priestess procession. Consuming half an hour, the carriage stopped at the grand castle. The door was open for the priestess to set foot on the land of Ravalind.
What greets her isn't the king, nor his royal guard. It was someone more.
Placing his right hand to his chest, the man then gave a slight bow. "Greetings, your holiness, Lady Ferish of Endregar." Said Roland, along with his companions. "I am relieved to see your journey was… unhindered."
A glance, a look at the man… to which something quivered the heart of the priestess. The smile Roland gave her brought her back to a memory long since left. It awakened an ancient melody that refuses to let go. What follows was a stall; it was as if the surroundings were detached from her senses, and only Roland's look was the only thing that gave her the presence.
"My Lady." Calls one of the leadmen, enough to ring her back to her consciousness. "The king is waiting for you." He adds once Ferish had regained her notice.
Immediately, when Ferish came closer to the young hero, she was still enthralled, as if she was pulled back to the past.
"Your holiness, Lady Ferish… it is a great honour to serve you as one of your guardians." Roland initiates. "I have been assigned as part of your escort, by order of the king… and the guild," he continued.
Ferish did not answer at once. Her gaze lingered… longer than courtesy allowed. Instead, she focuses her eyes on the man in front of her.
The curve of his jaw, the way his eyes held steady, even the faint tilt of his smile—
"You're just like him." Her fingers curled slightly beneath her sleeves.
Ferish's lips curve… she looks through the surroundings full of royal guards stationed at every corner. "You carry yourself well, Sir Roland," Ferish said at last, her voice calm, composed, masking the heart of her emotion.
Roland inclined his head. "I do what is expected of me, my lady."
For a fleeting moment, something softened in her gaze— then vanished.
"Do you now…" She murmured, almost to herself.
And then, as if nothing had passed—
She stepped forward. "Lead the way. We should not keep Lord Reigal waiting." She replied, as if trying her best to detach her still-aching sentiment.
Crossing the threshold of the royal's sanctuary, no more than a simple servant was sent to guide. Not that they enter the throne chamber, but somewhere calm that shows no kneeling of prominence.
Passing great corridors, where even giants may walk. The servant leads them to an archway.
Pausing his tracks, the retainer stepped through the side, signalling the priestess to enter. "The king awaits you." He bows, pending Ferish to enter before he takes his leave.
"I am deeply grateful." Ferish nods at the servant before she probes through the entry.
Inside, the scene offers a serene, forest-like feel. Columns are strangled by vines, mounting their ways through the sunlight. Artificial brook, etched its way out from the chamber, forging a tranquil atmosphere.
It was a beauty for one to see, but opposite to the spirit of the place. There lies the king of Keshoval… old, burdened and broken, yet he still clings to time. He wears no clothes for kings, for it weighs heavily both in flesh and soul; only a simple tunic he wears.
"Welcome... Lady Ferish." The king calls. "I hope the road to Keshoval didn't give you much trouble." He adds.
"It was a pleasant journey, Lord Reigal… The citizens of this nation are blessed to have you." She returns once she has her chair.
Reigal gave a long, tired grunt as he looked at her, his eyes held loss. "I am deeply thankful for your visit… it is a breath of fresh air to our nation's tension."
Ferish didn't quicken her answers… she paused, contemplating. "I am nothing more than a servant to the divines. And diplomacy isn't my best."
"That may be true… however, what you brought to this kingdom isn't a dialogue, but a spark… a hope that people may breathe that there's still a prospect within our people," Reigal replied. "Even if it is just for a small time." Reigal looks down, in a now low, soft voice.
Ferish smiled, she didn't answer, she didn't retort. Preferably, she enters a new conversation, one that isn't about politics. She isn't a king nor a political figure, so to say… though some would deny that.
Elsewhere, to an Inn, where Natalak and Riya were resting. As the people grew crowded, it was time for them to leave. Still, Natalak was in his thoughts, still debating his decisions, or probably thinking about where he is going.
Proceeding through their way, Riya nudges Natalak. He swung around and saw that Riya was giving a straining expression.
"Is something the matter?"
"I need to go to the restroom." Wrapping her arms around her abdomen. "Let us go back to the inn."
Natalak blinked. "Ah—yeah. Go ahead."
She didn't waste another word, already moving through the crowd and disappearing behind a narrow hallway. Natalak exhaled and leaned back slightly, letting the noise of the inn settle around him.
For a moment, it was just the usual… mugs clashing, voices rising, merchants arguing over coin.
He drummed his fingers lightly against the table, waiting.
His gaze wandered across the room, past the bar, toward the far corner where the light didn't quite reach. That's when he noticed them.
Two figures, not speaking, not drinking. Just… sitting.
Natalak frowned slightly as he watched their every movement, every gesture of their hand.
One of them shifted—just enough for the magical light to catch the edge of their face.
Their eyes didn't move away. And he can tell their movements were rather perilous, as if they were being hunted.
"Okay," Natalak muttered under his breath. "That's not normal." He adds that's when, suddenly, the two quickly take their exit.
Itching to shadow their trails, Natalak looks around, and still, Riya didn't take her exit. In the end, curiosity got the better of him.