CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Yara stretched as she stood at the foot of the mountain. Explaining to the dragon that she was getting supplies and not running away had taken hours.

'Honestly, why would it think I would run now?' She huffed as she made her way down the footpath to the town. The dragon had taken her out of the nook and down the mountain base the night before so the townspeople wouldn't spot them.

Yara shifted on her feet as she took time to scope out the village from afar. Now that she thought about it, It had actually been five months since she had had proper human interaction- besides Kellan and his men.

'It's fine. I'm fine. I do this all the time,' she said, taking a deep breath and adjusting her satchel. She had left the eggs with the dragon up at the nook. It was no use bringing them to a village she didn't know the layout of.

Here in the Vesryngarth Empire, some settlements were good for magical creatures, and most were not. The same could be said about humans for non-human settlements. However, that was because the non-human settlements were very few, usually well hidden and unsuitable for human living. In the countryside, one was less likely to see non-magical creatures in human towns unless there were nobles or big guilds. 

However, the capital and its surroundings were teeming with magical creatures that had been subjugated or were somehow taking advantage of humans, like the dark elves; there was no in-between.

She threw up her hood as she walked over to the gate and stopped by the guards. "Who are you? And where are you coming from?" The man asked gruffly.

"I'm a traveller looking to stock up on my things before I continue my journey," She said, holding her bag out for inspection.

"I see. Did you notice anything suspicious when you were coming?" he asked, his eyes scanning the bag's contents.

Yara shook her head, offering a polite smile to the guard.

"No, everything seems quiet and peaceful from what I've observed," she replied, keeping her tone casual.

The guard nodded, satisfied with her response, and stepped aside to let her pass. "Very well. Just be mindful of your surroundings. We've had reports of bandit activity in the area," he warned.

The market square was a chaotic mix of activity, with vendors shouting out their wares and customers haggling over prices. Yara made her way through the throng, keen eyes scanning the stalls for supplies. 

She noticed some cloaked figures hanging around alleyways and chose not to acknowledge them. Every community had its underhanded back dealings. 

She checked to make sure her hood was still in place and was careful to keep a low profile, not wanting to draw unnecessary attention to herself. She planned to go in, get supplies, maybe some information and get out. 

Yara paused to inspect a stall selling herbs and potions, her eyes lingering on the colourful vials and jars. With the rate at which she had been getting injured recently, she needed to stock up on medicinal herbs. The shopkeeper, a wizened old woman with a crooked smile, approached her with a knowing glint in her eyes.

"Looking for something specific, dearie?" she asked, her voice raspy with age.

"Yeah, I'll have these," Yara said, carefully selecting a few vials of healing salves and bundles of fragrant herbs.

"Looking to patch yourself up, are you?" the vendor asked.

Yara nodded, exchanging coins for the items. "Just making sure I'm prepared for whatever comes my way."

"You must travel a lot then," the woman prodded, eyeing her attire. 

"Yes, I'll take my leave now," Yara said, rushing away from the woman's stall. 

As she continued through the market, Yara couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. Glancing over her shoulder, she noticed a group of hooded figures watching her. 

'They can't be following me, right? I haven't done anything out of the ordinary yet,' she thought, frowning. 

She had to be sure she was the one being followed and that her paranoia wasn't getting to her. As she moved through the market, Yara kept a wary eye on the hooded figures trailing her. 

Yara approached another vendor selling potions. This time, the man behind the counter greeted her with a friendly smile.

"New in town, aren't you?" he remarked, his tone warm and welcoming.

"Is it that obvious?" she asked, pointing out the potions she needed.

"Well, your clothing is different from the materials here, so that's a dead giveaway," he pointed out as he packed them up carefully. 

Yara frowned; that made sense. She didn't think her clothes would single her out in a crowd.

"You're very observant," she remarked, looking around the market.

"One has to if you want to survive here; here you go," he said, holding out the bag of potions. "Be careful out there. Things have been...strange lately."

Yara nodded, acknowledging the warning as she paid for her potions. "Thanks for the advice," she said before hurrying away.

The next thing to do was to change her outfit. Even if she wouldn't be staying here for long, it wouldn't do to have people's eyes on her. Plus, she needed more clothes.

She found a stall with minimal-looking materials and trinkets, "Hello," she called out to the vendor.

"Hello! What can I get you today?!" the man asked. He looked very energetic. 

"Simple tunics and trousers, please, better suited for the cold weather would be preferred." 

"Right! I've got just the things for you!" his smile was almost blinding.

