Alara's life is turned upside down when her homeland falls to a brutal invasion. Separated from her family and forced into hiding, Alara flees with the help of her trusted friend, Rasa. Together, they must navigate a dangerous world of shifting alle...
Alara felt something nudging her in the side, and she groaned, turning over. "Wakey, wakey, Princess," came Rasa's amused voice. Alara cracked an eye open, squinting against the sunlight filtering through the leaves above. Rasa's face was right before her, a grin tugging at her lips.
"Is it morning already?" Alara muttered sleepily, rubbing her eyes. As her vision cleared, she noticed Rasa no longer wore her banquet gown. Instead, she was dressed in well-fitted leather-padded armor. Alara blinked in surprise, pushing herself up on her elbows. "Where did you get that?"
Rasa laughed, shaking her head. "Come on. Let's get you changed too." She pulled Alara to her feet, and Alara looked around, realizing just how close they were to the town of Port Sylen. She could see the edges of buildings peeking through the trees in the distance.
"Did you have money on you?" Alara asked, still confused, as she looked at Rasa's new attire. The sturdy and stylish leather armor was far from the simple acolyte clothes they had worn before the banquet.
Rasa sighed, muttering under her breath. "I have more money than I know what to do with now." She didn't elaborate, instead leading Alara by the arm towards the city. They walked together until they reached a small clothing store between two significantly larger buildings. Rasa pushed the door open, and a small bell jingled above them.
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The shopkeeper, a plump woman with graying hair, politely smiled as they entered. She wasted no time helping Alara pick out some leather traveling gear suitable for their journey. Alara looked over herself in the mirror, adjusting the leather straps around her waist until she was satisfied with the fit. She looked less like the princess she had once been and more like a traveler, ready for whatever lay ahead.
Rasa approached the counter, paying the woman for the clothing and adding a generous tip. The shopkeeper gave her a knowing nod, her eyes flickering between Rasa and Alara. There was a silent understanding there, and Alara could tell that Rasa had secured the woman's discretion through the transaction—a typical tactic of the merchant's guild that ensured privacy in exchange for coin.
Once they stepped back out onto the street, Alara turned to Rasa, curiosity in her eyes. "What's the plan now? Who do we need to speak to? Why did you bribe that woman?"
Rasa looked at her momentarily, then sighed, running a hand through her braids. "I've already spoken to someone this morning," she admitted. "The Guildmaster, Rufus Faulkner. He's agreed to help us but wants to explain more once we get to his office."
Alara's eyes widened slightly in surprise. "You spoke to the Guildmaster already?" she asked, feeling a mix of awe and relief. They had a plan. Rasa had made sure of it.
Rasa nodded. "It wasn't easy, but I convinced him." She paused, her gaze softening as she looked at Alara. "It'll be okay, Alara. We just need to take it one step at a time."
Alara took a deep breath, her shoulders relaxing a bit. Now that they had a direction, the weight of their situation felt a little lighter. "All right," she said, giving Rasa a grateful smile. "Let's go see what he has to say."
