The Hunted Princess

ADVENTURE

As Eion and I step into the Adventurer's Guild, we're greeted by the lively hum of conversation and the rich, smoky aroma of roasted meat and ale. The main hall is a large, open space with wooden beams crisscrossing the high ceiling, giving the place a rustic charm. A massive hearth at one end of the room casts a warm glow, the crackling fire inviting those weary from their travels to sit and share their tales.

Maps of distant lands, wanted posters, and notices of quests adorn the walls, their edges curling from the many times they've been read and handled. A long counter stretches across one side of the room, where a burly guild master stands, his presence commanding respect. Behind him, rows of shelves display various trinkets and trophies from successful quests, each carrying its own story.

Wooden tables and benches fill the center of the room, where adventurers of all shapes and sizes gather. Some are sharing laughs and drinks, while others are huddled in serious conversation over maps and contracts. A few solitary figures sit quietly in corners, sharpening their weapons or lost in thought.

In one corner, a board covered with quest notices stands, a throng of eager adventurers crowding around it.

The guild's atmosphere is a blend of camaraderie and competition, the air buzzing with the energy of those seeking fortune and glory.

A stairway at the back leads to rooms where adventurers can rest or meet privately with clients. The second floor also accommodates the armory and a training area, where one can occasionally hear the sounds of clashing steel and grunts of exertion.

As Eion and I make our way through the guild, we become part of this dynamic environment, surrounded by the sights, sounds, and stories of those who live for adventure.

His imposing figure cuts easily through the crowd, something that inadvertently draws looks to me, who seems to walk in his wake.

The mace in my right hand and the shield in my left are recent additions to Sera's costume, as is the red and gold shawl that hides my long hair.

I follow him to the counter, where a small, golden-haired lady with a bright smile greets him enthusiastically.

"Eion!" She is practically bursting with joy. "I thought you might have skipped town altogether after what happened last time. I'm glad to know I was mistaken."

"Wil," Eion responded in the monotone he uses for almost everybody and every situation. "I had an unattended business that kept me away. And as for what happened, it wasn't your fault. I solely blame Gregory."

The woman sighed at the mention of the other person involved, but before she could elaborate, she noticed me.

"Oh? Who is this?"

Eion placed his hand on the small of my back, pushing me forward.

"New teammate. Can you sign her up?"

"Sure, can do." She put her hand forward for me to shake, and I grabbed it without hesitation. Smiling back but with only a fraction of her energy. "What's your name, darling?"

"Sera," I answered immediately.

For the past days, Eion had been drilling me about my new identity, making sure that Sera and Seraphina, while living in the same body, would be completely different people.

While I found the exercise quite interesting in the beginning, after days of the same, I grew rather cynical about the whole exercise, until Eion explained to me the importance of it: we needed to make it so that nobody in their right mind would think of linking Sera to Seraphina. Which in turn caused me to go at it with renewed vigor, knowing that Sera would be instrumental to me finding out about what happened to my family and how to regain my kingdom.