“News from the Front:
Orcs Rampaging Across the North! Melton and Volksgrad Ravaged by Raids! King Edward Declares State of Emergency!
Silence from the Frozen Yonderlands, Travel to Ingmar Halted by Avalanche
Disaster in Melisgrad! New Eyewitness Reports, Catastrophe Contained by Mysterious Heroes?!
Peace for Carrador and Melton! Month Long Skirmish Over Against Traxian Advance.
Traxian Crimes: Tynsford Crackdown, Council Appalled - Condemns Injustice
Read more on pg 2”
- Arterian Affairs, Special News Edition. 4
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There was not an inch of space that went unused at the gates. The gigantic multi story metal doors flanked the main road like great unflinching guardians that protected the people beneath their shadow. The road itself was bustling with activity, the constant jingling of coin purses and clanking of goods being transferred signaled the prosperity that lay within. People of all manner of dress, from ragged tunics, to great pompous merchants and even gaudy noblites traveled between the gates. Scattered amongst the crowd were several guardsmen, clad in light plate armor and red striped tunics underneath. The sigil of a sailing ship etched onto their armour. Heraldry for the city I’m guessing. Banners of various designs also fluttered high above them on the walls, the walls themselves of sturdy stone and iron reinforcement standing high above, taller than even the Rosengart estate.
Sophie gave Aryana a small smile, the girl replying with a feigned huff, still a little grumpy from a few hours ago. Her story at least, had enraptured the redhead enough to cool tensions, though Sophie suspected Aryana still harbored a smidgen of genuine doubt at any of Sophie’s words.
“Have a good day sir. Next!” A guardsmen yelled at the duo, his haughty voice cutting through the crowds.
An ostentatiously dressed merchant covered with all sorts of chains, knick knacks and furs bowed heartily and made way for the duo to approach. The red coated guardsmen stared coldly at them, his hand outstretched in a way that seemed almost mechanical, like something he had done a million times.
Noticing that Aryana had become much like a frightened rabbit and stayed behind her, Sophie nervously looked up to the menacing guard. “Uhh… hi?” She managed to say.
The guard did not look amused. His lips pursed in frustration even as professionalism held his tongue. Sophie could see his brows furrow with annoyance and she grimaced in anticipation.
“Your papers, please.” The man ordered.
Sophie gulped and looked around awkwardly, her feet tapping the ground with anxiety. “About that…”
The guard spared no time and sighed tiredly, “What is it this time? Noble on a trip? Can’t talk to humans and need one of your own kind? Sick aunt that you rushed to get medicine from? Listen kid, I don’t care how important you think you are compared to our kind, the law’s the law. So, papers, please.”
Sophie cringed at the accusation and ran her hand through her hair. “We… we don’t have our papers?” She put on a worried grin.
“Pardon?”
“We um… don’t have our papers... or any, really.”
The guard’s eyes narrowed as he examined the two, his lips turned downwards when he finally rolled his eyes. “Alright, enough joking around. Papers?”
“We don’t have any.”
“By the saints… kids these days.” The guard sighed, “Alright, give me a moment.”
Sophie swallowed her fear and watched nervously as the guard walked over to a small desk staffed by another. He exchanged a few quick words before gesturing for the two to come over. Sophie reluctantly dragged Aryana along and the man at the desk looked at the guard who only nodded.
"Not my problem anymore." The guard muttered under his breath before marching off back to his post, leaving the duo in front of the desk, the official dressed in his striped doublet adjusting a few sheets of paper before turning properly towards them. The man's spectacled eyes and greasy looking face looking at least friendlier than the guard's.
“Welcome to Arteria, what is the purpose of your visit?” The man queried, adopting a much more dignified voice.
“Err, we’re here for the adventurer’s guild and the academy.” Sophie answered.
“Alright. And you two don’t have your border passes, yes?”
“That’s right.”
“Okay. Then do you have your guild tags and or your admissions forms?”
“Ah!” Sophie squeaked, “No?”
“No?”
“We… I’m an adventurer in training, and together?" She looked to Aryana who only managed the tiniest of nods, "we’re planning to apply to the academy.”
The man tapped his pen on the paper, leaving a small series of dots. “In training… and planning to apply? Does that mean you’re neither a current adventurer nor an admitted student?”
