Towards the main house of the adventurers' guild, a party of adventurers was called. Their armours gleam, their posture is that of no ordinary person. They walk in confidence just as a man walks through a demon's enclave.
Footsteps echo through the hallways, as morning light beams through the glass.
A man, a servant of the guild, leads the group through a chamber, and a noble-like figure is waiting for them.
Dressed in an office uniform. Silky long brown hair and a captivating face.
"Greetings, Sir Roland and his fellow companions. I thank you for coming."
"Lord Lavarent, it is a pleasure to meet you," Ulgar replied, hands placed on his chest before giving a slight bow.
Lavarent nods back. "I'm sorry for calling you at this hour. I have a request that might need your strength." The man followed, then sat at his flamboyant desk, with documents laid out on the table.
"The king and I have spoken." He continues scribbling his signature on one of the documents. "Lord Reigal and I had agreed that your position as one of the king's guards is shifted to Lord Ariendal." Lavarent then hands over the document.
"As for the reward, I will personally be the one to compensate."
Roland nods just as they were reading the contract.
"If I may, Lord Lavarent. There must be a reason for you to go this far?" Roland inquires, passing the contract to Ulgar.
Lavarent gave a faint smile. "It's rather more sentimental… Lord Ariendal was once my teacher. But more than that, his family was the first to raise the foundation of this guild, even to this day."
The group's eyes widen. "I didn't know about that?"
Lavarent again smiled. "Nobles and merchants are no different from soldiers or adventurers. Call it a war of shadows."
"I see, did Lord Ariendal recover?" Ulgar implores.
Lavarent shook his head. "Even Lady Ferish herself was unable to grasp the difficulty of Ariendal's curse. She said she'd try looking for a cure there at Endregar."
The group's eyes came together, and one by one, Roland's companions nodded in approval.
"It appears we've made a decision." Roland gives the final nod. "We agree to your request." Roland continues, extending his hand toward Lavarent.
"I am truly grateful for accepting such a request, Sir Roland. Your coming was a blessing from the gods." Lavarent replied, accepting Roland's shake.
The document was signed not by blood or any means of magic. Just a scrawl of their signatures was enough.
Far away from the main guild, crossing mountains and rugged roads. Passing a merchant's caravan, accompanied by a group of adventurers on horses… soon comes a village of Ma' Valan.
Back at Ma' Valan, Ashalain and Natalak reached a stable. Stones covered the floor, with only a few grass shoots emerging from the cracks and gaps. There was no stench of excrement, only the smell of wood and straw… and when Ashalain went to negotiate with the owner—
"I don't know how to ride a horse," Natalak mutters, interrupting Ashalain. His voice hints of embarrassment.
"What?!" Ashalain gave a blank expression, as her mouth slightly opened. "Please tell me you're lying?"
"I'm not lying, I really don't know how to ride a horse." His eyes were intently looking at the wagon.
"By the Gods…" The paladin expressed disappointment. "What am I going to do with this man?" Ashalain rubs her forehead, tracing Natalak's eyes.
Shifting other means of transportation, Ashalain seeks a carriage to rent—
"Apologise, Lady Shilvia, all the carriages had been leased. But we can make a reservation for you, though it will arrive tomorrow morning." A female receptionist gave a slight bow.
"That won't be necessary, madam." Ashalain raised her hand. "I'll see what I can do. I'm in a hurry, you see."
Bartering sincere gratitude from each other, the paladin takes her leave. Outside, she was, her eyes rolling from Natalak's action.
Insensible to his surroundings, the man circles the entrance. His eyes swayed left and right, his head turned, seeking every corner, and even towards the noble carriages. Hoping a gleaming coin would sprout.
"Come here!" The paladin scoffed, tired from his shenanigans, and snatched the man as she dragged him to another building.
Enters where merchants rest, where traders barter coins, goods and words. Her presence and the status she carries quickly made merchants drool over her. A single sentence was enough to draw dozens of merchants, seeking a connection with her family.
From behind was Natalak. His eyes stay steady, measuring, observing the people and the paladin's decision.
Old or not, for he can tell their words and their actions were slick with honey. But the atmosphere of their essences was full of lead.
"Perhaps another time." Ashalain smiled. "I will return when I have made my decisions." Her voice—calm and forgiving to the ears.
"This woman…" Natalak's eyes followed her, taking the exit door.
Outside the inn, Ashalain watches her surroundings, arms crossed, eyes searching. Then something caught her interest—she smiled.
Fifty meters from where they stand, a man, an old, weary merchant man, was inspecting the wagon's wheel. He had no companions, no adventurers to accompany his goods, no protectors to buffer his life. The only one was a young man, a kid organising the goods. And just as he begins his journey—
"May I trouble you, o' good man?" Comes Ashalain.
The old merchant paused his action, speechless to mutter a sentence. Perhaps he might have recognised Ashalain's noble status.
"Might I ask where you are heading?" The paladin continues.
The merchant nods slowly. "To the capital, my lady… is there something you need, madam Shilvia?"
Ashalain sighs in relief just as a faint smile envelops her face.
"We're from the adventurer's guild. I was hoping that we could accompany you on your journey. The capital's order disconnected the teleportation stone."
The old man nods. "I'm sorry to hear that, Lady Shilvia. But I am in financial trouble that I cannot even hire an adventurer to shelter my goods."
"We can skip that." The lady raises her hand. "We merely seek transportation with you. In return, we'll give our utmost protection."
Surprised by her offer, the merchant nods. "I'm most grateful for your offer, Lady Ashalain de Shilvia. If I might, ask my Lady, are the two of you the only people joining the journey?"
Ashalain nods. "Yes, though if you may, could you wait for us to prepare our gear?"
"Certainly."
She cast a glance at the man, whose presence was like that of a snail with a damaged shell. No gears to offer him resistance; all he could do was stand frozen, awaiting her next move.
"Follow me." She spoke after passing the man.
"Where are we going again?"
"You need gears, more than I do. A situation such as this instigates outlaws ploughing through the road."
Crossing the threshold of the armoury shop. And at the counter lie two guild officers: a human and a female dwarf. Gliding both of her adventure and her family's crest, the two immediately gave her the utmost welcome.
"I need equipment from my companion. If it serves, I would like you to put it on my tab."
"Right away, Lady Shilvia." The human receptionist nods. "And what items shall your companions be having?"
"He'll be the one to choose."
Pacing back at Natalak, who stood around observing the varieties of equipment—
"What?" Natalak said, gazing at the paladin.
"What kind of armour and weapons do you prefer? And make it quick, we don't have enough time."
"Leather, maybe… with some sword and shield. And if best, perhaps a sprinkle of strong enchantment?" Pleads Natalak, smiling at the paladin.
Raising her eyebrow at Natalak's demand, she too returns with a smile.
The door creaks, and outside the shop, Natalak wears padded armour, face smeared with disappointment. A simple short sword and the shoddiest buckler were in his hand. There were no enchantments to be sensed, not even a speck of magic lingered from his equipment.
"Hurry up, our carriage is waiting."
Left with no choice, Natalak sheathes his weapon and follows her. And before the wagon's wheel turns, Ashalain requested to sit right beside the driver, whilst Natalak sits at the far rear of the wagon, together with the young man.
Thus, the two begin their journey once again.