The dawn’s rays shone through the stained glass of the Guild Hall. A warm prism of colorful beams illuminated the wooden planks beneath. A blue sky speckled with white puffy clouds cast great shadows upon the green earth.

“Just in time boys, the mage arrived!” Dalon said.

“Where’s your sister and that sneaky beast?” asked Durge.

Dalon waved him off, “Bell always hates the roar of the crowd, something about the anxiety makes her sick.” He looked around, “Scoun could be anywhere, we’ll meet up with all of them after we get a quest.”

Ryder noticed Rose waiting patiently behind the front counter, he waved but she didn’t seem to notice. The mage was conversing with the manager before the blurred barrier was cast and the clerks began pinning quests onto the board.

“Remember, you can grab Copper quests since you have me around.”

“And Talc quests if we want to ditch them,” Durge whispered.

As the last quest was pinned to the board and the clerks readied their quills, the arcane wall was dropped and the hundreds of adventurers rushed to the wall. Torn parchment flew in the air and scattered to the floor followed closely by desperate adventurers.

Already the bargaining and barters from the higher ranks began. Any lower-ranked adventurer caught peddling a quest that’s above their own rank was swiftly hounded and mobbed by the veterans.

Durge learned to avoid the initial force of the crowd but was still battered by elbows and shoves when searching for a quest. Amidst the crowd, he saw the slender fur-beast squirm his way through the bodies pressed against the wall.

Scoundrel weaved his way through the chaos, sliding yellow parchments out of unsuspected hands. When he returned to the tables he held six lower-ranked quests and was heckling the crowd for profit.

Ryder, as usual, was too busy finding the perfect quest. One with a threshold of Copper and rewarded well. His coin purse was lacking multiple golden companions, and he knew Durge’s purse only housed a single gold coin left. But luckily for him, a glistening sun’s ray landed on a pinned note in the sea of paper that read Rank Threshold: COPPER, REWARD: 250 Gold.

As he reached his hand to acquire the quest, another hand crossed his, blocking his grasp. Ryder looked over and saw the familiar kid with the white headband that bothered him before.

“You again!?” they said simultaneously.

The young adventurer scoffed and swiftly took a Clay-ranked quest before scurrying off.

“Damn Hayseeds,” Ryder muttered to himself, before tearing his Copper quest from the board.

With the quest safely held to his chest, Ryder made his way to the party. Dalon, Scoundrel, and Bell were sitting at the tables. Dalon and Scoun’s hands were bare of quests but were filled with coins. Durge shoved his way out of the crowd, exhausted and beaten with no parchment in hand.

“I don’t know how you guys do it!” he said, panting.

“You pick us a quest?” Scoundrel said, counting his coins.

Ryder nodded and huddled with the party, reading the quest aloud. “Dungeoneering Quest. Copper threshold. ‘Locate and retrieve the Runic Axe of Morathira rumored to be in Bunny-Eared Caverns. Return item to the steward of Tomblight Hall in the dwarven city of Thrahnar by the start of Hexan.’ Reward is 250 pearls.”

Durge softly whistled his amazement. “Do all Copper quests pay like this?”

“Only the dangerous ones,” Dalon said hesitantly.

Scoundrel shook his head, “Ugh I hate dungeoneering. My tail always gets dusty.”

“Where’s Bunny-Eared Caverns? It sounds cute!” added Bell.

Dalon seemed agitated and pressed his finger hard onto the note, “We’ll ask about the damn location later. Before we accept, we all notice the red stamp, right?”

The red stamp that Dalon pointed at was of a crimson skull with a sword pierced through the top of it.

“What’s it mean?” asked Durge.

“It means that a party died trying to complete it! Can’t we find or barter for another quest?”

“C’mon Dal, we can handle it. This won’t be like Torchsmoke,” Bell said.

The brother curled his lips and tapped his finger, “I just don’t trust it.”

“They could’ve died for any number of reasons. We’ll prepare and be careful. The quest doesn’t expire until the start of Fall,” Ryder said.

Durge nodded, “And we’ll find out what we know about this bunny mine or whatever and find out what’s in there.”

Dalon looked to Scoundrel, “50 shines each. Won’t have to work for a while after this,” the beast said.

Dalon leaned back and sighed, “Fine. Let’s go retrieve an axe.”

The line to the guild clerks was long but constantly moved. The ink on the clerk’s pen incessantly dripped onto parchment; the signing of quest notes and the filing inside ledgers required diligent hands.

Dalon handed the quest to Rose and she took it without looking up, her quill constantly scribbling.

“Names?”

“Dalon, Bell, Scoundrel, Ry—”

“Surely, you know us,” Ryder smirked.

