The sun shone brightly above a group of mounted soldiers. Priscilla had traveled from Arcadia to the borders of Akrapocalis, a dwarven citadel to the east in order to fulfill her Queen's orders. Although knighted the day before, she was no longer clad in armor but instead a simple enchanted garb hand tailored to her needs.
It consisted of a white overcoat with reinforced chainmail underneath, metal leg guards that covered the front of her legs while keeping most of her mobility intact. She had a rapier tied to her belt. It was made for thrusting and it would be considered a poor weapon in the eyes of other knights that favored bigger weapons like a lance, battleaxe or halberds.
She was traveling with a small escort composed of three other knights clad in steel armor and two academy mages with dark blue robes. The front-most knight turned around as he noticed the city gates of Arrivaul.
"Dame. We're almost here. Are you sure about this? A word in Queen Leona's name would suffice to dispel any doubts they may have against us."
"No, although it was an order. I must accomplish it on my own without raising too much suspicion. Our kingdom alliance's are treading on thin ice thanks to the previous king's actions and we mustn't soil the Queen's good name."
Though hesitant, the knight spoke with respect.
"As you wish, Dame."
Upon reaching the fortified gates, Priscilla stood amongst the wary eyes of pikemen that served as guards. One of them stepped forward while raising his hand.
"Halt! What is your business here?"
The dame led her horse in front of her escorts and with a small bow. She introduced herself.
"My name is Priscilla. I've come to register myself as an adventurer."
The two guards looked at each other with suspicion in their eyes.
"An adventurer, with an escort as expensive as yours?" He glanced behind her, noting the knights and mages. "Must be nice to have deep pockets."
At the guard's remark, one of the knights straightened, his gauntlet clad fingers tightened over the pommel of his mace. The mages exchanged glances but remained quiet. Priscilla did not dare to look back—hesitation would only invite further unwelcomed inquiry. Thus she continued with the grace of a noble.
"My father is a nobleman hence why this strict entourage. But rest assured I am my own woman and I only wish to become stronger."
The first guard smirked.
"A noble's daughter playing adventurer is it? Can't say we haven't seen this before."
The second guard scratched his hairline before adjusting the kettle helmet on his head.
"If you truly want to register, you'll need to follow the necessary procedures. No exceptions."
She nodded in agreement.
"That sounds fine to me." She smiled before turning her steed around and dismounting before addressing her escort. "Please, tell father that I'll be staying in Arrivaul for a while longer."
Though hesitant, the frontmost knight bowed with his arm in front of his chest and grabbed the reins of Priscilla's horse off her hands.
"As you wish, my Lady." He turned around and raised his right hand. "We have accomplished our mission. Let us return."
Without showing any hesitation, each one of them turned their horses around and began a slow march back to Arcadia. Priscilla wore a faint smile before turning towards the gate guards.
"Where can I register?"
"Before that…" The first guard looked at her from head to toe. "What's your name, Miss?"
"Priscilla. Priscilla Avellion."
"Avellion… Avellion… doesn't ring a bell."
"My family rose in wealth quite recently."
"Ah… nouveau riche then." He glanced at the other guard with a mocking smirk. "Guess we let her in then."
The second guard nodded before pointing at the thin stone obelisk in the center of the city.
"Go to the central square. The adventurer's guild is right beside the inn."
Priscilla bowed slightly and forced a smile before heading inside. She could feel the two guard's stares on her back but she held off the urge to turn back and punch them.
'You are a royal knight now… act as one, Priscilla!' However, her thoughts and body were at odds as fingers from both hands clenched into a pair of tight fists. 'But nouveau riche?! How can one be so uncouth as to call me such a thing?!'
Her rage carried through each heavy step she took towards the central square. Though furrowing, her side profile painted her a gallant and serious dame that caught the eyes of those around her. Unbeknownst to her, she was already making quite an impact by simply walking through the streets.
Despite being known as a city now, Arrivaul was nothing more than a small town a few years ago. The appearances of mysterious dungeons across the continent promptly gathered those that sought fame and riches. That place was no exception.
She reached the central square where a sharp black obelisk stood tall. The stone pavement beneath her feet felt smooth. Smoother than Arcadia's uneven streets which made her wonder just how much effort was put in expanding the city.
"Hear ye! Hear ye!" A loud strident male voice accompanied by a ringing bell caught Priscilla's attention as she passed by a town crier standing atop of a wooden podium on the side of the street surrounded by people. "The northern kingdom of Londria opens its borders once again! Merchants and traders throughout the realm are welcomed! Hear ye! Hear ye!"
He continued repeating his words whilst ringing the handbell.
"Londria huh?" She muttered under her breath as she slowed her pace. "It wasn't too long ago they had an issue with their own minister." She became briefly lost in thought before shaking her head slightly and taking a sharp, deep breath. "No. This is Dame Phoebe's duty, not mine."
