It had been a long while since Niera slept so poorly. Between an abduction attempt and the near loss of her closest friend, she couldn’t seem to get her mind to rest. She tried to remind herself ‘Today is a new day.’ but nothing could alleviate the feeling of powerlessness she seemed to be feeling. 

“Sleep okay?” Roze tried to inquire earnestly. She could see something was bothering Niera but so much happened the previous day, it was hard to narrow down where her mind could be.

“Oh, yes I slept fine. How about yourself? I hope you found everything okay.” Niera tried to remain her typical positive self. She had to be an icon; a hero that inspired people. She couldn’t afford to have a stranger worrying about her after a single fight. 

“Yes I slept wonderfully! Your home is so much nicer than my family’s cottage. I feel like I can get lost just walking to the bathroom.” 

The two packed up their belongings and departed the Seacrest manor. They managed to collect Rhenigan as they walked to the guild hall. He seemed his usual self despite his near death experience. The three of them refrained from discussing the previous day’s fights or Roze’s role in Rhenigan’s health crisis. The discomfort of the silence reached a peak just as they reached the small stonewall fence of the Knights guild hall. Sprawled along the walls comfortably was the small feline figure of Hazel napping in the mid morning sunlight. Before any of them could get close enough to wake her she spoke in a tone of irritation.

“I’m awake. I’ve been waiting on you.” Hazel’s eyes cracked open and turned towards the trio. “This does feel oddly familiar.”

“How about we agree to leave yesterday in the past? Water under the bridge and all that? In our defense you did steal money from us,” Rhenigan spoke, as friendly as he could manage. 

“The gang’s all here!” Kesh’gan voice carried from down the street. He stood with his arms wide in excitement and grinning. His brother Moss walked next to him, his eyes fixed on Roze but occasionally darting over to Hazel as though he couldn’t decide which one to trust less.

With the group assembled outside the guild hall, they walked down the colonnade to the guild’s double doors and entered in, for the first time as official recruits. It occurred to Roze that she never took the time to get a good look around the main hall the first time she was here. As she surveyed the room she saw along the main wall a large board covered in bounties, notices, and job requests. Each item on the board was sorted into different categories that didn’t mean much to her. 

While Roze looked over the board and the various jobs, her five companions stood lost and staring at the rows of tables. Many of the tables were filled with the oddest assortment of individuals and heroes. Hazel saw gnomes, halfings, dwarves, and elves all of kinds crowding maps and trading stories. Several of the people here were wearing clothes and armor that looked more expensive than she could imagine. Her eyes focused on one individual, a loud halfing sitting at a table laughing at the story of a gnome. Hazel could barely make out what they were saying over the sound of her own heartbeat in her ears. How long would a person have to work to afford armor like that? I bet they get paid more than I make in months over one job. I bet they bring back all sorts of gems and artifacts, they probably sell for a small fortune too. Moms would be so proud of this haul, all this stuff to add to their collection.

“Hazel, where are you going?” Moss phrased it like a question but the layers of accusation were almost palpable.

 Hazel felt shocked and realized she had already taken several steps towards the table. “Nowhere. I thought I saw somebody I knew so I was getting a better look. I was mistaken though.” 

Moss’s eyes narrowed in. “Right. Well we’re here to meet with the Questing Beasts so lets stay focused on that. Everything else can wait.” Moss turned and scanned the doorway until his eyes landed on a human clerk sitting behind a counter. He strided over and placed his hand on the counter waking the man from his daydreams. 

“We’re here to meet with the Questing Beasts. They hired us yesterday; told us our new name would be Palamedes and everything would be arranged by today. Where can we find them?”

“Yeah, they said you’d be stopping in. They’re set up in the meeting room on the third floor. I’d hurry though cause I’m pretty sure they’re prepping to head out on assignment.”

“A fun assignment?” Roze chimed in with a hopeful light in her eyes.

“A dangerous assignment. Doubt you’re going.” The clerk responded, unamused.

“Thanks,” Moss intervened, “Anything else?”

“Yes. Try not to die in the first 2 weeks. It's a bad look on the guild… and we have a bet going on how long before you guys suffer a casualty. Welcome to the guild!”

The party each looked at each other with concerned glances before making their way to the grand staircase leading up to the second floor. The stairs split creating a balcony way overlooking the main hall before leading to hallways containing the dorm rooms. The party continued up the stairs to the third floor which seemed like a completely separate building. The walls cut off removed all of the loud laughter and chatter from the first floor creating a zone of silence. Along the floor was a beautiful carpet runner that led down each hall. As the party searched for the correct meeting room they passed the guild’s extensive library and study as well as the guildmaster’s office who’s door remained shut.

