“When Guardsmen Krell returned from his patrol he was as white as a sheet, a death-grip on his spear and shield. So naturally I asked him "What's wrong mate? You look like you've seen a ghost. Need to see the medicae?" Now you might expect for him to tell me about some weird monster or another, or maybe laugh at an elaborate prank that almost had me worried witless. But when his mouth opened and something like a wraith or spirt flew, FLEW out of him and tried to get me? You bet your shiny Artes that I muttered a pray for him and ran like the saints themselves. I'm not paid enough to die like this.” - Report from Guards Aldrich Lauf: Why we need walls - Paranormal Encounter Near Grisigar's Farmstead

The sun cast a dying glow as it finally dipped past the horizon, the darkness that emerged a pale imitation of the horrifying terror of the one within the forest. Soldiers marched around, lighting the lanterns, their stiff backs and pompous gestures as one man ordered the second one to use his torch to tell the third to light the lantern, a comforting reminder of proper Carradorian military tradition. Excessive and completely pointless shows, Sophie thought to herself and grinned, it was a lot like how the house guards would raise their halberds, criss cross it, switch arms, small rotation, and then holding it back in their main hands every time Duke or Duchess Rosengart returned from outside the manor.

In contrast to the professional troopers, the town guards manning the checkpoint demonstrated the classic frontier attitude of ‘can I go home yet?’. Their saggy doublets and single coloured tabard covering a far cry from the plates afforded to the army troopers. Helmets and hats were few and far between as they languished in boredom at their posts, no sense of formality, style or motivation as they performed only cursory checks on the incoming wanderers. One particular guardsmen seemed different to his compatriots, a commanding officer unfortunately, and he would quip in every once in a while to scrutinise the crowd aggressively, overruling the guards on duty.

“Next in line!” Came the bellow and the party moved forward another inch, Thulgrim giving another “typical human bureaucrats” scoff before they moved up. Sara and Arnold fussed over Riza as they argued with each other on how the Maujurrin should be best taken care of after they talked to the guild master. Sophie on the other hand could tell that Annalise tried to give her some space, but her worried glances only caused more anxiety and Sophie elected to stay within the ranger’s sight lines and calm her nerves.

Gil and Markus were busy going through their respective reports and trying to fill in the gaps from when each group separated until now. The Crows for their part were not the only ones wary of her, every once in a while a nearby traveler or wanderer would cast a questioning glance at Sophie and every time she could feel her skin crawl from the unwelcoming gaze.

Only when the sun was truly gone did they finally reach the checkpoint. Evidently Gil and Markus knew the guard well enough and Sophie couldn’t see what happened but the man checked their permits and tags before hurriedly waving them along before the commander returned. They had almost gone fully past the building when misfortune struck and the commander flagged down their wagon and brought two guardsmen over to go through everything. It almost went well, they were all adventurers with their permits and tags, the cargo was registered, pretty much all was set, except for the half elf with no documentation on her whatsoever.

“So? Someone mind explaining to me why you’re smuggling subversive elements in Eichafen?” The officer demanded, his veins threatening to burst.

“Like I said sir, we rescued her from the Mistveil and need her testimony for the after action report.” Gil repeated for the sixth time.

“You can just deliver her response verbally, there’s no justifiable reason to bring a potential spy into the city. Even then just finding a stray elf inside the deep woods, might I remind you, seems a little too convenient? A little too much like a Minoran plot to subvert Eichafen’s defences before an invasion?”

“I can assure you that is not the case sir. In the situation we found her in and the wounds she sustained from the actual assailants it seems improbable that she is a plant. ”

“How can you be so sure? What if…”

And on they went, the officer relentlessly bombarding Gil as he continued responding to no avail. Even the guards the officer brought alone grew bored, at first they looked at Sophie with disdain but after a few minutes even they had a look of suffering etched onto their faces.

Then another minute and another had passed and by now Sophie was just taking in the view of the bastion city being illuminated by streetlights and torches. Sconces and lamps lined the walls and it was like a parade was being thrown with how well lit it became despite the night sky. The Crows and most of the party had already gone ahead to town and just as Sophie was debating to just walk away and see how the guards would respond, a sudden shout got everyone’s attention.

An entourage of sorts rolled down the pathway with striped red and blue flags fluttering as horsemen held their banners aloft. Stars adorned the fabric and Sophie recognised it as heraldry of the Church. With a surprised splutter the commander broke away to address the arrivals and Gil and Annalise quickly dragged Sophie away before the man returned, the two other guardsmen watching impassively as the trio escaped.

