Morning broke over their campsite with gentle warmth, the sun painting the grassland in shades of gold and amber. Kael woke to find the mushroom mythbeast—who he'd mentally nicknamed Mushy for lack of a proper name—had moved closer to Ember during the night, the two smaller creatures curled up together like siblings.
They broke camp efficiently, packing their sleeping bags and supplies back into the carriage. Mushy watched everything with what Kael interpreted as fascination, the small mythbeast's cap tilting this way and that as it took in each new sight and activity.
"Ready to see the big city?" Kael asked gently, and through Vera's psychic translation, he felt Mushy's response—nervous excitement mixed with desperate hope that this new place would be kinder than the village.
The journey back to Thornhaven was smooth and uneventful, which was a welcome change from their outbound trip. Granite pulled the carriage with his usual steady strength, and the group fell into comfortable traveling positions—Lyssa driving, Kael in the covered area with Vera and Mushy, Fulminus on the roof keeping watch, and Ember flying her customary circles around them all.
Kael used the travel time to explain things to Mushy, with Vera helping translate the more complex concepts. "The city we're going to is called Thornhaven," he said. "It's huge compared to that village—thousands of people, all kinds of mythbeasts, buildings that reach multiple stories high. It can be overwhelming at first, but it's also full of opportunities."
Mushy's attention was rapt, the small creature hanging on every word.
"There's something called the Tamer Guild there," Kael continued. "It's an organization where people like Lyssa and me can take on quests—jobs helping people who need assistance. Sometimes that means protecting them from dangerous mythbeasts, sometimes it means finding lost items or people, sometimes it means gathering resources. The guild coordinates everything, makes sure tamers get paid fairly for their work."
Through Vera's translation, Kael felt Mushy's curiosity. Why do you do quests? Just for money?
"Money is part of it," Kael admitted honestly. "Everyone needs to eat and have shelter. But it's also about getting stronger. The more quests we complete, the more experience we gain, the more we learn about fighting and strategy, and working together. And getting stronger means we can help more people, protect the ones who can't protect themselves, and defend our own companions when they need us."
As you defended me, Mushy sent back through Vera. From the village head who wanted you to kill me.
"Exactly like that," Kael confirmed. "The guild helps people in need—and you were someone who needed help. The fact that the person who posted the quest wanted the wrong outcome doesn't change that you deserved to be saved."
Mushy's emotions, conveyed through Vera's translation, were complex—gratitude, wonder, and a growing sense that maybe the world wasn't entirely hostile after all. The small mythbeast settled closer to Kael, its passive poison miasma carefully controlled to avoid affecting anyone in the carriage.
The walls of Thornhaven came into view around midday, massive and reassuring in their solidity. Mushy's cap tilted way back as the small creature tried to take in the sheer scale of the fortifications, then swiveled rapidly as they passed through the gates and entered the city proper.
The bustling streets, the crowds of people, the variety of mythbeasts, the multi-story buildings—it was all clearly overwhelming for Mushy, but Kael felt excitement rather than fear through their connection. This was wonder, the thrill of discovering a whole new world.
"We're heading to the guild first," Kael explained. "We need to report on the quest and see how they'll resolve the situation with the village head. After that, you can decide what you want to do—stay with us, find your own path in the city, whatever feels right."
They made their way through the streets toward the guild, and Kael found himself wondering how this would play out. The village head had been very clear about his interpretation of "elimination," and the guild would need to decide whose version of quest completion was correct.
The guild building loomed ahead, familiar now after multiple visits. They pulled the carriage to a stop outside, and Kael, Vera, Lyssa, and Mushy all dismounted to head inside. Ember decided to stay outside with Granite and Fulminus, the tiny fire fairy already entertaining Granite with aerial acrobatics.
Inside, the guild was moderately busy with the afternoon crowd. Kael and his group made their way to the reception desk, where the same male receptionist they'd dealt with before looked up and immediately noticed Mushy.
"That's... not a dead poison-type mythbeast," the receptionist observed.
