When Aldwyn was back in his room, he thought about his next steps.
„The main focus for me is to be physically fit and ready to fight before the full moon. Either I train by myself or I take the risk and accept a contract... Since I will need money anyway, that's probably the best way.
„Obviously I'm not going to accept anything too risky, just something to help my body get back into shape. I should ask Lord Adrian where I can find such contracts...
„After I've cleared things up with Sir Riven and Blackwood, I should take something from the collection of artifacts... Either for my own use or to be sold.
„After everything is done, I head towards the capital Garanom. It's not going to be an easy journey, therefore I need enough money for both the journey and the arrival.
„Once I arrive in Garanom I'll need a place to stay, I think an inn will do it for a start. It shouldn't be a problem to make money there...
„As soon as I've settled in properly, I'll have to look for information... In theory, that shouldn't be a problem either, although I doubt that all my questions will be answered.
„I need to figure out the meaning behind the key and the runes, which I found in Caius' chamber. I also need to find out, if the amulet really only has the abilities that Sir Riven explained to me... I suspect he left something out.
„I have to learn more about demons and dark deities... I'll look for something about the entity in Helgarde. There should be something about a dark moon entity... The question is whether there's just one or several...
„I also have to find out something about Ygannea... I don't know how much I can trust her. Although she said, that she was some sort of demon responsible for my rebirth, but should I just accept that?
„To do that, I need to find out, if my old selves leave something behind. It's almost impossible that my previous lives didn't leave anything behind... There has to be something that might bring me closer to my truth.
„It wouldn't be a bad idea to learn more about the primordial seven Gods, including their pathways of course. I wasn't even aware, that there was a shapeshifter path until yesterday... My knowledge is quite limited.
„Actually, I should start thinking about how to progress further up the Assassin's Path... Caius said, that I would realize it, as soon as I reached my limit, but can I trust his words? After all, he tried to kill me...
„To be fair, I haven't really acted like an assassin yet... Despite my battles in Helgarde, I haven't made much progress at all... I need to think about that too. Just fighting around will not help me..."
Aldwyn breathed heavily and pushed himself off his bed. "So much to do..." he mumbled to himself.
The corridor outside his room was eerily quiet, as if the castle itself knew the gravity of the situation and held its breath in anticipation. The floorboards creaked gently under his boots as he made his way to Lord Adrian's office.
The heavy oak door to the office stood before him, the polished brass handle gleaming in the flickering candlelight. He turned it slowly, letting the door creak open to reveal the dimly lit chamber. The scent of leather-bound tomes and the faint hint of pipe tobacco filled the air. Bookshelves lined the walls, their contents a testament to the countless hours of knowledge and strategy that had been poured into the room.
Lord Adrian looked up from his paperwork, his gaze sharp and focused despite the early hour. "What is it, Aldwyn?" he asked, his voice a gruff bark.
Aldwyn stepped into the room, his eyes scanning the bookshelves before settling on Lord Adrian. "I'm looking for contracts," he said. "I need something to keep me sharp while I prepare for Garanom. Do you know where I can find such contracts?"
Lord Adrian leaned back in his chair, his gaze unwavering. "I might have a few," he said, his tone cautious. "But they won't be easy, and they won't be safe. You're not quite ready to tackle the kind of challenges."
Aldwyn's eyes narrowed. "I've faced worse," he said, the corner of his mouth lifting into a smirk. "I've survived Helgarde. I think I can handle a few contracts."
Aldwyn paused for a moment before continuing. "Just tell me what you have, if there's anything I can do, I'll do it. Otherwise, I'll find something else."
Lord Adrian leaned forward, his eyes searching Aldwyn's. "The first contract involves a creature that has been terrorizing a nearby village," he began, his voice low and grave. "It's a beast that stalks the night, leaving a trail of death and destruction in its wake. The villagers are desperate for help, and the bounty is substantial."
Aldwyn felt a flicker of interest. "How substantial?" he asked, his voice tight with anticipation.
"Nine hundred and sixty Lexus," Lord Adrian said, his eyes never leaving Aldwyn's face.
„Not a bad reward, but I'm not sure if I should do it.... After all, I have no idea what that creature is. The benefit would be its remains, which I could possibly sell..."
Aldwyn nodded, his mind already racing with the possibilities. "I need the details," he said, his voice firm. "What kind of creature are we talking about?"
Lord Adrian pushed a parchment across the desk, the ink still wet. "There aren't many details," he admitted, his expression grim. "Just whispers of a beast that stalks the night, cloaked in shadow and leaving a trail of fear."
Aldwyn looked disappointed, „That doesn't help me at all..."
"What about the other contracts?" Aldwyn asked him, hoping there was a better one.
"The second case is more complicated," Lord Adrian said, his voice softening. "It's about a nobleman who suspects his wife of adultery. He wants evidence of it and if necessary, he wants you to deal with the... situation."
„Why is it more complicated than killing a monster without any leads? I think his perception of situations is a bit... Narrowed." Aldwyn joked mentally.
Aldwyn raised an eyebrow. "What's the reward for that?"
Lord Adrian's expression didn't change. " Five hundred Lexus. The man is rich and desperate, but the job is... sensitive. You must be discreet."
„Only five hundred?" Aldwyn was a little disappointed.
Aldwyn went through the pros and cons in his head. „The benefit is, that it's pretty safe. It shouldn't be a problem for me and my abilities. The downside is, that it's unlikely to improve my physical condition..."
Aldwyn nodded thoughtfully, weighing the risks and rewards. "Fine," he said with a shrug. "I'll take the contract."
Lord Adrian handed him a note with the address of the client, his hand lingering for a moment before withdrawing. Aldwyn took it without a word, his eyes scanning the neat, precise handwriting.
„Sir Henry Snall, on the outskirts of Vellaris, in the more affluent neighborhood. Rosemary Avenue. 11" Aldwyn nodded, folded the note and put it in the pocket of his cloak.
"Thank you for your time, Lord Adrian," Aldwyn said, his voice cool and detached. He turned and strode out of the office, his boots echoing down the hallway.