“Y-yeah.”
“By the saints, okay well, does that mean you have made no contact with Arterian personnel so far? No border guards?”
“No… ah! We did see some rangers from the… the… sixth?”
“Okay well… huh? The sixth? Does that mean you entered through Ascaran lands?”
“From Foreach, yes.”
“Okay… so let me mark that down… and point of entry?”
“We took a path north of the city, up by the hills before coming down.”
“Path from the… north… hold on, path from the north? You came by the old smuggler’s way? No wonder you’ve got no papers with you and you’ve met the sixth. Why in the hells would you go through there instead of the old imperial highway?” The man asked, somewhat incredulous.
“Orcs.”
Sophie and Aryana spoke at the same time, prompting the man to finally take notice of the redhead trying to remain inconspicuous behind Sophie.
“Orcs… ah I do remember us having a little bit of a greenskin problem somewhat recently. Makes sense, we do get reports of a few caravans being harried recently, nothing major though, I hope.” He scribbled something else down on the paper, “And what about her?” He gestured to Aryana, “The two of you clearly look… unrelated. Where are you both from?”
“Carrador, Rosengart Estate.” Sophie answered.
“And you?” The official nodded at Aryana.
“Ummm the Mountains of Frost.” The redhead blurted out nervously.
“The Mountains of Frost?”
“She’s from the Frostwinds. Far from Carrador I know. We met near Melisgrad and fled here.” Sophie clarified, receiving an appreciative nod from Aryana for helping.
“Oh… oh!” The man exclaimed, a hint of amused surprise on his face, “You should’ve led with that. Alright then, can I assume you’ll both either be applying for the adventurers guild or the academy?”
The duo nodded.
“Alright, perfect. I’ll write down your purpose of visit as public service and education then. Make a note for fleeing Melisgrad.” He grumbled to himself before writing on another sheet. “And your current occupations?”
“Err… I’m a maid… and a knight.” Sophie sheepishly replied.
“Pardon?”
“Here, the seal of the house that knighted me in Melton.” Sophie fished House Rutley’s sigil out from her pack, “And I used to… still am acting as a maid to House Rosengart of Carrador.”
The man seemed stupefied for a moment, writing in his paper, staring at the sigil, then at Sophie, then back down again. “A knight of Melton and in service to Carrador? And an elf?! Wasn’t expecting that.” He murmured to himself.
“I… I’m a traveler.” Aryana managed to say.
The man looked up and cocked his head sideways before giving his scalp a scratch, his mouth upturned slightly in frustration. “Yes, but…what do you, or did you do?”
“I…” Aryana stammered and looked to Sophie who only shrugged, unsure of what actually the girl did.
“Maybe think of what you did well and like to do?” Sophie half heartedly suggested.
Aryana pondered it for a moment before she nodded to herself, “I… I read a lot and I farmed a lot.”
A sigh emerged from the official’s mouth, the man stroking his chin before grunting and writing something else down. “I’ll mark you down as agricultural scholar then.” He announced.
Sophie and Aryana affirmed his words and waited whilst the man scribbled away. They stood for what felt like minutes before he finally finished and turned the papers around, pointing to a small underlined section of the papers. “Write your names here please.”
The duo obliged and Sophie found that she wrote fairly well, whereas Aryana knew what to write, but her lack of practice showed in the slightly deformed way the letters turned out. Ultimately, that didn’t seem to matter as the man wrote something else, pulled out a stamp from his desk and slammed it onto the two papers. Satisfied with his own work, he furled the papers up and handed one sheet to each of the girls.
Sophie and Aryana grabbed their respective paper and found the man passing them another set of papers. Sophie just cocked her brows at them and he pointed somewhere into the distance.
“A reminder to get your weapons permit.”
“Weapons permit?” Sophie asked.
If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
“For your blade. Head to the adventurers guild to get it licensed for city limits.”
Sophie nodded her appreciation, “Thanks.”
“Thank you for your cooperation. Have a nice day. And welcome to Arteria.” He spoke with a practiced smile on his face.
Seeing their cue to leave, the two hurried past him, skittering quickly past the portcullis and gatehouse, sharing only a brief astonished glance between them at how the official had practically done the process by himself. Meaning that they were now in, they had arrived in Arteria.
