III.

"I won't blow up the Inn, I promise," Madoka repeated what the princess said to her when she tucked her in the bed to Eraziror with a sigh. She felt more at ease around him, but still had her guard up. She knew that he was nothing and could not hurt her even if he tried, but the sharp daggers of the past still drove their way in between her and men.

"That does sound like her," Eraziror commented with a chuckle. "You mimic her voice quite well."

Madoka shrugged, since he could not detect the Knotting Strands forming from her mouth to copy Her Highness's voice. Eraziror looked at her and began to laugh, only stopping when he noticed the maid's inquisitive expression.

"You got an easy face to read, Madoka," he noted. "I'm just laughing since it seems like your Lady finally has some kind of weakness. No, no. Not like that. Just that, everything about her doesn't seem wrong. Perfect, like a Noble. Or perhaps like one of the Old Nobles. Not the pantsy ones you'd see today. It's a shame she cannot heal herself, but if you ask me: I wouldn't be surprised if she could."

"We've lost everything, sir," Madoka did not lie about losing everything, though she did lie about their stolen money. "So we can't afford a healer."

"Aye," he sighed. "When she healed the poison from those goblins, I was sure she was a Saint from the Hero Prophecy. That's a powerful Substance you don't see often, and for free! Hoohoo!"

He fell serious and his carefree tone vanished.

"She's bloody right though," he looked away to the Adventurer's Guild's orange tiled roof. "She isn't like me, or even you. Can't say I'd admit this to her, but between you and me? I'd reckon whatever's going on behind her pretty face belies a past beyond the suffering we Commoners would ever endure. Or know, huh."

Madoka did not realize it, but her hand was on her axe in case he said anything about the Princess she did not like. Would she be able to bring such a fate to those who would commit vile blasphemy against Her Highness? She relaxed. Time would truly test her and this dragon man would not be today's trial. He was right, Madoka nodded. The Lady has gone through so much more than she could imagine, in two lives no less.

"I'm not about to say forget your own problems and hardships— You have had it worse than I've ever seen on any regular servant," Eraziror pointed at her. "I'd never forget my common man and woman. It has to be tough being her servant."

"You don't know the half of it," Madoka muttered, but held her tongue quickly before more complaints escaped.

"Heh, I'm not a guard. I won't ever tell your complaints to anyone," Eraziror chuckled. "To serve a tough and terrible master one has to be tough and terrible themselves. Or something. I just made that one up, but you can add that phrase to your personal collection. Free of charge."

He bowed in a mocking manner. Was he like this because he knew the streets were more empty than usual? Or was it because his future was now uncertain and it was his way of hiding the nervousness? Madoka studied the golden Strands swirling around him and along the ground. No thought-shards echoed from him, only the birds and some horses pulling wagons by them had any of those purple needles.

"I'm not tough," Eraziror admitted. "Ceghinort called me to journey and seek the River Goêt, but the best I can do after these years is just... this. Took a long time to get notches on the old thing, but I still haven't got one on this junk."

He looked sadly at his Silver tag.

"I'm not stupid, but I ain't a hard worker, you know?" He scoffed. "Not taking risks and getting power, ripping through things until I get hair on my chest instead of scales — it's how I lost Eena. And now I'm losing Kanys."

He was losing her attention as well, since Madoka realized she had not said a word and they were at the Guild already.

"Well," she finally decided to say something, but she felt like she did not have enough time to think of what to say next. "Let's get to working on getting those notches, then."

"Huh? Just like that," Eraziror hid a light scoff, but it seemed as if he was directing his disappointment in himself. "Sorry for rambling. Your owner must do that a lot, so you're probably used to it. Before we go in, I must warn you: Treat the woman we're meeting with respect. She's quite the dangerous one, but she's handling this investigation for now."

"You're better off telling yourself that," Madoka grunted. Whoever they were going to speak to had no business fighting a low rank like her, right? Eraziror shot her an incredulous look, but held the door open for her. Blasphemy...! She gave a hmph in disapproval, but stepped inside anyways.

Warm air blasted her face as she surveyed the room. There were less adventurers than the first night she arrived with Audrey, but she presumed they were all outside investigating the princess's magic crash sites. Wood creaked against her new boots and Eraziror strode by her to the Guild Ladies ahead. They were soon laughing together, making her mind wander as she watched them.

