“Terror Over Tynsford!


    3500 civilians of the river city of Tynsford have been hanged over the last week following increased partisan activity in the region. This horrific news comes after repeated Traxian crackdowns on the ostensibly Abenstadtian buffer state during their unlawful seizure of the territory at the start of the Carrador-Traxian war. This brings the reported civilian death toll of the region to a staggering 14,000. With the majority of young men conscripted for Traxia or killed. There is little doubt that the future of the region is at stake. Alongside repeated atrocities and their recent defeat against the Carradorians, many within Abenstadt see Traxia as a weakening foe. Calls to launch a war against Traxia to protect Abenstadtian transplants in Tynsford only grew ever louder within the Grand Duchy of Abenstadt as the recent events seemed to light a fire within the eyes of our citizens. Word from the Minister of War is that…”


    - The Sellsword, News from Abenstadt, “Front Page”


    <hr><hr>


    The weekend arrived sooner than expected and Sophie once again found herself separated from Aryana and Eva. The latter was busy with training her Sainted students and the former had volunteered to help out with both the Academy’s greenhouses and the siblings with their battery creation. Though Aryana did seem a bit miffed when Sophie told her that the adventurer trials might take both days of the weekend.


    Unfortunately for Sophie, the ferry ride back to Arteria proved to be a pain as the quiet and lack of activities meant plenty of time to just stew in her own thoughts. Her doubts had bubbled to the surface alongside the waves and she couldn’t shake the sinking feeling that maybe, perhaps just a little, there was some truth to the argument that Eva had no more need for her. She’s got Freddie, she’s got her students, her families, her dutites... why the hells would she still need me? But then what? What the hells do I even do if that’s the case?


    The ferry ride itself felt like an agonisingly long half hour. It didn’t help that she felt almost out of place amongst the students, their cheeriness and carefree attitude towards a potential combat trial stood in stark contrast to her gloominess. Unless… I’m overthinking about this too. Tch, stupid brain.


    At least their arrival in the city went smoothly enough, the two guild officials from the other day meeting them at the Academy docks. Twenty odd students followed them on the trek up to the guild hall and Sophie felt a small sense of deja vu as she traveled the streets of the city once more. They went past the park, the arena district, the Noscali gates, the square and then up to the guild house once more. To her, it seemed almost like a quick stroll past everything she had experienced within the city. A fond reminder of the time she’d spent just enjoying herself in Aryana''s company. It’s only been just over a month since we got here and look at us now. I just hope everyone else is alright. She grumbled to herself.


    The interior of the guild was much like how she remembered from the first time she had come here. A cafe bustling with adventurers, the lounge area for guests and little meetings, even the small crowd around the quest boards and the busy guild staffers hurrying all around. The guild staff traveling with the group ushered them past the crowds and into a back door.


    Stepping through the door Sophie found herself entering a walled courtyard. Within it, an obstacle course, training dummies, dueling arena, archery targets and a smaller gated area behind a fountain. A few adventurers were already practicing, dressed in their adventuring kit and swinging against each other. Though the blows seemed almost choreographed and practiced, Sophie couldn’t help but wince every time steel connected to steel. Where the dull rhythmic thumping of wooden practice weapons brought a sense of control to her soul. The lifeless metallic clanks of forged blades only served to send her pulse racing, each eerie blow after the other reminding her of the brutal violence of combat. And yet a part of me feels like that''s what I should be doing, to be in the thick of things... how vexing.


    “Nervous?” A voice startled her.


    The blue robed red striped student rep had casually slipped in beside her, evidently noticing the tense expression that she had.


    “Uhhh… yeah.” Sophie grunted.


    “Well, relax. The guilders are professionals, especially the ones we have. So you don’t have to worry.” He tried to sound soothing, almost as if talking to a child.


    “Sure.” Sophie muttered.


    “You got this!” He grinned.


    "Right..." I don''t even know his name.


