Raven stood before the towering gates of the royal palace, the mission notice crumpled slightly in her grip. The imposing structure loomed above her, its grand spires piercing the sky and shimmering with enchanted light. Intricate carvings of phoenixes and crowned lions adorned the massive gates, while royal guards in polished armor flanked the entrance, their spears crossed in a silent but firm barricade.
"What the hell..." she muttered under her breath, her mismatched eyes narrowing as she took in the scene. She hadn't expected to be summoned directly to the palace. An imperial escort usually meant meeting at a discreet location, not walking into the lion's den itself.
Mavis, in her tiny dragon form perched on Raven's shoulder, flicked her tail and smirked. "Not what you were expecting? They do love their theatrics, don't they?"
"Understatement of the year," Raven replied dryly, her gaze shifting to the guards, who were now eyeing her warily. It wasn't every day that a lone adventurer with a katana strapped to her back and an air of deadly confidence showed up at the palace gates.
Taking a deep breath, Raven stepped forward, holding up the mission notice. "I'm here for the escort mission. Wraith, the adventurer."
One of the guards inspected her closely, his expression unreadable behind his helmet. After a tense moment, he nodded and signaled to his companion, who turned and spoke into a glowing communication orb mounted on the wall.
Moments later, the gates creaked open, revealing a manicured pathway leading to the palace's grand entrance. Raven's boots echoed against the polished stone as she walked forward, her every step scrutinized by the guards lining the pathway. The weight of the palace's grandeur pressed down on her, but she kept her stride steady, her face impassive.
"You're not nervous, are you?" Mavis teased, her voice a playful whisper in Raven's ear.
"Not in the slightest," Raven shot back, though her fingers tightened slightly around the katana's hilt. She wasn't sure what she was walking into, but her instincts were already on high alert.
As she approached the palace doors, a steward in elegant robes greeted her with a low bow. "Welcome, Wraith. Please follow me. Her Highness awaits you in the royal hall."
"Her Highness?" Raven echoed, a flicker of irritation crossing her face. "I thought I was here to meet the envoy."
The steward gave her a polite but firm smile. "Her Highness insisted on meeting her escort personally. This way, please."
Raven suppressed a sigh and followed the steward through the grand halls of the palace. The interior was as opulent as the exterior, with high vaulted ceilings, glittering chandeliers, and walls adorned with paintings of past rulers. Servants moved gracefully through the corridors, their footsteps barely audible against the marble floors.
Finally, they arrived at a set of massive double doors guarded by two knights in gleaming silver armor. The steward gestured for her to wait before pushing the doors open, revealing the royal hall beyond.
At the far end of the room stood a young woman draped in an elegant yet practical traveling cloak, its deep midnight-blue fabric trimmed with gold embroidery. Her regal posture radiated an air of authority, but her piercing azure eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief that betrayed her composed demeanor. Her long blonde hair cascaded down her back in a golden wave, catching the light like spun sunshine.
"Ah, you must be Wraith," the young woman said, her voice warm but commanding. "I've been looking forward to meeting you."
Raven inclined her head slightly, her expression unreadable but polite. "Thank you. I'm honored, Your Highness."
The princess smiled faintly, her gaze lingering on Raven for a moment as if assessing her. "Also," she added, her tone shifting to something lighter, "there's another guest who will be joining us. I hope you don't mind."
Raven's brow furrowed ever so slightly. "Another guest?" she repeated, her voice tinged with curiosity—and a hint of suspicion.
Before the princess could respond, the heavy sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the hall. A familiar voice, sharp and confident, cut through the air. "I've arrived, Princess Evanna."
Raven froze. Her mismatched eyes widened slightly as recognition dawned. No way...
From the grand doorway strode none other than Celia Vermillion, her crimson hair a striking contrast to the cool tones of the room. She carried herself with the same effortless grace Raven remembered, her sharp orange eyes scanning the space before landing on the princess. She wore a practical yet refined traveling outfit: a silver-edged longsword with a crimson hilt strapped securely at her side.
"Celia," Princess Evanna greeted warmly, stepping forward to clasp her hands. "I'm glad you could make it. I trust the preparations went smoothly?"
"As smoothly as expected," Celia replied with a faint smile, her tone poised and confident. Her gaze flickered past the princess to land on Raven, her sharp orange eyes narrowing ever so slightly as recognition dawned. A subtle shift in her expression betrayed her curiosity, mingled with faint surprise.
"Well, would you look at that," Celia remarked, her tone light yet tinged with intrigue. "It seems fate has a curious way of bringing us together again, Wraith. After the Festival of Wishes, no less."
Raven held her composure, her mismatched golden and crimson eyes meeting Celia's unwavering gaze. She inclined her head slightly, the corner of her lips lifting into a polite smile. "Fate does seem to have a sense of humor," she replied evenly, her voice steady despite the turmoil within. "Though I suppose I should've expected to cross paths with someone as renowned as you."
Celia's lips curved faintly, though the intensity in her gaze didn't waver. "Renowned, you say? You flatter me," she said, her voice carrying a hint of amusement. "Though, I must admit, you've piqued my interest. Not many stand out the way you do."
Raven offered a nonchalant shrug. "I'm just a humble adventurer trying to make my way."
Mavis, still perched discreetly on Raven's shoulder in her dragon form, let out a soft, barely audible chuckle, her voice echoing through their mental connection. Humble? Now that's rich. You do have a knack for understatement.
Hush, Raven thought back, suppressing the urge to roll her eyes.