The dragon man was charming in his own way and the women looked at him with good intentions. Kanys apparently liked him enough to admit it herself to the Princess and Madoka, but yet she had a duty to commit to. The maid herself did not feel anything wrong about Eraziror, but she also did not feel like she did when she was around Audrey. That attraction was always there in Madoka, but it was a secret she did not understand and did not want to admit to anyone like Kanys did. Eraziror waved to her, ushering her to approach. The Guild Lady with orange hair wrinkled her nose beneath her glasses as she looked at a piece of paper, then she eyed the maid.

"You must be Madoka," she greeted her. "Of House Dalion."

"Yes," Madoka returned blankly.

"I know her!" The other Guild Lady giggled, getting close to the first. The two eyed her with strange looks and Madoka could not tell if she was amused by the attention or annoyed by it. "She's famous from Livertorjan!"

"Whoa," gasped the other. Eraziror grinned and elbowed Madoka, making her jump.

"The other one, that Noble though," they both looked around. "She's not here with you?"

"No," Madoka decided she did not like the attention at all if they had disdain for her princess. Her face must have scared the Guild Ladies because they both bowed in apologies.

"A-Apologies, Miss Madoka," the first one said.

"Y-Yeah! Forgive us, but we're all used to Nobles being mostly trouble!"

"Well," Madoka growled. Before she could snap back at the girls Eraziror cleared his throat.

"We're teamed up for now," he chuckled nervously. "Is the Lady available for us? She called upon me — mostly her — heh, awhile ago."

"Oh! Eep!" The first Guild Lady shuffled through some things at her desk, while Madoka scrolled through a list of names she had heard of in her mind recently. She did not know anyone named Fate.

The other peeked at Madoka before turning back to her desk to tend to her own duties. Was she blushing? Madoka cocked her head at the girl in an odd curiosity. These women were confusing enough to her. The first Guild Lady, or what Madoka chose to refer to as Orange Hair, pulled out a strange device which hummed with magic that fit in her palm. White strands formed a hexagonal shell around it as it vibrated. She held it close before her eyes, evidently listening to something that both Eraziror and the maid could not hear.

"Yes! Lady Fate is ready to see you!" Orange Hair set the device down and scribbled something on a piece of paper. "Temporary Adventurer party formed and registered! Get up there and—" she gave Madoka a serious look. "— Fate, er, the Lady is looking forward to meeting you. Be careful! She’s a Noble, like your Master…"

Fate...? Madoka had no idea who or what Fate could be, but she assumed that they were powerful because they were able to use a strange magical device similar to Audrey's storage talisman. Those items chose their owners, which meant either this scrawny dragon girl Orange Hair or Fate were chosen.

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"Alright, let's go then," Eraziror cheered, but leaned in unexpectedly to Madoka and whispered. "Do not make Fate angry, okay? She's really respected here."

Madoka resisted the urge to say he stinks and nodded, pulling away from him. How many times did they have to repeat themselves? Orange Hair pointed up the stairs and bowed. She noticed Eraziror looked visibly nervous, straightening himself out and trying to adjust his armor. Embarrassing, she thought as she followed him. Once atop of the staircase, she noted that rather than the circular balcony that both these Guild Halls had, this set of stairs led directly to a hallway. She was not paying attention, but Drezgor's office was right before a slightly larger door at the end.

A large sword with a golden jewel hung off of it, but it did not glow from any Knotting strand. A wasted potential, she thought. The sword itself remained as a quiet decoration, reminding her of the ones hanging in the Palace's hallways and some Noble's chambers. Would Audrey have such a sword hanging upon her room at the Palace? She pictured the girl swinging it around gracefully in her Fiara style of swordplay, but shuddered at the possibility that Audrey could hurt herself with such a dangerous thing.

"Come in," commanded a voice. It belonged to a woman. Madoka's ears picked up a fiery will beneath its timbre, realizing she had already encountered this Fate person before. It was that blue haired, cloaked adventurer that scared her awhile ago, she predicted. This could be bad. Another thought appeared in her mind, belligerently muttering to itself in a language she had never heard before. She steeled herself. Things were going to be really bad.

"Remember, keep respectful and cool," Eraziror muttered.

