Aiden woke to morning sunlight peeking through the window.
He tried to keep his eyes shut tighter, but the light somehow made its way through his eyelids anyway, which felt deeply unfair for something as simple as sunshine.
With a quiet groan, he sat up.
He was the first one awake.
That was strange enough on its own, but stranger still was the sight of his small home crowded with people he could now call friends.
Jax was sprawled near the woodstove, his tongue hanging out as a small puddle of drool formed on the floor near his head. Every few seconds, one of his legs twitched like he was chasing something in a dream.
On the other side of the rug, Kaelen slept in a polite curled-up pose, somehow managing to look dignified even while unconscious. For a brief and shameful moment, Aiden felt the temptation to grab Kaelen's necklace and see that ridiculous appearance again.
He resisted.
Barely.
Turning toward his bed, Aiden saw Liora sprawled across it in a position that looked more like she had been dropped from the ceiling than tucked in for sleep. Her arms and legs were bent at angles Aiden did not think could possibly be comfortable, but her content snoring suggested otherwise.
Selene lay partly trapped beneath one of Liora's arms and one of Liora's legs, with only part of her face visible.
She did not look as comfortable.
It was strange to think that only a month ago, Aiden would have woken up alone. The house would have been quiet except for Misty's little burbles, the creak of wood, and whatever morning chore was waiting for him.
Now there were people everywhere.
Messy, loud, strange people.
Friends.
Aiden quietly stood and made his way to the dresser, careful with every step. He still remembered accidentally stepping on Jax the first day the wolf had stayed over, and he had no desire to experience that particular combination of yelp, panic, and guilt again.
He started packing clothes into a bag.
Once that was done, he walked to the floorboard he had screwed in place years ago as a hiding spot. He pried it up, reached inside, and pulled out the 1,220 gold that served as his life savings.
Most of it had been left to him by his grandfather. The rest had been scraped together over years of potion sales, careful spending, and not buying every shiny alchemy tool that caught his eye.
Aiden tucked the coins into his bag, packing them snugly between layers of clothes so they would not rattle and loudly announce to the world that he was carrying enough money to make thieves do math.
Then he made his way around his sleeping companions to the workshop area.
Dawn light spilled through the window, illuminating the mountain beyond.
Aiden grabbed the Alleha and Borage jars, then stopped in surprise.
They had been partly restocked.
He glanced down at the pendant where Misty still slept and smiled.
She had been working hard while they were away.
Aiden grabbed his mortar and pestle. The small runes carved into it shimmered faintly, helping keep the consistency of the grind even as he worked. He ground the Alleha and Borage until both had been reduced into fine powder, then placed them in the small boiling cauldron.
Next, he grabbed two stored vials of Liquid Crystal.
Then he held his hand over the cauldron.
"Liquid Crystal Consolidation."
Crystalline mana gathered at his fingertip before pouring into the cauldron in a sparkling stream. He spent thirty mana, creating another three vials' worth of liquid crystal.
Once that was done, he took the cauldron to the stove. He grabbed a small log from outside and placed it inside, then arranged wood shavings and dried leaves around it before taking out the flint and steel.
It took a minute, but eventually the fire caught.
Behind him, Kaelen stirred.
The elf yawned and stretched as he slowly rose from the floor.
"You certainly woke up early this morning, Aiden," Kaelen said. "Any particular reason?"
"I only woke up because the curtains were not fully drawn," Aiden said, stirring the cauldron. "But it is helpful. I need to pack and make some of Selene's medication before we head out."
Kaelen nodded, seeming satisfied with that answer.
Then he stepped outside to perform his morning prayer.
As the liquid crystal and powdered herbs began to boil, Aiden kept stirring. The motion eventually woke Jax and Liora.
Liora mumbled something about noise, beauty, and cruel men before trying to bury herself deeper in Aiden's bed.
Jax stretched, shook himself, and wandered over beside Aiden.
"Is that breakfast?"
"No. It's Selene's medication. I figured we could get breakfast in town before we decide where we are headed next."
Jax nodded, then headed outside to do what he called his morning practice.
To Aiden, it mostly looked like watching a wolf attempt a series of poses his body had never been designed for. Jax balanced on one foreleg while the rest of him twisted into something vaguely resembling several letters of the alphabet having a disagreement.
