The Last Link

Chapter 1: The Capital

The journey had been long, but I had finally reached the capital. The city stood out among the fields and hills like a massive blot. The great walls surrounding it made it look imposing from afar, guarded by soldiers whose armor was worn and battered from years of duty.

My mentor used to say the city was far too big to start in. Maybe she was right, but my desire to try had always been stronger than my doubts.

I’m Alana—a bard with no renown, a flute hanging at my waist, and a pouch with barely a few coins. It wasn’t the best start, but I could never have imagined what the future held for me.

After a couple of songs, mixed with minor illusions to entertain a group of passersby in the plaza, I managed to gather a few extra coins from the ground. It wasn’t much, but enough to end the day with a bed to sleep in.

I tied the pouch to my belt and slipped away from the crowd, blending into the busy streets.

The capital was everything I had been told—and more. Wide streets of uneven stone, banners hanging from balconies, and the place I most wanted to see: a grand market. The guards seemed unusually restless that day, running from one place to another as if searching for someone. I moved carefully, avoiding attention. The last thing I needed was to be mistaken for trouble.

It didn’t take long to find the market. Stalls were stacked haphazardly, wooden boards pressed against one another as if the city had grown without order. Fruits, weapons, books, jewelry, fabrics, the smell of roasting meat, and merchants shouting filled the air. Life in the city was palpable, even in the smells: spices, iron, leather. I walked past dozens of stalls, each selling something different. From my travels, I could tell many of these goods came from distant lands across the continent.

Among the crowd, faces of all kinds: humans, mixed races, even the occasional dwarf haggling over the price of an axe. Children darted between the stalls—one tried to steal an apple but was caught. He ran off and disappeared into the crowd before the vendor could react. Others didn’t steal, just extended their hands quietly, hoping for a little compassion.

Time passed without my noticing. When I finally looked up, the sky was darkening.

I had achieved almost nothing on my first day, and fatigue was weighing on me. The journey had been exhausting. As the sun set and shops began to close, I found a small tavern not far away. From the outside, it looked old—old enough to know that with my few coins, I could afford a comfortable night.

Inside, many seats were empty. The smell of stale beer and cooking food hit me first. The room was alive with noise: loud laughter, arguments between adventurers having a bad day, mugs slamming onto tables. I approached the bar, greeted by a brown-bearded dwarf in a red shirt, clearly in a bad mood.

Wilbur: “What’ll it be?” he asked, wiping a mug.
Alana: “I’d like a room, please,” I said with a smile, imagining the rest I could enjoy.
Wilbur: “Five gold.”

I blinked in disbelief. On a lucky day, I could barely earn seven gold coins. The dwarf looked at me suspiciously.

Wilbur: “No money, no room. See all those other customers?”

I quickly searched for an excuse to stay. I’m not sleeping on hay again, I thought. Then I noticed something I could use to my advantage.

Alana: “Don’t worry. How about a deal? I’ll put on a show that brings in more customers, and you let me stay tonight. I promise it’ll earn enough for tonight—and maybe more,” I said confidently.

Wilbur scratched his beard, doubtful.
Wilbur: “Fine, girl. As long as you don’t cause trouble.”

I grinned and ran to the small stage at the back of the tavern. Calling out to the adventurers, I began to sing. The atmosphere improved instantly.

At that moment, a young half-elf with silver hair and guard’s armor entered, his face tired. He slumped onto the bar.

Cain: “A drink, please, Wilbur.”

Wilbur served him a mug with a look.
Wilbur: “Rough day.”

Cain nodded, eyes hollow. “Foreigners are getting more troublesome every day.”

A tall, imposing young man responded, “It’s not that they’re troublesome—it’s that you’re weak.” His scars marked him as a foreigner, likely an adventurer.

Cain: “And who are you to say that?”

Daiki: “I’m Daiki, from the north. Didn’t know the capital’s guards were fragile enough to collapse after a day’s work.”

Cain: “Ha! People like you might be big, but they’re empty-headed. I’ve seen plenty, and they all chicken out the moment they see a sword,” he said sarcastically. Alcohol had begun to loosen his tongue.

Daiki: “Want to test that?”

Cain’s eyes flared with anger.
Cain: “What did you call me?”
Daiki: “What’s wrong, monster? Ready to fight?”

The tavern turned silent. If not for the axe that Wilbur slammed down between them, things could have escalated fast.

Wilbur’s voice cut through the tension:
Wilbur: “You know my rules. No fighting in my tavern. Anyone who tries goes outside.”

The room held its breath. From the stage, I cursed under my breath. If I don’t fix this, I won’t sleep tonight.

I stepped between them.

Alana: “Ladies and gentlemen, let’s turn this into a proper show. What better way to end the night than with a wager?”

Thinking it was part of the act, the crowd cheered again.

Alana (whispering): “I’m saving your hides. Cooperate.”
Daiki: “We’re not your toys.”
Alana: “I’d recommend you be. Next time, the dwarf won’t miss.”

I raised my voice:
Alana: “For our final performance—a contest of strength! Buy a drink, place your bets, and let’s begin!”

The tavern came alive again. Wilbur set the axe aside and started serving. I set up a table for the arm-wrestling match in the middle of the room.

The contest was fierce. Taunts flew. Daiki won decisively, leaving Cain exhausted. The tavern slowly emptied, adventurers going home or renting rooms.

Thus ended my first day in the capital.