Anxious and impatient, the paladin leaves her companion at the gate. Yet before that, Ashalain gave a piece of her clothes, for divination purposes. Subsequently, she then rushes towards the wagon where Natalak was.
Her appearance was half wood elf. Earthly eyes and dark chocolate hair. The armour she wore was covered in illusion, ranging from plate armour to rather more fighter-like armour. A mix of padded leather and chainmail. Except for her weapons and shield.
Alone they were, once the wagon had far walked, that the capital was no more to be seen. Gently, she realises.
"Seriously, just what am I doing?! Leaving my companions behind. Ugh, Sir. Garrick might forgive me this time." The paladin checks her surroundings.
"Is this man for real?" Ashalain's eyebrow raised in disregard, observing Natalak's serene slumber as if danger isn't his dictionary.
Back at Ravalind near the front gate, Mishel stands there waiting for Garrick to report Ashalain's recklessness. A few hours later, Garrick appears.
"Where's Ashalain?" Garrick's eyes were scouting for any sign of her.
"She went first, because she doesn't want to lose track of him. But more importantly, what took you so long to get here?" Mishel intently eyes Garrick, as she can tell, there's a stewed concern in Garrick's eyes.
"I'm sorry, I was just finished delivering some letters and words when the king's royal ones needed to meet me." Replies, Garrick, fixing his shoulder.
"So, what did they need?"
"It seems that we have some major problem with our neighbouring kingdom," Garrick answered with an uneasy eye facing towards the north.
"And what would that be?" she sobers.
At the caravan— watching Natalak asleep, Ashalain starts to recall her reason for chasing the thief. She tries to find the bag, but Natalak is too good at hiding it. She can tell he tucked the bag into his shirt.
Question fills her, recollecting how his bag swallowed her sword whole. Many thoughts gush into her mind as she contemplates and judges who or what on earth Natalak is, all because of the sack he carries.
"What are you?" Ashalain's eyes were glued to the man slumbering.
A flick of her hand creates a gust of white mist, quick and undetectable, only she can see. Ashalain tries sensing his magical energy, but she couldn't detect any drop. He was no more than a simple peasant. Yet strangely—
"Veilmage?"
Her head tilts slightly. "So why didn't you cast any spell. Strange…"
Minutes of scrutiny, the paladin had had enough and changed her sight towards the two old couples.
"Um, can I trouble you for a minute, but where are you two heading?" A soft voice she utters.
"Oh… we're going to Aghraim, are you an acquaintance of that man?" Pointing at Natalak.
"Not in a million years." Shaking her head in disregard.
"No, he's a stranger to me. Suppose I can be of assistance to you. It's the least I can do for allowing me to ride." Ashalain then reveals her Adventurers' Guild crest, a crest made of gold.
"Ah, Shar's be praised, I thank you, lady adventurer."
In the warmth of the day, it was also the best of times when bandits, thieves and monsters would take their raids, especially for a wagon full of goods. Keeping her senses active, Ashalain glimpsed through their goods. She can tell the box was holding meat from the gleaming blue ice. It wasn't a simple ice, for her, she already knows where it originated.
"Ah, Norreveil." The paladin smiles.
An hour later, Natalak finally wakes up, exhausted. Dusk was approaching, and the couple, tired from their journey, debated whether to keep going or find a place to rest.
"Are you still going to travel at night?" Ashalain implores.
"Well, we sometimes travel at night when the day and the path are good—"
"I think we should all stay at some inn for tonight. We don't want to endanger the youngsters because of us." Blurts to his partner.
"Alright then, we should reach some inn before nightfall. There's a nearby tavern that I know." Her husband said, before hurtling up the wagon.
"I appreciate what you're doing for us." Ashalain nods in respect.
"Don't worry about that, dear." Says the older woman.
Passing hours, for Natalak— slowly, he realises the female adventurer is suspiciously observing his actions, like a hungry wolf.
"What are you looking at?" Natalak averted his sight towards the paladin in disguise.
As the night took its turn, they were able to reach the inn. Where his bad luck all began— stealing the sword from Ashalain.
