The crisp morning air greeted Amanda as she led her group toward the edge of the forest. The towering trees, which had shielded them from prying eyes and offered both danger and solace, began to thin. Sunlight spilled onto the path ahead, its warmth contrasting with the chill of the past few days.
Fenris padded beside her, his large frame alert but calm. Eryndor followed close behind, his eyes scanning their surroundings with habitual vigilance.
Amanda tightened her cloak around her shoulders, the weight of the Seed's power lingering in her mind. The figure's warning still echoed in her thoughts, but she pushed it aside. She had no time for doubts.
"We're nearing the outskirts," Eryndor said, his tone low. "There's a town about half a day's walk from here. We'll need to be careful."
Amanda nodded. "Careful isn't enough. The nobles will have agents everywhere—mercenaries, spies. We can't draw attention."
Eryndor frowned but didn't argue. He knew better than to question her instincts.
As the forest finally gave way to rolling hills, the distant outline of a settlement came into view. Smoke curled from chimneys, and the faint hum of activity reached their ears. The town wasn't large, but it was bustling enough to offer anonymity.
"We'll split up once inside," Amanda said. "No one knows we're traveling together. Fenris will stay close to me, but you..." She turned to Eryndor. "You'll handle supplies. Keep your head down and avoid questions."
Eryndor's jaw tightened, but he nodded. "And you?"
"I'm looking for knowledge," Amanda replied, her crimson eyes narrowing as she scanned the horizon. "Magic tomes, scrolls—anything useful. And we'll need money."
"Money we don't have," Eryndor reminded her.
Amanda smirked faintly. "Then we'll earn it."
---
By midday, they reached the town gates. Amanda pulled her hood low, concealing her face, while Fenris shrank his aura, appearing as an ordinary—but intimidating—wolf. The guards at the gate paid them little attention, their focus more on chatting with passing merchants than inspecting travelers.
Once inside, the group blended into the crowd. The streets were lively, filled with vendors hawking goods, blacksmiths hammering metal, and townsfolk bustling about their daily lives. Amanda's eyes flicked toward a market stall selling dusty books.
"This way," she murmured to Fenris, who padded silently at her side.
Eryndor gave a small nod before veering off toward a supply shop.
Amanda approached the stall cautiously, her gaze sweeping over the assortment of worn tomes and scrolls. The vendor, an elderly man with keen eyes, looked up as she stopped.
"Looking for something specific?" he asked, his voice gruff but not unfriendly.
"I'm interested in magic," Amanda said, keeping her tone measured. "Spells, theories, anything rare."
The man's brow furrowed. "Rare magic doesn't come cheap. And most who ask for it don't know what they're getting into."
Amanda's lips curled into a faint smile. "I know exactly what I'm looking for."
The vendor studied her for a moment before nodding. He reached under the table and pulled out a small, leather-bound book. "This one's old. Covers basic enchantments and mana flow. It's worth five silver."
Amanda's hand brushed the pouch at her side. Two silver coins clinked together—a pitiful amount.
"Too steep," she said flatly. "What about something less valuable?"
The man huffed. "Knowledge ain't free, girl. Come back when you've got the coin."
Amanda glanced at Fenris, an idea forming. "How about a trade?"
The vendor raised an eyebrow. "Depends on what you've got."
Amanda reached into her cloak, producing a small, unassuming crystal she had pocketed during their journey through the forest. It pulsed faintly with residual mana—a fragment from the battle that had left the area scarred.
The vendor's eyes widened slightly. "Where did you...?" He cut himself off, shaking his head. "Never mind. This will do."
Amanda handed over the crystal, and the man placed the book in her hands. "Pleasure doing business," he said, though his gaze lingered on her as she turned to leave.
---
Reuniting with Eryndor in a quiet alley, Amanda examined the supplies he had gathered: a small sack of provisions and a simple bedroll.
"This town's full of chatter," he said, glancing around. "Rumors about nobles searching for a 'dangerous rogue.' They didn't mention your name, but it's clear they're looking for someone."
Amanda's expression darkened. "Then we don't stay long. Just enough to gather what we need."
Eryndor hesitated. "And money? We still need more."
Amanda looked down at Fenris, who wagged his tail slightly. "We'll take a job," she said. "Discreet, simple, and fast."
---
The town's adventurers' guild was a modest building, its wooden sign swinging gently in the breeze. Inside, the atmosphere was lively but not overly crowded. Amanda scanned the job board, her eyes settling on a small parchment offering a modest reward:
**"Wanted: Forest Creatures Neutralized. 10 Silver. Inquire Within."**
It was perfect—low risk, no mention of nobles, and enough pay to keep them moving. She tore the notice from the board and approached the desk.
"I'll take this job," she said, handing the parchment to the guild attendant.
The attendant, a young woman with sharp features, glanced at Amanda and nodded. "Standard contract. Bring proof of the creatures' defeat to collect payment."
Amanda signed her name—an alias, of course—and left without another word.
---
That evening, Amanda, Eryndor, and Fenris regrouped outside the town. The job was simple enough: eliminate a pack of oversized boar-like creatures that had been attacking nearby farms.
The battle was swift and efficient, Amanda's magic weaving through the fray with precision. By the time they returned to the guild, bloodied but victorious, they had the proof needed to claim their reward.
As the attendant handed over the silver, Amanda allowed herself a brief moment of satisfaction. They were far from rich, but it was a start.
---
Back at their temporary lodging—a small, unassuming inn on the edge of town—Amanda flipped through the book she had purchased. The spells were basic, but the theories offered new insights.
Eryndor sat by the window, watching the street below. "How long are we staying here?"
"Not long," Amanda replied without looking up. "Just enough to prepare for the next step."
"And what's the next step?"
Amanda's crimson eyes flicked up to meet his. "Power. Knowledge. And staying ahead of the nobles. This town is just a stepping stone."
Eryndor nodded but said nothing more.
As the night deepened, Amanda's resolve burned brighter than ever. The Seed's power churned within her, whispering promises of destruction and triumph. But she wouldn't let it control her.
She would carve her path, one step at a time.