“For an honest mercenary, the Gratian civil war is like a never ending money supply. Their years-long war has gone on for so long that the populace of both sides are tired of the war, only their leaders remain invested in this saint damned stalemate. Thus it comes to us, the humble mercenaries to serve on both sides of the conflict, inflicting a little chaos here and there before one big skirmish and then a period of nothingness where the other side hires us, before it all repeats again but for a different master. Another break, back to the first employer. Easy money.”
- Captain Kieran ‘Sharp-Claw’ Tanner, Skull Crackers Company Captain, “Gratian Succession Crisis and Opportunity.”
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“Can we go home? Please?” Aryana moaned.
“Okay, okay. Just… grab on and stay close to me.” Sophie ordered.
Aryana hurriedly grabbed onto the hems of Sophie’s shirt. The half elf carefully took them away from Karzan and into the crowds. Unlike Aryana however, Sophie struggled to push through the crowds, and, with the girl now holding onto her, it proved to be an even greater challenge than before.
What didn’t help her concentration was the constant shouting and yelling of people and merchants nearby. Their lively cries now sounded more like a cacophony of horrific screeches whenever she attempted to focus. Still, the fervent grip that Aryana held on kept Sophie at least grounded on her objective, to exit the market and avoid whatever it is that had spooked the poor girl so badly. Their progress was further hindered by Aryana’s panicked state, the girl mutely trailing along, all sense of control gone, leaving Sophie to also hold onto the plethora of trinkets that Aryana had purchased.
She pushed, prodded and slinked past who she could, the dense sea of bodies slowly but surely thinning out as the familiar sight of the Adventurers Guild guided her out of the market. The entire time, Aryana had simply blankly stared forward, an act that conjured great unease within Sophie’s mind. She wasn’t used to seeing this chipper, go-lucky girl so emotionless. Sad, sullen, scared, sure, but, for her to just clamp up likely meant something that wasn’t just outwardly dangerous, but something from within. Yet, despite the blank eyes, Sophie sensed a lingering pain, and, fighting her own instincts to leave the girl untainted, she reached backwards and gave Aryana’s hand a reassuring squeeze.
Aryana froze for a moment as the redhead looked like her brain had just begun resetting itself at the simple touch of her hand. But, soon enough, she managed to eke out a small acknowledging nod at Sophie. Relieved at the display, Sophie returned to forcing their way out, pushing past the last few merchants that lingered at the market’s edge, bringing the duo back out to the Adventurers Guild and its adjoining plaza.
Breaking out into the open, Sophie let Aryana catch her breath as the redhead trembled in place. Sophie moved to shield her from whatever it might be and just looked over her for a few minutes until Aryana finally settled down slightly, her rapid breathing lowering to a more rhythmic and normal pace. Her green eyes too, seemed to gain a little bit of life back, though the blankness in her stare still unnerved Sophie.
“You good?” Sophie asked.
“Mmm.” Aryana mindlessly mumbled.
Sophie sighed, realising she wasn’t going to be able to get much out of the girl for now. She just cocked her head towards the plaza, urging Aryana along. Quietly and perhaps a bit more solemnly than Sophie expected, Aryana clutched onto the hem of her shirt again, naught but a small tug to indicate she was ready to go.
Together they finally reached the All Hogs Arms by the time the midday sun had reached its zenith, its warm rays covering the city with a friendly glow. The inside of the inn was of a similar cheer as the one in the market. A joyful musical tune echoed throughout the tavern as patrons danced and hollered at the bard currently performing on stage. The barkeep gave the duo an acknowledging nod before he returned to pouring drinks for the patrons. Sophie dipped her head in turn and escorted Aryana up to their room.
Once she shut the door behind her, Sophie felt all the tension leave her body and laid down on her bed, leaning into the mattress and closed her eyes for a moment when she heard a sudden creak come from the bed as another weight source landed upon it. Her eyes flickered open to find Aryana sitting on top of the bed, looking right back down at her.
“Ready to explain what’s going on?” Sophie asked with a raised eyebrow.
The redhead mutely nodded and Sophie waited, and waited.
“Aryana?” Sophie prodded, the redhead wincing at her name being called.
“S-sorry.” Aryana looked away bashfully, “Could… could you… could you say my name again?”
Sophie was perplexed at the bizarre request, but acquiesced nonetheless.
“Uhh… Aryana, Aryana, Aryana?” Sophie said warily.
