Adrian arrived at the grand entrance of the Adventurers' Guild. Before pushing open the heavy oak doors, his gaze subtly flicked behind him, scanning the rooftops and the shadowy alleys. There was a faint whisper on the wind, a barely perceptible shift in the ambient magical energy, confirming the presence he'd sensed since leaving the Whisperwood. He kept his expression neutral, his posture relaxed, not wanting to betray his awareness and risk provoking whatever, or whoever, was observing him. Better to let them think he was oblivious.
He stepped into the bustling Guild hall, the familiar din of adventurers and the scent of ale and old parchment washing over him. Jana, ever vigilant, looked up from her desk, her face lighting up.
"Nyxal! You're back! And safe!" she exclaimed, relief evident in her voice. "I was starting to worry. That Whisperwood anomaly mission... it's been untouched for a while. Come, tell me everything!"
Adrian approached the counter, managing a weary but satisfied smile. "It was... certainly eventful, Jana. But the mission is complete. The anomaly has been dealt with." He took a deep breath, mentally rehearsing his modified report. He had to be convincing, omit the truly terrifying details, and carefully frame the narrative to maintain his cover.
"Oh, thank the heavens!" Jana clasped her hands, genuine joy on her face. "Tell me! What caused the decay? And the creatures? We've had so many theories!"
"It appears to have been a localized cult, operating within the ruins of the Sunken Temple of Aerthos," Adrian began, choosing his words carefully. "They were performing some kind of ritual, channeling dark energies. It was drawing the life from the forest, and driving the wildlife mad." He paused, letting that sink in. "I encountered them in the temple's main chamber. There was a struggle. They were fanatical, but ultimately, they were no match." He chose not to mention the shadowy entity, or its primordial, hungry nature. That was far too much for an E-rank report.
Jana's eyes widened. "A cult? In the Whisperwood? By the Ancestors! And you handled them all yourself?" Her voice was filled with a mix of awe and slight disbelief. "What about the Greater Ghouls and Feral Dire Wolves?"
"They were indeed present, and unusually aggressive, as the reports indicated," Adrian confirmed. "It seems they were drawn to the corrupted energy the cult was generating. I dispatched them as I ventured deeper into the woods, before reaching the temple. Inside, the remaining cultists were... dealt with." He omitted the part about the shadowy entity, the unbinding ritual, and the use of primordial fire to erase most of the evidence. "I managed to retrieve some of their ritual implements and a few scrolls that hint at their dark practices. I've left them at the altar for Guild Master Borin to inspect. I believe the source of the anomaly has been neutralized."
"This is astounding, Nyxal!" Jana was practically beaming. "Not only did you contain the anomaly, but you uncovered a cult! This is far beyond what we expected from an E-rank mission. Guild Master Borin will be immensely pleased. He'll want to review your full report and the recovered items personally." She then leaned in conspiratorially. "Did you find anything about their... 'new order' or their broader goals? Some of these cults are connected, you know. There have been whispers from other regions."
"They spoke of 'destabilizing the realm' and creating 'chaos' for their 'new order'," Adrian admitted, deciding to introduce the information gleaned from Kaelen here, but without directly linking it to the bandit ambush. "They mentioned a 'Lord Valerius' as a key figure in their schemes. A powerful noble, if I understood correctly, with aims to sow discord."
Jana's face instantly clouded over, her earlier excitement replaced by grim recognition. "Lord Valerius? That's... disturbing. He's a Duke in the western marches of Eldoria, incredibly influential, with vast lands and a formidable private army. Always ambitious, always scheming. But direct involvement with cults seeking to destabilize the kingdom... that's outright treason! His family has been feuding with the royal house for generations, but never to this extent. Are you certain of the name?"
"Quite certain," Adrian confirmed, maintaining a steady gaze. "His name was mentioned in connection with their goals of fracturing the kingdom's alliances, making it vulnerable."
Jana sighed, running a hand through her hair. "This changes things. This is not just a localized cult; it's a political threat of the highest order. Thank you, Nyxal. This information is invaluable. This goes straight to the Guild Master, and likely, to Eldoria's royal advisors. You've done more than your mission. You've uncovered a major conspiracy." She gestured towards a small pouch. "Here is your reward, and a substantial bonus for the additional intel. You've more than earned it."
Adrian accepted the pouch. The weight of the coins felt good, tangible proof of his success. "Thank you, Jana. I'm ready for another mission, if there's anything else available. Perhaps something I can start tomorrow. I'm looking for steady work, something that keeps me active." He specifically had the Lady Seraphina encounter in mind, looking for a way to subtly follow up. "Are there any bodyguard missions, or escort duties? Something that involves protecting VIPs?"
Jana's eyes lit up. "As a matter of fact, there is! A long-term escort mission for a merchant caravan heading to the Free City of Silverbrook. They're seeking experienced protection for their valuable goods, and their journey passes through some less-than-safe territories. It's a two-week round trip, excellent pay, and vital for maintaining trade routes."
"Interesting," Adrian mused. "Tell me more about the route and the specific threats. And the other guards, if there are any."
