Enter the Estate of the Shilvia family…
"I'm sorry, Lady Shilvia, for abruptly withdrawing from our duties," Roland said, bowing towards Ashalain.
Dressed in noble gothic attire, Ashalain raised her palm. "Don't be concerned, Sir Roland." Ashalain followed with a smile. "The guild has reasons for relieving you of your duties. Moreover, I'm more than grateful for looking after my father during my absence." She adds, as she quickly follows with a bow.
Roland nods. "It was our duty as fellow adventurers. Sadly, we are unable to heal lord Ariendal's condition, but we'll surely return when Lady Ferish finds the cure."
"Thank you… that means a lot to me. If by any means, I can arrange a carriage for your return to the city. Rain is growing restless as days pass. Ashalain replied with a disciplined, noble posture.
Roland paused for a moment before nodding. 'Very well, Lady Shilvia, I'll accept your generosity. We've spent enough nights sleeping beside a campfire. I think my companions would appreciate a comfortable roof over their heads once."
Ashalain smiled and escorted Roland and his companions to the entrance. As the heroes left the estate, a carriage soon stopped, prompting Ashalain to return from the gate. And as the carriage door opened, a female mage exited the cart.
"You called?" Mishel asked, giving the paladin an annoyed look.
"Took you long enough," Ashalain replied, raising an eyebrow.
Mishel sighed heavily, "What do you want me to do now? Let me guess: Is this about that man with the bag?"
Ignoring Mishel's frustrated words, Ashalain gazed through the sky. "We should head inside. You must be hungry from your travels."
The carriage rolled away, and so did the two. And once breakfast was served, Mishel and Ashalain sat on an isolated balcony.
"Can you try looking for the owner of this book?" Ashalain spoke, placing Natalak's book on the table.
"Why am I not surprised?" Mishel's eyes widened.
"Was the owner of this book the man who holds the artefact and the one who stole your sword?" Mishel replied as she turned the pages, quite fascinated by the drawings and writings. "Alright…" Mishel added, folding the book after taking a quick scan, "Let's see where you are."
Before Mishel could begins her ritual, she took a deep breath and firmly held the book. And when she closed her eyes, her spirit was pulled to the astral plane. She could see through the material plane, yet the one thing she was searching for was the book itself.
"There you are." Mishel smiled as she peered through a golden thread that emerged from the book, stretching toward a certain place.
Upon her fingers touching the golden thread, Mishel's spirit was pulled all the way to Ravalind.
"Gotcha!" Mishel mutters upon seeing Natalak slowly strolling towards the group of caravans after speaking to a bystander. "Now where are you going—" Before she could continue, the Book, which was strapped to Natalak's belt, throbbed as if it sensed her presence. And before she could perceive what could happen, she was flung back to her body.
"Water, I need a cup of water," Mishel said, coughing and panting.
Ashalain did not speak a word spoke, quickly acted. She scurried as if her friend were at death's door. But given a moment, Mishel quickly recovered.
"That man, Natalak, was it?" Mishel spoke after drinking a litre of water. "You're still hiding things, aren't you?"
"What do you mean?" Ashalain said, quite baffled by her friend's expression.
"It's hard to describe, but that man holds something that disrupted my abilities. Any reason why?"
Ashalain paused for a moment, eyes gazing at the tiles. "I don't know… the only artefact he holds that I know of was the bag of Inagang."
Mishel exhaled deeply before soothing herself in the chair. "He's at Ravalind. You can go and ask the locals about his whereabouts. Perhaps you might obtain decent information." Mishel suggest. "As for you, you owe me fifteen silvers."
"Fifteen!" Ashalain voiced.
"Hey, I nearly got myself in danger. And I'll tell Garrick about your little secret if you don't make it twenty."
"Fine." Ashalain rolled her eyes. "You greedy goblin." She added, staring towards Ravalind.
"I'm rather curious, Ashley… I did hear the news that unknown companions helped a hard-headed, stubborn paladin rescue the people from captivity." Mishel said as she propped her head up. "You don't usually take a rescue mission, Ashley, so what changed?"
Ashalain hesitated, eyes looking at the cup of coffee, as her thoughts were lost in pondering that moment with Natalak. Thus far, the paladin, too, wore a melancholic look, as though she could never grasp what she had felt that day. The day she said that word 'Thank goodness... I'm glad no one finally died.'
