Kael stood at the reception counter of the Sleeping Drake, his packed bag slung over his shoulder, and his four mythbeast companions gathered around him. Merra looked up from the ledger she'd been reviewing, her expression attentive.
"I'll be away for probably five days," Kael explained. "The quest we took is an escort mission—two days there, one day at the destination, two days back. If everything goes smoothly, anyway."
"What do you want to do about your room?" Merra asked practically. "We can hold it for you if the inn isn't going to be full, or you can pay for the days you'll be gone to guarantee it stays yours regardless."
"What's the likelihood of the inn filling up in five days?" Kael asked.
Merra considered. "This time of year? Moderate. We get steady traffic but rarely fill completely. I'd say there's maybe a thirty percent chance we'd need your room for other guests."
"Let's do this," Kael decided. "If the inn doesn't fill up, keep the room empty for me—no charge. If you do need it, I'll pay for all five days when I get back. That fair?"
"More than fair," Merra agreed. "That works perfectly." She smiled warmly. "Hope to see you soon again. Stay safe out there."
"I plan to," Kael assured her. "And thank you—for everything. You and your parents have made this place feel like home."
"That's what we aim for," Merra said. "Now get going before you miss your quest."
Kael waved goodbye and headed out into the early morning streets. The sun was just beginning to rise, painting the city in shades of gold and amber. The streets were quiet at this hour, with only a few early risers going about their business.
As they walked toward the guild, Kael opened his bonds to communicate with his companions. So, is everyone excited for this quest? We're going to be on the road for four days total, with one rest day in the middle. That's a lot of travel time.
Vera's response was calm and practical—travel was fine, she enjoyed seeing new places, and the journey itself could be restful if nothing went wrong. Ember radiated pure enthusiasm—new adventure, new sights, new experiences! Fulminus sent back eager determination—more opportunities to prove himself, to grow stronger through whatever challenges they might face. And Mushy, still getting used to communicating through Vera's translation, conveyed cautious excitement—nervous about being away from the relative safety of Thornhaven but curious about what lay beyond.
Good, Kael sent back. Just remember, this is an escort mission. Our job is to keep the client safe, which means staying alert and being ready for potential trouble. But hopefully it'll be smooth and uneventful.
They reached the guild building, its familiar bulk reassuring in the morning light. Lyssa and Granite were already there, the massive crystal ox hitched to his trusted cart. The cart was loaded with supplies—food, water, camping gear, and various other provisions neatly organized and secured.
"Morning," Kael called out as they approached. "Looks like you came prepared."
"Always," Lyssa said with a slight smile. "I've got enough supplies for at least a week, plus extra emergency rations just in case. Water for everyone, cooking equipment, medical supplies, rope, everything we might need."
"What about entertainment?" Kael asked. "Four days of travel can get boring."
"I brought a book," Lyssa admitted, patting a bag. "And I figure we can always train or talk. Better to be overprepared than caught short."
Kael checked his own supplies—similar provisions, though less extensive than Lyssa's. Between them, they had everything they could reasonably need for the journey.
"So we just wait for the client to show up?" Kael asked.
"Should be here any time now," Lyssa confirmed, glancing at the sun's position. "Dawn was the meeting time specified."
They settled in to wait, and the minutes stretched on. Fifteen minutes past dawn, then thirty, then forty-five. Kael was starting to wonder if the client had changed their mind when he heard it—the distinctive sound of an expensive carriage approaching, wheels on cobblestones accompanied by the clip-clop of multiple horses.
The carriage that rounded the corner was unmistakably luxurious. Polished wood with ornate carvings, brass fittings that gleamed in the morning light, and curtained windows that prevented anyone from seeing inside. Two normal horses—not mythbeasts—pulled the carriage, and flanking it were two guards in expensive armor, each accompanied by a mythbeast.
The guards' mythbeasts were impressive—one was a large cat-type with dark fur and intelligent eyes, the other a bird-type with metallic feathers that caught the light. Both looked well-trained and alert, the kind of companions that came from money and professional training.
The carriage pulled to a stop directly in front of the guild, and Kael felt his stomach sink as recognition dawned.
Oh no, he thought. Please don't be—
The carriage door opened, and out stepped Lord Cedric, the governor's second son. The same arrogant young man Kael had seen making a scene at the city gates during his first days in Thornhaven. The same person who'd been demanding special treatment and throwing his title around like a weapon.
Kael immediately had a bad feeling about this quest.
He turned to Lyssa, keeping his voice low. "That's Lord Cedric. The governor's second son. I encountered him at the gates when I got back to the city—he was making a huge scene, demanding to be let through without standard security checks. Very entitled, very temperamental."
Lyssa's expression tightened. "Wonderful. High-paying quest now makes sense—probably has to pay extra because he's difficult to work with."
"Should we back out?" Kael asked quietly.
"Three hundred basilisks," Lyssa reminded him. "And technically, he hasn't done anything to us yet. Let's at least hear him out officially."