    Satisfied the student rep left and Sophie couldn’t help but feel a tinge of animosity rise up. He was looking down on me, I just know it. The anger at least helped her contain her trembling to some degree and lasted long enough for the adventurers to end their bout and greet the newcomers.


    Though she tried to pay attention, out of the corner of her eye, she spied a lone crow standing above the courtyard walls, staring back at her. The world stilled around her and she tensed up, staring down the feathered foe when it turned sideways and cawed twice before flying off. An ill omen.


    “Hey, back there. Are you paying attention?” A gruffer voice yelled from the front.


    Sophie jumped and earned herself a handful of giggles from the other students. Shit, I need to get a grip. “Sorry sir.”


    “Focus up. You’re getting tested here so you need to know the proper protocols. So eyes up front and stop staring into the sky.” The guilder growled.


    “Sorry sir.”


    The guilder scowled but said no more to her, returning to lecturing the students about the guild. Sophie tried to focus but found her mind drifting off, still worried about the crow that she had seen. There was something not right about it, I just know it.


    <hr><hr>


    Sophie was disappointed, a little angry even. It wasn’t that the training was bad or that the ‘trials’ were grueling. It felt so asinine to have them just tackle obstacle courses and practice basic combat skills. There was a modicum of skill on display during the way each student handled their weapons against the dummy targets, but something still felt off to Sophie. It just all felt so… pointless. Like some display meant to entertain children, hells it is a display for us!


    She wasn’t the greatest in any feat, her muscles feeling too tense to respond quickly enough. Her speed was further limited by the precise instructions that they were to follow, the different procedures and safety protocols in place. But none of that mattered. Barely even a proper distraction from day to day life. She didn’t know how long it took, only that it mercifully ended at some point. To her, it was a travesty of a practice, even worse of a trial, it was a joke. Relief came when they wrapped up late in the afternoon, dismissed to either take the ferry back with the group or to spend some of their time off in the city. Sophie uttered a small apology to Aryana and wandered off into the city streets, trying to salvage the disastrous day however she could. She bid farewell to the other students around six in the evening, the sky already darkening as the chilly winds settled across Arteria once more.


    Only the fading streaks of purplish orange were left as the moon reasserted its control. An excited hum flowed through the city and Sophie could feel the rhythm of the city shift ever so faintly as people started getting off work. Absently strolling through the city, she found herself wandering down towards the docks, towards the towering ships masts and even more formidable looking watchtowers that guarded the oceanic approach. While they screamed of majesty, of strength and of the history behind them, the city below was another thing entirely.


    Where the northern half and the fancier district of Arteria were somewhat organised and contained a joyous, almost refreshing level of levity. The port district of Arteria was a glum, filthy mess. Squat houses and shacks haphazardly dotted the entire area, little large fortress-like buildings sprouting up between them. Some houses looked almost normal, of brick and stone or even marbled like the larger buildings. Others were nothing more than cheaply arranged wooden structures meant to serve as a shelter from the elements and nothing else. The streets were thankfully paved, though the stones were far grimier and neglected compared to the pathways just beyond the port district.


    Still, amidst this crude looking place there was still a brutish sense of liveliness here as people continued their everyday lives. Poorer folk and those down on their luck plied their trades as they would anywhere else. Their more ragged appearance blending in with the equally unassuming houses. Beastfolk were also here aplenty, many serving as manual laborers and workers due to their inhuman strength. A few were enlisted with the city watch, their furred appearance looking quite dashing when paired with the attire of the Redcloaks. Sailors too stumbled to and fro, their boisterous voices and mannerisms sticking out sorely from the more mild mannered peasantry, yet still somehow fitting in with the aesthetic of the district. Bawdy ballads and songs rang out from every street corner, and the crowds here were of a far more rough if honest demeanor than their northern counterparts. Though in between the drunken ramblings and music, Sophie could hear the distinctive clanks and clings of chains. The depressing sounds coming from the scattering of indentured and enslaved folk that served under the watchful eye of their merchant house masters or as unpaid help for their trading companies.


