While the majority of the city had suffered heavy damage from the two separate conflicts it had hosted, they were surprised to find that the Noble District had escaped mostly unscathed. This was, of course, due to the fact that the worst of the rubble from the exploding palace had been flung past the Noble District and into the lower rings, where most of the residential areas were located. And while some of the fighting of the second battle had taken place in the inner ring of the city, the Noble District still stood, looking even more extravagant compared to the disheveled city around it.
The party glanced between the buildings as they entered, taking careful note that the usual guard preventing unauthorized access wasn’t in place. There was nobody to stop them from coming and going wherever they pleased in the city, except perhaps the district that had previously hosted the palace. They wondered idly how long it would take to rebuild the massive structure and restore it to its former glory. Without the tall monolith of white stone, the highest point of the city looked rather bleak and empty. This was echoed throughout the rest of Milagre as well. It seemed like the whole city was still on the brink of devastation, and could only wait expectantly to see what tragedy would befall it next.
“Wasn’t the headquarters this way?” Roni asked, stopping as the rest of them turned left to go deeper into the district, instead of taking the right-hand path as they’d done before. “Why are you all going that way?”
“The Issho-Ni complex is too busy, what with all the recovery and healing efforts,” Taiki explained. “One of the Masters told me that Samuel Bragg’s estate is being used as the new headquarters. He’s set up a hall for the Adventurer’s Guild.”
That caused Roni to frown. “Why would he care what they do?”
“Rumor is they’re going to be the leaders in the effort to pull in more income,” Taiki said, offering a shrug. “They need a place to operate, so Archmage Bragg offered some space on his property.”
Roni shrugged in her own turn and switched course to follow them. It didn’t take them long to find the Bragg Estate, especially as it was probably one of the biggest in the city. Taking up nearly four acres in such a crowded city, it wasn’t hard to miss. The house in the center stood out particularly well. It had to have been at least five stories tall, with impressive stonework on the sides, and a broad tower on the side that lent it a very castle-like appearance.
The gates to this estate weren’t guarded either, they noticed with some surprise. But as soon as they stepped across the threshold, they felt an invisible resistance, as if some magical force was preventing their entry. It faded just as suddenly, leaving them uncomfortable as if they’d been searched from top to bottom in that instant. Roni in particular gave a powerful shudder, then hurriedly turned away from the rest of them, yanking her hood up to cover her face properly.
“Roni?” Falynn asked, taking a step towards her. “Are you okay?”
Roni straightened up quickly, seeming perfectly fine. In fact, she seemed to grow an inch or two, but Falynn just attributed that to her normal slouching behavior. When she turned to face them again, she seemed unperturbed. She gave a smaller shudder, the last of the panic fading from her face. “I’m fine. Something about that barrier didn’t agree with me.”
Falynn looked from Roni to the others. Taiki was watching Roni closely, a deep frown furrowing her brow, but she didn’t bother to comment. Perhaps it was just a rare showing of concern, the druid thought. She decided to let the matter go, and get them back on track. “Alright then, if you say so. Where do we go?”
Leonov pointed towards the main building. Apart from it, there were only three other buildings in sight. A short squat building surrounded by gardens, which was obviously an herbalist’s shack, a dingy hut that looked to be in a poor state, and a stable, where several magical beasts were resting out of the late afternoon sun. “I’d wager if he’s set up a hall, it’s in the main residence.”
They approached the massive front door, with Roni taking up the rear position, and knocked. The small knocker seemed to make a sound disproportionate to its size, letting out a cacophonous boom that made Falynn jump. They took a step back, waiting for someone to answer. After a few minutes, just long enough that Leonov was tempted to knock again, one of the doors opened, revealing the face of a metallic being. It was dressed in a fine suit and stood about a head taller than even Taiki.
“Welcome to the estate of Archmage Bragg,” the creature said. Its voice was perfectly human, but when it spoke, its jaw was obviously moving on a kind of hinge, and all they could see was more metal inside. It was such an unnatural sight that Falynn shivered and took a half-step back. “To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?”
“What.., err, who are you?” Leonov asked. He changed the question in mid-sentence, perhaps feeling that it would have been rude to begin with ‘what’. “I’ve never seen a being like you.”
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
“I am a machine servant,” the figure said. “You may call me Arthur. Master Bragg created me and enchanted me with the knowledge of a human who lived long ago, so that I may facilitate the maintenance of his properties.”
“Ah,” Leonov said. “We’re here to visit the Adventurer’s Guild headquarters. Is it inside this house?”