"No, it's not," Kael agreed. "And that's what we need to discuss. The quest issuer—the village head—wanted us to explicitly kill this mythbeast." He gestured to Mushy, who nodded vigorously to confirm the story. "But when we investigated, we discovered this is a newborn mythbeast, less than two weeks old, who was born from a garbage pile near the village. The villagers attacked it with rocks and sticks because they were disgusted by its appearance, and it fled into a cellar to hide. It's been there for a week, terrified and alone."
The receptionist's expression shifted from neutral professionalism to genuine concern. "So the village head wanted you to murder a frightened child for the crime of being born."
"Essentially, yes," Lyssa confirmed. "We removed the mythbeast from the village as requested, but we refused to kill it. The village head claims the quest isn't complete because we didn't slay it."
The receptionist was quiet for a moment, then sighed. "This kind of situation doesn't come up often, but it's not unprecedented. I'm going to need to involve the guildmaster. This is above my authority to resolve."
Kael felt his heart rate increase slightly. The guildmaster—the person who ran the entire Thornhaven guild operation. That was a significant escalation.
"Wait here a moment," the receptionist said, disappearing into a back room. Kael heard a muffled conversation, then footsteps ascending stairs. A few minutes later, the receptionist returned. "The guildmaster will see you. Go upstairs—her office is at the end of the hallway. Can't miss it."
They climbed the stairs to the second floor, finding themselves in a quieter, more professional area. The hallway was lined with doors bearing various administrative labels, and at the very end was a door marked simply "Guildmaster."
Kael knocked, and a woman's voice called out, "Enter."
He pushed open the door and stepped inside, Vera and Mushy following close behind while Lyssa brought up the rear.
The office was spacious and well-appointed, with large windows letting in afternoon sunlight. Behind a substantial wooden desk sat a woman who, at first glance, didn't look particularly dangerous. She appeared to be in her late thirties, with auburn hair pulled back in a practical style and sharp green eyes that missed nothing. She wore simple but quality clothing—practical adventurer's garb rather than administrative robes.
But the moment Kael entered, he felt it—an oppressive presence, not from the woman herself but from her shadow. There was something there, something powerful and predatory, lurking in the darkness cast by her body.
The guildmaster's eyes narrowed as she studied him. "Interesting. You noticed immediately. Most people never even realize my companion is there until I point it out."
Kael's gaze went to her shadow, and now that he was actively looking, he could make out the vague shape of something large and sinuous coiled within the darkness. Something that radiated power on a level he'd rarely encountered.
"You looked at my shadow without me saying anything," the guildmaster continued, her tone curious rather than hostile. "You sensed my companion's presence before you even knew to look for it. That's... unusual for someone your age and rank."
She stood, and Kael felt her attention shift to really examining him, Vera, and Fulminus. Her eyes tracked over them with professional assessment, cataloging details, searching for whatever had triggered her companion's presence to be noticeable.
Lyssa, Kael noticed, seemed familiar to the guildmaster—not friends exactly, but clearly they'd met before. The guildmaster gave her a brief nod of recognition before focusing back on Kael.
Despite her scrutiny, the guildmaster didn't seem to find anything obviously extraordinary about him. After a moment, she settled back into her chair and gestured for them to sit in the chairs arranged before her desk.
"I'm Guildmaster Thorne," she said. "The receptionist gave me a brief summary of your situation, but I'd like to hear it from you directly. What happened with this quest?"
Kael and Lyssa took turns explaining—the quest posting, the journey to the village, the village head's insistence on killing the mythbeast, Kael's investigation of the cellar, discovering Mushy's true nature, and the decision to rescue rather than slay.
Guildmaster Thorne listened without interruption, her expression neutral but attentive. When they finished, she turned her attention to Mushy, who had been hiding partially behind Kael's leg throughout the explanation.
"Is this story accurate?" she asked gently. "Were you born in that village and attacked by the humans there?"
Mushy's response was immediate and emphatic. The small mythbeast's cap nodded so hard Kael worried it might actually fall off, bobbing up and down with desperate affirmation.
