Chapter 1: Unwritten Pages
…Six thirty. Been a while since I really felt like time was crawling by this slowly.
Oh, didn’t see you walk in. Not like you to be tardy.
The woman glides elegantly to the counter, laughing gently as she goes.
That’s a bit troubling, considering I’m paying you to make sure nobody’s getting in who shouldn’t be. Maybe a performance evaluation could do you some good?
Better than evaluating these floor tiles for another 8 hour shift.
Oh, come now, this is a lot better than what they had you doing previously, I’m sure. But if you really must have a bit more excitement, I may have stumbled onto just the opportunity for you!
With a flick, the woman sends an envelope sailing through the air, which lands neatly on the end table closest to the door. The man stretches stiffly before bending over to pick up the card.
“Dear Kirtida, it has come to my attention that the work study program for combat medicine initiated by the Count has received its only applicant this year, just before the deadline, and he was hastily approved. He is due to arrive Emperor 1st, which is tomorrow as of the date this letter was written. On such short notice, I can’t well assign any of our more notable guilds to assist with this program… as such, I would beseech you to seek out anybody qualified and willing to take the boy out for field experience, preferably by welcoming him into a guild temporarily or establishing one. Any delays would surely tarnish the reputation of the Count’s administration. -My gratitude, Augustus.”
Upon finishing the letter, the man smooths his shirt contemplatively.
Does sound a fair measure tougher than what I’ve been doing here. I don’t really get it, though- how’s this benefit you? Wouldn’t be getting much closer to settling our tab if I was off babysitting some medical student.
Spoken like someone who’s never owed a favor to the Guildmaster. Trust me, you’d be more helpful than kicking your feet around here- I’m able to hold down the fort most nights just fine with Albert.
Kirtida eyes the peacock in the corner of the room, who interrupts its preening to blink at her.
But still, that debt-
Ah ah ah! I’ve made up my mind. You’ll do a wonderful job protecting the newcomer in town, and I’ll consider us even.
…Thanks. If you’re sure, then that’s that.
Flashing a grin, the man spins around to make his way outside.
We’ll see if you change your mind about getting squared away when we strike it filthy stinkin’ rich, though!
Ughhh, not again… why do they even give a damn about a stupid apple anyway? There’s gotta be somewhere-
T-thief?! Where?
Well, you’ll have to do…
Huh? Can I- MPHG-!!
Just bite it. I’ll do the talking. Oh, thank goodness you’re safe, Max! You must’ve been starving waiting for me to get back, you poor, poor thing…
You can’t just bite into that! It belongs to the stall up the road!
Aww, but you don’t understand, sir! My kid brother hasn’t had anything to eat for so long… look, he’s wasting away! There’s no skin on those bones at all! Please, we’re just on our way to the guild to earn an honest living; you couldn’t separate siblings looking out for each other, could you?
I… suppose not. Times have been tough in the recent collapse, after all. Were your parents involved in the airship bubble, by any chance?
Yes, exactly! We’ve been struggling so hard to make ends meet since our family business collapsed, so surely you can tell that merchant we got away clean… right?
I really shouldn’t, but I’d be heartless not to recognize the strain recent affairs have put on the citizenry. At the very least, the merchant deserves an apology. Would you mind coming with me just for that?
Oh, without a problem! You just stay here, Max, I’ll be back in a bit. Enjoy your apple, okay? I worked so hard for it, after all.
“But I…”
Great, be back in a bit.
Both the guard and the strange woman depart, leaving “Max” standing alone in the street with an apple missing a single bite.
Do I really need to stand here? It sounded like she might know where the guild is, at least, but I could also ask directions from the locals…
After pondering this issue briefly, the boy decides to stay put. If he refused, he might blow her cover… and what if she really was starving? Surely he couldn’t just throw her to the wolves. Besides, walking up and asking for help out of the blue seems a little intimidating in a new town.
Eventually, the same woman returns, swinging some ornate object around her finger via a keychain. Her steps slow to an abrupt halt when she notices the boy still standing in place, exactly where she’d left him.
Well, you mentioned being on the way to the Explorers’ Guild when you were talking to that guard earlier- I was hoping you’d be able to guide me there? …also, I don’t really like apples. You can have this one back, if you want.
The woman stared blankly back.
What, your nasty saliva coated apple? I’m not eating that if you bit into it. Feed it to the birds or something if you don’t want it, don’t waste it.
What about the guild?