    Though she was disgusted by the sheer chaos on display, to the people here, she could tell that this was their normal. The normal for the cogs that kept this city of commerce running. Sophie froze right on the edge of the district, her boots stopping just on the cusp of where broken off cobble met with clean streets. A part of her urged her to leave, to just wander somewhere else. After all, aside from a few ships she would likely find nothing much in this grimy little district. Whereas another part still possessed that childlike curiosity that she used to have, the desire to explore and see everything still igniting a small ember within her heart. But what irked her the most was the icy fragment of desire that reared its ugly head ever since her talk with Eva the other day. She desired a release, a way to channel her frustrations and emotions.


    She knew it was wrong, that nothing would ever be resolved this way without a proper talk with Eva or someone else. But back then, when she saw the effort Aryana had put in just trying to comfort her, she knew she couldn’t lash out at her, couldn’t just pull Ary into a drama that she had nothing to do with. Yet, she also didn’t have the courage to confront or talk to Eva. She was, after all, Eva’s loyal handmaiden.


    Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    So her frustrations grew, and although she tried to deny it. She knew that she had been so disappointed by the ‘trials’ because there had been no danger, no actual duel or fight that could allow her to just vent her frustrations. And what? I heard the port could be rowdy from a few classmates and now I’m here… looking for what? By the stars, now that I’m thinking about it, it’s such a terrible plan. She sighed once more. But somehow… I just can’t let it go. She clawed at her ears and growled at herself. What if… what if I just went in? I could see a new place, that’s for sure. If there just happens to be a scuffle… Stars above what am I thinking?!


    Despite her reluctance, a niggling little sensation in her head urged her forward. One step after another, her boots stepped upon the dirt covered streets, sweat forming on her brows. One step after another she strode forward, intoxicated by the freedom she finally felt. The guild, the Myndiri, the Academy… none of it’s here… none of it’s here! It’s just me! She suppressed a nervous giggle at the thought and pressed onwards. Hah... still should have a plan though. I do remember Karzan mentioned a famous inn or another down by the south west, Mermaid’s something. Hotspot of adventurers and explorers. Maybe… maybe I''ll head there first, might even get to hear some stories of faraway places and have some food and drink at the same time. Yeah… yeah, that might be fun. Might even get to tell Ary some of them later.


    <hr><hr>


    The chill of the night bit deeper than expected and Sophie shivered slightly at the nip of the frost. She regretted succumbing to temptation almost immediately, the griminess of the streets proving far worse up close. Vomit, the faint scent of sewage, a dash of mold and foulness permeated the air. Her nose had wrinkled in disgust and she could barely hold herself together. In spite of the agonising scent, she pressed on, unwilling to admit defeat that soon. There was, of course, a decent amount of staring from the locals too. Not least of which because she was an elf wearing Academy robes traipsing through the muckier part of town. Beyond those stares of judgment however, she also felt ones of greed. After all, an Academy student likely traveled with wealth, an elf in this city had higher chances of being well off, combine the two and one might even think she was a walking bag of gold. She scowled at her own idiocy, I came looking for a fight and might even get into one at this rate. Stupid Sophie, you don’t even have your sword.


    Curiosity won out however, and she pressed on towards what she hoped was the south west. No map, no guide, no idea where I’m actually going to. Great fucking plan, idiot. She scowled at herself and tried to stealthily examine her surroundings, growing increasingly aware of a few more nefarious sets of eyes being turned towards her. She was in the wrong place, at nighttime, and definitely not confident enough to pretend she knew where she was going. Worse, without her blade or any actual weapon besides her fists, she suddenly felt a lot more concerned at her own situation.


    Fortunately, sound proved to be a decent enough guide for her hurried journey across the district. Bards and minstrels tended to congregate near more popular areas and if Karzan’s inn was indeed a prominent establishment, then it''d be likely to have more than a few wannabe performers on the streets around it. Crossing another side street, she could hear not just the music of the streets, but also the sound of the sea itself. It was a faint woosh of waves as they dashed against the harbor, but it was there.


