Iris dismounted from Mocha and could feel her legs still wobbling from the liquor. She walked unsteadily toward Sera and Tanith, hoping they wouldn't notice her state. Mocha let out a snort and a whinny as if laughing at her, but Iris chose to ignore it.
Way to call me out!
Sera sighed. “How are you already drunk?”
Iris gasped. “I am not! The captain simply wanted to get the whole story and thought that such a story would be best told with shots.”
Tanith laughed and Sera rolled her eyes.
“Well, good thing you took so long. It gave me time to go by the headquarters. I have your fee, including hazard rates for the monster bird, harpy, and bandit attacks,” the woman said, ticking off her fingers as she listed the situations they’d gotten into.
Iris looked around, her eyes narrowing. “Is that where your wagon is?”
Sera nodded. “Yes. Fenren Merchant Company has a warehouse and stables in the city for our traveling merchants.”
“Oh, that’s nice. Where will you guys be staying while here?”
The high elf woman raised a brow. “I requested time off due to all of the attacks. Need time to recover, and all that. I did promise you I’d help you start your guild. That’s going to take some time.”
Tanith stepped forward. “I also took some time. Almost dying to monsters and bandits has an effect on a man. So, looks like you have both of us to help you out.”
“That's great news, thank you both,” Iris said with a smile. “I'm really looking forward to working with you on this. I think we can make something amazing happen here in the city.”
Sera nodded. “Agreed. And with the two of us here, we can really get things moving quickly. We just need to figure out where to start.”
Iris thought for a moment before speaking. “Let’s go meet with the lady–”
Tanith shook his head. “Oh no. We weren’t supposed to arrive until later tonight. It’s still early. You’re going to the inn and resting.”
Sera laughed. “He’s right. There’s no way we’re letting you meet Lady Arden in that state.”
Iris squinted her eyes. “Lady Arden? I thought we were meeting the lady of Brightburn?”
The merchant snorted. “And that’s Lady Arden! …Wait, did you–did you think that her name was Lady Brightburn?”
Iris fidgeted. “Well… when you put it like that…”
Tanith, Sera, and even Mocha all laughed.
Jerks.
✦ ✦ ✦
Brightburn castle was an imposing sight in the evening hours, standing tall and proud atop a hill overlooking the city. The walls were made of gray stone that had withstood the test of time, but were covered in moss and other vegetation that gave them a sense of age and history. The turrets and battlements were well-preserved, though there were a few places where the stonework was chipped or cracked. The castle's entrance was a large wooden gate, reinforced with iron bands and guarded by two stern-looking soldiers in chainmail armor. Beyond the gate lay a courtyard paved with cobblestones and surrounded by the castle's walls.
As Iris, Sera, and Tanith approached the castle, the two men stepped in front of them, their hands tightening on their pikes.
“Halt. What business do you have at the castle?” one of the guards demanded.
“We have come to meet with Lady Arden,” Sera replied calmly.
The guards exchanged a look before one of them spoke again. “Lady Arden is not expecting any visitors. State your names and your business, or you will not be allowed inside.”
Iris stepped forward, her hands raised in a placating gesture. “I understand the caution, but we have urgent matters to discuss with Lady Arden. I have an urgent message from the Reeve of Stilstead village regarding attacks,” she said while reaching into her satchel to pull out the rolled-up letter.
The guards eyed Iris warily as she handed the letter to them. After a brief moment of scrutiny, one of the guards nodded and handed the letter to the other. “We'll have to verify this,” he said before disappearing behind the gate.
The three waited patiently, glancing around at the castle's surroundings. The courtyard was bustling with activity, with armed men and servants going about their business. The sun was starting to set, casting a warm glow over the castle's stone walls and creating long shadows.
After a few tense minutes, the guard returned, a female knight walking with him, and nodded to his companion.
The female knight approached Iris, Sera, and Tanith with a stern expression. “I am Ser Meredith, Lady Arden's chief of guard. What is the urgent matter that requires Lady Arden's attention outside of court hours?” she asked in a no-nonsense tone.