The party finally found what they presumed to be the correct room. Niera pushed the door open, leading the group inside. Surrounding a large conference table were the five members of the Questing Beasts. Each member resembled a different part of the legendary creature. Lance Dreer, the Lion, a human serving as the group's leader and primary fighter. Avery Mistmoor, the serpent, was the group's primary information gatherer but their skill set was largely unknown and assumed to be quite extensive. Galeas, the seeker, was the stag and the group's cleric and primary healer. This did not stop Galeas from also being a frontline fighter. Fay DeField, the leopard, was a high elf serving as the group's magician and Tristan Iseult, the hound, was a summer elf filling in as the group’s scout and only non magical ranged fighter.

Niera stood in the doorway for a moment expecting one of the members to acknowledge the party and invite them in. After the Questing Beasts continued with their meeting long enough to make Niera comfortable she decided to step further in the room. 

“The request is coming directly from the guild master so it’s not optional.” Lanced turned to face Fay as he spoke.

“It’s also not possible but I mean it’s fine as long as we get paid.” Fay spoke with sarcasm and a hint of contempt.

“It’s not a paying gig. It’s a direct request from Artorius. Now if you want to go to his office and tell him to cut you a percentage by all means do that. Before you do though let me just quickly remind you of all the times Art has taken care of you and charged you nothing,” said Lance, matching every bit of derision in Fay’s voice.

“Stop. I get your point. That doesn’t change the fact that this job isn’t possible and we still need income while we figure it out.”

“I think I figured out half of our problem. My hounds finally came back and I’m pretty sure they found what we’re looking for. It’s a bit of a journey though. We’ll have to travel to the House of Glory in Erodia but the high elves shouldn’t give us any problems. Right Fay?” Tristan smiled vexatiously at Fay as she spoke the words.

“Um, Good Morning! Niera and the remaining Palamedes reporting for assignment.” The room fell silent as Niera spoke. 

“This would be the solution to the other half of our problem,” said Avery, “I was starting to think you all weren’t going to show up.”

“Of course we’d show up. It’s our duty as Knights of Yellowfield,” responded Niera

“Not quite Knights yet,” Galeas interjected, as she stood from her chair. “Apprentices but not knights. You are merely squires in need of molding and training. Let’s start much slower. First things first, we have jobs for you to take but before we can send you out you need to be prepared.”

Roze found herself marveling at the sonorous texture of Galeas’s voice as she spoke. The sound held an almost hypnotic quality to it that enthralled the room. “What preparations do we need? What job are you sending us on?” Roze spoke with excitement, ready to depart on her first quest to prove her worth.

“Just a couple of quick errands,” siad Galeas, “ First, there is a seer in town that I need you to go see. Mainly you, Roze, and Kesh’gar. As the group's spellcasters it’s important you know your primary arcane school. For example I specialize in Transmutation and Abjuration magic but Fay specializes in-”

“Everything,” Fay interjected with a vain tone.

“Anyway, once you know your primary school of magic it’ll help you to know where to focus your training and study. The second errand is for you Roze.”

Roze looked both shocked but proud; as though she was a special case in the group. She enjoyed being called out and set apart even if it was extra work that she needed to do.

“As my apprentice you are now also an acolyte of the Yellow Hare. You’ll need to go see my personal tailor to collect your new robes. Treat them with care as this will be your new uniform.”

“I would also recommend stopping by some of the other shops in the Crystal Walk. You’ll need basic supplies like potions, rations, and medicines as well as components for your spellcasting.” This time Tristan was speaking, her tone holding more genuine concern in it than normal. “It would be a shame if you died on your first job due to lack of preparation.” Tristan’s eyes focused on her personal apprentice, Moss, “Plus, I think you’ll find something of particular intrigue on your outing.”

“Leave quickly,” said Lance, “The longer you take the longer your job has to wait. We’ll leave somebody to get you orientated at the guild when you return so don’t take all day.” 

As Lance finished his sentence Fay raised a hand and a gust of wind pushed the party back out of the doors to the meeting room, slamming the doors in their faces at the same time. As each of them stood they exchanged glances; Niera and Rhenigan both silently communicating their concern about what to expect while Moss and Hazel exchanged distrustful expressions, the tension in the room only seemed to break with Roze fully grabbing onto Hazel enthusiastically.