Aryana seemed to shiver at being called, her guarded expression dropping to a crestfallen one, but the emotions slowly returning, her green eyes now actively meeting Sophie’s gaze. Though she seemed far more exhausted than Sophie had expected, a sense of haggardness mixed with stress etched upon the redhead’s face.
“You… alright?” Sophie asked.
“Mmm… thank you.” Aryana whispered softly, "I... I just... it's nice to hear my own name sometimes."
The two just gazed at each other for a moment, Aryana gathering her strength and Sophie feeling absolutely confused at what was going on.
“I… I thought I saw someone. From the tribe,” Aryana began, her eyes growing distant, “he…” She paused, lifting her still trembling hand to her braid, “was someone I used to know. They sent him away to learn more about the world and to experience things before returning to the tribe. I… I was… ” Aryana finished, letting the silence linger without finishing her thought.
Sophie was still a little less confused though still curious, but nodded along just the same, taking the time to stealthily adjust her position on the bed so she could sit back up when the opportunity arose. Sophie could feel the dread emanating from the poor girl, the depressing feeling soon filling up the room as the redhead continued trembling. However it was a different mood than that from their horrifying encounter with the orcs. tTe fear etched onto Aryana’s face then was much more primal, more raw. This, this was something else, more existential, almost as if Aryana was confronting something both pleasant but terrible in equal measure. Sophie watched as the girl fidgeted with her own braid, then her sleeves, the bed, and just clutching or moving anything that could be moved.
Sophie could tell by the way Aryana kept scratching at her own neck in between fidgeting that there was something else that the redhead wanted to share but couldn’t. Aryana seemed to struggle with the very action, her mouth making the smallest of motions, opening and closing but to no avail. No, Sophie furrowed her brow, she wasn't trying to say something, she cocked her head slightly and found Aryana’s eyes glazed over whilst staring at the room’s desk, not noticing Sophie's movements. She’s talking to herself, like I sometimes do.
Sophie wanted to tap the girl’s shoulder, wanted to grab her attention, but, with every rational thought that crossed her mind, she hesitated. Her hand froze in mid motion, halfway towards its target. I can’t, I can’t afford to tarnish such innocence further, I can’t. Not with these hands tainted by sin. Regretting her ineffective attempt at reassuring the girl, she jerked her hand back and bolted upright. Her sudden reaction had at least brought Aryana back from her thoughts as the redhead seemed surprised by the sudden motion. Sophie could barely register the change in emotion as Aryana’s solemn look was replaced by one filled with concern and terror.
“S-sophie? I-I-I was just thinking to myself… s-sorry.” Aryana stammered, “I didn’t mean to be rude… sorry.”
Sophie bit down on her lip and viciously shook her head, “No… no… I just… I just thought I saw a rat.” She lied.
Aryana looked marginally more relieved and Sophie could see the girl’s body visibly relax a little.
“S-sorry.” Aryana apologised again.
“Aryana, ahem. It’s fine, Aryana. Just breathe and let it out.” Sophie tried her best to sound confident, reassuming her protective knightly demeanour.
Though she herself didn’t buy her own act, Aryana at least listened and did as she was told. Sophie watched the girl suck in a deep breath before letting it all back out with one big sigh.
“Better?” Sophie asked.
“Mmmm. Thank you.” Aryana nodded.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
“So mind telling me what that was about?” Sophie spoke after a beat, hoping the redhead did not notice the slight tremble in her voice.
“Ah! Right…” Aryana froze before looking a bit more crestfallen, “the guy I saw at the markets…”
“It’s okay. Take your time, or just another time is fine.”
“No, you’re right. I.. I just… he was sent away from the tribe to learn, but, seeing him here. I think… I just know he’s going to the academy too.”
“I see.” Sophie scratched her head, it was a pertinent concern, sure. Perhaps this guy was one of her bullies?
“He… he’s also Galan’s… was, since he got sent here… Galan’s right hand man.” Aryana looked down as she said that, like a bird trying to hide from predators.
Galan? Ahhh… the blonde haired chief of the Frostfyres. “Galan’s the chief, right?”
“Mmm… and the one who hated me the most.” Aryana murmured.
“Ah.” I can see now why she might be concerned.
“But really, sorry to be such a burden, Sophie. I… thank you for listening. Maybe I’ll tell you the rest another time, but I.... I don’t feel comfortable saying their names. It’s like a curse, if I say their name enough, then they show up.” The girl shuddered.
