I.

"Okay," Audrey sighed. "It would help if you could read. I have to teach you one of these days..."

She searched through the board for copper rated commissions. Madoka did not help at all but she did not feel like it anyways. Instead, She silently observed the frustrated princess a little too closely while the girl searched through writings.

"It would narrow the search time by a lot, yanno," Audrey squinted at the board but she rested her hands above her head in a relaxed pose.

Every adventurer around them seemed to be at ease with the sword missing, Madoka noticed. She did not know whether to feel embarrassed or not since the blade kept people away from her princess. The message board shook as Audrey made a selection and grabbed a scroll.

"Herb gathering it is, then!" She looked at Madoka. Was she looking at her for approval? "It's harmless, see? We won't be fighting anything. It's in the plains west of here."

"Are you asking me for approval?" Madoka stared blankly at Audrey.

"I mean, we're partners, partner!" She nearly spun into another oblivious adventurer but Madoka stopped her. "Oops. I know it ain't as crazy as a dragon and you might be a battle junkie but—"

"It's fine, Audrey," Madoka sighed. "Just watch where you're going."

The two went to the commission register and stood before a familiar brown haired Guild Lady. Brown Hair, Madoka designated her. Even if she sensed the discomfort in the uniformed lady's uneasy stance, the maid decided that she will become their commission handler. Like the Head Maid would assign the maids in the palace certain duties only, Madoka deemed Brown Hair to be the one—

"Good morning," Brown Hair bowed. "Have you come to take up this commission?"

The girls simply nodded. Brown Hair looked the two over.

"I remember you two from yesterday," she peered at the girls' tags. "I hope you two are okay! Especially the way the Guild Master brought you two in. Your tags, please."

"We're fine," Madoka took off her hood and gave the woman her copper tag. Brown Hair gave a quick breath of awe at the sight of her hacked red hair but collected the tag.

"Your hair is very beautiful, miss," she commented.

"P-Please, no compliments," Madoka shied away from the table. Audrey giggled but handed her own copper tag to the Guild Lady.

Brown Hair examined the tags. Madoka watched silently as the lady did something extraordinary. She held both necklaces up and released them while she chanted under her breath. The maid instinctively reached to catch them but the glint of golden light stopped her. The copper tags remained suspended by the chains as Brown Hair moved her palms in a peculiar motion around them.

One palm balled into a fist above the tags and the other palm flat below them as she slowly rotated her hands around them like a clock. Madoka could see Brown Hair's palms extend golden chains to their adventurer's tags and the pieces began to become fixed without any dents on them. The Guild Lady smiled and handed the two notchless tags back.

"Here you go! A fresh start for both of you!" Brown Hair smiled but her expression turned to a frown. "If only I was here yesterday. You two would have not have been put in danger like that."

"Danger?" Madoka wondered. Audrey fidgeted with her necklace before stuffing it into her bag of talismans. The clinking wooden talismans would have bothered Madoka but she knew the girl was simply nervous. "Were we not supposed to do those exams?"

"There are no entrance examinations to the Guild in the world," Brown Hair explained with a sigh. "Those four wicked people were lying to you."

"O-Oh really?" The noise in the talisman bag stopped as the princess's interest grew. "And that board?"

"While it does measure the strands in your body," Brown Hair took the board out. "It's not necessary."

"Well, that would have been nice to know," Madoka sighed.

"Still, I am thankful you are tough! I caught the last moments of your mock battle. You were like HIYA! And fwoosh!" The Guild Lady made punch motions and waved her hands before composing herself. Madoka felt embarrassed but the little lady was oddly endearing to her. "Aaaanyways, the commission is copper rank. You'll be going out to West Livertorjan to gather sixteen Rustazian Carnials. They're little red flowers with blue and white tips on their petals. They match your hair!"

"Thanks," Madoka finally gave in. "Are the fields dangerous?"

Brown Hair placed a hand under her chin in thought. That Knotting magic did not seem to shock her although jagged lightning bolts paced rapidly back and forth along her wrists. Oddly enough, Audrey seemed happy with the Guild Lady's treatment of the maid.

"No, since they are safe and closest to the city," she confirmed. "Best avoid the forest beyond that if you're not looking for danger. Remember, you need to complete five commissions before you can shadow Iron Rankers and decide to move up!"

"Thanks," Audrey said. Brown Hair bowed and Madoka noticed a presence walking from the stairs. Luxgor was headed outside. Was he going to free those three? Madoka wondered as she followed Audrey. "Well, we gotta get some flowers or something, Madoka."

"Carnials," the maid recalled. The two were headed out the same doors Luxgor did. "Trouble is up ahead, don't you think?"

"Yeah, probably," Audrey was too relaxed. "I'm glad that lady took a liking to you. I don't think I'd take it well if we got another one like last night."

"That's what you're worried about?"

They strode by adventurers and merchants. It seemed like the day was beginning for everyone. Madoka slid the door opened and the view of Luxgor standing before those locked up fools greeted them. She glanced to Audrey who seemed unsure of herself as well.

