The three of them continued talking, sharing stories and jokes as they bonded over the previous day's events but stopped talking while Emma and two guys saw Ivy on Carter's shoulder. Carter introduced Ivy to them, saying, "This is Ivy, my little partner." All four of them were surprised because Ivy is a rare Verdant Fox pup, and they started talking about her.
"A Verdant Fox pup?" one of the adventurers asked, eyes wide. "I thought those were just myths."
Emma leaned in closer, her curiosity evident. "She's beautiful. Where did you find her?"
Carter smiled, gently scratching under Ivy's chin as she chirped happily. "It's a bit of a story, but let's just say she found me when I needed her most."
The group continued marveling at Ivy, laughing and sharing their amazement. The atmosphere was warm and lighthearted as they bonded over the story. Just as their conversation reached a peak, they were interrupted by the sound of footsteps coming down the stairs. All four of them turned to look up, and there stood the tiger demihuman woman Carter had saved the day before. Her striking red hair fell around her muscular yet elegant frame, and her green eyes scanned the room with intensity.
Emma called out, "Raena! You're up and about!"
The two adventurers she had saved rushed toward her, their concern still evident. "Raena, you're okay!" one of them said. "We weren't sure if you should be moving around yet."
Raena offered them a small smile and began speaking with the group. "Thank you for getting me back here. I'm still piecing things together, but I'm grateful for your help."
One of the adventurers grinned. "We couldn't have done it without this place's healer. You gave us a real scare out there, Raena."
Emma chimed in, her voice warm but professional. "You should take it easy for a while. That injury looked serious."
Raena nodded slowly. "I'll rest when I can, but I can't sit still for long. You know that."
The second adventurer laughed. "Typical Raena. Always jumping back into action. But seriously, you're lucky Carter was here to help."
Raena furrowed her brow slightly but then her eyes lit up with recognition. "Carter," she said, her voice steady. She had heard the name yesterday when Emma told her who had healed her. As she locked eyes with him, a flash of memory resurfaced—his face leaning over her, healing her injuries.
Her gaze grew sharper, and she took a step closer. A flash of memory entered her mind: his face, focused and determined, as he leaned over her to save her life. Recognition flickered in her expression, and without hesitation, she descended the stairs with purpose. The room fell silent as everyone watched her approach Carter.
When she stood before him, Raena surprised everyone by bowing deeply, pressing a fist to her chest. The gesture radiated respect and solemnity.
Carter blinked in confusion. "Uh…what's happening?" he asked, glancing around.
Emma's brows furrowed as she tried to make sense of the situation. Raena straightened, her green eyes meeting Carter's directly. "In my culture," she began, her voice steady but emotional, "when someone saves our life, we pledge ourselves to them as a sign of gratitude and loyalty. You saved me, Carter. From this day forward, I am yours to protect and serve."
The room erupted in exclamations of surprise. "What?!" Carter, Emma, and the adventurers said in unison, their voices overlapping in disbelief.
Carter raised his hands defensively. "Wait, hold on. You don't have to do that! I just did what anyone would have done."
Raena's expression softened, but her resolve remained firm. "No one else would have stepped forward to help as you did. My pledge is not a burden, but an honor."
Emma stepped closer, her face a mix of surprise and admiration. "Raena, are you absolutely sure about this?"
Raena nodded firmly. "It is my choice. My life belongs to Carter now."
Carter rubbed the back of his neck, still trying to process what was happening. "This is a lot to take in," he admitted. "I'm not sure what to say."
Raena offered a faint smile, her fierce demeanor softening. "You don't need to say anything. Just know that I will stand by your side, no matter what."
As her words settled in, Ivy chirped on Carter's shoulder, breaking the tension with her happy sounds. The moment, though surreal, was filled with a sense of connection and gratitude, leaving Carter to wonder how much his life was about to change.
Carter was shocked and surprised by Raena's pledge to him, trying to comprehend what was happening. As he stood there, an idea came to him. Reaching into his satchel, he pulled out one of his new potions, designed specifically to fully heal lingering injuries. He held it out to Raena, his tone calm but sincere. "This potion will help you recover completely. It's something I've been working on, and it's designed to repair any lingering damage and restore your strength."
Raena accepted the potion with both hands, her green eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Carter. I'll never forget your kindness." She uncorked the bottle, taking a cautious sip before downing the rest. Almost immediately, a soft glow enveloped her, and she straightened, her body visibly regaining its vitality.
