image [https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/f5b1d7ad-50a0-42ad-b58b-160a92eea989/dh18auc-9b3761d8-3dc0-45b1-95bf-e1790438fb15.png/v1/fill/w_1280,h_359/chapter_twelve_by_lizzielance_dh18auc-fullview.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7ImhlaWdodCI6Ijw9MzU5IiwicGF0aCI6IlwvZlwvZjViMWQ3YWQtNTBhMC00MmFkLWI1OGItMTYwYTkyZWVhOTg5XC9kaDE4YXVjLTliMzc2MWQ4LTNkYzAtNDViMS05NWJmLWUxNzkwNDM4ZmIxNS5wbmciLCJ3aWR0aCI6Ijw9MTI4MCJ9XV0sImF1ZCI6WyJ1cm46c2VydmljZTppbWFnZS5vcGVyYXRpb25zIl19.StnspN13_V73Bg9KTViEAn01_M7R6CtXWwvzJSmcegY]
Holes and tears could be seen in what little fabrics covered the children’s small bodies. The girls wore simple tunic shirts with worn out sandal wraps on Chadra’s feet and those equally worn-out boots adorning Gauld’s. Celine felt grateful that the weather today is sunny and warm since Belgos only had on breeches and sandal wraps with a ripped-up fabric keeping the breeches on his small waist.
Despite their ragged and unclean forms, the children seemed in good spirits as they chattered amongst themselves about what tavern they should take the pair to after the visit to the Adventure’s Guild. Considering they found them celebrating over small portions of stolen food, it seemed they truly understood what it means to be happy with the necessities of living and leave luxuries as just a far-off dream.
“Yeah, but the Scarlett Conch is in the elven district and you know they’ll just overcharge them, Belgos! They may seem to have enough but that doesn’t mean we should let that place be the ones to rip them off.”
“Oh, come on Gauld, it’s not a rip off if their services are impeccable! I’ve heard- “
“I know what you’ve heard about that place, brother, and that’s why Gauld is telling you they’ll just rip them off. Celine’s a human and Amu is a dark elf like you. He may be an elf, but you know those uppity light elves still look down on us darks.”
Celine glanced to Bahamut then leaned forward, they were still in the alleyways of Sa’Cardo, but she held faith the children know where they are going. “I thought all the elves got along and just treated humans as… well... you know.”
“Nah, there’s some stupid belief that ‘cause we Dark Elves live in the caverns and shadowy lands of La’an that we’re no better than the dirt we thrive on. Which is weird since a lot of those precious jewels they love to shine off in the light comes from those caves.” Belgos shrugged his shoulder indifferently as Gauld and Chadra nodded in agreement. “They even treat Gauld here like she’s useless even when she’s immensely more talented than most anyone we’ve ever seen. And we’ve seen a lot!”
“How… how old are you three?”
“I’m ten.” Belgos proclaimed, “The oldest.”
“I’m nine.” Chadra raised her hand with a sheepish smile.
“I’m nunya.” Gauld clasped her hands behind her head in an expression of not caring, a fox ear flicking and twin tails swaying idly.
“Um, did you mean to say you’re nine?”
“I’m nunya business years old.”
The two children and Bahamut all bust out laughing at her glib reply.
“I knew I liked these three. Clever little ones they are.”
Celine let out an indignant sigh then gave a chuckle in quiet admission to agreeing with their amusement at her expense. “So how did you three meet?”
“Foundling home.”
Bahamut raised a brow, “Foundling home?”
“Surely you know about foundling homes, Amu.”
“Perhaps, but perhaps answer as if I do not.”
The trio glanced at each other with hooded eyes, giving off a sense that foundling homes are not good places. Chadra stepped closer to Gauld and clasped her hands on the kitsune’s gold toned furred arm, which rewarded her with the blackened furred hand patting her head. Belgos rubbed the back of his neck as he delayed in answering Bahamut then…
“We don’t know why foundling homes exist but we do know that they are two faced. The ones that own the homes show off to their potential candidates, who are of the poor class, that they can better provide to us kids better than our own parents. When our parents gave us to the homes, and believe me we thought it’d be good for us and our parents too since our caverns were drying up on the gems and food was getting harder to trade for, it all changed. They treated us like dirt, beat us up and… “ He glanced to the girls then lowered his eyes, “Other stuff. When we managed to escape that place with the other children, after our coming-of-age ceremonies, our homes… well, weren’t our homes anymore. After helping get the youngest of our group settled with better families, we've been taking care of ourselves.”
Celine folded her arms on her front as she watched the children speak their stories, feeling a pang of what could have been if it weren’t for her Mame and Pa. She saw the fliers in her tavern about foundling homes offering to take in ‘unwanted and abandoned’ children to care for ‘under the guiding hand of our blessed Chosen One.’ To learn more about what it’s actually like in those places made her feel sad and enraged but helpless to do anything about it from her position as not just a human but also an NPC.
“Want me to go burn the foundling home up for you?” Bahamut offered, resonating with Celine’s emotions.
