IV.

It was not long before the two found themselves headed up stairs near the backend of the Guild Hall. The place itself was oval shaped with stairs leading to a balcony and more tables on both wings. Madoka presumed those tables were for more meetings between adventurers. The man, or dragon, guided them silently to an office and gestured them to go in.

"A job follow-up interview, huh?" Audrey muttered. Madoka bumped shoulders with hers to get her to stop. A chuckle came from the Guild Master, Luxgor, he took a stand at his window. The girls looked at each other and sat on nearby cushioned benches. Madoka could see the smoke rising from the grounds singed by magic.

"Now, it's been some time since I've asked this, but," he turned. His stoic features melted away and he looked like he was about to beg. "What do you two want from this town? Why come to this guild?"

Madoka stared at the dragon using Reverent Noble in disbelief. A powerful being reduced to such a— She felt an elbow jab her side.

"W-We were told to get identification rights from this place, sir," Madoka said as honestly as she could. "No need for formalities."

"Yeah! T-The guards even told us to get them from here!" Audrey added earnestly. Luxgor looked at them with an expression of relief and then he started laughing. The copper tags in his hands jingled as he did. Madoka sensed he was attempting to shake off his nervousness.

"Identification rights?" Luxgor exclaimed. He calmed down after seeing Madoka nod. "Really? We are truly lucky. So truly lucky."

"W-We're not around from here," Audrey tried to explain. "Our parents sent us away because of the war."

"I see. You don't say," Luxgor did not buy her story at all. "I am sure you have your reasons. It's just that those guards... Nevermind."

"How do we get our identification rights?" Madoka asked with a twinge of irritation. The dragon nearly jumped out of his skin when her tone changed but he finally skipped his dialogue.

"These will serve you just fine," Luxgor held up the copper tags. To Madoka, they seemed no different than the coins except their shape. She was not sure about owning her own identification tag but she snatched them from him anyways and gave one to Audrey. "However, based off your unique appearance the Guild could a-accommodate anything should you ask for it. Within reason, of course!"

"Appearance?" Madoka raised an eyebrow.

"Y-Yes," the dragon stammered. "You two are not really children, are you? Perhaps you are god-touched? You stand like true warriors who have gone through insurmountable mountains and bloody battlefields. F-Forgive my ignorance!"

Madoka felt odd at his statement. Perhaps he knew what they have gone through. God-touched? Perhaps the man could sense the rune on her shoulder or detect Audrey's true power. Madoka cleared her throat when no one said anything.

"We've just got here, sir," Madoka said. "We are the ignorant ones here."

"So, uh, how does the Guild work?" Audrey asked.

"Right, right," Luxgor's eyes narrowed. "There's a few things that we should go through. In this organization, an average adventurer start as copper trainee. The tags you two hold belonged to fallen adventurers. You wear them as a promise to carry on their legacy."

Madoka fiddled with the copper tag in her fingers. There were notches and dings in the edges but the piece seemed like it had history. The Guild Master continued.

"As for the average adventurer, most will do commissions set up by the people. These commissions are divided by their danger rank, copper being the lowest and having no slaying or subjugations. Upon completion, a notch is made in the tag. After they get their feet wet with five copper rated commissions, they can shadow Iron rank adventurers on Iron rated commissions to see if this life is for them."

"It's all so..." Audrey was about to say something but she switched her words. "Straightforward enough."

"We're a group putting ourselves in dangerous situations," Luxgor explained. "Straightforward is a commodity we don't get often."

"I see," Audrey said. "What's after Iron rank?"

"Iron rank is where most stay and where most explore many options that open up. Commissions aren't always about fighting and exploring. Some join the Artisan Guild and learn to craft the strongest equipment. Others find combat too much and join the Truth Guild, working with us to have information on this world we all live in. Some even gain access to the three Magic Colleges. Silvers have to work hard to become Gold rank, learning to craft their own weapons and work in other countries. There's higher ranks than Gold, but for now we will leave it at that."