A few minutes of brisk walking and they had passed the first ‘wall’. Sophie was a little disappointed, from afar the wooden palisades seemed formidable but as they got closer she found that not many of the segments were connected, no gates or other such defences. It seemed almost like an afterthought, like someone said “we should build walls” and they just plopped something down and called it a day. Understandably, the wooden cabins, huts and shanty towns weren’t exactly a stellar representation of the city and most of it was hidden behind the wooden palisades, a far cry from the tiled townhouses beyond the stonewalls. Still, she supposed it had sort of a rustic charm to it, though she dreaded to think how the people would defend themselves should disaster come.

On the other hand the wooden houses ended where the tall stone walls began. Three stories tall, it towered over the shanty town outside, the squat barely single story buildings at best seemed so insignificant under the watchful gaze of the bastion. Countless torches and lanterns moved about the walls indicated a large contingent of active guards. The large gate house, loomed over the road, and though according to Annalise the ‘Hero’s Gate’ remains open almost all the time, they will be closed should the town fall into a state of emergency. The massive reinforced iron wood gate was adorned with countless symbols, griffins, stags, gods, and all manner of house sigils that announced to all who entered the true noble houses of Eichafen.

It was here that Gil and Annalise shared a look before pulling her aside, throwing her hood on before a slightly more concerned look was shared.

“Listen Sophie, when you’re in town don’t take it off, if anyone asks you’re with our adventuring party got it?” Annalise asked, her tone far sterner than she ever used.

“Mmhmm.” Sophie nodded, “But if you uhh don’t mind, why? Not that I will take it off, I’m just curious.”

“You know about the war? Well during the was it the second? Battle of Marshwell Ridge?” She looked to Gil and got an affirming nod, “During the second battle of Marshwell Ridge most of the casualties on our, er Carrador’s side were from here, so let’s just say they’re a little uhh on edge when it comes to elves to say the least.”

“But I mean why in the walls and not outside?”

“Oh, well let’s just say people outside are usually uncaring or ambivalent, or they have more important things to care about despite some dirty looks thrown your way.”

Annalise and Sophie both shared a grim look as they recalled the unpleasant tailor.

“Something like that but worse,” Annalise began, as if she read Sophie’s mind, “think of that guy and then add in the fact that there is an entire elven district in the city, and neither side are exactly welcoming to the other. With their children lost and now being forced to cede space to the former occupiers, people aren’t exactly pleased to see more of well, your kin.”

“But then how…”

“How did they make the district?”

Sophie nodded.

“Minora pushed deep, and I mean deep into Carrador during the first war, one forceful occupation and subsequent removal later. A large enough group was left behind to successfully, I might add, successfully argue for the creation of a specialised elven district. Wealthy, blue blooded and arrogant to a fault, they didn’t exactly earn a good reputation with that stunt.”

"But didn't Carrador win? I mean that's what the historical records show." Sophie asked.

"Yeah, but the only reason was at the Battle of Marshwell after almost a month of massed charges against the Minoran lines, they finally decided to broker peace under the stipulation that 'none may harm the interests of the elven people' blah blah and well, King Edelin the first, the current one's father, had bled the realm enough that he pretty much accepted any terms that were vaguely favorable. One thing after and another and the entire district in Eichafen was ceded to the elven lord who occupied the region during the war."

That sounds par for the course, Sophie thought gloomily. She had hoped that perhaps her kin were as Eva might say, “Malluable and redeemable” and in turn strive to do better themselves, and perhaps even help her understand more about herself. But judging by how even Gil and Annalise seemed to despise them, Sophie was not looking forward to meeting them. Still until she could get some concrete information on what happened moping about was not quite an option yet.

Their steps on dirt and grass turned into a forceful tapping on the cobbled streets, another footnote amongst the hundreds others still wandering the streets in the evening. It was like a second feeling entirely, no longer the more rustic and solemn farmland or shanty town feel which permeated the outside, even at night the city was wide awake.

Rows of street lamps hung in between every other building as a sturdy mix of treated wood and stone brick townhouses lined the streets. Boisterous arguing, drinking, laughing, all coalesced around Sophie’s ear as they passed the gate, a portal into a realm of revelry and life. A few curious onlookers and guards taking a moment of their busy days to spare a glance before turning away, after all, random travellers arriving in Eichafen was nothing special, adventurers even less so. Scattered pockets of merchants still haggling with customers as a kaleidoscope of outfits blanketed the streets, from greens to blues to purples and a whole mixture of palettes she was sure Eva would’ve loved to visit.

“Welcome to Eichafen Sophie, you can take a breather after we talk with the guild master. Then we’ll get you settled in and reconvene tomorrow, maybe Annalise can show you around the city too.” Gil interrupted her thoughts with a tired smile.