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Finely tiled cobble streets clicked satisfyingly under their feet, the unceasing chatter of busy city goers contrasted so greatly with the overwhelming silence of their travels that Sophie felt almost overwhelmed. But there was also a sense of underlying comfort that came from seeing a bustling city, a certain feeling of recognisable chaos that was quite unlike the unpredictability of the world beyond the walls. To Aryana however, she could imagine that this would prove to be a bewildering sight and her guess wasn’t far off the mark.
Amidst the sea of tall brick townhouses squished up against squatter sturdy limestone buildings were large walled manors made of finely cut marble and stone. Streaks of color flared from every street corner, the buildings painted bright shades of red, blue, greens and purples. Against this display of grandeur, compounded by the almost unfathomable amount of people, Sophie found Aryana slowly shrinking into her shell as the sheer scale of everything began taking its toll. Making sure to not lose her charge within the crowd, she managed to grab hold of the redhead’s sleeve, tugging her along, much to the girl’s surprise.
Together, they crossed the various city streets, Sophie often finding herself joining Aryana in examining strange objects and buildings that they ran across. Only after a moment or two could she drag herself and Aryana away to continue towards the adventurers guild. Where hopefully their friends and eventual monetary supplies awaited them, the prospect of which even had Sophie a little excited. I wonder what we could buy or get here, there’s just so many options.
Countless fresh faced traders competed against established stores for business. Where one tailoring store stood there were a half dozen more, as with the butchers, markets and craft stores. Cargo and goods were ferried to and fro, like a boat skipping over the waves of people. Some complained about taxes, some about the problems of choice, and others chatted to their comrades and customers. Yet, Sophie noticed that few complained about needs, most grumbled about wants. Truly then, this is the prosperity in the city of commerce, the heart of Western Cyndralia.
Guards often patrolled up and down the streets, their distinctive redcoats making them hard to miss. Yet, just as present were another set of more eye catching soldiers. These were covered in breastplates and mail leggings, their uniforms beneath dyed a dark vivid blue that reminded Sophie of colors that Carradorian knights or squires would wear. If that wasn’t enough, the numerous little buttons, badges and other golden trinkets certainly separated them from the regular guards.
Sophie had originally thought that the bewildering array of different sights and sounds might mean that they would get lost along the way. To her pleasant surprise, that proved to be a much smaller issue than anticipated. Having assumed that most important functions would be near a town square or city center, they followed the main road to its conclusion and stepped under a gargantuan marble archway flanked by two statues of what she assumed were city heroes. Under their heroic and steadfast gaze, the duo emerged into a massive plaza.
Two fountains stood on either end, encircled by a variety of large and often more aged structures that were no less impressive than their modern counterparts that in turn surrounded them. One such building was a somewhat hexagonal building that seemed to stand out against the taverns, administrative buildings and manors around it. The guildhall. Indeed, in her eyes, compared to the guildhalls so far, it was certainly the biggest, stretching up four stories tall. Definitely the most historic at least, with scorch marks and scars along its walls that seemed to cry out from bygone ages.
Perhaps the most telling factor for her though, was the bevy of armed men and women around the building, all in a variety of differently styled outfits that signaled that this was the gathering place for adventurers.
“We’re here.” She whispered to her companion.
“We are.” Aryana whispered back.
Anxiously, the two pressed on and Sophie felt Aryana wrap her arms around Sophie’s, clutching onto the elf as they ascended the steps to the guild. Sophie carried her along and they stepped through the main doors, a feeling that felt almost nostalgic to Sophie. Inside, the faded masonry gave way to an almost rustic looking interior that felt more like a tavern than a traditional guildhall.
Two large lines greeted them, one filled with adventurers and the other with ordinary citizens or merchants, clambering to post their commissions onto the guild boards before noon. Sophie balked at the idea of waiting for them to clear up and desperately searched for her friends only to find no sign of them.
“Well I’ll be damned. Lassie! Uhhh Elf Lassie!” A deep heavy voice boomed across the room.
Before the duo even had time to process the intricate design of the guildhall they finally spotted Karzan, the dwarf having stood on a table to catch their attention.
