The Dungeons of Bladewood have been present since the day the gods re-awakened. Before the city itself had even been built.

So collosal, they were, that they hindered sunlight from tendering trees, stealing their lives, leaf by leaf, till they withered and sailed with the wind. Brought up from the ground by allies of the King of Swords, the menacing structures spat out minions, beasts, and summons of their respective gods, to challenge the kingdom's adventurer's daily.

Fable Eclipse's carriage was just passing one of said dungeons. A gigantic, dull orange building, balancing itself on a precariously steep mass of stone, all while pouring out dozens of footmen in neon purple armor at mages casting spells below.

By the other side of the road, a row of stalls and merchants on carpets were entertaining knights on break, providing food, potions, and other trinkets.

"Come to think of it..." Kirin ducked to see out of their carriage's window. "I never really took in just how many of these are around the city. At this stage, I ought to be as desensitized as the locals to there being pretty much one by every street."

Faolan chuckled, following where Kirin was looking. "Did you know that most streets are actually named after the dungeon they are by? This one for example is Poison Peon Street."

"That sure's gonna help me the next time I get lost. All I'd have to do is get to a dungeon and figure out what it's called!"

"Or you can ask someone by the road." Onyx commented groggily. "What a dumb excuse to get close to..." The man leaned forwards, resting his hands on his knees to also see out of the window. Before he could say anything more, his attention, and then Kirin's and Faolan's, was stolen by Alia crumpling a piece of paper she had been holding.

She had been clutching that thing ever since they've left the guild hall. Like a ticket to a famous violinist's concern. Was it that valuable?

"Now that I think about it..." Kirin started, smoothly breaking the awkward quiet. "I don't actually know what the quest we're taking is."

Alia took a deep breath and lifted the creased sheet to cover her face. "There... once was a girl, so studious and keen to be the first fairy priestess, that she was willing to leave her own hive to learn magic. To the Kingdom of Asclepius, she journeyed, and spent years of her life with people she knew not." Alia's fingers shivered but remained clasped on the letter, causing a small rip somewhere in the middle. "Little did she know, that, while she had been so occupied helping strangers, her own family had been suffering. From famine, poverty, and the constant coercion of smug, perverted nobles from their forest's immediate estates. The nobles paraded every week. Troops along, swords and bows out. Some days, they brought severed heads of game from the wilderness. With those, and many other acts of intimidation, they mocked and edged the hived." Tears started seeping out of the fairy's eyes. "When I returned home, the first scene I found was my family in tears. My father, on his knees, looking up at me, and crying, 'They took her. They finally took her.' I looked around, counted my family, and screamed when I couldn't add the last member."

"Alia..." Kirin placed a gentle hand on the lady's back.

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"It dawned on me. It dawned on me that they wanted my sister... and they took her. They took her. There was nothing my family could do. Nothing I could do! Nothing I could do because... I wasn't there. I ran away, out of shame. Too embarrassed, couldn't look back. I couldn't dare show them my face. And I will never again until I bring my sister back. I promise... I've promised that I would bring her back. I will. I will! I..."

Concern twinkled in Faolan's eyes, though he kept his expression collected as he lightly placed his palm on the fairy's head. "The local hive's Mayoress received news about Alia's sister being seen with Catron Ironhoof. He's a very elusive man, but also stands out in a crowd. According to the Mayoress' source, Catron Ironhoof checked in to a Latesi tavern, dragging a set of chains tied to a fairy's wrists. The Mayoress ordered for an investigation, later confirming the fairy to be Nikita Fhengyr, and learning that Catron is returning home because of an emergency involving their business. It is that same emergency that is the headline of our current mission"

Onyx pressed his knee and then slid his hand to his thigh as he leaned back. "The Ironhoof Manor is right by The Iron Stomps Dungeon. According to the quest, an evolved ograur has emerged in the dungeon. Many of the hired staff have been injured so they're now resorting to hiring adventurers from guilds to take care of their problem."

Faolan nodded. "Now listen. The Ironhoof family is very closely associated with Eudon himself. As much as I'd like to just confront them and take Alia's sister back, we'll be needing to take extra precaution. At the same time, because we've taken the quest officially as Fable Eclipse, we'll be needing to finish the mission regardless. Luckily, the Ironhoofs will be letting us stay for a few days until the situation is resolved. That means we can take as much time as we need for Alia to meet up with her sister, come up with a plan for their escape, and finish the quest without anyone noticing we were involved in the breakout. It'll be the perfect opportunity."

Kirin smiled and bent forwards to peek at Alia's face behind the paper. "Did you hear that? We'll be able to save your sister soon. We'll just have to keep an act together so nobody suspects we're gonna be up to something."

"You're right." Alia sniffled. "I should save the tears for when..." The fairy lowered the paper to her lap, raised her hands back up to wipe her face, then caught Kirin in her arms with a hug. "I'm sorry Kirin! I'm so sorry! It's just... I've been so worried. I just... can't imagine what she's gone through. The Mayoress' letter mentioned reports of cries and moans and whips and chains clinking every night. I just can't help but worry what she might have already suffered."

Onyx stared at Kirin blankly.

Awfully suspecting man!

He definitely knew what Kirin was thinking about.

Of course, Kirin would be lying if he said he didn't wish he was in place of Alia's sister. But Kirin hasn't said anything out loud yet!

"Uhh..." Kirin cleared his throat to dispel his internal embarrassment. "It won't be long until we find her."

"Gee up!" The coachman flicked his whips.

"Actually, how long do we have left till we get there? Where are we?"

The world answered by blowing a silent wind into their carriage.

They have already reached the edge of Ironhoof Forest, far northeast of Bladewood City.

There the population consisted of nearly only trees, yet the road remained smoother and steadier compared to most in the main city.

In the Ironhoof Forest, there was peace.

Less dungeons, less destruction.

And considering how wealthy the Ironhoofs must have got from the resources they collected and sold, they likely had plenty to spare for consistent road repairs and management.

Kirin could just picture a bratty headmistress complaining about a bumpy ride and flicking malagmium coins at a maid's face to command and start smoothening the whole journey to the mansion.

Hopefully that maid didn't end up being Alia's sister.

What a horrible thought.

Leaning forwards while keeping his hand on Alia's back, Kirin peeked out of the carriage's window.

It definitely wasn't gonna take long.

In fact, the Ironhoof Mansion, having embedded itself into a cliffside, was already growing larger and larger to boast its domineering dimensions and architecture.