The room was small and sparsely furnished, with two narrow beds, a rickety table, and a single chair. A lone window offered a glimpse of the moonlit forest, the rustling leaves casting dancing shadows on the rough-hewn walls.
William, exhausted from the day's journey and the adrenaline surge of the bandit encounter, collapsed onto one of the beds, the straw mattress crackling beneath his weight. He closed his eyes, the events of the past few weeks swirling in his mind. He had faced death, traveled through time, and discovered hidden powers he was only beginning to understand.
Sleep came quickly, a welcome respite from the constant turmoil of his new reality.
The next morning, they were back on the road, the rising sun painting the sky in hues of gold and crimson. The Drunken Boar, with its weary tavern keeper and lumpy beds, faded into a distant memory.
Two more days of travel brought them to the outskirts of the city. Even from a distance, it was an impressive sight. Towering walls of grey stone rose from the surrounding plains, their imposing presence a testament to the city's strength and prosperity. A bustling crowd gathered at the main gate, a throng of merchants, travelers, and adventurers seeking entry.
Gorn guided their horses towards the back of the queue, his gaze sweeping across the crowd, his hand instinctively resting on the hilt of his sword. William, despite his excitement, couldn't shake a feeling of unease. The city, for all its grandeur, seemed to hum with an undercurrent of tension.
As they reached the gate, two guards, clad in gleaming armor, stepped forward. They scrutinized the approaching travelers, their eyes sharp and alert. One of them, a burly man with a thick mustache, gestured towards a nearby table. "Weapons and belongings," he barked, his voice gruff. "Inspection."
Gorn frowned, his brow furrowed in confusion. "Inspection?" he echoed, his voice laced with surprise. "Since when does
The guard leaned closer, his voice lowering to a conspiratorial whisper. "Bandits, sir," he explained. "Sneaking in with stolen goods, causing trouble. Orders from the Captain. Just a precaution."
Gorn grunted, a flicker of understanding in his eyes. He and William dismounted, placing their weapons and packs on the table for inspection. The guards, their eyes sharp, examined every item, their movements efficient and thorough.
William felt a surge of anxiety as the guard's hands hovered over the mysterious stone tucked in his pocket. He held his breath, hoping the stone's unusual properties wouldn't attract unwanted attention. But the guard, seemingly unfazed, moved on, his focus shifting to the next item.
With a final nod of approval, the guards stepped aside, granting them entry into the city. William, his heart pounding with anticipation, followed Gorn through the imposing gates, eager to explore the wonders and secrets that awaited them within Alderanth's walls.
The city gates swung open, and William stepped into a whirlwind of sights and sounds. The streets teemed with a vibrant crowd - merchants hawking their wares, children chasing stray dogs, and adventurers swaggering with weapons strapped to their backs. The air buzzed with a cacophony of voices, the clatter of horse-drawn carts, and the enticing aromas of street food stalls.
"Potions! Elixirs! Get your potent brews here!" a wizened old woman cackled, her stall overflowing with vials of colorful liquids. "Guaranteed to cure any ailment, from a common cold to a broken heart!"
"Weapons! Armor! Finest craftsmanship in all of Alderanth!" a burly blacksmith bellowed, his hammer ringing against steel. "Swords that can cleave a man in two, shields that can withstand a dragon's breath!"
"Exotic delicacies! Rare ingredients! Tantalize your taste buds with the finest fare from across the realms!" a portly merchant proclaimed, his stall laden with strange and wondrous fruits, vegetables, and meats. "Try our roasted griffin wings, guaranteed to make your mouth water!"
William's eyes widened, taking in the bizarre and fascinating sights. He had never seen such a diverse and vibrant marketplace. He nudged Gorn, his voice filled with curiosity. "Where do we go to find help?"
Gorn, his gaze scanning the crowd with a practiced eye, pointed towards a imposing building with a sign depicting a crossed sword and shield. "The Adventurer's Guild," he said. "That's our best bet."
"Why not the army?" William questioned. "Shouldn't they be dealing with this corrupted threat?"
Gorn shook his head. "Alderanth is a merchant city, lad. No major military presence here. We'd have to travel to the capital to petition the king, and that would take weeks, maybe months." He paused, his expression grim. "We don't have that kind of time."
He steered their horses towards the Adventurer's Guild, the imposing building looming closer with every step. "We'll post a quest, offer a reward. Hopefully, we can find some skilled adventurers willing to investigate the corruption and deal with the threat before it spreads."
William nodded. He was finally starting to understand how things were. Gorn looked quite knowledgeable.
'He is certainly more than a hunter,' thought William as they moved toward the Adventurer's Guild building.
The Adventurer's Guild was a hive of activity. The vast hall buzzed with the chatter of adventurers, the clatter of mugs on tables, and the occasional boisterous laugh. A massive board dominated one wall, covered in parchments detailing various quests – from retrieving lost cats to slaying fearsome beasts.
Gorn approached a counter manned by a stern-looking woman with a scarred cheek and a bored expression. "We need to post a quest," he announced, his voice carrying over the din.
The woman, without looking up from her ledger, gestured towards a stack of parchments and a pot of ink. "Fill this out. Be specific. And be prepared to pay the posting fee."
Gorn grunted, grabbing a parchment and quill. He scribbled down the details of their predicament – the strange occurrences in the forest, the corrupted creatures, the growing fear in Willow Creek. He hesitated for a moment, then added a hefty reward, a sum that made William's eyes widen.
"Will that be enough?" William whispered, concerned that they might be overspending.
Gorn shrugged. "We need to attract the right kind of adventurers, lad. Ones who aren't afraid of a little risk."
He slammed the completed form onto the counter, the woman's head snapping up with a glare. She scanned the parchment, her eyebrows rising at the offered reward. "This is quite a sum," she said, her voice laced with a hint of surprise.
"It's a dangerous job," Gorn replied, his tone firm. "We need someone with experience dealing with the Corrupted."
The woman nodded, her expression turning serious. "Very well. I'll post your quest. But I can't guarantee you'll find anyone willing to take it. The Corrupted are no laughing matter."
Gorn grunted in agreement. "We know that better than anyone," he said grimly.