Chapter 14: Trials

We went through the inner gates and found it bustling with activity. I saw hordes of merchants unloading their wares to be bought by wholesalers. Some quarreled, some haggled, while the rest sealed the deal with a handshake and counted coins. We made our way to the local guild, passing through the residential area and market district. I wanted to stop by and browse, but decided I'll have time for it another day. I studied the buildings and noticed how they were constructed sturdily and neatly, contrary to my expectations of medieval structures. The guild building was located a few blocks from the market district, we arrived and pushed open the big wooden door to enter. The main hall was filled with adventurers, sitting on the long benches that populated the place. Some of them looking at the bulletin boards with requests pinned to it.

"We'll just collect the reward from the counter over there, we won't take long," Darius pointed behind with his thumb and walked to the end of the hall together with Alan dan Telara.

Liarelle and I sat on the bench while we waited.

"I didn't know you weren't an adventurer," I made conversation with Liarelle.

"No, I'm sorry I didn't say anything earlier," she said.

"It's okay, I'm just curious, that's all. If you weren't an adventurer, how'd you ended up traveling with Darius' party?"

"Oh, that. It's a bit of a long story."

I turned to check on the others, the clerk in charge of the counter they were queuing on was apparently having a dispute with another adventurer. I turned back to Liarelle, "Go on, looks like they're gonna take a while."

"In our church, there are a few trials each maiden must pass in order to become an official priestess. These trials are usually given by our Bishop at the moment we complete our basic curriculums. Each set of trials differs from person to person, unique to every individual. One day, there was an accident in a nearby town, where a mine had collapsed and severely injured some of the folks. In response, the church had sent us to be temporarily stationed at the town's chapel to treat them. After the incident had finally been resolved, we were in the midst of packing up until a merchant was brought to us by an adventurer. Having gravely fallen ill in the midst of traveling, they had decided to stop at the town to seek help."

"And that adventurer was Darius?"

"Yes. The merchant was eventually cured of his ailment. He tried to thank us by offering some donations but was turned away by Bishop Meldana, the one in charge of my education. Instead, she asked them to allow me to travel together with them as part of my trials."

"So, when will your trials end?"

She shook her head, "It doesn't work that way."

"Then how will you know when your trials are completed?" I raised one eyebrow skeptically.

"I'll know," she smiled, I relented and accepted her answer. Arguing about faith seldom ends peacefully with people.

Two figures arrived in front of us.

"We're done here, you guys wanna get something to drink? The bar is right over there, keep in mind that it's self-service," Darius pointed somewhere.

"Where's Alan?" I noticed he wasn't present.

"He left after collecting the reward. Said he's got places to be," Telara crossed her arms.

"Don't take it personally, Mike. Wandering adventurers are in general, solitary people. The three of us only met because we each happened to accept the same escort request from the guild back in Kenakel," Darius said.

"Me and Darius decided to stay a few days in the city to resupply before moving on. What are you both going to do?" Telara asked.

Me and Liarelle looked at each other.

"I hadn't really thought about that," I answered honestly. I held my chin in contemplation and closed my eyes, assessing my current situation. Right now, I can't return to Arthuri because I have no idea where it is on the map because of my negligence. And there's this thing with a certain Angel whose GPS is broken. Basically speaking, we're both stranded in this whole wide world with no idea how to get home. For now, I guess I'll keep an eye out for other Elves and news regarding Angels. That would be the most feasible way to get home; the ancient art of asking for directions. Also, I need a way to earn some income. Living and breathing costs money too.

"What about being an adventurer?" Telara suggested. "Based on your current predicament, it'll be best to travel a lot while searching for clues regarding your homes. The occupation offers the opportunity for work wherever you go, plus you get discounts at inns affiliated with the guild."

I considered Telara's suggestion and found it almost without flaws.

"Where do I sign up?"

I walked towards the counter and noticed a figure following behind me.

"Hmm?" I turned around and found Liarelle.

"I think I will become one too," she murmured.

"What?"

"An adventurer, I mean. I will become one too!" she clenched both her fist. Resolve crystallizing in her eyes.

"Okay..? Let's sign up together then!"

We both arrived on the counter and asked to sign up. The clerk handed out a pair of registration forms. I accepted mine and frowned upon looking at it. The layout of it seemed oddly similar to the character sheets I'm used to seeing. We both sat on an empty spot nearby and proceeded to fill it in. There were a few words I wasn't sure how to read - two lines that required numbers, so I turned to Liarelle's sheet for reference. She noticed me looking at it and hastily covered it up with her entire upper torso. "No peeking!" she scolded me, blushing slightly. "Ah, I get it." I turned to mine and filled in my weight and height. Finished, we submitted the form to the clerk and handed 5 silvers each as the administration fee. What a major rip-off. She handed us a receipt and told us to come back again in about an hour. We returned to our previous seat, lounging around and chatting with Darius and Telara. Knowing that it might be the last time I see them, I decided to ask them some questions I've been holding back. I learned that Darius came from a town called Mordekai, the reason he stopped by at Barissan City was to visit a cousin that works in the guild. Apparently his cousin wasn't in today, so he'll pay a visit at his home later instead - continuing his travels after that. As for Telara, I didn't learn much except for that she's searching for a specific person. Who or why, I don't know and I decided not to prod further, since she isn't actually obliged to tell me. I personally wished that we could've gone on more adventures together and get to know them even more. But things don't always carry on the same way forever. Everyone has their own path to walk. People come and go in life. But occasionally, you'll encounter some goodbyes that are harder than the rest.

"Until next time! You guys are great people, I hope that we'll cross paths again someday," Darius gave a waving salute on his way out.

"Take care."

"Be safe, may Veluri's blessings always keep you safe."

"See ya, big guy."

Soon after, Telara finished her drink and stood up.

"Time for me to get a move on as well, it's been great adventuring with you guys. Mike, I should let you know - as long as no one casts any spells on you, it'll be highly unlikely for anyone to notice your 'unique constitution'. And try not to use that blade of yours unless necessary. It's way too flashy and it leaks a very distinctive kind of aura. Stay safe."

"You too."

She left and I started to feel a little bit lonely. It hasn't actually been since we met, but even so, there's a kind of bond that comes with entrusting your life to people on the battlefield. The meals we ate and the nights we spent together joking. Darius was a great cook and moms everyone around, his singing sucks though. Telara was logical and rude, but gradually showed more of her human side. Still can't fix her rudeness though. Alan was silent and mysterious. If there was a survey of "most likely to kill someone in their sleep" he would surely be ranked first in the charts. But I eventually came to learn that it might not actually be the case. After all, the one who first spotted me when I first landed was him. He even brought Darius and Telara to rescue me despite having nothing to gain from it. Quite heroic for someone who looks like an assassin. He plays the lute too (we borrowed it from the merchants) and was responsible for our sufferings at Darius' mercy. God, that tone-deaf bear of a man. And there was Liarelle, she was.. right beside me?

"Aren't you supposed to go with one of them?"

"Are you really that keen on getting rid of me?" she scowled.

I looked at her in befuddlement, "I thought you were supposed to travel with an adventurer as part of your trials?"

"Adventurer Mike and Liarelle. Please proceed to the counter and finalize your registrations," a clerk announced monotonously.

Lia looked at me and smiled, "Aren't you an adventurer, too?"