QUEST PROGRESS UPDATED

Iris sat at a large wooden table in the inn's common room, nursing a mug of ale. Sera and Tanith sat across from her, chatting about what they would do once they arrived in Brightburn.

Iris leaned back in her chair and looked around the room. The inn was filled with people, some of them locals and others travelers passing through. The air was thick with the smell of cooking food and smoke from the fireplace.

She’d come back from the Reeve’s House and visited with Mocha before settling the girl into the stables for the night. There were a few judgmental looks that her friend gave the other horses, and as Iris walked her to the stall, she could have sworn Mocha had grown compared to other horses.

Iris didn’t think Mocha was young enough to still be growing… but her horse did have abilities, and was clearly leveling up…

She shrugged. Who knows. Anything’s possible.

As she took another sip of her ale, Iris heard the door open and turned to see a figure entering the inn. A man in armor walked in, quickly followed by another man in armor and a woman in what looked like… robes. The three wore hoods and took in the inn before moving to the counter.

Iris glanced back down at her mug and was about to take a sip before she heard a feminine gasp, followed by the newcomers talking.

“Erick! Look!”

“Is she?” a male voice asked.

“I think so!” the female replied.

Iris looked up just in time to see a wide-eyed woman nearly bouncing as she ran over to their table.

The woman's eyes widened as she reached the table. “Another terran!” she exclaimed, almost breathlessly.

Iris raised an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”

The woman giggled. “I'm sorry, I'm just surprised to see another one of our kind here! My name is Eira,” she said, extending a hand toward Iris.

Iris just stared at it. “...Okay?”

The woman hesitated, looking confused before slowly lowering her hand. “Oh. I just thought you would be more excited to meet another terran.”

Iris shrugged. “In my experience, it isn’t usually a positive occurrence.”

Eira looked a bit deflated. “Oh, well. Sorry to bother you then. I'll… uh… go back to my friends now.”

With that, Eira turned and made her way back to the two men at the counter. Iris watched her go before turning back to Sera and Tanith, who were looking at her with raised eyebrows.

“Another terran?” Tanith asked.

Iris shook her head. “Just some overexcited woman. Nothing to worry about.”

Sera stared at the group by the counter that was trying to get a room for the night. One of the men was staring at Iris.

The high elf turned her attention back to the table. “Why aren’t you excited to meet another of your people? Weren’t you all brought here together?”

Iris shook her head. “I’ve met others. None are from the same place I am. I can’t explain it, but none of the other humans–sorry, terrans–I have met, have anything in common with me. Only that we’re similar people,” she explained, sighing. “Every time has ended with them trying to force me to do something or putting us in dangerous situations. No, I’m quite content with just Mocha and taking odd jobs, like helping the two of you.”

Sera and Tanith exchanged a quick glance before Sera spoke up. “Well, we’re glad to have you helping us. And if you ever want to talk about anything, we’re here for you.”

Iris smiled gratefully. “Thanks, Sera. I appreciate it.”

The group of terrans all stared at her as they walked into the tavern area and grabbed a table on the other side of the room. Iris rolled her eyes and lifted her mug to her lips, watching the three as they sat and talked, distracted by a waiter approaching them for their orders.

As she took a sip of her ale, she heard the door open again and turned to see the village reeve entering. The telv woman quickly scanned the room before her gaze locked onto Iris. Reeve Evelyn made her way towards her, a smile on her face.

“Good evening, Iris,” Evelyn said, reaching their table. “I'm glad we could meet up for dinner.”

The telv waved at a young telv boy, who quickly rushed over. “Take their orders will ya, let’s get some dinner over here.”

“Of course, Miss Evelyn.”

Iris smiled and gestured to the empty chair. “This is Sera, a traveling merchant, and her guard, Tanith.”

Sera and Tanith greeted Evelyn, and the reeve slid into the empty seat.

As the woman shifted to get comfortable, Iris took a closer look at the shorter telv and her soft features, with gentle curves and short pointed ears. Her hair was a warm chestnut brown, woven into elaborate braids that cascaded down her back. Her eyes were a soft hazel color, framed by enviable lashes. Despite her position as village head, her appearance was humble and unassuming, with simple clothing and minimal adornments, but carried herself with confidence and authority. Her appearance was definitely deceptive, as Iris had already noted earlier. The woman seemed ready to charge right through any obstacle.