Get to that in a second. So, there’s supposed to be a bunch of treasures in the labyrinths, right? Shit to st- sell. You looking for a guildmate, kid? Could walk you there instead of just pointing the way.
Well, I don’t really have any idea how this study is supposed to work. But you seem really smart, so I’d be happy to have you if it turns out I do need the help!
What? That isn’t- ah, wait up! You’re way too fast…
In… out… uuuu… haaah… ok, you can do this, Marlene! Today’s the day you head to the explorer’s guild, and make some new friends! Definitely not going to hole up in the comfy inn room again, or curl up next to the fireplace with a book, or hang out here eating Dalla’s delicious stew. You will NOT be defeated by the stew, no matter how tantalizing it smells!
Several tables away, a tall figure regards the woman with marked confusion. Taking a swig from her mug, she turns to the innkeeper.
Is it commonplace to use this inn as a stage for combat against one’s own demons?
Well, sure it is, dear. I try to make things as comfy as possible, which makes it easy to lay out your troubles, with no fear of judgment.
A noble goal- the sturdiest of foes spring from within.
Not taking her eyes off the shorter woman, she observes as Marlene sinks back in her chair, apparently having talked herself out of action once again. Her cloak seems to swallow her form as she withdraws, leaving only what appears to be a large, fluffy cotton ball sitting at the table.
Though… perhaps this enemy is too much for her to handle alone.
The poor thing has been here for three days already, working up her courage again and again only to falter at the last second. It’s all I can do to make sure she’s comfortable here, and that she has all the time she needs to succeed.
Fear not! I require allies on my quest, as well. On my honor, I swear I shall make her into a fine knight.
The stoic woman slaps down several coins on the table after downing the last dregs of her drink, and marches up to the cotton ball perched upon a chair.
Rise! This is no time to mope about- you must swim while you have the strength to fight the current!
Two shining blue eyes peek out from the oversized robes.
Huh?! What the heck does that mean? And who are you?
Each and every one of us is endowed with a unique set of aptitudes and abilities. We are granted only a limited time to hone them, and wield them for the betterment of ourselves and our peers. Moping around in an inn wastes this precious gift- you are allowing the blade of your talent to rust!
The woman withdraws into the safety of her large robe again.
If getting hurt is your fear, then I shall shield you. But I cannot shield you from your own indecision- you must make the first step on your own terms, with your own strength.
The corners of her mouth tilt upwards, however, and she slowly unfurls herself from the curled up position she had assumed.
Excellent. Then we shall tarry no longer- to the explorers’ guild posthaste! You may call me Tsukushi, if it suits you.
Quite a regal name. There can be no greater proof you are destined for something astounding.
I, um, try not to put much stock in names, hehe. Kind of like your starsign; some people really get into that stuff and believe it’s real, but it just doesn’t work out for me.
So where’s the kid? Shouldn’t he be here by now?
By all accounts, yes. Word that the airship touched down arrived hours ago. Hopefully he hasn’t gotten lost in the city in some capacity.
Supposed to be on track for a medical license, isn’t he? Seems like he’d have his wits about him, navigating this place shouldn’t be that tough.
The guildmaster’s eyes twinkled in amusement.
Ohoho! You’d be surprised at the types of people that end up in that profession. Brilliant, the lot of them, but brilliance does not always equal proficiency in any number of basic life skills. Why, you’d hardly believe some of the stories about my husband…
You’ve always seemed more romantically interested in paperwork than people. Shocked you managed to find somebody.
Getting cheeky, are we? I’ll have you know I was quite the rascal at your age- it took many years of chaos to discover the peace I now enjoy. But that’s a story for another time. It appears our guests have arrived.
Sorry I’m late! Things got a little messy on the way here- there’s a lot of people swarming around which makes it kind of tough to see, and Candy here-
A glare bored a hole in the boy’s temple, and he swallowed.
-was nice enough to guide me here.
Yeah, Max here said he’d be heading out into the field or something. Sounds like he could reaaaally use a bit of a buffer between him and a shallow grave out there, which is where I’m stepping in. Unless you’ve got other plans for the kid?
My name is actually Marcus..
What? You gotta speak up, Max. Project that voice past the tip of your nose.
Ah, forget it.
Welcome to Tharsis, young man. And yes, to answer Candy’s question, you are free to join whatever guild Keplar and Marcus establish, assuming they have no objections.
Wait, what? I walked all the way here with the kid, shouldn’t it be ME getting a say on who else hooks up with me and Max?
