A Smile and a Secret
The morning sun filtered through the tall glass panes of the Silverhaven Guild Hall, casting soft gold light over the worn wooden beams of the tavern. The scent of fresh bread, sizzling meats, and herbal tea filled the air. Adventurers trickled in and out, some fresh from bed, others dragging in with grime-covered boots and barely-open eyes.
At one corner of the tavern, Selena sat with a plate piled high with scrambled eggs, roasted tomatoes, and sweet, buttered bread. Her copper-brown hair was still a little tousled from sleep, and her eyes sparkled as she hummed a cheerful tune between bites.
Selena: Mmmh!
she said through a mouthful, grinning at a sleepy waitress.
Selena: Tell the cook I'll marry him.
The waitress chuckled. You're not the first to offer.
At the other end of the guild hall, Red stood in front of the quest board, half-shrouded by shadows cast from the ceiling beams above. Though unarmored for now, just in a plain black shirt and traveler's coat, his presence still kept the younger adventurers at a respectful distance.
His eyes moved across the parchment notices pinned to the board.
Most were minor errands. Monster culling. Merchant escorts. One involved removing a small ogre from a clogged mining tunnel in the west.
Not helpful.
But there, his gaze landed on one that seemed innocuous.
Location: Elmsbrook Village. North sector.
A "herbalist aid" request. Pick specific medicinal herbs in a marshy grove outside the village. Reward: 3 silver coins.
To the untrained eye, it was a common rookie quest. But the coordinates listed matched exactly with the northern location from the scroll he had received the night before. The same point marked by the Midnight Pact.
His brow furrowed.
So that was the place.
Whether it was chance or careful manipulation by the Pact, someone had ensured it would draw eyes and boots to the village.
And then...
Selena: Reeeed!
Selena's voice, full of joy, rang out behind him.
He turned, already half-expecting her to be carrying half of her breakfast on her shirt.
Selena: Look! Look at this one!
she said, bounding up beside him and nearly tripping over her own feet. She pointed up at the very same quest he'd just been studying.
Selena: Herb picking! Isn't it perfect?
Red raised an eyebrow.
Red: You're excited about picking weeds in a swamp?
Selena: It's medicinal!" she said with a grin.
Selena: And look!!!three whole silver coins! For picking flowers! That's like… one and a half roasted turkeys. Or maybe two if they're small!"
She tilted her head and glanced at him.
Selena: Besides, I'm getting good at slime squishing, but I want to see more of the world, you know? You promised we'd go further someday.
Red gave a quiet nod, his thoughts already racing beneath the surface.
This was ideal.
It was the very place the Pact had sent him, close enough to investigate without raising suspicion. And if they entered under the guise of a simple herb-picking quest, no one would connect him to the deeper investigation.
Selena's excitement was genuine. And for her, it would stay that way.
Red: All right, We'll take it.
Selena: Really?!
she beamed, hopping once on her boots.
Selena: Yes!
She darted toward Receptionist Sophia at the quest counter to accept it, practically skipping. Red watched her go with a faint exhale.
It was strange...how quickly someone else's energy could fill a room. How her joy made the idea of walking into darkness feel… lighter. Not easier. But lighter.
Receptionist Sophia handed the quest paper to Selena with a wink.
Receptionist Sophia: Be careful near Elmsbrook. Nice folks, but it's quiet country. Don't wander off in the marshes.
Selena: We'll be fine!
Selena chirped, already bouncing back to Red's side.
Receptionist Sophia raised an eyebrow at Red.
Receptionist Sophia: Don't let her drown in mud, will you?
Red: She floats, he replied dryly, earning a light-hearted scoff.
As they left the tavern, Selena jabbered excitedly.
Selena: I read about Elmsbrook once in a storybook! It said the village was surrounded by mossy woods and little creeks full of glowing frogs. They used to hold moon festivals and hang lanterns from trees. Isn't that pretty?
Red: It's remote
Red said, keeping his voice neutral.
Red: Small. Not many travelers go through.
Selena: Then all the better!, Quiet places! Maybe I'll pick up some herbalism skills. Oh! Do you think I can make potions one day? I could be like… Adventurer-Healer-Potion-Girl!
Red: Catchy...
Selena: You're mocking me, aren't you?
Red: Just a little.
She stuck her tongue out at him, then hopped along the stone path as they made their way through the Silverhaven gates, leaving the city behind.
Elmsbrook lay about a day's walk to the north, nestled between rolling woodlands and low ridgelines veiled in mist. The road there was narrow, flanked by tall grass and old fences long reclaimed by moss and vine.
As they traveled, Red's demeanor remained unreadable. But he noted every sound. Every shift in the trees. The further north they went, the quieter the birdsong became.
Whatever stirred near Elmsbrook, it had begun affecting nature itself.
Beside him, Selena cheerfully named wildflowers, waved at dragonflies, and occasionally threw a stick at suspicious-looking bushes, just in case they were mimics. She chatted about herbs and dreamt of opening a traveling alchemy cart, unaware that her chosen quest had drawn her into the margins of something far older and far darker.
At one point she asked,
Selena: Hey Red… do you think people are happier in little villages like Elmsbrook?
He didn't answer immediately.
Red: Sometimes, But not always.
She gave a quiet hum of thought, then smiled anyway.
Selena: Well, if we meet anyone who looks unhappy, I'll share some of my silver with them. Or cookies. That usually works too.
Red couldn't help it...he smiled faintly.
They pressed on.
By evening, the worn wooden sign that read "Elmsbrook – 1 mile" came into view, half-buried in ivy and tilted to one side.
The sun dipped low behind the hills, casting long shadows across the overgrown trail ahead. And somewhere, faintly, Red heard the rustling of leaves that didn't match the wind.
Selena walked ahead, still humming to herself.
And Red followed, quiet, alert, and fully aware.
The hunt had begun.