Colin walked through the ancient streets of Ultan's capital.
The gloomy architecture enveloped him, while passersby dressed in strange clothes and hoods walked past him, each with their own secret to hide.
He observed the ancient buildings that seemed to hold centuries of stories and mysteries.
As he explored the city, his eyes fixed on a notice board placed near a small square. Among a variety of missions and requests, one particular poster caught his attention.
It described a mission related to an aquatic witch who terrorized the residents of a nearby village.
This should help with the tension. Right, I think the girls will like it.
Colin tore the poster from the board and headed back to the inn where Brighid and Sapphire were resting.
Entering the place, he approached the table where his companions were sitting.
"Brighid, Sapphire, I have a surprise for you," he said with a smile, showing the mission poster. "I found a mission for us. A small journey to relax before the exams. It seems an aquatic witch is terrorizing a nearby village, and they need someone to deal with the problem. What do you think?"
Brighid raised an eyebrow, curious, while Sapphire looked at the poster with interest.
"An aquatic witch, huh? Sounds interesting," Brighid said. "Some of my powers have returned, I think it's fine for me."
Sapphire nodded, excited by the idea of a mission.
"I agree! It will be a great way to practice our skills before the exams."
"Alright! Get ready, I'll rent two horses, and we'll leave today!"
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Under a clear and bright sky, Colin rode out of the grand capital's gates on horseback. He was mounted on a majestic black horse, with Sapphire and Brighid riding alongside him.
The city's stone roads soon turned into dirt paths that stretched beyond the walls, leading them to unknown lands.
As they moved away from the city, they were greeted by soldiers at posts near the capital's walls. The guards waved in recognition, and some smiled at them, especially at Brighid.
Some spoke of Colin, whispering that he was responsible for bringing a Bakurak's head to the city and beating up one of Loafe's guild members.
As they left the capital behind, the landscape opened up. Fields stretched as far as the eye could see, dotted with farms and villages.
Colin, Sapphire, and Brighid rode side by side, enjoying the fresh breeze and the feeling of freedom the road provided. With each kilometer they traveled, they passed other passersby.
Some pulled carts loaded with supplies to sell in neighboring villages, while others rode their horses or walked.
As they advanced, the landscape gradually changed.
Colin guided his horse south, where the mission awaited them.
After half a day's journey, they soon found themselves in a vast and mysterious swamp.
Slender trees with roots submerged in the water created a fairytale landscape, and the tranquil waters were perfect mirrors for the blue sky.
Houses suspended on stilts and connected by fragile bridges dotted the swamp. The croaking of frogs and the singing of unknown birds filled the air with a unique symphony.
The three continued to ride through the suspended houses of the swamp until they came across a fisherman, who was kneeling in a canoe, adjusting his nets.
The fisherman, a middle-aged man with prominent features on his forehead, had a humble and worn look from life in the swamp.
"Ivan" was written on his boat.
Colin decided to stop and approach him. He dismounted his horse and approached Ivan respectfully.
"Good afternoon! Ivan, isn't it?" Colin greeted the fisherman in a friendly tone, although he could feel the tension in the air. "We are looking for a mission in this area. Would you know where to find the contractor? It's about an aquatic witch."
Ivan, without looking directly at Colin, continued his work on the nets, seemingly reluctant to interact with the Elf.
"I'm a busy man; I don't have time to deal with outsiders." Ivan's voice sounded harsh and uninterested.
Colin noticed Ivan's attitude and chose not to insist on a long conversation.
"I understand, Ivan. If you can, just tell us where to find the contractor. We don't wish to waste your time."
Ivan pointed in the direction of a peculiar house, a little further away, built on tall stilts above the swamp.
"Go to that house, Old Lukasyl's. He must be the only crazy one willing to deal with outsiders."
Colin briefly thanked him for the information and led his horse in the indicated direction. Sapphire and Brighid followed him, and they soon arrived at the peculiar house of "Old Lukasyl." Although Ivan had been harsh, they were getting used to it.
They went to the old man's house and knocked three times on the door.
After a few seconds, it opened, and they found an elderly man. Lukasyl was hunched with the weight of years, his thin body seeming defiantly resistant to the passage of time.
The wrinkles on his face told stories of a lifetime of experiences, with sunspots and fishing marks that gave him a rough appearance.
Old Lukasyl wore long necklaces made of marine creature teeth, fish, and shells. His clothes were rustic, with patches and mud stains from the swamp that had accumulated over the years.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Lukasyl. My name is Colin, and these are Sapphire and Brighid. We came for the mission about a supposed aquatic witch who is terrorizing this region," Colin said firmly.
Lukasyl looked at the group with eyes that seemed to read more than just words. His expression was inscrutable, as if he weighed the three with a silent burden.
"Do you believe in witch stories?" he asked, his voice hoarse and deep.
"That's why we're here," Colin replied, raising the poster. "Will you invite us in?"
"Right, right, come in," the old man said, stepping back to let them pass.
The interior of the house was filled with fishing items and dried herbs hanging from the ceiling.
