Bank

The light of dawn surged through the city of Uilams' sky.

Adam sat up on the bed, yawning.

He looked over, and saw Yerlarain sleeping.

Her breaths were slow and deep.

The sunlight from the window gracing her face.

Stretching, he put on his set of armor.

Armor was not fun to sleep in.

Adam placed an arm on her shoulder and slowly shook her, saying: "It is time to wake up."

Grunting, she adjusted her position, her arms aligned, and legs tucked close to her.

Shaking her shoulder with slightly more force, her eyelashes fluttered slowly open.

Her gaze landing on Adam, her eyes springing open.

Groggy, she muttered: "Good morning." Her arms raising over her head, she stretched.

Turning around, her feet dangling to the floor.

Her eyes met Adam's, scratching her cheek, asking: "Could you maybe..."

Adam glanced at her, realizing what she meant, stating: "I will be downstairs."

Grabbing his halberd, and shutting the door behind him, Adam navigated down the steps of the inn.

There were a few adventurer's already enjoying a meal and Micheis was leaning against a wall.

Adam engaged in small talk, as he waited for Yerlarain to come down.

After a few minutes, she descended the steps, now changed into a dress, her hair brushed.

Micheis who was standing in the corner of the inn had a beaming smile as he noticed her.

Smiling Micheis said: "Good morning, Milady.",

"Good morning." She said as she nodded at him, her lips curved upwards, subtly smiling.

Soon, the entirety of the caravan crew was present.

Micheis looked over everyone, and stated: "As we our now at Uilam, the quest is nearly over."

"All that is left, for the escorts to do, is watching over Milady till we reach the Banker's Guild.

"Then, you are free to head back."

After everyone had eaten, they exited the inn.

The weather was day and night compared with yesterday's was a sight to see.

Cobblestone paths strewn across the ground.

Mansions, towers, and warehouses.

It left no doubt in Adam's mind that the city was flourishing.

With a bustling city, usually left bustling corruption.

'Oh well,' Adam thought, 'I will not be dealing with it.'

The caravan proceeded to head to a large building, positioned prominently in the front path into Uilam.

Several steps lead up into the entrance of it.

A large bag of coins was its sign.

Adam mused: 'The quest seems to be finished.' As Micheis and Yerlarain entered the building.

The glow of the inside parading onto their figures from their shoulders. He saw Yerlarain turn around for a moment and wave.

He nodded, and Yerlarain turned back. Her figure disappearing fully into the building.

Sighing, he looked behind him, and with slight resistance, the adventurer's turned around and left.

Rubbing the nape of his neck, Adam pondered.

Should he go? He did establish a connection with a noble family.

With such a connection, finding a ability he could take was possible.

His tongue grounded in his mouth, teeth meeting, he strolled up the steps.

'Guess I will hang around for a bit longer.' He mused.

Adam met up with Yerlarain and Micheis.

Wide desks were occupied by several uniformed individuals.

Frowning slightly, Micheis noticing Adam approaching, asked: "What are you doing here? The quest is over. Money will be sent, so you can go."

Shaking his head, their eyes meeting, Adam replied: "Not about the quest, I am here to help you out. This being not your territory, having me around wouldn't hurt should there be an issue."

Refuting, Micheis said, "There wont be an issu-" soon interrupted by Yerlarain, saying: "We would love to have you, Adam." Mild blush on her cheeks.

His voice stern, opposing her, he stated: "No Milady, we will be fine, and even if we do..."

"Its fine... no, rather, I insist." Yerlarain affirmed, her voice serious.

"He did save me. That counts for something does it not? " She asked, a frown on her face as she locked onto Micheis.

His brow furrowed, Micheis said: "Yes, but he is but a commoner, and he..."

"You know better than to worry about background. Do you not?" She asked, her eyes narrowed.

Sighing, Micheis said: "If you insist..." His words lingering.

Yerlarain turned to face Adam.

"While I did say you can be here, the business is important so do not involve yourself needlessly." Though Yerlarain's words were pointed, there was an undertone of care.

"I understand, I wont interfere if there is no need." Adam assured.

A smile peeking up from her lips, she said: "Good. "

Turning around, she said, "Then we have a meeting with the President of the Banker's Guild."

Adam following Micheis and Yerlarain, they walked up to the front desk.

Yerlarain informed the person stationed there, that there was a meeting scheduled between them.

Shortly, entering from a door in the back, a man dressed in a blue-black uniform with glasses showed up.

"Hello," He said, adjusting his glasses.

"You are..." The man said, his pupils floating to the corner, as if to recall a memory, "from House Violetstone, if my memory serves me right."

Nodding, Yerlarain said: "Yes, I Yerlarain Violetstone am here about the loan, Usiel Lartaunt."

Light refracting on their glasses, Usiel replied "Oh, yes. Then right this way."

He swiftly turned around, Adam, Micheis and Yerlarain followed, going through that the man had entered.

A wide desk with a leather seat faced the entrance with a few seats close to the door.

There were books, and papers placed on the desk.

'An office.' Adam noted.

Gesturing to the further chairs, Usiel said, pulling out the chair by the desk: "Please sit."

However, Adam knew he should avoid sitting. It wasn't his place to be involved.

Instead he stood by the entrance.

Meanwhile, Micheis stood by Yerlarain, who sat.

"Alright, if you need to stand, that's fine." Usiel said, shrugging.

His eyes narrowing, he stated: "So, about the loan you are seeking..."

An hour passed, their discussion concluding.

Yerlarain gasped, before she walked out of the room, grimacing.

Shoulders tensed, Micheis accompanied her as she did.

Nodding towards Usiel as he left, Adam followed, his brows raised, his hand on the mouth, no longer in the office.

Apparently, the Violetstone family was experiencing financial difficulties.

He gleaned as much from hearing mention of a loan.

However, upon listening to the conversation in the office, the difficulties he learned about were actually severe.

As they walked down the steps of the bank, Yerlarain her teeth gritting, she cursed: "Shit."

Their land was at risk of being lost and they did not get the loan.

Micheis patted her on the back.

Contrasting with his kind action, Micheis' eyes glinted in anger.

Nearly yelling, Yerlaina barked: "How are we supposed to keep the land now? The payments..."

Shaking her head, she mused. "The only quick way that comes to mind is through the arena..."

Her eyes seemed to glow, as she glanced at Adam.

"Arena... yes... The arena!" Her fist raised, she smiled.

Yerlarain's eyes on Adam, she asked: "You up to fight?"

His fists packed tight and raised to his face, Adam replied: "If it means protecting what matters to you, yeah."

Her lips quivering, her cheeks red, she said: "Yeah. Yeah, it does. "

Adam got a sinking feeling in his gut that it was wrong choice of words from him.

Even so, he was excited.

Now on the streets of Uilam, their backs again tall, they headed to the arena.

He may be able to find a suitable ability user there.