Rose perked up, her eyes shimmered at the duo but her pen never stopped. “There’s the new Talc members! You’re partying up again? It’s great to see! You both better not come back with any more injuries!” she faced her parchment again and focused on the party leader and the other adventurers, “If I could have your Star-ID’s please.”

As the chaos of the Guild Hall continued, the party gave their identification and were left with a smile and a “Happy Exploring and fare well!” from Rose.

“Let’s find somewhere quieter to find out where this place is. Any of us got a map?” Dalon asked.

Ryder opened his satchel and unfurled his newly-acquired quest reward, “I do, but I see no mention of these caverns, perhaps it is off the borders.”

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“Dammit. This place could be across the continent or over the seas,” Scoundrel said.

“Let’s go ask Baird at the tavern, I could use an early lunch,” Durge suggested.

While the party sat inside the Delicate Drink and peered over Ryder’s map, the orc set down plates and bowls of dried fruits, olives, cheese, and nuts.

Durge flicked a gold coin to the orc, “Hey Baird, you ever heard of Bunny-Eared Caverns?”

Baird caught the gold, peered over the map, and shook their head.

“What about the dwarven city of Thrahnar?” Ryder added.

Baird lifted their eyebrows, “I know of the city, yes. It’s to the east behind a mountain range. Perhaps a moon cycle and a few to get there?” In their soft-spoken voice, Baird gently grazed Ryder’s map and made a path to where they should head. “I apologize for not knowing of these caverns.”

Bell chimed in, “Oh, it’s alright! I’m sure we’ll find it easily enough,” she smiled.

Baird grinned and gracefully returned to the kitchen.

“We’ll go buy supplies for the journey, you two find out what we’ll be facing and see why those adventurers died,” Dalon said with his mouth full. “Let’s meet again at dawn tomorrow near the northern gate.”

“Thank you for the food, Durge,” Bell grinned before hastily following Dalon and Scoundrel out the door.

“More for us,” Durge said, shoving a handful of olives in his mouth.

Ryder sighed. “I’m pleased to know that not every adventurer is so keen on storming into perilous ruins without researching first.”

“Dalon seems like a decent fellow.”

“He’s shaken by this quest. What do you think of the beast?” Ryder said.

“I’d have to admit that he’s a sneaky bastard.”

The feeling of warm air blew at the back of Durge’s neck, “I sure am,” Scoundrel whispered.

Durge looked over his shoulder but the beast disappeared.

Ryder sat up from the table with a laugh, “Let’s find out what happened to those adventurers.”

The Guild Hall was quieter now. The only stir that remained were the cheerful or somber party members that drowned in booze in the midday. Rose looked exhausted but content with the thoughtless task of scribbling names in her ledger.

Durge slammed his tankard down on the front counter next to her. She visibly jumped, now wide-awake and shaken by the oaf.

“Damn you, Durge!”

Durge laughed before taking a frothy sip of his ale.

Ryder shook his head, “Sorry to disturb you Rose, but I was wondering if we could acquire any information about the death of the adventurers that came before us on this quest.”

“The dungeoneering one? Information on deceased adventurers is usually a private matter, but I’ll see what I can find.”

Ryder gave an awkward smile and awaited for her to return from the backroom.

“When you going to court the clerk?” Durge said with a sly grin.

Ryder scoffed, “I’d rather not have a mate, I’m constantly leaving for days or weeks on end, I’m not some conscripted soldier.”

“Ohhh, so you want a lady that’s an adventurer too, is that it? One that’s fierce in combat or… no- you’d love a lady that involves herself in the arcane, wouldn’t you?”

“Shut up, Durge! You don’t know what I want to ‘involve’ myself with.”

Rose came back holding another giant book that was the size of her head. She placed it down with a loud thud and began turning the pages.

“Bunny-Eared Caverns, Bunny… Caverns,” she muttered to herself. “I remember now. Three dwarves and a scale-beast took the quest a while back.”

“Were their bodies ever found?” Ryder asked.

“We hired a recovery team to investigate once we saw reports of locals hearing screaming, but all of the bodies were found except the scale-beasts. The recovery team determined that they have also been vanquished.”

Durge gulped his brew, “And what did them in? Bandits?”

“The report mentioned finding deceased goblins surrounding the area as well.”

Ryder thought for a moment, “Goblins, huh? Are we able to see this report?”

Rose solemnly shook her head, “I’m afraid all after-quest reports are private.”

“Damn. Are you able to tell us how they died?”

“No.”

“Can you tell us how many goblins were found dead?”

“No.”

“Are you able to tell us where their bodies were discovered?”

“Nope.”

“Are you able to tell us anything?”

Rose went close to his ear, her eyes sorrowful and her expression somber. “Listen, we’ve had numerous adventurers accept this quest but always turn it back in once they finally see the skull stamp. You must be careful, this quest is dangerous. Complete your task and exit as swiftly as you can. I do not need to mark your name as ‘deceased’ in my ledger as well.”