Examining the garments, Yara kept a close eye on the hooded figures through the reflections in the polished trinkets and mirrors adorning the stall. She seemed to be getting into a whole lot of trouble since she left home. 

The figures stood close, watching her movements intently. 'So they followed me. But what do they want?' she thought, frowning. 

"Sorry about this," she apologised to the merchant.

"What?" the man blinked, confused. 

Suddenly breaking into a sprint, Yara took off into the market, the hooded figures right behind her. She led them on a chase through the bustling market streets. Ducking into a narrow alleyway, she weaved through the crowd, using her agility to navigate the turns. 

It was a bit hard deciding where to go, seeing as she didn't know the town's layout, but she finally reached a secluded alley with a dead end and climbed behind the crates.

Yara waited in the shadows, her dagger at the ready. As the hooded figures entered the alley, she watched them search around.

As the closest figure approached, Yara lunged forward, wrapping her arm around their neck and pressing her blade against their throat. "What do you want?" she demanded, her voice low and menacing.

The figure remained silent, their companions edging closer. Yara tightened her grip on her captive, glaring at them.

"Stay back, or your friend here gets a taste of my blade." She needed to buy herself time to assess the situation and formulate a plan.

They seemed to weigh their options, then decided to continue moving towards them.

"Don't test me," she warned, a thin line of blood appearing from the pressure of the blade. 

That made them stop; they all stood in the alleyway, tense and breathing heavily from the chase, waiting for someone to make the first move. 

Suddenly, the person in Yara's grasp made a sudden, unexpected move, throwing her over their shoulder with surprising strength. Yara hit the ground hard, the impact jolting through her body, but she quickly rolled back onto her feet, her instincts kicking into overdrive.

She leapt out of the way as one of the hooded figures lunged forward, aiming a punch at Yara's head. She twisted out of the way just in time and countered with a kick that sent them stumbling. 

Another one tried to tackle her to the ground, but she reacted instinctively, twisting away from their grasp and delivering an elbow strike to their ribs.

The hooded figure grunted in pain but retaliated with a swift kick aimed at Yara's midsection. She blocked the blow with her forearm, feeling the impact through her bones.

'Definitely not human,' she thought as she gritted her teeth. 

The sound of their scuffle attracted the attention of passersby, who began to gather at the mouth of the alley, curious to see what was happening. 

"Hey! What's going on over there!" the guards were also making their way over. 

The hooded figures seemed to panic at the thought of being caught and tried to make a run for it.

"Wait!"Yara called, rushing towards them. She knew she needed to act fast.

Thinking quickly, Yara seized the opportunity and snatched the cloak of one of the figures, yanking it back and revealing the face beneath the hood—a startled elf.

Their eyes widened in surprise before they quickly masked their expression.

Equally surprised at the unexpected face, Yara's grip relaxed slightly, allowing the elf to break away and flee into the crowded market with the rest of its group.

Breathing heavily, Yara watched as the hooded figures disappeared into the throng of people.

"What the hell was that all about?" she muttered, rubbing the sweat off her face. 

'Why would elves attack me?'

"Are you alright, miss?" the cloth vendor from before asked, concern etched on his face. He was among the people at the alley entrance.

"Yes, I am, thanks," Yara stood up and dusted her cape. 'So much for not sticking out,' she thought as she pulled her hood over her head. 

"I saw those people follow after you and called the guards," the man continued.

"Thank you. At least now I have more reason to get clothes from you," she beamed, trying to lighten the mood.

"Indeed you do, please come with," he motioned towards his stall. Yara followed quietly. 

The elves were nowhere in sight, but why were they even there in the first place?

"Here you go, miss," the vendor's voice brought her out of her thoughts. 

She thanked him as she took the package from him, and then a thought came to her. 

"Excuse me, do you know of any reputable inns in the area?" she asked.

"Ah, if it's comfort and safety you're after, I'd recommend the Golden Griffin Inn," the vendor suggested, pointing towards a building at the edge of the market square. "Clean rooms, hearty meals, and a friendly staff."

"I see. That's just what I need right now. Thank you!" she said. 

"You're welcome. Be careful, miss," the man called as Yara walked off.

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With her supplies in hand, Yara made her way to the local Inn to seek shelter for the night. She couldn't help the many glances she sent over her shoulder as she did. The door opened to a full room of patrons and warm lighting. 

"Welcome, traveller! What can I get for you?" the innkeeper asked, wiping his hands on his apron.

