THE COUNCIL OF GUILDS

For Iris’s part, the transformation of the quill into the paladin’s blade was nothing short of frustrating. While it may have mesmerized or amazed others, and she did hear a few startled gasps coming from nosy onlookers, but it was not the same for her.

No, her initial shock was replaced by a rush of exasperation and mild amusement especially since it had finally happened to someone other than her. But, of all the mischievous and borderline dangerous antics her sister had pulled, this had to be among the top.

She had known Akane long enough to expect the unexpected, but there were times when the kitsune truly outdid herself. Pissing off a paladin was not something Iris wanted to deal with.

Especially not before she actually became the Grandmaster of the Adventurer’s Guild.

So she did the most reasonable thing she could do. She focused on the person who should have known better. “Mocha, what did you two do?”

The sun elf form of Iris’s best friend was a smidge shorter than her and sported a clearly guilty look and a bit of annoyance that flashed in her eyes every time she glanced at Akane.

So, she didn’t realize what the sword was.

Iris glanced at Kaira who held an agitated expression on her face as well.

She’s going to be the one that has to quell any tempers. I think I’ll spare her this time.

Fuck, this is going to be annoying.

The adventurer turned to Akane and fixed the kitsune with a death stare. At least she hoped it was a death stare because the damned fox’s beaming smile didn’t even twitch.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward, her boots making a soft thud on the wooden floor. “You realize,” she began slowly, her voice a careful mix of stern and curious, “that this isn’t just any blade. I’m assuming you weren’t given it freely,” she said while gesturing toward the sword in Mocha’s hand.

Akane’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “It looked pretty,” she replied nonchalantly.

Iris pinched the bridge of her nose, trying to muster some patience. “Akane, 'it looked pretty' is not a good reason to—”

Mocha who apparently realized where it came from, gently placed the sword on a nearby table and fixed Akane with a glare.

“You, sister, are a jerk.”

Akane gasped. “Only fun! Not mean!”

“They blame me!”

“They know it was me!”

“But I was… guilty by…” Her brows furrowed in frustration, so Iris finished for her.

“Association. And yes. Because I asked you two to stay with Neri. I don’t want anything to happen to either of you because of your… origins.”

Mocha groaned.

Kaira stepped forward. She looked from one magical woman to the other, and then, with a sigh, she turned her gaze to Akane. “Just because it’s fun doesn’t mean it’s without consequence.”

Iris nodded, rubbing her temples. “Exactly. This isn’t just about us. Actions have consequences. And right now, every move we make will be scrutinized more than ever. I am literally going to be meeting the Council of Guilds here soon.”

Akane looked down, her playful demeanor replaced by one of chagrin. “Sorry…” she mumbled.

Mocha crossed her arms. “How to fix this?”

The inn's door creaked open, sending a gust of wind through the room as a woman in gleaming red armor confidently strode in, her grip firm on a seemingly benign stick. Iris shot a glance at Mocha, her thoughts racing.

“Looks like we’re going to get our chance.”

Kaira muttered a curse under her breath while Iris instinctively held up a hand to halt her friends, moving forward to intercept the armored woman. “Praetor! What a surprise! How are you today?”

The Praetor's piercing gaze remained undeterred. “Where is she?”

Iris cleared her throat, trying to keep her composure. “Okay, before you jump to conclusions—”

“Miss Stuart,” the Praetor interrupted with an exasperated yet calm tone. “Your companion stole my property. While I blame myself for being careless, I still expect my belongings returned.”

Iris's gaze followed the Praetor's to the table where the contested sword lay. Next to it, a grinning Akane was trying to remain inconspicuous, which was a task in itself. “Akane, for the love of… that better be the actual sword.”

In response, Akane sheepishly placed a fork beside the sword and with a slight flourish, lifted the illusion that dissolved in motes of yellow mana. What was once a fork now resembled the ornate sword, while the previous sword now bore the mundane appearance of basic inn-variety cutlery.

Iris took a deep breath, battling her frustration. “Akane, I think it's best you go upstairs with Kaira for now.”

Akane's fox ears drooped in a clear sign of her guilt. “Sorry…”

“We'll discuss this later,” Iris promised, her voice strained.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Kaira exchanged a concerned glance with Iris before placing a comforting hand on Akane’s shoulder, guiding her to the inn's staircase.

Facing the Praetor, Iris began, “Praetor, I genuinely apologize for—”

The paladin held up a hand, signaling her to stop. “Miss Stuart. No… Iris, may we sit and discuss this?”

Iris nodded appreciatively. “Of course. Shall we find a table? Maybe share a drink?” She hesitated before adding, “Can you actually drink as a paladin?”

The Praetor chuckled lightly. “I had just finished my day and was headed home to change when the magic on my sword, or rather… stick dissipated. Drinking is acceptable when off-duty.”

With that, she gracefully retrieved her sword from the table, sliding it into its sheath. Iris noted the paladin's shoulders relaxing a bit, the strain from the situation easing.

Patrons of the inn watched while whispering amongst their groups as a paladin navigated with the other two women through the space, settling at a corner table. Mocha sat next to Iris and went still as she stared at the paladin with no small amounts of apprehension.

A hurried barmaid quickly jotted down their orders and left, allowing the Praetor to resume. “Let me be clear: I understand that she is different. Honestly, if it was anything else I would have found amusement in it. My sword is not a toy. Especially not… that sword. However, I have some words of wisdom for you, future grandmaster.”