"Other countries," Madoka mused. That orange haired mage has truly gone through a lot. Audrey's beautiful eyes twinkled with luminescent excitement. It was the moons' twin light being captured in them, Madoka noticed that night has fallen. Luxgor had nervously lit a lamp up and faced them.

"We can offer you Silver rank right away, you only need to ask," He told them quietly. "Anyone who can crush Juujee easily can make a living in this world. I can even recommend you to the King himself—"

"T-That won't be necessary," Audrey protested. Her refusal surprised Madoka, as she had never been one to do menial work that she imagined copper rank adventurers would do. "We're just inexperienced, see. Right, Madoka?"

Madoka merely grunted. If that is what the princess desired then that is what she will get. The maid stopped caring for conversation and figured this was the quickest route to avoid people.

"I see, that's brilliant of you, as expected," Luxgor praised her.

"Who, me?" Audrey looked around.

"It would be suspicious if you were Silver rank," Luxgor mused. "You foresaw that, of course. We shall speak in the future very soon. There are things regarding you two that need some preparations, they will benefit and protect you greatly. Especially from fools like that Guild Lady Mara and adventurer party. I shall root them out immediately..."

He rummaged around at his desk for scrolls and seals, muttering to himself.

"Uh, Mr. Luxgor," Audrey asked him after noticing Madoka's bored look. Rain started to pour quietly upon the Hall. "Do you know of any places to stay?"

Later, the girls moved through the night like ghosts, hurdling in their hooded cloaks past strangers and wagons tied down for the night. They were heavily armed but Madoka kept their weapons concealed in case something came up. Rain threatened to drown the streets, so the two moved swiftly towards the inn.

Upon reaching the entrance, Madoka went to open the door for Audrey, but Audrey slapped her hand away and let herself in. There was no hierarchy anymore, the former princess would not have her dear friend and guardian stoop that low for anyone like her anymore. Madoka smirked, but the smirk vanished as quickly as a flash of lightning. Despite the conversation in the Guild Hall, they still were in enemy territory. Madoka sized up the many strange men and women who eyed them as soon as they walked in.

They were the danger in this territory, Madoka determined.

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The conversations and laughing died down as Audrey and Madoka approached the innkeeper, with Audrey about to say something but Madoka cut her off.

"We're looking for a room," she said, matter-of-factly. The innkeeper, an older lady, peered down at the 14 year old Madoka with a scoff. Wrinkles and crow feet dragged themselves in the old woman's face like clay clawed by fingers. She had barrels of drinks behind her and rows of mugs in front of her. A unique, badly dented tin mug rested at her side by a torn up rag.

"This ain't a place for children like you two, where are your parents?"

Madoka was about to do something bad but Audrey spoke up next, revealing the copper necklaces. "How much for a night? We just started today."

The innkeeper realized from the looks of their faces that they were serious and the starter adventurer tags strung around their necks. She eventually closed her eyes briefly and spoke again after seeing Audrey's regal and commanding appearance. It was a skill she learned back when she was a princess. A skill Madoka taught her, but she was sure the ladylike side of her was left long dead at the castle.

"The world's too cruel for young people like you to be out late at night I suppose. Two copper a night. Five for you."

She glared at Madoka, who slammed five copper on the bar anyways. She still had the bag from Audrey awhile ago. The force of her palm reverberated the wood with enough force to crack it. Audrey quietly placed her coins next to them. The innkeeper swooped the coins up and wiped the rain splatter off the table, pausing at the new damage on its surface.

"Georgia!" she called, slamming the odd tin mug on the table. It was the signal for the servant, Madoka figured. She recalled bells were used by nobles back in the palace to summon a servant immediately. A timid maid crept down the stairs and stood by the table. Had it not for Madoka's inner radar, as Audrey coined it, she would not have noticed her at all. "Show these brats their room!"

