The city was warm with late-day sunlight, chatter rising from merchants and adventurers around her. She had already been briefed by Lira two days ago:
A week-long escort job out of the city.
Three days back once the delivery was done.
Total: minimum ten days.
Team Argent would provide the combat power and leadership.
But supplies?
Comfort?
Personal readiness?
That was up to her.
Eis stepped into the Merchant’s Guild — quieter than the Adventurer’s Guild, but polished and organized, filled with clerks recording transactions and traders negotiating contracts.
A clerk approached her with a polite bow.
“Good afternoon. How may I help you?”
“I’d like to inquire about currency values,” Eis said.
The clerk blinked, then smiled.
“Of course. It’s simple:
100 copper = 1 Silver(volen)
100 Silver = 1 Gold.”
As he presented each coin to Eis.
“Thank you,” Eis said.
“And if you need exchange or certification, we do that here as well.”
Eis nodded, thanked her, and stepped outside.
Once she was alone on a quiet street corner, she lowered her hand and imagined:
20 gold coins, just like the clerk presented to her, in a pouch.
A soft glow.
A small pouch appeared in her palm — heavy, warm, solid, filled with perfectly minted coins.
Eis slid the pouch into her cloak discreetly.
20 gold was enough to finance a new adventurer for months.
But for her?
It meant freedom, freedom she had never had before.
Eis moved through the market square with calm precision.
Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.
A magic-item stall caught her eye — scrolls neatly displayed in enchanted glass.
A young shopkeeper perked up when she approached.
“Looking for travel enchantments? We have cleansing scrolls — remove dirt, sweat, even scent. Very useful for long trips.”
“Price?” Eis asked.
“1 gold each. Each scroll can be used up to 3 times.”
She bought 10 without hesitation.
The shopkeeper blinked — then immediately offered her a membership stamp.
“P-please come again…”
Eis tucked the scrolls away.
Luxury?
Yes.
Necessary for hiding her ability to stay clean in the wild?
Also yes.
At a preserved-meat stall, she bought:
- 10 days of jerky
- hard biscuits
- dried fruit
The vendor measured fast, impressed.
“That’s enough for a full journey. Stocking up for a caravan?”
“Yes,” Eis said simply.
She found a travel-goods shop — filled with packs, blankets, rope, lanterns, and cookware.
Eis chose:
- A reinforced travel pack
- A thick padded sleeping sheet (helpful for rough terrain)
- A warm wool blanket
- A metal lantern with oil
- A basic first-aid kit
- Spare bandages and salve
The shopkeeper rang up the total.
“Three gold and six silver.”
Eis paid smoothly — her motions confident enough that the clerk assumed she was a seasoned adventurer or a wealthy one.
“Safe travels,” he said respectfully.
Eis bowed slightly.
Her cloak was a bit heavier, her pack fuller, her purse lighter.
And she felt… ready.
She had:
- enough supplies for ten days
- cleaning scrolls for comfort and hygiene
- her twin blades and crossbow
- a reliable income source no one suspected
- Team Argent’s trust
- guild approval
The sun dipped lower, casting orange light on the stones.
Eis paused as she crossed a quiet bridge, watching the water ripple below.
It has been a long time since I prepared for a journey like this.
The weight of the pack on her shoulders felt familiar — nostalgic, almost comforting.
She whispered to herself:
“I’ve worked with way less.”
Then she headed back toward the inn, her steps sure and steady.
In a few days, she would join Team Argent for her first real mission with them.