[https://i.imgur.com/sfHqwWT.jpg]

A lush wilderness encompassed a wall of large grey blocks of stone wrapped around the small town. Drac and his party were escorted through the gate with lax security. Guards leaned on walls, yawning, their minds wondering when their shift would end. Cobbled streets were cleaned. Built with grey ivory stone, the buildings almost shone brightly in the sun. People walk by while cheerily talking about the various exploits and adventures deeper in the forest. Armoured men and women were a normal sight, it seemed. Mages actively practice the spells with impressive displays of showmanship. However, the flames do not reach anywhere near the heat of Marina’s. The more mages Drac met, the more special she appeared. Drac saw something peculiar. An elder with a long beard sat on a chair by a short tree, reading a book, while children were sitting on a mat on the ground below. A long metal pole headed with round metal lay on his shoulder.

“That there is a rune-staff,” Marina said as she walked the street beside Drac. Florida and Bob chat behind. “If you see a mage with one, remember they are not to be trifled with. Like a large tuning fork, the staff helps mages focus the aura and helps them fire off spells in quick succession with less aura. Fucking expensive, though, or you need to be initiated to the Mage Tower to even get a whiff of one.”

The staff is a cheap one-rune. Only capable of fire.

How do you know?

I like to read.

“How come you don't use one? You have the money for it.” Drac asked Marina.

“There is a point in a mage's journey when they become too good for it.” Drac believed her. “Another reason is that it's such a frigid way to cast spells. Two hands provide such free movement and allow me to shape my tuning however I feel. I need freedom.”

“Freedom…” The word resonated with his soul.

Drac and the rest approached a wide, five-story building with four tall columns on the front. Red roses wind themselves around the columns with spikey vines. A large double door made of dark wood opened with Brent’s push.

“Welcome, everyone, to the Adventurers Guild.”

Drac was led down the reception, where wood floors shone with a gloss. Up above, the sun shines down on five stories from a stained glass roof. Adventurers look down from the balconies at the newcomer. Dozen turned their heads from the mission board to view the commotion. Warrior sat on the bear jeering. Drac stepped up to the reception, a primly uniformed young blonde woman who looked skittish.

“Good afternoon. I am here about my brother. Asa has the same complexion as me. Looks a lot like me, in fact. A priest. Do you mind telling us who he left with?”

A nervous receptionist looked down and said, "Sorry, sir, we can't give such details out. Guild policy.”

“Policy? Wow, other than its appearance, the guild has changed a lot since I have been here.” Flida looked around at the flowery furnishings hung in the guild hall.

“The Guardian?” Marina asked.

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

“No one other than her. This is her biz after all. Came with the title.”

Finally, the ginger is useful for something.

Drac leaned to the right to see the crestfallen noble with his mates. “Yo, Fergie.”

“It’s Fergus, you arsehole.”

“I know,” Drac giggled. “Fergus, you said you owe me right.”

“When the fuck did I-”

“For not slicing your throat during our duel.”

Fergus cleared his throat.

“Your Sis. Formally introduce me.”

Three knocks on a black door.

No one answered.

“Sister. It's me…”

A voice came from inside the office, “You’re late.”

Several locks clicked and whirred. Fergus pushed in. Brenna stood up from her large chair to walk around her stone desk.

Movers must have had a sore back for weeks to bring it up five floors.

Brother and sister meet. Their expressions were frozen. Brenna hugged her brother. Fergus sulked within her arms.

“I am sorry. I just… I brought you here to be safe.”

“So it was you.”

Brenna's gentle face turned fierce, and she stared daggers at the unwelcome guest.

“Was I interrupting something?”

“Get the fuck out.”

“Nah. You know you make him weak.”

Brenna released him from her grasp and asked, “What do you mean, Hood?” Aura trickled off her skin.

“To emulate you, he blocks off all progress he could have. Using the same sword, the same fighting style, and the same arrogance. As much as he is scared of you, he wants to be you. But it is to his detriment. Release him. Let him go wild. Let him be the warrior he is destined to be.”

I said it. Satisfied, Axton?

Very.

Brenna's face grew more vicious. Her brother was sweating bullets on the side. “No stranger has a say in our family affairs. Least of all you, foreigner.“

Drac rolled his eyes. “Fine, I did come here on a more pressing matter. Fergie, you can leave now. Me and your dear sister need to chat a bit.”

Fergus took the cue to leave until a hand caught his shoulder. “You have potential. Your talents are too big for this town. Meet with my party afterwards outside the guild.” A quick tap on the shoulder and a confused swordsman was sent out of the office.

“My Brother. I need to know who he hired.”

The Guardian sighed. The tension was released. She sat back on her chair with both arms crossed.

“Why? Why must I circumvent the rules I made for my guild for you? You saved a few slaves and killed a few evil nobles. You think everything must go your way.”

Evil nobles. It's like saying grass grass.

You lot need to tell me more about the killing nobles part.

Drac regarded the setting sun from the large window spanning a whole wall. Heartbrook looked so stunning as it spread its way through the woods.

“Your brother met Orcs today.”

Her eyes widen.

She didn't know, and she slapped him. Wow. Just wow.

“Brave, he was. Could have handled one. With trouble, yes, but he would have won. His teammates, however… Let's say he came off more injured to make up for them.”

“But no injuries- Oh!…the Paladin.”

Drac turned back and slowly walked towards the desk. He rested his hands on the stone and peered deep into her eyes. “I just saved a few people. Fortunately, it was one of yours. Understand?”

Brenna closed her eyes to think. Once open, she stood up. “What is your brother’s name?”

The floor trembled.