Adventurers approached us from all sides, creating a tight bubble around us. Fable growled nacingly, keeping them from getting too close, but the sudden circle of noise and light was overwhelming. My tail twitched anxiously as I rubbed my horn, the beginnings of headache groaning like a storm on the horizon.
"That’s enough, everyone," Dyson said getting to his feet. "We’ve had a long night, and my companion is exhausted, so we’d appreciate so space. I’d love to tell you about our latest adventures, but that will be another ti. We’ll be around the city for a while, so please be patient."
As the noise quieted down, I peeked out around us, noting the crowd was filled with mainly young, bright-eyed adventurers. The older, gray-haired folk sat at their tables, calmly sipping ale or conversing in low tones. So of them rolled their eyes at the excitable younger generation, and a few called their companions back from crowding us, shooting Dyson apologetic glances.
Once most of them had gone, Dyson sighed and returned to his seat. "Sorry about that. This town’s filled with dreaming farm boys with more ambition than they know what to do with. After this last mission, I won’t be surprised if the Guild master promotes us to Gold Rank, sothing many of them idolize above all else."
"Is it really that impressive?" I asked softly.
"It is. There are only two other Gold Rank parties in the area, and one of those took a high-paying job to do a month-long escort quest to Brithlite."
"Oh. I didn’t know."
"There’s no sha in that," he said, chuckling. "With your extraordinary ability, it’s only natural you’d look down on the rest of us lowly peasants."
"It’s not like that," I protested, "I’m just...you know..."
"Beautiful?" he guessed, smiling, "Graceful? Talented? I’m sure there’s more, but that’s what cos to mind, at least."
"...Thanks." I blushed, awkwardly stroking my horn. His words were far better than the ones that ca to my mind, naly lonely, lost, and afraid.
"Alright, that’s enough flirting," A new voice said, and a man slid into the chair next to Dyson’s.
I squealed, covering my face as my ears burned, and Dyson laughed. The newcor’s face was creased and leathery with age, but bore a sense of familiarity. His soul glistened with fifth-level power, by far the strongest one I’d seen since coming to the city. He wore a ring enchanted with a spell I didn’t recognize, but it covered his soul in tiny, nearly imperceptible threads of black mana.
Sensing my gaze, the man smiled kindly and reached out a hand to pat my hand. "The na’s Helron. We t briefly before, twice actually. I’m glad to see you’ve recovered your strength. You were thin as a stick and looked as though you’d been dragged through every den and dungeon in Brithlite. Now, you’re... beautiful. And powerful too, if my instincts haven’t failed ."
"T-thanks," I stamred, gingerly pulled my hand away. His touch was soft, but I shivered at the thought of an unfamiliar man acting so familiarly.
Dyson folded his arms and leaned back. "Well, Guild Master, you got here quicker than I expected. What’s it been, five minutes?"
Helron smiled thinly, his eyes shifting to . "So things are simply that important. It was only a eting with one of the new and upcoming rchants. They were looking to throw around their weight and recruit adventurers at a lower cost. If anything, you’re arrival gave an excuse to escape such amateur maneuvering."
"I’m glad we can be of service," Dyson said. His smile faded as he continued, "But in all seriousness, there’s sothing we must discuss. A few minutes ago, we were attacked by the Circle of Chains. It was an impromptu scenario, which can only an we’re being followed."
The Guild Master sighed, rubbing his forehead. "And you think it’s because of the investigation?"
Dyson hesitated, sparing a glance. "Partly, at least. But they seem to have...ulterior motives that are not yet clear. One thing’s for sure though," he said, reaching into his ring and placing the red sword-rune emblem on the table, "Starlight found this on our assailants. Rasce was there, and claid one as well."
Helron sucked in a breath. "The Unbroken Chain. It seems they are no longer interested in being subtle."
He fell silent as Sorrin, Tana, and Rasce burst through the door, causing another commotion in the common area. After scanning the room, Sorrin’s eyes locked with our table and they hurriedly made their way over. Tana was panting heavily and leaned against the Wolfkin in exhaustion, who himself was covered in dry blood.
