The next morning, I awoke early. The rest of the family was sleeping and the sun had yet to rise. I headed downstairs and went outside into the brisk pre-dawn air. it was hard to sleep after hearing the surprise that was in store for me and Ellie in 5 months time.
Since I could not sleep, I went about occupying my time in the back yard. I picked some vegetables and finished clearing out the weeds that I'd interrupted when Uncle Rodney had come. The sun peeked over the horizon as I began to clean up. I had to take another shower, but this one was fridged. I regretted waking up so early, but it was better than being told off for waking someone up.
"Kam!" Mother called from the window. "You're up early... Oh, and you cleaned the garden already? Great job!"
"Thanks, Mother. I picked some veggies too. Do you need any help with breakfast?"
"Thanks for the veggies. Go on and clean up. Breakfast will be ready in half an hour."
I nodded and handed the vegetables to Mother before walking back up to my room to get changed after my shower. Ellie was still asleep so I made sure not to wake her.
* * *
Half an hour went by quickly. Ellie stirred about ten minutes before breakfast was ready. She glared at me as if it was my fault she was up this early, but I thought the blame lay with the delicious smells wafting up through the floor.
"Smells like food's ready." I teased her.
"Hrmph."
I walked outside of the room and looked back at Ellie who was still glaring at me. Shaking my head, I walked downstairs. Father and Uncle Rodney were already waiting at the table. Mother was setting the table and serving each place with a breakfast of eggs and grits.
"Ellie!" Mother called as soon as she sat down with her own bowl of food.
"Be down soon."
"Now, Ellie!"
I could hear her displeasure, but she did come down and sat next to me.
The food was delicious and, before I knew it, we were done eating.
"Ellie, Kam, you want to come with me today when I go hand in my request?"
"Sure!" I said
Ellie nodded as well. Even though she could be prickly in the morning, anything to do with adventurers was something both of us enjoyed. Father nodded his assent to us going, so as soon as we'd cleaned up the bowls and Ellie changed into something more suited to the outdoors than her current nightgown, we left with Uncle Rodney.
The town wasn't overly large, so I'd been told. About two thousand people lived in and around the town. Our house was outside of the town's palisade wall, but well within the town limits. Houses in our area had a small gardening area in the back, whereas the ones inside the wall were stacked side by side.
We walked along the packed earth road until we passed through the gate. Our destination was the small guild hall near the guard post, on the left side as we entered inside the wall. It was a typical two-story house much like mine. The main difference from the outside was that a large wooden board hung across the doorway that read 'Adventurers Guild' in red lettering on a white background.
Uncle Rodney opened the door and I followed him through. I'd never been in the guild before now, and I was excited to see adventurers other than Uncle. There were several round tables with chairs that were filled by a motley crew. Some were tall and strong with great big weapons and shiny armor. Others were lither with odd-looking clothing and armor. The adventurers barely glanced at us as we headed towards the counter on the far side of the guild from the door.
"How can I help you?" the man behind the counter asked us.
Uncle Rodney pulled a scroll and a box from his pocket and handed them to the man.
"I've completed the request."
"Let me see here."
The man read the scroll before looking at the box. Once he confirmed that everything was in order, he pulled a small bag from under the counter.
"Here you go. Three silver, eight copper. Can I see your card?"
Uncle Rodney accepted the money into his purse and gave the man his guild card. After making a note on it, the man handed it back.
We walked away from the counter and sat down at an open table.
"So, what do you think?"
"Wow," Ellie and I said together.
"I didn't know there were so many adventurers here," I added
"Even if Pickardy isn't a city, there are a lot of requests in the frontier around it. Many adventurers come here to seek their fortune in the dungeons and against the monsters that roam to the west across Samye River."
"That's so cool," Ellie said. "I want to be an adventurer too when I'm older."
"Me too!"
"Keep practicing your magic, Ellie. You'll be a good adventurer one day."
Ellie smiled at his praise. I felt a little like I'd been slapped, but I also understood that my talents were unknown. Maybe I'd have good magic like my sister and be able to be a magician adventurer. Maybe I'd have to train physically to be an archer or warrior instead. I wouldn't know until my Name Day... oh how I wish it was here already!
"Rodney!" said a shorter man with a full beard. He looked to be a warrior.
"Angelo, it's good to see you."
"Who are the two pipsqueaks with you?"
"They're my niece and nephew, Ellie and Kam."
"Aren't they a bit too young for this line of work?"
Uncle Rodney laughed.
"They've got a few years yet. I wanted them to see what the guild is like since I was here to turn in a request."
"You both will be fine adventurers if you follow in your uncle's footsteps!" Angelo mussed our hair before walking to the counter to handle his business.
"What do you say we pick up something from the market?" Uncle Rodney suggested.
Ellie and I smiled and stood up. Sweets weren't something I'd turn down. Especially the free kind!