[Whispers of the wind dance around the clock tower]
[Muffled chatter of the townspeople echoes throughout the town]
Egan looks out over the night sky, its many stars painting a most elegant story. He gazes at the stars above him. From his vantage point, he has the best view in all of Western Vanitinova—truly an amazing perch. Now adorned with Thaerin's cloak, bound by leather straps, and with a ferocious look in his eye while peering out over the town's wall, he is ready for his mission.
His first quest for the adventurer's guild begins.
***
- A day prior -
"Alright then! Now… how about we get down to specifics?"
"I'm all ears," Egan replied, a look of determination still washing over his face.
"Before we begin, though, I thought I might introduce you to someone who will be an amazing help to our operation!" Liz said, grabbing Egan and beginning to pull him towards the stairs.
"Who?"
The winding stairs left of the receptionist's desk led straight up to a large door. Liz mentioned that this was the Guildmaster's Headquarters, but she also mentioned how this would be 'under the radar' so Egan was excited to see how this would all pan together.
*Knock* - *Knock*
The scratching of a chair can be heard from inside the room. Followed by a large pair of footsteps slowly approaching. Egan, looking back at Sarah from the railing, is a little concerned about how mysterious this guy is. The presence on the other side of the door is grand, like a giant. But upon seeing Sarah passed out on the ground snoring away, it calmed his nerves, if only a little.
"Coming." A large, mature voice bellowed from beyond the door.
Egan, who was still wrapped up in Thaerin's coat, looked up at the man who had just opened the door. He was tall, roughly around 210cm. Guy was a freaking giant, his shoulders where barely small enough to fit through the door frame.
'If that pony-tailed receptionist called me freaky, then what about this guy?'
His hazel-grey eyes were sharp and focused, a drive resonating behind his eyes. He was wearing a fancy, black overcoat and a white tunic. With large dress pants that lined his humongous legs.
"Who might this fellow be, Elizabeth?" The harsh voice said, now peering directly into Egan.
The only people besides Sarah and Liz to have looked him directly in the eye were that good-for-nothing duke…
And him.
"This is Egan, he wants to become an adventurer," Liz said, introducing him.
The large man gave Egan a stern look. Looking him up and down, his gaze judging every part of his figure. Upon spotting his horns, his demeanor changed, immediately stared at Liz.
"Is this about what I think it is?" The Guildmaster said, his fingers resting on his chin, thinking.
"It is, I think Egan here will be an amazing asset for the mission we've had planned," Liz said, a confident smile resting on her face.
"You know I trust your judgement, Elizabeth. Let's go inside, we can talk more privately in there." The GuildMaster said, opening the door for the both of them, "Ah, but wait. I think we're missing someone."
Everybody looked in the direction the GuildMaster was with eyes of confusion. But after looking behind the receptionist's desk and still seeing Sarah slumped down next to it, they immediately knew what he was talking about. After grabbing the dilapidated Sarah and hoisting her above his massive shoulders, they all entered the GuildMaster's quarters.
It was spacious, every wall lined with awards and weaponry. It was furnished with amazing paintings, held up by gorgeous golden frames. Lining the walls was a pristine golden and white wallpaper that ran across the entire room. Large dark oak pillars held up the roof, each adorned with candles on every side, bolted in with polished steel. In the far corner of the room opposite the door, a large glass casing filled with massive armor fit for a king hangs up on display, the GuildMaster's desk lying right beside it. On the other corner was a large bed; surprisingly, it was barely big enough to fit the GuildMaster.
With a large grown the Guildmaster looks at the two new guests with a small smile.
"Now, let us begin our discussion."
***
Pulling up a chair, the GuildMaster, now sitting at his desk, slides a piece of paper over to Egan.
"You can read through this while I explain. It describes the mission we were going to have one of our top members do. Sadly, all of our high-ranking adventurers are out on long-term quests, so the only other adventurer we could have used was the duke. So, it's a miracle that you showed up."
Egan, flattered and concerned at the same time, looks down at the paper before him. He doesn't understand anything written here. This language is not one he knows. The world has evolved since [Solan] last existed, so all forms of written language have completely changed. Embarrassed, he glances over the funny scribbles and funky-looking lines right to left pretending he's reading.
"If you don't get the full picture, Egan. I'll explain." The Guildmaster said, looking at Egan. He could tell he couldn't read the lines; his eyes were moving in the complete opposite direction of how your supposed to read it, "Ah, before we begin, I havent formally introduced myself have I?
"The name's Ser Dornath Valegrim. Of the house, Valegrim. But you can call me Ser."
"Im Egan, just Egan."
After a mutual handshake between the two, sealing the greeting, Ser begins to explain the task at hand.
"We need someone to survey the outskirts of the town walls. I'm not sure if Elizabeth informed you, but there have been many unlicensed, unauthorized merchant wagons making landfall in my jurisdiction. I am worried that if something isn't done soon, we might have another Westhaven incident on our hands."
Eyes wide.
Egan, with a look of fury on his face, slams his fist onto the desk in front of him.
