This is starting to become a worrying habit.

Just as he had once before, Rohl again found himself waking to aching joints and sore muscles, however, there were a few differences between his previous location and this one. Whilst it did have the monotonous boredom of a patient's room, it also lacked the familiar features of a panacea bed chamber.

Instead of being a place of healing and recovery, the room seemed more like a cross between a waiting room and a storage area. Wooden crates and barrels had been stacked neatly at one side, a few spiderwebs clung to the corners of the room and the bed was clearly old and lumpy.

To further extenuate that he wasn't in a panacea, Rohl could make out the faint clashes of steel on steel in the far distance. Whatever was going on beyond the wooden door of his room, it clearly wasn't healing and relaxation.

Let's take a deep breath and remember what happened.

His memories of the attack were still fresh in his mind, the death, carnage and blood still clung to his memories, but thankfully the fear and adrenaline that had once consumed him had long since faded.

With the battle now confided to his memories, he could at least remain calm and reflect on the experience with a somewhat clear if shaky mind.

First things first, I am definitely not battle-ready.

Rohl's contribution to the fight had been minimal and his battle abilities non-existent, however, he had at least done his best and managed to take a few of those creatures down with him before he got overwhelmed.

Well, maybe more than a few. I remember hearing music; I remember using my blessing.

It was not unheard of for a deity to commune with a mortal, but such stories were incredibly rare, mortals were simply not meant to hear the voices of the gods, which often led them to commune using signs or omens. Rohl could understand why, just hearing that single chord had almost deafened him.

Just that chord had been filled with incredible power, any more and I doubt I'd have survived it. Hearing it is a great honour.

Whilst that was definitely something to reflect on, Rohl couldn't ignore the fact that the sound had essentially called upon him to use his blessing and he had. He had turned all those around him into feral beasts, only capable of devouring each other in a mad rage.

And whilst the images that brought into his mind made him shudder it did also swell him with pride. He had a blessing, and it had saved them.

This changes things, I can use this to help them. It gives me an edge.

He would need to practice that was for sure, especially since his blessing had almost gotten him killed at the hands of Thadeus.

Quinn, Thaddeus they had to have survived, how else would I have gotten here, but Terrance, Mimi? They had to have survived, had to.

The thought of his companions and the guilt of not thinking of them sooner, were enough to wipe away any desire Rohl had to rest and recuperate, all he cared about now was getting his bearings and discovering their fate.

Now is not the time for rest, I have my family to see and friends to find.

With a grimace of pain, Rohl pushed himself up from his bed and used the dim light afforded by his window to quickly gather up his belongings.

Ukatar, dagger, clothes. It's all here, a good sign.

After quickly pocketing equipment and slipping on his shoes, Rohl shakily made his way to the opposite side of the small room before slowly and carefully opening the room's only door.

It seemed like a good idea at first, to open the door ever so slightly and use the small gap it created to stealthily gain an idea of his surroundings. Of course, that hope was soon dashed as all Rohl was met with was a confused gaze staring back at him through the gap.

Whilst he had not exactly been as sneaky as he possibly could have, he had at least hoped to have gained some semblance of his location before his caregivers discovered he was awake. The chances they were hostile were slim given his treatment but if there was one thing Rohl had learnt in the past few weeks, was to expect the unexpected and prepare for the worst.

Fortunately, the fact that this stranger's confused gaze soon turned to one of concern, did help alleviate some of Rohl's worries.

Without so much as attempting to explain his actions, Rohl finally opened the door and took in his surroundings, not that they gave any real hint to his location.

There were no signs posted upon any of the doors that littered the hallway, nor any object or map that would allow him to discern his location. Neither did the young man standing before him wear any item that could help narrow down his occupation. The clothes he wore were completely ordinary and rather standard attire for most people simply going about their day.

"Hi."

"Good morning." It was clear from the voice's lack of reply that he hadn't quite expected to be in this situation. If anything, he seemed keen to avoid it.

