Crimson & Light

"Changra, wake up."

The voice pierced through the remnants of his dream—a vivid adventure where he rode a dragon, hurling fireballs at adversaries, each one falling before his might.

A sudden punch jolted him awake.

His eyes snapped open, hand instinctively reaching for a dagger that wasn't there.

Since the fight, he hadn't possessed one.

Blinking, he saw Berethia beside him, her hand resting on his leg.

"It's time for us to leave; it will probably take just over a day to get there," she said as Changra sat up.

He couldn't help but think, Why do I always wake up to some girl? I'm not complaining, but it is getting kind of weird.

"Berethia, do you know where Seth is by chance?" Changra inquired.

She blinked, preparing her response. "I might. May I ask why?" A subtle hint of hostility tinged her tone—barely perceptible, yet noticeable.

"I was wondering where my dagger is," Changra explained. The Crimson Dagger had been missing since the fight, and he was concerned it might be lost.

Berethia's expression softened. "Oh yes, he should be in the main hall," she replied.

Changra nodded appreciatively. "Thanks, I'll go find him."

As he made his way to the main hall, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Berethia's initial reaction.

The subtle hostility in her voice when he mentioned Seth puzzled him.

Is there something between them that I don't know about? he wondered.

Upon reaching the main hall, he spotted Seth engaged in conversation with another guild member.

Waiting for an appropriate moment, Changra approached him.

"Seth, do you have a moment?" he asked.

Seth turned, a friendly smile on his face. "Changra! What can I do for you?"

"I'm looking for my dagger—the Crimson Dagger. I haven't seen it since the fight," Changra explained.

Seth's expression grew thoughtful. "Ah, yes. I had it secured for you. Follow me."

He led Changra to a small armory adjacent to the main hall.

Unlocking a chest, Seth retrieved the Crimson Dagger and handed it to Changra.

"Here it is, safe and sound," Seth said.

Changra accepted the dagger, relief washing over him. "Thank you, Seth. I was worried it might be lost."

"We take good care of our members' belongings," Seth replied with a reassuring nod.

As Changra left the armory, he couldn't help but reflect on the interactions he'd had that morning.

The subtle tensions and unspoken dynamics within the guild intrigued him.

There's more to this place than meets the eye, he mused, gripping the Crimson Dagger firmly.

Determined to uncover the layers of relationships and secrets within the guild, Changra resolved to remain observant and cautious as he navigated his new environment.

The path ahead was uncertain, but with his trusted dagger in hand, he felt prepared to face whatever challenges awaited him.

As he rejoined Berethia and Jane, he couldn't help but wonder about the complexities of guild life and the alliances he would need to forge to thrive in this new world.

With each step, Changra delved deeper into the intricate web of camaraderie and rivalry that defined the guild, ready to carve out his place within it.

The journey was just beginning, and the Crimson Dagger would be his steadfast companion through it all.

As he pondered these thoughts, a sense of anticipation filled him, knowing that the true challenges—and rewards—of guild life were yet to come.

With determination in his heart and the Crimson Dagger by his side, Changra was ready to embrace the future that awaited him in the guild.

The adventure was far from over; in fact, it had only just begun.

And Changra was prepared to face it head-on, with allies old and new, and the unwavering resolve to succeed.

The Crimson Dagger gleamed in his hand, a symbol of his readiness to confront whatever lay ahead.

The guild awaited, and with it, the promise of new beginnings and the pursuit of greatness.

As Changra, Jane, and Berethia began to walk out, Thorne and Aria approached them.

"Hey, kid!" Thorne exclaimed, wrapping a muscular arm around Changra's shoulders. "Got some good news. Aria here is gonna teach me some grammar so I don't sound like a complete weirdo."

Changra raised an eyebrow, glancing at Aria. "I didn't think it was that bad."

Aria sighed, her expression a mix of exasperation and determination. "It bothers me. And since we're both joining the same guild, I figured it would be best for him to be a bit more... tolerable."

Thorne chuckled, scratching his head. "Yeah, apparently saying 'I done did it' isn't proper speech. Who knew?"

Jane smirked. "Next thing you know, they'll be teaching you to use utensils properly."

Thorne's eyes widened in mock horror. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. One step at a time."

Berethia chimed in, grinning. "I'm just looking forward to the day you stop referring to every meal as 'grub.'"

Thorne shrugged. "Hey, if it fills the belly, it's grub. But I guess I can try 'cuisine' or whatever fancy word you prefer."

Aria nodded approvingly. "It's a start. By the time I'm done with you, you'll be reciting poetry."

Thorne groaned playfully. "Great, just what I needed. To become a bard."

Changra laughed, feeling a warm camaraderie with his companions. "Well, if Thorne can learn grammar, I suppose anything is possible."

Thorne ruffled Changra's hair. "Watch it, kid. Or you'll be my next grammar project."

As the group shared a laugh, Aria's expression turned thoughtful. "Do you mind if we come along for a bit?" she asked suddenly. "We're pretty sure that our guild is on the way."

Berethia shifted, a hint of uncertainty in her eyes.

Changra, eager to continue the camaraderie, replied, "Yes, of course! That sounds like fun!"

Thorne grinned broadly. "Excellent! More time for my lessons. Maybe by the time we part ways, I'll be speaking all proper-like."

Jane chuckled. "I'll believe it when I hear it."

As the group gathered their belongings and prepared to set off, Changra paused, a puzzled expression crossing his face.

"Wait," he said, "how do we know how to get there?"

Jane, rummaging through her satchel, looked up. "Oh, right. Did Elara not say anything to you? She gave me a map that leads directly to it. It's laced with magic, so it will tell us if we get off track."

Berethia shrugged, adjusting her pack. "I didn't get anything, but I was a late addition, so it makes sense."

Changra nodded in agreement, relieved that at least someone had a plan.

Aria pulled out her own map, and she and Jane compared the two.

"It seems we have about the first half of our trips together," Jane said with a smile.

Thorne, peering over their shoulders, squinted at the maps. "So, we just follow the squiggly line to the big 'X'? Easy enough."

Aria rolled her eyes. "That's the coastline, Thorne. The 'X' is a coffee stain."

He grinned sheepishly. "Right. I knew that."

Jane tapped the enchanted map, and it shimmered, projecting a faint, glowing path ahead of them.

"Well, at least we won't get lost," Changra remarked, trying to sound optimistic.

Berethia chuckled. "Unless the map has a sense of humor."

As they began their journey, the magical map's glow provided a comforting guide, though it occasionally flickered, perhaps teasing them with minor detours.

Thorne, attempting to engage in small talk, asked, "So, what's the deal with this Eclipsevane guild anyway? Do they have good grub?"

Jane laughed. "I hear their chef is renowned for his éclairs."

Thorne's eyes lit up. "Now that's a quest I can get behind."

Aria smirked. "Just remember, Thorne, it's 'cuisine,' not 'grub.'"

He sighed dramatically. "Fine, fine. But if the 'cuisine' isn't up to par, I'm calling it 'grub.'"

The group shared a laugh, the camaraderie easing the uncertainties of the road ahead.

With maps in hand and spirits high, they ventured forth, ready to face whatever adventures—and misadventures—awaited them on their journey to Eclipsevane.