Princess Evanna glanced between the two women, her own curiosity sparked by the subtle exchange. "It's always fascinating to see familiar faces reconnect. It seems the two of you already share some history."
"Nothing too eventful," Celia replied smoothly, though her gaze lingered on Raven for a heartbeat longer. "Just a brief encounter during the festival. It seems Wraith is full of surprises."
"Life as an adventurer tends to be unpredictable," Raven replied, her tone light but guarded. "You never know where the roads will lead."
"Indeed," Celia said, a knowing edge to her voice.
Princess Evanna clapped her hands lightly, drawing their attention. "Well, I'm thrilled to have both of you accompanying me on this journey. With your combined strength and expertise, I'm certain this will be a safe and successful trip."
Celia gave a respectful nod to the princess. "Your trust is well-placed, Your Highness. I'll ensure no harm comes to you."
"And I'll do the same," Raven added, her tone firm. "You can count on me."
"Wonderful!" Princess Evanna beamed, clearly pleased with their assurances. "We'll depart shortly. The carriages are being prepared as we speak. In the meantime, feel free to acquaint yourselves—or reacquaint yourselves, as it seems."
As the princess turned to oversee the final preparations, Celia stepped closer to Raven, her expression thoughtful. "You carry yourself differently than most adventurers," she remarked, her tone casual yet probing. "There's something… familiar about you. I can't quite put my finger on it."
Raven met her gaze evenly, her smile faint but enigmatic. "I suppose we all have our mysteries."
Celia's eyes narrowed slightly, her curiosity clearly piqued, but she chose not to press further—for now. "Indeed," she said, stepping back. "I look forward to seeing what you're capable of, Wraith."
As Celia walked away to join the princess, Mavis's voice hummed in Raven's mind once more. Well, this just got interesting. Think you can keep up the act, or should I start taking bets on when she figures it out?
Quiet, Mavis, Raven shot back, exhaling a quiet breath. I'll handle it. Somehow.
With the mission ahead and Celia's keen eyes watching her every move, Raven knew this escort job would be anything but simple. The weight of secrecy hung heavy, a constant reminder of the delicate balance she needed to maintain. But her curiosity couldn't be stifled, especially given the destination.
"By the way, Princess," Raven began, her voice calm and measured as she turned her attention to Evanna. "What business do you have in the Shadowed Vale? If I recall correctly, past that lies the Kingdom of Elves."
Princess Evanna paused mid-step, her azure eyes glinting with a mixture of intrigue and caution as she turned to face Raven. "You're well-informed," she remarked, a faint smile gracing her lips. "It's not every day an adventurer is familiar with the geography of such distant lands."
"I make it a point to know where my feet might tread," Raven replied evenly, meeting the princess's gaze without flinching. "The Shadowed Vale isn't exactly a common travel route. Forgive me for asking, but it seems… unusual for a royal to venture there."
Celia, who had been quietly observing the exchange, stepped closer, her sharp orange eyes flicking between the two. "The Shadowed Vale is no ordinary crossing," she added, her tone serious. "Its treacherous paths and dense mana fluctuations make it a perilous place for most travelers. Even seasoned adventurers think twice before stepping foot there."
Evanna's smile didn't waver, though there was a flicker of something unreadable in her gaze—perhaps determination, or a guarded secret. "You're both correct. The Shadowed Vale is dangerous, but my reasons for traveling there are… diplomatic. My parents have entrusted me to deliver a message to the elven court, one of great importance to the alliance between our kingdoms."
"An alliance?" Raven echoed, tilting her head slightly. "I wasn't aware relations between the kingdoms were strained."
"They're not strained," Evanna clarified, her voice steady yet carrying an undertone of gravity. "But the peace we share is fragile. Tensions have been brewing in the northern regions, and whispers of unrest have reached even the elven borders. This message is meant to reaffirm our bond and ensure that the ties between our people remain strong."
Raven considered the princess's words carefully. The Shadowed Vale was a treacherous route, but it was also a natural buffer between human and elven lands. If unrest truly threatened the borders, it made sense to strengthen alliances. Still, something about the way Evanna spoke hinted at more than mere diplomacy.
Celia crossed her arms, her expression thoughtful. "If this mission is so critical, why not send an armed escort from the royal guard? Surely their presence would ensure your safety and emphasize the gravity of the message."
Evanna's smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered. "A large escort might draw unwanted attention," she explained. "Discretion is key. That's why I chose to rely on capable individuals like the two of you."
Raven arched an eyebrow. "Discretion, huh? I suppose hiring an adventurer known for working alone fits the bill, but it's a gamble, isn't it? You barely know me."
Evanna's gaze softened, her confidence unwavering. "Sometimes, you have to take a leap of faith. Besides," she added with a playful smirk, "Celia vouched for you and that's enough for me."
Raven's eyes flicked toward Celia, who gave a small shrug, her expression neutral. "I may have mentioned your skills," Celia admitted, her tone casual. "Don't let it go to your head."
Mavis's voice purred in Raven's mind. She's putting quite a bit of trust in you, isn't she? Careful, Wraith. The threads of this web are more tangled than they seem.
I noticed, Raven thought back, her expression unreadable.
"Very well," Raven said aloud, her tone steady. "If it's discretion you need, then discretion you'll have. I'll see to it that you reach the Kingdom of Elves safely."
"Thank you, Wraith," Evanna said warmly. "Your assistance means more to me than I can express."
As preparations for the journey continued, Raven couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this mission than the princess was letting on.