"Are you telling yourself that?" Madoka asked quietly. Her hand was already on the door's handle, making the sword rattle against its wood. Eraziror gave a weak chuckle, but nearly froze when Madoka opened it for him to step through. If it was a trap, she had a better chance of escaping if the silver ranked Dragon man walked in first.

Nothing happened to him, though he remained silent as she filed in. Instead of Blue Hair, Madoka beheld an astonishingly beautiful blonde Narm. This woman was Fate? A fake name, she assumed. Even her Noble Aura seemed suppressed. How come those women and most adventurers distrust Nobles when this one seemed to be the boss of this place? A shining coin flashed as it flipped in the air, catching her eyes.

"One, two, one, two," Lady Fate scanned them both, flipping and catching the coin in a perfect rhythm as she counted. Her eyes were different colored. One was blue and the right one was green. Hetero... Het... Hedo... Hechrom? Madoka was distracted while she was trying to recall the term Audrey used. "I see you, Eraziror, I see a you, but not three?"

The coin caught on fire as it landed on the woman's palm. Lady Fate studied the coin intently as it let its flame rise from her hand's flesh.

"Mercy for thee, or shall I have your head for Otanor's party?" She studied the coin. Madoka's hand immediately went to her axe at her side and the woman's killing intent flared up. Eraziror flinched, raising his hand to hold the maid back. The coin's fire snuffed out like a candle being blown, with traces of Knotting magic dancing along her wrists and fingertips. Bring it, Madoka nearly let out a growl, but the Lady let out a laugh.

"The coin has chosen mercy for thee, O adventurer!"

Is that because she sensed Lady Fate was too afraid to fight her? Madoka did not sense the woman's intentions, only the confidence of a hundred warriors within her. Drezgor said she would lose in a fight against her, did he not?

"Relax. For a new blood, defeating my brother Otanor like that must have been quite a show," Lady Fate laughed. Her voice seemed like she was not concerned for her brother at all, but the killing intent still remained.

Madoka could only shrug. She would destroy anyone who would harm her princess, limb from limb just like that Otanor fellow. The coin glowed again, casting a silver light as the woman knelt a knee on her desk's chair and crushed it with her fist. A small shadow shifted on the chair's cushion. Madoka realized someone or something else was occupying it and they were grumpy.

A black scalloped and velvety wing unfolded just above the desk from behind Fate. Talons protruded like small hands from the edge of their membrane tips, reminding Madoka of a slender and less torn wing of a dragon. Unexpectedly, instead of a dragon a furry back arched into view with an adorably orange, round and pointed-eared head glared at her. Its orange fur was in beautiful condition and its whiskers stood proud, if not profoundly annoyed at both the Lady and Madoka. The realization hit her, making her nearly groan. The Orange Demon of the West those birds were mentioning was just a cute and simple... Cat?

"How dare you curs all disturb my slumber," the cat unfurled its wings and bellowed in Royal. "I shall rend thy flesh apart for thy transgressions! I will—"

Fate, unbothered, scooped the pompous cat up and immediately he squished against her as she sat down.

"Y-You taketh mine spot? You loathsome little—" a pur started to rumble as she pet him. Madoka wanted to pet the cat suddenly, even if his threats were hanging in the air. What if Audrey stroked her hair like this woman's slender fingers did? She would like that.

"An adorable beast from the Forestmen of Halfring. Pay attention," Fate continued. "I have killed many Adventurers who have gone rogue, restored order in this..."

She was apparently talking the whole time, however, Madoka realized she was distracted by the fuzzy round ball of fur in her lap. He regarded her back with a flick of his tail. Annoyance, she felt its emotions change as the wind before a storm. This exotic animal, this fickle cat was from Halfring. Another nation whose knowledge and whereabouts were well hidden from her. That goose was also sold by those so called Forestmen, or Būthos. "In order for an unruly new blood like yourself, you shall be follow Eraziror as he guides you through the proper Guild procedures around here."

Whatever, Madoka retorted in her mind. A fist slammed into the desk, breaking her from her growing fondness of the orange furball. She immediately prepared for an attack, shifting into a Cherish Style fighting stance.

"Are you even listening to me? I hate your rudeness, foolish girl. You're not listening to me. Answer me, now," Fate commanded her. Madoka almost fell back to her days back in the Palace, speaking in only Reverent Noble. However, a flame was burning inside of her. How dare this woman defend a foolish man who would lay a finger on Audrey! Now, she shall not besmirch her Princess's Name by following another! "You will obey here, or the coin will be flipped again. Now. Kneel."

