“Cheers. “

Cassia collided her small cup with her friend's massive mug. The ale from her friend's ale spilled into her small cup of beer. There was no getting it out, she'd have to drink it mixed up and all. She could never understand how some people could drink poisonous amounts of alcohol and not get drunk at all.

Irelysee stared at her down. Fiery red hair, and built like a giant ox. Large and lean but not fat. Peak female condition. A physique Cassia could never imagine herself attaining.

They had been friends since childhood, as their father’s had worked together at some point. Had become playmates since the day the two met. She started sipping on her small amount of beer.

Gawking at her friend's unending stomach being filled as she chugged in a fell swoop and splashed set it down on the table.

“Well that’s certainly going to come out of the other end.” She told her friend.

The inn had a pleasant atmosphere when it wasn’t directed at her. WHen all the humans didn’t stare her down, or scrutinized her for existing. It was days like that where she wished she had ran away when she was younger, perhaps her father may even have been alive. She sipped more, somber thoughts always took her when had a lick of alcohol.

Maybe she shouldn’t drink.

“I know a ‘party’ when I see one.” a voice sang behind her. She turned her neck, cautious at who might be selling what and why.

“Oh fuck off Eldric, where just enjoying the moment. Nothing to see here get lost.” Irelysse shouted at the man.

The man, eldric, a young human mage in his twenties wearing a very dark blue robe, carried his wizarding staff with him. He moved the chair at the table and made himself comfortable as if he was invited in the first place. His staff falling on the ground and subsequently picking it up again, he laughed off his clumsiness.

“You don’t mind, do you, O’ lady of the night?” He asked Cassia.

She knew he was referring to her skin color, but the comment came off as very sexually charged.

“Do as you will, eldric.” she said.

SHe could stomach him some days, but could not bare him other times,his antics made her head hurt some days. Especially when he started with his puns.

"So what is this time, chasing after dragon's gold in the nearest mine or…or...” he held up his hands in the most dramatic flair. “Rat hunting in the noble’s quarter.”

“They're all rats, all of them, even the children. You can’t get rid of them and they take your taxes” Irelysse answered smugly.

Eyeing Cassia, who simply smiled back at her witty remark.

Harsh, it may have been, but if it wasn’t true.

“Nope seriously, we’re just taking the day off, and what brings you here today, Eldric, Off to chase fairy ass again.”

The young wizard did his best to shut her up, gesturing with his hands for her to stop.

“That was one time thing, i was drunk, i drank half of what you just swallowed,”

He peeked inside her massive mug, as large his head was. “Like you need to stop drinking, you’ll look like a hag when you’re forty. “

She responded by spilling the drops that were left in the mug, spilling it on his robes.

“Arrrgh, unnecessary. These are new robes.” he cried.

"Well deserved.”

He shook his head.

“Bloody barbarian,” she didn’t seem offended at the remark. “Anyway if you’re up going on a quest or an adventure, I'm available just letting you know, even if it's just rat hunting.

“You, please, and your crying is well noted Eldric but no, all the good jobs have been taken by other parties, and the rewards with them.”

He was quiet and they all stared at each other.

“So what’s new in your life lady cassia, have you considered the offer… the university has presented you.” Eldric asked her.

Cassia was caught unprepared, she had thought about it. Joining a magical university was one of the easiest ways out of this backwater town. But leaving immediately had consequences of their own. She had things she still needed to do here. Loose ends to tie. People to see off.

“I’m still considering it, though I'm not comfortable leaving just yet.”

‘Well, if i was you, I'd reconsider twice over, my friend. Your life could change tomorrow should you seek it,” He cleared his throat. “You’re a powerful sorceress and with proper training, you’d become a master of magic.”

Kind but unnecessary flattery. Eldric often gave her strange compliments, sometimes it even felt like he was attempting to court her.

“Why? So she can end up like you.” Irelysee raised a brow. “Struggling to pay rent and harassing strangers for ‘eco-no-mic’ opportunities.

The offhanded comment infuriated ELdric and he raised his finger in the air.

“You barbaric ogre, the rite of adventuring is a mandatory thing that is expected of all wizard’s and mages as part of their classes, this is simply my first year. Where will you be in 10 years, haggling grass at the farmer’s market when all the monsters migrate and spawn elsewhere.”

Irelysse slammed the table. ALcohol spilling everywhere. “How much pressure do you reckon that staff takes to bend!”

Her fists were ready for a brawl, and Eldric had his staff ready, likely to cast a lethal spell or two. Their ire and feud had drawn the attention of the Inn crowd. They were beginning to cheer them on.

“Fight!FIght!Fight!Fight!”

Cassia shook her head, it was supposed to be a nice simple day. A drink and a good meal and some herb hunting for some extra coin. Somehow their days always ended in some severe disaster especially if they were three or more people collectively together. She did not need this today, she had so much on her mind.