"Follow me if you would, it's better he explains your situation than I." With that, the young man turned on his heel, opened the door closest to him and gestured for Rohl to follow him down a small somewhat cramped staircase.

I mean, I may as well go with him, maybe this other guy can tell me everything I need to know.

After a somewhat unsure nod of agreement, Rohl moved to follow his guide down the small staircase before soon finding being deposited on what was surely the bottom floor of whatever establishment he was on. The large wooden doors he could see in the far corner of his eye did hint towards that at least.

"This way if you will." After quickly checking to make sure Rohl was still following him, the guide turned and took a left at the end of the rather small stairs. And just as promised, Rohl followed, ignoring his urge to investigate the multitude of sounds he could hear erupting from the many doors and passages that led away from his location as he did so.

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Combat but not battle.

Rohl had grown familiar enough with that sound to be able to understand the difference, although he would have preferred being able to prove his assumption correct. But instead, he simply followed his guide down the rather bland wooden hallway before finding himself waiting patiently as the man gently knocked on the end door.

"Guild Master, I have Mr Bluedawn to see you."

After a moment or two of waiting, the guide finally got a reply.

"Thank you, return to your duties, I will collect him shortly."

With that, Rohl's guide was dismissed and after a nod of acknowledgement to Rohl, the young man finally left, leaving Rohl to wait awkwardly in the hall. There was little more information he could gain from its barren surroundings and with no one to question, all he could do was wait patiently and spend more time with his thoughts.

Well, I know I'm in a guild at least, this has to be Elmon, we were heading there but I suppose there might have been a town along the way. If it is Elmon, I need to wrap this up and get to the temple.

It took another minute or two of waiting for Rohl to finally hear the first sounds of movement erupt from the room. The sound of a chair being pushed back, muffled voices and of encroaching steps were clear enough, even despite the other myriad of sounds that originated from the various rooms and doors around the guild.

As tempted as Rohl was to place his ear against the door and listen closer, the distinct sound of the handle being turned and the door beginning to open inwards, put an end to that idea.

However, instead of this being the signal to enter, Rohl in fact found himself blocked and all but forced into conversation with the figure that left the room.

Even despite Rohl's limited world knowledge and travelling, he could recognise the distinct military garb fixed on the man.

Not a common soldier but I really don't know the different uniforms.

The man's clean red and brown armour embroidered with the flag of Offa was a clear enough distinction of his profession, but even without the twin bloodied spears of Offa embedded onto his uniform, the man's stern scarred face gave enough of a clue to his profession.

Everything about the man screamed battle-scarred soldier, from the greyed hair, scar littered face, to the very way he stood. If Rohl wasn't too taken aback by his sudden appearance, Rohl was quite sure he may have even saluted by pure instinct.

"Mr Bluedawn, I presume, Tulley was kind enough to lend me a report of the battle during my visit. For someone who has never seen combat, your performance was nothing to be ashamed of. Real battle is nothing like the books tell and many men have done far worse than you because of it. I shall be keeping an eye on your performance." The man's voice was far calmer and reassuring than Rohl had expected, but despite that, Rohl still struggled to formulate any kind of response to the sudden unexpected sermon other than a mumbled 'thank you'.

It was clear the man hadn't expected more from the likely taken aback Rohl and simply continued with his calm reassuring speech.

"Should you ever decide on a military career, don't hesitate to find me, with a little training, I could make a fine soldier out of you. Now if you will, I have other matters to attend to."

After taking a second to comprehend the words and thank the man again, Rohl finally moved to the side and allowed the man to pass. But before he could use this chance to further observe the figure, another voice immediately caught his attention.

"Mr Bluedawn, a moment of your time if you will."

As long as it is, I need to know what happened and get directions to the temple, but I may as well listen to all he has to say while I'm here.

"Uhh, of course." After a rather brief reply, Rohl finally entered the guild master's room and just as one might expect of the guild leader, the room's décor was a perfect mixture of professionalism and adventure.

