Read Legacy: The Endless Horizon :: A New Dawning Pt. 1

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“Aaalexanderrr” Ethan said with a broad smile and clasped the more burly gator in a tight hug. Alexander simply rolled his eyes, turning Ethan's head away, and peeled the shifter off of him. “You're acting awfully cheery for someone who changed our plans last minute. I hope you understand that since I had to reschedule important consultations, there should be an equally important reason for doing so,” he said, tapping a clawed finger on his crossed arms.

“Yeah, you're right. I should have opened up with apologies first.” “I don't need petty sorrows, what's the excuse?” He growled.

Ethan rubbed the back of his neck with a nervous laugh. “Well, there are lots of reasons why I shifted our plans, but you can say the biggest reason was cause I just couldn't wait to get started.” He said with a grin that was no more convincing than the hollow reasoning.

Alexander let out an exhausted sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. Taking one more deep breath, he let up his hands. “Alright. The plans were changed. Just don't expect them to change again.” He growled while turning to their silent teammate. “And what about Feathers? Did you even bother to ask about his schedule at least?”

The corvid simply let out a small huff as his only response, but the glaring at the ground, distinctly away from Ethan, made his dissatisfaction clear.

“Well, we are certainly glad you were able to join us.” Ethan smiled through the party's agitated energy while wrapping his arm around the raven. “And if not both of us, then at least one of us, that’s for sure. I can’t always speak for Alexander since you never know what’s going on in that lizard brain of his,” he joked while ruffling the long sweeping feathers.

If there was anything Ethan was certain about when it came to their silent third, it was that he was truly grateful he had joined. Without him, they never would have been able to form a team three years ago.

“I’m sorry, sir, but you need three people in order to apply as a team.” The clerk at the local Adventurers’ guild sighed exhaustedly. They weren’t the first lump of new adventurers that were too stubborn to understand technical problems, and they certainly won’t be the last.

This time of the year in Salone was always the worst for the exact reason she can see before her. A crowded lobby, bright new faces ready for adventure, too impatient for paperwork, too stubborn to listen, too many to handle all in one day, and too loud and too-

“Well, what if we apply as a team for now, and then later, when we have a third teammate, we can then update the team to accommodate the 3 man requirement.” The young man in front begged, as if repeating himself would somehow make their useless argument worth extending any longer.

“No, I can’t do that. What I can do is sign you both up as independent adventurers, and if you want to work on a mission together, then you’ll both have to come in and fill out the necessary paperwork to register in collaboration. This would also mean-“Ok, but what if we started the application process and then hold off on submitting until there’s a third person?” He interrupted again.

The Clerk’s eye twitched in annoyance at the specule shifter. If she didn’t know any better, it almost looked like he tried making himself look more like a sad, lost puppy dog begging for food. But no, according to the lack of illumination along the arcane etchings, that’s just how he looked. Pathetic.

The clerk was mentally preparing herself, composing her emotions, so that she could explain the procedure all over again when the Alligator rolled into a hearty laugh, patting the beggar on the shoulder. “Well, you really gave this whole adventuring a real good shot, champ. It’s been quite the whirlwind. I can see how you truly put your whole heart into it,” he almost roared with laughter, wiping tears from the corners of his eyes. “After that grand speech you gave, I now truly see all those exceptional qualities the teachers were always talking about. I can close my eyes and look back fondly on all those memories we made while on our walk over.”

Unamused, Ethan stared at Alexander as the howling laughter rang out at his expense. It only made the disappointment, caused by Ethan's lack of logistical foresight, worse.

“Well, since there’s only the two of you standing in front of me, without a third teammate to speak of, I’m going to need you to step to the side while you get your affairs in order, please.” The woman behind the desk smiled in her biggest, people-pleasing, service smile. She was so eager to get rid of this troublesome group, only to then begin working with the next group and their inevitable problems.

The sound of a plastic card tapping against the countertop was almost inaudible over the crowds in the hall, barely catching the clerk’s attention. “I’m sorry, sir, but you’re going to need to get in line just like the rest of the others that are waiting to be helped, then the first available staff member will be with you.” She said while disguising a slight leer beneath a tight smile.

The guild staff was never really pressured to convince anyone who was ever unpleasant or argumentative. That's because if someone was dumb enough to try, there were usually plenty of adventurers in the area willing to help their comrades learn proper Guild Hall conduct. Instead, to her surprise, though, he tapped the card against the counter again, more adamantly this time.

“Sir, if you could wait, I am currently helping these two-”. He taps his card again. “Unless you’re Actually Joining them, then sir, I can’t help you,” she said while turning to face him fully.

From the look in his eyes, she could tell that he was determined, not in the way any other adventurer came in wide-eyed, as if they were struck with stars or an excitable puppy that’s out for a walk, but true and raw determination. There was a fire in his heart, so sure of himself and ready to fight for the inferno inside him. She could see it all in his gaze. Those round black eyes pierced through the darkness before him, even the shadows within her heart, till she could finally see him in kind.

It wasn’t immediately obvious, hidden beneath the dark cloak of mystery, but he had this way about himself that was simple, yet enchanting, she couldn’t quite put her finger on. The iridescent sheen that rippled against the black feathers, the way they gently billowed with the sweeping air of passers-by, or the way the corners of his mouth were pressed in his hardened and serious expression that just drew her in, but whatever he was willing to convey, she was ready to listen.

Now with her attention, he tapped the card against the counter and gave a curt nod before tilting his head towards the direction of Ethan and Alexander. “Would you like to join their team as their third party member?” she asked, her tone completely shifted into one that was much more pleasant and kind, catching the observing paladin off guard from their readied position to educate this raven.

He nodded again, answering her question with a quiet resolve, letting her take his card to begin the process of registering their new team. It took only a few moments before she slid the first two IDs towards the duo that were shamelessly staring at this point, but gently handed back the corvid his ID. “Quite the lucky group they are to have thee Obsidian Quill working alongside them. The rest of the registration process will be sent to your extrapulator devices, and you can decide the rest of the details from there,” she smiled. It was only after she realized the awkward stares she received from the next team in line did she finally let go of his hands. “May the stars guide you and the goddesses align with you. Safe travels, dear adventurers,” she said, waving after the trio until the line cautiously moved up.

(To Be Continued)