Eventually, the entire party settled down. It surprised Aralynn that everyone had chosen to join the guild, even including Hadarai. She tugged off her glove and slipped on the signet right before sliding her glove back on.
"What are you doing?" asked Perona.
Aralynn turned to look at her. "From what I gather of the Brass Hand, they have quite the list of enemies. I'd rather not broadcast that and make myself a target. If I need to show my affiliation, I can always take off my glove."
"A wise choice," Inserted Irene. "Oh! That's right. I'm sorry to give you a mission right after you've joined us, but a new request came in last night. You're needed."
"That soon?" asked Grango.
"Unfortunately, yes. Have some breakfast, and I'll give you instructions after." Irene replied, wringing her hands apologetically. She motioned to a table. "Again, breakfast's on us."
Perona sat down at the closest table. "Thank you then, Irene." Perona's soft smile lit up the room. She slung her lute so that it lay on her back. "Come on, Aralynn."
"Oh- yes." Aralynn quickly shuffled to the stool on Perona's right, being careful so as to not hit Perona's lute with her wings.
"When did you two get so close? Not that it's bad or anything. It's good to see you all getting along," quipped Amon. After a day's rest and in the morning, he seemed more energetic and bubbly than ever. Smile and age lines around his eyes were visible through his playful smirk.
"None of your business," Perona shrugged, side-eyeing the devilkin cheekily. Amon smiled and shook his head, raising his hands in defeat.
"Alright, then."
The rest of the party sat down at the table, and Hadarai's stool creaked a bit from the weight of his armour and weapons. Grango hopped up onto the stool with grace, and Amon sat down with an exaggerated yawn..
"I don't believe you've all actually had breakfast with us before," said Irene. She set down a piece of scroll with a list of prices and food. "What would you like?"
- - -
After a light breakfast and some easy conversation, Aralynn began stacking the empty dishes. She stood, ready to take them over to the wash basin, when Irene gently waved her off.
"Oh, no, no. Please, Ms. Aralynn- leave those. We'll handle them later," she said with a warm smile. "For now, I think it's time we talked about your next mission."
Aralynn paused. "Are you sure? It's really no trouble."
Irene nodded. "Quite sure, dear. You've done more than enough already."
"Very well," Aralynn responded, setting the pile back on the table. Throughout the exchange, Perona eyed Aralynn curiously. "What?" Aralynn asked, catching her.
"...Nothing."
"Jonah, dear, if you could please clear the plates- thank you- alright. I'll tell you about your mission." Irene paused as a young human came to collect the plates. He curtsied them before walking away. Irene waited until he was out of earshot before continuing. "Your mission is to meet with an elf called Cyren. Before we send you out on this particular mission, we'll need to make sure you're qualified, and he'll be your proctor. After he's made sure, he'll give you further instructions."
"You mean the bandit test wasn't enough?" asked Grango.
"Unfortunately, no," responded Irene. "It'll be much more complicated. Even I haven't been told the details of the mission. Cyren will tell you when you're ready." Irene pulled out a map of the city. "Cyren will meet you here, under the watchtower. It's the tallest building in Calyr, you can't possibly miss it. Underneath, there will be an alleyway with a door marked with our insignia. Approach the door and knock. Cyren has been notified that you'll be coming, so he should answer. Any questions?"
"What would these qualifications entail?" Hadarai asked. "And are there any secret codes that we should be aware of? Just to ensure that we're meeting with the right person?"
"I don't know what qualifications Cyren will test you on, and there aren't any codes. Cyren is the only one that knows about that door, so we didn't have the need for security that way just yet."
Hadarai nodded in confirmation. "Let's get going, then." The dwarf slid off his bar stool with practiced grace. "My thanks again, Irene. We'll see you some other time."
"Likewise."
- - -
"So many people…" Aralynn stared around her at the streets of Calyr, filled with vendors selling fairs, restaurants and eateries advertising, and more. The sounds of the streets clamoured with the ever-present chatter of voices and the occasional horse-cart. The party had found themselves on a branch of the market street, and they struggled to push against the crowd towards the watchtower which stood vigilantly, residing over the entire city.
"Excuse me, ma'am! Coming through- Coming through-" Hadarai did his best to part the crowd, and he did so easily, as it usually goes when one is covered in full plate armour with a shield and sword on their back. They eventually pushed past the colours of the street market and into a more seedy part of town. Scouring the streets, they eventually found the door marked with the brass hand's open palm, just like Irene had promised.
"Wow. They really chose the shadiest alley for this, huh." Perona piped up. Her silvery ponytail whisked from side to side as she scanned the alley. "I guess the first thing we should do is knock?"
The rest of the party nodded in agreement.
Perona gulped and stepped forwards, knocking on the door. They waited for a while with no response until the door swung open by itself. Perona looked at the door for a couple seconds as if pausing to contemplate her life decisions before stepping forwards through the door. Aralynn followed behind her, then Hadarai, Amon, and Grango. Inside, it was as dark and as silent as a graveyard- without any necromancers, of course.
"Cyren?" Perona called out. "Are you here? Irene sent us. Cyren?" Her lyrical voice bounced around the pitch-black room.
[Observant Lv. 4 has been activated!]
Aralynn's eyes glowed a faint green and she could see Perona's eyes flash pink as they searched for any signs of the elf that they'd been told would be here, until Aralynn spotted the twinkling steel of an arrowhead pointed at Perona.
"Get down!" Aralynn screamed. Lunging forwards, she grabbed Perona by the hood of her cloak. Perona yelped as Aralynn pulled her aside as the arrow whistled through the air and embedded itself on the doorframe, narrowly missing Perona's forehead.
Aralynn let go of Perona and unsheathed her Rapier, the cold steel flashing in the gloom. "Show yourself!"
All of a sudden, the room lit up, the wall torches now ablaze with curls of fire. Glancing about the room, Aralynn still couldn't see anyone. The air rippled in front of her, and she brandished her rapier in its direction as Hadarai moved from behind them to the front, holding his massive shield, barring the party from harm.
A slow clap resonated throughout the room as the figure of Cyren the elf shimmered into view. "Well, well, well. It appears some of you might be worth something, after all."