Ashalain gave a deep sigh, followed by a smile. "The thing is—"
As the sunrise finally passed, the light begins to heighten. Swallowing his mortification, Natalak walked towards the caravan that would soon start its journey. Despite that—
"Sorry, friend, but we don't take random folks on this journey. Best to hire a carriage, or find another merchant to join." Said the adventurer, a paladin, so to speak.
"Well, I got coins for payment." Natalak plead.
The paladin grunted. "Take heed, young lad, I don't accept strangers joining this journey. There have been a lot of bandit agents asking for a ride to their home." The paladin said, crossing his arms. "Now, if you could, I've got more things to do."
Natalak nods and slowly drifts away. Little did the two know that a lady sorcerer who was gracefully holding a pipe took an interest towards the traveller. The lady had a large, wide-brimmed witch hat. Dress in long gloves and a fitted combination of a high-collared and dark navy robe. The clothes were etched with silver filigree. Even the cloak's design and colour matched her clothing, and with her dense clothing, she was unaffected by the rising temperature.
A royal sorcerer, a court mage, or perhaps an archsage? No one knew, but her long brunette hair and purple eyes gave her a confident, slightly playful smile that conveyed elegance rather than intimidation.
Alluring both body and posture, the lady took a sip of her pipe before signalling the paladin.
"Sir Lucas." The lady sorcerer called. "Would you mind—"
Upon taking only twenty steps, Natalak was called back by the paladin. He turned to see what the ruckus was all about and saw that the paladin was signalling him to return.
"I didn't get your name." The paladin implores.
"Natalak, names Natalak."
"You can call me Lucas. I'm a paladin of Adra."
"Paladin of Adra? Sheila told me they're the ones who specialise in seers and lie detection."
"My companions settled that you can join the caravan." Lucas continues. "But you must undergo a quick inspection… Are you sure you're not a part of some lawless group?"
Natalak shakes his head. "No, you could say I'm a traveller. I'm merely going to Endregar to collect some ingredients for my work."
The paladin paused as if measuring Natalak's words. "I see." Lucas nodded, and before he could continue, the lady sorcerer entered the conversation.
"Sorry for intruding on your conversation, gentlemen… But the caravan awaits."
"Hmm-mm…" The paladin nods. "I'm just having a quick check with our soon-to-join friend, Madam Lavrish."
The lady sorcerer looks at Natalak, assessing. "Young man, would you mind showing your bag?" She spoke in a calm and soothing voice.
Natalak quickly agreed and willingly opened the bag's mouth, revealing nothing. But when Lavrish touched the bag, something rang her senses.
Lavrish smiled, "Okay, that's enough, gentlemen… our client is waiting."
Settled and given the green light, Natalak followed the two. Surprised, dozens more wagons emerged carrying a large amount of merchandise. From both sides, ten adventurers were on horseback, and their high-grade armour and weapons indicated this was no ordinary journey.
"In here, young boy." A middle-aged woman called at Natalak, one of the wagon's drivers, who was stationed at the third wagon.
Natalak turned and saw the lady driver signalling with her hand.
"Me?" Natalak said, hands pointing at himself.
The driver nodded, and slowly, Natalak came closer. A quick look at the lady driver, and in Natalak's mind, she was nothing more than a commoner—the simple, thick robe she wore, the hijab that covered her from the dust. Yet from Natalak's sense, he can't help but feel something invisible is guarding her.
"Sir Lucas told me you needed a ride; well, you can join me for today. My seat is wide open for one person." She spoke.
"My deepest gratitude." Natalak nodded before climbing onto her side. Still, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched, as if an invisible dagger was reaching through his nape.
"Name's Ziana." The lady said, extending her hand for a handshake. "And you are?"
"Natalak, names Natalak."
"Strange name you have—"
As the two continued their introduction, a call from Sir Lucas, the caravan's leader, marked the start of their journey. The drivers lash their whips, urging the horses into motion. Step by step, the caravan soon finds its way outside the city, entering the open farmland beyond.
Leaving the caravans from our sight, enter Sheila's house—
"I-I need to leave," Chifya stated before dashing through her room, packing scrolls and strange potions into her belt bag.
Sheila followed, and soon her friends trailed the two. They could see that the elf was not longing for Natalak; instead, fear was written on her face, and her actions were likewise hurried, as if death were counting her seconds. And the more time Chifya spent preparing her things, the heavier her breathing grew. That until—
"Chifya!" Sheila spoke, gently grabbing the half-elf's hand. "You need to take a deep breath."