She began to walk alongside the path around the obelisk while keeping an eye on the different store signs hanging above each establishment.
"General goods store, blacksmith, leatherwork guild…? Huh… that's unusual-" As she was looking at the store—she felt something bump into her which almost made her stumble backwards. "Oof!" She glanced to her right and saw a kid the height of her elbow wearing a dark brown cloak dash past her. "Hey! Tsk…"
She caught a glimpse of a pair of azure eyes beneath the hood staring back at her before she turned around. After adjusting her clothing she continued to walk until she noticed an engraved wooden sign: 'Inn'. Just to the right of it stood the building she'd been looking for.
"Adventurer's guild."
She muttered under her breath. It was a two story establishment with a balcony and a wide front with enough space for two large oval windows on each side of the doorway. Thick reinforced wooden beams supported the structure. It was obviously hastily built in order to accommodate the influx of people but it was nevertheless impressive considering how small that town used to be.
Without wasting any time, she pressed her hands against the double wooden doors and pushed them forward. A strong sharp warm scent of alcohol hit her nose accompanied by the subtle lingering smell of burning firewood and dust.
She walked inside and the wooden floor creaked beneath her feet. The guild was bustling with people. Adventurers both young and aged were looking for work regarding the exploration and looting of the newly formed dungeon. There was no shortage of jobs on the bulletin board, even less so of people to provide manpower.
Though Priscilla wasn't interested in any of that. She was there for her mission and so she decided to go straight to the guild counter that was in the center of the large hall.
On her way there she felt glares coming from both sides. Near each window were located round wooden tables that were being used to hold the countless wooden tankards filled to the brim with ale. Patrons and adventurers alike turned their heads to the gallant fencer who had just stepped into their den—a place steeped in sweat, blood and the weight of both glory and failure.
But she wasn't intimidated. It wasn't the first time she had to deal with a crowd and it wouldn't be the last. Her footsteps kept her moving with conviction until she reached the frontdesk. A few green adventurers were occupying most of the space around it but a gentle voice reached Priscilla's ears as she felt a tug on her left sleeve.
"Hi, are you here to register?" A woman gently pinched her clothes. "I can help you if you want."
Upon turning around she noticed it was a young woman about a palm shorter than her. She wore a long sleeved white shirt, a neat black necktie, black leather gloves, tight black pants and black leather high boots. Her short silver hair and endearing golden eyes made Priscilla feel like an older sister for a split second before she cleared her throat.
"I um… yes. I want to register as an adventurer."
The receptionist smiled warmly before motioning with her left hand towards one vacant desk in the corner.
"Right this way." She went around the desk before producing a pre-filled sheet of parchment from behind the counter. "You'll be required to fill in some information about yourself first. Do you require assistance with reading or writing?"
"Huh… no, thank you. I can read and write."
"Oh, very well." She opened a small inkwell before gently pushing it forward with a quill. "Here you go. Take your time."
Priscilla reached for the feathered pen and gently tapped it against the border of the inkwell to remove the excess—with small precise motions she started to fill the form. Name, occupation, place of birth, relatives, most of it was useless information for handing rewards but it was important nonetheless in case they were to find the aforementioned adventurer's remains in the dungeon.
She finished filling in the necessary information, though clearly omitting that she was a royal knight and instead choosing to refer to her occupation as a simple 'spell fencer'.
"Here, I finished it."
She slipped the paper forward while gently placing the quill back in the inkwell.
"Very good. Let me just take a look…" The receptionist looked at the sheet of parchment before glancing back at her. "You mentioned you are a spell fencer? Forgive me but I never heard of this occupation before."
'Oh shoot…'
"Erm… think like a practitioner of the sword that uses magic. That's what a spell fencer is."
"Ah… I see. Pardon me, I'm somewhat new at this job." She smiled before putting the inkwell and parchment aside. She then lowered herself to reach for something behind the desk and produced a rectangular plate of copper on the table. "This is your adventurer plate. Keep it on your person when doing jobs or quests and it will keep you out of trouble with the guardsmen."
Priscilla nodded and reached for it but the receptionist extended her right open palm forward while placing her left hand over the piece of metal.
"That'll be a silver piece."
"Ah… right…" The spell fencer had a somewhat awkward smile on her face as she reached for the pouch on her belt where she kept her coins, but it was no longer there. "Huh…?"
She pulled her coat aside and looked directly at where the pouch should be but only the strings were tied to the leather belt. She had been robbed.
'When did I…' To have that stolen off her person—whoever was needed to be touching her. 'But… I didn't let anybody in town come too close to me.'
She was right. Nobody that met her ever came into physical contact with her—at least not willingly.
'It was that child…!'