Rasa blinked awake, her eyes adjusting to dawn's soft, orange hues. She could feel the boat's gentle rocking beneath her, and the cool morning breeze ruffled her dark braids. The sky above was clear, and the river no longer flowed beneath the stone-covered streets of Eldralore; they had left the city far behind. She leaned up on her elbows, careful not to wake Alara, who slept beside her, her strawberry blonde hair spilling over her face.

Rasa frowned slightly, seeing the tear stains on Alara's cheeks and the exhaustion etched into her features. Alara hadn't slept much that night, quietly shaking with grief over her brother Davian's death. Eventually, though, the gentle rhythm of the river calmed her enough to drift off to sleep, her breathing becoming the lull that allowed Rasa to rest. Rasa reached out, brushing a strand of Alara's hair behind her ear, but stopped short, not wanting to disturb her. Instead, she shifted her gaze towards the horizon, where a small port city was just beginning to come into view.

Rasa squinted, trying to remember the city's name. She couldn't. For now, she simply labeled it as where they had to find refuge, a new chance for safety. The river took them closer and closer, and once they were near enough, she began to maneuver the boat towards the shoreline, the gentle scrape of wood on sand marking their arrival. Rasa looked down at Alara again; her friend was still asleep, her features softening in the early morning light. Deciding it best not to wake her, Rasa pulled the boat onto the shore and pushed it into nearby bushes. She ensured Alara was well hidden beneath the foliage, her body covered with a cloak for warmth.

Satisfied that Alara was safe for the time being, Rasa dusted herself off and made her way towards the city on foot. Her steps were light and cautious, her eyes scanning her surroundings as she entered the outskirts. She was ready to run or fight if she saw any sign of the enemy, but what she found was surprisingly ordinary. Regular people were beginning to come out of their homes, stepping into the sunlight as they did their business. A merchant was setting up his wares at a stall, a child hurried past chasing a small dog, and a woman was hanging clothes to dry, seemingly oblivious to the invasion that had happened only thirty miles away.

Rasa caught sight of a middle-aged woman walking towards her with a basket of vegetables. She approached her, her voice calm but urgent. "Excuse me, do you know who is in charge here?"

The woman looked Rasa up and down, her eyes narrowing momentarily before her expression softened. "The mayor, I suppose," she started, her voice hesitant. She paused, her lips pursing in thought. "But honestly, you'd be better off heading to the guild. They make most of the major decisions around here."

Rasa nodded in thanks, her eyes flicking in the direction the woman had gestured. "Where can I find it?"

The woman pointed further down the street towards a building with a large, worn banner flapping in the breeze. "It's just down there; you can't miss it," she said.

Rasa offered a small smile of gratitude. "Thank you." Without wasting another moment, she headed towards the guild, her heart pounding with anticipation. She needed to find help quickly. Alara depended on her, and they needed allies—someone who could help them get back on their feet, someone who could help them save what was left of Emeresia.

Rasa made her way towards the bannered building, her eyes sharp as she scanned her surroundings. She could feel the weight of a few curious gazes on her, likely from the local street merchants lingering nearby. She ignored them, focusing on the task at hand. When she reached the guild's door, she knocked firmly. A moment later, a small wooden panel slid open, revealing a pair of dark eyes staring at her.

"State your purpose," the man behind the door demanded.

"I was told that the person in charge here is in the guild," Rasa replied, meeting his gaze evenly.

The man studied her momentarily before sliding the panel shut without a word. Rasa waited, listening as his footsteps receded. A tense silence followed, and she found herself mentally weighing her options. If this was a trap, could she fight her way out? The man who had spoken to her seemed enormous, and from what little she could see, he was nearly a foot taller than her with broad shoulders. She clenched her jaw, deciding that whatever awaited her inside, she had no other choice.

After what felt like an eternity, she heard the footsteps return, and the door creaked open. The man gestured for her to follow him inside. Rasa hesitated for only a moment before stepping across the threshold. The door closed behind her with a heavy thud, the sound of a lock clicking into place, making her stomach tighten.

The man led her through the building, and Rasa took in her surroundings, her senses alert. The guild was bustling with activity. She saw people auctioning off goods—some of which looked suspiciously stolen—in one corner while others stitched leather into clothes. A butcher worked at carving a fresh deer carcass, and the hunter who brought it in stood nearby. The air was filled with voices, laughter, and the metallic clinking of tools. It was chaotic, but there was a sense of order within the madness.

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Finally, the man stopped at a door and opened it, revealing a small side room. Inside sat a man in his forties, his blonde hair hanging just long enough to cover his green eyes, though it was parted in the middle to keep his vision clear. He wasn't particularly tall or notably handsome, but there was an air of authority about him. He looked up from a stack of papers and motioned for Rasa to sit in the chair across from his desk.