Sophie nodded appreciatively and turned to look at Annalise who gave her head a comforting pat.

“For now though try to keep your focus, the guildhall might be a bit overwhelming and it doubles as free room and board so…”

“Gil’s saying it’ll be loud and messy so just stay close when we get to it.”

“Uhn!” Sophie grunted her response, a strange sense of dread overtaking her. It was the same rumbling inside whenever she needed to report to head maid Hilda or the Duchess. Like a little girl knowing she was going to be scolded no matter what excuse she had or whatever reason. Leaving her to wait in anxious agony as the two accessed her abilities and skills, always finding her lacking one way or another.

They soon found themselves passing an archway into the Grand Heldplatz, a series of large interconnected streets that ended in an open square centred around a beautiful marble fountain. Inns, brothels, market stalls and taverns dotted the street with affordable lodging along the way, but what stood out was the large three story building just past the fountain, as wide as it was tall. A large dull grey stone brick structure covered with random symbols, swords and heraldry, a centre of security for wanderers, and a place for those in need, The Wayward Court or more colloquially known as The Adventurer’s Guild. Often tasked with clearing out monsters and assisting villages far from the security of local garrisons such as Rumhol. These rugged men and women also secured the many ruins and structures that still remained unexplored, be it from ancient wars or hubris, too far from the light of civilisation or too cursed by the taint of darkness.

Originally from the city state of Arteria, the guild was formerly a branch of the city guard specialised in monster hunting near the Arterian foothills. Distinguishing themselves during The Fourth Dark Tide with the support of multiple outworlders and their skills and prowess, they were eventually allowed to be commissioned by Arteria’s neighbours in combating monstrous remnants from the war. After becoming sent all across the realms, they eventually broke off from Arteria and moved their headquarters to the ‘City of Guilds’ or Abenstadt, along with many others who now all operated as independent entities in service to no particular king or country. Though many would argue that the guild hall in Arteria was still the grandest and most renowned of them all, and even now there are debates to move the headquarters back.

However the mere presence of a guild promoted heavy foot traffic which kept the area busy but also allowed more than a few greedy merchants around trying to capitalize on loot laden adventurers looking to celebrate their accomplishments. And even now as the night drew on, hawkers and vendors still soldiered on, trying to entice their last few customers before they closed up shop. Baubles, curios and all manner of edible things drew her attention but Sophie shook her head and steadfastly followed the other two, though she did gaze longingly at a grilled raptor skewer before a small tug kept her moving.

As the trio pushed open the double doors they found the guild still buzzing with a flurry of activity. Adventurers dotted the large hall as men and women crowded around the postings for the day, jobs rating from: Bronze, Steel, Tin, Copper, and down to Lead. Most of the groups allowed to tackle Lead level jobs such as hunting animals, or clearing the occasional goblin lair.

Beyond this group lay the lounge area reserved for Silver ranks or higher, though realistically, only Golds and Silvers loaf around the guild; Mithrils usually worked for countries directly whilst Platinum and exalted Adamantine rankers are rare enough that even her stories only vaguely depict them as people with world changing powers. That much she remembered from Eva harping on about traveling the world as an outlander adventurer, and giggled at the thought.

With a slick nod to the desk clerk Gil and Annalise escorted her past the backroom lounge, ignoring the questioning gazes of the few silvers and golds lingering in the area as they moved upstairs to the main offices.

As they headed up the stairs she took a moment to gaze at the plaques lining the wall, showing off Platinum and Adamantine ranked heroes. A familiar sense of nostalgia as Sophie remembered reading about people like these in Eva’s books. Berit One-Arm, self described ‘cowboy’ of the western isles; Morwenir the Bald Sage, a man whose magic terraformed the land itself to create a barrier against the darkness; Yulia the Demon, a vicious assassin turned do-gooder who helped during the Fourth Dark Tide; and Kirin the Swordsage, a brilliant sword master from Kaori/Eva’s homeland; even in memorial they look so cool. They passed several more portraits until the reached a set of double doors at the end of the wall, a faint murmuring emerging from within. With reassuring hands gripping both her shoulders they pushed open the door to the assembled crowd within.

A muscular old man white whose form suggested youth though his features were wrinkled and hair growing grey, stood up to greet the new arrivals with a courteous bow and on instinct Sophie quickly dipped down in acknowledgement. Left leg forward, right arm outstretched, head and back perpendicular to the ground.

“Hah!” The old man barked, “Either well rehearsed or definitely some noble’s servant alright. Well practiced and did you see the angle of her arm, classic courtly flare. Well met young…er Sophie was it?” He stroked his chin approvingly.