The guard handed the letter to Ser Meredith, who quickly scanned its contents before nodding. She stiffened. “Follow me,” she said
The wooden gate creaked open, and the group made their way into the castle's courtyard, feeling the weight of history and power that emanated from the fortress. They walked across the cobblestones and into the castle's main hall.
They didn’t even get a chance to admire the elaborate decor before the knight led them through the castle's winding corridors and up a flight of stairs. They eventually arrived at a set of ornately decorated doors, where Ser Meredith knocked before opening them and gesturing for the three to enter.
Lady Arden was seated behind a large desk, poring over documents, and looked up as they entered. “Ser Meredith, what is the meaning of this interruption?” she asked before noticing Iris, Sera, and Tanith. “Ah, this must be important if the Knight-Captain is escorting guests.”
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
With that, Ser Meredith stepped forward and handed Lady Arden the letter from Reeve Evelyn.
“Thank you, Meredith,” she said dismissively before focusing on the group of three. “If you would please introduce yourself while I read,” the noble ordered.
Sera curtsied while Tanith bowed, and Iris just… awkwardly bowed her head. The high elf merchant stepped forward. “Lady Arden, please allow me to introduce myself and my companions,” she started. “I am Sera Timrel of the Fenren Merchant Company, and this is Tanith Aldridge one of our guards. With us is Iris Stuart, an adventurer we contracted to join Tanith as an escort from Cosdale to Brightburn.”
Tanith bowed his head and Iris smiled, lifting her hand a bit to wave. Which… just garnered a raised brow.
“Pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Timrel,” Lady Arden said, setting aside the letter and folding her hands on the desk. “This letter is concerning. Iris Stuart, you are a terran?”
Iris nodded her head. “I am. Uh… My Lady?”
The woman let out a polite chuckle. “I have met only one other terran and he was just as unused to dealing with the nobility as you. Please, milady or Lady Arden is acceptable.”
“You are certainly the first noble that I have met. They are not especially common where I am from,” Iris said
Lady Arden smiled. “Ah, I see. Well, we must do what we can to make you feel welcome here at Brightburn Castle. Now, let us discuss the matter at hand. These… harpies as they have been called. Could you please describe them and the level of threat they pose? Ser Meredith, please take heed, as your services may be required.”
The knight saluted. “Understood, milady.”
Iris glanced between the two, waiting for her turn to talk again. She had to say, she didn’t really like this situation. It wasn’t really her to be all quiet and wait for someone with authority to call upon her.
The Lady focused back on Iris expectantly, so Iris took that as an invitation to start. She started slowly, beginning when they first noticed the harpies, and when she wasn’t interrupted, she launched into a full recap of the fight. Tanith jumped in at one point to explain what he and Sera were doing, before the attention was back on Iris.
Iris described the harpies in detail, mentioning their large wings and sharp talons, as well as their vicious screeching. However, it was when she emphasized the danger their magic posed to the villagers and the urgency of the situation that the lady and the knight seemed especially concerned.
“As for the level of threat, they seem to be organized and intelligent. They knew when to retreat and when to attack. And if they are willing to attack a random merchant, who knows what other atrocities they may commit? The magic they showed was formidable and it was only the fact that I am more experienced with my own magic that we were able to even make it away alive,” Iris finished with a note of concern in her voice.
Lady Arden nodded solemnly. “Thank you for your thorough report, Miss Stuart. It seems we must take this threat seriously and take measures to protect our people.”
Ser Meredith stepped forward. “Milady, I suggest we increase patrols around the villages and send scouts to gather information on these harpies. We should also prepare our troops for battle, just in case they decide to attack us here.”
“Agreed,” Lady Arden said, her face set in determination. “I will also send a message to the neighboring lords to warn them of this threat and see if they have any information to share. We cannot let these harpies continue to harm innocent people.”
Sera spoke up. “Lady Arden, if I may suggest, Miss Iris has a novel approach to situations such as this, and such as the bandit attack–”
The noble’s eyes narrowed. “Bandit attack?”
The high elf merchant’s eyes widened and she glanced at Iris for help.
