First Steps

The next morning, Jabrami woke up early, feeling refreshed and ready for the day ahead. He gathered his belongings, making sure Zar'kul's figurine was safely tucked away in his pocket. Elysantra was already awake, her eyes reflecting a mix of determination and caution.

"Ready to dive into the shadows, Ram?" she asked, her voice steady but with a hint of concern. "Remember, no flashy entrances or dramatic beard flips. We're going for 'stealthy and dangerous,' not 'flamboyant dwarf with a death wish.'"

Jabrami nodded, his expression resolute but with a glint of excitement in his eyes. "Ready as I'll ever be. Ready to show them that the best shadows come in small packages. They think they know shadows? Wait till they meet someone who's lived his whole life underground."

Elysantra gave him a small smile, though her eyes remained serious. "Just remember, the goal is to gain their trust. Be confident, but not cocky. Show them what you're capable of, but don't reveal all your cards at once. And for the love of all that's shadowy, try not to make too many dwarf jokes. We're infiltrating a thieves' guild, not auditioning for a comedy troupe."

Jabrami took a deep breath, steeling himself for what lay ahead. "Don't worry, Elya. I'll be as stealthy and mysterious as a shadow in a coal mine. Though I can't promise about the dwarf jokes. They're a vital part of my charm, you know. How else will I disarm them with my wit?"

With that, Jabrami set out for the guild headquarters, his steps steady and his mind focused. He made his way through the bustling streets of Rivermarch, blending in with the crowd as best he could. His dwarven stature made him stand out somewhat, but he had learned from his time in the Deeperdark how to move unseen when he needed to.

As he arrived in the old market district, his pace slowed. He took care to behave like any other person on the street, his eyes scanning the area for any signs of the guild headquarters. After a moment, he finally noticed the building Elysantra had described.

Using the stealth skills he had honed in the Deeperdark, Jabrami slipped into a dark alley and then made his way onto the rooftops. He navigated the rooftops with agility, his movements swift and silent. From his vantage point, he began to circle the headquarters, observing the area carefully.

As he moved around the building, he noticed several people hiding in strategic positions. One was watching from a window of an opposite building, another from a balcony, a third disguised as a beggar on the street, and one on the roof not too far from him.

Still moving with stealth and agility, Jabrami approached the person on the roof. With lightning-fast reflexes, he placed his saber-claw knife against the man's neck and said in a confident voice, "Well, hello there. Lovely view from up here, isn't it? I don't suppose you'd mind showing me the way to the Shadowblade Guild? I hear they throw the most delightful parties. Very hush-hush, very exclusive."

The man tensed but didn't struggle. "Who in the shadows are you?" he asked, his voice steady despite the knife at his throat.

Jabrami replied calmly, his voice carrying a hint of amusement, "Oh, just a dwarf looking to expand his career options. Underground mining is so last season, you know. Thought I'd try my hand at some above-ground shadowy business. Heard you folks were hiring. Any chance you're in need of a bearded maestro of mischief?"

The man led Jabrami to a hidden entrance on the roof, revealing a trapdoor that blended seamlessly with the surrounding tiles. He opened it, gesturing for Jabrami to enter. "Welcome to the Shadowblade Guild," the man said, his voice tinged with a mix of respect and caution. "Try not to get lost in the shadows. They tend to swallow up the unprepared... and the short."

Jabrami descended into the building, his senses on high alert. He knew that he had made a strong first impression, but the real test was yet to come. As soon as his feet touched the floor of the building, they stopped as if set in stone. Probably some warding magic to prevent intruders, he realized. A voice from the shadows asked, "Who are you? What are you doing here?"

Jabrami, unable to resist, quipped, "Oh, you know, just dropping in to see if the rumors about your hospitality are true. I heard you throw the most killer parties in town. Emphasis on 'killer,' I assume? Or is that just clever marketing?"

The person asking him gave him a stern look and said, "You have five seconds before I introduce you to the sharp end of my blade."

Jabrami quickly explained, his tone becoming more serious but still with a hint of his usual humor, "Whoa there, easy on the stabby thoughts. I just finished your charming little cave challenge. Thought I'd pop by and see if there were any job openings for a dwarf who's good at navigating dark, dangerous places. Ring any bells? Or should I have sent a raven with my resume?"

The guy's eyes softened slightly, and he welcomed Jabrami. "Ah, you must be the one we've been expecting. Master Alric is waiting for you. Try not to touch anything on the way. We'd hate to have to clean dwarf off the walls. It tends to stain."

Jabrami nodded and followed the man through the dimly lit corridors of the guild headquarters. "Noted. I'll keep my hands to myself. Though I can't promise the same for my beard. It has a mind of its own sometimes."

The building was a maze of narrow hallways and hidden doors, each step taking him deeper into the heart of the Shadowblade Guild. As they walked, Jabrami took note of the various guards and members they passed. Each one eyed him with a mix of curiosity and suspicion, but no one stopped them. The atmosphere was tense, filled with an undercurrent of danger and secrecy.

Finally, they reached a large, ornate door. The man knocked, and a voice from within called, "Enter."

The door swung open to reveal a spacious office, filled with books and maps. Behind a large desk sat a man with sharp features and piercing eyes. He looked up as Jabrami entered, his gaze assessing.

"Master Alric," the man who had led Jabrami said, "this one says he completed the cave challenge."

Master Alric nodded, his eyes never leaving Jabrami. "Well, well. I must admit, I wasn't really expecting you. It's pretty rare for someone to survive the cave challenge, and even rarer for them to be on time. You've pleasantly surprised me, little one."

