The next morning dawned bright and clear, the sunlight streaming through the windows of the inn as Inoue, Guil, Lea, and Reinhardt prepared for the day ahead. There was a mix of anticipation and tension in the air as they gathered their belongings and discussed the plan one final time.
Bramble, freshly groomed and eager to be on the move, waited patiently outside. Guil made sure to give the horse an affectionate pat before turning back to his friends. "Alright, let's get this done. The sooner we see the king, the sooner we can focus on finding Dross."
Reinhardt nodded, his expression serious. "Remember, the palace is a formal place. You need to be respectful, especially when we're representing the guild. This reward is important, but so is your reputation."
Lea adjusted her lute, slinging it over her shoulder as she glanced at Inoue. "And after that, the guild. We've earned that Gold rank, and I'm looking forward to making it official."
Inoue smiled, though her mind was already drifting toward the upcoming confrontation at The Broken Dagger. "Let's stay focused. One step at a time."
The group left the inn and made their way to the palace, escorted by a few of Reinhardt's fellow knights. The streets were bustling with activity, but the sight of the knights parting the crowd made their journey smooth and uninterrupted.
The palace of Sylvenmere was an imposing structure, its towering spires and intricate stonework a testament to the city's wealth and power. As they approached the gates, the guards recognized Reinhardt and allowed them entry without hesitation.
Inside, the opulence of the palace was even more striking. The floors were polished marble, and tapestries depicting the city's history lined the walls. The group was led to a grand hall, where they waited for an audience with the king.
Guil couldn't help but glance around in awe, though he kept a firm hand on Bramble's reins. The horse seemed calm, unfazed by the grandeur around him.
After a few moments, the large double doors at the end of the hall swung open, and a herald stepped forward. "Presenting His Majesty, King Wilhem Gunhild of Drenvar ."
Lea couldn't suppress the grin that spread across her face as she finally stood before the king. She had suspected, but now, looking into his eyes, she was certain. *Those eyes… I knew I was right…* she thought, her heart racing with a mixture of excitement and satisfaction.
King Wilhem, seemingly oblivious to Lea's thoughts, gestured to the servants at his side. They stepped forward, carrying two heavy bags that clinked with the unmistakable sound of gold. Guil's eyes lit up, the reflection of the treasure shining in his gaze. His grin stretched wide as he tried, but failed, to contain his enthusiasm. Beside the gold, a chest was opened to reveal several items—each one carefully selected for the group.
The first item was a necklace that glimmered with an ethereal light, designed to enhance elemental resonance. Beside it lay a finely crafted short sword, its blade sharp and shimmering with enchantments. Lastly, a pair of sleek boots that radiated power, designed to augment the wearer's speed in all domains, were placed on display.
King Wilhem turned his gaze to Lea. "Lea, the bard," he announced. Lea stepped forward, her grin still present, though more subdued as she approached the king with a mixture of respect and quiet pride. The necklace was handed to her, its weight reassuring in her palm. She bowed slightly, her eyes never leaving the king's, before stepping back.
Next, the king called out, "Hooded warrior, please approach." Inoue, ever composed, moved forward, her face obscured by her hood. As she neared the king, murmurs began to ripple through the gathered nobles. Whispers of "rude" and "impolite" filled the grand hall, their disapproval clear at what they saw as a breach of decorum.
Guil, noticing the tension, shot the nobles a harsh look, his previously joyful expression now replaced with a fierce, protective glare. The room fell silent under the weight of his stare, the nobles quickly averting their eyes and falling quiet.
Inoue received the short sword from the king, its hilt fitting perfectly in her hand. She bowed slightly in acknowledgment, her expression hidden, but her gratitude clear.
Finally, King Wilhem called out, "Guil." The young warrior approached eagerly, his eyes fixed on the boots that were meant for him. As soon as the king handed them over, Guil couldn't help but immediately snatch the two bags of gold from the servants' hands, his grin returning as he clutched the treasure tightly to his chest.
The king's lips twitched with amusement at Guil's enthusiasm, though he said nothing of it. The formalities concluded, the group had received not just their reward, but also the acknowledgment of their efforts. The weight of the king's favor was not something to be taken lightly, and they knew that this recognition would carry weight in the days to come.
Lea, her mind still racing with the significance of the king's eyes thinks to herself. "I was right after all".
She caught Inoue's gaze as they rejoined their group. Without a word, they both knew that the day was far from over. The challenges ahead were daunting, but for now, they had achieved something significant. The promise of gold, new equipment, and the king's favor had fortified their resolve.
Reinhardt, standing slightly behind the group, nodded in appreciation. "Your Majesty, they are also here to request an official acknowledgment of their guild rank. I believe they have earned the Gold rank."
The king raised an eyebrow, clearly aware of the significance of such a request. "Indeed they have. I will send word to the Guild Master myself, confirming your elevation to Gold rank. You have proven yourselves worthy."
With their audience complete, the group bowed once more and exited the palace, their spirits high despite the challenges still ahead. As they made their way back through the city, they couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment.
But the day was far from over. After depositing their reward and ensuring Bramble was settled in at the inn's stables, they set out for the guild.
The guild hall was abuzz with activity, adventurers of all levels coming and going, discussing missions and exchanging stories. The Guild Master, a grizzled veteran named Thorne, greeted them with a nod as they entered.
"So, you're back from the palace, I take it?" Thorne said, his deep voice carrying a note of approval.
"Yes," Inoue replied. "And the king has confirmed our promotion to Gold rank."
Thorne stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Gold rank is a big step. You'll be taking on more dangerous missions, and the expectations will be higher. Are you ready for that?"
Guil spoke up, his voice filled with confidence. "We've faced danger before, and we've come out stronger every time. We're ready."
Thorne's eyes sparkled with a hint of amusement. "Very well. You'll be officially listed as Gold rank by tomorrow. For now, if there's nothing else, I suggest you prepare for your next challenge. I hear you're planning to investigate The Broken Dagger?"
Lea nodded. "That's right."
"Be careful there," Thorne warned. "It's not a place for the faint of heart. Watch your step and stick together."
The group thanked Thorne and left the guild hall, their spirits buoyed by their achievements but tempered by the looming task. Back at the inn, they gathered in a private corner of the common room to discuss their next move. Guil unpacked the gold and the items from the king. The necklace sparkled enticingly in the light, and the boots were sleek and well-crafted. Inoue inspected the short sword she had received, admiring its balance and sharpness.
Lea turned to Reinhardt. "We head to The Broken Dagger tomorrow. I want to rest tonight and get ready for anything."
Reinhardt nodded. "I'll make sure we're prepared. But let's not forget, this is as much about strategy as it is about bravery. We need to approach this carefully."
Guil grinned, his excitement palpable. "We've faced tough situations before. We can handle this."
The group spent the rest of the evening preparing for the challenges ahead, the weight of their newfound equipment and responsibilities settling upon them. As the sun set and the common room grew quieter, the atmosphere was charged with a mixture of resolve and anticipation.
That night was peaceful, but sleep was elusive for some. The promise of new challenges and the excitement of their accomplishments mingled with the weight of what lay ahead.
As dawn approached, the group would rise to face their next adventure, their spirits undampened by the uncertainties of The Broken Dagger. They had achieved much, but the road ahead was fraught with danger and discovery. The next chapter in their journey awaited, filled with the promise of new trials and triumphs.