It is my responsibility to ensure the safety of this young man while he is journeying here. An old friend of mine recommended Keplar for the task, and I’ve also known him since HE was but a boy. Therefore, it was my intent to assign him as Marcus’s primary guardian from the outset.
Hold your horses, now you’re making it sound like he’s my kid or something. How old are you, anyway?
Me? Well, I’m a little young for a pre-med student- I skipped a grade, so I’m 17 at the moment. My birthday was pretty recent, so I’ve got just under a year until I turn 18.
Damn, you really ARE a kid. I was just pulling your leg.
Aren’t there regulations about this kinda thing? Minors weren’t allowed to embark without explicit parental chaperones, I thought.
Correct, and if you’d let me finish, you’d understand. Keplar, I was not lying when I claimed you’d be acting as Marcus’s guardian- his legal guardian will also be you, for the duration of his stay in Tharsis, or until he comes of age.
That about adds up.
No use getting worked up about it. Figured there might be more of a catch than Kirtida was letting on. Guess the better question is, how’s that sound to you, Max?
Jokes aside, I’m really not that much older than you, Marcus. Must be a little strange, especially with living parents back home, but I guess if you need something, it’ll be on me to provide. And don’t you worry, I’ll be between you and the monsters at all times. Keep me on my feet and I’ll keep you on yours, sound like a plan?
Yeah! I can look after myself while we’re about town, anyway.
My ears might’ve deceived me, but I didn’t hear a word about standing between ME and the monsters.
More worried about them than you. Don’t think I didn’t notice those daggers hidden in your waistband. I’ve seen people try to smuggle smaller things that way.
Ah, you think you’re cute. But those aren’t the hidden ones, unlucky for you.
Hoho… Let’s get you all signed up, shall we? First, have you decided on a name for this little venture?
What about Myrtle? That doing anything for you two?
The guildmaster shoots a pointed gaze at Keplar, who has suddenly developed an interest in looking wherever the guildmaster isn’t.
With that out of the way, let’s get you all individually registered as well. If you’ll step forward one at a time, please.
‘Nightseeker?’ You come up with that name yourself, or..
Hey, I wasn’t knocking it. Just curious if you nabbed it from somewhere, like I stole ‘Landsknecht’ from a role model I had growing up.
Three guesses where my title comes from. It’s a real tough one, but I believe in you two!
Next order of business is probably filling our ranks, huh?
Correct. Under normal circumstances, I’d recommend exactly five members. It prevents packing supplies or coordinating movement from being overly cumbersome, while still offering sufficient power to break through most hostile wildlife you’ll encounter.
As if on cue, the massive double doors at the front of the building swing open, slamming into the walls with a BANG!
How fortuitous it is, then, that we should arrive at exactly this moment! It is as if fate ordained we pool our strength.
Hi.
Yeah, what an insane coincidence. With how well timed it was, it’s almost like you were listening for the moment to make your dumbass entrance.
Who are you two?
Nothing more than a humble traveling knight by the name of Tsukushi, and a warrior to the core. Where else to best utilize my bow skills than in yet another unexplored area full of dangerous wildlife?
My name is Marlene, but I’d prefer you just call me Marle, if that’s all right. I’m… not quite a knight, but certainly traveling! Oh, and I can cast magic using runes, if that’s something you would need.
I’d feel safer with someone that can actually fight in our group, so I don’t really have anything against you two hopping in!
Mmm… maybe if you think surface level. Not convinced these two are the ones for us, personally.
I kind of see your point… With these five, our front line would be just me and Candy, since both of the new joins want to be at a bit of a distance from the action. Not exactly winning any awards for sturdiness.
I could do it too, if we really needed it.
Ohhh, no you don’t. It’s my job to keep you safe, and I’m not ditching that job just to feel a little more secure in our frontliners.
Well, if you say so.
Absurd. You plan to deny the boy real field experience as your first act as his guardian? Allow him to test himself, or he shall never grow!
I’m not gonna do much growing if I die out there, either… it’s really fine.
What?! You gave up on the idea so easily- have you no sense of pride?
The guildmaster loudly clears his throat.
This is all well and good, but I would appreciate getting the formalities out of the way, at least, before the bickering begins. If you’re going to be joining Myrtle, then I need you to sign these.
This is crazy… I never thought I’d actually get this far. It’s honestly all thanks to you, Tsukushi…
This is but the first of the obstacles we must clear. The real difficulties begin now, so remain vigilant.
Right!
At least two of us get along nicely. The rest of should come around, eventually… but I think it’s about time we head out. Let’s get ourselves in gear, everyone!
