As we arrived at Alderhelm to say everyone was tense would be an understatement. Kaelen had been volunteered for the front due to his wanted status. As it turns out, the last time Kaelen had been in Alderhelm he had seen his own wanted poster, hence why he both brought it up and why we were all on edge.
"Guys, can I take the towel off my face?"
Came Kaelen's muffled voice from underneath the wrappings we had made to hide his identity.
"Kaelen, it's hard enough convincing Jax to not turn you in for a lifetime's worth of beer, what if people recognize you?"
Liora said, shoving the towel back on Kaelen's head as he tried to pull it off.
"Guys, I have changed a lot since the image they are using for my bounty, plus it states that I can't be harmed at all, so I can always just threaten to punch myself if they try."
Kaelen said as we all stared with concerned looks. Thalia seemed to sum it up best as she said.
"That does not seem like a comfortable way to live."
Kaelen seemed surprised for a moment before he burst into laughter, even holding his stomach as he did. He had to take a moment to stop laughing before he said.
"No, I suppose its not huh, but there is only so much one can do to solve it."
We approached the looming city as unlike the other cities, there was room within the city itself for vehicles, so instead of parking and heading inside we instead were directed to just pull up to the gate. The city itself was rather fantastical in nature, copper tanks rose to the top of the dome's hexagonal barrier that in ways reminded me of the barrier around the shrine back in Hopestone before it broke.
The entire city was filled with engines, technology, automaton, and more, all walking around and working together. So, despite our worries for Kaelen, we couldn't help but be a little star struck. Compared to a city like Hopestone that had only gotten the title a few weeks ago, this place felt like a real city that lived up to the word. The guards let us in after checking our adventuring license as we started to look for a parking spot.
"Look there is one, they even offer a refill service."
Jax said gesturing with his paw. Sure, enough ahead of us a lot held several vehicles, a small gate with a bored looking human sat in a small rectangular box with windows and a metal piece that had what seemed to be a bunch of small holes in it. As we drove over she perked up and I rolled down the window.
"Welcome to Alderhelm, are you looking for a spot to park?"
I nodded as the gate rose, and we drove in. The woman stepped out of her box and lead up to a spot where I had to maneuver back and forth a bit to fit, but we ended up fitting in. As we all grabbed our essentials from the back of the cart the woman approached me.
"We do offer fuel refills of carbuncle gems if your interested in returning to a topped up tank."
"Sure, that sounds great, how much is it?"
"300 Gold please."
I grabbed my money pouch as I realized I was now down to 300 gold only after paying for the refill. She nodded and started to make her way back to her station to note down that she had to do the refill, or something as we all went out in search of dinner.
The bar we found was simple enough, a small little place called the watering hole. Inside there were a few people, and what looked to be a cat fullblood sat behind the bar, sitting beside a glass the size of them as they reached their entire arm in with a rag to wipe it out. We silently made our way over to a table, and sat down holding the menus as we all took a look.
We ordered food as I signaled for a team meeting. Everyone turned to me with a bit of a worried look like I was about to say some bad news. Instead I pulled out the flyer for the event and held it out for everyone
Freshplate games
If you have received this letter then you are a new team recommended by a Steel rank or above team due to your promising talent. You have been invited to attend the Freshplate games in Bearreach Flinkeq in 3 months. Attending this event will be representatives of the Jade Lions, Courage Torch, Sandsharks, and Cackling Crows guilds will be present to evaluate your performance and potentially scout participants. The games will be hosted over a week with 32 teams participating. The final reward is as follows
A custom creation from the Snowforge guild artisan Coal Zizegal
To be eligible for games your team must fit the following criteria
-more than 4 members, but no more than 6
-all members must be at minimum level 15
-You must have at least 10 completed quests not including plate quests
Good luck in your preparations for this event, to learn more information seek out your sponsor below
Sponsor: Todis Jackle
The others look at me confused as I turned to the others.
"Its been barely a month now, and we are more than half way towards our goals. Were all at around level 12 and we have completed 4 quests including the dungeon that got interrupted. I think we need to focus on quests right now more than anything."
The others looked between each other for a moment before Selene turned to me.
"S-So like how do you mean?"
"Well lets look at what we are trying to do well in, if its a tournament sure they will be looking at our abilities as a team, but also as individuals, so my proposal is this. Lets do 3 quests, split into 3 teams of two, that way we only have 3 quests left, and the XP will help us get closer to 15 anyways."
The others looked between each other before it was Jax who stood up.
"I agree with the plan, but I believe that some details need to be adjusted."
We all turned to Jax as he waited to see if anyone had anything to retort before he continued.
"The plan of doing more quests is good, but I believe that teams of two is overestimating our abilities, so while I would agree we are getting better and better at this with each passing day, for now that small a team is unfeasible. Instead It should be two teams of 3, and I think that even with that the two shouldn't quest at the same time so those on standby can come help if the other group needs it."
I turned to the others to see their opinion as Kaelen held a hand up.
"I think that is overly cautious in comparison. Let's just do two teams of 3, that way we get two quests, and the XP while not being overly slow for no reason."
I looked around to the others before nodding as I realized too late, I wasn't fast enough, everyone's fingers were to their nose as Thalia and I sat with our arms at our sides.
"You know the drill Hollowcreek, go find some quests we can pick between."
Thalia and I both begrudgingly rose and made our way out of the watering hole and down the road. Neither of us had any idea where the guild location of the city was, so we would be wandering for a bit. Never the less the city was nice to look at so there were worse places we could have been assigned guild duty.
We made our way down the road as after a moment Thalia stopped. I walk for a few more steps before I realized that Thalia wasn't next to me and I stopped turning back. She was staring at the wall with a bit of a dumbstruck expression on her face. For most this would be cause for curiosity alone, but thalia was normally as stoic as a statue, so I whipped around to where she was looking.
On the wall were several pages with pictures, descriptions and prices on them. Most looked menacing and scary, however one was oddly familiar. Looking on the poster we both walked over and grabbed the poster off the wall.
WANTED
Alive and unharmed
Kaelen Therindor
Reward: 2,000,000 Gold
Description: Kaelen is an Elven man, around 185 at this time, he is the son of the Therindor Dutchy and the betrothed of Princess Malena of the Misagen royal line. He was kidnapped on their wedding night and is still being held hostage. We believe he must be under some kind of illusion due to his unnatural resistance to returning home, or to his bride. For this reason an additional 100,000 Gold is offered for the heads of those who accompany him.
Bounty Giver: Duke Alvin Therindor
At this point my expression matched Thalias as we both turned to look at each other, our faces pale.
"Holy crap, we could sell Jax and be down our biggest cost in the form of alcohol and be rich for it."
Thalia said seeing opportunity
"Holy crap, Kaelen is married, and to a princess!?"
I said realizing just how much danger we might be in.