Sophie met Aryana’s gaze once more and flashed a genuine smile at the girl who seemed relieved at the sight. “Don’t mention it, take all the time you need. As long as you know I’m here to help. I’m a knight after all.” Sophie jokingly tapped at her leather armour.
“Mmm Thank you.” Aryana whispered before letting herself flop onto the bed, “Sophie…”
“Yeah?”
“Do you… would you mind if I just… just rested for a little bit?”
Sophie pursed her lips before giving an empathetic nod, “Of course. Rest up, it’ll also be good to be ready for tomorrow, eh? If you don’t mind, I'll do some studying just over there.”
“O-of course. W-wake me for dinner?”
“Sure thing.”
The two traded small smiles and Sophie finally pushed herself off the bed, letting Aryana stretch herself out onto the bed as the redhead often did. She sat down at the room’s desk and pulled out the books from the cabinets around them, slapping the books onto the wooden desk with a hearty thud. She sighed under her breath and rubbed her nose. So one of the tribals might be here after all, and an important one at that. Though, by the sounds of it, he shouldn’t know much about what happened back in Melton. Still, something to watch out for especially for Aryana’s sake, though I guess that’s just something for later. Until the exam finishes, we’re stuck here in limbo. By the saints I hate this feeling of nervousness, we’re not even fighting monsters and I feel so stressed. I just hope it all goes well. She scribbled aimlessly at the notebooks before looking up to the ceiling, Stellesia grant us your fortune and may the High Goddess bless us with success.
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19th of Tessus
The city carried on like any other day, Arterians and foreigners alike traded, haggled and grumbled as they usually did. Goods swapped hands and coins clinked together, the city never missing a beat as life continued. Warm light danced merrily over the city streets, the soft glow illuminating the tall buildings with hazy yellow halos. Merchants hawking their wares, guards patrolled the streets, adventurers heading off to their new assignments, and even distant caravans arriving in the city for the first time. Chimes, bells and clockwork towers rang out their melodies, signalling the end of the noon hour and the resumption of post lunch activities.
For the city it was nothing unusual but for Sophie, she jittered nervously with anticipation. Aryana seemed a little out of it since yesterday but remained cheerful enough that Sophie wasn’t that concerned, yet. A crowd of strange individuals gathered in front of Arteria’s grand library, the massive structure looming over them as both red caped guardsmen and the library’s strange mercenaries tried to maintain order. A bubble of anxious excitement stewed within the crowd. Sophie could see other prospective students like herself and Aryana, other young kids, some younger ones with their parents, a few older looking test takers, likely independent travelers or merchants seeking to expand their knowledge. A few robed scholars with their fine silken looking robes and well groomed features a sign of both wealth and spare time not afforded often to the far more grizzled looking mercenaries besides them. One particular scholar sporting a well kept beard and spectacles finished conferring with his colleagues, flipped through a handful of papers before turning towards the crowd.
His royal blue and green robes fluttered just above the ground as he stood atop the library steps, his spectacled eyes gazing over the assembled crowd before he harrumphed in satisfaction. “Prospective students, honored guests, and gallant hopefuls. Welcome to the Grand Library of Arteria, today is a triumphant day and likely a fortuitous one as we approach the hour of examination. Your work here today will determine your acceptance into the academy and I implore all of you to take things with the utmost seriousness.”
He searched around for disagreement and seeing none, he continued, “Here, you will have a chance to enter the vaunted ranks of the Arterian Academy, to join the honoured scholars that continue to shape Cyndralia’s future. For now, we shall be assessing your skills and aptitude to determine your suitability in joining the ranks of the Academy. But, have no fear, for should you not pass, you are allowed to retake the exams during the next period.” He clapped his hands together, “Alright, now form an orderly queue and our staff will attend to you.” The man finished his speech and headed inside.
“Alright, one at a time.” One of the mercenaries bellowed, “Have your papers and documents ready to be checked.”
A flurry of activity erupted as nervous test takers scrambled to have everything at the ready, the scholars pulling out little books and pens as they beckoned the crowd forward. Sophie and Aryana gingerly shuffled forward with the rest, the two double checking their official documents, Sophie obsessively so. She constantly touched her paper, as if it would simply disappear the moment she let go. Aryana, meanwhile, just kept looking over her shoulder, occasionally scanning the streets around the library, and other times looking back at Sophie with what seemed to be a wistful look in her eye.
