Three days of quiet, relentless preparation turned the capital's labyrinthine trade quarters into a silent contest of logistical evasion.
Four days now remained before the royal transfer charter required Hajin's vanguard to depart the capital gates for the wild frontier of the Silverwood Marches.
In the secluded third-floor archives of the Adventurers Guild, Branch Director Allen spread a sealed topographic parchment across his cluttered mahogany desk.
"This is the exclusive Gate assignment you requested," Allen whispered with conspiratorial discretion, glancing toward the reinforced door to ensure no inquisitive clerks lingered in the hallway.
"It manifested four days ago in the jagged limestone crags along the outer western ridgeline of the capital province," the director explained, tapping a dark ink circle stamped upon the map.