"The route primarily follows the King's Road, but there are known bandit territories, and even some areas where gnoll packs have been reported," Jana explained. "The caravan master, a dwarf named Borin Ironhand – no relation to our Guild Master – is a seasoned traveler. He usually hires a mix of Guild adventurers and local sellswords. You'd be leading a small group, likely two or three others, responsible for the caravan's safety."
"Leading a group..." Adrian considered this. It would make maintaining his masked identity harder, but it also offered a chance to observe the world through a new lens, and perhaps even influence events. "What's the pay structure? And when does it depart?"
"It pays well, a significant sum upon completion, plus daily stipends for provisions," Jana detailed. "It's set to depart in two days, early morning. You'll have time to prepare and meet the caravan master."
Adrian nodded, a plan forming. "Sounds like a solid task. I'll take it." This would give him time to follow up on the Valerius lead, discreetly.
"Excellent!" Jana beamed, quickly processing the paperwork. "You're officially registered for the Silverbrook Caravan escort. Go get some rest, Nyxal. You've had quite the day."
Adrian bid her farewell and exited the Guild, the bustling noise fading behind him. He subtly glanced back at the rooftops and the shadows. The presence was still there, a faint, lingering scent of ozone and something... ancient. He dismissed it with a mental shrug. Whoever it was, they were being cautious. He wouldn't draw their attention until he was ready.
He ambled towards the vibrant market stalls, the evening air thick with the aroma of roasted meats, sweet pastries, and exotic spices. His stomach, despite the day's events, rumbled with a very human hunger.
"Freshly grilled boar sausage, traveler! Hot off the coals!" a jovial, rotund man with a bushy mustache called out from his stall, skewering a succulent piece of meat. "Perfect for a hungry adventurer like yourself!"
Adrian stopped, drawn by the delicious scent. "That smells incredible," he said, pulling out a few copper coins. "One, please. What spices do you use?"
The vendor beamed, handing him the sausage. "Ah, my secret recipe! A touch of mountain thyme, a pinch of river fennel, and a whisper of fire pepper from the southern reaches! Gives it a kick, but a good one!"
Adrian took a bite, savoring the rich, smoky flavor. "Remarkable. Best I've tasted in... well, a very long time." He almost slipped and mentioned his old world again. "You clearly have a gift."
"That I do, that I do!" the vendor puffed out his chest. "Been selling here for twenty years, come rain or shine, goblin raids or harvest festivals! Can't keep a good sausage maker down!"
Adrian chuckled, enjoying the simple, genuine interaction. He moved on, passing a stall laden with vibrant, almost glowing fruits. "Are these the Sun-Kisses from the southern valleys?" he asked the young woman tending it, remembering Elara's description.
"They are, sir!" she replied, her eyes bright. "Just picked this morning! Sweet as summer, with a tangy bite that brightens the spirit!"
"I'll take a small bag," Adrian said, picking out a few perfectly ripe ones. "They truly are remarkable. The flavor is unlike anything I've encountered."
"Ah, the sun shines brightest on those valleys, they say!" the vendor chirped. "And the farmers there, they treat their orchards like family! That's why they're so good!"
Adrian nodded, a comfortable warmth spreading through him. These simple, honest interactions, the genuine pride in their craft, were a stark contrast to the shadowy conspiracies he was now embroiled in. These were the lives he was fighting for.
Finally, sated and content, Adrian walked towards The Wary Wolf Inn, the promise of a warm bed and Elara's kind smile a comforting thought. The day had been long, dangerous, and incredibly revealing. Aethelgard was far more complex than he'd ever imagined.
Meanwhile, on a shadowed rooftop just across from the market, Yena watched Adrian, her keen eyes tracing his movements. The faint scent of ozone and raw magic still clung to him, even after his trek back.
"He's good at hiding it," Yena whispered to herself, her voice a low murmur in the twilight. "He moved like a seasoned warrior, but that... that other scent. The way the air shimmers around him, just barely, when he thinks no one is looking. It's the scent of the Primordials, ancient and dangerous."
She saw him talking to the vendors, saw the genuine, easy smile on his face. "He talks to them like... like a normal man. But there's nothing normal about that aura. He just came from the Whisperwood. The anomaly. What did he do there? The Guild report will be bland, I know it."
Her intuition, the same one that allowed her to sense his initial 'dark scent,' screamed at her. "He's not just powerful; he's aware. Aware of me, perhaps? He glances around, so subtle. He's playing a game. But what game?"
Yena drew her own dark cloak tighter. "A demon, perhaps, masking itself? But why help the Guild? Why protect Eldorian nobility? Why not just raze the lands?" A profound question nagged at her. "He carries the essence of the old gods, the ones before the pantheon. It's dangerous.
Unfathomable. But... there's a kindness in his eyes, a genuine concern I haven't seen in any demon, or even many humans."
She watched as he entered the inn. "I can't just leave this alone. He's too much of a wildcard. He's either a great danger, or... something else entirely. Something new. I need to get closer. To understand." Yena melted back into the shadows of the rooftop, her decision made. The mysterious adventurer known as Nyxal would not be unwatched. His path, whatever it was, had just become her path too.