ONE WEEK LATER
I walked into the crowded jewelry store in Marinthalis city. The glass display cases glistened with varied treasures, each with its own narrative, but my attention was fixed on one item.
I clutched a ring in my palm, a once-cherished ring for Max that had been tarnished by the incessant flames that had destroyed the Merchant Guild.
As I approached the counter, I drew the attention of a well-dressed employee, whose eyes narrowed as they latched on me. His nameplate identified him as Mr. Landon, and I delicately placed the ring on the counter without saying anything.
The employee looked at the ring and then back at me. "Good afternoon, traveler." "How can I assist you?"
"Good afternoon," I said with a tired tone in my voice.
"I have a ring I'd like to sell." I pointed to the scorched band. The flames had ruined its complex pattern, yet it still retained some of its former brilliance.
Mr. Landon studied the ring carefully, his brow furrowed as he noted the fire damage. "I'm afraid this ring has taken a beating. It will be less valued than it was previously."
I knew the ring's condition wasn't perfect, so I nodded in agreement. Given the circumstances, I hadn't expected much. "What would you be willing to offer for it?"
Mr. Landon pushed two gold pieces across the counter after a brief moment of thought. "I can offer you two gold coins for this ring."
Given the ring's condition, it was a price that is reasonable. I accepted the coins with my hand out. "Thank you, Mr. Landon."
When our transaction was finished, I took my payment and exited the jewelry store. The sun warmed the city streets, I tossed the gold coins into the inventory.
With that completed, I set out for the Adventurer's Guild, a pit of dread in my stomach. I needed answers, and the guild's master was my best bet for learning the truth about the Merchant Guild fire.
As I made my way to the main staircase of the Marinthalis Adventure Guild, the murmuring of the guild's members faded into the background. I only had one thought, and I couldn't afford any distractions.
"Neil!" yelled a familiar voice as I approached the stairs.
I turned to see Hena, who had a worried expression on her face.
"Wait a second, Neil. What exactly happened? Where are the others?"
She said this with concern in her eyes as she approached me.
'Ahh,she liked Jeremy, didn't she'. Looking at her concerned expression, I remembered what had happened the day prior.
"I'll explain later, Hena. I need to see the Guild Master right now," I said, my urgency clear in my tone; I don't feel like I should tell her what happened to them right now.
"Wait, Eden, you can't just barge into the Guild Master's office," she objected, putting her hand on my arm to stop me.
My patience was growing thin, so I shook her hand. "I don't have a choice."
I stormed up the stairs and into the Guild Master's office, ignoring her concerns. I didn't bother with civility or knocking as I approached the door, instead shoving it open forcefully.
Guild Master Gustav sat at his desk, immersed in papers, but my sudden appearance startled him slightly. He soon regained his composure and raised an eyebrow at me.
"You got the new's what happened right?"
I inquired as I entered his office, and he nodded slightly while sighing.
"What the fuck was in that carriages ? tell me everything!" Slamming my hand on his desk, I demanded.
"Calm down and take a seat." I'll tell you everything I know." He motioned to a chair in front of his desk and invited me to take a seat.
"Did you know I've been in jail for five fucking days? They were threatening to throw me in prison if I didn't reveal my true identity."
I growled at him, despite my current safety. As the only person who did not die in the massacre, I became the top suspect despite the lack of evidence.
They held me for five days trying to acquire answers that I didn't know.
"Clam down and sit i said I will tell you everything" .
He responded by putting pressure on me and displaying his might.
"I don't have time for your games. Just tell me what happened, and I'll decide if I want to sit or not," I retorted, refusing to be cowed by his intimidation.
The Guild Master reclined back in his chair, his fingers steepled. "The carriages had the items that were going to use in the civil war."
"What!".
As soon as I heard him, I exclaimed.
"Are you fucking idiots? Isn't the merchant guild forbidden from participating in the civil war other than by selling public relief items?"
"No one knew what was inside it i only got to know after what happened that day" .
He responded, attempting to shift the blame away from himself.
'What kind of fucking Guild Master are you?'
I thought the more I spoke to him, the more he appeared to be an idiot.
I felt a wave of anger and frustration wash over me. "Then ,Who were these assailants? Do we have any information on them?"
Gustav sighed, his expression somber. "They were highly organized and efficient. They left no survivors to give a detailed account."
'Most certainly the commoners faction,'
I reasoned that if they were the ones who did it, it would explain a number of things, such as why she was there and why no one saw them.
My hands tensed, my mind racing.
"You didn't tell Hena And the other's about their death" .
"No one knows about the quest except you guys, they don't know anything," Guild Master Gustav nodded.
"Sigh ..."
Lifting myself from the chair, I took out a currency pouch and placed it on the table, saying, "20 gold, something I got from selling one of Max's items, donate it to the orphanage where they come from."
He looked at me with suspicion thinking about the item that sold for this much money but eventually accepted it, "will do".
I descended to the guild's first floor, where eager eyes followed my every step. I ignored their curious stares and motioned for Hena to go in the guild master's office.
She instantly realized what was going on and entered the room.
I left the guild building and began the short journey back to the Phoenix Perch. When I walked inside the familiar restaurant, I was greeted by Sylvia, who was sitting beautifully in the main hall.
"Welcome back," she said with a bright smile.
"You didn't help me, Master," I expressed my disappointment as I moved closer to her.
"Why do you think they left you without making you take all the blame?" Sylvia replied, her hand resting beneath her chin. It occurred to me that their decision might have been more deliberate than I had previously assumed.
"Thank you," I said gratefully. I didn't have the strength or connections to defend myself right now, so Sylvia's help was crucial.
"Enough of that," she said, her warm smile remaining on her face. "Get some rest, then come back here." We will begin your training, and you will remain here for the next four months."