Chapter 30 - Just Getting Started

Half the day had passed since Ren left the mural behind.

Afternoon crept in slowly, the sky tinged with deepening orange, melting into shades of dusk.

In the distance, the city stirred with familiar life. The first living city Ren had seen when he arrived in this world.

The same chorus greeted him; the clatter of cooking pots, the sharp ring of hammer against iron, the rhythmic clop of horseshoes on stone.

It was a uniquely, that made the name 'Iron' feel like a must-have.

At the gates, the guards gave him only a passing glance. No questions about stolen goods this time.

He made his way straight to Moira's shop.

And there she was, Evelyn. Behind the counter, sorting bundles of cloth and parchment, her sleeves rolled up and hair tied loosely back.

She looked up and blinked, surprised. "Ren?"

"Hey," he said, raising a hand in greeting. "You look busy."

"I am busy. What happened to you? You weren't supposed to be back this soon." She crossed her arms, eyeing him. "You're not hurt, are you?"

"No. Just dirt and sun. Long story."

"You look like you've been sleeping in a cave."

Ren gave a faint smile. "Funny you say that."

Evelyn tilted her head, suspicious. "You didn't, right?"

Ren's eyes widened. "Hmm?" His reaction was a little too telling, and Evelyn caught it immediately.

She narrowed her eyes, but sighed, a flicker of relief softening her expression. "If you're here for supplies, make it quick. I've got an order to finish before sundown."

"I need more greenwake. A lot more than last time." He paused. "Also, I'm heading to the Adventurer's Guild after this. Are they around yet?"

"The guild never closes. Doors are always open… day and night."

"I want to speak with the Guild Master."

Evelyn raised a brow. "Is it something I can help with?"

She reached behind the counter and handed him a flask. "Water. Cold. You look like you need it."

Ren took it with a nod. "Thanks, Evelyn." He drank, then added, "It's nothing important. Just a few questions."

She gave him a look. Half stern, half concerned. "Don't push yourself too hard."

"I'll try."

With that, Ren turned and stepped out of the shop.

If his calculations were right, the guild members should arrive by tomorrow.

He made his way toward the Ashborn Guild.

The building stood as solid and unchanging as he remembered, its worn stone walls and crested banner catching the last of the afternoon light.

Pushing open the door, he stepped inside.

The first thing he noticed was Annie. Still at her post behind the front desk, sorting through a stack of parchment with methodical precision. She looked up as the door clicked shut.

"Ren," she said in her usual flat tone. "Out of supplies already? It's only been a week."

"Ah, yeah. Turns out I needed way more than I planned. Too much work."

Annie raised a brow. "You stopped by Evelyn's first?"

He shrugged. "Came straight from her place. Walked here."

"So… what now?" she asked, sighing as she set the parchment aside and met his gaze.

"I want to see the Guild Master. I've got a few questions."

She gave a small nod and stood. "Follow me."

"Thanks."

They walked down the familiar hallway toward the Guild Master's room.

As the door opened, the man behind the desk looked up with mild surprise.

"Ren. You're back already? Where are the others?"

"We split up. I walked, they came by wagon."

"You walked? Why not ride with them?"

Ren scratched the back of his neck. "Honestly? Wagon was too slow. I got bored."

The Guild Master gave a short laugh. "Fair enough. So, what brings you here?"

"I want to meet a high-ranking mage. Someone with deep knowledge. Like the top of the top."

"Why?" the Guild Master asked, curious now.

"I just want to learn. Understand how it works."

"Hm. Well, there is someone who fits that description... but before that—"

Ren cut in, just a little hesitant.

"Also… if possible, I'd like an introduction to the Trade Guild. I have some ideas I want to run by them."

Garran Thorne, the Guild Master, leaned back in his chair with a raised brow.

"Magic and trade. That's quite the range."

Ren gave a faint smile.

"I'm just getting started."

Garran nodded slowly.

"Come by tomorrow morning. I'll try to get in touch with the head of the Trade Union. But don't expect too much, he's a busy man."

Ren leaned in slightly.

"So, they're called the Trade Union? Tell him: stone. Valuable."

He reached into his satchel and unwrapped a small cloth bundle, revealing a carved, glinting shape. The diamond.

"Since I trust you, you can show him this."

Garran unwrapped it just enough to glimpse the gem. His eyes narrowed with interest as the light caught its facets.

"Hells… this might make him come running instead."

As Ren stepped out of the guild, night had fully settled over Ironhurst. Lanterns swung gently in the breeze, casting pools of warm light on the cobbled streets. His legs were tired, but his mind was too full to rest just yet.

He adjusted the strap on his satchel and started walking. There were inns around, he remembered passing a few during his first arrival in the city.

The first one he checked was full. The second was loud enough that sleep would've been a miracle. By the third, he found something that would do.

A plain wooden sign swung overhead: The Winding Post. Small, clean, unremarkable. Perfect.

Inside, an older woman behind the counter glanced up from a ledger.

"Room?" she asked.

"Just for the night," Ren replied.

She slid a key across the counter. "Back hall, third door. Five silvers, up front."

He paid, nodded, and took the key without another word.

The room was small. Bare walls, a narrow bed, a tiny window with shutters that squeaked in the wind. But it was quiet, and the door had a lock. That was enough.

Ren dropped his bag beside the bed and sat down slowly. His body ached more than he'd admitted. After a long breath, he leaned back against the wall, hands folded behind his head.

For now, he had shelter. Tomorrow, the real questions would begin.

***

Meanwhile...

At Moira's shop, Evelyn set down a finished package and glanced at the door.

"You're going, aren't you?" Moira asked without looking up.

"I just want to see if he made it to the guild," Evelyn said, pulling off her apron.

Moira didn't respond. She didn't have to.

***

At the Guild...

Evelyn pushed the door open and stepped inside. Annie looked up from her desk.

"Too late," she said, before Evelyn could speak. "He left about half an hour ago."

"Oh." Evelyn tried to keep her voice neutral. "Did he say where he was going?"

"Just asked about places to stay. I told him about a few quiet ones."

Evelyn nodded slowly. "I… just check if he's still around."

Annie didn't stop her, but the look she gave said everything.

Evelyn didn't find him, of course.

She stepped back out into the street, glancing up and down the lane.

The wind had picked up. Somewhere out there, Ren was asleep, or trying to be.

She hugged her arms around herself.

Then, quietly, she turned back toward home.