    Hurrying her pace, she scuttled through a few more twisted streets as she bobbed and weaved throughout the crowds. Hoping that any unwanted tagalongs were lost within the crowds, she almost grinned at how concerned yet excited she felt. Not only did she feel more free than she did the past week, she felt a strange sense of satisfaction at the whole act. She giggled and had to clamp her mouth shut. Is this what Eva called ‘the rebellious phase’ when she misbehaves?  The thought had Sophie so engrossed that she scarcely noticed when she finally stepped through one of the last streets and ended up beside the harborfront. Nor did she notice when she stepped over a small bump in the road.


    The sudden jolt nearly tripped her, and she quickly steadied herself by bracing against a nearby wall. The bump wasn’t so lucky however, and a beggar’s bowl of food spilled out onto the dirty cobbles below. Stunned and mortified, Sophie tried to collect herself when she instinctively ducked as a balled up fist smashed into the wall behind her, sending splinters flying and cracking the thin wooden wall of a house. What the-


    She didn’t have time to even think when another punch swung at her almost comically slow. She deftly dodged the attack and raised her hands in an attempt to hold the beggar back.


    “Stop! Please. I’m sorry! I’ll uhh I’ll pay back when I just knocked over! I’m sor-” She pivoted away from another attack, “I’ll pay you back, please.”


    The attacker seemed to sway groggily to a standstill, his fists still balled up and ready to go. “Oohh… so you’ll pay, hmm? Pay?! Fine! You better offer some good compensation for my meal. That''s all I had for two days!” He roared.


    Sophie took a step back at the sudden ferocity, but recovered enough when the man seemed to calm down. Wait, that’s an elf! His dirt covered ears seemed damaged somewhat and his shabby appearance looked far worse than any elf she’d seen in the city. Focus. She nodded and quickly fetched a gold arte from her pocket, more than enough. The glint of the coin under the dingy side street’s lamp light shone like a fabled treasure. Hairs on the back of her neck stood at attention as she sensed figures stirring in the darkness as dozens of other beggars, half watching their display and half uninterested, all now seemed very focused on what was happening. Shit.


    “Oohh, how shiny that. Heheheh, stupid little rich girl. Fair enough. Hahhah!” The drunk elf cackled before looking up at her, “An elf too, hahah. Stupid elf.”


    Sophie was more than a little taken aback but tried to control her expressions, her senses still tense from the increasingly greedy gazes now set upon her after she had handed the coin over.


    “That’ll pay for all our meals for a bit, eh?” He waved it in front of the other beggars, earning a small but terrifying round of chuckles.


    Time for me to go. Sophie tried to leave only to feel a small tug yank her back. Shit. The elf had gripped onto her arm.


    “Leaving so soon? D’aww but who is our generous patron, eh? Little academite sneaking around these streets?”


    “No one important.”


    “Oh really? Because you know what?” He feigned an exaggerated smell, “Cause I smell a little half blood bitch who’s holding out on us, right?!” He roared to his compatriots who all jeered in response. “So how about it? A little more of a donation? Hmm?” He grinned darkly.


    That’s something… you can smell? She slowly ran her eyes at the streets around her and found the exit to the harborside cut off by a few more shadows. Damn, I should’ve ran.  Her stomach dropped as she realized she was about to be robbed. She grimaced in pain as the elf twisted her arm and tried to rummage into her pockets, searching for any valuables left within. Shit, now or never.


    “Just a small monetary donation is all we need. He-”


    His words halted abruptly as Sophie felt a loud crack just beyond the back of her head, The blow sending the two of them reeling as she head butt his nose at full force. Before anyone could react, Sophie grit her teeth and launched herself at the figures blocking her escape, surprising one and shoving the other out of her way. Her fist connected with his face and the man crumpled under the impact.


    "Muh nose! Get ''er!" The elf wailed.