“Settle down!” she raised her voice, slamming hands on the table as well. She caught the attention of the bystanders. “There will be no fight.”

“Booooooo…”

“The drow are sissies…”

A grown man telling her, a woman, she was a sissy. Ignorance wrote itself it seemed in this town. Such were the insults hurled at her everyday.

She turned her attention to her friends.

“If you two have calmed down.” She locked eyes with two. “Then maybe we could do something productive. Yes, Eldric we might be here for a fetch quest or two, nothing serious, if you wanna join.”

He looked down on the table in utter shame.

“Yes, that would be desirable. I apologize for my crass behavior

Irelysse had a sly smirk on her face.

“You too, Irelysse, calm down.”

“You're the boss Cas.”

She turned her attention towards the wizard.

“Since you’ve joined the ‘party’ Eldric, why don’t you go fetch us, a herbal quest. Nothing too serious. It’s a calm season after all. ‘ she requested of him.

She breathed a sigh of relief.

“He’s a stick in the mud.” Irelysse spat.

“Yes and your flame is waiting to be fanned.”

They laughed the situation off. So it went some days..

They sat waiting for the wizard, her eye caught in an argument forming at Inn’s back. A distraught woman and the barkeep at the counter. In her hands were printed out pieces of a portrait. Though she couldn’t identify it from here. Two young infantile children were with her. She was struggling to hold them together.

“What you reckon that’s all about.” Irelysse asked her.

Her eleven ears came in handy in situations like this, where she didn’t need to directly pry. She listened attentively.

“Please sir, he’s only been missing for around more than 12 hours, i only ask for it to be up for awhile.”

“I can’t do that mam… the owner doesn’t allow it. You should take it down to the adventurer's guild.”

“They won’t take it, i tried, they won’t. They won’t. They won’t.” She cried. “They say I have too little gold to apply for a request. If sold my things, what will my children eat? She dragged the pair of young children in front of him.”

“Mam, take it up with the Town guard then, I can’t legally put those flyers up here. This is a matter between you, the guild and the court.” The barkeep argued.

A memory of grief took Cassia's heart, she was reminded of a time. When her father wouldn’t explain where her mother had gone, And no one was willing to look for her, not even for the paltry coin she offered.

“You got that look on your face again on your face Cas. What is then.”

“Young mother, possibly missing child, last seen twelve hours ago, can’t afford to pay guild fee. Barkeep refuses to put up flyers.” she sighed. “She’s distraught and no one will help.”

“I know what you're thinking.” Irelysse grabbed her hand and held it. “You can’t save everyone you should know, It’s not always worth risking her life.”

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

Cassia shook her head. Smiled at her friend, hiding pain in her face.

“We shouldn't at least try. You’d rather pick herbs than be a hero?”

“That’s not the principal, Twelve hours in those wood’s…”

“I know! Expect the bloody worst. But… if it could give her some comfort.” She looked at the woman and the children. “ If it could give her some comfort.”

Irelysse paused, said nothing for a while. Shook her head in disapproval.

“You’re right, let's be big damn heroes,” She emptied whatever she had left in her throat, slamming the mug down. “You wanna rely on any of friends.”

“No, three of us should be sufficient. As long as it’s within the confines of the town.”

They approached the woman and the barkeep. Catching the attention of every other denizen of the inn. They were an odd bunch when they were together. Big, broad strong girl and a tiny pale-blue half-elf. Add any other of their associates and they were a band of misfits and strangers. Not something the folk of this area approved of very much.

“Are You in need of some help Ma'am?” Cassia asked sincerely.

The woman made a prayer gesture with her hands. Letting go of the small children, who immediately trailed off to explore the Inn.

“Please, las..” For a moment she was taken aback by the half-elves appearance but continued. “ the guild won’t hear any of it. I only let him out of my sight for a few moments. And then he was gone. The merchants said there were goblins in that direction.”

Goblins. They weren’t typically the kind to kidnap children. But they were chaotic in every sense of the word, they would do anything for coin and loot.

“Where was this and when did it happen?”

She had to start somewhere and then trail off from there.

“Near the fields south of town, this morning around six o’clock. We weren’t supposed to be there very long.” the woman said somberly.

“What were you doing in those fields, as I understand it. There are lots of Venomous plants.”

“I do what I have to do to make sure my family is fed, selling anything I can find. I can’t work and take care of them. my good for nothing husband does nothing but drink at home. He’s a smart boy, and wouldn't touch those flowers.”

She doubted that. Children were very curious. creatures She herself had stumbled into a monster's den as a child. A haunting memory.

“What kind of mother are you, taking your children into a hazard zone?” Irelysse questioned the woman with fury.

“One who tries to get by, I do what I must. I have no one else except the drunk and he beats them when I'm not looking. He brought me to this town.”