Jax insisted it was helpful.
Aiden remained unconvinced.
After about ten minutes of simmering, stirring, and careful heat control, the potion's color changed. It caught the morning light in a way that made it shimmer like liquid gemstone.
Aiden pulled the cauldron off the stove and set it aside to cool.
Misty emerged from his pendant, yawned in a little bubbling motion, then doused the fire in the stove with a small splash.
"Thanks," Aiden said.
She gave a proud warble.
Aiden walked over to the bed and gently shook Liora and Selene.
Liora opened one eye, glaring at him from over his pillow.
"Must you wake us up so early? True beauty requires time, effort, and plenty of sleep."
"Well, true beauty might miss the cart ride down the mountain and breakfast in town if she does not wake up."
Liora sprang upright with impressive speed.
She flicked her hair and said in a mock haughty tone, "When one reaches my stage of beauty, one may skip one of the three steps. I am willing to give up sleep if you are buying."
"No way."
"Cheapskate," Liora said in a sing-song voice.
She gathered her clothes and headed outside toward the bath area to change.
Aiden turned to Selene, who was still asleep, and gently shook her shoulder.
Selene opened her eyes and sat up slowly, rubbing them with her right hand.
While she woke, Aiden poured the cooled medication into five bottles. He took one and held it out to her.
"Morning. I made your medicine."
Selene mumbled something that sounded like thank you, took the bottle, and started sipping it.
Her face relaxed a little after the first few swallows. Then she quickly downed the rest and handed the empty bottle back to him.
"I know the taste is going to get old pretty fast," Aiden said. "When we stop in town, I can grab something to change the flavor. Any preference?"
Selene thought for a moment.
"I liked those honey things from before."
Aiden nodded.
"I can work with that."
He stepped outside to give Selene privacy to finish changing, his bag slung over his shoulder. Misty floated after him.
Aiden turned to her.
"I know you don't like violence much," he said. "So I won't force you to come. But if you want to…"
Misty shook her little water-droplet head. She let out a soft burble that sounded like her way of saying sorry.
Aiden had expected it.
Misty had always hated violence and blood. It made sense that she would not want to follow him into a life of fighting monsters and getting nearly killed every other week.
That did not stop a ripple of sadness from passing through him.
Then Aiden remembered something his grandfather had said before leaving to find his parents.
Never leave with a frown. That is often the freshest memory people keep of you.
So Aiden forced a smile and crossed his arms.
"Then I trust you can take care of the house while I'm gone."
Misty perked up.
She gave him a mock salute with one tiny droplet arm.
Selene stepped out of the house a moment later, and Liora rounded the corner from the bath area. Jax and Kaelen finished their morning rituals around the same time.
Everyone gathered their bags.
Aiden stood by the door and gave Misty one last smile.
She flew forward and hugged him.
Aiden hugged her back as carefully as he could.
Then she floated back toward the house and waved as the group headed for the minecart.
The ride down the mountain was uneventful, but quieter than usual.
Jax stared back up the tracks as the cart rattled away from Aiden's home.
"Damn," Jax said. "Now I'm getting sentimental about that place."
"Don't even start," Aiden said. "Or I am going to be tempted to go back."
When they reached the bottom, Aiden hooked the minecart to the rope and watched it begin its slow trip back up the mountain.
He did not think Misty could use it, but it still felt like a small bit of security. Anyone wanting to reach the cabin would either need the cart or a long walk.
The group continued toward the city walls, passed the security check, and made their way to the Seared Tusk for breakfast.
When they entered, Aiden was surprised to find the tavern mostly empty.
What surprised him more was seeing Peridot, Larz, Kinwal, and Xenovia sitting together and talking with Eustus.
As the group stepped inside, all of them turned.
Eustus called them over.
"Well, if it isn't our newest plated team. So, what quest have you all planned next?"
They all took seats at the bar while Eustus turned toward the grill. Under his psionic control, pans, plates, knives, and ingredients began moving at once as breakfast assembled itself with practiced ease.
Kinwal slid three quest scrolls across the counter toward them.
"The great Kinwal has prepared for your departure," he said, leaning back with dramatic importance. "And as such, with the assistance of others, he has prepared three scrolls to begin your magnificent life of adventuring. Though do not mistake yourselves as honored. It was something I merely threw together in a few minutes."
