11

 *Ah.*

Why hadn't I asked them where the Adventurer's Guild was?

*Well, at least I remembered.*

The carriage driver and the guard members were still around. 

I walked up to the driver, since he's probably the most likely person to know directions around here.

His eyes widened and he bowed frantically. "We are in your debt for last night. Please let us know how we can repay you."

*Ah, perfect.*

"Sure. Do you know where the Adventurer's Guild is?"

The driver stood up straight with disbelief. "Would you like a ride there?"

"Hm... Can I get there in less than 3 hours if I walk?"

"Well, I suppose, but-"

"Then it's alright. I'll walk."

"But, miss-"

"I've never been here before, so I want an authentic experience."

"... Alright. Do you see that spire?" the driver said, pointing to a tapering silver pillar in the distance. "That's it. You can't miss it."

"Huh."

*How convenient. Also, that's one more vote for looking like a girl.*

To say that spire was "out of place" was a bit of an understatement. Most houses and other small buildings were stucco-colored with brown roofs. The occasional black or white outlines could be seen highlighting some features, but by and large most of it was rather dull.

"Is the Adventurer's Guild really that important that it needs such a huge thing marking where it is?"

The driver shook his head. "It's a bit of a mystery, but the Adventurer's Guild was a rather minor phenomenon in the past. Only recently have they exploded in popularity all over the country. I believe surrounding nations are reporting similar incidents."

"Interesting. Well, thank you for bringing me here. I'll be off now," I said, waving and starting towards the silver spire.

"Do you really not require any assistance?"

"No."

"Even if you do not, at least let us repay you somehow."

"I got a pouch of money and a lavender truffle. That's enough."

"I see," the driver said, bowing again. "If that's the case, then I shall not deter you. Have a safe journey."

"Thanks. Take care."

*There's a wide world out here that's just waiting to be explored.*

I wasn't sure of the exact directions I needed to take, but the driver was right - that landmark was indeed impossible to miss. I took some precisely-carved stone brick steps down away from the royal library. The gardening work on each side of the staircase made it even more apparent that this was a wealthier area of town.

I glanced at the winding road we'd taken to pull in front of the gates. It wasn't paved per se, but it was definitely finished unlike the dirt paths in the majority of the city.

*Looks like it's perhaps made of limestone.*

The stone brick staircase continued as a straight path for a bit, and off in the distance was a golden gate with the same lion-like emblems in the center.

I approached the gates and put a hand on it to push it open. but...

"Halt, young lady," said a stern voice off to the right. It was a man dressed in a dark green suit of armor holding a sleek spear.

*Ah, there's guards. Makes sense if this really is a wealthy area like I suspect.*

"Pedestrians exit through the side gates - the center is for vehicles only."

*I was expecting him to ask for identification or something, but it's only this?*

"Ah, I see. I'm new to the area, so please forgive me," I said cordially.

"It appears so. I've yet to see an eye color like yours. From where do you hail?"

*I really need to come up with a good answer to this question.*

I shook my head. "Sorry, but I'd not like to disclose this information."

"Is that so? Ordinarily, we'd need identification to vet newcomers, but you're an exception because you were in the head mage's party. Others will not know this, so just be prepared to be rejected from certain areas."

"Thank you for the advice," I said.

*I can't believe I don't even have to mine for information yet. They're just giving it to me for free.*

On the side of the large golden gates were smaller silver gates intended for one person to enter at a time. I thanked the guard once again as he unlocked the hatch, letting me through.

The door shut behind me with a *click*, and in front of me now was the rest of the city.

*It's looking pretty lively out here!*