The return to Newhaven City was markedly smoother. With the fall of both the Grove Guardian and the Rift Stalker, the surrounding threats had diminished or perhaps their unified presence now acted as its own kind of ward.
They emerged from the oppressive gloom of the woods into the relative brightness surrounding Newhaven. The familiar sounds of the city, the distant clang of a smithy, the chatter of merchants, the rumble of cartwheels on cobblestones, was a comforting contrast to the haunting whispers and inhuman screeches they'd left behind.
However, David noticed a distinct tension in the air that hadn't been there when he first arrived. Guard patrols were more frequent, their faces grimmer. Citizens spoke in hushed tones, casting anxious glances towards the forest borders. The cheerful EchoNet messages he'd seen earlier were now interspersed with more worried queries about missing foragers and sightings of strange creatures near the city walls.
"The mood's definitely shifted," David commented as they walked through the city gates, nodding to the guards who gave Katrina a respectful acknowledgment.
"Word of increased Riftspawn activity travels fast," Katrina said, Her gaze drifted across the crowded street, where movement masked a quiet unease.
"And the Beast Tides are due soon. People are on edge."
"Beast Tides?" David asked.
"Seasonal events," Hailey explained, skipping slightly to keep up. "Massive hordes of wild, often mutated, creatures emerge from the deeper wilds and assault settlements. Newhaven gets hit pretty hard sometimes. Everyone who can fight is usually called to defend the walls."
Isaac, his bandaged arm a stark reminder of their recent battle, grunted. "It's a good way to earn Contribution Points and rare materials, if you survive. Bad way to die if you're careless."
As they approached the central plaza, a stern-faced guard in city militia armor spotted them and hurried over. "Katrina Vic! Captain Kaelen wishes to see you and your party at the Guard Barracks immediately. He said it was urgent."
Katrina nodded. "Thank you. We were on our way to report our findings from the Whispering Woods." The atmosphere was bustling but organized. Guards hurried back and forth, weapons were being cleaned and maintained, and maps were spread across large tables.
Veteran Kaelen stood over one such map, his grizzled face etched with lines of worry and fatigue. He was a man built like an oak tree, his weathered armor bearing the marks of countless battles. When he saw them enter, his sharp eyes, surprisingly keen for his age, focused on David first.
"David Mccabe," Kaelen said, his voice a low rumble. "Your name has come up a few times since your arrival. Made a bit of a splash in the Whispering Woods, I hear. Took down a Grove Guardian?" His gaze shifted briefly to the [Livingwood Aegis] resting on David's arm. "And that shield… it's not standard make. Impressive craftsmanship for a newcomer."
David couldn't help the small surge of pride that stirred within him, but also a touch of apprehension. Being noticed by the city's Guard Captain could be good or bad. "Just lucky, sir. And my system helps."
Kaelen grunted, a sound that could mean anything. "Luck and a good system are valuable assets in Aethelgard." He then turned his attention fully to Katrina. "Report."
Katrina recounted their expedition succinctly: the Corrupted Grove, the Thorned Treants, the Grove Guardian, Isaac's sabotage (phrased diplomatically as an "unfortunate entanglement"), David's surprising resilience and combat prowess, and finally, the discovery of the dimensional tear in the Briarwatch ruins and the Riftspawn encounter. She highlighted David's unusual [Root Hold] ability, which Kaelen listened to with particular interest.
"A spontaneous manifestation of a control ability tied to his shield?" Kaelen mused, stroking his grey beard. "The Ultimate Evolution System, you say? SSS-Rank? The old tales speak of such protean abilities, but they are rarer than dragon's teeth." His eyes rested on David again, a new level of assessment in their depths.
"The dimensional tear at Briarwatch is concerning," Kaelen continued, his tone grave. "It's another puncture point. We've had reports of similar, smaller tears appearing in the Sunstone Mines east of the city. Miners have gone missing. Strange noises echo from the deeper shafts."
He straightened up, his gaze sweeping over their small party. "You three," he gestured to Katrina, Hailey, and Isaac, "are experienced. And you, Mccabe, despite being new, have shown remarkable adaptability and power."
He unrolled a fresh section of the map, pointing to a location marked with a red circle. "The Old Sunstone Mines. They were abandoned years ago when the veins ran dry, but the lower tunnels run deep. I need a capable group to investigate these strange activities. Find out what's causing these new 'Riftspawn' appearances, assess the threat, and eliminate any immediate dangers you find. We can't afford another open wound so close to the city, not with the Beast Tides approaching."
This was it. Their first official quest from a figure of authority.
Kaelen looked them each in the eye. "This won't be a walk in the park. The lower mines are treacherous, unmapped in places, and whatever is down there is likely responsible for the disappearance of seasoned miners."
He then laid out the rewards. "For successfully completing this task: a hefty sum of City Contribution Points for each of you , which will grant you access to better services and goods within Newhaven, a significant purse of coin, a substantial EP reward directly from the city's coffers for recognized dangerous duty, and each of you will have your choice of one basic skill scroll from the city's armory."
David's interest piqued considerably at the mention of EP and skill scrolls. Contribution Points also sounded useful.
"The city needs answers, and it needs those mines secured, or at least understood," Kaelen stated, his voice leaving no room for doubt. "Are you willing to undertake this task for Newhaven?"
Katrina looked at Hailey, who gave an eager nod. She then glanced at Isaac, who, despite his earlier grumbling, straightened up at the prospect of official recognition and rewards. Finally, she looked at David.
This was a step up from hunting pups and Treants. This was a direct request from the city's military leader, a mission into potentially highly dangerous territory. But the rewards, especially the EP and a skill scroll, were too good to pass up. And his [Livingwood Aegis] with its party buff, his evolving skills – he felt ready for a bigger challenge.
"We're in, Captain," Katrina said, speaking for the group.
David nodded his agreement. "Count me in."
Kaelen gave a curt nod of approval. "Good. Gear up. Be ready to depart within the hour. And Mccabe," he added, his eyes locking onto David one last time, "try to keep surprising me in good ways. Aethelgard has a knack for crushing those who can't adapt."
With that ominous but somehow encouraging piece of advice, they were dismissed. Their first official quest as a party was about to begin. The Sunstone Mines awaited.