Liora unrolled the scrolls.
Larz scoffed.
"For someone who threw it together in a few minutes, you sure spent the past two days running around getting advice from every plated adventuring group you could find on what made a good quest. I can only imagine how long you stood in front of that quest board reading pages over and over."
Kinwal's face turned bright red.
He hissed at Larz.
"Dude, not cool. You're ruining my mysterious seer appearance."
Aiden could not help laughing.
A few moments later, plates were slid across the bar. Eggs, sausage, toasted bread, and more were arranged neatly in front of them.
Aiden reached for his money pouch, but Eustus held up a hand.
"Today it's on the house. After all, we need you to have good memories if you're going to come back when you're famous."
Jax needed no further encouragement.
He dove into his plate like he had been fasting for a week.
As they ate, Aiden leaned over to look at the quest scrolls Liora, Kaelen, Peridot, and Selene were reading.
Rogue Clay Golem Retrieval (E)
A student on an academic venture in Chillmoss recently lost their clay golem, which wandered off with three skill books in tow. Retrieve the skill books and clay golem unharmed. Avoid using fire at all costs.
Reward - 900 Gold + 1 E-rank Skill Book
Failure - 300 Gold for purchase costs
Smelter Salamander Quench (E)
A small fire elemental called a salamander has entered the coke stocks in Coalhill and begun burning them to make its own nest. You must either kill or contain the salamander so it stops burning the supply.
Reward - 800 Gold + 1 Fire Ward Charm
Failure - 600 Gold for burned coke and replacements
Moon-Sap Tap Run (E)
The Silver Elm trees just outside of Elmgrove are known to produce a sap that nourishes saplings during the full moon. Collect six vials of it, but be cautious. Many dire wolves wander the groves due to the sweet, intoxicating taste of the sap.
Reward - 700 Gold + 1 Vial of Silver Elm Sap
Failure - 600 Gold for ungrown lumber and lost vials
"Seems like the first one would be best," Kaelen said, sliding the clay golem quest toward Jax. "We don't even have to kill anything."
Before Jax could respond, a voice called from the door.
"Excuse me. Mind if I weigh in my two cents?"
Aiden and Jax both perked up.
Todis walked inside, holding the door open for a dwarven woman with platinum hair that flowed down her entire back.
"I'm assuming a friend of yours?" Liora asked.
Aiden and Jax got up and made their way over to Todis.
"Yes," Aiden said. "We met in line for the plates. He's a fully certified Steel-rank adventurer."
"I'm not sure who the girl with him is," Jax added. "Is she one of your party members?"
Todis shook his head.
"She was at the guild trying to find party members. She is a victim of plate hopping."
Most of the group looked confused.
Larz let out a low whistle.
"Yikes. Sorry to hear that, miss…"
He trailed off, waiting for a name.
The dwarven woman crossed her arms.
"Platinum. Thalia Platinum. I'm a level five Puppeteer."
Aiden looked her over.
She could not have been more than three and a half feet tall. Her thick platinum-colored hair ran down her back, nearly covering the backpack she wore over a plain brown dress and coat. At first glance, she could almost be mistaken for a child due to her height and slightly puffy cheeks.
But her sharp demeanor and direct way of speaking removed that impression rather quickly.
"W-what is plate hopping?" Selene asked, raising her hand timidly, as if unsure whether it was appropriate.
Todis sighed.
"To put it simply, some groups with plated members help unplated people get their first plates. Sometimes, though, nobles pay those groups to find someone else without a plate and register them under the wrong name for a price. The group goes out and completes the quest while the buyer relaxes at home. Then the victim goes in later, thinking their plates are still being worked on, only to find they were never registered for the quest."
"That is awful," Kaelen said.
"It gets worse," Todis continued. "The noble gets the plate, and the victim gets stiffed for money, time, and credit. The guild tries to stop it, but the parties involved often leave town fast and get their next plate rank at another guild office. Even if the Porcelain plate is rescinded later, they may already have an Obsidian one. Plenty of nobles use it to show off at parties and claim they were adventurers."
"Yikes," Jax said. "That sucks."
Aiden thought back to the month of work they had put into finding and defeating the Blood Trent.
