Pheonix

Chapter 4

The track to Arden was, for any intensive purposes, leisurely. Yet Daniella's uneasy breathing kept her staring at her new acquaintances as they talked amongst themselves and not joining in. She was relying on survival instinct and not her usual common sense. Having absolutely no knowledge of what was happening and what could happen was slowly reaping its tentacles around her nerves.Like a hawk, she came to understand her new acquaintances. Felix was the more outgoing one, Lillianne was the sweet mediator, but Raynard was cold and distant. He always looked like something was deep in his mind. Lillianne would bring something up, but Raynard would nod and shrug it off. His gaze held duty and structured plans. A set plan that was not letting their new group member throw this strong defence. And yet, there was a mystery. Something had made those eyes grow hard. Unyielding to the task hand. Daniella's curiosity bubbled at that."Lucas had boasted that he could take down three horned bears by himself last week. Three! Come on! Who would believe that" said Felix, shaking his head?"He must have been drunk, that's what," Lillianne replies. "One, Maybe. But some other guys must have been there if the story has any truth.""There had to be; Lucas is getting too old to be an adventurer. Kinna needs to strap him down to her shop. Hopefully, he'll soon be out of everyone's hair," Felix nods bashfully. Horned bears. What did those look like? Daniella shook her head viciously. Who cares? This world surely had many more monsters out there, many that would like her for dinner if it wasn't for these people. Daniella gazed over them again with assurance and a twinge of hope. She reassured herself that going with them was the correct plan; civilization was her best hope, and maybe, if need be, learn to survive and fight in this new world. A calm step forward was the necessity now, and she would make it toward her goal of searching."Oh, we're not including you in the conversation, are we, Daniella," said Felix. "When we get to town, there are some people you need to meet that will hopefully know how to help ya, especially with the money situation. You can't be going around with not much of it, and you don't have much on you, to begin with. Look at your shoes."Daniella looked down at her strapped sandals, "That's what I'm hoping for, thank you," Daniella replied. She definitely needed better shoes for the forest. She only packed clothes in her bag back at the resort. But now, with these people's help, she was hopeful she could find a way to get to her mom, too; she would need money. That was step one. There were soldiers with her. Daniella remembered the encounter in the conference room. Soldiers that were getting orders from someone, someone with power. Powerful people would most likely be in the capital or major city, not a town like the one she was going to. Daniella would need to find a job, but who would hire her? She was wearing male clothing and had a few items to her name. Her only hope would be in this adventurous lifestyle her new acquaintances had. She had watched enough fantasy movies and anime to know there would be different job skill levels, and she could hopefully get her hands on a different sword to use and improve at."Maybe you could become an adventurer like us. It's open to everybody," Lillianne smiles at her."But it can get dangerous, Lillianne," Felix responds."There are beginner quests. And I bet someone would be willing to train her up," Lillianne answers. Raynard said nothing about this."I would need a new sword, though," Daniella sighed, focusing on the one slacking on her back."Definitely," Lillianne answers, looking up. Daniella turned her gaze in the same direction.Just beyond the tree line was an expanse of open fields of green grass that led to the town of Arden's main gates. Wooden gates inside a giant stone wall encircling the town. There was no large castle, but Daniella knew by the size of the wall going in both directions that it was more of a small city than a town. Definitely, a place with more than a few thousand people living. Hopefully, she would surely find some new things to wear in there that were also not expensive. She didn't even know the value of the currency, though. Did she even have enough for a meal? Let alone shoes, armour and a sword.A soldier meets them at the gates, "Hey guys, welcome back. That's some demon beast you got there." He says, looking down at his board."At least we found something. Beasts were hard to find today," replies Raynard, heaving the beast on his shoulders. Which startles Daniella; Raynard was not much of a talker this past half an hour." Yeah, they are saying this year the animals' immigration patterns are slow. Luck is on your side," the guard said."Hey you, I haven't seen you before," the guard stares at Daniella. " Entry fee is one silver for those who don't have IDs." He held out his hand."Um, just one sec," Daniella takes her bag off and grabs the money pouch from inside. There were multiple-sized