CHAPTER 3

Lunatya and the rest of Ardent Hope all geared up and walked together to the Guild Hall. The winter air was cold on their cheeks, the sky gray and dreary. Zephyrard stepped forward first and opened the door, holding it for the others. One by one they nodded and smiled, as they entered the building.

Normally the Guild Hall would be a bustling place, with people eating and drinking in the tavern section, and others organizing groups to take quests at the quest board. But today it was quite empty, with just a few people laying their heads down at the tables, mug in hand.

“Hm… seems like a slow day,” muttered Lunatya, looking around.

“It is a bit odd,” said Zephyrard, stepping up behind Lunatya. “There’s normally at least more people hanging around the tavern.”

“Hm… maybe people are already out in the field,” commented Juli, tapping a finger on her chin. “I’d want to earn some extra money so I wouldn’t have to work as much when the weather gets bad.”

“...I’m already kinda chilly…” said Lissette in her soft, airy voice. “Let’s go see if there are any good quests left… I wouldn’t want to be working either if there’s a bunch of snowstorms going on…”

With their steps echoing in the near empty hall, the party made their way to the quest board. It was a large board with quest commissions pinned onto it, noting the client commissioner, the task to be completed, and any details about the situation. To the side of the board was a reception desk, where Guild Receptionists (often fondly called Guild Gals or Guild Guys) helped to organize, advise, and approve quest commissions to adventuring parties. There was only one Guild Gal on duty at the moment, and she was having donuts with a pair of women dressed in the colors of Caerulean Winter—the Plietuvian branch of the Order of Seasons.

The group all stared at the quest board. On a normal day it would be filled with plenty of quest postings. But today… it seemed a bit barren.

“...Anyone find any good quests…?” asked Lunatya, looking at the board unimpressed.

“They all seem pretty mundane…” replied Zephyrard, rubbing his chin as he looked. “Here’s one to find someone’s dog…”

“I found one to paint someone’s house…” muttered Juli, letting out a sigh.

“This one is for… washing someone’s back…?” Lissette said, holding onto a posting. She shook her head and put it back on the board. “I… I don’t want to do this one…”

“Hmph… I wanted to go out today!” sighed Lunatya with a pout. “Where’s all the… adventure-y quests!”

As the party discussed their current conundrum, one of the official looking women from behind the desk walked over. She walked up to the group. Then she just stood there. Continuing to eat her donut.

“Oh… good morning,” greeted Lunatya, giving the woman a wave.

The woman returned with a nod and continued munching along. The rest of the party gave her a brief greeting, again returned with a quiet nod. The woman continued to stand there with the party without speaking a word, coming off as somewhat odd to the group. She seemed to be absentmindedly eating her donut, though for some reason… she kept looking at Lunatya.

Lunatya kept glancing back at her, though the woman never said anything. Zephyrard noticed and eventually tapped Lunatya with an elbow. Lunatya put a hand on her cheek, tilting her head.

“Uhm… can I help you with something?” asked Lunatya, unsure of the situation.

The woman didn’t speak and continued to finish her donut. After the last bite had been swallowed, she let out a satisfied sigh, then turned her full attention to Lunatya.

“Oh… sorry. I was finishing my donut. I’m Azuriel, a Bishop of Caerulean Winter. I do field research for the Guild Association,” said the woman, in a quiet, sleepy voice. She had long blue hair, was short but had an athletic build, and was dressed in a blue uniform with white trimming. “There was a big rush earlier, most of the field quests have already been taken. It’s quiet now, so I was having donuts with my sister Sapphira and Master Virgo.”

Azuriel gestured back towards the desk. The younger woman, Sapphira, stood up and waved. She looked similar to Azuriel, though had shorter hair, rounder cheeks, and a more energetic demeanor. She was dressed in a uniform similar to Azuriel, but more civilian than military. The older woman, Virgo, remained seated giving a wave before returning her attention to her donut. She had an air of elegance and maturity, with a slender build, long white hair, wearing a long dress with a side slit, in the same blues and whites of the others.

“Oh, nice to meet you! I’m Lunatya,” said Lunatya in return. Then she gestured to the others. “These are my friends and adventuring party, Zephyrard, Juli, and Lissette. We formed our party recently, Ardent Hope!”

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With proper introductions made, Azuriel scanned everyone, and gave them each a quiet nod. Then she returned her attention to Lunatya.

“Ah… so you’re Lunatya. I thought you looked familiar, I’ve worked with your aunt, Nixia.” Azuriel said, nodding. “She’s a very knowledgeable woman. Sometimes Master Virgo would send me out into the field to aid her in her investigations and research.”

“My, what a surprise! Thank you for your aid, I know my Aunt is strong and capable, though it’s nice to know she has assistance,” Lunatya replied, giving Azuriel a smile and bowing her head. “So was there something you wanted to talk about in particular?”

“Mhm. Yes. Here, take this quest. Let the rookies handle the mundane ones,” Azuriel said, holding out a quest commission. “The Guild Association itself has commissioned this quest. Normally the Knights of Caerulean Winter would handle it, but we’re short on manpower. There have been scout reports noting strange howling around Crystalrun Sanctuary, with a decrease in activity of the local fauna.”

