Chapter 48: The Guild [Bonus]

Chapter 48: Chapter 48: The Guild [Bonus]

The wagon rolled through the east gate of Green Lake City. The road was well-maintained. Wide. Smooth. It curved through a stretch of forest, the trees tall and green on either side. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground.

Daniel sat in the back of the wagon, his slip clutched in his hand. Lyra sat beside him, her own slip in her lap. Fluffy was curled up between them, her head resting on Daniel’s thigh. Her ears twitched occasionally, tracking sounds in the forest.

"Master," Fluffy said, her voice sleepy. "Where are we going?"

"To the guild," Daniel said. "Our new home."

Fluffy nodded. She didn’t ask more questions. She just closed her eyes and drifted off.

The wagon rounded a bend. The trees parted. And Daniel saw it.

The guild.

His mouth fell open.

It was huge. Massive. The size of a large town. Walls of dark stone surrounded it, tall and imposing. Towers rose from within, their tops disappearing into the clouds. Buildings sprawled across the landscape, connected by bridges and walkways. Flags flew from the battlements, bearing the symbol of the Night Owl.

Lyra grabbed Daniel’s arm. Her fingers dug into his sleeve.

"It’s... it’s enormous," she whispered.

Daniel nodded. He couldn’t speak. He just stared.

The wagon rolled toward the main gate. Two guards stood on either side. One was alert. Standing straight. His eyes scanned the approaching wagon. The other was slumped against the wall. Sleeping.

The alert guard noticed the wagon. He nudged his partner.

"Wake up," he hissed. "We have visitors."

The sleeping guard jerked awake. He scrambled to his feet. He straightened his armor. He tried to look professional.

The wagon stopped in front of the gate. The driver climbed down and helped Daniel, Lyra, and Fluffy out. Then he climbed back onto the wagon and drove away without a word.

Daniel looked at the guards. They looked at him. At Lyra. At Fluffy.

"Slips," the alert guard said.

Daniel handed over his slip. Lyra handed over hers. The guard examined them. Then he nodded.

"New members," he said. "F rank. Follow me."

He led them through the gate. The sleeping guard stayed behind, trying to look like he hadn’t just been asleep.

They walked through the guild. Daniel’s head swiveled left and right, trying to take it all in. Buildings. People. Adventurers in armor, carrying weapons. Merchants selling goods from stalls. Children running through the streets. It was like a small city.

The guard led them to a section near the edge of the guild. The buildings here were smaller. Simpler. The people were younger. Less experienced.

"This is the F rank area," the guard said. "Dormitories. Shops. Training grounds. Everything you need."

He gestured at a large building to their left. "That’s the dormitory. Men on the left side. Women on the right. You’ll get your keys at the front desk."

Daniel nodded. "What about currency?"

The guard shook his head. "Contribution points only. You earn them by completing missions. You spend them on food, supplies, equipment. Everything."

Daniel looked at his slip. At his contribution points. Zero.

"We have a lot of work to do," he muttered.

The guard led them to the dormitory. The front desk was manned by an old woman with sharp eyes and a no-nonsense expression.

"New members?" she asked.

"Yes," Daniel said.

She held out her hand. Daniel and Lyra gave her their slips. She examined them. Then she reached under the desk and pulled out two keys.

"Room 37," she said, handing a key to Daniel. "Boys’ side."

"Room 42," she said, handing a key to Lyra. "Girls’ side."

Daniel looked at his key. At the number 37. Then at Lyra’s key. At the number 42.

"Any chance we could get rooms closer together?" he asked.

The old woman stared at him. "No."

"Okay. Just asking."

Lyra took her key. She looked at Daniel. "I guess this is goodbye for now."

Daniel nodded. "For now. We’ll meet up tomorrow."

"Library?"

"Library."

Lyra smiled. She turned and walked toward the girls’ side of the dormitory.

Daniel watched her go. Then he looked at Fluffy. She was standing beside him, her ears drooping.

"You’re with me," he said.

Fluffy nodded. Her ears perked up slightly.

Daniel turned to the guard. "One more thing. Where’s the library?"

The guard shook his head. "Library’s closed today. You should head to your room before it gets dark."

Daniel frowned. "Closed?"

"Yeah. Opens tomorrow. You can find it then." The guard turned and walked away.

Daniel sighed. He looked at Fluffy. She looked at him.

"Well," he said. "Let’s go find our room."

They walked down the hallway. Past doors with numbers. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36.

37.

Daniel stopped in front of the door. He inserted the key. He turned the lock. He pushed the door open.

The room was small but clean. Two beds. A desk. A window overlooking the guild grounds. A small closet. It was simple. Functional. It would do.

But there was someone already inside.

A man was sitting on one of the beds. His legs were crossed. His eyes were closed. His hands rested on his knees. He was meditating.

He was handsome. Very handsome. Dark hair. Strong jaw. High cheekbones. The kind of face that made women stop and stare. He was shirtless, his muscles defined and toned.

Daniel stared at him. Fluffy hid behind Daniel’s leg.

The man spoke. His eyes still closed.

"Nah, nah, girls," he said. "I already told you. You will get more of me tomorrow."