Yara smiled back, feeling a bit of the tension ease at the thought of a hot meal and a warm bed. "I'll have a bowl of your stew and a room for the night."

The innkeeper nodded, jotting down her order on a scrap of parchment before disappearing into the kitchen.

She sank into a plush armchair by the fire, releasing a long, shaky breath. Her arms throbbed from the kick earlier. She relished the warmth seeping into her bones while waiting for her meal. While the dragon hadn't exactly made her feel cold, there was a difference between the cold, hard floor and the plush chair. 

The Inn's air was warm and inviting. Soft murmurs and the smell of food and incense were almost enough to lull her to sleep.

She was startled awake by the innkeeper, hand already on her dagger. 'Damn, I must be tired,' she thought, rubbing her eyes.

The innkeeper greeted her with a friendly smile and offered her a steaming bowl of stew and a mug of mulled wine to chase away the chill.

"Sorry about that, miss. Your food is here, and your room has been prepared," he said, laying the spread on the table beside her. It looked good, and she wasted no time digging in.

As she ate, Yara couldn't help but moan a little as the soup melted on her tongue. The simple pleasures of a well-cooked meal were a welcome change from the meagre rations she had grown accustomed to during her travels. It had been too long since she had enjoyed such comforts.

 Yara spoke with the innkeeper, "This is great."

The man beamed at the praise, "Thank you, it's a family recipe."

"I see. It's definitely worth the wait," she smiled at him, "Everyone seems on edge. Is there anything strange going on so far?" she asked, suddenly recalling the scene in the market.

 "Hmmn, there have been some sudden attacks recently. The men have been talking about it, but I barely leave this place, so I can't be sure," he shrugged.

"I want to know where the best place to gather information in the city is," she asked, casually sipping her wine. 

The innkeeper nodded, gesturing towards the side of the road. "The Fyre Guild is just down the street, next to the blacksmith's shop. They'll have all the information you need."

"Thanks, I'd need a bath tonight; how much would that be?" she asked, fishing in her satchel for coins.

"It comes with the room, miss, don't worry about it," he said. 

"Wow, they really weren't joking when they said this was the best place in town," she said, dropping her due. 

"Oh, don't flatter me, miss," the man blushed, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. 

Another patron called for the innkeeper's attention as she wanted to ask a question. 

Sitting alone by the fireplace, her mind drifted back to the encounter with the hooded figures in the market. She rubbed her arm unconsciously; it was starting to bruise.

What the hell was that all about? Were they targeting her specifically, or was it a case of mistaken identity? Something didn't quite sit right with her. The way they had followed her, chased her through the market, said she was the one they were after. 

"Who were they?" she murmured, stirring her stew absentmindedly.

The fact that one of them was an elf was even stranger.

Were they all elves? What were they doing this close to a human settlement? What could have driven them to attack her?

"Could they have been after something I have?" Yara wondered aloud, her brows furrowing in thought.

She quickly dismissed the idea. Apart from her basic supplies and a few potions she had just bought, she didn't possess anything significant—at least, nothing that would warrant such a brazen attack.

It was a good thing she didn't take the eggs with her. Or was it the traces of dragon magic on the satchel?

'So many questions, my head hurts,' 

She sighed, setting down her mug with a heavy thud.

After dinner, Yara retired to her room, where a warm bath awaited her. The encounter with the hooded figures had left her nerves frayed from the adrenaline rush of the chase.

She poured scented oils she had bought earlier at the market into the warm water, letting the soothing aroma wash over her tense muscles as she sank into the tub.

In this world, guilds were important pillars of society, acting as hubs for various professions, trades, and adventurers. They were centralised organisations that provided their members with resources, support, and networking opportunities.

Guilds were of different sizes and specialisations, ranging from small, local associations to big, multinational organisations. Some focused on specific trades or crafts, such as blacksmithing, alchemy, or mixing magic with attire, offering training and access to specialised tools and materials. 

Others attended to adventurers and mercenaries, providing job postings, quest assignments, and combat training facilities. These adventurer guilds often maintained extensive contacts, allowing members to get lucrative contracts, form adventuring parties, and exchange information on threats and opportunities.

Membership in a guild typically comes with benefits and responsibilities. Members pay dues or fees from their missions in exchange for access to guild resources and services and follow guild rules. While most people didn't talk about it, some guilds were directly formed or affiliated with noble families.

Others worked with smugglers, exchanging information and manpower for "raw materials," as they called the magical creatures. 