"And you were hiding in the cellar because you were afraid?"
More vigorous nodding.
"And these two tamers rescued you and brought you here rather than killing you as the village head demanded?"
The nodding this time was slower but no less certain, and through Vera's translation, Kael felt Mushy's overwhelming gratitude radiating toward them.
Guildmaster Thorne was silent for a long moment, then she leaned back in her chair with a slight smile. "Well, this is straightforward enough. You two are not in any trouble—quite the opposite, actually."
She pulled out their guild cards from where the receptionist must have sent them up, and placed her hand over each one in turn. That familiar static sensation filled the air.
"You've earned what we call a Merit Mark," she explained. "It's a notation on your guild record that indicates you went against explicit quest orders to do what was morally right. It doesn't happen often, but when it does, the guild recognizes it. Merit Marks can help offset any negative marks you might earn in the future, and they're looked upon favorably by other guilds if you ever travel beyond Thornhaven."
She handed back their cards. Kael examined his and saw that a small star symbol had been added next to his rank.
"You've also earned the guild points you would have received for completing the quest," Guildmaster Thorne continued. "Twenty points for you, Kael, and ten for you, Lyssa, based on the rank differential."
Twenty points. Kael did quick math—he now had twenty points toward his next rank-up.
"Unfortunately," the guildmaster added, "you probably won't receive payment from the village head. He's unlikely to pay for a quest he considers incomplete."
"We expected that," Lyssa said. "We're okay with it."
"However," Guildmaster Thorne said, her smile turning slightly predatory, "the guild is not okay with it. I'll be sending a message to that village head explaining that if he doesn't pay you for a job well done, he'll be permanently banned from posting any quests through our guild. Bad-faith quest issuers damage our reputation, and we don't tolerate them. You'll probably receive payment within a week."
She turned her attention to Mushy. "As for you, little one—you're free to do whatever you want, as long as you don't actively try to harm anyone. This city is large enough that you can find a place here if you want one. There are gardens, parks, and even some tamers who specialize in caring for mythbeasts who don't have permanent homes. You have options."
Mushy's relief was palpable through Vera's translation. The small mythbeast had clearly been terrified that even here, in the big city, someone might try to force it to leave or hurt it.
"Thank you, Guildmaster," Kael said sincerely. "For understanding the situation and supporting our decision."
"Thank you for making the right choice when it would have been easier to follow orders blindly," Guildmaster Thorne replied. "The guild needs tamers with strong moral compasses, not just strong mythbeasts. You did well."
She stood, indicating the meeting was over. "I suspect we'll see each other again at some point. Keep up the good work, and welcome to Rank 2, Kael."
They left the office, making their way back downstairs and out of the guild. Ember and Granite were exactly where they'd left them, with Fulminus having joined Ember in keeping the crystal ox entertained.
"So," Kael said as they walked toward the market district, "how strong do you think the guildmaster is?"
"Guildmaster Thorne is currently one of the three strongest people who live permanently in Thornhaven," Lyssa explained. "She, the city's lord, and a retired adventurer who runs a training academy are all Rank 10. The highest ranks in the city."
Rank 10. Kael filed that away, remembering the mysterious red shadow mythbeast they'd seen during their journey. Rank 15 or higher, Lyssa had estimated for that one. Guildmaster Thorne was powerful, but there were still beings and tamers out there who exceeded even her capabilities.
"I believe it," Kael said, thinking of the oppressive presence in her shadow. "Whatever mythbeast she has bonded with... It's on another level entirely."
They walked through the market, browsing stalls and enjoying the vibrant atmosphere. Mushy seemed fascinated by everything—the variety of goods for sale, the different types of people, the mythbeasts of every description wandering alongside their tamers.
Eventually, they reached a natural parting point. Lyssa needed to return Granite's carriage and handle some personal business, while Kael wanted to get back to the Sleeping Drake and figure out what Mushy wanted to do next.
"Same time tomorrow?" Lyssa asked. "For training?"
"Sounds good," Kael agreed. "Oh, actually—I meant to ask earlier. Have you noticed anything about your bad luck lately? Any incidents or close calls?"