coins in her pouch. A handful of tiny copper coins, a few silver coins, and three gold and big silver coins. Daniella takes one of the small silver ones and gives it to the guard. The guard smiles, " Have a good night, you guys," finishes the guard motioning for the gates to open.Walking into the small city was a change from total silence to bustling evening life. Various people were walking the cobblestone streets, and stores were brightly lit as the sum went down. The buildings reminded her of those of Victorian Europe she had seen in pictures. Ramshackle but sturdy, worn from years of use. Stales were closing up for the day. People were heading home or to pubs; lively was the small city. Daniella wondered what the capital must be like, ten times as big as this. Crowds of people would be packing the streets."Welcome to Arden," Lillianne smiles once more. "Let's go for something to eat together after we drop the beast off at the adventurers guild. I have a craving for steak tonight." Daniella nods, following the group."Lillianne and her appetite," comments Felix. "Lincolns Pub is known for its meats. I hope you are ready, Daniella." Daniella could do nothing but nod. They were the leaders; she could do nothing but follow. Observation and listening were her only friends. Daniella was incapable of questioning; her only task was to know more about her environment. Could she even trust these people? Or anyone in this world, for that matter. They were being so nice, and she was a complete stranger. She should be grateful for being found by nice people; what if someone of the rougher sort had found her or mostly killed by the demon beast; Daniella shivered. Mush worse could have happened. Daniella was lucky, and she would ride this train as long as she could.Off the main road and onto another side road, past some sales carts that were shutting down for the day, Daniella noticed a few produce and grilling stations, something to visit tomorrow, maybe.The Adventurers guild was a surprise in itself as well. It was quite larger than the buildings around it. Three stories tall, made from logs, planks and plaster of some kind, it blended in with the other buildings on this street. Daniella knew from just walking up to it that things would only get harder. She could not read their alphabet. The front sign had simple symbols plastered from left to right, but she could not read it. Some symbols appeared more than once, and she hoped it was similar to English so she could learn it. Daniella shucks her head; what was she thinking? She should not need to know the language. She just had to find her mom and get these people to send them back home. Easy or not, she had to stick to the plan. Squinting her eyes at the even light shining down on the windows, Daniella followed the group inside."Welcome to Arden's Adventurer's Guild," said Daniella as they walked in.The main room was filled with tables, buzzing with patrons who must be adventurers like Lillianne, Felix and Raynard. Raynard and Felix strolled past them all with the beast and made their way to a large built-in desk at the back of the room."Welcome back, boys; you sure brought a big catch this evening," smiles an older woman from behind the desk."Yes, well, Cordelia, it was all we could find," Raynard spoke first, laying the beast on the floor."I'll get some of the guys to take care of it for ya. And oh, who is this young lady," Cordelia asks, staring at Daniella."This is Daniella. We found her lost in the forest, so we brought her with us," answers Lillianne with a smile, nudging Daniella forward."It's nice to meet you," Daniella responded."And you as well," Cordelia looks her up and down. "What in the world are you wearing? Aren't you cold?" gesturing to Daniella's clothes."A little, but I don't have much else," she confessed, looking down at herself."Well, that simply won't do. How about I give you some of my daughter's old clothes and shoes, she is about your size," Cordelia offers."No, No, I can't take your clothes. I can try to find some cheap stuff tomorrow," Daniella insists, but Cordelia shakes her head."Nope. This will not work with me; Lesley keeps some clothes here at the guild just in case for when she works here. You take them; seeing you well dressed would put my heart at rest. Clothing is getting more expensive, so you should take what's given to you, " Cordelia said. "I'll go get them for ya. Hey, you two, help with this demon beast, will ya," Cordelia called over to two men sitting at a closed table, who immediately got up to hall it away."So I'll have your reward in just a moment; I'll get those clothes," finishes Cordelia. Walking through to a back room. Daniella sighed; she did not want to be a burden, but new clothes would help.Daniella knew the moment she saw more and more people that she was clearly unfit to do much of anything. Let alone work with the clothes she had on her. For one, they were too big and baggy. She needed something more form-fitting, maybe in more feminine clothes. "Here they are," Cordelia