They recoiled from the sounds and attention thrown at them, but the room quickly returned to normal as they snaked their way over to what appeared to definitely be a tavern-like bar area.
“Hah! I was just about to leave for lunch ya know.” He smirked.
“Karzan!” Aryana greeted him.
“Ahh, my favorite customer! Good to see you're alive and well! As for your stuff? Well... it has been tempting to just spend it all, but I’ve left your coins and everything else exactly as they were in the wagon.” He winked.
“Thank you!” Aryana laughed.
Sophie felt a small pang of jealousy. How is she now this carefree with the merchant already? Regardless, in accordance with polite etiquette and manners she bowed slightly in greetings to the dwarf, the merchant’s cheer quickly fading from his face. Dammit, did I go too polite? Or was it not enough? By the saints, I barely remembered the motions as is.
Even Aryana seemed surprised by the sudden drop in mood, and could only muster out a small ‘ooh’ when the dwarf produced a letter from one of his pockets.
“I… I figured you will appreciate the… concerning news first. Then I have a few… more positive err surprises lined up for ye.” He grumbled solemnly.
Curious, Sophie snatched the letter from his hands when her heart sank. She had wondered why he had been the one to greet them, but without even opening it, she could feel the disappointment within.
“Wha-what’s wrong?” Aryana poked at Sophie’s shoulder, the redhead now even more concerned seeing the change in expression.
“Aye. Your assumptions are mostly correct. The others aren’t here right now. They-” Karzan began.
“Why!?” Sophie snapped, sending the redhead jumping back with fright and silencing the dwarf. “We’ve come so far! What the hells is going on?”
At this accusation, Aryana’s eyes widened in shock and Sophie could tell she was desperately looking between the two, wondering just what was going on. Me too, Aryana. Me too.
She held the letter tightly and bit down on her lips as she almost smashed her fist onto the table in frustration. So much just changed, what the fuck did we just miss? How late are we? Why aren’t they here? What is-
“Look, it’d be better if you read the letter. But I can summarize if you want.” Karzan said, his eyes looking a tinge more sympathetic than Sophie expected, the singular act freezing her growing rage.
“Please do.” Aryana quietly whispered, her soft voice lowering Sophie’s guard, allowing the half elf to take a moment to calm down.
“Situation in Melton’s gotten worse. The two of ye missed our rendezvous by… two? Three days now? News finally caught up I suppose. They wanted to wait but…” He turned his head around and frowned, “Where’s the big guy?”
“Focus.” Sophie growled.
Karzan raised his arms up, “I’m just asking.”
“He’s busy.”
“Right… anyways. They learned about an orcish invasion in Melton, ‘not like the few we fought’ was what they said. A fresh invasion force evidently, with raids and all across the northern frontiers.” Karzan recited the information.
“So what does that have to do with anything?” Sophie scowled, her mind unable to comprehend its relevance. We’ve already left, destroyed Melisgrad too! What does a bunch of orcs mean? Why even go back to that hell hole?
“Alright, alright. I’m getting there. The ranger got deathly pale after that, I reckon something there’s got her spooked. We stayed ‘round for another day but she seemed out of it. Different from how she was on the road for sure. Not that I know her that well.” Karzan admitted.
“And?”
“And… well and she told us, that is me and your other friend, the angry looking one, that she needed to go there and check on someone called Kim?” He said as he stroked his beard, “I have no idea who that is, but evidently the angry one did. The ranger though, she seemed more nervous than when we led the caravan past the goblins. Though I suspect having an outlander's adventuring party certainly eased some worries.”
Kim? Ah, Kimmie. Sophie’s features softened from the almost combative expression present only moments ago. Karzan let out a sigh of relief as Sophie seemed to calm down, his own mood prompting Aryana to relax a little upon seeing the tension leave both the elf and the dwarf.
“Reckon you know what that’s about based on your reaction.” Karzan prodded for information.
Sophie acknowledged it with a nod and left it there. But, seeing Aryana’s now increasing curiosity once more, Sophie just stewed in her thoughts for a minute before speaking once more.
