DINN - MEADORA KINGDOM - 194

We wave our goodbyes at Kyle and the rest of the group as they walk towards a patrol of guards standing idle on the road chatting with a mounted golden turd.

I lean and squint. “The hell is that?”

“That's a royal knight, see the banner hanging from the horse’s side? The King’s crest.” Gerald replied.

“Is that armor standard?”

“I don’t believe so.”

The man, sat atop a white steed, can be seen speaking with Kyle, then he looks our direction to wave. Overjoyed a moment ago, having finally just dumped Kyle and his all male companions, I refuse to adopt another. Turning to walk away, I inwardly sigh as the clopping of horse hoofs can be heard from behind.

“Hi, I’m Hong of the royal castle guard.” Says the golden knight.

“Hi, we’re not interested but thank you.”

“I-I am not selling anything.” He looks puzzled.

“Good because we’re not buying, buzz off.”

“I must say, this is not the demure I expected from the heroic rescuers that group spoke so highly of.”

“I must say, no one but an idiot would wear plate armor cast from the softest metal.” I mock-reply.

Hong looks down at his glittering, but gaudy ceremonial armor with a hint of resigned shame. “It's a show of strength, a projection of power, basically a mandatory uniform for someone of my station.”

“What is, someone of your station doing all the way out here?” I could barely turn my head towards the gleaming symbol of nepotism.

“I am training in the local forests for the tournament”

“Is this tournament full of boars and wolves?”

“Of course not, could you be unfamiliar with the Grand Sino Imperial Tournament? It kicks off in a few days and is considered the most prestigious test of strength in our nation. Kings of both kingdoms attend annually.”

Gerald nods. “It is a true spectacle, the two nations use the tournament as a demonstration of their wealth, high culture, and good relations. Important deals, and marriages, are often negotiated at such events.”

“One of my sisters is in such marriage negotiations as we speak!”

“What is your sister’s station for her marriage to be discussed at such an important event?” Charlotte asks.

“My sister is Ruby Xavier Leighton.”

The entire group halts dead.

“You're a Leighton?” Gerald asks.

“You're a Prince?!” Charlotte gasps, dropping her entire body to the ground.

“Hahaha, that's why you're dressed like a golden hen?”

Hong, still fidgeting uncomfortably and maybe a bit bashful. “I’m one of the over sixty legitimate heirs to the current king. While I am royalty, I am barely a prince, I prefer my chosen identity of a guard to the royal court.”

“Hmm, very honorable of you to pull yourself up by your golden bootstraps.”

Now desperate to pivot the conversation away from himself, he asks. “How did just the three of you take out Günter’s bandit gang?”

“It was just the two of them, I was rescued as well!” Charlotte adds.

“No, Charlotte, you saved Kyle and our party beat those bandits together.”

“There must've been twenty brutes in that group, even with all three of you, how is that even possible?” Hong looking genuinely curious, that’s probably what made this idiot clop over here in the first place.

“Buzz, off, Goldilocks.”

“Spar with me, I could use the practice, and while it may not look it, I am one of the tournament favorites.”

Gerald let slip a throaty laugh for the first time this journey.

Hong Leighton is left beat to a pulp on the side of the road. The group continues toward the city.

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CHARLOTTE - MEADORA KINGDOM - 193

The grandeur and majesty of the city's walls were unlike anything I could have imagined. The guards at the gate inspected our travel packs and granted us passage. Unfamiliar sights and sounds envelop me, and I shout.“Sinotan is ENORMOUS!” My fading touristy words evaporate into a sea of industrious ruckus.

The streets were crowded with people from all walks of life - vendors hawking their wares, street performers entertaining the crowds, merchants haggling with their victims, and nobles in elaborate carriages, surrounded by their entourages. The buildings grew taller and more magnificent. The architecture was unlike anything I had ever seen before, with intricate carvings and delicate details adorning every surface. The sheer size of the city is overwhelming, and I feel so small, a thought begins to creep in, maybe I did belong on that farm. Until my twirling body and frantic darting gaze pause to land on Dinn. Like me, she absorbs the foreign city, wearing a smile not forced or exaggerated, but rather, natural and effortless. Present, bright, open, with warming comfort, that exudes reassuring safety. Having just arrived at the nation’s treasured capital city, I realize the brightest jewel here, undimmed by false spectacle, is the leader of my party. Fuck that farm.

“Alright, let’s go to the adventures guild. Gerald, find us an inn while we sign up.” Dinn orders.

“I think I’d have to be there in person to sign up as an adventurer.” Gerald replys.

Dinn stares at Gerald in disbelief. “Ehh?! You want to be an adventure?”

Gerald looking back at Dinn. “What am I going to do in the party if I’m not going to be an adventurer?”

