The sun stood high in the sky, casting its unrelenting heat over the road as Lorelai, Aeryn, and Thrax approached the city gates. For hours, they had followed the winding path that led out of the forest and into the wide plains beyond. The sight that greeted them now was far beyond their expectations.
Harrow’s Gate was massive, its towering walls stretching far into the distance, and its sheer scale rivaled even the capital. The gates themselves were a marvel, wrought iron inlaid with intricate patterns of silver and gold paint that gleamed under the sunlight. Streams of people flowed in and out, the hustle and bustle audible even from where they stood.
“Impressive,” Thrax rumbled, his scaled hands flexing as he adjusted the massive axe strapped to his back. His golden eyes glinted as he took in the sight of the sprawling city. “I wasn’t expecting this.”
“Neither was I,” Lorelai admitted, her voice soft. Though she appeared human to any onlooker, the crowds and sheer liveliness of the place unsettled her. She adjusted her amors shoulder straps, trying to ignore the curious looks they were already drawing.
“It’s not just the size,” Aeryn murmured, her crimson eyes scanning the gates and the people flowing through them. “It’s the energy, the place is alive.”
Merchants hawked wares from carts and stands were set up, even outside the gates. While travelers of all shapes and sizes passed through, the dull roar of commerce made it impossible to pick out any one conversation. Among the humans were dwarves, halflings, and even a few elves and towering ogres, but none of them seemed to draw as much attention as the trio.
It started with Thrax and his imposing figure granted by his dragonkin heritage, evident in the shimmering scales on his hands and forearms. This drew more than a few wary glances. Aeryn with her plum colored hair and crimson eyes, eyes that hinted at her vampiric nature, earned both admiration and suspicion, her beauty offset by the unease she caused among the more superstitious. Lorelai’s presence, striking in her elegance, only added to the oddity of their group.
“They’re staring,” Lorelai muttered, her violet eyes darting to a group of children who gawked openly at Thrax.
“Let them,” Thrax said with a toothy grin, baring sharp teeth that sent the children scattering. “If they’ve never seen greatness before, who am I to blame them?”
Aeryn snorted, pulling her cloak tighter around her shoulders. “Subtle as ever, Thrax. Come on, let’s get inside before someone decides we’re worth more trouble than we’re prepared for.”
The guards at the gates eyed them with curiosity but made no move to stop them. Inside, Harrow’s Gate was even more impressive. The streets were wide and bustling, lined with towering buildings that stretched several stories high. Ornate bridges arched over canals that wound through the city, and everywhere, the hum of activity filled the air.
“What’s the plan?” Thrax asked as they wove through the crowd, his golden eyes scanning their surroundings.
“We need information,” Aeryn said. “Specifically, about the Gilded Hallows and the Whispering Wilds. Someone here must know something.”
Their search began in the market district, where merchants sold everything from rare spices to enchanted trinkets. Aeryn tried her charm on a jeweler who seemed willing to talk, but the moment she mentioned the Gilded Hallows, his expression turned quizzical, and he waved her off.
“Another dead end,” she muttered, her frustration evident.
Thrax had no better luck with the blacksmiths. Though they admired his scaled arms and his axe, their answers to his questions about the Whispering Wilds were vague at best. Most claimed ignorance; others mumbled something about cursed lands before quickly changing the subject.
Lorelai’s attempt with a group of scholars near the city library fared no better. They spoke in riddles, their words more confusing than enlightening.
By the time the sun began its slow descent, the trio was no closer to finding the answers they sought.
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“Let’s regroup,” Aeryn suggested as they passed a large, well-worn sign swinging on iron chains. The Weary Wanderer Tavern. “We can rest and figure out our next move.”
The tavern was just as bustling as the streets outside, though it had an air of camaraderie that put them at ease. The scent of spiced meat and ale wafted through the air, and laughter echoed from a corner where a group of adventurers toasted loudly.
The trio claimed a corner table and ordered food and drinks. Thrax devoured a platter of roasted meat, while Aeryn sipped a dark wine. Lorelai picked at her stew, her gaze distant as she mulled over their lack of progress.
“I don’t get it,” Thrax said between bites. “This city is huge. Someone here has to know something about the Hallows or the Wilds.”
“I cant tell if they do or not,” Aeryn said, her voice low. “They might just not want to talk about it. Whatever’s out there has people spooked.”