If someone had stolen credit for that, he was not sure whether he would cry, scream, or invent a potion specifically designed to make them regret having skin.
Todis walked over to the quests on the bar and pointed at the clay golem retrieval.
"The prices are never high for no reason, Retrieval missions, especially ones with restrictions, can be risky. The quest giver may complain about the smallest damage to reduce the reward. If you leave even a fingerprint in that clay golem, they might argue the payout should be cut to four hundred fifty gold. That's not even counting the work it will take to find the thing in an unfamiliar city, or the fact that a golem wandering around with skill books will attract everyone looking for an easy skill."
Aiden frowned.
That made a disturbing amount of sense.
As Todis read over the other quests, Aiden noticed Thalia lift one hand.
Thin light-blue strings drifted from her fingers.
After a moment, she swung her hand up and back like she was throwing a rock. The strings whipped around one of the overhead rafters. With a quick pull, she launched herself upward and landed neatly on one of the barstools.
It was such a practiced movement that Aiden had to stop himself from openly staring.
Todis tapped the Moon-Sap Tap Run quest.
"You need to be careful with this one too. From a brief overview, it seems like a good deal, but they don't list any reward for wolves driven away or spared. Combined with the failure cost mentioning future lumber, it sounds like a scam waiting to happen."
He moved his finger to the salamander quest.
"Generally, you want a quest where you have options. This salamander quest says kill or contain. They don't care how it is handled, they just want the problem removed. The reward-to-penalty scale is also more even, which usually means the quest giver has posted quests before. Personally, I would recommend this one."
Kaelen nodded and slid the other two quests to Eustus, who set them aside.
The group looked over the salamander quest again.
"So even with the plate hopping thing," Jax said, jumping onto the stool beside Thalia, "what plate quest did you do?"
"We were tasked with killing three wolves causing overhunting due to pack clashes," Thalia said. "You?"
"We were supposed to find the cause of a problem on the mountain," Jax said proudly, "but ended up defeating a Blood Trent."
Thalia turned to Todis with a silent question written across her face.
Todis seemed to understand.
"Nasty things," he said. "Created when a baby Trent is made to absorb blood instead of water. Makes them rather blood-hungry. If left alone too long, they can grow up to C-rank."
Thalia nodded.
Then she seemed to think for a moment before turning back to Jax.
"Your party has five members. Would you be willing to take me in as a sixth? Your party has strong potential due to your current success, and my skills are adequate enough that I would not hold you back."
Jax jumped as if he was about to shout yes.
Liora grabbed him by the scruff of his neck before he could.
"Give us a moment to have a group huddle."
Thalia nodded.
The party circled up.
"I'm not against it," Kaelen said quietly. "From what I know, Puppeteers are a control class. They specialize in assisting allies and hindering enemies with their strings. They are also considered helpful because their strings are useful in a lot of practical situations."
Liora shook her head.
"Regardless of that, look at our composition. We have two frontliners with Jax and Selene, both more tank-oriented. I'm a midliner. Aiden and Kaelen are backliners. Adding a third backliner does not help us."
Selene raised her hand slightly.
"I-I always heard Puppeteers are more of a midline role. They are helpful for getting people in and out of bad situations."
Jax nodded enthusiastically.
"When it comes to the best parties, they always have six. She could be our sixth."
Aiden took a moment to process everyone's points.
"I think more people can be helpful," he said. "But with things like adventurer-targeted scams, I can't help feeling like someone joining just because they asked is too much."
"Then let's do a probationary period," Kaelen suggested. "Let her prove herself as we travel to Coalhill. That gives us time to evaluate whether she stays or not."
Liora looked around the circle, then gave a slow nod.
"That is fair."
The huddle broke.
Liora walked over to Thalia.
"We have agreed to take you on at a probationary level until we arrive at Coalhill. Does that work for you?"
Thalia nodded.
"My one condition is that I travel with your group leader to ensure the paperwork is done correctly."
Liora nodded.
Jax, Liora, and Thalia headed out of the Seared Tusk toward the Adventurers Guild.
Todis looked out the window.
"You all better get going before too long, or you're going to miss a whole day of travel."
Aiden turned to him.
"You say that like Coalhill is one hundred miles away."
"Two hundred thirty, actually."
Aiden stared at him.
"....What?"