I let out a great yawn while I stretch, the joints in my shoulders and back cracking. The short nap was precisely what I needed and I’m filled with far greater energy than before, as much as can be with a growling stomach harassing me with need. I rifle through my satchel for more hardtack and start popping chunks into my mouth while I gather the pieces of my armor. The hard biscuit crunches between my teeth as I scrub grime and gore from inside the various sections of adamantine. The tedious work has me considering buying an artifact with a prestidigitation spell when I have the extra funds.

  It will be worth it for the amount of time I save. If only I still had that mace I’d enchanted, when I find whoever took it, I’ll make sure to clean their blood off me with it. How I wish I had made cursed pieces of armor; boots that cause gout, helmets of hair loss, codpiece of permanent impotence. Heh heh heh

  After passing the time scrubbing while imagining my petty revenge, I decide it’s time to finally get on with what I traveled here for. The Adventurer’s Guild, a gathering of shady ne’er-do-wells plotting their next crimes while harassing the good folk of the area, that is if the rumours are to be believed. Whether I should trust the gossiping drunks at the Flying Drake is yet to be seen, but as Lydia would say, ‘fool’s gold still sparks when struck’. The stinging in my eyes and warmth on my cheeks tell me I would have been better off not thinking about that.

  My grip tightens around the metal pieces, holding fast to the image of Sierri, knowing she's somewhere inside. It's small comfort as I don the armor, surrounding myself in her faint presence. I feel the abyss threatening to swallow me whole if I let go.

  Haaah, it was starting to look like an alright day too.

  Exiting from the sanctity of my private space, I drag myself down the wooden corridors of the inn to the dining area, the sounds of conversation and smell of cooked meat both much stronger than earlier. Patrons crowd the space now, most tables already occupied by those in the familiar garb of travelers and merchants. I spot the drow innkeeper darting between tables while holding trays of food and chatting with the customers, looking a blend of stressed and cheerful. A growl from my stomach at the scent of smoked sausage has me glancing at my satchel disdainfully for the hardtack contained within, gritting my teeth as I retrieve a piece.

  “‘ello miss Maughth Miirx, is there somethin’ ya’d like?” He asks jovially, only a hint of flushed color in his cheeks.

  Good, he’s only a bit embarrassed and not scared this time.

  “Wish I could eat, but I’m too busy today. And just Eliza is fine, not much of a noble anymore.” I respond cordially, stopping myself from giving a smile as I realize it’s pointless with the helmet on. “Ah and apologies, but I don’t recall your name.”

  “E-Elias miss Mau- Eliza. Tats my name, Elias, err not Eliza.” His cheeks are burning by the time he’s finished and I can’t for the life of me figure out how I managed to intimidate him this time.

  I should pick up some paint, this is getting ridiculous.

  “Good to meet you Elias, now if you don’t mind I’ll be on my way.” Before I drain a few years from your life. I leave the last part unsaid of course, it’d be rude to point out. He gives a stiff bow and scurries away as I let out a sigh, hoping I can make a better impression next time.

  I take a moment to massage out the stiffness in my neck before moving toward the exit, being greeted by the heavy creaking of the waterwheels and rushing sound of the river as I step outside. It’s a quaint town despite its large size and frequent trade from across the border.

  I’d have expected more development considering the amount of coin that must pass through.

  The idiosyncrasy only becomes more apparent when the road spreads into chaos the further I go, buildings built without much consideration for planning. As I view more of the town, the atmosphere takes on a quality that is no longer homely and is instead rather destitute. Doors and shutters that are in dire need of repair, holes in roof thatching, and a paranoid hopelessness reflected in the few haggard people wandering about.

  The worn-down buildings stand in stark contrast to the Adventurers Guild, a massive flag embroidered with the dragon’s eye insignia rippling in the wind and visible from across the town. When I come upon the guild building I’m struck by the unique design of the structure, the squared horseshoe shape surrounding a courtyard from which the noise of clashing steel and wood can be heard. The full size of the building is exceptionally large and I wouldn’t be surprised if every adventurer in the region could be housed within.

  A massive set of oak double doors capable of driving a carriage through is set into the side of the building, denoting the main entrance. The hinges of which creak of obvious neglect as I push both sides open, the noise a better alarm than most enchantments. As soon as I enter, I’m bowled over by the stench of stale sweat, ale, and vomit. The raucous sounds of merrymaking and clinking glasses ringing out as if it weren’t still morning. Waitresses in low-cut clothes flitter between tables and serve alcohol and seductive winks, some even escorting patrons to private rooms.