“Then we need to find people who aren’t spooked,” Lorelai said firmly. Her eyes flicked toward a group of armored figures seated near the bar. “Maybe the Adventurers Guild could help.”
Aeryn followed her gaze and nodded. “Good idea. If anyone’s explored dangerous places, it’s them.”
After finishing their meals, the trio left the tavern and made their way to the Adventurers Guild, a towering structure near the heart of the city. Its walls were adorned with banners depicting various guild insignias, and the sound of clashing steel echoed from a training yard nearby.
Inside, the hall was alive with activity. Adventurers of all kinds milled about, some gathered around quest boards, others sharing drinks and stories. The air was thick with the scent of leather and sweat, and the occasional flash of magic illuminated the dimly lit room.
The trio approached the reception desk, where a stern-looking woman with short-cropped hair and a scar across her cheek greeted them.
“Looking for work?” she asked, eyeing them up and down.
“Information, actually,” Aeryn replied. “We’re looking for anything on the Gilded Hallows or the Whispering Wilds.”
The receptionist’s brow furrowed slightly as Thrax spoke. “The Hallows? The Wilds?” She shook her head, her expression blank. “I’ve never heard of places like that around here.”
Thrax exchanged a glance with Lorelai, his golden eyes narrowing. “Are you sure? We’ve heard the names mentioned in this town before.”
The woman crossed her arms, her tone sharpening. “If they’re real, they’re not places just anyone walks into, or out of. Look, if you’re not part of the Adventurers’ Guild, you won’t get much out of me or anyone else here. Information doesn’t come cheap, especially when it’s about dangerous or forbidden areas. Without guild backing, it’ll cost you more coin than you probably have.”
Lorelai stepped forward, her voice calm but firm. “We’re part of the academy. Surely that counts for something?”
The receptionist snorted, shaking her head. “The academy trains adventurers; they also vouche for individual's skills for big guild recruitment, but the guild employs them. Big difference. Until you’re sworn in as guild members, the rules are simple. No contracts, no maps, no privileged information. You want to go exploring on your own dime, that’s your risk to take, but don’t expect us to bankroll your curiosity.”
Lorelai opened her mouth to argue, but Aeryn put a hand on her shoulder, silencing her. “Thank you for clarifying,” Aeryn said coolly. “We’ll handle it from here.”
The trio lingered at the edge of the guild hall, the chatter of adventurers echoing behind them. Lorelai’s arms were crossed as she stared at the guild’s ornate crest etched into the heavy oak doors.
“We’ll get nowhere without their resources,” she said finally, her tone measured. “Maps, leads, safe zones... it all runs through the guild. We have to register.”
Thrax leaned against a nearby pillar, his golden eyes narrowing in thought. “You’re willing to play by their rules?”
“I’m willing to do what’s necessary, though I have always planned to join the guild eventually.” Lorelai replied. “It’s the fastest way forward and we’ve already wasted enough time.”
“Fair enough,” Thrax said with a shrug. “I don’t think they’re just going to let us waltz in and sign a contract. Guilds always make you take an assessment first.”
Aeryn cracked her knuckles, her crimson eyes gleaming with anticipation. “Good. It’s been too long since we’ve had a proper challenge.”
“Let’s hope it’s worth it,” Lorelai said, her voice low. “We’ll register in the morning.”
As the group turned to leave, none of them noticed the man lurking in the shadows nearby. His leather cloak blended seamlessly with the dim light, and his movements were as silent as a predator’s. His eyes, dark and calculating, were locked onto Lorelai and Aeryn.
“Two marks,” the man muttered under his breath, a crooked grin spreading across his face. “They’ll fetch a good price.”
He lingered in the shadows for a moment longer, watching the trio disappear down the street. Then, with a subtle flick of his wrist, he signaled to an unseen accomplice.
The trio stepped back into the bustling street, the glow of lanterns illuminating their tense expressions. The city’s lights flickered as the night deepened, and the streets of Harrow’s Gate seemed to close in like a trap. For Lorelai and Aeryn, the decision to join the guild might not only determine their success but their survival. They moved deeper into Harrow’s Gate, the city’s shadows seeming to stretch and shift as they walked. Their path forward was uncertain, but one thing was clear: they wouldn’t let guild politics stand in their way.