Seraphina leaned back in her chair as the last of her bread disappeared, having enjoyed the hearty food after a day of eating nothing. Edwin and Samuel sat across from her, the remnants of their breakfast still scattered across the table.
"We need to decide on a quest."
Edwin said, his voice calm as he went back to the topic they were discussing before.
"There are two that stood out at the guild yesterday."
Samuel nodded, leaning forward with a casual grin.
"Yeah, both seemed promising, but one's definitely more my style."
Edwin raised an eyebrow, but before he could reply, Samuel continued.
"The first one's a supply escort."
His tone brightened, and he gestured animatedly.
"A merchant and his caravan heading to a nearby village and need protection. Not a bad deal— decent coin, food along the way, and he even mentioned future contracts if we do well. Sounds like easy money to me."
"What's the risk?"
Seraphina asked, already suspecting there was more to it than Samuel's breezy description— if the man needed an escort then it was obvious that there was danger.
"Bandits."
Edwin answered for him, his silver eyes narrowing slightly.
"The requester mentioned they've been showing up in the valleys nearby. While they're not heavily armed or skilled, their numbers vary. After looking into it further, it seems linked to the border— criminals slipping through.
Samuel shrugged, clearly unbothered.
"Bandits are manageable. I'd rather take on a few desperate fools than something... unpredictable."
"What about the other quest?"
Seraphina prompted.
"That one's more complex."
Edwin replied, his tone shifting.
"It's a forest investigation. A hunter reported strange noises and increased monster activity in the nearby woods. The head of the city wall's security put in the request— he's worried about the possibility of a monster wave."
Samuel grimaced at the thought— having to deal with monsters sounded like a hassle to the man, especially after what happened when they went to the forest before.
"A wave? Doesn't sound like 'easy money' to me."
Edwin ignored the comment and kept explaining.
"The goal is to investigate, assess the situation, and report back. If the monsters are growing in numbers, the guards can prepare before it becomes a problem. We don't even need to fight."
"The reward?"
Seraphina asked.
"Moderate pay. But it's not just about the money. Helping the guards could earn us goodwill and valuable connections."
Samuel scoffed lightly, crossing his arms.
"Goodwill doesn't fill bellies. You know what does? Escorting a fat merchant with a wagon full of goods."
"You'd risk ignoring a potential threat to the city— and to us— just for a quick payday?"
Edwin countered, his tone measured but pointed.
"It's not about ignoring anything."
Samuel shot back.
"It's about being smart. We're not exactly swimming in resources here, and chasing after monsters in the woods sounds like asking for trouble."
Seraphina listened quietly as they went back and forth, weighing their points. Both quests had merit, but she had to admit that the forest investigation intrigued her more.
It wasn't just about the potential danger— though that was important— it was the idea of learning more about monsters, and their behaviors, and Edwin was right. If a monster wave happened, they would be forced to get involved regardless of whether they wanted to or not.
She didn't plan to, or want to, leave Vesta just yet— she had yet to properly use the library and she still wanted to use the undercity to gather followers and build her strength.
Leaving now, or worse, being forced to leave, would waste the potential she saw in Vesta.
"Let's think this through."
She said, her voice cutting through the banter between the two.
"The escort quest is straightforward. Protecting a merchant from bandits is risky, but manageable. The forest investigation, on the other hand, is more uncertain, but it could have a bigger impact if the monster activity escalates."
Edwin nodded in agreement, while Samuel leaned back in his chair, clearly less enthusiastic.
"Plus, if the monsters are getting more aggressive, we could be dealing with them eventually, whether we take this quest or not. Better to handle it now before it gets out of control."
Samuel sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"I get it. I just don't love the idea of walking into the unknown."
"I don't either."
Seraphina admitted that Samuel wasn't wrong— the unknown was daunting, but she also saw an opportunity in it.
"But I think it's the right call."
"Fine."
Samuel relented, though his tone was less than thrilled.
"Forest it is. Let's hope we don't regret it."
Edwin gave a small nod of approval, his expression unreadable but satisfied.
"We'll need supplies if the forest is dangerous. We should be prepared."
Samuel perked up slightly at the mention of preparations.
"Good point. Let's stop by the market before we head out. No point in going in half-cocked."
Seraphina stood, brushing crumbs from her lap.
"Agreed. Let's get what we need and head out as soon as we're ready."
They left the inn after grabbing their things, heading to the nearby market to buy some supplies before leaving to complete the quest— their goal was the nearby woods.
It didn't have a proper name aside from being called Vesta's Woodland. Though not vast, it was still far enough to require a day's travel from the city.