At the Vanguard Guild Training Ground:
Silence hung heavy after Kael said he was D-Rank. William Arthur stared, his eyes wide. "What the *hell* did you just say?" he repeated, voice full of shock.
Kael looked down, his voice quiet. "Yeah... I'm... D-Rank."
Everyone stared. The hunters who had laughed at his D-Rank card earlier were now stunned. How can someone so strong be D-Rank? they wondered.
Kael felt uncomfortable. I don't want everyone looking at me. I just want to be normal here. He turned to leave. "Sorry, I have to go."
"Stop!" William called out. Kael paused. William managed a smile. "Did you... did you get your Guild ID card?"
Kael nodded. "Yes."
"Good," William said, relief in his voice. At least he's part of our guild now. "Okay then. See you around, Kael Jones."
Kael quickly walked away from the staring crowd. William watched him go, then turned to George Henry. "What kind of mystery is that kid?"
George nodded slowly. "A big one, sir. A very big one."
At Miller's Restaurant (Weaver's Quarter):
Emma walked back into the small, simple restaurant with Maria. Their father, Miller, sat slumped in a chair. His eyes burned with anger.
"So! You finally decided to come back from the woods, huh?" he growled. He suddenly slammed his fist on the table. "WHERE THE HELL IS THE FIREWOOD?!"
Before Emma could answer, Miller stood up and slapped her hard across the face! SMACK! Emma stumbled backwards, crying out.
Maria screamed, "NO! Leave my sister alone, Father! We got robbed! Bad men took the wood! They tried to hurt Didi and kill us! But then... someone came and scared them away!"
Emma quickly pulled Maria close, covering her sister's mouth. Tears streamed down Emma's bruised cheek. "No, Maria! Don't shout! Remember what I told you? Be polite to elders!" Maria started sobbing loudly.
Miller just sneered. "Ooooh, look, the baby's crying!" He stepped towards Emma and kicked her leg. THUD! She cried out in pain. "I don't CARE about robbers! I want wood! I need money! Get it!" He stormed towards the door. "If this happens again," he snarled, looking back, "you'll be sorry. Really sorry." He slammed the door behind him.
Emma crawled to the corner of the dim room, pulling Maria into her lap. She held her crying sister tightly. "Shhh, shhh," Emma whispered, her own voice choked with tears. "Don't cry. You don't need to cry. It's okay." But her eyes were filled with fear and sadness.
In Velmora City - The Gilded Grove Inn:
Kael walked through the darkening streets of Velmora. Whew. Got a job... sort of. Now, where do I sleep? Night was coming. I need a place to stay... an inn or something.
He spotted a building with a sign: The Gilded Grove. It looked like an inn. Hopeful, Kael walked inside.
A young woman sat behind a counter. Kael walked up, speaking softly. "Can I get a room?"
"Yes, sir," the receptionist replied. "Two copper coins for one month."
Kael's heart sank. Coins? I don't have any money! "Uh," he stammered, feeling awkward. "Do you... accept things? Like, trade? Swords or daggers? I... I don't have coins."
The receptionist looked at Kael. He was handsome, with sharp features and intense eyes. She blushed slightly. "Y-yes, sir," she said, her voice a little flustered. "We accept valuable items."
Kael was surprised she agreed so easily. Is it because...? He pushed the thought away. He reached into his bag and pulled out the rusty, slightly curved dagger he'd taken from a goblin in the dungeon. It wasn't pretty, but it was metal. "Will this work?"
The receptionist took the goblin dagger, examining it quickly. "Yes, sir. This is acceptable." She handed Kael a heavy metal key. "Your room is on the second floor. Turn right. It's the fourth door."
Kael managed a small, tired smile. "Thank you." He took the key, the metal cool in his hand. A room. My own space. He headed towards the stairs, finally feeling a tiny bit of peace after a very long day.
(Chapter 12 Fin)