Chapter 10: Ranking Up. Part Two
At the bakery, Gary was greeted with the warm, enticing aroma of freshly baked goods. He quickly acquainted himself with the friendly staff and went over the details for his assigned task of completing thirty deliveries.
Soon, he found himself weaving through the streets of the kingdom, visiting residential areas and businesses alike, bearing trays piled high with mouthwatering pastries.
Occasionally, Gary found himself taking a wrong turn, resulting in a slight detour from his intended route. However, the friendly townsfolk were always more than willing to provide him with directions, allowing him to get back on track swiftly.
This not only aided him in completing his deliveries but also led to engaging in conversations and further opportunities to familiarize himself with the locals and the kingdom as a whole. Some deliveries got his moving to much more remote areas of the kingdom.
At the church, Gwen was warmly welcomed by the priest and a group of orphans who resided there. She quickly found herself immersed in the daily tasks, which ranged from cleaning and maintaining the church to teaching and playing with the children.
Venturing into a more rural part of the kingdom, Coal approached a small house nestled among the rolling fields. Upon knocking, a wide-eyed child answered the door, asking if Coal was seeking their parents. The child then explained that their parents were currently away, busy at work in the fields.
Hearing Coal's explanation, the child's eyes lit up with excitement and relief that someone from the Adventurer's Guild had come to help them find their lost cat. The child eagerly invited Coal inside, where they shared what they knew about their cat's disappearance and any clues that might aid in the search.
The child shared with Coal that their cat had a habit of wandering off towards the river during the day, but it had always returned by nightfall. However, the last few times the cat came back, it had been sporting some injuries. This led the child to worry about their beloved pet's well-being since it hasn't returned in five days.
Taking in the information, Coal considered the possibility that the cat had ventured toward the river once more but had not been able to return due to sustaining injuries. Coal thanked the child for their help and set out towards the river, determined to locate the missing pet and ensure its safe return.
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A ten-minute walk led Coal to a wide river with a stone bridge arching gracefully across the water. Despite scanning the area thoroughly, he struggled to find any definitive clues pointing to the cat's whereabouts. Understanding the urgent need to locate the missing pet, Coal persisted in his search, examining every detail of the environment.
Deciding on a different approach, Coal began asking passersby if they had seen a lost cat near the river. To his surprise, a kindly elderly woman recalled encountering a cat fitting the description just two days prior. She mentioned that the cat appeared injured and had darted into a nearby thicket upon sensing her approach.
Armed with this new information, Coal headed towards the thicket the elderly woman had mentioned. As he approached, he noticed a flock of black birds circling the area and spotted small tufts of fur accompanied by traces of blood on the ground.
Feeling a growing sense of urgency, Coal carefully examined the scene, knowing that these signs could indicate the cat was injured and in need of help. With renewed determination, he ventured deeper into the thicket, following the trail left behind by the missing feline.
As Coal carefully pushed through the dense undergrowth, he suddenly stumbled upon the injured black cat, who was fiercely guarding a litter of tiny kittens.
Despite its wounds, the feline remained determined to protect its vulnerable offspring, hissing defiantly at Coal's approach. Realizing the importance of this discovery, Coal knew he had to handle the situation with care and tact in order to safely return the cat and its kittens to the anxiously waiting child. Slowly and gently, he attempted to gain the trust of the injured cat, reassuring it of his intention to help them all return home.
Despite Coal's gentle and patient attempts, the injured cat remained hostile, unwilling to lower its defenses. However, as it neared exhaustion, the weakened feline nearly collapsed, rendering it unable to fend off the circling predators any longer.
Seizing the opportunity, Coal quickly scooped up the protective cat and its vulnerable litter of kittens, shielding them from the diving black birds that sought to snatch the young or attack the defenseless feline. With the rescued family in his arms, Coal began the journey back to the child's home, determined to reunite them and ensure their safety.
Muddy materialized beside Coal, noticing the danger the birds posed to the vulnerable feline family. With a sense of purpose, Muddy began hurling rocks at the menacing birds, driving them away from Coal and the rescued pets.
The cat, feeling reassured by Muddy's actions, allowed itself to relax in Coal's arms as the kittens snuggled closer to their mother. As night approached, Coal carried the now content and safe feline family back to the child's house, feeling proud of their successful rescue mission.
Greeted by the sight of the relieved and grateful child, Coal carefully handed over the black cat and her kittens, ensuring that they were settled comfortably in their new home.
The child promised to take good care of the rescued feline family, and Coal, reassured by the child's sincerity, took his leave.
Feeling a sense of completion, Coal suddenly remembered the need for proof of his quest's completion. He quickly turned back to the child and requested them to provide a thumbprint on his quest parchment, certifying that the job was done.
The child happily obliged, pressing their small thumb into the parchment, leaving a distinct mark as evidence. With the official confirmation in hand, Coal could now confidently report the successful completion of his mission.