A characteristic odor of fish and plants filled the air, and wooden shelves crammed with old books about swamp creatures occupied the walls.
Lukasyl indicated chairs for them to sit, and the group settled down without ceremony.
"Many believe the witch is the cause of all evil in the swamp," Lukasyl began, as he sat down with a tired sigh. "They say she sank boats and lured the unwary into the depths. I, on the other hand, don't believe such stories. If you want to investigate, I will tell you what I know, but don't be swayed by fables. The truth of the swamp is more complicated than a simple witch."
Colin exchanged glances with Sapphire and Brighid before responding.
"So why did you post the mission stating it was an aquatic witch?"
"It wasn't me. It was my son. He said something was overturning boats and swore it was a witch. He described her as a large, ugly woman like a goblin, with long hair and green eyes that shone like yours, young lady." Lukasyl pointed to Brighid. "That's what he said before he disappeared."
Colin frowned.
"Is that all? You don't know where he disappeared? Or anyone who might have seen something?"
Lukasyl shook his head.
"He fished alone. Ivan is the only one besides him who still insists on fishing in this cursed swamp. If you want more information, look for the old innkeeper about thirty meters from here. She's always happy to receive customers."
"Alright... thank you for the information."
Colin stood up, and Sapphire and Brighid accompanied him, but Lukasyl interrupted them with a gesture.
"Wait."
The old man went to a chest at the back of the house, rummaged for a few moments, and returned with a small bag that he threw into Colin's hands.
"There's half the payment there. Gold coins, as you mercenaries prefer."
Colin observed him, his eyebrows arched.
"Why are you paying in advance? That's a risk."
Lukasyl shrugged, his expression hardened by fatigue.
"You're the first one who showed up to accept the mission since it was posted. It's not much money, you know? Students and mercenaries prefer to avoid problems with any kind of witch. Nobody is foolish enough to risk their life for so little."
"And why do you think I accepted?" Colin asked, putting the bag of coins away.
Lukasyl looked at him, then at Sapphire and Brighid. His experienced eyes lingered on the group for a few moments before answering.
"You don't have the look of a fool. Neither do they. You've seen a lot, haven't you?"
Colin gave a small smirk, and the old man also smiled, but there was something heavy in his gaze.
"You are different, that's for sure. I hope that's enough to keep your heads above water."
Colin turned to leave, accompanied by Sapphire and Brighid. Before crossing the door, he spoke over his shoulder. "When we have updates, we'll let you know."
Lukasyl shook his head, his voice somber as he replied.
"No need. Just bring me the witch's head, and you'll have the rest of the money."
"Alright..."
Colin left the old man's house and walked to the horses tied at the trough.
"Are we going to do it?" Sapphire inquired.
"He paid half... we have no choice. We have six days until the selection test; I think we can make it in time."
They pulled the horses' reins to the inn the old man indicated, tying the horses at another trough.
Colin, Sapphire, and Brighid arrived at a modest inn on the edge of the swamp. The lady who ran the place greeted them with a warm smile, genuinely happy to see new faces.
"Welcome, travelers! It's been a while since we last had visitors here. Welcome to the Swamp Inn."
The innkeeper was an elderly woman, with gray hair and lines of experience deeply etched into her face. Her gaze, however, radiated warmth and hospitality.
She observed Colin's companions with an appreciative look.
"Oh, what beautiful young ladies!" She winked at Colin. "You're really lucky, young man."
Colin thanked her with a cordial smile.
"Actually, we're here to investigate reports about an aquatic witch who might be terrorizing the swamp region."
The lady, surprised, frowned, momentarily interrupting her task of cleaning the counter.
"An aquatic witch? That's new to me. I've never seen such a thing in all the years I've run this inn. The only mention I heard was from Lukasyl's son, but no one has ever seen anything concrete."
Colin nodded. "Well... I'd like a room."
"Right away!" She turned and took one of the five keys from the wall. "Here! It's all yours! And if you want to bathe, there's a sauna in the back. As you can see, we don't have many customers, so it's all yours."
"Thank you." Colin placed two silver coins on the counter and went to the back.
"Dinner is at 9 PM! Grilled fish!"
Colin remained silent, and Brighid nodded with a friendly smile. "We'd love to try it!"
The three went up to the inn room, which was simple but cozy.
The ceiling beams were made of time-worn wood, and the walls were stone, rough to the touch.
Two beds occupied the center of the room.
The larger bed was adorned with soft white sheets, while the smaller bed had faded blue sheets, and an old wardrobe with aged wooden doors stood against one of the walls.
Sapphire looked at the beds and with a smile, pointed to the smaller bed and threw herself onto it.
"I think I'll take this one. You two can have the bigger one."
Brighid looked at Sapphire, a slight blush rising on her cheeks.
It was the first time she would have to share a bed with a man.
She didn't quite know how to feel about it, but she decided to give in.
"Alright... if you prefer that one... Colin and I will take the other, if you-you're okay with it, Colin..."
Colin nodded.
"It's fine by me."
Sapphire smiled, grateful, and took off her shoes. "What are we going to do now?"
"Wait for dinner," Colin replied.