Comparing it to the spots on her body that were repaired by the potion, she contemplated why the magic had healed her artificial body. Then, feeling movement, Evelyn looked down to find a furiously blushing Primrose. The light green covered her entire face. “Ah, hi,” Evelyn said, her artificial orange blush covering her face.

Primrose shyly smiled, looking deep into Evelyn's cyan eyes.

She carefully climbed off of Evelyn and sat on the other couch. “How did the trip home go?” She asked.

“The mage woman carried us back on clouds.”

Both women turned to see Ylva rubbing her eyes, having just woken up. “Hey kiddo,” Evelyn said, turning to put her hand on Ylvas's head, “How are you feeling?”

The small girl shrugged, her messy red hair covering her face.

Hearing crying, Evelyn turned to Ingvar. The boy was holding onto her arm, tears flowing down his face.

Evelyn wrapped her arm around him and held him close. Ylva curled up to her, silently staring at the ceiling. Withdrawing into her mind, Evelyn returned to her feelings of loss after the battle. She contemplated the feelings of loneliness. Not only was she alone and separated from her life, the first people she met in this strange land were dead. The events of the past few days hit her like a train. Her life, just like her arm, was broken.

“What are we going to do? Where are we going to go,” Ingvar asked?

“That’s a good question.” Hallbjorn walked into the common room, Sadie following closely behind. “We have a lot of things to go over.”

“Where’s Nico?” Primrose asked as the two sat next to her.

“He’s still out,” Sadie replied. “He completely exhausted himself yesterday, so he'll probably be out for another couple days.”

She looked over at Evelyn and the kids, Ylva staring blankly and Ingvar crying. “How are you three doing?”

Evelyn chuckled under her breath, “As good as I can be I guess. Them, too.”

Evelyn leaned her head over the back of the couch, “Our lives have all been uprooted and destroyed in an instant.”

“Yours too?” Hallbjorn asked.

Evelyn waved him off, closing her eyes.

Hallbjorn cleared his throat, “Well, with our payment for the kobold quest, we can maybe live for another week, but with both Nicodemus asleep and Evelyn injured and in debt to the guild….”

“We can't afford to survive right now, can we?” ‘Evelyn asked, groaning.

“No.”

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“Shit”

“And then there’s the kids. Something tells me they wont want to leave you Evelyn.”

Ingvar held tighter to Evelyn's arm, tears still running down his face, “please don't leave me too,” He whispered. She ran her fingers through his ashen rose hair. “Missing arm be damned, I will do everything in my power to help these kids.”

“I admire your spirit.”

The group turned to find the Archmagister standing in the open doorway. “For a group of novice adventurers, still enrolled at the only adventurers academy for miles, you did absurdly well yesterday. Part of my job is to find talented individuals to become the next generation of Sentinels.”

Summoning a chair made of storm clouds, she sat opposite the couches. “Now for those of you who might not know,” She said, looking at Evelyn, “The sentinels were a group established after the Continental War, dedicated to preventing the rise of another Dreadlord.”

Evelyn had no idea what a Dreadlord was, but she thought it sounded metal as hell and terrifying simultaneously.

“So, you're part of this group?” Sadie asked.

“Yes. In fact i'm the leader of our gang of powerful misfits. Now im not guaranteeing you’ll become a member. What i AM guaranteeing, is a sponsorship.”

“A sponsorship to what?”

“The Obsidian tower. The premier school for the wannabe adventurer. Now if im correct none of you have been given ranks right?”

For the first time since the Archmagister appeared, Primrose spoke up, “I’m the only one mam. Copper.” The Archmagister raised her eyebrows, “Impressive. Your Primrose correct?” Primrose nodded, “Yes mam.”

“I must say Primrose, you’ve managed to assemble an interesting group here. Nicodemus, a sunblessed vampire . Hallbjorn, the last son of Veilbreaker Clan. Sadellia, a high ranking gladiator from out east. Ingvar and Ylva Beldson, children of the famous artificer Asger Beldson, son of the high class merchant Hilda Orgson. And Doctor Evelyn Writer, a mysterious highly intelligent automaton who appeared out of nowhere.” The Archmagister turned to Evelyn, “I could find nothing about you anywhere.”

“Reasonable. Especially since I have no clue where I am. And its not like anything has been under my control since i got here.”

“Where ARE you from?” The Archmagister asked, crossing her arms over her chest.

Evelyn let out a breathy laugh, “Somewhere that either doesn't exist anymore, or never did to begin with. I can't decide which. Maybe someday i'll find out.”

“We’ll, we can discuss that in the future. I finally want to cover our green friend herself, Primrose Grøn. A minor nature fae, and local troublemaker extraordinaire. You are the opposite of Evelyn. I could find TOO MUCH about you.” Primrose shyly rubbed the back of her neck, “oops.”

Then, Nicodemus stumbled into the room, groaning, head in his hands. “What is going on that has to be this LOUD!?”

The vampire walked to the fridge and pulled out a bottle filled with a dark red liquid, most likely blood. He chucked his head back, downing the bottle in one go.

Leaning over the couch, he listened to the group's morning discussion recap.

“So you're telling me, us getting our asses handed to us is worth the attention of the Obsidian Tower?”

The Archmagister chuckled, “you’d be surprised how well you all did.” Her face fell, eyes sad, “Most wouldn’t have survived.”

Brushing off her pants, the Archmagister stood and turned to the door. “We have to meet with the guild master this afternoon. So you should all get ready.” She left almost as suddenly as she appeared.

Leaning on her knees, Evelyn rested her head in her hand. Thoughts of fear and annoyance raced through her mind.

“Hey Ev? You ok?” Primrose asked, placing her hand on Evelyn's shoulder.

“Everything just keeps happening.” She whispered. “I just want to process. I just want to sleep.” Her voice was hoarse and raspy with a mechanical edge. “I just need time.”