  For a moment I think I might have gotten the wrong place, but the reception counter with guild insignia let me know, despite every other indication, that this is the adventurer’s guild. A roguish woman with a wicked scar cutting across her cheeks is standing behind the counter, a knife twirling with incredible speed in between her fingers. She eyes me with a dead stare from behind the pitch black of her bangs, but quickly returns to her bored watch of the seedy bar area.

  “You here for fighting or fucking?” She asks in a deadpan voice once I’m within a step of the counter, the blunt question taking me completely off guard.

  “Excuse me?” I blurt out.

  “Ah, fighting then. Unless you’re into gals, don’t worry we’ll keep your preferences secret.”

  The way she speaks makes me believe I could murder someone in cold blood in front of her and she wouldn’t even bat an eye. I’m too stunned to respond and stand in awkward silence, the woman eventually giving a sigh and pinning the knife she was spinning to the wooden counter.

  “Look, miss-”

  “I’m here to register for the guild.” I cut her off before the conversation can get any more awkward.

  “Great, registration is two gold. I’ll cast identify and as long as everything comes up clean you get your insignia and access to quests. The guild will decide if you are eligible for a quest before taking one and the guild rules are town rules. No murder, no stealing, no assault. You will be removed from the guild permanently if found guilty. Do you understand?” She lists the information dispassionately and I wonder how she even got this position in the first place.

  “I understand,” I say with a short nod.

  I slide the two gold coins to her and she snaps a wand out with a flick, casting a spell that thrums with immense power. Rolling open a scroll, she dabs a quill in an inkpot and scribbles something onto it with a smooth flourish of her wrist. The moment she’s done, she flicks a pin at me that I almost fumble to the ground and immediately goes back to spinning her knife and staring out at the guild hall.

  “Goblins, 1 silver per ear. And no, there's nothing else you can take right now.” She answers my unspoken question, her emerald eyes still staring off into the room.

  It appears the rumors weren’t far off.

  Gripping my satchel close, I stuff the pin inside and wander over to a free table just off center of the room. I drop into the wooden seat, keeping my ears open for any mention of a soldier passing through or similar conversation, trying to ignore the atmosphere that’s making my skin crawl. My eyes are drawn to a harpy man dressed in elegance like he’s attending a ball, several rough-looking men seated at the same table as him. Everything from the cushioned seats to the quality of the wood screams of wealth that clashes with the grimy surroundings. The man surveys the hall as if he were an emperor looking upon his subjects, a jeweled goblet in one hand and a fawning woman gripped in the other.

  There's a tension in the air, hushed whispers in between the raucous laughter, a constant vigilance on even the most inebriated patron. A harpy waitress approaches my table only a few moments into my eavesdropping and while normally I don’t mind being fussed over by a pretty woman, there’s a disgusting edge to this place that I can’t shake.

  “Can I get something for you?” She asks with a nervous smile, but it doesn’t reach her eyes, which radiate a sense of resigned sadness.

  It doesn't appear I'll be getting any information in this setting.

  “How much for the company?” I slide a gold over to her, trying to keep the anxious pounding of my heart from coming through in my tone. Her face shifts through several expressions of surprise and distaste, before her eyes settle on the coin and goes back to the fake companionable one.

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  “T-two gold miss.” She states resolutely, her hands tightening as I retrieve the second coin.

  A small spark of alarm pulses from Sierri’s soul and I’m certain now that she has some manner of awareness, but there’s nothing I can do to explain to her at the moment. I take hold of the woman’s hand as I rise to my feet, her wings fluttering a bit with nervous energy as she guides me across the room. The smell hits me like a wall as we get closer to the private areas, my nose wrinkling at the pungent sour musk. The brief relief I feel when we arrive at an unoccupied room is washed away by the intense odor that wafts out as soon as the door opens.

  I have so very many regrets.

  There’s little more than a stained bed and wardrobe that I refuse to acknowledge. As soon as we enter, she shuts and locks the door behind us while I take a seat on the disgusting sheets. I would rather burn the bedding than touch it, but it’s a sacrifice I’ll make to appear less intimidating. She hovers near the doorway while I’m removing my helmet, seemingly gathering her courage.