“I don’t want a guy in my party.”

Gerald didn’t know how to respond.

“How long are you going to follow me?” Dinn asks, callous, heartless, nonchalant, and without a trace of shame.

I look on nervously as Gerald’s feelings are most definitely hurt, I can tell, no matter the stony expressions he hides behind. “Of course we need Gerald! He’s an excellent fighter.”

“Maybe to you, but he is no excellent fighter in my eyes.” Dinn continues to pile on.

Gerald still silent.

On the verge of tears for Gerald’s sake, I vow silently to support my pitiful friend. “He's a great cook, a patient teacher, and he saved my life when you were away!”

That made Dinn pause. “You did save me from my earlier oversight.” Dinn gives me a reassuring look. “Although, I won’t be making a mistake like that again. Charlotte has convinced me of your value.”

She turns back to her butler. “Ok, Gerald Appleguard, I invite you to join my party. Select the tank role.” There it was, a casual request, just like my own. The queen of shadow and darkness, offers an invitation to the most feared man of the underworld to join her adventuring squad.

“Another tank? But he does so much damage.” I asked, but could really care less, now that the party gained a new member.

“But, I’m an assassin?” Gerald finally spoke.

“No, Gerald, you are Charlotte’s off-tank. Now go find us an Inn and you can sign up at the guild hall in person on your time.”

Dinn grabs me by the hand, and we dive dashing into the lively, unfamiliar city, leaving Gerald behind with all our luggage.

I pick up the bronze adventurer’s tile that clattered into a wooden tray. Filling me with an unexpected surge of enthusiasm and motivation, so exciting! Running over to Dinn, wearing the same foolish smile as me, together we share a jumpy squeeze.

“Dinn. Damascus… Live?” We turn to a tall old man wearing expensive looking robes.

“Ah, hey, Markus the mage.” Dinn waves back at the man.

The old mage’s eyes still widening with fear. “It can't be.” He whispered, his voice shaking. “I-I thought you were dead.”

“You thought wrong, but don’t worry about me.” Dinn holds up her new token. “Tee he, I’m just a bronze ranker.”

“Y-you can't be here. Your guild is a threat to everything civilized culture stands for, your very existence is an abomination.”

“Quite rude.” Dinn seems about done with the ill-mannered intrusion of our wholesome coming of age moment.

“What are you planning! What do you want from the Kingdom of Meadora?” The entire guild hall is now watching the spectacle of Markus Zaphior, the Grand Mage of Sinotan’s Magic Guild, all but shrieking in horror at a couple of newly minted bronze adventures.

“Don’t worry, old man, I retired from that old gig.” Dinn turns to leave, with a flick of her wrist, she dismisses the most powerful mage in the city. “All I want from Meadora is the posted coin reward for the quests our party completes.” Dinn tugging at my hand, I gave a quick bow to the stunned old man, before surrendering to the pull of my party leader.

As the last rays of sunlight fall below rooftops, the city begins to wind down its industrial grind. A perceived halt for rest and recovery, allowing for temporary pockets of stillness, but the city itself never sleeps.

“Cheers!”

The three friends chat over ale at a cramped tavern built into the Wayward Inn, lodgings Gerard procured for the group earlier that day.

“Easy as pie, look at us full-fledged adventures within hours of entering Sinotan!”

Dinn, drunk, charisma flaming, gaze lustful, body… No, wait, maybe I’m drunk. I’ve grown so close to these two freaks after just a week of travel, collecting warm conversations with both, memories I’ll treasure always. Although, I can't escape the anxious worry of what to contribute that might aid this group. Dinn and Gerald are undoubtedly the strongest individuals I’ve ever met, by a country mile. Are they the strongest people in the world? No way…right? Though I can’t imagine someone being stronger than Dinn. No, that seems impossible. I haven’t even seen Dinn fight in person, and I’m sure I didn’t want to.

“We need to make money.” Finally, speaking words instead of zoning out. “We don't even have the money to pay for the inn we’re currently living in! What if the keeper found out?” I yell-whisper.

Dinn laughing loud. “What’s he going to do? I’ll kill him if he touches us.” A laugh so pure and carefree, she's a monster.

“No! We need to make money, right away. The innkeeper is a great man with a lovely family. He even lugged a washtub all the way up to our room this afternoon. I will not accept casual comments of his murder!” Mildly inebriated, I shouted, a little too loud.

“Might want to keep your voice down when you speak of murder, young lady.” Gerald said to me sternly.

“Ok, how about our first dungeon? That’s what parties get together to do! It’ll get Charlotte some battle experience, and grab us some coin.” Dinn raises her ale.

CLANK, three wooden mugs clash over the table’s center.

“CHEERS!!”