places a stack of clothes and boots on the desk. "And here is partial payment for the beast." Holding up a small bag of coins. " I'll give you the rest if you bring in some wolves tomorrow.""Consider that done," Raynard declared, warranting a glance from Daniella. Raynard was clearly the team leader. Yet he did not talk as much as Felix. What was going on in that head of yours? Daniella could not help but ask. The Stoicism made him a curious entity in her eyes. This guy knew the order in all that he did. An interesting subject of investigation for Daniella. Wanting to know more."Daniella, you can go change back here," said Cordelia, pointing toward two side rooms off to the right of the main room, which found out to be bathrooms of a more modern variety.Daniella willingly pulled on the dark, tight trousers, high boots, smaller tunic and matching u-neck vest on top. Within no time, she stepped out of the bathroom, putting her old stuff in her bag."Now, don't those look great? Now you almost look like an adventurer," smiled Cordelia."Maybe she can! Want to join our group, Daniella? I would love to have another girl around. Right, you guys," said Lillianne."Lillianne, don't jump to conclusions," Raynard reasoned. "You're making it sound too easy. She is not even trained.""Then you could teach her. You are great with the sword," insists Lillianne, clasping her hands with hope."I would be grateful if you'd teach me," said Daniella. With his help, her journey to become an adventurer would be much clearer. The sword in this world seemed the easier option than a bow to learn quickly enough and strike down more beasts. Daniella hoped that those would be the only difficult jobs."Fine, I'll think about it," was Raynard's only answer. Relief flooded over Daniella with the words. Maybe she would get along with Raynard after all."Then how about we sign you up right now? You will have to start at rank E because you are new," Cordelia inquired, pulling out some paper from under the desk. "You will just have to fill out these few forms.""That sounds great, but I will need some help in the area too. I'm illiterate," Daniella confessed in this world's written language."I can help you with that," Lillianne answers. " I used to read a lot as a child. We could start working on it tomorrow." Raynard gave Lillianne a look, but she shot it down."That's no problem, dear. I can help you fill it out, no problem at all," Cordelia adds, writing something on the first line to start. "We have your name now. We need age and job class.""17 and sword wielder, I guess," Daniella pondered, staring at the sheet as Cordelia filled it out. Getting a good look at the form, the symbols each seemed to correspond to a letter like in English, like the L's were the same. That was going to make things easier later."All right. I will get this on an identification card tomorrow." Putting the papers aside. "Well, it was nice to meet you, Daniella. Welcome to Arden.""Thank you," said Daniella, leaving the desk and following Lillianne and the guys out.Lincolns Pub was only a few blocks from the adventurers guild, and when they got there, she could hear the pub's noise outside. Hesitantly Daniella followed them inside."Sit were ever you like. I will be over in a minute," yelled a waitress with a stack of plates in both hands as they walked in.The pub was almost full of bursting with patrons. Crowded around large wooden circular tables. Drinking ale and plates of food, talking amongst them loudly. It amazed her that she could experience this kind of comradely in a pub under the legal drinking age.Sitting down at an empty table, "You'll have the same as me, right Daniella," asked Lillianne, doe-eyed."Sure," said Daniella hesitantly. Lillianne had wanted a snake, but further observation showed that it would most likely not be from a cow and mystery meat would task like who knows what. She was going to find out."Sorry for the wait. What can I get ya," asked the waitress."2 steak platers, please and four pints of mead for all of us," replied Lillianne and Daniella, who sat there in shock. Wasn't Mead a type of alcohol?"Wait, cold, you water mine down," Danella budded in. She was doing it responsibly if she had to drink with these guys."Of course. Coming right up," said the waitress, who gazed toward Felix and Raynard. "And what will you two have.""I'll have a plate with your skewers, and this guy will have a plate of whatever meat is on special tonight." Felix, the master of words, replied with a smirk."That would be our wild boar," the waitress said, staring at Raynard."I'll take it," replied Raynard."Great, should be out shortly," the waitress finished, hurrying away."So Daniella, now that we got ya sitting down, tell us something about yourself." Felix wanted to know, but she would have to fib. This world seemed to have different expectations depending on age. She would have to take that into account. After a long pause, "I've lived with my mom and grandparents my whole life. But now that I am older, they wanted me to