"I take orders from my Lady, only," Madoka growled.

"Erm," Eraziror interjected, sensing the tension rise as Fate rose. Adorable cat attached to her or not, Madoka would raze this building or die trying. "Perhaps... Another time? I should—"

Fate's free hand burst with Knotting Strands, forming a new golden and burning coin. Madoka's crystal did not stir, and nor did she sense killing intent any longer emanating from the Guild Leader despite her Aura scathing her skin. Was this woman testing her resolve? Eraziror flinched and cowered, but Madoka still stood. This woman too, she sensed was not beyond a dragon's power. I will break your silly coin, the maid gritted her teeth. We have hundreds of those in a storage talisman!

"I protect Her from those who would do her harm," Madoka declared against the shining woman. "Therefore, I will not follow nor kneel to anyone besides her or His Majesty."

"C-Ceghinort's blood," Eraziror was shouting as Fate's Aura manifested more Knotting Strands, affecting the sound in a violent and buzzing cacophony.

She accidentally let that slip, but she guessed it applied to any Royal. The Aura suddenly vanished as a four legged tiny shadow hopped up on the desk between the two. Fate flipped that strange magical coin of hers without looking and grinned as it dissipated into golden sparks. Eraziror was panting behind Madoka, making her exasperated.

Dude, she thought at him. She could have used some help or something from her senior adventurer.

"Bravo, bravo. So well versed in the ways of Old," Fate clapped. Madoka did not, in fact, know what the Ways of Old the lady was talking about, but assumed Audrey would know. The cat, to her surprise, was unbothered by the whole ordeal despite the catastrophic state the woman's aura left the room in. "What have you gone through to resist Gechick? Fufu, Drezgor was right about you."

"This fool," the cat spoke in Royal, though he was looking down upon his Master. "She doesn't know that the blessings of the God of Tomorrows has been bestowed upon thee. One that will never break by such a weak trinket. But why? Why a lowly scum such as thyself be granted this holy onus? Fascinating. So very fascinating."

"Forgive this one, Your Majesty," Madoka apologized to it in Reverent Royal. "One thousand apologies."

"It speaketh? To me?" The cat's tail swished torn scrolls off the desk without a care. Fate sighed. "Insolent cur! Though thy tongue should be ripped out, such peculiarities shall be rewarded by mercy. This time. Foolish bastard child! I shall seek thee when the time cometh. Commune with the drabble, then begone!"

Being called a foolish bastard child made her feel some kind of annoyance, though partly because she did not know what those words were in Royal. Madoka heeded its advice, so she focused back on Fate who was speaking to Eraziror.

"The situation is dire. The Leyline only makes things worse, so I'll have you investigate the monster activities in Petal 4 with her. It's perfect for silvers and iron rankers," she said before turning back to Madoka. She nearly let a sigh in relief when she noticed the Guild Master just in time— she was not paying attention again! "I know I have tested your resolve in a horrible way, Madoka, but I must ask you to accompany Eraziror into this mess. We're stretched thin as is, and if the rumors are true about you... What's a few more Ear Grabbers on the loose to thee?"

"I'll get to it," Madoka held her growl in. She owed Eraziror this time for subjecting him to this strange woman's antics.

"Good, he'll show you to the Truth and the Artisan Guilds. Then, you shall depart. The earlier the better," Fate tossed a scroll that somehow was left intact to him, spared from her released Knotting magic. "Say, you two will head to Petal 4 tomorrow, right Eraziror? Two notches, if you do."

Fate playfully teased him. Eraziror still was visibly frazzled from the encounter before, but he quickly cane to his senses and nodded. Was bribing and giving extra notches even allowed? Madoka decided that was a question for her Lady to ask. The dragon man cleared his throat.

"Right, we'll be on our way then," Eraziror stammered. "Right, Madoka? New blood, heh."

"Let's," Madoka was about to complete her sentence when the door opened from behind the pair. Her heart dropped for a moment. There at the entrance tattered garb and heavily armed Blue Hair stood, with her normally piercing eyes scanning the chaos in the room. Instinctively, she recovered with a small bow and stood by so the temporary party could leave.

That woman was more dangerous than Fate or her shiny coin, Madoka decided.