It took time, and Chifya did regain her composure shortly.
"I think I know where Brother Natalak is." Come Riya.
"You do?" Sheila replied, utterly surprised at Riya's confident look.
Riya nodded and commanded the two boys for a map.
Once the map was brought to the table, Riya started explaining what she had learned from Natalak's goal.
"Endregar?" Sheila asked, chin in hand.
"Yes…" Nods Riya. "If my memory serves, the merchant told us the very thing Brother Natalak seeks lies at Dragon's Lake, south of Theve's Bridge." Riyad continues, fingers tapping the map.
"If Natalak left around midnight, he might already have left town." Sei assess. "And if he did, we might need the Teleportation Stone." He continues shifting his gaze at Sheila as if hinting at a message.
Sheila smiled. "Sister Chifya… if we're going to reach Natalak quickly, we might need to use the teleportation."
Chifya nods. "If it gets to that man faster, I have no objection."
"Right, but about that, you need full documents to enter. And it might take us months or years in this situation." Sheila said.
"Are there any other ways? I do have some coins for payment."
"There is a way, and the only solution I can think of is joining the Adventurers' Guild, which should get you access to teleportation."
Chifya gazed down at the map, her mind contemplating, deciding. Conclusively, the half-elf soon agrees.
"Alright then, now that we've settled," Sheila said, rolling the map. "Sister Chifya and I will go to the guild; you guys should make preparations. And Riya, do prepare my equipment."
"Why are you all coming?" Chifya interrupts, eyes widening.
Sheila blinks. "Isn't it obvious?"
"I don't follow."
"Because that's what adventurers do." Replied Sheila, charting a smile. "When someone is in trouble, we help. When a friend goes missing, we look for them. And when one of us is worried sick, we don't let them carry it alone."
Chifya gazed left and right. "But this isn't your burden."
"Maybe not." Sheila expressed a teasing look. "But helping people who aren't our burden is practically in the guild's job."
Defeated, Chifya sighs as she loosens her strain. "Alright, lead me to the guild."
As the bell tolls, beckoning the citizens that sunrise had passed, taking their daily lives for another day. There on the adventurer's guild—
"Madam Chifya, was it?" The female administrator spoke in an astounded voice while she gazed at Chifya's grade written on the paper. "May we have a small interview before we give you your crest?"
Chifya nods. "I'm willing—"
"Excuse me, sorry for interrupting, but could you make it shorter? We are in a rush today." Sheila voiced.
The administrator nods. "Don't worry, it will only take a few words."
Leaving Sheila behind, Chifya was led into a private room. No magic to perceive, no sense of dread to stand guard. Before her stood five people: a priest of Adra, the administrator, a chronicler, and two powerful knights who stood on guard.
"Madam Chifya Vishariin, correct?" The female administrator initiates.
Chifya nods. "Yes, that would be my name."
The administrator looks at the priest of Adra, and quickly, the priest signals that she spoke the truth.
"Based on our given report, you did give significant aid in purging those cults and thwarting their plans there at Arkedian." Followed the administrator.
"I'm not exactly sure if my help is substantial to you. But I do remember my part during that time. Although I'm surprised you still kept that record thirty years ago."
The overseer smiled. "It is our obligation to record such events for the benefit of our future generations, who might learn from our past. But leaving that aside, I would like to raise another query."
"I'm all ears…"
After consuming twenty minutes, Chifya returned to the common room and found Sheila sitting at an isolated table.
"So how did it go?" Sheila immediately stood.
"Frankly, it's not what I expected." Chifya smiled as she revealed her golden crest.
Upon seeing her golden crest, Sheila was astounded. "I think you should be our group leader."
As for the five officers stationed in the interview room—
"So, it was her all along... Madam Chifya Vishariin." The priest of Adra spoke.
The overseer smiled. "Respectable, I'm more than content that she will eventually join our guild."
Before the overseer could turn back the pages, there was an unusual sentence on the very last page—
'… I have not encountered Lady Chifya Vishariin, who gave the captives sanctuary. But all the reports given were attested and vindicated by me (Lady Ashalain de Shilvia). Verified from the words of the rescued captives, and with the collaboration of the followers of Adra (Madam Mishel Elliser) …'