Dyson leaped to his feet, hands falling to his swords. "What happened?"
"Sa as you," Sorrin growled, falling into his seat. He turned to , worry painted across his face. "Are you alright? Rasce filled us in."
"I’m fine," I said softly. "But Dyson..."
"I’m alright now," the thief muttered. "They had one of those Shadow Golems, except this one was fourth-level. If Starliht hadn’t called her friend, we might not have made it out."
They glanced at Fable, who was watching them curiously. "Rasce explained that part, too," Sorrin said. "But I’m afraid we’re going to need a more thorough explanation."
"Later," Tana added quickly. "Right now, we need to focus on the Circle."
"Indeed," Helron mused. "I suppose this is as good a ti as any to inform you that last week, likely soti after you left Westfall, we had a rise in attacks all over the region. To date, there have been almost fifty reports of goblin or bandit raids, all targeted at beastkin families. Combined with the fact that almost no bodies were left behind, there’s no question as to what’s going on."
"What? So many?" Sorrin gasped.
"Every village has put in reports, with a few even originating in Heartland City itself. This is no longer sothing we can ignore," Helron replied heavily. "I’ve been in contact with the Lord, but it seems he’s unable to take direct action with the militia, and has asked for our aid."
"So they’re that deep," Rasce muttered, absently twirling an arrow between his fingers. "I knew this ’Circle of Chains’ was powerful, but to think the corruption is so bad it’s paralyzed the governnt."
"That ans the guard’s bought, too," Dyson said. He turned to and smiled, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "Looks like we were right to run."
Blushing slightly, I looked at Tana for help, and she smacked the thief in the head. "Flirt soti later, and with a girl who actually likes it," she said with a sigh.
Helron coughed, bringing the conversation back to the topic at hand. "I’ve issued several quests to powerful, trustworthy parties to investigate this new Circle. With any luck, we can find their hideouts and slave rings before they ship our people to Brithlite. Once they’re in the open market, it will be all but impossible to recover them. Thanks to you, we caught wind of their plans before that happened, which gives us a chance. I sent the Dawn Blades to eradicate one a rather large goblin lair outside of Northfall Village, and I would like to commission you to take one of their bases in the city."
"You’ve already found one?" Rasce asked skeptically. "You couldn’t have known about them for more than a day or two."
Helron smiled thinly, lacing his fingers together on the table. "Don’t underestimate , ranger. There is very little that remains hidden in this city without knowing about it. Once I knew what to look for, it was a simple matter to find the rats in their nest."
"Is that so?" Race replied, raising an eyebrow.
"Well..." Helron hesitated. "To be honest, one of our scouts discovered a small smuggler’s warehouse last week. I sent a bronze rank party there on an errand and asked them to report anything suspicious. They ntioned sothing about the Unbroken Chain rchant visiting, so I can only assu they’re related."
Sorrin leaned over the table, resting his chin on his hands and staring intently at the Guild Master. "So that information has yet to be verified?"
Helron nodded reluctantly, and the wolfkin sighed, leaning back.
"Then we’ll be going in blind. Considering the risk to the party, I won’t accept less than five hundred for the job, plus a bonus for any additional leads or information we discover," Sorrin said flatly.
"Deal."
The instant response sent a flicker of unease through Sorrin, but he took the man’s hand. "You’d better be right about this."
"Make haste," Helron said, looking around the table, his gaze resting on each of us in turn. "Strike tonight, if you can. Every second we delay is a second closer to true slavery and tornt for these innocent beastkin. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you of the treatnt they’ll receive in the Brithlite Kingdom."
I shivered, shrinking in on myself, my tail flicked back and forth nervously. It didn’t take much to recall the horrors I experienced as a hero in their lands. Even if they were only beastkin, and not demonkin, their lives would be every bit as hellish as mine had been.
As Helron left, leaving our party in somber silence, I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up into Tana’s bright, sparkling eyes. She smiled comfortingly and I took a deep breath, my tail relaxing and falling still.
"We’ll save them," she said softly, her voice unwavering. "We have to."
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