Jabrami maintained a neutral expression, acknowledging the compliment with a slight nod. "What can I say? I'm full of surprises. It's a talent of mine, along with not dying in dark, scary places. Comes with the territory when you grow up underground."

Master Alric continued, his tone businesslike, "Your next task will be to infiltrate a rival guild and retrieve a valuable artifact. Details will be provided later. For now, get settled in. You'll be given a room and supplies. Try not to break anything with that axe of yours."

Jabrami nodded, understanding the weight of the task ahead. "Infiltration and theft? Sounds like a typical Tuesday for me. Though I prefer my trusty knives to an axe. Less noisy, you see. And easier to conceal in my beard."

Master Alric leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled. "Good. Now, let's get you acquainted with the guild." He raised his voice slightly and called out, "Kael!"

A moment later, the door to the office opened, and a tall, lean figure stepped inside. The man had a scar running down his cheek and moved with a grace that suggested years of training. "Yes, Master?" he said, his voice steady and respectful.

Master Alric gestured to Jabrami. "Kael, this is our newest recruit. Give him a tour of the guild and show him to his quarters. Make sure he doesn't get lost or 'accidentally' stumble into any restricted areas."

Kael nodded, his eyes briefly assessing Jabrami before turning back to Master Alric. "Of course, Master. I'll take care of it. I'll make sure our... short friend here stays on the straight and narrow. Well, as straight and narrow as we get around here."

Master Alric turned his attention back to Jabrami. "Kael will show you around. Listen to him, and you'll do well here. Disobey, and... well, let's just say we have ways of dealing with troublemakers."

Jabrami nodded, understanding the importance of following the guild's protocols. "Thank you, Master Alric. I'll be on my best behavior."

With that, Kael led Jabrami out of the office and into the corridors of the guild headquarters. As they walked, Kael began to explain the layout of the building and the various areas Jabrami would need to know.

"We're currently on the top floor," Kael said as they walked down a dimly lit corridor. "Each lower level is for members who are more and more accomplished. The hierarchy is strict here. Try not to fall down the stairs and end up where you don't belong."

Jabrami nodded, taking in the information. "Got it. So, the higher up you are, the lower down you go. Makes perfect sense in a backwards sort of way. Very on-brand for a shadowy guild."

Kael continued, "The building extends underground as well. I'm not sure how many levels there are, but I've never been lower than the ground level. You'll be living on the third floor, which is the one below this one. If you prove yourself, you'll be able to get a bigger room. Maybe even one where you can stand up straight."

Jabrami listened intently, committing the details to memory. "Ah, room for growth. Literally. I like it. Between you and me, I'm quite used to low ceilings. Comes with the whole dwarf thing."

Kael paused and turned to face Jabrami. "One more thing; nobody who is not part of the guild can come here. Security is tight, and outsiders are not welcome. That includes any drinking buddies you might have left behind in whatever mine you crawled out of."

Jabrami acknowledged the warning with a nod. "Understood. No outsiders. Got it. Have to point out, you're really missing out on some quality dwarven ale. It'll put hair on your chest... and probably everywhere else too."

Kael reached into his pocket and pulled out a small token, handing it to Jabrami. "This will allow you to enter and leave without any problems. Keep it with you at all times. Lose it, and you might find yourself locked out. Or worse."

Jabrami took the token, examining it briefly before pocketing it. "Thanks, Kael. I'll guard it with my life. Or at least with the same care I give my beard comb. Which, I'll have you know, is quite a lot."

They continued their tour, with Kael pointing out various rooms and explaining their purposes. "This is the armory," Kael said, gesturing to a heavily guarded door. "You'll find all the equipment you need here. Try not to drool too much over the shiny weapons. And over there is the library, where we keep our records and important documents. Try not to get paper cuts. They tend to be poisoned around here."

As they made their way down to the third floor, Kael showed Jabrami the common areas where members could relax and socialize. "This is the lounge. Feel free to come here when you need a break. Just remember, even relaxation can be deadly in this place."

Finally, they reached Jabrami's quarters. Kael opened the door to reveal a small but comfortable room. "This will be your room. Get settled in, and I'll come back later to give you more details about your task. Try not to redecorate too much. We're not big on personal touches here."

Jabrami stepped into the room, looking around at the simple furnishings. "Thanks, Kael. I appreciate the tour. And the constant reminders of potential death and dismemberment. Really makes a dwarf feel at home. It's just like the mines, except with more stabbing and less cave-ins."

Kael gave him a small nod before leaving, closing the door behind him. Jabrami took a deep breath, taking in his new surroundings. He knew that he had a lot to learn and prove, but he was ready to do what was necessary to gain the trust of the guild members.

As he sat on the edge of the bed, his hand instinctively went to his pocket where Zar'kul's figurine rested. The cool touch of the Crimsonite was reassuring, a reminder of the power he held and the journey that had brought him here. He knew that the road ahead would be fraught with danger and difficult choices, but he was determined to see it through, to bring about change from within the very heart of darkness.

"Well, Zar'kul," Jabrami whispered, patting his pocket, "looks like we're in for quite the adventure. Let's hope these shadow-lovers are ready for a dwarf who knows his way around the dark. We'll show them that sometimes the best shadows come in small packages."

With renewed determination, Jabrami began to unpack his few belongings, his mind already strategizing for the challenges that lay ahead. He was now a member of the Shadowblade Guild, and his true mission was just beginning. As he arranged his meager possessions, a grin spread across his face. He may be small, he may be a newcomer, but he was Jabrami Ironmaker, and he was ready to shake the very foundations of this shadowy world.

"Let the games begin," he muttered to himself, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Think they'll be surprised when they realize a dwarf can move as quietly as any rogue? They won't know what hit them... or should I say, what tripped them?"