The morning was chilly, with a thin mist lingering over the town's cobbled streets, adding a hazy grayness to everything. Lyra glanced back at the stone archway where she'd left Emmy sleeping, wrapped up as snugly as possible in Lyra's old cloak. It wasn't the safest place, but it was well hidden from the early-morning passersby. She'd only be gone for a short time. Besides, the thought of leaving her sister with even a single meal today pushed her to take that risk.
With a steadying breath, Lyra headed towards the adventurer's guild. She'd passed by the place many times before but had always been too wary to go inside. This time, though, she walked with a purpose, clutching her bag tightly against her side as if it held something valuable rather than just a worn cloth and a few bits of stray thread.
The guild building loomed ahead, solid stone and bustling with activity, even this early in the morning. Adventurers of all kinds were already gathering near the entrance, discussing contracts, bartering supplies, and exchanging bits of news from far-off places. For a moment, Lyra hesitated at the doorway, feeling dwarfed by the noise, the people, and the sheer energy that seemed to radiate from the guild.
She took a deep breath. I'm here for Emmy, she reminded herself, and stepped inside.
Inside, the guild was even more chaotic. A long counter stretched along one wall, with a stern-looking clerk behind it, shuffling papers and addressing a line of impatient adventurers. A massive board covered with job postings dominated the opposite wall, each note pinned in a chaotic, overlapping mess. Lyra eyed the crowd of people in front of the board, hoping she wouldn't have to push through.
Carefully, she made her way to the edge of the room, doing her best to stay out of the adventurers' way as she scanned the postings. She saw notes written in tidy handwriting, some hastily scrawled in barely legible letters, and others with bold, intimidating symbols. Lyra wasn't after anything dangerous. She needed something simple—anything that didn't require combat.
A rough, older voice to her left cut through her focus. "First time here?"
Lyra jumped slightly, turning to see a broad-shouldered woman looking down at her with a raised eyebrow. The woman wore armor that looked like it had seen countless battles, with dents and scratches marking the metal, and a longsword strapped to her side. She looked weathered and strong, someone who could handle herself in any fight.
"Y-yes," Lyra admitted, trying not to show her nervousness.
The woman grunted in response. "Well, don't bother with the big contracts. You're not ready for those," she said with a sharp nod toward the board. "Look for the postings at the bottom. They're usually the smaller tasks. Not worth much coin, but it's a start."
Lyra gave her a grateful nod, murmuring, "Thank you."
The woman shrugged and moved off without another word, but Lyra felt a flicker of warmth at the small kindness. Taking the woman's advice, she crouched down to examine the lower corner of the board. Sure enough, there were smaller notes tucked between the large ones, most of them listing tasks like herb gathering, cleaning, and simple deliveries. Nothing glamorous, but it was just what she needed.
Her eyes caught on a small scrap of paper that read: Herb Collection – Pay: 2 coppers. See healer for details.
It wasn't much, but it was work she could handle. She could navigate the forests on the outskirts of town and gather some herbs for a little bit of coin. And maybe, with enough jobs like this, she could earn enough for some proper food. An apple, a small loaf of fresh bread—maybe even a blanket for Emmy.
Lyra carefully tore the note from the board and tucked it into her pocket before making her way to the clerk's counter.
The clerk glanced down at her as she approached, looking almost surprised to see her. "Yes?" he asked, his tone flat.
Lyra took a steadying breath and held up the note. "I'd like to take this job, please. The herb collection."
The clerk raised an eyebrow. "Little young, aren't you?"
She forced herself to hold his gaze, hoping he couldn't see the slight tremor in her hands. "I can handle it," she replied, keeping her voice steady. She wasn't about to let anyone talk her out of work—not when Emmy was counting on her.
With a dismissive shrug, the clerk reached beneath the counter and pulled out a small burlap pouch, handing it over to her. "Here. You'll need this for the herbs. Bring it back once it's full, and I'll see you get your pay."
Lyra took the pouch and nodded. "Thank you," she said quietly.
He merely grunted in response, turning his attention to the next person in line.
Lyra stepped back, clutching the pouch tightly. Her heart was beating fast, a strange mixture of excitement and nerves. She had a job—a real job. It was just a small one, but it felt like the first step toward something better.
The town's outskirts were quiet as Lyra made her way toward the fields, the gentle hum of early morning stillness filling the air. She took a moment to breathe in the cool scent of damp earth and grass. For a brief moment, she felt a hint of calm settle over her.
The fields stretched out before her, dotted with patches of wild herbs and flowers. Lyra knelt down, examining the plants carefully. She didn't know much about herbs, but she remembered a few names from when her mother used to talk about healing plants. Lavender, mint, and chamomile were among those her mother had mentioned in passing, though Lyra couldn't be sure she'd recognize them all correctly.
She began picking the leaves and flowers that seemed similar to what she remembered, carefully placing each one in the burlap pouch. The work was slow, but the rhythm of it was comforting. With each herb she gathered, she felt a tiny sense of accomplishment growing within her.
Every so often, Lyra's mind wandered back to Emmy. She pictured her sister's smile, imagined the look on her face if she returned with enough coin to buy them something special. The thought gave her a renewed sense of purpose, and she continued gathering herbs with a focused determination.
By the time she'd filled the pouch, the sun was already climbing higher in the sky. Lyra wiped her hands on her cloak and took one last look around, feeling a faint pang of pride at her small accomplishment.
When she returned to the guild, the crowd had thinned, leaving the room quieter. She approached the clerk's counter, holding up the pouch of herbs. The clerk took it, glancing briefly inside before nodding.
"Two coppers," he said, reaching into a small coin pouch and dropping the coins into her hand.
Lyra stared at the copper coins, their dull sheen catching the light. They felt heavier in her hand than she'd expected, and a warmth spread through her chest. It wasn't much—just a small amount. But it was something she'd earned herself. For Emmy.
"Thank you," she said, clutching the coins tightly.
The clerk barely acknowledged her as she turned and left the guild. But Lyra didn't care. She had her coins, and that was all that mattered.
As she made her way back to the stone archway, her heart lifted with the knowledge that today, for the first time in a long while, she would have something to show for her efforts. It wasn't a feast, but it was a start. A beginning, however small, toward the future she wanted to build for herself and Emmy.