"Ae," I called the guards at the gate before I got too close.

"Hello, traveler," a guard stationed on the watch tower called back to me.

"Bit late to be walking about, eh?" This came from a guard standing behind the gate.

"Keep your hands up. What is your status?" That came from what I assumed was the night watch captain based on gear score and pauldron size.

Gear score was played among the Alderi regulars for fun and as a marine with often higher stakes. The numbers were based on a scale of ten, and each piece of equipment had its own rating. All sorts of criteria were included in the rating, such as style, quality, practicality, enhancements, and material. A person would designate a target and ask for a score. Everyone participating would reveal their rating simultaneously, and the closest rating to the average would win, establishing the target's gear score… not on the average but on the winner's rating.

It was a silly system meant to distract bored soldiers. The silliness didn't stop the game from spreading outside of the military and becoming ingrained into society. Shops often priced their gear based on their ranking number. People mocked the idea only to realize that shop pricing was always based on the seller's value. This realization gave the gear score system more validation.

The military standard score was a three. The captain had complimented his dark green armor with added runes to the chest plate, a black robe, and upgraded boots. His gear score was close to a five, and his rank was probably templar at the decon rank—putting him at least three levels above me.

Status was basic information such as name, rank, class, element, and purpose. Most of the time, not all of the information was needed, but the night guard tended to be more particular with it. I learned it was best to comply.

"I'm Kip, the owner of Decent Maps and Guides." I cringed at the awkwardness of my introduction. I should've practiced. "I'm putting together another tour and have had requests to visit Cyanne. Figured I'd check it out before I put it on the market."

"I never heard of you," the captain said.

"It's a small shop out on the frontier… Rarely do tours.

The captain shook his head and chuckled. The frontier was a great place for maps. But a terrible place for tour guides. Adventurers didn't typically want to be guided on their adventures, and the frontier was the place for adventurers.

"Badge?" The captain asked, straightening out his face.

"Left it at home," I said. This got a sigh in response.

"Terrible habit for a tour guide," one of the guards said as the rest chuckled.

"Part of the branding." I looked up confidently.

"You'll get no discounts or special treatment," said the captain.

"Wouldn't be a true customer experience otherwise."

"Class and rank?" The captain asked.

"Dowse ranger. Disciple rank."

"Selene's pits." A guard mumbled. The rest cut their chuckles and lowered and lowered their heads. The reaction was new.

"Aye. You have no need for discounts then," said the captain as he re-evaluated me. "Weapons stay sheathed; call for guards if there is a problem—if you can. Keep your summons in control and mana usage low. We have plenty of sleepers here, so do not get the idea that you can have your way with the town. Absolutely no fighting will be tolerated. Understood?" Jed added extra emphasis to the last part.

I couldn't blame him. It was a fair assessment. I looked extra rugged in my tattered clothing and wolfbear hide, and orcs tended to gravitate toward violence. Mostly just a friendly brawl or two a night. Mainlanders found the entertainment to be less exciting.

I nodded my head as I lowered my arms.

"Good. Check out Trents on the south corner of the northwest block. If you can not find it, the Fair Maiden is in the town center. It is almost as good as Trents—you will not find a better night's sleep anywhere else." The captain winked. "Tell them Jed sent you."

Stolen story; please report.

The heavy metallic gate raised. I stepped to walk through. Jed stepped in front of me. I looked up to see the captain, barely a couple inches taller than me, peering down.

"I've only got cores," I said.

"That will do." Jed reached out his hand. "Consider it a tip for my… guidance." The guards chuckled again. The captain was having himself a night.

I contemplated making a fuss over whether to overcharge for entrance or not. Usually, it was less than ten credits to enter a town. If there was a charge at all. The fee was much more common in the remote cities. It wasn't worth my time. I handed over a regular core worth a hundred credits. The captain gave it a look, tossed it up and down several times, and then handed it off to another guard who pocketed it. "Enjoy your stay in Cyanne."