Entering the inn, yet the same as always, the place was riled up by adventurers, travellers, and petty merchants. Drinking, whispering plans, eyes swinging for suspiciousness.
Straight to the innkeeper. "Gooday, sir, how's the inn going?" Natalak said.
"Welcome again, young lad, how's Ravalind?" A heart full of welcome, Garry replies.
"Well, it's quite a bright city, like you just said. I did deliver the letters to your brother, and he's a good blacksmith. Do tell, do you have some room for today?"
"Well, all the rooms are full for today; the only rooms left cost thirty coppers."
"Thirty fucking coppers?! I don't have any more money if I pay that cost!" Natalak's tongue froze.
He looked through the window and saw some light. It would take another two hours before the night's cold darkness engulfs the sun's light.
"I'd like to order some dinner," Natalak utters.
Placing sole coppers at the taverner, he looks for a single table to fill his hunger, and to consider his next journey.
The dinner was slow, as his fingernails scratched the table's edge. Even through the raucousness of the inn, his mind was on a deep thought so much so that the loudness of the room isn't ringing in his ears.
"What have I gotten myself into?" Natalak ponders, slurping the stew and stirring with the bread. "Should I sleep outside or pay the thirty coppers. Fuck! I only have a few pennies left, shiiit! I do have the armour and my sword. Should I wear it and sleep outside? I do have my cloak… yeah, I think sleeping outside should do."
Resolved— the traveller can finally eat untroubled. Though his stomach was thirsty for meat, a simple porridge wouldn't be enough for the cold coming night.
"A beer should suffice the cold."
Then he hears a drunken folk voicing some powerful people and different kingdoms and lands that he has never heard of.
"I heard the lady of Mavigrid is preparing to sail across the southern sea."
"Well, she must be daring to cross that border. They say the demon of the sea lives in there."
"The thieves' guild really had a hard time with Ariendal de Shilvia's treasure."
"Pfff… good for them, hope for their heads to be cut off. Those adventurers should eradicate their scheming." The man scoffs.
Immersive eavesdropping on the people, something snaps out of his mind.
"I should ask some information regarding that temple that Garry last talked about. But should it be tomorrow or this nighttime?" Natalak again scratches the table.
While lost in his thoughts and having dinner, Natalak heard a voice. He looked up and saw it was the half-elf adventurer, Ashalain. As he glanced at her plate, Natalak's bowl of porridge seemed to tremble with embarrassment—especially compared to Ashalain's platter, which was brimming with meat and a luxurious array of dishes. Additionally, her order easily served three to five people.
"Would you mind sharing a table?" Her voice was soft, opposite to her appearance.
"Yes-yes-yes, you can take a seat." Natalak then hastened his swallow, so much so that it took only a second for him to finish. He was too embarrassed to face such opulent people.
Even the paladin was shocked by witnessing such an act. She couldn't even take a single bite when Natalak had already finished the porridge and hurriedly stuffed the hard bread into his mouth.
Once the bowl was completely clean, Natalak quickly stood and nodded at Ashalain. He cannot speak because the hard bread plugs his mouth—a quick nod of three, and the traveller races towards the innkeeper.
To the lady paladin, she felt a tad insulted by Natalak's action. But when he reaches the counter, his mind halts his tongue. Seeing the place full of people, full of deceit, eyes filled with ears of thievery and murder, secrecy and information, the traveller keeps to his instinct.
"I'd best ask for tomorrow morning."
Placing the bowl at the counter and ordering three ales. Natalak then quickly went for the exit.
Lurking around the large tavern, scouting for any good hiding spot. There, he found a worn-down shade; even the walls were collapsing. And few were hays, and compact straws piled the refuge.
Cladding his armour and putting on his cloak, little did he know, hiding in the corners of the shadow, Ashalain was secretly watching his every movement, his every muttering. A quick gulp of two bottles of ale gave Natalak enough hammer, pulling him to sleep in mere minutes.
Once the traveller collapsed into sleep, Ashalain exits her hiding place. Like a predator watching helpless prey, she wonders what this person truly is. Then something came to her mind.