Ryder bit his lip and stopped questioning her. As he gazed at her melancholic and exhausted face, he thought of the countless lives of adventurers she witnessed leave jovially and never return.

Ryder looked down at his feet, “I understand.”

Durge slapped him on the shoulder. “C’mon, Rye. Let’s go see Irid.” He amusingly placed the empty tankard on the counter where Rose could see and shook his empty hands as he walked out the door. “No mugs out the door this time!”

Rose stuttered her laugh and went back to her ledgers.

The sounds of metal upon an anvil rang through the neighborhood as the duo neared Bellows. The dwarf was behind his storefront working at his forge. There were two other dwarves beside Irid, working together to create a blade.

“Glad you could join us!” Irid exclaimed. “Here, quench this blade.” He jokingly hovered the bright orange blade over Ryder’s hands before placing it in the water bucket himself. “You’d need gloves first, lad. What can I do for you?”

“What do you know of Thrah—”

“Oh, and these are my nephews Olm and Glolm. Greet the mighty adventurers, boys.”

The two nephews awkwardly waved and nodded toward them.

“Anyway.”

“Thrahnar. You ever been to Thrahnar, dwarf?” Durge said.

“That damn place? Of course I been. Every damn dwarf has seen the mines of Kraglor too. That right, boys?”

“Aye,” they said simultaneously. “I went there last Spring,” Glolm added pitifully.

“What you need to know about Thrahnar? You visiting there?”

“We are,” said Ryder. “You heard of Bunny-Eared Caverns?”

“There’s caverns and mines all over that mountain range. I’m assuming you have to look for the one that looks like rabbit ears, lad,” he said sarcastically.

Durge rolled his eyes, “That could take ages, Irid. What of this axe we’re supposed to be looking for? Runes of Morath or something.”

“Ahhh, you’re out hunting for the Axe of Morathia. I knew the man that created that fine lady, wish I could join you to see that beautiful girl. Alas, I have orders that need finishing. If that’s all, then I bid you safe travels and open eyes, those caverns are nasty and filled with even nastier. Always leave a trail when you enter, one wrong turn and you could be stuck there forever. My mam’ always told me that’s how goblins were born. Suppose that was her way of scaring me from entering deeper into them mines.” Irid gave an exasperated sigh, “And by the stones beneath, if you can scrounge any ore or forgotten treasures, I’ll use it toward that armor you're yearning for.”

“I’m light in the pockets as of now but I’ll bring you back something pretty,” Durge said.

“How much do you even have left?” Ryder muttered as they walked away.

Durge wryly laughed, “You can cover our beds tonight, right?”

The evening sun came quickly and the rest of Ryder’s coin purse dropped into Skel’s calloused palms. A pile of five silver and one gold piece sprawled in his hands.

“That pouch of yours is empty,” the orc said.

“We’re signed on a quest and leaving tomorrow,” Ryder said nervously, hoping he wouldn’t have noticed that it wasn’t enough for both of the beds.

“Hmph. If you say so. Enjoy those beds while they last,” he said with a scowled expression.

Ryder quickly stepped into his room. He prepped the lantern, turned it to a dim glow, and jumped in his bed, excited to read more of the journal.

Durge took off the vial that housed his slime and fell face-first into the bed.

Ryder flipped through pages of his leather-bound journal, “What do you know of goblins, stranger?” The account of the adventurer told many tales and guides of creatures and locations. Bunny-Eared Caverns was not one of them but stories of goblins were plentiful.

An excerpt from the worn book read, “Goblins. Threat Level: Dangerous. Strength in numbers and patience is the key to survival. Although weak and short, a goblin’s threat comes from its cunning intelligence and ruthlessness when it is grouped with others of its kind. They dwell in the deep and are suited for darkness. Unless one is born with the eyes of a beast, it is recommended to bring light to their dwellings, lest an adventurer wants to be ambushed by shadow passages. A goblin’s hive is filled with traps ranging from pitfalls to deadfalls, take slow steps and investigate anything suspicious. Goblins are impatient beasts and will strike first if one idles in their home. We have used smoke and fire to draw them out passages that we could not fit or break into.”

Ryder's eyes began to glaze over and become heavier with each word he read. He soon fell asleep with a grin on his face while the book lay on his chest.

“This will be your first quest, buddy. Promise me you’ll stay safe and stay close to me. I know your life so far has been in this vial but my shield is yours.” Durge removed the cork from the vial and placed the slime on his sleeve. “If we ever get separated, I give you permission to tread to the wilderness and pray you find all the crumbs you desire.”

After absorbing a few fibers of Durge’s shirt, the slime scooted closer to his hand and sat there comfortably; supposedly resting as the flock of colorful stars shone through the window.