"Don't mind some of the old folk here," Gred said, noticing my interest with the people, "A few don't take well to outsiders. But most are welcoming enough."
"Describing their hospitality as enough isn't a good sign of things to be," I replied, "But I guess that will make do."
Gred nodded. "Halflings are lively folk, but they prefer to keep to themselves," The elf began fiddling with his ear, "It doesn't help that Elvish Kings haven't been kind to them in past centuries."
I raised a brow, "What do you mean?"
"The Elven Kings of late have been insufferable, even for Elvish standards!" Tov chimed in, "Imagine destroying an entire kingdom just because they refused to host a grand feast in your honor?"
Gred sighed, offering no counter to the words of the Dwarf. "King Elazanrad wanted an excuse to show Elven superiority. So he demanded the halflings to host something they couldn't afford themselves."
I frowned. Elves were prideful and damn near insufferable, but surely they weren't that deranged? I looked at Tov and Gred with a confused expression. I needed to know more.
"My kin fought in that war," Redtail added, "They tried to help the halflings, but there was only so much a mercenary company could do."
"How long ago was this war?" I asked, expecting the answer to be in the centuries.
"100 years ago, more or less." Gred answered.
That wasn't a long time ago at all!
"You seem surprised?" Gred asked, noticing my raised brow. I've been raising my brow often it seems.
"No," I said, "Confused mostly."
Tov chuckled, "The ways of the elves are indeed confusing if one does not share their ego." The dwarf's repeated jabs against the elves should have already warranted a response from Gred by now, but so far the elf remained silent. The silence was disconcerting. Where there was silence in the face of accusation, there was truth.
The truth, if it was, made me wary. I was unaware of the political situation of the region as a whole, yet there were signs and clues already being laid before me. There was tension in the background. An unseen heat that cracked the fragile ice, making way for water, and eventually, steam. Once the last of the ice melted, how long before everything boiled?
The conversation moved on to other adventuring-related matters. Most of it was uninteresting and appealed only to the adventurers. Talk about splitting the reward, of how best to spend the gold and silver, and how Tov was gonna lose all of his money in his infamous drunken escapades.
However, there was a bit of talk about Eranu, the High Councilor. According to Gred, the usually cheerful halfling was acting unusual. He looked uneasy, paranoid even. I wasn't able to notice any of this. But there was only so much I could deduce from our brief interaction.
Or maybe I wasn't used to talking to people anymore? Was I awkward? Well, suddenly speaking coldly against them may give the wrong impression. But why was I suddenly worrying about impressions? I wasn't here to...
Nevermind.
We eventually arrived at the Adventurer Guild Hall. It looked more like a castle with its four tall spires on every corner. A tall flag etched with a golden sword and shield stood atop each spire, fluttering softly against the wind. Ignoring the spires that seemed out of place, it was modest in its architecture. Its reinforced wooden entrance was flanked by banners that draped over the walls and windows. Surprisingly, there were no courtyards nor training grounds. It was only a single building. How would the guild test new recruits? Let alone hone the skills of their adventurers?
The wagon stopped in front of the entrance where a group of halflings awaited. They were unarmed. There were no other guards in sight, except for our own escort. It sounded rowdy inside the hall as if there was a party or celebration of sorts.
"Good day, Mr. Greddance, sir!" One of the halflings said, "We will be taking care of your wagon. The Branch Master is already inside with the High Councilor."
The adventurers quickly surrendered the wagon and the cargo. I watched as the unarmed halflings, who I assumed were servants, quickly commandeered the reins of the donkeys and led the wagon elsewhere.
"I must return the little one to you, Mr. Viduri." Redtail said as she placed Zeal on the ground. The little beastkin stood there, frozen. I extended a hand, expecting to be rebuffed. But Zeal, slowly but surely, accepted. A few days ago she wouldn't even glance in my direction without retreating in fear.
"We shall be off then, Mr. Greddance," One of the armored halflings said after approaching the elf, "Our protection is no longer required. The High Councilor awaits you inside."
"Thank you, Commander." With that, the halfling commander swiftly bowed and walked away with the rest of the guards. They didn't go far, however. They took up positions nearby, surrounding the guild hall. I could sense a few more guards hidden between the buildings. Was all of that really necessary?
Zeal held my hand tight. She didn't like the halflings. And maybe the sentiment was mutual.
"They're jumpy." Dalinah suddenly spoke, surprising everyone.
"You're finally awake, little elf." Tov said as he began patting the elven girl on the back.
"First of all, you're smaller than me," Dalinah shot back, "Second of all, isn't this a bit strange? Why are they acting suspicious of us?"
It seemed like the grief that consumed her weeks before had finally been swept away. Or maybe she had buried it deep within her heart. Regardless, it was a welcome change to her demeanor.
"We'll soon find out," Gred said, "But first, let's claim our reward, shall we?"