Deliberately, she unsheathes her sword, and in a quick swing, she stops at a mere inch before the blade could decapitate Natalak's head. Her eyes turned serious and again tested the man, this time with a thrust near his throat. The sword pierced the straw, but there wasn't any magic that distorted her attack. And Natalak was in a deep slumber, to sense her presence or her actions.
Accidentally, when she pulls the sword, the blade gives a slight injury to her throat. Not much of a fatal wound, but enough to cause a drip of blood. Ashalain, however, didn't notice—jaded and losing interest, she quickly returned to finish her food.
Dawn lands— when the light slowly crept through the traveller and the barn animals rattled their noise. Natalak awoke, followed by a burning sting from his throat, the wounds Ashalain gave.
"The heck? How in the hell did I have these kinds of injuries?"
With no friendly healers to know or pay, he sacrifices one of his clothes and uses it as a bandage. The pain still lingers, but given time, it will heal. Alas, poor as a peasant, Natalak meticulously counts his remaining coin. All in all, there are still two silver coins and seven coppers left.
Then he remembers the coin he plucked before he arrived in this world. Yet somehow, the three coins were missing rather than disappearing. Hands scrapping the pockets, checking every nick, but there was none to be seen or touched.
Entering the tavern for breakfast, Natalak saw the half-elf lingering on an isolated table, sipping a morning coffee. Three coppers for a mittful meal, a dish of steak and some grilled potatoes.
With keen eyes, Garry saw the hay and straw stuck on Natalak's cloak.
"Young man, did you perchance sleep outside the tavern? I could see some hay stuck on your clothes."
"Ye-yeah? Is-is there a problem?" Natalak gazes at the taverner with full sympathy.
"No-no, it's just that, that lady half-elf over there paid a room for you."
"Me?" Natalak points his fingers at himself as he swallows the food.
"Yes, do you know each other?"
"I don't know, is there something that I should be concerned about?"
"I—" Garry paused for another customer who needed his presence.
"A half-elf? What does it have to do with me?"
Halfway through his meal, Natalak initiates a different conversation upon sensing the few souls lingering in the area.
"About that temple you mentioned last time— care to tell me more about that?" Natalak implores, ordering an ale.
"Did you become an adventurer after a visit to Ravalind?" Garry answered.
"Well, I'm just curious." Natalak reply.
"That was an abandoned temple, an ancient building. To reach the inner temple, you must first cross that underground tunnel. Truth to be told, it ain't safe anymore since it was occupied by many kinds of abominations and monsters from the veil. But if I'm not mistaken—" The taverner replied, as he poured some drinks towards the guest. "There is even more to that than just some clattering creatures. Perhaps it might be its link with the dwarven tunnels."
"Hmm, so what's interesting about that place?"
"I should warn you, some unknown things are lurking in that temple that I once investigated. I thank the Gods; I'd manage to make it out alive."
"Say, Mister Garry, got any maps regarding that place?"
"Are you planning on going alone to that place?"
"What can I say… when there's an opportunity, there is stupidity."
Garry sighs, "Fine, I give you the map, but don't blame me when things aren't on Shar's fortune. And the maps might not be as accurate as you hope."
Just as Garry laid the map—
"Sorry for troubling you, but I happened to hear your conversation about some corrupted temple," Ashalain announced as she revealed her adventurers' crest.
A single look from the taverner already convinced Garry of his decision. Turning at Natalak, he then asks for his own guild crest.
"I see…" Garry nods, "Sorry, young lad, but rules are rules; I have to comply with the guild's regulations. I cannot give you a dangerous mission for someone who isn't a member of the guild. This tavern is in partnership with the guild."
Afore he could give the maps and details to the half-elf. Perceiving the paladin's disguise—Garry's eyes swayed left and right, between Natalak and Ashalain. There, he finally understood, the moment he connected the dots—
"Though I suggest it's best to take this man with you, lady adventurer. Entering that place alone adds more danger." Garry smiles.
Ashalain nods. "I'll see what I can do. However, it's up to him to choose. And I cannot guarantee his safety."
For Natalak—frozen in shock —he was left with a choice: either to follow the lady or to quietly retreat.