“She… they left us for love.” Sophie spoke with a certain gloominess in her voice, “Kimmie is just some tavern wench I asked to look after Anna. Way back, before we met you." She tilted her head towards the redhead, "And after…” Sophie made a chopping motion at her leg and the others understood. “I’m guessing Mila went with her to make sure she could function?”
“Aye, that’s what it felt like.” Karzan affirmed.
“But… why did she leave us so fast? They could’ve waited a bit.” Aryana interjected.
Sophie brushed her ears, caressing them for a moment as she recalled the moment she had found the two peacefully sleeping. She was lonely, but to be so close to another like that... “I think she just got worried. Since Kimmie’s in Harweald, a relatively northern town. I think…” Sophie paused, scrunching up her face as she dissected her thoughts, “I think she imprinted on the barmaid pretty intensely. Because well… Runebound, that is her adventuring party, it used to be five people but now it’s just her. I… I get why she left. Aside from us, Kimmie’s all she got as far as I know.”
“Oh.” The redhead mumbled.
“Aye… that sounds about what I imagined. Heard the gossips say the orc horde ravaging Melton might be heralding the beginnings of a new Dark Tide. Frightening stuff. But, I can see why she’d be worried.” The dwarf stroked his beard before he clapped beefy hands together, startling Sophie from her somber thoughts, “That sad business cleared up, how bout some... far... more pleasant surprises?”
Sophie was a little peeved, but more so amused at how quickly the dwarf was able to shift his entire mood, his body language returning to a more lively, merchant-like state. The powers of a merchant, I suppose. Beside her, Aryana still seemed to be processing the new information about Annalise, yet she absently nodded all the same at the dwarf’s words.
“First, presents.” The dwarf chuckled, whipping out two strangely familiar forms.
Sophie saw that they were labeled weapon licenses stamped like the letters from the official, yet they also had the duo’s names on them.
“A keen eye, these are weapon licenses, the others reckoned that they would be helpful. And, considering your past deeds and travels, the guildmaster approved them. Though the ranger did say that you’d still need to pass the beginners trials if you truly wished to be an adventurer proper.” Karzan wagged his finger.
“Thank you.” Aryana answered for the duo.
“Hah! But I'm not done yet. Let it be known, the greatest merchant Karzan Stonearm also provides impeccable customer service, so cheer up you two!”
Sophie only offered a feigned smile whereas Aryana seemed to have genuinely cheered up. How is she so cheerful with everyone besides me? Sophie sulked..
“This.” Karzan pulled out a map, “Is a map of the city, we’ve taken the liberty to circle down things you might be interested in seeing, especially you.” He grinned at Aryana. “Now this,” he produced yet another official looking document, “is a recommendation for your accelerated approval to the academy’s entrance examination. It happens on the Nineteenth of Tessus, so you have a little under a week to prepare for it. Now, I’m not gonna lie, it’ll be tough. But the chance is here for you if you want it.”
Aryana just seemed overjoyed, but Sophie was stunned. The chance to enter the academy, a chance to finally reach Eva. Yet, there was a hesitation in her acceptance, a sliver of doubt that gnawed inside her mind. What if I’m not good enough? What if we fail? Still, this was an opportunity she couldn’t pass up.
“Thanks.” Sophie mumbled.
“Hah! Yer welcome! Finally a positive word out of ya! But, hold on, I’ve got one more surprise for you two. The All Hog Arms tavern has a room open that I managed to snag for you two. A pretty good one too! It’s just past the first block to the left of the plaza. And looking at the sorry state of ye, I’d say you should spend this day recovering.”
“Mmm, a bed.” Aryana mused.
Sophie grunted her appreciation.
“I’ll help get everything sorted from my wagon, your stuff’s there too, the other two left it with me.”
Once again, Sophie’s mind began to wander only for Aryana to snap her out of her thoughts.
“Real food, Sophie! We get real food!” The girl beamed.
Unable to resist her infectious joy, Sophie offered a weak smile and bowed deeply at the dwarf. “Lead the way.”
Karzan too seemed a little relieved that everything went smoothly given the news, though Sophie knew he could tell she was still ruminating over that Annalise and Mila's departure quite a bit. But, he remained undeterred, he clasped his hands together and gestured towards the door. “Right this way then! See? High quality customer service!” He chuckled, "When ya make it big in the world, be sure to send some business my way!"