“In a manner of speaking,” Arthur said. He stepped back, allowing the door to open more wildly. Please, step inside. Any and all violence is prohibited while you are within this house. You are not required to surrender your weapons, but extreme measures will be used to remove you if you incite violence.”
They stepped in hesitantly. Falynn looked uneasy as she sidled past the manufactured being and almost seemed to hold her breath until she was past it. Once inside, she half-hid herself behind Leonov, as if keen to put more distance between her and the stranger. It was only fitting that, as a child of the forest and a proud druid, she would be highly uncomfortable in the machine’s presence.
“The hall for the Adventurer’s Guild is through here,” Arthur said, gracefully extending an arm to indicate one of the many doors that lined the entry hall. “Please do your best to avoid disturbing the peace of our other guests. And, again, welcome to the estate. We hope you enjoy your stay.”
“We?” Falynn asked, barely suppressing another shudder. “Are there, uh, more of you?”
“I am the only being of my kind,” Arthur said, his voice conciliatory. “I’ve asked Master Bragg, and he said that because in his mind there was only ever one Arthur, there should only be one of me.”
They nodded mutely and slipped through the indicated door. Even Taiki, the most stoic of them all, seemed keen to put the strange Arthur at their backs and move on. Only when the door closed behind them and they could see the veritable swarm of humans, elves, and other kinds of people inside the new headquarters for the Adventurer’s guild did Falynn relax slightly. She rubbed the thin circlet of wood around her wrist for comfort, and let out a shaky sigh.
“I did not like that thing,” she said. “It had absolutely nothing about nature in it.”
“He was an odd creature,” Leonov agreed, nodding. “I wonder why Archmage Bragg made him.”
“It is a being of metal and chaos,” the druid girl said firmly, shaking her head. “He is a powerful mage. The two go hand in hand.”
They all looked at her in some curiosity, surprised to find her taking such a negative stance on something. She was usually bright and cheerful, able to see a good side to nearly everything they’d discussed or encountered. Even that strange mage they’d seen while hunting for the living wood hadn’t been bad in her sight. She’d felt sorry for him once they’d understood that he had no control over his actions.
“Well, let’s see about this reward,” Taiki said, pushing their minds back to the original task. “Who do you think we should speak to?”
The answer ended up approaching them directly. An elven woman, looking like she needed a few hours of good sleep, walked over, holding a sheaf of parchment under one arm and a large pouch in her other hand. “Are you Leonov Barric, Taiki Sato, Falynn Shaso, and Roni the Wanderer?”
They all jumped a little, but Taiki was the first to recover. “Yes, that’s us.”
“Lord Rainhall has been expecting your arrival for several hours,” the woman said. “Here is your collected rewards from your previous mission. In addition, these papers are for you.”
Taiki, as the closest, accepted the pouch, handed it to Leonov, and grabbed the papers. She pulled one out, frowning as she read through it, then looked up at the woman. “What are these for?”
“Two of them are letters of commendation for jobs you have completed,” the woman explained. “In particular, the druids of Shallow Brook are very pleased with your efforts. They have extended an invitation for you to stay with them whenever it is convenient to you, should you need rest.”
“The third parchment is from the General Council. It does not address you by name, but it thanks you for your service in retaking the city. From now on, you are considered deputies of the Town Guard, and have unquestioned access to the Noble District and the Palace, when it is rebuilt.”
Leonov let out a low whistle at that. “Even me?”
“Yes, mister Barric. We do not hold prejudices regarding your nationality. Your actions were clearly noble, and you are welcome to our city. This is further reinforced by the fourth and final sheet, which is the deed to your new home and base of operations in the Market District. You have been assigned a steward to keep the property in your absence, as well as a vault in the Trader’s Guild main bank within the noble district, where the remainder of your substantial rewards will be placed.”
She finally stopped, and, seeing their shocked expressions, offered an understanding smile. “It is a lot to take in, I understand. You are welcome to pursue any or all of them at your leisure. In the meantime, the Clerk will be able to provide you with more information regarding your required tests. If you pass them, your unit rank will be raised, and more profitable bounties will become available to you.”
“Understood,” Leonov said, giving Taiki a subtle nudge with his elbow. “What do the tests consist of?”
“That is not my area,” the elven woman said. “I deal with administrative matters. For tests and combat training, you should speak to Master Sennid, who oversees all of that.”
Without another word, she left them, off to pursue more administrative matters. As she walked away, they saw her pick up a massive stack of parchment in her arms and disappear through a side door. Leonov shook his head slowly. “That woman is far too busy for her own good.”