"I'll tell you what I told Liz, Ser! These people are dangerous. I was a target for their onslaught. They weren't a match for me, but they were willing to go after other people and use them as bait for what they want! So, this threat isn't just real. It's already started!" Egan yelled.
"If what you're saying is true, Egan. Then we must act now before this mystery band of human traffickers catches on," Ser said, now staring directly into the young dragon's eyes. Egan could tell that Ser believed every word he said, and that they needed to act fast, "More and more innocent people are in danger the more this goes unanswered. I want you to find any suspicious-looking individuals or wagons and personally check them out. This is going to be dirty work. Are you still willing to hear me out?"
"I am," Egan said, his eyes glowing with determination.
"Very well. If you are to come into contact with the wagon or person, and they are found to be authorized and carrying normal goods. Then show them this."
Ser handed Egan a badge. It was elegant and pristine. Every corner of it radiated with authority. Its diamond-shaped body was lined with a red coiled snake. In the middle, a red lion is roaring ferociously at the other predator on the badge. A gem being engraved in the very center emitting a warm glow.
"That is the Valegrim family crest. It is an insignia passed down from generation to generation. The people of this town will understand its importance. After all, the house of Valegrim has been in service to the royal family for centuries."
A look of awe was still plastered on Egan's face. He had never seen such fine craftsmanship before now.
"But, if you are to find a suspicious wagon, what I want you to do is capture it and everybody on it. If you need to cause harm to anybody on the wagon, so be it. Casualties are the price of war. That is a last resort, though; mindless bloodshed is not what we're after. If it were, we would be no better than the people we're trying to capture. Bring back anyone you find, if you can, alive. After completing, incinerate everything and leave no trace behind."
"Do you think you can handle that?"
Egan looks up at Ser, then over to Liz. She smiles at him, a comforting, warm smile. A smile that reminded him of Sarah. No wonder those two are inseparable. With eye's glowing with intensity and a smirk plastered across the young dragon's face, he gives his answer.
"I can."
"Excellent, we will set out tomorrow night.
***
"But before you go, I have a special gift for you personally. For this isn't the first time I've heard of you. Elizabeth told me about you as soon as she got back with Sarah. I called in a special guest to greet you at the door."
Egan, confused, turns around and walks back towards the door. After excusing himself, he hops down the stairs. The guy in the ponytail has long since left by now, so the Guildhall was now empty. After walking around the guild for a little while, examining it,
[A large pounding vibrated the guild door]
The sudden noise startled Egan. He quickly dashes towards the door, opening it, prepared to attack.
"That was pretty quick, aye?" A gravelly voice said, bellowing from beneath Egan.
Upon looking down and seeing a familiar short stature and large beard, he immediately recognized who it was.
"You're the guy who shoved my head into the ground!" Egan yelled, finally able to let off some steam from the tavern.
"Ho ho! You're as feisty as ever! I have a gift for you that you might want to check out…"
Egan, still staring daggers into him, notices a long, covered package located on Berthold's back. Upon turning around, both Liz and Ser were staring at Egan, looks of determination plastered on their faces.
looking around, Egan doesn't find Sarah among the crowd.
"Where's Sarah?" Egan questioned.
"She's sleeping in Ser's bed right now," Liz responded.
"Come over 'ere, Egan," Berthold said, laying the package he brought across one of the tables used for dining.
Curious, Egan walks over to Berthold. Now standing over the strange gift, he begins to undo the case surrounding it.
"It's me family's finest piece of work, hope you put it to good use!" Berthold exclaimed, a look of pride etched on his face.
What lay before Egan was a beautifully crafted blade and sheath. It was long and elegant. All the years of age didn't leave a single dent on its sheath. Its black cord wrap lined the handle as metallic spikes spiraled from the pommel. Its guard was pristine and shiny, a gold dragon running around the edge of the hilt. Its guard spiraled and poked out in spikes that marked the beginning of the elegant, long blade. It was pure craftsmanship. An art mastered. This was on the same level as the insignia, if not better. Egan was dumbfounded. How could a flaw like him deserve such a thing?
"My great ancestor imbued it with the [Soul of Resonation], you can enhance your essence into the blade, along with your talents. It only works if your soul resonatin' on the same frequency as the blade. My family has a 'Unique talent' passed down through generations that allows us to imbue souls into the weapons we create. Nobody has ever been able to draw its blade. Ever since my great, great grandfatha' crafted it."
After a long pause, Egan grabs the handle of this generous gift, slowly picking up the blade.
He wraps his fingers around the black cords.
Closes his eyes.
Resonate.
***
With a pull, the air around them becomes denser. Wind starts to circle Egan like a shockwave, lifting his coat. His horns are now glowing with a deep red, crimson flame.
Everyone was shocked at the display of power.
With a slow pull, the blade begins to draw. Egan, eyes now glowing with the fierce intimidation of an ancient apex predator, fully wields the elegant blade.
[The air is getting warmer around you]
The blade has accepted Egan.
Its name: Skyrend