Rowan leaned back against the wooden counter of the registry office, her arms crossed as she gave Aeliana an amused look. "That's the rule, yeah," she admitted. "But let's just say… rules bend when enough people want your services."
The clerk behind the desk—a tired-looking elf with ink-stained fingers—glanced up from his ledger. "More like break entirely," he muttered, scribbling down something before pushing a parchment forward. "Captain Rowan Vale is one of the highest-ranked independent adventurers. The guild makes an exception for her."
Kael raised an eyebrow. "Just like that?"
The clerk snorted. "You think it's that easy? She's fought for it. Brought in enough rare bounties, completed high-risk jobs most guild parties wouldn't touch, and—" He hesitated before adjusting his glasses. "She's also got some very wealthy clients who keep her name on the list of 'untouchable' adventurers."