"I feel… incredible," Raena said, flexing her hands and stretching her legs. She moved around the room, testing her balance and strength. To demonstrate, she performed a quick spin and a few light jumps, a wide smile spreading across her face. "It's as if I was never injured at all!"
The room erupted into murmurs of amazement. One of the adventurers shook his head in disbelief. "That potion… it's unbelievable. You're a miracle worker, Carter."
Emma stepped closer, her smile warm and proud. "You really have a gift, Carter. Your potions are unlike anything I've ever seen. You've outdone yourself."
Raena turned back to Carter, bowing deeply. "Thank you once again. You've saved me not once, but twice. I owe you more than I can ever repay." Her tone was firm, yet there was a softness to her words that reflected her sincerity.
Carter smiled at her, his expression gentle. "I'm just glad you're okay now. That's all that matters to me."
Raena's gratitude shone in her eyes as she stood upright, and the atmosphere in the room shifted to one of admiration and respect. Everyone present seemed to share a newfound appreciation for Carter's skills and character, strengthening the bonds between them.
Carter looked at Emma thoughtfully and asked, "Where can I buy a shop? I'd like it to be in a quieter area, maybe near the east gate where nature and adventurers might come from. Do you know how much it would cost and who I should talk to?"
Emma's smile widened as she considered his request. "That's a great location choice, Carter. The east gate sees a steady flow of adventurers, and it's close to nature, just like you'd want. There are a few properties available in that area."
She paused, thinking for a moment before continuing. "You'll want to talk to the city's property manager, a man named Gerard. He handles all transactions for shops and other commercial buildings. As for the price, it depends on the size and condition of the building. A smaller shop in that area might cost around 500 to 800 silver coins upfront, with some additional fees for permits and renovations if needed."
Carter nodded, taking in the information. "Thanks, Emma. By the way, where can I find Gerard, the property manager?"
Emma tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Gerard usually works out of the city hall, which is near the central plaza. You can find him there during the day. He's pretty approachable, but it's best to go early since he gets busy later in the afternoon. If you want to catch him in a good mood, bring him a cup of herbal tea from the stall near the fountain. He's a bit of a tea enthusiast," she added with a grin.
Carter smiled at the tip. "Got it. City hall near the plaza. Thanks for the advice, Emma."
After thanking Emma for all her help, Carter realized it was almost time to leave. He turned to Raena, curiosity evident in his expression. "So, Raena, what are you going to do now?" he asked.
Raena looked at Carter, her green eyes fierce yet filled with a quiet determination. "I meant what I said, Carter. In my culture, pledging myself to someone who saved my life is a bond I hold sacred. You didn't just save me; you gave me a second chance. I want to follow you and support you in any way I can. Whether it's protecting you, helping with your shop, or standing by your side in whatever you face, I'm ready to dedicate myself to you." Her voice softened, and a rare vulnerability showed. "You showed me a kindness I didn't expect, and I can't turn away from that."
Carter paused, letting her words sink in. He smiled warmly, understanding the depth of her conviction. "That's a lot to take in," he said. "But, I've been thinking about the future too. I'm building something here, and I can see how someone like you could make a real difference. Having someone fierce and loyal on my team would be invaluable."
Raena's expression softened slightly, and she gave a small nod. Carter extended his hand toward her. "Welcome to the team, Raena."
Raena hesitated for only a moment before shaking his hand firmly. "Thank you, Carter. I won't let you down."
Emma, who had been watching the exchange with a warm smile, spoke up. "Looks like you've got yourself a strong ally, Carter. Raena, you're in good hands with him. And Carter, you've got a knack for bringing people together."
Carter chuckled and glanced at Ivy. "Right, partner?"
Ivy, perched on his shoulder, chirped happily and jumped up and down. Then, with a burst of energy, she leapt onto Raena's shoulder, snuggling up to her face. Raena's usually fierce demeanor softened even more as she gently petted Ivy. "Looks like I've been officially accepted," she said with a small laugh.
Emma crossed her arms and grinned. "Well, if Ivy likes you, that's a seal of approval in itself. But you're going to have your hands full keeping up with Carter's pace."
Raena smirked, a hint of her fierceness returning. "I'm up for the challenge."
The group shared a moment of laughter, the bonds between them growing stronger. Carter looked around at Emma and Raena, feeling a deep sense of gratitude for the people who had come into his life. "Alright then. Let's see what the future holds. Together."
The atmosphere in the room was warm and filled with newfound camaraderie as the day's events came to a close.