    Desperate hands latched onto her robes and she swung against the nearest figure, the blow dashing the offending person against the wall of a nearby house. Now fully alarmed, the beggars tried to swarm her as the surprised one resumed blocking her escape. She swerved her head out of the way of a punch and retorted with one of her own, sending another beggar clutching at his face even as she almost keeled over as another landed a vicious blow on her stomach.


    Pain. She felt an immense sense of pain as she recoiled from the blow. She growled as her own little hands turned to weapons and she broke the nose of yet another assailant, turning around and sweeping the legs out of another as she regained her momentum. For a horrifying moment, she almost grinned, the sensations of visceral, physical combat returning to her body once more. The desire to vent out her frustrations bubbling up to the surface once more.


    Pushing past the pain, she kept herself low and delivered a below the belt strike on one of her attacks, the person quickly collapsing soon after. One of the attackers launched another strike against her, but Sophie easily parried the sluggish attack and heaved her own weight behind her counterattack, an excruciating loud crack coming from where the attackers arm was now pressed against the wall. The last two seemed to lose their wits for a moment and faltered, but Sophie seized the advantage and launched her own vicious blows against the one blocking her escape. The beggar now looked far less confident and wailed in pain as Sophie’s blows landed upon her weakened form, collapsing into a curled ball in an attempt to defend herself.


    Sophie snarled at the last remaining beggar who now had simply resigned to huddling up against a wall in fear. She waded into the injured crowd and found the elf, finding a small feeling of satisfaction at how terrified he now seemed when he looked up at her. Without a thought, she smashed her boot down against his leg, sending the elf howling with pain before she bent over and simply plucked the gold arte back from his pocket.


    Touching the cold metallic coin, Sophie felt herself trembling ever so slightly, the adrenaline still pumping through her vein. Recollecting herself, she skirted past the remaining figure, shaking off the high she felt from the fight. She felt invigorated, powerful, and afraid. Her mind slowly caught up to what had happened all around her, her body tingling with the uncomfortable reality that she felt less frustrated than before. Focus, Sophie, focus.


    She wiped the sweat from her brow and stepped out of the alley to find a small crowd had gathered just beyond the street exit, most with concerned or curious gazes who immediately backed away at her approach. She looked around to find two redcloaks amongst the crowd staring back at her, their accusatory gazes saying more than enough. Restrained by a bit more rationality than just adrenaline and with fatigue catching up, she held up her hands to show her compliance.


    “Attempted robbery. Against me, that is.”


    “And why are you here, citizen?” The wolven redcloak growled.


    “Heard of the inn, Mermaid’s something. Thought I’d come take a look, evidently not a good idea, sir.”


    “Not a good idea… you tryna be a wise crack or something?” He glared.


    “N-no sir. Bad choice of words.”


    “Tsh, so what are you going for anyway? Strange part of town for you. An elfey in school robes.”


    “More like looking for a fight.” His partner sniggered.


    Sophie bowed her head, “Was just curious. Sir.”


    The wolf narrowed his eyes and bore into her soul, the guard’s gaze quickly flushing out any remaining defiance that lingered from the adrenaline. “Well I hope your curiosity is satisfied, look at the mess you’ve caused.”


    “Sorry sir. I can-”


    “Get moving then. This place ain’t no playground for you folk. Don’t let me catch you like this again.” He turned away with a snarl.


    The other guard just dipped his head in acknowledgement and joined the wolven guardsmen in the alley, leaving Sophie behind.


    When they walked off, Sophie let out a relieved shudder, the tension flowing out of her body. Seeing no further reason for her to remain, she pushed her way past the crowd and onwards to the inn. The entire way, she found herself delving deeper within her mind. What the hells did I just do? I defended myself but… they were just looking after themselves but they did try to rob me. Still, they were so feeble, I could’ve been a bit more controlled, but then… why do I almost feel like I enjoyed the fight? Hah, focus, Sophie, food first, think later.