Evelyn placed her elbows on the table and leaned forward, her voice lowered. “I’ve made a decision about the creature you brought. You lot are leaving tomorrow, yeah?”

Sera nodded. “We are.”

The reeve smiled. “Good. From the direction you arrived… I am assuming you are traveling to Brightburn. I have a missive for the lady, this will request assistance with our… harpy problem. Further, Miss Iris, I put in a request for you to be rewarded for what you have done thus far.”

“Thank you, Reeve Evelyn. I appreciate that,” Iris said.

“Oh, just call me ‘Evelyn’. Most everyone does,” the woman said with a chuckle.

As they continued their discussion, their meals arrived at the table. The aroma of roasted meats, savory vegetables, and fresh bread filled the air. The presentation was immaculate, with the food arranged neatly on their plates and garnished with herbs and spices. It was clear that the innkeeper had put extra effort into the meal, likely due to the presence of the village reeve.

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

As the group chatted and enjoyed their dinner, the atmosphere of the inn became livelier. The sounds of laughter and conversation filled the air as other patrons joined in on the revelry. Evelyn shared stories of the village and memorable travelers that had come through, while Sera and Tanith regaled them with tales of their travels across the land.

The conversation turned serious as the topic of the harpies came up.

“Do we have to worry about them?” Evelyn asked gravelly.

Iris shrugged. “Honestly, I am not sure. They did not seem to want to leave the forest. But that didn’t stop them from attacking us as we traveled through. There is something off about the forest, though. It felt like there was more mana there than normal.”

The reeve’s brows scrunched up. “Mana? I’ve heard bits and pieces about this from travelers such as yourself, but we don’t get much news. It has to do with the Flash, yeah?”

Iris nodded her head. “Yes. And the cores–”

“The colorful orbs in the beasts?”

Iris smiled as she nodded again. “Yes. Here, let me show you something.”

She pulled some mana into herself and formed a [Spark] in her palm, the little crackling orb of electricity hovering in the air.

The reeve's eyes widened in surprise and awe as she watched the electrical spell hover in Iris's palm. “By the gods, that's incredible,” she exclaimed. “I've never seen anything like it before.”

Even Sera and Tanith who had seen her magic, let out small gasps of surprise as they focused on the magic happening in front of them. A few other patrons let out various exclamations of disbelief, but no one else approached. She did catch the three terrans staring intently at her.

Iris ignored the others and grinned, feeling a sense of pride in her abilities. “It's just a small taste of what mana can do,” she said. “But it's also why the cores are so important. They allow us to draw on and channel the mana all around us in ways that can be harnessed for a variety of purposes.”

The reeve nodded, looking thoughtful. “I see. And the Flash brought this? Including yourself?”

“It brought me, and the other terrans,” she said, gesturing toward the table that hosted the other three terrans. “It also changed normal beasts, and if I’m right… people. The only thing that makes sense to me, is that the harpies were once people mutated by too much mana into becoming those creatures.”

The reeve's eyes widened in surprise. “People turned into harpies? That's… that's quite a claim. Do you have any evidence to support this theory?”

Iris shook her head. “No, just a gut feeling. Hopefully, this lady you spoke of will send people to investigate further.”

Evelyn nodded. “Aye, she should. She’s been a good liege. I hope those harpies stay in their cursed forest.”

“I cannot agree more. It was terrifying to see. If it wasn’t for Iris…” Sera said.

Evelyn lifted her mug. “To Iris! Slayer of Harpies!”

Tanith raised his ale and repeated, making Iris and Sera laugh. The locals in the tavern let out a chorus of ‘hear, hear!’ followed by a bunch of laughter. The adventurer’s cheeks blushed at the attention.

She loved it.

It also made her think. Eona and Lehelia in particular needed people like her. While she enjoyed soaking up the attention that her chosen profession garnered, it was too much for just her. The harpies proved that. She couldn’t take them all down alone, and she had people to protect.

Eona needs adventurers, not just an adventurer.

Iris's gaze shifted between the faces gathered around the table, before eventually settling on the figure of the high elf merchant. “Sera,” she called out, her tone firm yet respectful.

The woman seemed surprised by the intense stare in Iris’s eyes. “Y-Yes?”