  “I’ve never done this with a-” She starts, but I cut her off.

  “I just need to talk.” I quickly say, the words causing her to let out a sigh of relief and somehow disappointment.

  Does she think I won’t give her the gold now?

  “I’ll still pay you, don’t worry. I’ve only recently arrived, so I was hoping for some information. If that’s okay?” Following my reassurance by holding out the gold coins for her to take, which she eagerly does, though with the slight hint of dissatisfaction still evident.

  Am I missing something? Did I screw up again somewhere? Probably, and I’m too single-minded to figure out what it is.

  There’s a surge of amusement coming from within my armor and it’s clear that Sierri already knows whatever it is. I heave a sigh and focus back to what I came here for in the first place, the waitress seeming to sense the shift too, because she responds before I can speak.

  “So what's it you want to know?” She asks curtly while casually twirling the end of her long single braid, her whole demeanor shifting from the cheery act she had on before to one of pure business.

  “Let’s start with what in the hells is going on with this guild.” I spout, gesturing my arms at the entire space around me.

  “Tch, that’s Verdin’s handy work, pompous bastard. He’s the noble in charge of the town.” She physically spits out his name, not that it could make the room any less clean than it is. “Charges for everything, but lets you ‘borrow’ from him at a cost. Everyone’s in debt here. Everyone. Some of the gals are like me, trying to get out as fast as possible.”

  “And they can’t run to Grimnorn?”

  “Nothing he’s doing is illegal; we try to run and the border guards will bring us back for ‘punishment’.” Saying the word causes her whole body to shudder and I don’t need it explained to know whatever it is, is awful. “People still try and I pray they get away with it.”

  Not that I needed any more reason to hate this country, what a terrible mess I’ve walked into. Alright, let’s focus on one thing at a time.

  “This will seem a strange change of topic, but have there been any soldiers passing through here?” I ask, my teeth grinding despite my attempt to remain calm.

  “Hmmm, a few people who walk and talk like military, but nobody in uniform. None of the army has been around here for a season at least.” She says with her brow furrowed in concentration.

  It’s not a surprising revelation. I doubt they’d want to advertise committing a massacre and the soldiers would likely have removed any recognizable part of their uniforms while fleeing. If there is someone who knows, it’d likely be the local noble in charge.

  That means talking to Verdin. Hells, I think I’m going to be sick.

  “So anything else you want? More questions, a massage, maybe a tongue bath?” She crosses her arms while watching me with an amused smirk as I rub the bridge of my nose in frustration.

  “Was there a reason for that whole charade out there?” I ask.

  I’ve put on a smile for people, but she may as well be a different person.

  “The innocent, vulnerable, and shy act gets more money in this place.” She shrugs her shoulders. “It’s a job, I do the work and get paid and hopefully I get the hells out of here. Not what I dreamed of, but I’m doing what I can with what I’ve got.”

  “Doing a better job of it than me,” I respond, meaning every word of it. “I’m Eliza, if you wished to know. I realize I had forgotten to introduce myself.”

  “Lucielle, and it’s no bother. Wish I could say we’d see each other again Eliza, but I’ll be in Grimnorn by the end of the day thanks to these two gold. Check the jewelers if you travel that way, perhaps I’ll have been apprenticed by then.” She gives me a radiant smile that has my heart skipping a beat before she exits out the door with a quick wink, leaving me alone once more.

  Well, there are worse ways to get fleeced out of my coin.

  Backing out of the disgusting room, I spy a few wary gazes tracking me as I cross the tavern, dodging splashing ale and even a flying glass on my way out. Verdin might have the information I need, but my instincts tell me approaching him right now and at my level would be a poor decision at best. Better to focus on getting strong enough to escape if need be, which means heading into the barrow.

  The moment I make it to the guild counter, two people get up from their table and start moving toward me, my muscles tensing as they approach. One of them is a gnome woman who is fancifully dressed, her dark black robes have beautiful runic inscriptions of gold around the edges with ruby accents in tasteful elegance. Her crimson hair is equally perfected in a braid resembling a laurel crown that ties into a knot behind her head. There's a gentleness in her emerald eyes, matching the unrestrained smile she wears.

