Tragedy of Divinity

Chapter 43: The Adventurers Guild

The morning sunlight filtered through the foggy streets of Loyrn as Lucian approached the tavern. The streets were quieter than usual, the eerie calm settling in the air as if the city itself was holding its breath. He rubbed the back of his neck, exhaustion from his encounter with the Crimson Witch weighing on him. His thoughts churned as he pushed open the heavy wooden door of the tavern.

Inside, Seraphine and Quintin were seated at a table near the hearth. Seraphine was sipping her tea, her expression as composed as ever, while Quintin appeared to be finishing off a plate of eggs and toast, his backpack conspicuously bulging with extra food supplies.

Lucian dropped into the chair opposite them, running a hand through his disheveled hair.

"You're late," Seraphine remarked without looking up from her tea.

Quintin, however, leaned forward, curiosity lighting up his face. "What happened? You look like you've been through hell."

Lucian gave a dismissive wave. "Nothing I couldn't handle. Let's just say the Crimson Witch isn't going to forget my face anytime soon."

Seraphine set her cup down and folded her hands on the table. "I assume she's not dead, then."

"Unfortunately, no," Lucian admitted. "But I doubt she'll come back immediately. She'll need time to lick her wounds."

Seraphine nodded, her expression thoughtful. "Good. That gives us time to figure out our next move."

Quintin, still chewing on a piece of toast, chimed in, "So, what's the plan for today?"

Lucian sighed. "We need information. And the best place to find that is the Adventurers Guild."

The Adventurers Guild

The Adventurers Guild of Loyrn stood near the heart of the city, its imposing stone façade adorned with intricate carvings of mythical creatures and legendary warriors. The guild was a hub of activity, with adventurers of all kinds bustling in and out, their weapons clinking and their laughter echoing through the grand hall.

As the trio stepped inside, Quintin's eyes widened in awe. The interior was just as grand as the exterior, with high vaulted ceilings, banners hanging from the walls, and rows of bulletin boards filled with job postings.

"This place is amazing," Quintin whispered, his gaze darting around.

Lucian, however, looked less impressed. His eyes scanned the room, noting the adventurers gathered in groups, the barkeep serving drinks, and the reception desk manned by a bored-looking clerk.

"This isn't a sightseeing trip," Lucian muttered. "Stay focused."

Quintin gave him a sheepish grin. "Right. Focused."

Seraphine remained silent, her gaze cool and analytical as she took in their surroundings.

They approached the reception desk, where a young woman with auburn hair and a friendly smile greeted them. "Welcome to the Adventurers Guild. How can I help you?"

Lucian leaned against the desk, his tone flat. "We're not here to apply for guild cards. We were told to speak with one of the guild masters."

The receptionist blinked in surprise before nodding. "Ah, you must mean Guild Master Alaric. He's expecting you. Please follow me."

Meeting Guild Master Alaric

The receptionist led them to a private room on the upper floor of the guild. The room was elegantly furnished, with plush chairs, a large wooden desk, and shelves lined with books and trinkets.

Seated behind the desk was Guild Master Alaric. He was a man of striking presence, with hair parted neatly in the middle and falling just below his shoulders. It wasn't entirely down; a few strands framed his face, giving him an air of sophistication. His round glasses perched on his nose reflected the faint light from the chandelier above, and his faint smile resembled a smirk, exuding a mix of charm and cunning.

He was lounging in his chair, one leg crossed over the other, his fingers steepled as he studied them.

"Ah, the travelers," Alaric said, his voice smooth and measured. "I've heard about you. Please, have a seat."

Lucian hesitated for a moment before sitting down, his posture tense. Seraphine and Quintin followed suit, with Seraphine's expression unreadable and Quintin fidgeting nervously.

"I'm Guild Master Alaric," the man continued, his sharp eyes glinting behind his glasses. "And I must say, you've already caused quite a stir in Loyrn."

Lucian's lips twitched into a smirk. "Word travels fast, doesn't it?"

Alaric chuckled. "It does when it's interesting. But let's skip the pleasantries. I assume you didn't come here just to make friends."

"No," Seraphine said, her voice calm and direct. "We're looking for information."

Alaric raised an eyebrow. "Information, you say? About what, exactly?"

Lucian leaned forward, his tone sharp. "We've been hearing rumors—about murders near the clock tower, strange disappearances, and something about a Crimson Witch."

The faint smile on Alaric's face didn't waver, but his eyes sharpened. "Ah, so you've encountered her already. How unfortunate."

"You could say that," Lucian said dryly. "What can you tell us about her?"

Alaric leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers together thoughtfully. "The Crimson Witch is a dangerous figure, to say the least. She's been a thorn in Loyrn's side for years, her motives as mysterious as her origins. Some say she's after power, others say she's a pawn in a larger game."

"And what do you say?" Seraphine asked, her tone neutral.

Alaric's smirk widened slightly. "I say she's a force to be reckoned with, and anyone who crosses her path should tread carefully."

Lucian rolled his eyes. "Helpful."

Quintin, who had been silent until now, piped up nervously, "Is there any way to stop her?"

Alaric's gaze shifted to Quintin, his expression softening slightly. "Stopping her is no simple task. But if you're serious about it, I might have a lead for you. There's an old ruin outside the city—a place tied to her past. You might find answers there."

"Or a trap," Lucian muttered.

Alaric's smirk returned. "That's always a possibility. But then again, isn't life itself a gamble?"

Lucian stood, clearly done with the conversation. "Thanks for the tip. We'll check it out."

Alaric nodded, his sharp gaze lingering on them as they left the room. "Good luck. You'll need it."

As they stepped out of the guild and into the foggy streets, Quintin let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.

"Well, that was intense," he said.

Lucian shot him a glance. "Get used to it. This is just the beginning."

Seraphine walked ahead, her composure unshaken. "We'll head to the ruins tomorrow. For now, we rest. The next part of this journey won't be easy."

Lucian's grip on his sword tightened as he followed. He didn't trust Alaric—or anyone else in Loyrn, for that matter—but they needed answers, and this was their best chance at finding them.