“You are in the Merchant’s Guild, right?” she asked the woman.

Evelyn furrowed her brows as she listened in.

Sera’s face took on a confused countenance. “I am. You know this.”

Iris nodded. “Right, of course,” she said with a dismissive wave. “How does a Guild form?”

Tanith sucked in a breath.

Sera’s eyes narrowed. “Well, you need to have others in the profession that you wish to form a Guild for,” she explained, her focus looking at her hand as she ticked off various requirements. “You need an actual headquarters and a dedicated support team to help run it. But most importantly, a sponsor. Usually, this is a city government. The Sovereign Cities make this quite easy for guilds, and that’s why most of them are formed in one of the cities. For example, the Banking Guild is based in Marketbol, while the Merchant’s Guild is based in Parholm.”

Iris nodded. “This past week has really shed some light on something the world needs. Between the drakyyd attacks in Cosdale, the harpy attacks on the way here to Stillstead,” she said with a pointed look at Evelyn. “Never mind the bandit attacks I keep hearing about. There needs to be an Adventurer’s Guild. I can’t do it all. There needs to be other people like me who take on quests and missions from individuals, villages, or even towns to handle these things.”

Evelyn lifted a hand. “That is what the local ladies and lords are for. The Guards and national armies.”

Iris shook her head. “The various Guards are only focused on their small areas of responsibility, and the national armies are too cumbersome. Lords and Ladies would still have to muster their forces and ride out, after getting notice. How long will it take before Brightburn responds to the harpy issue? Days? Weeks?”

Evelyn nodded. “We’ll be lucky if it’s weeks. I’ll need to prepare the men of the village for a potential fight.”

“See? That’s too long,” Iris said dismissively. “If I had a dedicated group, I could take them. If there was a guild that handled requests such as your village’s it would create a quick response to problems just like this. The Flash did more than just bring magic to the world, it brought a system that makes you stronger the more actions you perform. Making magic does the most, but killing monsters and beasts? That gives a decent amount as well.”

Tanith narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean stronger?”

Iris shrugged. “I am pretty sure I am physically stronger than you right now, Tanith. Faster too. And that’s all because of my adventuring. You could have that as well.”

The man seemed to consider her response before nodding slowly. “I would like to learn more about this if you would be willing.”

Iris smiled. “We’ll have plenty of time on the way tomorrow. If Sera is okay with it, I’ll sit with you on the wagon.”

“That is acceptable. I have ledgers to go over,” Sera said before she glanced at Tanith. “But back to this guild idea. You’d need more people like you. How would you get them?”

That made Iris smile. “All I have to do is show people what they could be, and I’m sure I can get enough. Magic is a powerful motivator. What do you all think?”

Evelyn let out a throaty chuckle. “Not that I can help much, but if what you’re saying is true and there could be more people like you?” she said with a shake of her head. “My village could use ‘em. These harpies have me worried. I have two dedicated guards. Retired men-at-arms at that. We cannot fight off a large number of the creatures as you described.”

Iris turned back to Sera. “After we arrive in Brightburn, will you help me?”

The merchant's gaze sharpened as she sat there in contemplative silence. Iris didn't rush her, allowing the woman to take all the time she needed to make her decision. The rest of the table watched on with bated breath, waiting for the final verdict. After what felt like an eternity, the woman's face softened, and she gave a nod of agreement. Iris let out a sigh of relief, grateful that her idea may actually lead to something.

Sera lifted a hand to forestall any response. “I will help you,” she said. “But, this may also be something my company is interested in. Or at least the House that we are a part of. I will send word to our headquarters in Strathmore once we arrive.”

Evelyn raised a brow at that. “Fenren Merchant Company is part of a noble House?”

Sera nodded again. “Yes, Mister Fenren pledged himself and the company to House Reinhart.” She smirked as she looked at Iris. “Which, coincidentally, is the House of a young terran princess.”

Iris’s eyes went wide. “Really?”

“Really. However, that’s about all I know. It was big news within the company when it happened, but that was almost a year ago. Strathmore is also four hundred kilometers from here, and I’ve been part of the Lehelia branch my entire time in the company.”

“Huh. Interesting,” Iris said.

She took another swig of her ale, the plan forming in her head. She was determined. Forming a guild, couldn’t be too hard. Right?