Chapter 26: Adventures in Eisenwald Pt.2
"Now that you two are officially adventurers, you must adhere to the rules of the Adventurers Guild," Syl said in a calm but firm voice, her golden eyes locking onto mine. "Failure to do so can result in the revocation of your Adventurer Card and severe consequences."
Her tone carried weight as she continued, "The rules are simple. You are forbidden from harming or killing other adventurers. Interfering with another adventurer's quest is strictly prohibited. Civilians must not be harmed under any circumstances. Any quest you accept must be completed, or you will face penalties ranging from fines to temporary bans—or even demotion." She paused for a moment, letting the gravity of her words sink in before adding, "And there are a few more detailed regulations, but you can find them all in this."
Syl placed a small book on the table, its leather cover embossed with the Adventurers Guild emblem. "Make sure to read through it when you have time."
I nodded as I accepted the book. Mirelle, sitting quietly beside me, gave an eager "Understood, Lady Syl!" which earned a soft smile from Syl.
Rising gracefully from her seat, Syl turned to us and asked, "What would you like to do next? Will you be taking on a quest right away, or do you have other plans for today?" Her voice had returned to its usual gentle tone as she guided us out of the registration room.
As we walked toward the main counter, we caught sight of Elaria waiting nearby. It was a small reminder that she had promised to show us around town.
"We'll start quests tomorrow," I replied to Syl as we approached the counter. "Elaria offered to guide us today, and we still need to find a place to stay."
Syl gave a small nod. "That sounds like a good plan. Rest is important after all. The Adventurers Guild looks forward to working with you two." Her warm smile followed us as she waved us off.
Mirelle and I made our way to Elaria, who perked up the moment she saw us. "It seems like you're all set!" she said cheerfully. "So, shall we start exploring the town?"
"Yes, please," I replied with a small bow. "But before anything else, we need to find an inn. We don't have a place to stay yet."
"Ah, right! A place to stay should come first." Elaria tilted her head thoughtfully before adding, "I know just the place. It's a cozy inn that caters specifically to female adventurers. It's close to both the guard tower and the Adventurers Guild, so it's very convenient."
"That sounds ideal. Would you guide us there?" I asked, glancing at Mirelle, who gave an enthusiastic nod.
"Of course!" Elaria replied, her voice lively as she placed her hands on her hips and pointed dramatically down the street. "Follow me—I'll take you to Mister's Inn!"
With that, we began our journey through the bustling streets of Eisenwald.
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As we strolled through the lively streets of Eisenwald, Elaria walked slightly ahead, her voice light and engaging as she explained various aspects of the town. She spoke of its vast size, the diverse goods offered by the stalls we passed, and places one should tread carefully or avoid altogether. The conversation flowed easily, with Elaria occasionally turning back to exchange comments with Mirelle and me. Her enthusiasm was infectious, and even Mirelle, who typically paid more attention to surroundings than words, was drawn into the chatter.
After a while, Elaria came to a halt in front of a large, inviting building. People were bustling in and out, some carrying packages, others chatting animatedly as they entered. Elaria pointed toward the wooden signboard hanging above the entrance, which bore the image of a plate and utensils framed by a large, blooming flower.
"Here we are—Ann and Rique's Inn!" she announced, raising her arm dramatically like a proud tour guide.
"This looks cozy," I remarked softly, exchanging a glance with Mirelle. She gave me a cheerful nod of agreement.
"Come on, let's head inside!" Elaria urged, already moving toward the entrance.
As soon as we stepped into the building, we were greeted by the warm aroma of baked bread and the sight of a neatly arranged dining area. A small girl, who looked no older than ten, was standing by the counter, her apron slightly oversized but adorable. With a bright, beaming smile, she called out to us energetically, "Welcome to Ann and Rique's Inn!"
Elaria's face lit up as she approached the girl. "Hi, little Ann! These two would like to book a room," she said, her tone unusually soft and affectionate.
The girl's eyes sparkled with joy as she recognized Elaria. "Elaria, you're back!" she exclaimed before launching herself into Elaria's arms.
Elaria caught her easily, spinning her around in a playful circle. "You've grown heavier, Annika! Are you eating properly?" she teased gently.
"Annika, behave yourself," came a calm, firm voice from across the room. Mirelle and I turned toward the source and saw a woman in a black apron walking toward us. Her composed demeanor and warm smile exuded a sense of reliability.
"I'm Ann, the innkeeper," she introduced herself. Her eyes flicked toward Elaria and the little girl before landing back on us. "I heard you're looking for a room?"
"Yes, Mirelle and I would like a room, please," I responded politely, clasping my hands in front of me.
Ann nodded and gestured toward the counter. "We offer rooms with anywhere from one to four beds. What kind do you need?"
"A two-bed room, please," I replied, glancing briefly at Mirelle to confirm. She smiled brightly but left the decision to me.
"Two-bed rooms are available," Ann confirmed, reaching under the counter to retrieve a key. "That'll be one small silver coin for a week."
I handed over the coin and received the key in exchange. "Thank you," I said, bowing slightly.
"The rooms are upstairs," Ann explained as she pointed toward a staircase. "This floor is for dining. Breakfast is complimentary, but lunch and dinner will be charged separately."
After settling into our room and taking a moment to freshen up, Mirelle and I returned downstairs to find Elaria waiting by the door.
"So, what's next on the agenda?" she asked, tilting her head slightly with a curious smile.
"We'd love for you to keep showing us around the town, if that's all right," I said, a little apologetic for asking more of her time.
"Of course! I'm happy to help," Elaria replied with a grin. "Since it's almost dinnertime, let's stick to the nearby places for now. We can save the rest for another day."
As we followed her out of the inn, she began pointing out various landmarks, her hands clasped behind her back as she walked. "First, we'll visit the town square. After that, we can stop by the church. And if we have time, I'll show you a few shops that might be useful." Her energetic pace made it hard not to match her enthusiasm.
With Mirelle at my side and Elaria leading the way, I felt a little more at ease in this unfamiliar town.
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As we arrived at the town square, it was bathed in the soft golden light of the setting sun. The warm glow accentuated the gentle hustle of people preparing for the evening. In the center of the square stood a large, ornate fountain, its cascading water reflecting the amber hues of the fading daylight.
Around the square, stall owners were busy arranging their wares, their movements illuminated by the flickering flames of newly lit lamps. The soft glow of the lamp posts blended with the warm light from the bars and restaurants lining the square, creating an inviting and almost magical atmosphere.
Children laughed and played near the fountain, their cheerful voices carrying through the air. Some chased each other in lively games, while a small group gathered near a man dressed in a green and white outfit. He strummed a lute, the gentle melody drawing smiles from both the children and the adults nearby.
The scene was vibrant, filled with life and color. It felt as if the entire square was a living painting, capturing a moment of warmth and community.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Elaria asked softly, her voice almost blending with the melody in the air. She stood still; her gaze fixed on the lively square. Her expression was serene, as though she was savoring the calming atmosphere and the joy surrounding us.
There was something undeniably kind and genuine about Elaria. In this moment, as she took in the scene before us, it felt like she was someone who truly appreciated the simple, heartfelt beauty of the world.