"You three are lucky," He rose his voice. He was a lot more fierce than he was behind the office, Madoka supposed. Luxgor yanked the tags off of Rin and Juujee. "They decided not to take your lives today. But I am not so merciful. Hear me, everyone! The Guild welcomes all into its Hall. Here, we worship. Here, we are equal under the name of Ceghinort. Therefore, you will have to start back to the basics!"

After the commotion died down, Audrey yawned and carried on. Rin stared daggers into Madoka's eyes but remained silent. The maid said nothing and followed her princess. She heard the chains shatter behind her but she was confident that they would not be followed.

"Worship, huh?" Audrey mused as she scanned building signs. "Did we just join a cult? Yeesh."

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

"Maybe Ceghinort is a kind god?" Madoka offered. She was not sure what a cult was but she knew it had to be bad. Still, she could sense a certain serenity in the girl as she walked. Perhaps it was confidence or reinvigoration from being on her own again. Well, not having to deal with strangers filled her with relief as well. Madoka walked on as the slow thoughts of wagon horses and commoners passed by her. "Where to next? Wasn't the gate west of here?"

"We're gonna do some, ah, shopping," Audrey rested her hands behind her head as they walked. "Snow's a-melting, partner, but we could use a new cloak. We both probably look like wild cavewomen with our torn up rags and all."

"Cave..." Madoka shook out of it. "P-please, just use my name."

Audrey looked hurt for a second but pointed to a sign. Madoka guessed it was the store.

"Most of this stuff lines up with all those fantasy light novels, er, books I read," Audrey scraped snow off her boots before they walked in.

"Welcome, welcome!" A friendly voice called out to them. An elderly woman stood before several articles of cloaks and robes in fluttering colors. Madoka felt the woman's eyes scrutinize her. "You two look dreadful! Like you've gone through the mountain storms!"

"We have," Madoka shrugged. Audrey was about to protest at her honesty but the old lady just laughed. The monocle's chain on her right eye jingled but she did not seemed bothered. As Madoka looked further she noticed that the elderly lady's ears were also pointed. Were they in a city of dragons?

"It's a figure of speech, dear! No way such small girls like as you could cross the Frost Queen's Hall! I am Saze, at your service. I have fine threads for you at a fine price.

"We, ah, need some new cloaks," Audrey withdrew her necklace. Saze looked at it through her one eye.

"A Noble's daughter, huh," She mused. She went to the backroom behind her desk and returned with a heavy amount of clothes. "In such shabby clothing! This will not do!"

Before Audrey could protest, she took the princess's hand and took her to the changing room. She looked almost human, save for her ears and her strong limbs were covered in scales.

"Come along, girl!"

Madoka heard the woman call out to her. A sense of nostalgia bloomed within her heart as Audrey flailed while the lady took her time undressing her. She recalled other maids had trouble pacifying the princess when Madoka was trained to fit and dress her.

"Madoka, save me!" She complained.

"Stand still, Milady," Saze hummed along. Madoka instinctively remained quiet. "You two are not from around here, huh?"

"No, miss," Madoka refrained from looking at Audrey's body. She calmed down and let the dragon lady change her.

"I must dress you accordingly for the weather! Dearie me," Saze inspected the girl's arm. "What is this thing?"

Right, the living dragon tattoo that Audrey carried for so long wriggled its way away from Saze's grasp.

"It's ah, my Father doesn't know about it," Audrey shivered. Saze slipped underwear on the girl and made her jump. A giggle escaped Madoka's lips. She remembered that habit kept with her since her Palace days and Saze carried on as if nothing happened. Perhaps Saze was a maid at some point in her life, Madoka thought but dismissed the possibility. She owned a clothing store after all.

The undergarments were made from tough cloth and the Y-shaped overshirt robe was tied neatly in a knotted ribbon. Peculiar diamond and tree patterns adorned the pant dresses. Audrey inspected the robes.

"Whoa, I look pretty! How'd you do that?"

"It would be easier for Miss Saze if you would stop squirming," Madoka sighed.

"Huh, did I hear something from you?"

"No, you were imagining it."

Saze chuckled at the banter but it was true. Audrey was a lot more beautiful in clothes that were not destroyed. She came back with more heavy garments and boots.

"Rustazian weather is nothing to scoff at," Saze slipped a matching brown garment on the princess. "Even if you are a Star Gold adventurer or a Copper adventurer, you come back to me for all things clothing. And now for you."

She turned to Madoka. Was she going to undress and fit her into clothing like the princess? Should she refuse? Madoka gulped.

"Strip!" Saze commanded.

"Yeah!" Audrey cheered. Of course, she was excited for Madoka's embarrassing moments. It was not like she hated her body but it was not like she liked it either. If she was to be held to the same standards of a Royal or Noble's beauty, she would fall flat upon her unworthy face. A command was a command, she supposed as she felt the back of of her torn up hood. The scar embedded across her palm creased the hood's fabric.