Lyssa paused, considering the question. "No, actually. I haven't noticed any bad luck happening around me anymore. Not since that pot almost fell on you when we first left the city."
She smiled slightly, a teasing glint in her eye. "Maybe you're my lucky charm."
"Maybe, maybe," Kael said with a grin. "Or maybe your bad luck streak has finally just... ended. Ran its course."
"We'll see about that," Lyssa said, but there was hope in her voice. "I'm not getting my expectations up too high, but it would be nice if things stayed this way."
They said their goodbyes and went their separate ways—Lyssa and Granite heading toward the carriage rental stable, while Kael and his growing group of companions made their way back to the Sleeping Drake.
The inn was moderately busy when they arrived, the early evening crowd settling in for dinner. Merra was behind the counter as always, and her eyes widened when she saw Mushy.
"That's... a new friend," she observed diplomatically.
"Long story," Kael said. "But yes, this is Mushy. Temporarily, at least. We rescued them from a bad situation, and they're figuring out what they want to do next."
"Well, any friend of yours is welcome here," Merra said warmly. Then, addressing Mushy directly, "You can stay as long as you need until you figure out what you want to do with your life. We don't judge people—or mythbeasts—by their appearance here."
Mushy's gratitude was evident even without Vera's translation. The small creature's cap bobbed in thanks.
Kael ordered dinner for himself and meat portions for all his companions, including Mushy, who turned out to have a surprisingly hearty appetite for something so small. While they ate, Merra came over to chat.
"So, how was your day?" Kael asked between bites of what Elara had assured him was roasted chicken.
"Pretty calm, actually," Merra said. "Just one rougher patron who'd had too much ale and started causing trouble. My father knocked him out with one punch and carried him outside. Other than that, just the usual routine."
"Sounds peaceful," Kael said. Then, gesturing vaguely toward Mushy while keeping his voice low enough not to carry, "We just got back from a quest that didn't go quite as expected. The person who posted it wanted us to kill this little one here just because they were born different and scared some villagers."
Merra's expression hardened. "That's awful. I hate that there are still people like that village head around—people who see something they don't understand and immediately resort to violence."
"The guildmaster is going to take care of it," Kael assured her. "She's threatening to ban him from posting any more quests if he doesn't pay us properly and change his attitude."
"Good," Merra said firmly. "People like that need consequences." She smiled at Mushy. "You're safe here, little one. This city has its problems, but we're generally better than backward villages about accepting differences."
After finishing dinner, Merra wished them goodnight, and Kael returned the sentiment. He gathered his companions—Vera, Ember, Fulminus, and Mushy—and headed upstairs to his room.
The space was getting crowded with four mythbeasts now, but they made it work. Vera claimed her usual spot on the bed, Fulminus returned to his bedpost perch, and Ember settled onto her small bed. Mushy, after some hesitation, found a corner where the small mythbeast could rest comfortably without its passive poison miasma affecting anyone else.
Kael changed into his sleeping clothes and collapsed onto the bed, Vera's warm bulk pressed against his side as always. Through his bonds with Vera, Ember, and Fulminus, he felt their contentment. And through Vera's connection with Mushy, he sensed the small mushroom's overwhelming gratitude and cautious hope for the future.
Tomorrow would be a full day of training. He'd push his companions to their limits, continue developing his own abilities, and keep progressing toward becoming the tamer he wanted to be.
But tonight, he rested, satisfied with the knowledge that they'd done the right thing even when it cost them payment.
Some things were more important than money.
And saving a life—giving a frightened, newborn mythbeast a chance at a real future—was definitely one of those things.
Through his bonds, Kael felt his companions settling into sleep. Vera's steady strength, Ember's bright warmth, Fulminus's fierce determination, and now Mushy's grateful presence are adding to the tapestry of connections that make up his team.
His family.
Tomorrow they'd train, grow stronger, and continue building toward whatever future awaited them.
But for now, they slept, safe and together under the Sleeping Drake's sturdy roof.
And that was enough.