Rana, the guild receptionist, was waving at Dayesh from a distance as soon as she saw him enter the door.
"Come here, hurry!"
He quickened his steps slightly as he approached her.
Rana leaned in and whispered into his ear.
"They're talking about who's been completing the extraordinary quests. And then..."
"And then?" Dayesh asked.
"I told them it was you."
Dayesh felt a slight irritation, but there was nothing he could do since it had already happened.
"Because... a lot of them are offering for you to join their groups now. I told them I would talk to you first."
"Oh, there he is!"
"Come on, let's go to him!"
Several men and women gathered around them. They asked where he was really from, why he was alone, and how he managed to complete quests so easily when they were supposedly impossible and involved things that ordinary eyes could not even see.
"Wait, one at a time, please," he said, stopping the flood of questions.
"Friend, my name is Dalt. I am a warrior in a group," one man said, extending his hand. Dayesh shook it. "I won't waste time. People like you are exactly who I'm looking for to join my group."
"I'm sorry. It's not yet the time for me to belong to any group. I'm still new. Thank you."
Hiring failed.
"How do you complete missions so easily?" another man asked.
"It's a long story. I'm sorry. Thank you."
Storytelling failed.
"Why do you go on missions alone?"
"Because everyone I was with died the last time I had a group. That's all. Thank you."
"Where are you from?"
"I'm from the mountains, quite far from here. I don't know its name, but my wife and I live there."
Everyone started thinking.
"From the mountains? I know someone who lives there. The one who makes medicine that gets brought down here by a caretaker. What was her name again?"
"Ah, yes! That's her. Jauna!"
"Wait, what? She's your wife? How? She's already quite old."
"Friend, she's known here as an apothecary. We know her age and her caretaker."
They all looked at Dayesh. Some wore expressions full of questions, some frowned expecting an explanation, while others were simply curious.
"We met at... the marketplace."
"Huh? She doesn't even come down here."
"I don't know. I saw her at the marketplace. I fell for her. I kept pursuing her until she agreed to let me court her. After a few months, she agreed to marry me."
"That's quite a quiet ceremony. If she got married, the news would have spread like wildfire in this town. Where is the wedding ceremony held?"
"I have a distant relative from Ruforia. That's where we held the wedding."
"Ah, there. You even traveled that far just to get married?"
Dayesh nodded.
"My grandparents know Jauna. They've seen her before. They say she's beautiful and does not age."
"Many have tried to court Jauna. Even the king's son failed. So we're wondering, why you?" someone added.
"I still have things to do. I'll take my leave," Dayesh said abruptly to avoid further questions.
"Hey, where are you going?" Two men blocked his path. "Don't run from us. Everyone here knows each other."
"Yeah, stay here and talk with us."
Dayesh felt irritation rising. If he wanted to, he could kill them all within five seconds. He took a deep breath and thought of Jauna and Lzith's smiling faces. He pulled a chair and sat down. One by one, the others grabbed chairs and formed a circle around him. Rana approached.
"I'm really sorry, Dayesh. I didn't know this would happen," she whispered.
He did not respond. He would speak to her later.
When Dayesh returned home, lunch was already over. He had not managed to take a quest for the next day. He was completely exhausted from answering the guild members' questions.
"My love..." he dropped onto the long chair.
Jauna quickly approached, looking concerned. "What happened to you? Why do you look so pale?"
"My love, I'm tired. I can't handle it. Kiss me."
She lightly tapped his cheek. "What are you saying?"
"I'm serious. Hurry."
Jauna kissed him. Her kiss carried a gentle energy that eased his exhaustion.
Dayesh hugged her. "Thank you." He held her for several minutes. "But I'm really tired. I'm not used to this."
"What happened?"
He told her everything about the guild office. The interrogation, the offers to join mercenary groups.
"You're just not used to it," Jauna said. "Come, let me kiss you again so your irritation fades."
"I'm not angry. I just couldn't handle it. I felt my energy draining from them." He looked around. "Where's Lzith?"
"Playing outside with the shadow and the owl. Do you want me to get her?"
"Not yet. Stay with me for now." He leaned closer and inhaled her scent. Jauna had a distinct fragrance, one he felt he could remember even beyond death. He suddenly recalled something. "My love, I think I can finally buy us a home in the town. I want you to come with me to choose it."
"Really? That was fast." Jauna knew his wealth from Caelumn had no value here, so she was surprised he had saved enough so quickly.
"Don't you have faith in your husband?" he teased, brushing her ear.
Jauna sat on his lap like a child. "Thank you."
"It's my responsibility. To give you a life that may not be luxurious, but is decent."
"Thank you for changing for me, for us and for Lzith."
"I had to. So you wouldn't leave me. I know you can live without me, but I can't live without you. I love you deeply."
"That's why I'm thankful. Before, I simply followed you. Even when you were cold to me at the beginning, I thought that after three years, my role in your life would be over."
"I'm sorry, my love. I didn't mean to show you that side. I just didn't want to reveal how much I longed for someone to love and devote my life to. I only show this side of me to you." He kissed her forehead.
"I'm really sorry about yesterday, Dayesh. Please don't be angry with me," she said with her head lowered.
"I'm not angry. I just have a favor to ask."
"Alright, what is it?"
Dayesh leaned in and whispered his proposal.
"When there are mythic quests, don't display all of them. Keep some hidden. I'll take them one by one."
"If that will make up for my mistake, I agree. As long as you're not angry."
"I know you befriended me because of the share, so just follow me," he said with a light laugh.
"You really do know my intentions," she laughed as well. "Perfect timing. I have quests that haven't been posted yet. Come with me to the guest office."
Dayesh followed. Inside, Rana laid out the quests.
There were easy ones, moderately difficult ones, and extremely difficult ones that seemed impossible.
The list included:
Restore the Whispering Grove. Creatures are destroying magical flora that sustain nearby villages by eliminating pests. The goal is to capture whoever is responsible.
Crystal Lake cleansing. Someone must neutralize the dark energy contaminating the water. The source of the black substance must be found.
Seal the Raging Rift. A portal has opened, releasing creatures that destroy crops, eat people, and spread disease. It must be sealed permanently.
Sunless Hourglass recovery. A powerful hourglass must be returned to its rightful owners. It can rewind time, but each use costs a month of the user's life.
Rescuing the elf children of the head Elf clan. Seven children were kidnapped by bandits two weeks ago and are suspected to be sold.
Trade with Stone Sentinel. A dangerous golem must be retrieved from the forest due to its attacks on travelers.
"It's up to you what you choose first," Rana said.
"I'll prioritize rescuing the elf children."
"Alright."
Rana then explained the location, the kidnappers, and possible routes where the children might be taken.