Iris sucked in a breath. She wasn’t sure how the paladin knew that at all.

The woman clearly noticed, but continued, “I would suggest having her attend the temple for some schooling. She does not know how to properly integrate into our society and if she is going to, you need to help her.”

Turning her attention to Mocha, her gaze sharpened. “And you, young lady. You're clearly more versed in our ways than your… sister. But—”

“Sister?” Iris repeated, surprised. “Mocha, did you tell them that?”

Mocha shook her head vigorously, her expression grave. “No! It what my paper says!”

She hastily pulled out a scroll from her pocket and held it up in front of herself.

The Praetor nodded solemnly. “She means her excerpt. They were allowed to undergo the Ceremony of Paths with the seers. From what little I'm allowed to know, yes, they've been confirmed as sisters.”

Confusion clouded Iris's face. “You got your status…and Sister? How is that even possible?”

Without missing a beat, Mocha clarified, “My full name is Mocha Latte Stuart.”

The paladin sighed. “Iris, please call me Hana. Mocha, that… is a unique name for a sun elf. Although, you really aren’t one are you?”

Iris placed a hand on Mocha’s leg to prevent her from answering. “Why are you asking? Look, I know you’re important, and are probably good in a fight—”

“I can take her…” Mocha mumbled under her breath.

Yellow mana flashed through Hana’s eyes and the woman shook her head. “She really believes that. Just how strong are you Mocha?”

“Mocha, don’t answer that,” Iris said. “Hana, I respectfully ask you to explain why you want to know about my best friend. And apparently sister.”

Mocha looked up at her and smiled, her eyes clearly glistening.

Hana shrugged. “She represents something new in our world. The seers were ecstatic and already messengers have rushed off to Empyrea City to meet with the Archpriestess of the Church. I do not mean her harm, but I simply want to know so I can understand. You will have no better advocate for her being seen as a true person than the Church. That is… if she is what I suspect.”

“And what do you suspect?”

“That your horse became intelligent with the mind of a person and has now taken on the form of a sun elf in some manner. Mocha is not a common name, and others have heard stories of the adventurer with lightning magic and her mighty horse friend that she speaks to.”

Iris winced.

“Yes. My true form,” Mocha replied before Iris could stop her.

Contrary to what Iris suspected, the paladin just smiled. “Astonishing. Eona has truly blessed you and us through you.” She turned to Iris. “I suspect Akane is similar?”

Mocha again answered, “Yes. Her magic give me elf form.”

Iris groaned. “Mocha, let’s not tell all of our secrets…”

The sun elf’d horse shrugged. “She okay.”

Hana bowed her head. “I appreciate you saying that. I suspect that the Church will come up with a test that determines how to acknowledge people—and the Hierophant was very adamant on that terminology—who began their existence as something other than what we are… familiar with. But! You should also take some schooling. I suggest the Church because we have more discretion than those of the nations of Ikios. It may take some time to work everything out, but I trust in the Archpriestess. She is truly a woman who will lead us through this great change. I suspect she will be apotheosized upon her journey to Relena one day. With Eona’s blessing that day will be many years in the future.”

Iris shrugged. “I will admit, Hana, I don’t really know anything about the Church. It wasn’t the greatest priority for me.”

The barmaid gracefully placed their drinks on the worn wooden table, alongside a platter of tavern snacks that emitted an enticing aroma. Mocha's eyes lit up at the sight, and without hesitation, she reached out for a handful.

Hana, with the regal posture of a seasoned warrior, took her mug and sipped the frothy ale contemplatively. After savoring the taste, she addressed Iris, her voice laced with a gentle reproach. “As a terran, it is understandable that you do not know. We have never judged those who lived a life in ignorance of our own world, let alone those who lived in another. I imagine that your world had its own deities, but it's crucial you acquaint yourself with ours now. Given the nature of the new guild you're establishing, both the Church and my Order will soon entrust you with numerous… quests for your prospective members.”

A light of understanding shone in Iris's eyes. Lifting her mug, she responded with a grin, “Now that’s something I can toast to.”

Both women met their mugs in a cheerful clink and then drank deeply, the liquid momentarily silencing the space between them.

Mocha, her cheeks stuffed with snacks, looked at Hana with a mix of curiosity and challenge. “I’m step fifty-one. Am I higher than you?”

Iris and Hana, caught off-guard, choked on their drinks as a spray of ale flew from both of their mouths, showering the table and Mocha's prized snacks.

“My nuts!”

Iris groaned.

Internally, however, she was proud. Her best friend was strong, just as she knew she’d be.

Later, when she finally lay down in bed with Kaira to go to sleep, she passed out quickly, and that’s when the voice came to her once again. One that woke her up and brought tears to her eyes.

Luckily, her lover didn’t wake up to see her cry, even if they were tears of joy.

[Path Milestone — First True Quest Complete!]

[Conditions Met: Trait — Adventurer’s Compass obtained!]

[Storm Warden — Step 55 attained!]

And then Iris felt an arm slip over her chest and pull her close to a warm body, followed by the softness of lips on her cheek.

“Go back to sleep, love. I'm here,” came a soft, sleepy voice.

That sent more surges of happiness as she snuggled back into that warmth.

Just as Kaira's breathing started to soften and Iris thought she was about to fall back to sleep, her lover gently squeezed her boob.

Iris melted.

It was perfect.