Lunatya took the quest commission and began to look over the details. Strange howling noises in the vicinity… the sanctuary, normally full of life, devoid of animals… a chill in the air. She turned to the others.

“So… what do you guys think?” Lunatya asked. “This one adventure-y enough for you?”

“Well… it’s definitely better than painting houses for sure…” muttered Juli.

“I’d like to go see the sanctuary… all the stories I’ve heard about it make it sound very pretty with the silver barked Celestia trees,” said Lissette. She pressed her fingertips together, tilting her head side to side. “I just hope we don’t run into any major trouble like with that crystal golem the other day…”

Zephyrard stared at the commission, going over the details. He didn’t say anything, only having a distant look on his face. His eyebrows narrowed.

“You okay?” whispered Lunatya, turning to look at Zephyrard. She could see the hesitation and worry in his eyes.

“Just like Lissette said, I’m just a bit worried with things in the region being unstable,” replied Zephyrard, letting out a breath and shaking his head. “Though I think we should take the quest and cleanse the sanctuary, the goddess has been looking after us lately afterall.”

“Mhm… you’re right, we should,” said Lunatya, nodding slowly. Then she grabbed Zephyrard’s hand and squeezed it softly. “I think it’ll be alright though, we’re all together.”

“Luna’s right…!” said Lissette, clenching her fists and nodding at Zephyrard. “We managed to defeat that golem… I feel confident with all you at my side...!”

“Our strength combined,” said Juli, placing a hand on Zephyrard’s shoulder. She smiled. “What one can’t do, the others will handle.”

“...Thank you, that makes me feel better about the situation,” replied Zephyrard. He took another deep breath and tried to settle his stomach. “Let’s take the quest then.”

“Good. I’m on standby today, so if you run into trouble, launch an SOS and I’ll come to help,” said Azuriel, giving the party a nod. Then she bent her knees slightly, held up both her arms with a flex, still with a nonchalant expression on her face. She puffed up for just a moment, before deflating again back to her quiet, sleepy state. “I’m stronger than I look. Though for now I’m just going to keep having donuts with Saphhira and Master Virgo.”

Lunatya smiled and put a hand on Azuriel’s shoulder. Azuriel was quite petite and didn’t look that impressive, but she felt she could trust her. “Thank you, that’s reassuring!”

“I’m going back to my snacktime now then,” said Azuriel, lifting a hand to wave at the party. “Seasons turn, the stars guide the way.”

“Uhm…” hummed Lissette, pressing her fingers together as Azuriel was about to leave.

Azuriel stopped and looked at Lissette. “You can speak.”

“Can… can I have a donut? They looked pretty good…” replied Lissette, looking away slightly, bashful.

“...I’d like one too if Lissette’s having one,” Lunatya added, puffing up her cheeks. “They did look good.”

Azuriel just started laughing. Then she waved the party over towards the desk. Master Virgo picked up a box and put it up on the counter.

“Please, you can’t go adventuring on an empty stomach!” said Master Virgo, giving the party a welcoming gesture. “Have as many as you like.”

“Hehe… Master Virgo always wants to have her morning donuts,” Sapphira said with a big grin on her face. “So we always make sure we have plenty to go around.”

“Mphm… they’re very good,” Azuriel said, her mouth already full with another donut. “Master Virgo won’t work if she doesn’t get her morning donuts either, and then I have to work more.”

“Hmph! You can’t expect me to work on an empty stomach!” said Master Virgo, her poise dropping. “Besides… I always make sure what needs to get done gets done. And that’s no way to talk to your leader!”

Azuriel didn’t say anything in response, only listening and continuing to enjoy her donut. Though as her superior scolded her, Azuriel picked up another donut and pushed it towards Master Virgo’s mouth. Master Virgo calmed down after that.

“Haha! Oh you two… so silly,” said Sapphira, bubbling with energy. “These two can be a bit odd at times… though they’re very dependable!”

“It’s okay, I understand Master Virgo!” cheered Lunatya, popping a donut into her mouth next. “You can’t go about your day if you’re hungry!”

“Oh my… I like this one,” Master Virgo said smiling, wagging a finger at Lunatya. “I’m not surprised, Bishop Nixia and the rest of your family are good people.”

“Hehe… thank you!” replied Lunatya, smiling with cheeks puffed up with mouthfuls of donut. “And thank you for the donuts, they’re delicious! I’m already feeling powered up! How about the rest of you?”

The rest of Ardent Hope were already quite involved with the donuts, stuffing their mouths full of them. They all paused to look up at Lunatya and smiled before returning their focus to the bounty before them. Lunatya started to laugh from her belly, filled with joy. Master Virgo and Sapphira started laughing as well, while Azuriel nodded with approval, enjoying her donuts in solidarity.

“Sapphira… I think we’d best get some more donuts for our guests,” said Master Virgo, starting to stand up, wiping donut crumbs off her face. “We must provide our adventurers with the best so they can do their duty.”

“Yes ma’am!” replied Sapphira, standing up and saluting. “We’ll be back with more in a moment, please, enjoy!”

The members of Ardent Hope all raised their arms to cheer, with donuts in hand of course, and gave their thanks. With full bellies… this quest was surely to be a cinch!