A guild worker emerged—one of the administrators Kael recognized from previous visits—and approached their group. "Tamer Veyrin, Tamer Thornwood, please follow me. Your client is ready to meet you."
They followed the administrator into the guild, where Lord Cedric was already waiting in one of the private meeting rooms. Up close, Kael could see the young man hadn't changed since their first encounter—expensive clothes, perfectly styled hair, rings on multiple fingers, and an expression that suggested the world existed primarily to inconvenience him.
"Lord Cedric," the administrator said formally, "may I present Tamers Kael Veyrin and Lyssa Thornwood, who will be escorting you to Ironpeak Fortress."
Cedric's eyes swept over them with casual dismissal, then stopped on Kael with slightly more interest. His gaze traveled to Kael's companions—Vera, Ember, Fulminus, and Mushy—counting them quickly.
"Four mythbeasts," Cedric said, his tone marginally less rude than Kael had expected. "That's... unusual for someone your age." His eyes narrowed slightly, reassessing. "What family are you from? I don't recognize your name from the local nobility."
Kael realized what was happening—Cedric thought having four bonded mythbeasts at seventeen meant Kael came from money and influence, possibly from a distant region. The young lord was reining in his natural rudeness to avoid accidentally offending someone powerful.
"I'm not from nobility," Kael said simply. "Just a tamer working my way up through the guild ranks."
Cedric looked skeptical but didn't push. "Well. Regardless. The job is simple—escort me to Ironpeak Fortress, stay one day while I conduct business, then escort me back. My guards will handle primary security. You're backup and additional protection in case of complications."
"Understood," Lyssa said professionally. "When do we depart?"
"Immediately," Cedric said. "I've wasted enough time on this already."
The administrator provided them with the official quest details and payment schedule—half now, half upon successful completion—then they were dismissed to prepare for departure.
Outside, they loaded their supplies onto Granite's cart and positioned themselves for travel. The arrangement was straightforward—Cedric's fancy carriage led the way with his two guards flanking it. Granite's cart followed behind at a comfortable distance, carrying Kael, Lyssa, and their supplies.
Kael's mythbeasts found their positions naturally. Vera settled into the cart beside Kael, her presence steady and calming. Fulminus perched on the cart's roof edge, his sharp eyes scanning the surrounding area for threats. Mushy tucked into a corner where its passive poison miasma wouldn't affect anyone. And Ember—
"Ember," Kael called quietly to the fire fairy. "Can you stay closer to our cart for this trip? Try to avoid flying near Lord Cedric's carriage. I don't trust him, and I don't want him having any excuse to complain about you."
Ember chimed in with understanding and agreement. She was perfectly happy flying circles around their cart rather than ranging more widely. It was no hardship for her to stay close.
The journey began, and the first day of travel passed smoothly. The road to Ironpeak was well-maintained and well-traveled, with plenty of other traffic—merchants, travelers, and other tamers. The weather was pleasant, neither too hot nor too cold, with a gentle breeze that made the journey comfortable.
Cedric's carriage maintained a steady pace, never too fast but never stopping unnecessarily. The young lord remained inside his luxurious conveyance, the curtains drawn, occasionally barking orders to his guards about the route or pace.
When they stopped for the evening meal and to make camp, the separation between their groups was immediately apparent. Cedric's guards set up his elaborate tent—a temporary structure that looked more like a small palace than camping gear, complete with carpets, furniture, and what appeared to be a portable bed frame.
Meanwhile, Kael and Lyssa set up their much simpler sleeping arrangements, laying out bedrolls under the stars. They prepared a basic but hearty meal over a small fire—dried meat rehydrated in broth, hardtack softened in the liquid, some dried vegetables adding flavor.
Cedric and his guards dined separately, the young lord eating from fine plates inside his tent while his guards took their meal near the carriage. There was no offer to share food or company, which honestly suited Kael fine.
As they settled in for the evening, Kael watched the guards finish setting up Cedric's elaborate tent and couldn't help a thought that made him smile.
Cedric probably couldn't even tie open his own sleeping bag if he tried; he sent to his companions, his mental tone amused. Look at him—servants for everything, luxury even in the wilderness. Has he ever done anything practical for himself?
Through their bonds, he felt his mythbeasts' responses. Vera sent back a bemused agreement, recognizing how helpless the young lord was outside his pampered environment. Ember's response was more sympathetic—sad that someone could be so dependent, so unable to care for themselves. Fulminus sent a cold assessment—weakness, regardless of wealth or title. And Mushy conveyed simple confusion about why anyone would choose to be so helpless.
It's not about choice, Kael explained to them mentally. He was probably raised this way—taught that practical skills were beneath him, that servants existed to handle 'common' tasks. It's actually kind of sad when you think about it. All that wealth and privilege, but no actual competence or self-sufficiency.
They settled in for the night, taking turns on watch—Lyssa first, then Kael, ensuring someone was always alert in case of trouble. But the night passed peacefully, with only the normal sounds of the wilderness and distant campfires from other travelers breaking the silence.
