Another day, another rabbit hunt.
James was getting used to the routine—wake up, check the empty quest board, hear Olivia sigh in frustration, and head out to the fields with his staff. The coins from yesterday's horned rabbits had bought them enough food for the week, but Olivia had made it clear: until the guild had clients, every silver mattered.
The sun was low and warm over the hills, painting the grass in golden streaks. James crouched low, watching a pair of horned rabbits nibble at clover. His spells were sharper now; the Magic Missile flew straight, and Gust made for a good follow-up when they tried to flee. By late afternoon, he had three clean kills, their horns and pelts tucked neatly in his satchel.
He was about to call it a day when movement to his right caught his eye.
At first, he thought it was just another hunter. But as he focused, his breath caught—two figures in dark, hooded cloaks were half-hidden among the trees at the meadow's edge. They moved quickly, their boots silent against the grass. Between them…
James's stomach twisted.
A woman. Her hands bound, a cloth gag across her mouth. She stumbled as they dragged her, her eyes darting wildly, catching James's for the briefest instant.
The cloaked figures didn't notice him. They were already disappearing into the shadows of the forest.
James gripped his staff tighter, heart pounding. His first thought was to run back to the guild, tell Olivia. But the woman's muffled cry echoed in his ears. Every second he hesitated put her further from help.
He looked toward the forest. The air there was darker, the trees close and silent.
This wasn't a quest. No coin would come from it. But James knew one thing—if he turned his back now, he'd never forget her face.