"Have we received anything from her recently, Abby?" A middle aged lady sat in her study looking over reports alongside her husband.
"No, Lady Dawnblade. Lady Camilla has not sent any letters in almost three weeks."
"That foolish daughter of mine. Just what has she been up to?" Her fist hit the desk, causing a loud bang and making the maid flinch. "Haaa. What about Lady Sarina? Has she sent anything?"
"Actually, we just received a letter from her." Abby stepped forward and handed over the letter to her madam, who quickly opened it and began reading.
Dear Corvax and Melissa
I write to inform you that our city came under attack recently and was completely destroyed. I, alongside my husband, are currently leading the survivors to our "home". Unfortunately, Aurora and Camilla are not with us, but while I don't know where our daughters are, I do know they are safe. If my guess is correct, they will come to you first. Stay discreet and be careful who you trust.
-Sarina
P.S. Hide the key to your secret library.
Once Melissa finished the letter, she handed it to her husband, who read it before setting it alight using a candle. "Abby, leave us."
"At once, my Lady." She bowed and left the room. Once she closed the door, a magic barrier covered the room, allowing no sound to escape. "It seems things have gotten serious. We should configure the lock to feel for our mana. Only a dragonkin could break through that."
Corvax gave her a serious expression. "Should we tell Camilla about that when she comes home?"
"We'll decide when that time comes. For now, it's time to cull the snakes." Melissa waved her hand, and the barrier dispersed before ringing a bell. When Abby heard the bell, she reentered the room after knocking.
"Yes, madam?"
"Ah, good. Abby, gather all the staff except for Thomas and Suesei. Inform them we no longer require their services." She tossed Abby a bag of gold coins. "Give everyone two gold coins as severance pay."
Abby nodded and left to perform her duties. Melissa turned to Corvax as she stood. "Its time to complete the ritual." The two disappeared into their secret library where they remained for several hours.
~~~~~~~~~
Aurora and Camilla entered the city hall, skipping past the reception desk and heading up to Amy's office, ignoring the security telling them to stop. The guard at the door attempted to restrain them, but Aurora simply trapped him in ice from the waist down. She then blocked off the hallway with an ice wall, stopping any further pursuers.
Without knocking, she entered the room to see Amy having a conversation with someone wearing a cloak. Aurora didn't need to guess who it was, though, the pink ends of her hair sticking out giving away her identity.
"Ah, Aurora, Camilla. Here to make your report, I assume?"
"Something like that. Is Mel here doing the same?"
"Hmm? Oh no no. I'm just here visiting my old man. Right, father?" Mel wore a cheerful expression as she spoke.
"Yes. What's it been now? 6 months since you disappeared?" Aurora and Camilla sat down as the father and daughter duo talked. Aurora wrote up a report of their findings while they conversed, omitting the details regarding the dragon tattoo. Once she finished, she clapped once to get their attention.
"Here are our findings about the soil quality levels, animal and monster population numbers, along with a map detailing their movement patterns." She spoke in a code they had agreed upon the day before. Amy took the book and placed it inside his desk to look over later.
"Thank you both for your help." Amy reached out his hand towards Aurora who reached out her own. Amy gave her another filled with 6 more gold coins, the other half of her pay for the quest, and bid them farewell.
"Of course. If you don't mind, we'll leave through the window." The duo approached and opened the window to the balcony.
"Why would you need to leave that way?" Mel questioned. "The stairs work just fine, you know?"
Aurora stuck out her tongue and winked at Mel. "We may have forced our way past the guards."
Mel could only stare at them, awestruck by their stupidity. "Why the hell- haaa… whatever. Get out of here then." She waved them off before glaring at her father. "Old man, you better clear this up for them."
"Of course I will. No need to ask."
The duo exited out the window with Mel shutting it behind them. Aurora led the way along the balcony until they reached the end of the one they were on. She looked over the edge and saw no one below them.
"Alright, Camilla. Your time to shine with that earth magic of yours. We need a ladder or something to get down with."
"On it." She moved past Aurora, peering over the edge as she channeled her mana, imagining an earthen ladder rising up to where the where. The ladder formed soon after, allowing them to swiftly descend and make their escape. The ladder sank back into the earth behind them.
They slowed down to a walk once they made it a good distance away from city hall. "Well, that was fun, but let's not do that again next time, Aurora."
"Okay, okay. I just wanted to get it done swiftly." She tucked her loose hair behind her ear as they walked out into an open square that was full of stalls selling a multitude of wares. "Ooo~ Look at this, Camilla!"
Aurora held up a matching set of silver and blue armlets. "Don't these look adorable?"
The elderly woman behind the stall let out a chuckle. "Such lively young folks we have here. Looking for a gift for someone special?"
Aurora blushed at her comment before proudly declaring, "I'm looking for an ornate bracelet to fit my companion here. Either that or something enchanted if you have anything like that."
"Deary if you want enchanted items, you wouldn't find them in an open market like this. Best try a magic shop for those." She reached for something behind her, pulling out a small wooden box and placing it on her stall. "However, these might catch your interest. Go ahead and take a look inside."
Aurora opened the box slowly. Inside was a brooch with a silver dragon curling around it. So many dragon-related items are suddenly appearing? Can't it be a coincidence, right? She immediately shut the box, looking at the seller. "How much?"
"Twenty gold coins youn-" Aurora cut her off as she placed the gold in front of her. The lady's eyes flashed with greed. "Thank you for your patronage."
Aurora simply nodded, stuffing the box into her bag, and motioned for Camilla to follow her. She noticed several cloaked figures mixed into the crowd watching them, which made her increase her stride.
"Aurora. Why are you in such a rush?" Camilla questioned her once she caught up.
"They're following us again. We need to get back to the guild." They left the market and swiftly made it inside the guild without being stopped, yet Aurora knew they were still watching.
"Camilla, we need to find a third member with whom we could form a party with," Aurora said as she looked over the quest board. They were lacking a good support to round out their party, with Camilla being their frontline and Aurora handling midrange. They needed someone who could watch Camilla's back but also protect Aurora in case of an ambush.
"That might be difficult unless we recruit new adventurers. Veterans will already have established parties." Camilla looked around the lobby, not spotting anyone who appeared to be solo.
"Um, excuse me? I couldn't help but overhear you were looking for support?" A small tan-skinned girl stood before them. She wore a simple outfit consisting of leather shorts and a cropped shirt that exposed her midriff. She had leather greaves and carried spiked gauntlets. A yellow headband sat upon her head, and a small dagger hung from her belt.
"And you are?" Aurora raised her brow at her bizarre outfit.
"I'm Stella. The best all-around support type in these parts! Pleasure to meet you, miss uh?"
"Aurora."
"Miss Aurora. So what do you say?"
Aurora looked over at Camilla who nodded at her. "Alright, Stella. We can give you a shot to prove yourself. Lets go register and then take on this quest," She held up the request, asking for the elimination of a pack of demonic wolves.
The girl beamed once they accepted. "I won't let you down!" Aurora could only chuckle and shake her head at such enthusiasm. They approached Brandy who had just finished helping another adventurer.
"Ah Aurora, welcome back! How can I help you today?" She asked in the same professional manner as always
"We want to form a party with the three of us to take on a quest together," Aurora set the paper on the counter.
"Forming a party, got it. I just need the names and ranks of all members plue the name of your party." Brandy pulled out a form to fill out. "Camilla first, then Aurora, and you last."
"Camilla. Sand rank."
"Aurora. Sand rank."
"Stella. Quartz rank."