This wasn’t the moment for domestic affairs when a child was busy.

“Irelysse, please!” Cassia berated her.

“I’m just saying,” The warrior put her hands on her hips. Her temper dulled.”Not the smartest thing to do.”

The woman retrieved something from her pouch. Clearly a sack of coins. Perhaps not enough to pay the village guard or the adventurer’s guild.

“It’s not much, but it’s all I have saved up for awhile,” in her hands were a few silver coins. Not the type of money one should expect from dangerous work, but still more than the average serf’s wage.”It’s all i can offer.”

Cassia waved her hands away. “There is no need for that, we’ll do what we can. Right, Irelysse...”

“Sure.” The berserker said with a smile that was likely fabricated.

“What’s the boy’s name?”

“It’s Milton. He’s slightly smaller than I am, around 10 years old. Pitch black hair, you can’t miss him. If a lampost were a child.” she shook her head in dismay…

“Last thing he wore. If we may know?”

“Red jammies. Blueish slippers. Please I beg you lassie.” she grasped the elf by her chest, tugging her clothing as she pleaded.

“Calm down ma’am. No worries, we will find him.” She put her hands on the shoulder of the woman. A reassuring touch.

“Thank you, maybe all drow ain’t so bad as they say.” The woman said, a genuine tear falling from her eyes.

No good deed goes unpunished they say. Those word she said hurt her, even it was meant with good intent. Here she was putting her own life at risk, in favor of a noble deed, no monetary compensation involved. Though she should be no less and no more, she has been treated this way, even before her father had passed.

She smiled at the woman and turned. Hiding the little pain she felt in heart. It was an everyday thing. She needed to be steeled. She hoped by bringing the woman’s child back, she would gain her trust.

They returned towards their table, She got her satchel and pouches. Irelysee grabbed her greatsword. They prepared to set off. Eldric came just in time, carrying a stack of parched and printed papers, all requests.

“Go put those back, bookboy.” Irelysse commanded.

“What the fuck, i just gathered these!”

“You expect us to go through all of that?” she questioned. “Besides, we already have a job.”

‘What job? I thought you were herb hunting.”

“The hero kind, maybe tomorrow we’ll go shag up some plant life.”

The wizard, looking up into the air stupendously, pondered on her words for a while.S hook his head left to right

“No, I won't be partaking in that activity.”

He then picked up all the papers, making them all fall out of his hands. Cassia shook her head, but couldn’t help but giggled. She helped him carry the papers back. Much to the annoyance of one of the tavern workers.

“I’m supposed to sort these out all again?” they asked Eldric.

“Well if you were a wizard, you would do that daily,” He rebutted

They scoffed at him. Pieces of paper flying by, targeted at the back of his head.

As the group approached to leave the building.

A dwarf approached them, very tall for a dwarf. He almost matched Cassia in height, looked stubborn and old. A beard on his face as white as his hair was, nasty handaxe and shield on his back.

“Excuse me young adventurers, I wish not to waste your time.” a gruff voice.

“We’re preoccupied, Sir dwarf. Perhaps another time” Eldric answered.

“This may concern the outcome of the quest you go out on.” he removed his iron helm he had on his head. “I apologize sincerely, i couldn’t help but overhear ya,”

“Eavesdropping is a crime in the empire to the North.” he said like a smart ass. Irelysse jabbed her elbow into his guts. Making him gasp for air. The dwarf ignored his rash comment.

“My name is Bjorn leafhammer, I heard something about goblins and a missing child. Though I don’t have much experience with young children, and have spent much less time up here. Goblins are the bane of every civilized nation. If ya don’t mind some company. I ‘d be happy to assist in your incursion.

There was something off about his tone, the dwarf clearly wanted something out of it. If the thought of goblins excited him, the field would have been painted red already. Cassia thought he may have had an ulterior motive

“Just so you know. We’re going to look for a child, not going on an incursion. Goblins aren’t vermin to be slaughtered.” She stated.

“I understand you may not like me, because of the history of Drows and dwarves. But nothing good comes with negotiating with such parties me, lassie,” The dwarven man bends his knee. “I swore an oath back home, ‘to let no innocent suffer under my eyes, and none out of earsight.”

She didn’t know how to answer, she didn’t really know the history of her ‘other’ people. As her exposure to other drow was limited. Stopped at her mother's presence. Books by non-humans weren’t generally allowed in Paernrith. She knew nothing; she was enlightened as these people were.

The man’s plea seemed almost religious in nature. His intentions were likely pure. She gave in, she hoped she wouldn’t regret it.

“Very well then master dwarf, you're welcome to join us.” She looked to Irelysse for approval who simply shrugged but smiled.

The party had set off for the wilds.

----------------------------------------

They found nothing in the flower field. Not a shoe, not a sock, not a shirt. The atmosphere in the air had significantly changed, The very warm climate of a few hours ago had disappeared and the cold was coming around.