The maid herself had looked as stricken by the world as much as the two girls have been beaten down by it. Stains covered the woman's apron and chunks of her brown hair were missing beneath her head wrapping. She bowed to the girls quietly, but her face jerked to the side as if it was pulled by an invisible wraith. Was she possessed? Georgia said nothing about it but turned to guide them anyway. Possessed people were cast aside in Fiara, Madoka noted. This place must be as cruel as the old innkeeper.

The two were about to follow her when a boot suddenly stuck out in her path and tripped the twitching maid on the ground. The view of a broom and torn apron fluttering to the ground made Madoka instinctively reach for her sword. Harsh laughter came from the boot's owner. The maid slowly got up, her face and neck spasmed more rapidly as she tried to recover.

"You bitch," a gruff voice spat at Georgia. It was Skulk. "Can't you tell my boot means I need you for something?"

"It dived below and brought up treasure!" Georgia suddenly yelled. The maid shook her neck and her eyes shifted rapidly. The maid recovered and hung her head in shame. "D-Dived..."

"Useless," He spat out his drink at the maid. The bile splattered on the ground before the three girls. "You two girls owe me for the trouble you've caused us today. I think I'll take it out on this bitch!"

The innkeeper ignored the altercation about to brew up. The hag tried her best to avoid eye contact with both the girls and the bullies. Madoka glanced at Audrey, who had her hand in her talisman pouch. Ready for anything, she supposed. A small darkness stirred within Madoka's heart. The helpless maid, possessed or not, did not deserve such treatment. A grin painted itself on Skulk as he moved towards Georgia with his three cohorts. Fear scarred her twisting face and she uttered nonsense beneath her breath while crying.

"I wouldn't if I were you," Madoka moved in between the maid and the foolish rogue. She did not face the rogue in the battles yesterday but was looking forward to it now. The people hushed in disbelief. Their murmers were held in suspense for the girls, not knowing what could happen next.

"Huh? You're just a simple slave girl who got lucky!" Skulk stopped and stared down at the red haired girl. His gait was slow and unsteady likely from the drinks he had. "If you want nothing bad to happen to that useless maid... I know! You two delicious girls can spend the night with me! Or else!"

"Shall we take it outside then?" Madoka grinned. The rune began to burn her shoulder.

The statement sent Skulk in a fit of rage. He finally had enough and attacked. She caught his arm mid swing and clenched her grip. His wrist shattered in her grasp. She had used a similar technique on the noble awhile ago but his arm had less flesh in the way to cushion her wrath. The other thugs sprang into action but it was too late. Madoka's rune was alight under her sleeve. She caught the flash of an Iron rank tag and delivered an axe kick to his head before unleashing her killing intent upon the other two. They froze like deer at the sight of Skulk's howling agony and the iron rank adventurer flat on the ground.

There was blood on her boot so she wiped it off on the unconscious man's chest and laughed. Everyone else was silent so Madoka called out to Audrey.

"You talk a lot of shit for being so weak," Madoka laughed at the rogue. She peered back at Audrey. The girl simply pulled her hand back out of the bag and folded her arms. Skulk gasped and gurgled out nonsense as he dangled in her grip. The rune was making her stronger yet again, as each twist of her grip caused more bones to break. "It breaks and bends so easily. What shall I do with it, Audrey?"

The crowds of people gasped but none dared to approach the red haired girl and her friend. Audrey closed her eyes as if the decision was a mere inconvenience.

"Kill him," Audrey finally said in Noble, taking off her hood. Horror spread across the crowd of commoners when they saw her hair. Audrey's eyes told Madoka what that truly meant. They were displaying a show of force but she was ready to fight her way out the town if she needed to.

At the sound of the command, Skulk's eyes widened and he gushed out pleas for forgiveness. Madoka drew the Esmerald sword under her cloak and raised it high above his head when a mug clattered on the table. Georgia uttered something odd, but Madoka knew the innkeeper was about to finally speak up.