"Thanks, Jed."

"Oh, my name is not Jed." The captain's clever smirk was accompanied by more background laughter.

"What—why…nevermind." I didn't care to get into it. The night watch was a different type of guard. They had their own rules and system of entertainment. It was best not to engage whenever possible. I smiled, gave them a head nod, and walked into town. I wouldn't visit Trents or Fair Maidens; those establishments were too casual for blood cults to hang out at.

Before I could visit any tavern, I had to rush to a bank and exchange my cores for credits. I set out to find the bank and ran into another setback. Being a small town, the people had small town tendencies. It was a miracle I even made it through the gate. The shops and bank had already closed for the day. Shame. I could've used a change of clothes and hated paying with cores; it was uncivilized, which wouldn't help my image, and the deals never favored the buyer.

Oh well. What good was money if not to waste? And my reputation could afford to take a hit.

I walked down the paved road for a block. If it weren't for the fact that it was night, the market square in the southeast quadrant would be bustling with activity. It was surrounded by sturdy buildings and reinforced stalls offering a variety of goods.

On the other side of the road I walked, the barracks and training grounds took up the entire northeast section. Clamored echoes of soldiers honing their skills could still be heard, a testament to the town's dedication. The formidable keep, doubling as the town hall, overlooked the settlement. At the same time, a fortified church stood as a spiritual center and a refuge.

The housing district, along with a few more convenience shops, took up the entirety of the southwest district, while crafters and guilds were stationed at the northwest square or in the city hall.

Cyanne was a clean, quiet city. A few residents were still cleaning up their shops, guards made frequent patrols, and those I crossed on the road averted their gaze or ignored me.

I walked into one of the few buildings that was open. It was a small tavern that used its upper floors as an inn. A small group was inside, and none seemed interested in my entrance. Which was fair; I wasn't important or glamorous, but I still expected a head turn or two—even if it was a force of habit. On my way to the bar, I noticed a small party of adventurers sitting at a corner table. The ongoing chatter muffled Their serious discussion, and I couldn't work out a word they were saying.

As I sat down, I met the barkeep's eyes. She was a little shorter than me but had a much smaller frame. Her hair was dark and long, and she kept blowing a strand away from her eye that had gotten loose from her headband. She was cleaning a cup and only looked up when I sat down.

"What will be tonight?" She asked, still holding her cup.

"Need a room, food, and drink, please."

"Food is five credits. You can choose between a brown roast or a white roast. Drinks are two credits—we only serve ale or beer. If you want something else, go somewhere else. Do not ask for any of that fancy shit. This is not the Fair Maiden; we do not pretend to be. A single bed room is ten credits a night. Will that be enough, or do you need something more?" She asked with a look of scrutiny.

"White roast." I'd eaten a lot of beef lately. Chicken sounded like a nice change. "Ale is great, and maybe water…"

"I said no fancy shit." The barkeep put the glass down firmly. "You want that clean, clear stuff to go somewhere else."

"Ale is great." I thought about pushing for an empty cup but didn't want to risk it. I already had one mark against me. "Single bed will do just fine… and I'm gonna need a bath." I placed a regular core on the table. The innkeeper's eyes lit up upon seeing it.

"I do not have the means to break this up." She looked at me with disdain.

"That's fine. I'll be here for a couple nights. That should cover my costs, right?"

The barkeeper nodded.

"Good. You can help yourself to the rest."

"Thank you," she said with a half smile that didn't meet her eyes as she placed a key on the table. "The room is on the second level, third door on the left. I gave you a room with a tub. I take it you can take care of the waters yourself?"

"Ae."

"Good. The water rune is busted and only trickles out cold water. Go get settled and washed up. I will have your dinner ready by the time you are done."

"Thank you," I said. I left for my room to properly wash and prepare for the night ahead. It was going to be a long one. I had only two conversations and was exhausted. Those probably didn't count as conversations for most people. This might be my most brutal night yet.