For every row of neatly stacked paper or half-completed adventuring report, stood a trophy of battle, a minotaur's horn, a wolf's claw, a griffin talon. Loot of all kinds littered not only the office furniture but mounted the walls as well, and whilst Rohl could recognise some of the more obvious monster trophies by sight, he had no idea what creature the spiked tentacle belonged to.

Harpy? Sea serpent maybe, minotaur for sure. This office is amazing.

As cluttered as the various monster trophies made the place look, Rohl knew for a fact he would have done the same if it was his office, what better to spice up a plain boring office than to fill the cupboards, shelves and wardrobe with hard-earned and admittedly cool looking trophies of battle.

It even made the Offan map and various reports that littered the man's desk seem far more interesting than they surely were.

I suppose that's why adventures are required to bring back evidence of any kills. Well maybe more as proof and not to make the report feel more lively and exciting.

As enticed as Rohl was by his soundings, it was clear from the gentle cough coming from the guild master, that he had perhaps been a little too transfixed.

A fact that Rohl knew he couldn't deny, he had been so engrossed in the trophies that he had not even had the chance to make eye contact with the man or shake his hand, not that one was being offered. Instead, the man still remained seated behind the desk with a still dripping quill in his hands.

Younger than the general but not by much.

The man who could only have been the guild master had an appearance that could only be described as deceiving. He had a small bookish face with rather average features, it was not exactly the appearance of an experienced adventurer or guild master but the defined muscles that Rohl could see under his rather plain loose-fitting clothes told a different story.

I suppose it's what you might wear underneath armour, even with an office job, he's still prepared to fight if need be.

"Do not feel the need to sit, our business will only take a short moment. Then we may both get on with more important matters."

Despite the vacant chairs' surprisingly comfy appearance and his own tiredness, Rohl remained standing. And after confirming that Rohl had followed his orders, the man continued to speak without so much as looking up from his paperwork.

"As you may be pleased to learn, the party of Quinn Terriney all survived their encounter with the minotaur's horde, not unscathed I might add. Fortunately, none of their sustained injuries are permanent or likely to scar. That goes for you too I might add, although you will likely be exhausted for the next few days, a blessings first use is never an easy experience on the body."

I can account for that, everything is aching. I kind of wish he had given me the chair now.

Whilst Rohl's thoughts remained fixed on other matters, he couldn't help but feel relieved at learning of Quinn's survival, if his blessing had claimed their lives, the guilt would surely have been horrific.

After allowing a moment for Rohl to fully comprehend what he had said, the guild master finally moved one eye away from the report and fished out a small clinking bag of gold from a draw underneath the table.

"Your share of the reward totals to one fortwilling and 20 twilling's, it would have been a more significant amount but the account of the monsters numbers has been hazy and given the party's state, they were unable to retrieve a high quantity of monster's parts. By the time they reached Elmon and organised a second party, the battle site had been picked clean by scavengers."

I should probably thank them for carrying me over monster loot.

"Split five ways, minus rent for your room, the maintenance of your belongings, a new set of clothes, as well as acquiring medical professionals to monitor your condition, your reward has significantly diminished."

I couldn't even agree to rent a room, and besides it was a hastily converted storage area. He's just being tight, how much does it cost to maintain a sheathed dagger, I will give them the clothes, I guess.

Given everything, he had been through, Rohl truly lacked the will to argue with the man and instead, simply pocketed the offered gold without complaint.

"Now assuming you've collected all your belongings. You are free to do as you please. Mr Terriney and his party have already departed Elmon, an urgent quest I believe but you are welcome to register as a solo adventurer if you like or if it's more in your interest, take up the general on his offer. But whatever you do, do it somewhere else."

The conversation had gone quicker and ended far more abruptly than Rohl had expected but that didn't stop him from asking the one question burning on the forefront of his mind.

"Thank you... but one thing before I get out your way, how do I reach the Temple of Thanatos?".