This caused the trio to grin maliciously as they stopped in their path and looked up to the pair. “We escaped and left them a present in appreciation for all the care they’ve given us.” Gauld grinned especially wide with her fangs making her more sinister. Celine smiled nervously in a confusing mixture of apprehension and satisfaction for that ‘present’ they left behind.
Note to self: don’t piss them off. Echoed in her thoughts, looking over to Bahamut to see him mirroring the children’s expression as he bent down to their height in conspiratorial manner. “Did the present provide adequate flames of love for them?”
A shudder of full apprehension ran up Celine’s spine as they all nodded up to Bahamut and they started cackling. Definitely do not piss any of them off!!! She frantically looked around them to see they were now on a street with passing locals and tourists but still just inside an alley.
“Um, m-m-mind if I tuck into that store f-for a quick moment? There’s something I’d l-like to get.” She pointed to a fabric store just next to them.
“Yeah, yeah, go ahead. We still need to figure out what tavern to register you to.” Gauld waved her hand dismissively to Celine as their conversation now turned back to their original topic.
“So, anyway, what about the…”
Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.
Celine shut the door behind herself and took in a deep calming breath. It would seem those connected to Bahamut and Bahamut himself are far more dangerous than she had ever anticipated. Were those dark rumors about the Dragoon holding some grain of truth to his capabilities of destruction? She didn’t much care to find out the answer there and instead focused on the bolts of fabric until she found one that closely matched the children’s clothing fabrics and their dingy beige tones.
“May I have a yard of this fabric?”
The clerk looked at her from head to toe then back to her eyes, shrugging casually as they took the bolt and made swift work to cut the yard, fold it up and charge her a copper coin.
“We’ve decided where to take you after the Guild, Celine!” Chadra jumped up and down in excitement and she peeked up to Bahamut to find him smiling in satisfaction with the decision.
“And where is that, Chadra?”
“It’s a surprise!” The dark elf girl giggled in delight as she bounced on her feet. “Come on! Let’s go!!” She grabbed Celine’s hand and pulled her to follow.
image [https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/f5b1d7ad-50a0-42ad-b58b-160a92eea989/dh0csim-020f9736-0f2f-4f46-9c61-9c18054a7946.png/v1/fill/w_1217,h_219/page_break_by_lizzielance_dh0csim-fullview.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7ImhlaWdodCI6Ijw9MjE5IiwicGF0aCI6IlwvZlwvZjViMWQ3YWQtNTBhMC00MmFkLWI1OGItMTYwYTkyZWVhOTg5XC9kaDBjc2ltLTAyMGY5NzM2LTBmMmYtNGY0Ni05YzYxLTljMTgwNTRhNzk0Ni5wbmciLCJ3aWR0aCI6Ijw9MTIxNyJ9XV0sImF1ZCI6WyJ1cm46c2VydmljZTppbWFnZS5vcGVyYXRpb25zIl19.e-Za8cOTVQHfE-LeYChKIdyfToKAI3Ogzo6OdLBnA0g]
“Welcome to the Adventure’s Guild, have you a quest to submit?” The red uniformed lady behind a counter said in clear boredom, having only glanced up to Celine, looked above her head then looked to scrutinize her nails in show that her hand is more interesting than the NPC that entered the Guild doors.
The interior of the Adventure Guild gave the impression that they are doing financially well. The walls were painted in subdued beige with beautiful paintings of landscapes and individuals, and even a few are moments of action caught in paint. A painting of what is clearly a swordsman facing off with a dragon was amongst them, Bahamut rolled his eyes at that one but held his tongue. The furniture was made of good quality wood with beautiful inlays and soft red cushions on chairs and couches, the tiled flooring was of darker warm tones with flecks of red glinting in the light as they walked towards the counter. A grand staircase proudly set in the center of the grand hall with the second-floor circling above and offering a higher view of those beneath.
There were some of the fighting classes lounging in the waiting area, one strong looking mace wielder having her feet propped on a coffee table as she chatted up an Elf Noble that sat next to her, clearly trying to get whatever quest the elf is offering. Celine had noted that the elf has a servant on his side waiting for requests while she’s getting treated as if she is a pest to be shooed out of the Guild. A notion that has her pursing her lips and narrowing her gaze on the wench that addressed her.
“I’d like to register.” She set the flier of the contest on the counter in front of the wench. “May I know more of the details of this contest.”
“Sure, it’s for PCs only.” The lady shifted to lean on her other elbow, waving her and in a shooing method at Celine. “If you aren’t submitting a quest then leave.”
“The flier doesn’t say it’s for PCs.”
“Why would the Adventure Guild need to be specific about that? Only PCs can register to join the Guild and this is a celebration of the Guild, therefore it’s for the PCs. Now, leave.”
Bahamut leaned forward to peer over Celine’s shoulder with his violet gaze lowered. “Hmm, funny, it says here that you’re looking for the Adventurous Chef. Celine here has left her hometown in want to join this contest of yours, she has already experienced a fair share of adventure and she is a chef. Is that to mean that your guild does not want the Adventurous Chef and just those in your roof?” His eyes raised up to pierce at the lady’s. “If so, you should have kept this flier in your guild hall instead of sending it to the winds to be found by anyone who can so much as hold a ladle in a cauldron.”
