160 Warija's Angel

Maessha grasped the platinum Dragon-head necklace near her chest, solid proof that they are now bonafide adventurers.

Heaps of parchment were pinned upon the Guild's board. Quests that varried from Bronze adventurers looking for lost cats up to Emerald ranks tasked to gather the shells of the fearsome Pangoliaths. Giant pangoliers that can roll into a ball, whose claws can brutalize adventurers with one swipe of they had not flattened them already after transforming into a ball.

"I've hunted Pangoliaths before, and the pay is good. Shall we?"

Since Maessha was not too keen on selecting what their first quest would be, Alara took it upon herself to decide. 'I shall take any quest as long as I can do so with you.' So said, Maessha to the Frost Giant. Of course, gold is not an issue but it would be nice to get rewarded for their efforts, even if handling these rolling beasts would be a cinch.

"I believe the they will not allow us to take that, it's marked as emerald. The Guild attendant specifically explained that we cannot take quests ranked higher than our own." Maessha explained.

"What, there's a rule like that!? But these Pangoliaths easy prey to me!"

"You did not listen to Myreanne's quest briefing, did you? It does not matter how easy of a prey they are, rules are rules." There is a smidgen of disappointment in Maessha's tone, washed away by a lover's tolerance. Maessha just could not find it in herself to get mad at this hunk of a woman. "There is indeed. Let's choose another quest. Perhaps this task posted by the city guards that spans across all ranks? This one entails to bringing in a rogue construct. A murderous doll."

A doll!? Alara squinted. With Pangoliaths, there is at least the thrill of the hunt, the danger of your bones being broken by their shells harder than ordinary steel or your stomach getting sliced open by their vicious claws. These dolls, they posses no mind. How will they match the Giantess' zeal for battle? The fact that they were able run away is indeed a mystery but Alara reckoned they won't put up that much of a fight.

Then again, Alara would be more than willing to cut down these dolls if it would make Maessha happy.

"Fine, let's go ahead and hunt down these dolls."

But right before Alara could grab the parchment order for the dolls, an unfamiliar voice rung from behind.

"You two are being summoned. Come with me."

The Centaur's stern voice commanded the two, rubbing Alara the wrong way.

"And who the fuck are you? At least introduce yourself before trying to order others around."

In better days Telmano would take the Giantess' remark with stride. But now that the life of his friend depended on it, she would break both of these Giantess' legs just so she could drag her back into the Guild master's office.

The seven foot tall centaur gazed up, furious eyes locking on Alara as Telmano galloped close. Fearless and ready to engage in battle if he would hear another rejection from Alara.

"You WILL come with me, Frost Giant. This is not a request."

This horse has guts, Alara will give him that. But Alara will not hesitate to make it spill if he continued his disrespect.

Alara smirked, "How about you make me, then? Let's throw down, you and me."

Before Maessha could mediate between them, a certain wood elf pushed Telmano backwards.

"Forgive my companion. He is a bit high-strung at the moment since the life of our friend hangs in the balance." The wood elf bowed in courtesy before introducing himself. "The name's Marionne. If you would kindly follow us, I believe you are familiar with the name Yazmin? She is eager to meet with the both of you."

"Who?" Alara asked, earning her an elbow to the side as Maessha answered.

"The Gorgon during our sisters' party."

"Oh, her. If you're alright with it, Maessha, then I'll hear what the snake lady has to say."

++++

"Welcome!" The Grand Wizard greeted the lovers. Willing to set aside his old, mischievous tricks for the sake of her daughter. "Yazmin, inform them of your task. I shall take my leave and make sure of Althea's wellness. Please, stop being so...blue."

Caduceus glanced at the frost giant before disappearing in a flash of light. Already, Alara could tell how much insufferable this old wizard is.

The masked Gorgon spoke, her timbre solemn and direct to the point.

"I am in dire need of strong companions. The life of the woman I love is on the line. The pay shall be all the gold under my possession, I will forfeit not just my wealth, but my entire life just to keep Althea and my child safe. Will you accept?"

The time Althea borrowed is nearing its due, much like the end of her twelve month pregnancy with their Gorgon child. Yazmin is determined to save them both.

Alara and Maessha glanced at each other. Yazmin's resolve made both wonder what lengths the other would go through if they would ever be put in peril. No words needed, a simple nod will do to know that they have come to an agreement.

Maessha spoke, "Give is a few pieces for our effort, the rest we don't have any interest in, we don't want to bleed you of your gold. You'll need most of it once Althea recovers."

"You have my gratitude." Moved by their kind gesture, Yazmin bowed. Even towards Marionne and Telmano who asked not a single piece, even financing their whole trip.

"What is this quest that you would have us take?" Alara questioned.

Answering the question, Yazmin told the tale of a traveling angel. One whose grotesque appearance deemed it unfit to be from this world's Celestia, the home of these holy beings.

"Deep in the desert of Warija, surrounded by countless deadly monsters that thrived in the heart of the desert, a fallen angel resides. One that can grant you any wish as long as you pay the price appropriate for your bargain. I intend to strike a deal with this angel."

Alara will not enjoy the desert's heat but the temptation of hunting these desert dwelling beasts puts smile on her face. Alara glanced once again at Maessha, mirroring her smile. Thus, Alara confidently declared...

"Alright, we'll take the quest. When do we leave?"

"Time is of the essence. I ask that we leave now. We shall travel through the south, Havandir, to make it faster through Warija."

Havandir, where the runes of power are mined, a chaotic place crawling with horsed bandits and their flintlocks.