Rasa glanced back at the man who had led her here as he closed the door behind them, leaving her alone with the blonde man. She took a deep breath, then moved to sit down, her eyes never leaving the man before her.

"So," the man began, his voice calm but curious, "you must have a reason for seeking out the guild. What brings you here?"

Rasa met his gaze, her back straightening. "I need help," she said, her voice steady. "The city of Eldralore was attacked last night. We barely escaped with our lives. I was told that this guild might be able to help us."

The man raised an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair. "Eldralore, you say? Attacked?" He paused as if considering the weight of her words, then sighed. "These are difficult times. And you expect the guild here to help... why exactly?"

Rasa hesitated momentarily, then decided honesty might be her best option, at least partially. "We have skills and are willing to offer them in exchange for shelter and any resources you can provide. We need rest, food, and a way to travel undetected. We're not asking for charity. We can work for what we need."

The man seemed to consider her offer, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "We?" He glanced around her as if expecting to see someone else appear. "Where's the other person you speak of?"

Rasa cursed herself silently for revealing too much and bit her lip. But there was no going back now. "My traveling companion," she said curtly. "Can you help us or not?"

The man studied her face, his lips curving into a faint smirk. "Where is she, this companion of yours?" he asked.

Rasa raised an eyebrow. "I didn't say it was a woman."

He chuckled, shaking his head. "Relax. There aren't many Jabali who hail from Eldralore. I think I know who you are traveling with."

Rasa's body tensed, her heart pounding in her chest. He knew her. "Who are you?" she asked, her voice low, her eyes narrowing suspiciously.

He sighed and shrugged nonchalantly. "Knowing things is my job," he said simply. "Information is currency, you know."

Rasa didn't respond, trying to figure out how to proceed. She had hoped for help, but now it seemed the guild leader knew more about her than she was comfortable with. It put her on edge. She took a deep breath, deciding to focus on her goal. "You didn't answer my question," she said. "Can you help us or not?"

The man paused, thoughtfully looking towards the door and then back to her. He leaned in, lowering his voice. "Here's the thing," he began slowly. "I've already struck a deal with some men who arrived here early this morning. They promised that this town would remain untouched if we stayed neutral." He gave her a pointed look. "You see where that leaves me, don't you?"

Rasa's expression darkened, her eyes narrowing. She could barely contain the anger that simmered inside her. "So you intend to hand us over to them?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly, her hands balling into fists.

The man leaned back again, his gaze sharp and assessing. "That depends," he said, the corners of his lips curving into a cold smile. "You see, a man in my position is always willing to take risks... if the reward is worth it."

Rasa's eyes flashed with a mix of anger and fear. "What do you want?" she demanded, her voice steely.

The man smiled, nodding approvingly. "Smart, just like I've heard." He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. "I think I can be convinced to help. But first, I need confirmation. The person you're with—it's Alara, isn't it?"

Rasa's heart skipped a beat. She hesitated. The urge to lie was battling with the cold reality that he already seemed to know. Slowly, reluctantly, she nodded.

The man's smile widened. "Good," he said, his voice almost gleeful. He reached for a book on his desk, flipping it open and scanning the handwritten entries. When he found what he was looking for, he nodded to himself before looking back up at Rasa.

"Here's the deal," he said. "I can get Alara on a ship to Stormhaven. Once she arrives, she can secure an audience with King Caldric. Surely, her presence alone would prompt him to liberate Eldralore on her behalf, given the... close familial connection, wouldn't you agree?" He tilted his head, studying Rasa's reaction.

Rasa frowned, her expression skeptical. "And what do you get out of this?" she asked, her voice cold.

The man grinned. "I get to be her groom once she's back on the throne."

Rasa barely managed to hide her disgust. She clenched her jaw, her mind racing. "And what's stopping us from taking your help and then doing things our way?" she asked, her voice hard.

The man shrugged, his demeanor remaining disturbingly calm. "I have deep connections here—throughout Emeresia, actually. I also happen to know exactly who your enemy is. At any point, if I feel like you're backing out of our arrangement, let's just say it wouldn't be in your best interest." He smiled. A hint of menace flashed across his eyes.

Rasa stared at him, her hands trembling slightly. She knew she was out of options. She needed a way to get Alara out of danger, and the guild seemed to be her best shot, however much she detested this man. But how much could she trust his word? And could she devise a plan to ensure their safety without compromising Alara's freedom?

"Fine," she said through gritted teeth, trying not to let her fear show. "But know this—if you double-cross us, I'll make sure you regret it."

The man smiled, his expression unfazed. "I'm sure you will," he replied. "But let's keep this simple, shall we?" He gestured towards the door. "The sooner we make arrangements, the sooner you can get your friend to safety. Time's ticking, after all."

Rasa rose from her seat, her eyes never leaving his. She forced herself to nod. "Then let's get started."