I took my first trip outside the temple three days later. Caleb tagged along, protesting that I might not be prepared for the exertion yet. In truth, I think he was as eager to get out as I was. Months of tending me night and day would be hard on anyone, no matter how devout.

We left the temple from a small side gate that Caleb said would allow us to have more privacy. Apparently, there was a coterie of historians eager to talk to me that he’d been keeping at bay.

I stepped into the warm sunlight in a simple but flattering green robe. It was cut in the local style, practical, form-fitting, and embroidered with what seemed to be a very militant design. I had confirmed it was civilian dress, but it reminded me strongly of a ducal guard’s uniform I had seen once.

I carried my staff, and at my belt hung a small purse that held a stipend from the church. A handful of unfamiliar coins, bearing the faces and crests of men I’d never heard of, bearing arcane denominations. I had no idea how generous the church had been, but I supposed I would find out.

The architecture of Ravenna favored tall buildings with thick walls, Even the most ornamented merchant’s home had the air of a poorly disguised fortress. As we walked from the temple district, I saw that each borough was walled and had gates that could isolate it from the rest of the city.

The streets were full of pedestrian traffic, people coming and going on their various errands. I saw many humans like myself, but also dwarves, elves, sauriok, and other races besides. I noticed a trend in the way many were dressed.

“There’s an awful lot of people in black and gold. Am I bucking fashion?”

Caleb smiled and said, “No, Mistress Ceriss, those are the Regent’s colors. Everyone in the Auxillia, the Regency staff, the Evoker Legion, and the Scaled Lancers wears them. It’s also fairly common for civilians to wear the colors to show their Ravennan pride.”

We continued into what Caleb told me was the old city, Apparently, the size of the city had swollen since its founding centuries back. The buildings here had a different look, something far closer to what I was used to seeing, but the wall that surrounded this district was the sturdiest I had seen yet.

We arrived at a sprawling structure, constructed in a mix of stone and aged wood, looking to be a combination barracks and inn that occupied an entire city block. A banner stirred in the breeze, a coral drake rampant on a field of green.

“Is this the guild you spoke of?”

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

“Yes, for over two hundred years, the guild was the backbone of the resistance against the Tyrant. The Auxilia replaced them in time, but the stories of their deeds are legend.”

I took in the details of the premises, Eclectic suits of armor and flamboyant weapons hung from the walls and rested in alcoves all around the exterior, interspersed with busts, statues, and fountains, presumably depicting notables from the guild’s history.

As we drifted toward the front door, I was shocked to recognize the largest of the busts. Placed centrally on the stairs before the entrance, was the flat, rounded face of Rhu’hark.

I rushed and place a hand on the image of my old friend. My eyes wet, I turned to Caleb. “I knew them. Rhu’Hark was one of my traveling companions.”

“I recognized the name when you told me, but it took me some time to place it. That’s one of the reasons I brought you here first.”

I narrowed my eyes at him, “One of the reasons?”

“The rest of which I will explain,” croaked an elderly voice from the entrance. The oldest sauriok I had ever seen stood there, leaning heavily on a walking stick. They were swathed in a flowing habit of the same green as the banner. A coral drake pin rested on their chest and a finely made clockwork leg clicked quietly beneath their robes.

“I could scarcely believe it when Caleb told me who you were. We all believed you long dead.”

There was something in the voice, in the dorsal crest… “Gyr’Hark? Is that you?”

The ancient sauriok beamed, and said, “Yes, Auntie, it is I.”

.

I scurried up the steps and wrapped my arms around them. I took pleasure in the familiar scent of dry scales and took a moment to collect my thoughts.

“I’m so happy to see you, Gyr. I thought I was all alone in this crazy place.”

Gyr’Hark chuckled and patted my back affectionately. “I’ve had my own adventures over the years, but they haven’t managed to be rid of me yet.”

“Gyr, what is all this? How is it connected to Rhu?”

“My parent was the first guildmaster. They started all of this after the fall of the Imperial City. Come, let us move inside and I will tell you everything.”

Caleb and I followed Gyr’Hark inside the guild house. They moved with surprising grace, the clockwork limb purring as they walked. The interior was a kaleidoscope of colors, banners from a dozen nations hanging from the walls of the common room. A large stone fireplace dominated one wall, spreading into the wide stone benches favored by sauriok everywhere. More conventional furniture was abundant as well, but we were alone in the large space save for an elven woman running a polishing cloth over the surface of a beautiful cherry bar.

Gyr’Hark led us to a table near the fireplace, calling out to the elf as they did so. “Galatia, please bring us a pot of tea, dear.”

We took our seats and Galatia brought over a large pot of fragrant tea and several cups. Rather more than currently occupied the seats at the table. She poured a cup for each of us, rather blatantly giving Caleb and me long, appraising looks in the process. I took in the loose cut of her clothes and the pair of daggers at her belt. This young woman was no barmaid. I gave her a respectful nod.

“Thank you, Galatia. Would you please go fetch the others? They have a part in this as well,” said Gyr’Hark.

The strange elf girl nodded and turned, a confident stride quickly carrying her from the room.

Gyr’Hark spread their hands and looked to me, “You’ve got some catching up to do.”