Tentatively, she took it off and shook her hair out of her face. Saze eyed her up and down.

"You're a fine woman," Saze felt her breasts and hair. Madoka gasped at each touch. "You could sway the hearts of—"

"D-Don't touch me!" Madoka nearly buckled and cowered. Saze withdrew her hand immediately. Audrey's hand went to her talismans in a flash. The maid begged before the princess did anything with her magic. "P-Please. I'll change myself."

"You poor thing," she adjusted her monocle. Madoka soon was down to her underwear, the remnants of her maid uniform she wore beneath her cloak in tatters on the ground. She wanted to apologize for her unsightly self and for ruining the floors of the shop but her breaths struggled to balance. The scars and burn marks did not seem to move her but her eye narrowed as she passed over the rune on her shoulder. Did she know what it was? "We shall fit you in good garments, yes! One that will cover up all those weapons."

Audrey relaxed but kept an eye on Madoka.

"You've been working very hard, dear," Saze soothed the maid. Breathe, Madoka, she told herself. Could anything touch her unworthy self and say that to her earnestly? The shopkeeper ignored them all but in the back of Madoka's mind the doubts swirled. "A maid, huh? Can't do much with these torn up uniforms. You'll have to come back for a pick up when I craft more of these. Now get along, you two!"

Madoka did not notice but she found herself changed into larger sized outfit similar to Audrey's. Her robes and cloak were black as opposed to the brown one Audrey wore. Her swords were strapped comfortably to her hip. So this was Rustazian fashion? The maid did not like the idea of owning things but in exchange for fresh garments she will have to do. The clothes matched the commoners outside very well.

"She's been mine ever since," Audrey's eyes shifted as she tried to recall the last years. "A very long time. You sure you don't want any money?"

"I want trust in you and your maid, dearie," Saze smiled. "We can talk payment as long as you keep coming back. I shall fashion your maid some new uniforms!"

"Thank you," Madoka bowed. Audrey simply smiled and nodded along. "We will be back."

Saze bowed and waved.

"You okay there, Madoka? You froze up back in the dressing room."

"I think I'm fine," Madoka sighed. She sensed the streets have gotten less busy as they trudged along towards the west gate. "I don't know what I felt when that woman touched me but I panicked and I felt—"

"It's okay, Madoka," Audrey grabbed her hand. Surprisingly, Madoka felt secure when she held it. "I won't let anyone bad get away with mistreating you."

"'Alt," came a guard's voice. The two froze when the voice came again. "State your— 'Ey! I recognize you two! You're the Noble and her Maid!"

"Y-Yeah, we are," Audrey stammered. Madoka nodded vigorously as well.

"You two found your identification rights yet?" Another guard's voice growled. It was Guard 2, or Boris. Why were they stationed here? Perhaps the two girls were lucky since they could have ran into other guards who could be corrupt.

"Yes," Madoka revealed her copper tags. Both guards gasped.

"Oi, oi! D-Don't tell me they let you in!" Boris exclaimed.

"You numb nuts!" George, Guard 1, barked back at Boris. "That's what the Guild Master questioned us about last night!"

"I thought they were just runaways!" Boris muttered. "I didn't expect to see 'em back here!"

"Uh, excuse me!" Audrey interrupted their bickering.

"Yes, Milady?" Both guard straightened up.

"You see any flowers called Carnials?" Audrey asked. "We gotta get, like, five of them."

"Sixteen," Madoka corrected her.

Boris scratched his head in disbelief.

"So you really are apart of the guild," Boris grunted. "But lady, George's manliness here might be as soft as a Cel Row's tongue but we ain't pickin' no flowers!"

"Worth a try, I guess," Audrey clicked her tongue.

"The hell's that supposed to mean!" George snapped at Boris. "Look, we're working here! But if you ask me, stay clear of those forest grounds beyond the plains."

"Why is that?" Madoka asked. George moved a bit closer.

"There's monsters in that there forest," He said. "Teemin' all over."

"Out you go, now," Boris shooed them out. "Get yourself a weapon if you wanna venture out further, you hear? The Weapons Guild might not accept your ugly tag, but there's a weapon shop in town, too!"

They did not need any more encouragement to leave town. Madoka noticed the hilly plains were covered in the remnants of snow piles. Beyond the plains was a line of trees. She had enough talking with strangers. For now, Audrey's new robes and cloak fluttered before her. They seemed to resist the snowflakes that peppered them. Her confident movements made Madoka want to take her hand and be led up the rest of the hill.

"Madoka, look!" Audrey stopped in awe of what she saw. "It's so beautiful!"

Madoka rushed to her side. Her anticipation rose as she imagined what Audrey saw. She froze as she took in the sight. Before them was a beautiful stretch of plains covered in flowers and green grass. Sunlight pooled in Audrey's luminescent eyes as she took in the sights.

It's true, Madoka agreed with her princess. The fields of flowers were almost as beautiful as Audrey.