Hastily giving the man a nod, she found the surrounding crowd mildly amused at her entrance. The Crows were mostly lounging on the couches in the room as Markus sat in front of the old man’s desk with Sara. Arnold, Thulgrim and Riza sat around a small coffee table nursing some drinks and snacks. The only real strangers to her were the old man, a surprisingly lithe and tall elven lady dressed in clerical attire, likely a secretary for the guild, and another middle aged man in armour, a scar running across his face suggesting another veteran adventurer captain of sorts. But all the same she still felt quite intimidated.

“Sorry for the holdup, the guards were…quite insistent on our full life histories to the finest detailed fragments.” Gil said with a huff as he acknowledged the parties present, earning a small chuckle from Markus and the older man.

“Gil.”

“Sara.” He replied as the exhausted medic rotated to the table to join the others, just in time for Sophie to catch an excited wave from Riza.

Annalise closed the door and leaned herself against a nearby wall between bookshelves and gestured for Sophie to remove her hood.

Obeying the command she pulled down her hood and felt quite a bit more exposed as her ears popped back out from under it. The amused gazes from the three strangers proved to be a little unnerving. Taking a moment to compose herself she looked around the room, varnished oak floors and walls created a comfy atmosphere as the carpeted rest space where the others occupied contained small shelves, couches and tables. Beyond them a painting of some handsome figure hung low over another series of bookcases and a small desk where two jugs and a few empty glasses rested, the refreshments she assumed. By the intricately decorated and carved dark oak desk was another wall fill with book and equipment shelves, a few chairs surrounding the desk and obviously the guildmaster’s work space, a setup not too unfamiliar to the Duchess’s study.

Her eyes recognised a few titles, On Places of Perild: Beyond the Veil, Beginner’s Guide to Adventuring, Hero's of the Third Era, Defenders of Arteria: Yulia the Avenger and even The Adventures of Gunmar and Aurelia: Heart of the Shadow Prince Book 4 of the series, an earlier story.

“Find something you like?” The guildmaster’s sudden question startled back to the matter at hand.

“Geh!” She yelped in alarm, and a wave of laughter coursed through the room and Sophie shrunk slightly between her shoulders, embarrassed at being too focused on the books.

“Take it you heard none of what I said before?” He continued with a cheeky grin and Sophie could only look helplessly at Annalise as the ranger fought to burst out laughing.

With a sigh and a cough to hide her composure Annalise came to her rescue once more.

“So the question was do you have anything to add to Sara’s summary of events and yourself, I’m going to just assume the answer is no, but if you do have something to say, now’s the time.”

“Ah! Sorry, um…um sir.” Sophie awkwardly bowed and the old man gave her a hearty chuckle.

“It’s alright, now that you three are finally here, perhaps some introductions are in order.” He gestured to the veteran, “This is Captain Synreos, he leads the Savage Griffins, the other gold rank team currently based in Eichafen aside from the Crows whom you’ve already met.”

Sophie shared a curt but polite nod with the silent man.

He then pointed to the elven lady, “This is Secretary Nyria, she’s the third in command besides the vice guild master but he’s off in a meeting on my behalf with the church. You can usually find her around the hall and she can take care of extraordinary needs for your expeditions.”

With the stern gaze of a diligent taskmaster, Nyria extended her hand and Sophie gingerly approached to shake it.

“Pleasure to meet you.” Nyria said cooly.

“L-likewise.” Sophie replied rather nervously, earning a small chuckle from the guild master.

The old man pointed to himself and made an over dramatic bow, “And I am Guild Master Albert Neart, though you can just call me Master Albert for simplicity's sake, I was seconded over from Melton to this posting, in case you were curious about my last name.”

Sophie gave a hasty acknowledgement as she stood at attention.

“Now relax a little, and forgive me if anyone has prior engagements, please see to your lodgings if you need but I would like to hear the full account from her as well if it’s quite alright? Every little detail might help us pinpoint exactly what is going on.” He added, giving everyone a small nod to give his permission to leave. Though everyone seemed tired of exhaustion from the forced march from Rumhol, after sharing a few collective glances they all seemed determined enough to stay. Her nerves rattled even more at the thought of speaking to such a large crowd.

“Very well then.” Master Albert accepted, “Madam Sophie you may begin whenever, and please do get a drink if you’re thirsty, we have water and apricot juice.” He tilted his head to the jugs on the opposite corner.

Unwilling to take up everyone’s time she gave a nervous cough as she began.

“Umm…well…err I was injured from…work when I was in my lady’s chambers reading, she had ordered me to rest there you see and then…”