The sky was beginning to darken, but as it darkened. Her vision did not suffer as her companions did. It was the one genetic trait that she was actually proud of, no beast could scare her in the dark. Her night vision came in handy.

“We’ve been out here for an hour.”

Cassia's vision, if she willed it, slowly changed with nightsky itself. Each party member had taken to it to torch a stick in flames, she did as well.

“Oww..” Edrik moaned in pain.

One of the purple plants came to life, though it looked as harmless as any other. He had been stabbed by the plant. It vines, circling his finger’s making a minor knot. Cassia reacted immediately, setting the plant's vine aflame with a spell.

“Fire beam.” a miniature tornado, resembling a wave of light torch the vine. She slipped her dagger off her wrist and cut off the burning vine from the plant before the fire could spread.”

“Quick thinking, they don’t call it Ivy’s viper for no reason,” Irelysse said as she walked over to Edrik, partially concerned. Her eye on the wound inflicted by the predatory plant. “You dolt, why’d you go touch it.”

“Well I saw something under the brush, I had to take a look.”

“You didn’t get poisoned, did you lad, I forgot to bring an antidote, though if you need one we can circle back.”

“No, I'm quite alright. It’s only venomous if it stings you too long, thank you for the concern Master dwarf,” He said, appreciative. He pointed to something bluish sticking out of the brush. “Look!”

The drow girl could see it clearly despite the darkening of the light.

“A shoe!?” she questioned, taken aback.

There was no mistake, it belonged to the person of interest who had disappeared here. She summoned a ball of flaming fire in her palms, and attempted to pick it up. The plant had tried to touch her with its thorny veins, but retreated its appendage.

As she picked it up, her eyes made contact with a little green man,with wide long ears, floppy and even wider than hers wearing nothing but rags, standing just tall enough to be obscured by the dense plant bush.

He was frightened, giggling nervously, buck toothed but missing the other he waved.

“Hello there…hehehe.” A goblin with a squeaky voice.

“That doesn’t sound like a child.” Irelysse commented. Byorin immediately sprung to life and started chopping down the ivy’s. To pave a way through, instantly causing them to wither on the ground.

If there was a chance of negotiation here, she would take it. Anything to maximize the child’s chance of survival.

She called out to the goblin.

“Hello. Do you know where the owner of the shoe might be?” she questioned him right off the bat.

“Uhh…no children here,” he answered.

She didn’t say anything about children.

“Cmon, Where is the boy!” She demanded.

“I don’t know anything, boss told me I knew nothing. Where just out here taking a nice stroll, like the wood elves do all day…” Judging by the way he was breathing, the goblin was a terrible liar, his breathing became irregular. He seemed ready to wet himself..

She frowned, her face contorted , frowning . Her dagger ready to be thrown, at the little green goblins feet. Just in case he ran away. She would chase and pin him to the ground if she had to.

“Get me through!” Byorin shouted as he cleaved through the thick veiny plants.

“Wait master leaf hammer! Let’s negotiate first.” She pleaded.

“There is no negotiation with these ruffians, Lady Cassia.” His axe is busy at work, his voice tense.”They’ll make stew out of that boy if they have, haste is all we can muster.”

The Dwarf had a grudge, he couldn’t see how going in mashing heads may lead to a problem. What use was being subtle, if your comrades-in-arms were brash.

Cassia with her advanced hearing, heard more footsteps approaching in the distance. Hidden under the obscurity of the plants she could clearly see another goblin approaching. Just as green as his mate. Seeing a goblin of the same pigment meant a tribe was settling in.

“Fizzel what the fuck is that noise, you got rid of that shoe yet.” A larger goblin came out running, they all seemed to be unaffected by the plants. Both a sheathed weapon at their side.

“Um… we have a problem…There’s a nice drow lady here and she’s very angry.”

“Drow, boss said nothing about no fucking drow. WHat’s she wants?”

Irelysse had joined in cutting down the path. Cassia had given up her hopes of negotiating her way out of this, her party had already decided on the verdict and it would be bloody. Perhaps she was too naive, the world was cruel.

“I’ve heard enough, they're clearly guilty in some way or form.” Irelysse said aloud.

“Little green men, under thick green bushes and purple flowers, something to hide perhaps.” Edrik said out loud. Catching their attention enough to hear..

As the path was cut open.

The new arrival stared in shock, his mouth agape, his legs jittering with fear and excitement. Ams shivering Scrambling and struggling to get a grip on his short blad in his pocket

“Ad..aaa..Adventures!“ he turned, attempted to fled the scene. Dragging his companion by his shirt. . “ Fizzel you fucking idiot, let’s get the fuck out of here!”

Fizzel sped away like the wind right after his friend. The party’s way now cleared, they gave pursuit.