settle down at home with a job. But I wanted to explore a bit first and maybe find out what my dad was like or if I could find him, ask him to come back or, at the very least, get to know him," answered Daniella."That sounds sad. Was he an adventurer?" asked Lillianne."Maybe, but my mom never gave me those details. He was gone before she realized she was pregnant with me. Forgot this sword too," looking down at the sword beside her."He sounds like a wanderer to me. I still bet you could find a smith to look at it in the capital." Felix stated, sipping at his newly inquired mead that the waitress just left."That's the plan now, But I need to earn some more money first," Daniella agrees, yet simultaneously knowing she has to face reality. The coin pouch was small, and she still had no idea the value of the quantity she had."How much do you have," Lillianne asks, and Daniella takes out the pouch."Wow. You actually have a few higher denominations. You should be able to find some things tomorrow," Lillianne said, nodding. "There are a few smiths in the west market district. You could get some new clothes, armour and a weapon with this money but not much else. Maybe we could also find something better for your hair.""Why is your hair rapt anyway," Felix asked. Raynard was sitting silently, drinking his mead, but he glanced up at this.Gotta lie again. What to say? "Well, my hair does not grow correctly because of a scar across my head. It's a head-turner, so I've learned to keep it covered. It also helps not to have your hair in the way when you working," said Daniella, hoping it sounded convincing."Makes sense, I guess," Felix sighed, settling for that answer."Yeah, it does," agreed Lillianne."That's enough about me. Tell me something about you guys." Wanting to change the subject of her. Daniella had, had enough for one night."Oh, you're right. Whoops, we should have said something earlier," began Lillianne. "There is not much to tell, really. We all go way back as friends but only started adventuring a couple of years ago. We used to live somewhere else before Arden, back when...""Lillianne," Raynard interrupted. Inquisitively, what did he not want her to say?"Anyway," Lillianne began again. "Raynard and I had some training beforehand, but Felix here was self-taught.""Really," Daniella said, amazed. "You made a great shoot today at the demon beast.""Thanks," Felix said. "What about you, Daniella? You might as well fight with a sword since it's the easiest to start off with," Felix adds, staring at her sword."Yeah, but this one is broken, and I have no training like you guys." The only part of truth she said this evening."Raynard can help. Right," Lillianne pleaded with her brother, meriting a glare. "Please."Raynard gave one more look at Lillianne and then one at Daniella and groaned. "Fine." "Could we start tomorrow after I get my new sword?"Raynard sighs, "Might as well. Make sure to wake up early. We've got work tomorrow on top of your lessons with Lillianne.""I will. But I should probably go now and find a room to rent." Getting up from the table, but Lillianne stops her."No, No! You can share my room. There's more than enough space, and there are two beds. You're practically part of the team now; you can share our loft," insists Lillianne, who was now squeezing Daniella's arm. "Is that all right with you guys?" Lillianne asked."Fine by me," Felix replied, and Raynard did not speak against it."Great! Welcome to the party Daniella," Lillianne beamed, pushing Daniella back into her set. Daniella smiled at her big chance. Luck was shining through, which led to little time for uneasiness. Daniella still had no idea what she was doing, and she agreed to follow these people, who were becoming her friends and less like acquaintances by the minute. This new world was nothing like she expected, but she had to stay vigilant' with one new thing happening after another. As she followed her new friends to their loft, her surroundings gradually deepened. Not the same modernity as Earth, but she could get used to it. The roads had fewer people on them as the night got darker. If only this world had street lamps. Shivering at the cold, Daniella hurried to follow her friends.A few hours later, Daniella was rubbing her tired eyes as she couldn't help but gaze up at the loft ceiling. Her world has turned upside down in 24 hours, and she has somehow gotten this far into this new world alive. With every new experience, Daniella knew she had to follow her new friends' lead, but the lack of control was also exhilarating. Exhilarating but terrifying. She now had a debt of gratitude towards these people for paying for her meal and giving a roof over her head. They were also going to teach her what she needed in this world; she was grateful for that. Gazing towards Lillianne, who was fast asleep, Daniella knew that she would work as hard as possible for her new friends and make her way for them and her mom. She was going to find her. And she would walk towards whatever ends she had to to get there.