This made the lady straighten up in response to the seeming Dark Elf ruffling her feathers. “Our Adventurers are always traveling La’an to fulfill all quests submitted to our Guild records. It’s our duty to ensure that they see the competition and is not meant for anyone outside of our rankings.”
“Hah!” Celine’s lips pursed tightly in disbelief, clenching her hand to try to keep herself from throwing anger at the rude wench. “You want the Adventurous Chef yet you don’t want any challenges to your own Adventurous Chefs? Sounds to me as though your chefs couldn’t prove better against an NPC who specializes in cooking.” She looked up to Bahamut as she folded her arms, “Is it me, or do you think they prefer cooking with the meats of corrupted monsters? There has been that theory of ‘you are what you eat’, do you think this means the Adventurers themselves are corrupted monsters, too?”
“How dare you insult our Guild members! Leave this premise immediately!!”
They heard those in the waiting area standing and weapons ready to be drawn.
“Wow.” Bahamut whistled low. “Can’t handle an insult from an NPC either. Shall we head for the Scarlet Conch and talk about how the Adventure Guild is scared their Members would lose to an NPC Chef? I don’t know about you, but I’ve never thought Adventurers are cowards. They probably just take the rewards for themselves after making others do the work for them.”
"Leave right now or die, NPC!" The rude wench emphatically pointed at the front entrance, anger etched on her face.
Weapons were getting drawn now but Celine was far too furious to be scared. “Yes, let’s go tell a few about what happened here. Unless you all want to face the consequences of killing an NPC inside a Guild Hall. Last I checked that goes against all Guild Codex to kill an NPC in your halls.”
Roaring laughter suddenly boomed out in the hall, drawing all eyes up the grand staircase to a hu’ani Lioness dressed in a red linen tunic with the Guild’s coat of arms on her right shoulder, her sword hanging on her belt and dark brown leggings wrapping her legs with her pawed feet uncovered. She padded down the stairs with her hand resting on the hilt of her sword while she smiled proudly to the pair at the counter. “I commend your bravery against such odds, NPC Chef Celine.”
It always unnerved her how PCs could know her name without her telling them, this was no exception but with how the other PCs were returning their weapons, it would seem the Lioness is someone of higher importance. Locking her grey gaze with the Lioness’ golden ones, she curtsied in respect. “I have come a long way to Sa’Cardo Cove in hopes of registering for your Cooking Contest thinking the Adventurous Chef was in reference to anyone who adventured to join. Am I wrong in this assumption?”
The Lioness hummed in a low, thoughtful growl as she stopped before them then lifted the flier off the counter to look it over. “No, I can understand, and I can see how many could view this incorrectly. We do want adventurous chefs and adventurous chefs we do allow to register, not just from our guild. It would be rather unhealthy of us to deny competition for our own people as denying any competition goes against our very morality of being Adventurers.” She closed one eye as she pierced a dark look at the wench, she immediately stood at attention with eyes shamefully averting from the Guild Leader. “I also did not instruct my employees to deny anyone, PC of another guild nor NPC, of being able to register.” She opened her eye and turned to focus back on Celine. “You remind me of the days when I dared to leave my tribe to seek adventures outside of my homelands and now I am the leader of this branch of the Adventure Guild. Ah, I have certainly come a long way from the days of my youth with dreams of learning what more there could be of Ov’Rea.” With a chuff, she nodded, “Register Celine to the contest.”
Celine felt a rush of joy to the Guild leader’s words, clasping her hands over her mouth to try to keep from leaping in joy and hugging anything within reach.
The lioness saw the emotions from Celine, glancing to the dark elf by her side to see him smiling in satisfaction to the results, curious to why she didn’t see his name and title on display above his head. “I am Adventure Guild Leader Tomesha and I welcome you to my office so I may go over the details of the contest.” She motioned with her hand for them to follow her up the staircase.
With her throat choked by her excited emotions of this turn of events, Celine could only nod and follow Tomesha with Bahamut remaining near to her back.
image [https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/f5b1d7ad-50a0-42ad-b58b-160a92eea989/dh18au7-7abe2a1a-b5ce-422b-9c01-5065b7acbc50.png/v1/fit/w_828,h_984/chapter_twelve_status_window_by_lizzielance_dh18au7-414w-2x.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7ImhlaWdodCI6Ijw9MTMzOCIsInBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcL2Y1YjFkN2FkLTUwYTAtNDJhZC1iNThiLTE2MGE5MmVlYTk4OVwvZGgxOGF1Ny03YWJlMmExYS1iNWNlLTQyMmItOWMwMS01MDY1YjdhY2JjNTAucG5nIiwid2lkdGgiOiI8PTExMjUifV1dLCJhdWQiOlsidXJuOnNlcnZpY2U6aW1hZ2Uub3BlcmF0aW9ucyJdfQ.YBcFCsWL-AUM-TqwvYDgkVlyzpuNa9LIuCphvj4lyzA]