The second day of travel was equally smooth. The road continued through pleasant countryside—rolling hills, occasional forests, farmlands worked by locals with their mythbeasts. They passed through two small villages where they stopped briefly to water the horses and Granite, allowing everyone a chance to stretch their legs.
Cedric remained aloof throughout, speaking only to his guards and never acknowledging Kael or Lyssa's presence unless absolutely necessary. His mythbeasts—a sleek dark cat and an elegant bird—were well-behaved but clearly trained primarily for show rather than combat. They moved with grace but lacked the battle-hardened awareness of mythbeasts who'd seen real danger.
By late afternoon, Ironpeak Fortress came into view on the horizon, and Kael understood immediately why it earned the "fortress" designation. The city was built into and around a massive rocky outcropping, with walls that seemed to grow directly from the stone itself. Towers rose at strategic intervals, and even from a distance, the defensive capabilities were obvious.
"That's impressive," Lyssa said quietly, her eyes taking in the sight. "Makes Thornhaven look almost quaint by comparison."
"Different purpose," Kael observed. "Thornhaven is about trade and population. Ironpeak looks like it was designed primarily for defense—probably guards a strategic pass or resource."
They reached the fortress city's gates as the sun began its descent. The guards there were more heavily armed and armored than Thornhaven's, and their mythbeasts were uniformly combat-focused breeds. Security was tight but efficient, and Cedric's status got them through with minimal delay.
Once inside, one of Cedric's guards approached Kael and Lyssa. "Lord Cedric instructs you to meet here the day after tomorrow at dawn for the return journey. You're free until then."
"Understood," Kael said. "We'll be here."
The guard nodded and returned to Cedric's carriage, which immediately headed off toward what was probably the noble district or wherever the young lord would be conducting his business.
"Well," Lyssa said, "looks like we have a day to ourselves. Let's find lodging."
Finding an inn that could accommodate them all—especially Granite—proved more challenging than expected. Most inns were designed for human-sized guests with perhaps one or two medium mythbeasts. Very few had facilities for something as large as a crystal ox.
They tried four different establishments before finding one that could help—the Stone's Rest, an inn specifically designed to cater to tamers with larger mythbeasts. The proprietor, a cheerful older man with impressive facial hair, showed them to a ground-floor room that was essentially a modified stable space.
"Biggest room we've got," he explained. "Fits up to three large mythbeasts comfortably. Got proper bedding for humans too—we converted it from pure stable to mixed accommodation a few years back when we realized the market demand."
The room was indeed huge, easily large enough for Granite to move around comfortably. There were two human-sized beds along one wall, fresh hay and bedding in designated areas for mythbeasts, and even a small table with chairs.
"It's perfect," Lyssa said, clearly relieved. "How much for two nights?"
"One bronze basilisk total," the proprietor said. "That includes meals for you all if you want them."
It was a remarkably good deal, probably because the room's size made it less desirable for most travelers. Kael and Lyssa split the cost, then set about getting settled.
Granite settled into the hay with obvious relief—the journey had been long, and even his immense stamina had limits. Vera claimed one of the human beds, sprawling across it with typical feline disregard for boundaries. Fulminus found a perch on a wooden beam near the ceiling. Ember claimed the space near Vera, her flames dimming to a comfortable glow. And Mushy tucked into a corner where the small mythbeast could rest without its passive miasma affecting anyone.
Kael and Lyssa would share the second bed, which wasn't ideal but also wasn't unusual for traveling tamers on a budget. They'd maintain appropriate distance and professionalism—this was a practical arrangement, nothing more.
"So," Kael said, settling onto his side of the bed while Lyssa claimed hers, "what should we do tomorrow? We've got a full free day in a new city."
"Explore, definitely," Lyssa said. "Ironpeak has different shops and resources than Thornhaven. Might find interesting equipment or supplies. Plus, the architecture alone is worth seeing."
"Training?" Kael suggested.
"Probably not full training," Lyssa said thoughtfully. "Light exercises, maybe, to keep everyone sharp. But we should save our energy for the journey back. No point exhausting ourselves right before we need to be alert."
"Fair point," Kael agreed.
Through his bonds, he felt his companions settling into rest. Vera's steady presence, Ember's warm contentment, Fulminus's alert watchfulness even as he rested, Mushy's grateful peace at being somewhere safe.
Tomorrow would bring exploration, new experiences in a new city, and maybe some interesting discoveries. Then the day after, they'd begin the return journey with Lord Cedric.
Hopefully the return trip is as smooth as the journey here, Kael thought. Though with our luck, probably something will go wrong.
But that was a future concern. Tonight, they were safe, comfortable, and well-provisioned in a city that offered new possibilities.
Kael let his eyes drift closed, his mind already wandering through plans for tomorrow.
What would they discover in Ironpeak?
What new opportunities or challenges awaited?
Only time would tell.
But for now, rest claimed him, pulling him down into sleep as the sounds of the fortress city filtered through their window—distant conversations, mythbeast calls, the steady rhythm of a place that never quite slept.
Tomorrow's adventures could wait.
Tonight was for rest and recovery.