She needed information on the Northern Pass, an essential area in her original travel plans. If she hadn't fallen into the cavern when she did, she should have met up with the alignment needed to cross the pass. With the seasons changing, the pass would also become hard to navigate if it hadn't closed up already. She lowered her mouth below the water's surface and sighed, watching the water ripple from the movement. 

She would be screwed if the pass had closed by the time she got there. But for now, she allowed herself to relax, the warm water easing the tension from her muscles as she cleansed herself.

After a nice long soak, she got out of the now cool water. 

Drying off, Yara dressed in fresh tunics and sank into the plush mattress with a contented sigh. Her mind raced with plans for the following day as she rubbed a salve on her hand. The first order of business was to visit the Fyre guild and inquire about the Northern Pass.

If the road remained open, they could pass through it into the northern lands. Once they got past that, they could consider getting to the mountains. She would also have to get more information on that elf.

She bandaged up the hand and yawned as she stretched, feeling a satisfying 'pop' as a knot in her shoulder released. So much had happened in a day, she was wiped.

She collapsed on the soft bed, rubbing her face on the pillow. Her dagger lay underneath the pillow within arm's reach, a habit she had learned from a young age. 

'I wonder what the big guy is doing?' She thought as she drifted off to sleep.

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 In an alleyway tucked away from prying eyes, four figures sat tense as they argued, their voices barely audible above the crackling of the fire. One of them nursed a deep gash on their throat, grimacing as another carefully tended to the wound.

"That was too risky, Farin. We were lucky to escape without drawing too much attention," whispered one figure, Gildir, frustration evident in his tone.

"Thanks to you rushing in as usual, we lost the element of surprise." The second elf, Sylleth, glared at Farin, who snapped.

"You were the one who said not to let her out of our sight!" he wincing as the bandage was pulled tight. 

"Yes, so you ran into an alleyway not knowing where the target was, smart," Sylleth scoffed.

"Fuck you! I was actually trying. Where were you, huh?" Farin glared. 

"Not getting held hostage by a human," Sylleth smirked at Farin, whose face went red with rage.

"Stop that. You'll make things worse," Orym, the group healer, sighed, flicking Farin's ear.

"Talk to him, not me, making it seem like this is my fault," Farin pointed at Sylleth, who scoffed.

"Now, the human will be on guard."

"And what choice did we have? We needed to be sure of the One. She was our only lead." Farin stood up, wincing again as his neck twinged. His pale locks fell over his shoulder.

"Enough, you two. Stop acting like children," Gildir glared, "We nearly lost one of our own tonight." he said, gesturing to Farin, who was rubbing his bandaged neck. 

Farin sat, and the space fell into a tense silence after that. 

"I'm sorry," he broke the silence, staring at the flames. 

"It's fine. We'll have to try again later," Orym said, patting his back. 

Sylleth remained silent.

"We will wait for her to leave the town. That's the safest option." Gildir decided. 

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The next morning, Yara made her way to the Fyre Guild, a sturdy stone building in the middle of the town. She pushed open the heavy oak doors and stepped into a bustling room, the scent of wood polish, mead and parchment filling her nostrils.

The guild hall was a hive of activity, with members bustling about, attending to various tasks and duties. Its walls were adorned with maps, trophies, information on tasks and banners bearing the sigils of various adventuring parties.

Yara approached the front desk, where a harried-looking clerk was sorting through a stack of papers.

 "Good morning. I want information about the Northern Pass. Is it still open for travel?"

The clerk nodded, her expression tired. "I'll need to check with our scouts. Please wait a moment."

Yara overheard snippets of conversation from a group of adventurers seated close by as she waited.

"I'm telling you, it's getting harder and harder to make a living out there," one adventurer lamented, swirling the dregs of his ale in his tankard. "The creatures are getting smarter, and the smugglers are making it impossible to travel safely."

His companion nodded in agreement, a grim expression on his face. "I had a run-in with a pack of shifters last week. Nearly didn't make it out alive."

Their conversation piqued Yara's curiosity. She leaned in closer, pretending to inspect the list in her hand as she listened intently. 

"Indeed," another adventurer agreed, his expression grave. "I heard that a group of merchants was ambushed just outside of town last week. They were lucky to escape with their lives, but they lost everything they had."

Yara frowned; the tension she had felt in the marketplace made sense. 

"...heard about the latest caravan attack? They say it was the work of smugglers..."

"...creatures are getting bolder these days. They used to stick to the shadows, but now they're brazen enough to attack in broad daylight."

"...heard rumours of a dragon sighting up in the mountains. You think it's true?"