  Her companion is in many ways her exact opposite and yet so very similar. A large orcish man with a severe grimace and sharp tusks, yet a glimmer of that same kindness sparks from within his hazel eyes. A tabard emblazoned with Calyndra’s symbol covers much of his half-plate, but the fabric is torn and plates dented, his large wooden shield and mace not faring much better.

  Did the goddess send them, or is that a coincidence?

  “Excuse me, miss. Terribly sorry to bother you, but would you perhaps be Eliza Maugth Miirx?” The gnomish woman asks in a soft but energetic voice. She has the rigid posture and practiced grace of a demure noble lady, even in this seedy place. The fact that she used my full name has a chill of suspicion running down my spine.

  “Divine guidance.” The man adds with a rumbling voice, having clearly noticed my wariness.

  So I was right.

  “Yes, that's me. What is this about?” I ask evenly while keeping an eye out for any other surprises. When I see Verdin’s cold gaze locked in our direction, I immediately regret stopping within view of him.

  “Our goddess-” She begins before I interrupt.

  “We should talk outside,” I state, moving toward the exit without waiting for a response. As soon as I shove the door open and step into open air, I breathe out a sigh of relief. The choking atmosphere of the guild was starting to wear on me. The two following me appear unbothered by the sudden escape, likely as eager to leave as I was.

  “As I was saying, our goddess informed us of your presence here.” She relays while performing as perfect a curtsy as I’ve ever seen. “You may call me Velliandra and this is my companion Krogak. It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Maugth Miirx.”

  “Greetings, my Lady.” The orc man says while inclining his head in the formal greeting I so loathed as a child.

  “Just Eliza, I don’t like titles and I’m not much of a noble,” I respond curtly, hoping to cut off the bothersome rituals and etiquette. “So what did you want?”

  “Thank the goddess, I couldn’t stomach another of Vel’s etiquette lessons.” Krogak points his thumb up in the sky in what I assume is some type of prayer, a strange custom I’ve never encountered before.

  “Ahem, well it is a pleasure all the same, Eliza. While I do not wish to burden you, we would be ever so grateful if you would agree to adventure with us.” She states, her speech not having dropped the formal tone even an ounce. “We are truthfully at our wits' end. The other members of the guild are indebted to Sir Verdin and work at his discretion, while we remain independent and thus shunned.”

  “He’s a right bastard that one.” Krogak’s vitriolic comment draws a surprised gasp from the gnome woman, but he simply shrugs his shoulders at her. “It’s the truth.”

  “And I do not disagree, however I urge you to have more caution in public.” Her concerned pout could drive a stake of guilt through mithril plate, though her words are no less true for it.

  I had forgotten how many inane laws existed in this country.

  “So, back to the main point. Calyndra told you we should group up together?” I ask, attempting to steer the conversation away from topics that could get us executed.

  “In a manner of speaking, yes. We will not be a burden on you I promise.” Velliandra responds with a joyful clasp of her hands and a short bow.

  I had not decided yet if I would brave the burrow alone or attempt to gather companions for the delve, but if this is a request from the goddess then I should probably not refuse. If their attire is any indication, then they have classes which compliment my own and I wonder if that was something Calyndra had a hand in.

  I should at least give them a chance.

  “Alright, I had planned to explore the barrow this afternoon. Will that work for you two?” I ask, unable to fully dispel my trepidation.

  Followers of the goddess are likely the most trustworthy companions I'll get in this town and I can always commit to fighting on my own if we don't get along well.

  “Yes, finally!” Krogak shouts joyously while cracking his knuckles. “I couldn't take another week of sitting on our asses. Poor Vel might have set the town on fire.”

  “Absolutely not.” She exclaims in horror, “I would never harm innocents and there are far more acceptable targets to burn regardless.”

  I have a feeling my innate fire resistance is going to be getting significant use…

  “Great, I have some errands to run now. Are you fine with meeting up at the Inn near the river at noon?” Time is short for the tasks I wish to complete, so I skip the pleasantries. Krogak appears as eager to move along as I, but Velliandra seems a touch disappointed. At least I think she is, it's difficult to tell through the thick aura of pleasant cheeriness she exudes.

  “An excellent idea, we will prepare ourselves for the task ahead then make our way to the Underbark Inn.” She gives me a short curtsy before smoothly spinning around and strolling away with Krogak marching protectively behind her.

  Not even noon yet, what a busy day this is turning into.