With a soft jingle the tavern door creaked open, escaping from the ongoing storm outside, two weary travellers stepped in.
The girl caught attention, her piercing green eyes scanning the warm beerhall, looking for threats.
The boy too, was being gazed at, he had a strange over worldly atmosphere around him, his blond hair plastered to his forehead, helping him resemble a wet rat.
Being discreet, the duo made there way to the host of the fine inn, a strong man in his 60s.
"Can I help you?" Asked Hadrian, the bartender, the man had man had been serving adventures for close to three decades and was therefore a professional in this business and knew not to judge by appearances.
These two looked like brats who took a wrong turn, but when you make a living serving drinks to lizardmen and werewolves, then Hadrian thought it was more likely they were travelling gods, cursed to wear the guide of a mortal. or some other sob story.
"Two rooms, preferably next to each other," whispered the girl in a hushed voice, her pale hand sliding over a pouch of silver coins.
Hadrian counted them and smiled, "I'm sorry, but I only have one available... Would you be happy with that?"
The half-elf looked a tad disappointed, but nodded anyway, "that'll be fine, thank you,"
Following the pointing hand of Hadrian gesturing to the stairway, the duo passed by.
As the blond boy followed behind Hadrian winked at him, it had been a long time since he played "wing-man" ,and he was glad to be back in the saddle.
-------------------
Lucas sighed, that old guy had misunderstood something. Not that he was complaining, of course.
The closer he was to Adara the better, especially with the way those were harpies staring at him...
Using [observation] on the crowd of adventures as they walked past, he didn't notice anything special.
The system rated most of them between level 10-15, with a couple being worse than that.
Lucas himself was deemed 6, with Adara being a much higher 24, not that he could ever hope to compete with a mage of her level.
The room was modest but clean, a welcome sight after their journey. The storm outside raged on, the distant howls of the wind blending with the murmur of conversations from the tavern below.
"Could you read me the letter again, Lucas?" Asked Adara, who had barely been able to rest for a week before being sent with Lucas on this new assignment.
Nodding Lucas found the letter stashed in his green cloak and begun reading...
"Dear Lucas,
To prove your loyalty, Our lord Hypnos has instructed you to travel to the continent in the east, Mitsurin.
Here you must reach a very obscure mining town, to small to have a name, it'll be located close to the everflame mountain.
Only you know of what you must recover here, for the lord has kept it deft to mine and Adara ears.
Due to your pitiful strength, our benevolent master has decided it would be best for you to be accompanied by our colleague, Adara.
When you reach the harbour, look for a sailor called Verideon. She will help you reach your destination.
Adara will be briefed with supplies and provided with money... All you have to do is listen to what she says.
Good luck,
Ronan."
As Lucas read the letter, the weight of their new assignment settled upon them. Adara's eyes, the color of vibrant emeralds, bore into the contents of the message, assessing the gravity of the task at hand.
"I can't help but wonder what it is we are looking for..." Said Adara, more to herself than Lucas.
"Oh right, There's this-"
"Don't tell me!" Adara spoke quickly, her eyes wide in alarm, "if the lord remained silent then there must be a reason,"
Lucas kept to himself what he thought of Hypnos, something along the lines of "that sloth must have just forgotten to say anything..."
The storm outside intensified, its fury echoing the uncertainty of their mission. Adara reached for her bag, checking the supplies they had been provided. Money, rations, and a few enchanted items were neatly arranged, a silent testament to Ronan's meticulous preparation.
"Rest for now, Lucas. Tomorrow, we embark on another journey," Adara said, her gaze unwavering. "We may not know the full extent of our task, but we will face it together."
"That sounds great, Adara, but why do you get the bed again?" Inquired the blond, watching as the half-elf dumped the bag on the floor and stretched out on the fluffy duvet.
"You're not really going to let a tired and weak maiden sleep on the floor are you," responded Adara, her eyes wide with fake fear
"I just watched that tired and weary maiden behead a ghoul two hours ago,"
"Then let me rephrase," said Adara, "the ghoul slayer is sleeping on the bed, her trusty squire will be more happy with the floor,"
Lucas sighed, there was no way he was winning this... Using his pack as a pillow he rolled over, hoping to get some sleep.