Yara's brows furrowed as she listened. 'Did they see the dragon?'

Her thoughts were interrupted as someone walked up to her. "Ello, miss, I noticed you from across the room just now." He pointed down the room, where some shady-looking men stared at them.

"You have very striking features," he slurred.

Yara frowned, his breath stank of ale, and he was unsteady on his feet. 'Drunk so early in the morning?' she thought. 

"I feel like I've seen you before," he said.

"I think you're mistaken. I'm not from here," Yara said, looking for the clerk.

'what was taking her so long?'

"Nah, I've seen you before. Those eyes, that mark," Yara's eyes widened at the mention of her markings.

'Shit!'

she thought her cape was over her head this whole time.

"I think you're mistaken," she insisted, her voice steady as she mapped out her exit plan.

'Now, if the clerk would just co-''

As though summoned by her thoughts, the clerk returned with a parchment. "Here you go, miss," she said, oblivious to the tension in the air. "The information you requested."

"Thank you," Yara muttered, snatching the parchment from her hand. She quickly scanned its contents, and relief filled her as she found what she sought.

'great, the pass was still open!' her eyes lit up. 

She tucked the parchment into her satchel and turned to leave, but the drunk grabbed her hand. 

"What the?" she frowned, staring at him. "Let go of me."

"Come now, miss, I was still talking to you," he slurred.

"And I'm not interested, so let go now," she glared. His eyes narrowed, "Why? You think you're too good for me bitch?" he asked, grip tightening. 

Patreons were starting to stare now, drawn to them by the drunk's loud voice.

"Let go of her, mate," the clerk interjected firmly, stepping forward to intervene. "She's not interested."

But the man persisted, his grip tightening further as he leaned closer to Yara. "Come on, sweetheart, don't be shy."

Yara sighed, raising her eyes heavenwards. What the hell was wrong with this town? She had just spent a day here and was running into one problem after another. 

"Let go, now," she glared, a dangerous edge creeping into her tone.

"Or what?" he taunted, his leer twisting into a malicious grin. 

Yara's jaw clenched as she resisted the urge to roll her eyes. she didn't have time for this. 

Without hesitation, she delivered a swift knee to the man's groin.

She couldn't help the small satisfaction she felt as he bent over with a pained groan, releasing his grip as he crumpled to the ground. Startled gasps, murmurs and laughs erupted from the onlookers.

The drunk's group had stood up and made their way over, but Yara wasted no time. She darted past the fallen man and hurried out of the Guild, relief flooding her as she emerged into the fresh air outside.

"Maybe I should go back today. I have the information I need and my supplies," she mumbled as she hurried away. This town wasn't good for her. 

She unconsciously rubbed the mark on her neck as she returned to the Inn; her hair and tunic collar usually covered the marks, so having someone point it out was weird. 

She packed her things, gave the soft bed one last longing look and went to the common room. She had planned to stay for a week and visit the Guild regularly to get information on what was going on, but all these "encounters" couldn't be coincidences. 

"Ah! You're already leaving?" the innkeeper asked as he saw her. 

"Yeah, I got the information I needed earlier than planned," she said, stopping by the counter. 

"That makes sense," he nodded to himself, "Let me get you your balance then," he bent to retrieve his pouch.

"No, no, It's fine. Keep that as a thank you for your great service," she said, waving him off. 

"Truly? Thank you, miss, you are too kind," The man stared at her with wide eyes. She had paid in gold for a week. 

"Safe journey, miss!" he called as she stepped out the door. 

Thanks, I'll need it," she called back.

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The guard stared at her suspiciously as she stood by the gate. " Are you leaving already?" he asked. 

"Yeah, I said I was here for supplies, right? Got my supplies and my rest, so it's time to get back on the road," she said. 

"Hmmn," he grunted, "There was a commotion at the market yesterday. You wouldn't happen to kn-" Yara cut him off. 

"Oh yeah, I heard about it too. I was already at the Inn by then. What was the cause?" she pretended not to know. 

"Just some riffraff running around mugging people. They were sneaky enough to evade arrest," he glared, clearly pissed at not catching the culprit. 

"I see. Well, I wish you good luck, I guess." she waved at him and quickly made her way down the path. 

So, no one knew the hidden people were elves, and they weren't caught either. She looked towards the forest at the side of the town; they could have fled in that area. 

She sighed as she turned towards the rocky mountain base. It would be a long climb up since it was broad daylight, and there was no way the dragon would come down to get her. 

'Here goes nothing,' she thought as she pulled her satchel higher and began her climb.