"Alright, alright!" the hag yielded in hurried reverent Noble. "You proved your point, girl! Don't kill anyone in here."

"Why give up now?" Madoka stared with an evil grin at the rogue. "We're only getting started."

"Enough," Audrey scoffed. "I changed my mind."

That was what they wanted to hear, Madoka guessed. She flung the broken rogue over her shoulder into a table, letting the splintering wood and clattering of plates and drink ring out. After relinquishing him, Madoka lifted her killing intent and his men scooped the wounded and scurried into the rain outside.

"If any of you cause this maid trouble," Madoka glared at the crowd. "You know what will happen to you."

At the cue, the maid's face twitched but she guided them upstairs to where their room was. The innkeeper was terrified but business continued on as usual when the two girls left the crowd's sight. Georgia stopped before the room. There was fear and gratefulness in her expression but her face still seemed to jerk away on its own.

"Thanks," Madoka simply said and pushed the door opened.

"B-Bones! To the ceiling!" Georgia blurted, but bowed and began to move towards the destroyed table downstairs. "Bones..."

"Did I take it too far?" Madoka turned to Audrey, but she was not listening to her. "Audrey?"

"B-Beds, Madoka!" Audrey pointed at them. The room was clean and dimly lit by moonlight and a small lamp. "Honest-to-goddamn beds!"

The door squeaked shut after their excited steps rushed to the glorious beds. Madoka smoothed her side out. She chose the closest one to the door in case anyone tried to barge in. Audrey, on the other hand, tore her clothes off and leapt onto the bed. She rolled around on it like a child. At the silly sight, Madoka relaxed a little.

"Oh, how I have missed you, my bed, my love of my life!"

Was she kissing the pillow? Madoka gawked. The girl was crying over such a mundane thing!

"I-I'll never leave you again for that long, I swear!"

Madoka rolled her eyes and began to strip down herself. Audrey pulled nightgowns out of her portal and tossed one over to Madoka. How long has she had them? Those garments come from the palace! Could it be she saved them for this very moment? Hers fit a bit too tight but the two were soon comfortable in their beds, with nothing but the moonlight filtering through curtains.

She pulled the Esmerald Captain's claymore out and placed it nearby just in case.

"Do you think I caused too much trouble downstairs?" Madoka repeated her question before. She knew Audrey was awake. That girl was oddly quiet, which meant she was thinking about everything they've gone through today. "That maid..."

"She suffers from some kind of disorder causing hemifacial spasms. Maybe a, uh, neurological disorder or something," she said. Madoka looked at her friend blankly. "The twitching of her left eye, the mouth curling involuntarily, you know. She probably suffered enough damage to her face from god knows who. I can probably heal it."

"Really," Madoka sighed. She had no idea what Audrey was saying as usual. "I hope we don't get in trouble."

Blankets shifted around as Audrey rolled over to face her maid. She propped herself up with her elbows and simply looked at her. Madoka kept herself from gasping at her beauty under the twin moons.

"I don't care about trouble. But I... I realized when I fight I feel desperate, like if I don't fight seriously I would... I would lose you. I didn't mean to hurt that bone armored guy so badly but the thought took over and—"

"I feel the same way," Madoka guessed. The small fear was flammable, indeed. It was always a tiny spark in the back of her mind waiting to explode into a wildfire. There are many things that she could not explain in the world and she needed Audrey for them all.

"Then that's that, I suppose," Audrey slumped back onto the bed. Her hair spread out across the pillow like dried out grass and a satisfied smile wrapped in comfort illuminated her face. "We'll make it through..."

Madoka realized she dozed off mid sentence but her mind kept her awake for hours afterwards. Her feet dangled off the bed at her ankles while Audrey's shape fit perfectly in the middle of hers. Later, she finally succumbed into sweet dreams about her friend.