It's been a week since I managed to stop a raider, and let's just say it wasn't an easy feat.
The Association has finally decided to give me a little breathing room, and I fully intend to take advantage of it.
Ah, the good life!
Just me, my couch, and a movie marathon. Yes, you heard that right: today is movie night… in the middle of the day!
So what's the trick? Just draw all the curtains, block any stray rays of light daring to sneak into the room, and voilà! Cinema atmosphere, my way.
I settle in comfortably, feet on the coffee table, a huge tub of popcorn within reach, and dive into a classic superhero movie.
Honestly, nothing beats it! Those spandex-clad heroes struggling so hard to save the world—it's hilarious. They take it seriously, as if they have no choice, as if it's their destiny. But I know it's a huge chore, all this saving-the-world stuff. Why they insist on enjoying it? That's a mystery I'll probably never solve.
As I sink further into my couch, savoring every second of this moment that's just mine, a silhouette suddenly plants itself right between the TV and me.
Seriously? Are you kidding me?
Can't I get two minutes of peace?
Fine, I take a deep breath. I'm a cool guy; I won't complain. I tilt my head slightly to try and see the screen anyway, but the silhouette mimics my movement, as if on purpose.
A challenge? Fine, let's play!
I tilt right, it follows. I tilt left, it follows again. Alright, I try once more. Right… left… right… left… no luck, it moves with me.
This silhouette is stubborn! But it doesn't know my determination.
I keep up my little game, tilting my head side to side, over and over. I'm persistent!
And then, to my dismay, the silhouette takes a radical approach: it calmly walks over to the TV and… unplugs it.
Now that's cheating!
How dare it? I'm momentarily speechless, incredulous.
"Zayn, what day is it, by the way?"
Ah… right, that persistent silhouette ruining my peace is my Aunt Libel.
Always there at the worst moments, always ready to snatch me away from my tranquility.
I look up at Aunt Libel, still half in disbelief.
She really made the whole trip just to ask what day it is? Doesn't she know about smartphones? I mean, she's not that old! Okay, she's a bit old-fashioned, but that doesn't justify crashing my home movie session.
I scratch my head, trying to find a reason, an excuse, an explanation for this sudden disturbance… but nothing. Nothing logical, at least.
"Honestly, there's nothing urgent today," I venture, trying to sound as innocent as possible. "I have a right to laze around a bit, don't I? Just one peaceful day…"
She shoots me a look. One of those looks that could freeze a desert. Her sigh, deep and annoyed, makes me feel like she's about to implode from frustration. "Really, Zayn? You forgot the Guild Leaders' meeting today?"
Ouch. The meeting. That one with all the big shots, the highest ranks, lasting endless hours. It hits me like a hammer, and a wave of fuzzy memories crashes over me.
Yes… now that I think about it, there really was that important meeting today. But between my comfy couch and the movie marathon, it had completely slipped my mind.
"Ah, uh… yes. The meeting," I mumble, grimacing. "I totally… forgot."
Libel studies me with a look mixing mild exasperation and a lot of irony. She doesn't seem surprised at all. And me? I just want to hide under the couch like a kid caught red-handed.
She crosses her arms, her silence weighing on me more than any lecture could. I know what she expects: for me to get up and comply.
"Fine, fine!" I throw my hands up in surrender, resigned. "I'll get ready… but seriously, couldn't this meeting wait until tomorrow?"
Aunt Libel bursts out laughing, patting my shoulder in a way that's reassuring but slightly teasing. "Come on, Zayn," she shakes her head. "You'll have plenty of time to laze around later. But today, you need to be serious."
I let out a long, drawn-out sigh. She's right, of course. Might as well get started. But that doesn't stop me from dragging my feet like a spoiled child. I make my slow way to my room, glancing back wistfully at my couch.
---
The meeting room is huge.
Massive windows let in a trickle of light that falls across the large table in the center, surrounded by heavy carved wooden chairs. The walls are decorated with austere paintings of wild landscapes. Yet despite the solemn atmosphere, I can't help but sense a hint of tedium.
Then a hand lands on my shoulder, giving a friendly pat. I turn to see a man, a sly smile on his lips, greeting me: "Magister Rosales, punctual today!" A sarcastic smile tugs at mine.
"Be thankful I have a diabolical aunt to force me here," I murmur back. At this point, without her, I wouldn't even be here.
Across from me, a woman observes me silently, a small smile on her lips. She tilts her head slightly. "That must be Senior Libel who pushed you to arrive on time."
A burst of laughter suddenly echoes through the room. Another man, jovial and carefree, jokes, "So, what's on the agenda?"
I stifle an exasperated sigh.
Really, these meetings… Outsiders probably imagine that the Warden guild leaders gather for tense discussions, grave decisions, and life-or-death choices.
If only they knew… Here, nothing is truly serious. Our debates often go in circles, endless discussions that lead to nothing concrete. Sometimes, I admit, the exchanges are even entertaining. Last time, we ended up playing a board game. Not exactly mind-blowing, believe me.
So, why these meetings? Good question.
The answer is simple and boring: the Association. This imposing institution requires us to attend a quota of annual meetings to supposedly "maintain relations and share information." They really think our guilds grow stronger through this kind of ceremony.
If it were up to me, I'd be far from here, doing something truly useful—or at least fun.
But my thoughts are abruptly interrupted when a woman at the other end of the table claps her hands. The sound echoes in the room, immediately catching everyone's attention.
"This time, we have a truly serious topic."
Ah, as if that would make the meeting more captivating.
Faces turn toward her with mild interest, but I remain skeptical. Every meeting promises "serious" topics, and it ends in sterile discussions or exaggerated concerns.
The first man grimaces, clearly annoyed. "You really know how to kill the mood," he crosses his arms.
But the first woman, still attentive, leans forward slightly. "What's the topic?"
Before the second woman can respond, the second man speaks up. "The Northern Forest has a new king, right?"
The woman who asked the question raises an eyebrow. "You knew and don't even seem worried?"
The man shrugs. "It's too early to panic. We don't even have all the information. Nothing to worry about, really."
This time, the first man grows serious. He frowns and leans forward. "It's still surprising that a king appeared so quickly. It hasn't even been half a century since the previous king died."
The first woman nods. "That's true," she murmurs thoughtfully. It's unusual."
The second woman speaks again, her tone even more solemn.
"That's not all. The king in question… is a dragon."
Silence falls over the room.