"Nothing happened," Ravina complained as the two of them returned to the adventuring guild. They had had a very, very boring day in the woods. Sure in the beginning it was a beautiful walk through the forest. Occasionally they would stop to pluck its bounty into the leather pouch Ravina had in her hands but after some time it became a little to… mundane. Nothing attacked them.
Ravina was able to find the plants relatively easily. Moreover, she even picked up a bounty of other plants. Aurelia was surprised to see the girl who walked past their target herb so many times swifty pluck those worth a pretty penny. Not only that but when she did find her first Lentiana, she could spot the others with ease.
In the end, Ravina showed an extensive knowledge about herb gathering that surpassed even her. They might have stripped the entire forest of medical plants if Aurelia hadn't stopped her. In fact, time was their only enemy, and to the young girl–that was the problem.
“What was that?” Aurelia asked as they moved past the first counter.
“Just… nothing,” Ravina shook her head. She wasn’t complaining aloud, just releasing the tension in her body. She had truly believed that something would happen right up until they returned to the guild hall. Without the threat of violence, a quest was just an errand.
Ravina stopped moving with a short "Oh." She didn't realize it until now, but she was excited for the... challenge. The dangers that came with adventuring would make it all worthwhile, right? Yet, all she had done was the same thing she used to do—pick up grass in a forest for petty cash. She rubbed her hands together, feeling the torn, calloused leather. Dirt was caked under her nails, and the muted scent of grass seeped from the orange stain.
"Ravina—ahem, Raven. Over here," Aurelia broke the young girl out of her thoughts.
"R-right," following Aurelia to the counter, they met the turn-in agent. Usually, there were four people posted here. However, only one of them sat behind the counter that processed completed quests at the moment. It was around one in the afternoon; most of the staff had retreated to the office behind the counter doors. A friendly-looking fellow greeted them with a boyish grin and a twinkle in his green eyes, pushing his short straw-colored hair back before he asked, “How can I help you?”
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Aurelia turned to Ravina, “Up to you now,” she encouraged.
"R-right," Ravina said, stepping up to the counter. With a nervous swallow, she parted her lips to take in some air. “I would like to turn in the request for Ravin, ID is… one six...seventeen?” Questioning herself, she began to fumble for the slip of paper that Aurelia gave her yesterday. Pulling it out of her bag, she confirmed her guild identification. “Yeah, 1617-032.1X” she nodded to herself. Though she needed the paper to confirm, she was right—for the most part.
"Got it, one moment please," he said with a gentle, understanding nod, rising from his seat and quickly disappearing behind the door.
As he was gone, Ravina pulled out the five bundles of Lentianas required to complete the quest. A short time later, he returned with a clipboard in hand and a bag resting on top. Tossing the bag onto the counter, he sat down, reviewing the paperwork.
“Ravin, commission 17-29-05 to pick up five bundles of Lentiana herbs," he confirmed, pointing to the herbs as he counted aloud, "one, two, three, four, five. Yup, looks like you have enough." After setting down the clipboard, he spent some time examining the plants with practiced hands.
“Looks good to me. Yup, five bundles of Lentiana herbs,” he affirmed, pulling open a drawer hidden under the desk. He pulled out a stamp and pressed it onto the form from the clipboard. After penning a few more notes on the paper, he put away both the pen and the stamp. Closing the drawer, he pushed the bag forward and fished inside. "Five bundles for five silver," he announced as he placed the coins on the counter.
"Five silver," Ravina repeated, her gaze lingering on the gently gleaming coins.
“Yes, that is correct," the associate checked the records and affirmed the amount, but that wasn't what Ravina was questioning when she repeated the number.
"Is..." Ravina started to rub her hands again as her mouth went dry. With a small cough, she continued, “I mean, how much would a bundle of Yarrow be?”
“I don't think we have a request for Yarrow, but you can sell anything you have next door. I believe it goes for three silver for a bundle of twelve.”
Three silver for just twelve. Ravina blinked blankly at the news. She shook her head. “I see, thank you,” she said before turning on her heel and starting to walk away.
"Little lady!" he quickly called after her. "Your money!"
"Oh, right," Ravina replied with an embarrassed smile pulling at her face, reaching for the bright, shiny silver coins on the table. They were smooth to the touch, cool and unblemished, almost as if freshly minted. She took a breath. "Thank you," she said with a smile. "Let's go," nodding to Aurelia, she left the guild. A horrifying chill gripped her heart, making it just a little difficult to breathe in the open air.