Sophie felt uncomfortably naked without a blade at her hip, taking the smart if worrying choice to leave it behind considering the examination was likely to take most of the day. But her days as a maid seemed so distant, that having a weapon of any sort attached to her brought more comfort than the normality of everyday life. Her only consolation prize had been that she still had on her leather blackened leather armour, the gear providing some small semblance of both physical and mental reassurance against threats. Though to be fair, she held a small sliver of regret as people who might not have noticed her before now decidedly took a second glance at the strange half elf wearing armour to the exams.
“Next.” A bored looking scholar called, the man looking her up and down with traces of annoyance.
Sophie and Aryana presented their papers and the man snatched it up, scribbling into his little note book.
“Identification?” He barked.
The two presented their issued city passes and the man raised an eyebrow but said nothing more. Sophie waited with bated breath as he scribbled some more, making a point to jot down every little detail before he finally looked back up at them. The man’s brow crinkled into a frown when he handed the papers back, evidently finding the duo unremarkable despite their admittedly almost outlandish details that they had to provide to the gate official. After a moment’s pause however, the man’s face retracted back into his annoyed glance and he gave them a curt nod.
“Head on through to the north wing, find Listor Hall and the exam staff will brief you there.” He stated nonchalantly after handing them two small slips with some arcane script scratched onto them.
Wasting no time, the two hurriedly bypassed him and scrambled into the library, the grand interior still wowing them even now. The neat stacks of books and number of patrons just going about their day proved an especially large contrast to the nervous crowd of test takers shuffling towards the north wing. The procession of anxiety ended when they finally reached a large set of opened double doors, revealing a large hall within, filled to the brim with desks.
A few more scholars lingered around the entrance, their more form fitting uniforms and slightly less fancy get up suggesting less senior personnel than those at the gates. Their laced up shirts sport a variety of reds and greens, likely some indicator for rank as a few more of the scholars were busy sifting through sheets of paper further inside the hall, the red ones pointing to things whilst the green ones got on with their tasks. The ones at the front checked their little slips of paper before pointing the people to their seats. Sophie was suitably impressed when the illegible arcane script was presented to the door personnel, who without missing a beat, tiredly stated “Desk forty two, second row on the left.”
The hall felt like a completely different place to the rest of the library, a small chilly draft welcoming her the moment she stepped through the double doors. Gone was the pleasant ambiance of the little nooks and crannies within the library, replaced by something decidedly more functional, almost like an oversized classroom. Around the edges of the hall, Sophie could spot the previous occupants of their space being pushed against the wall. The giant bookshelves formed a separate wall unto itself as they lined the walls around them. The desk itself was made by what Sophie could only assume was oak, the sturdy knock on its service giving her a familiar vibe to the ones back at the Rosengart estate. On the desks themselves were a few thin sheafs of paper, two pencils and a small envelope with a seal on it, the words around the seal spelling out ‘Do Not Open Until Instructed’ in a few different languages.
Sophie turned to look behind her as she sat down, finding Aryana assigned a few more seats back than she would’ve expected. The redhead rifled through the papers almost immediately, a small disappointed frown appearing on her face when she discovered they were all blank. Her eyes eventually turned away from the desk and Sophie finally met Aryana’s gaze. Sophie flashed a reassuring smile and Aryana quickly shot one back in turn, her look of nervous excitement acting as a balm to Sophie’s growing anxiety at the exam. Sophie turned her attention to the front of the room, where a few of the red shirted scholars began escorting the blue robed man from earlier up to the lectern that they had hastily set up.
Around her, the green shirts methodically passed out little packets, occasionally telling off a test taker or two for fiddling with it. One finally landed on Sophie’s desk and her eyes widened in horror at the thick size of the packet. This… this is gonna take forever. Once the last of the packets were passed out, the man at the front raised his hand and drew a sigil in the air in front of him, the small symbol glowing bright white for a second before the light formed into a luminescent sigil and disappeared.
“Attention, all potential students. Your examination will begin momentarily. You will have two hours to answer the questions, another hour for the first essay portion, one last hour for the second essay. After that, please signal for a proctor and we will collect your papers. You may move ahead in sections if you finish early. All candidates, you may now open the envelope on your desk. Within are the essay prompts.” The man announced, his voice amplified by whatever magic he just casted.
Sophie tore open the envelope and pulled out the paper with her increasingly sweaty palms only to hear the older scholar instead.
“If there are no questions, then may I, Professor Berian Montroi, proctor of the Arterian Academy entrance exam, declare this examination to have officially begun.” The man finished, slamming down a small gavel, the sound echoing loudly with the magic.
So it begins.