Iris nodded. “Yes, Lady Arden. I reported it this morning, but we were also attacked by bandits belonging to the Marauder Prince just north of Stilstead.”
Her stoic demeanor broke as she sighed and rubbed a hand across her temple. “Please tell me more,” she ground out.
Taking a deep breath, Iris launched into the same report she gave Kaira, ensuring to mention doing so. She told the woman all about the bridge fight, and what it took to defeat them.
“Miss Stuart, did you learn what you know about magic from the Church’s Ceremony of Paths?” Lady Arden asked.
Iris squinted her eyes. “Ceremony of Paths, milady? No, I can’t say that I have. What is that?”
“I do not want to lead you astray, but suffice to say, they have learned much concerning this new reality we have found ourselves in. I highly suggest meeting the Umbral Seers at the city temple,” she said.
“I will do that,” Iris promised. It sounded interesting, she was always up for learning more about magic. From what she’d heard, the Church here were actually good people, as well. That was always a plus.
The lady turned back to Sera. “I apologize, I interrupted you. Please, as you were saying?”
Sera smiled. “It is no issue, milady. I wanted to describe the idea that Miss Stuart had. She wishes to create an Adventurer’s Guild, one that provides a formal avenue for entities to recruit skilled individuals like her to do jobs quickly that take time for other entities to pursue, or can’t pursue.”
The noblewoman gazed at Iris thoughtfully, taking in her appearance. “Miss Stuart, what is an adventurer?”
Iris beamed with a smile as she spoke, “What exactly is an adventurer, you ask? An adventurer is a person who takes on quests that no one else wants or can. They're the ones who will help a farmer plagued by monsterized foxes, forming a bond with their horse, or brave a forest teeming with murder hares to gather rare plants for an alchemist's cure to save lives. These fearless souls will venture into the wilds in search of treasure and monsters, offering their aid to those in need for a bit of coin, or perhaps just a new helm. They'll defend a merchant against flocks of harpies, hunt down bandits, or stand alone outside a town wall and fight off a horde of monster drakyyds. They are the embodiment of strength, courage, and an unbreakable will.
“As adventurers, we go to places where destruction must be wrought and do whatever it takes to complete our quests. Our travels take us from one town to the next, often finding ourselves in trouble, whether it's carousing in taverns or crossing paths with the law. We engage in all sorts of shenanigans and acts of badassery, some of which can be violent or even deadly. True adventurers are heroes in their own right, possessing the ability to wield the mana that surrounds us and the power of their will to better the world and overcome any challenge that comes their way.”
The noblewoman sat there, listening attentively to Iris's description. After a moment of contemplation, she spoke up. “It sounds like the life of an adventurer is not for the faint of heart. But I can see the value in having a guild dedicated to their recruitment and organization. It would certainly make it easier for those in need to find skilled individuals to aid them in these… quests. And it would provide a means of support and camaraderie for the adventurers themselves. Miss Stuart, I think your idea has merit, and I would be interested in hearing more about it.”
Iris’s grin grew. “Thank you, Lady Arden.”
The woman raised a hand. “Starting a guild is no small matter. I am sure you have done your due diligence. While Ser Meredith here investigates the matters you have brought before me, I would like to invite you to my ball that I am having in three days to discuss this proposal in detail. I believe that is ample time for you to obtain suitable attire and an escort.”
“A-an escort?” Iris choked out.
The woman nodded. “Of course, only those looking for a courtship attend alone. I believe you have other business to conduct than to fend off prospective suitors,” she said with a light chuckle. “I look forward to a demonstration of your magic, as well.”
Iris didn’t like the dangerous glint in her eye. She stole a glance at Sera, who also looked like a deer in headlights.
“Y-Yes, Lady Arden,” Iris said. “I look forward to it.”
“Delightful! Ser Meredith will escort you out, and again, thank you for your report. I assure you, we will treat it with the seriousness that it deserves,” Lady Arden reassured them.
Iris just nodded.
Sera thanked the woman and soon the three were following the knight back toward the castle’s gate.
Iris couldn't believe it. A ball? A date? And only three days to prepare? This was going to be a challenge.
I’d rather face down an entire horde of murder hares.