Veil followed Alynia, who walked with a steady step, her tail and ears swaying gently in the breeze. But as they descended the hill and the crowd ahead came into clearer view, Veil suddenly stopped.

  “A… Alynia,” he stammered, clutching his hands together.

  Surprised by his call, Alynia turned back toward him.

  “What’s wrong? Look at yourself—you’re trembling like a leaf about to fall from a tree,” she said softly, her tone betraying a hint of worry.

  “I… I don’t know. Do you really think this is a good idea? I don’t know anything, I don’t even know how I’m supposed to act… And… what if I’m not welcome? What if I say something that offends someone?” he murmured, his eyes lowered, fingers twisting nervously.

  Alynia stepped closer, placing one hand on his shoulder. With her other hand, she tilted his chin upward so he would meet her gaze.

  “The only thing you mustn’t talk about is what we saw in that Dungeon. As for the rest—look at that crowd. Do you honestly think anyone will notice you? Alright, I’ll admit your outfit is odd and will earn you some stares, but you’re human. You’ll just blend in with the others,” she explained with a small smile. “But before we step into the city, you let me handle everything. You only speak if you’re spoken to. Understood?”

  Veil nodded, still hesitant, but her words soothed the turmoil in his chest. They resumed walking, closing in on the crowd gathered before the gates. Some sat in carts pulled by imposing horses, others in smaller wagons.

  As soon as Alynia appeared, a few people greeted her with wide smiles. When they reached the gate, she led him toward a line where almost no one else stood. Veil quickly realized why—guards were inspecting every person who passed through.

  “Alynia, what if they see the dagger and think it suspicious?” he whispered.

  “You say nothing. If they ask, you tell them it’s a Dwarven and Elven craft, only found in certain places. Got it?” she replied firmly.

  They advanced until they reached the front, where a guard was already dealing with a group of adventurers.

  “Alright, everything’s in order. You may go,” the guard said. “Next, hurry it up.”

  Alynia stepped forward, rifling through her satchel before producing a small card, which she handed to the guard. He placed his right hand on it, and a faint violet glow spread across the surface.

  “Very well. And the young man’s card, please,” the guard said firmly, fixing his gaze on Veil.

  “He doesn’t have one. But he’s with me—I’ll take him to the guild so he can get one,” Alynia explained.

  “Hmmm. I’m not supposed to let anyone through the adventurers’ gate without papers, miss,” the man muttered, narrowing his eyes in a threatening way.

  “I know. But look at him. Do you really think he’s dangerous? He helped me clear a Dungeon without even being an adventurer—you can make an exception. Besides, I’ll vouch for him. If he makes one wrong move…” She turned toward Veil. “I’ll deal with him myself.”

  As they spoke, debating whether he would be allowed inside, Veil could feel the eyes on him. Some were simply curious, others far more suspicious. The group of adventurers lined up behind them was already growing impatient, even though they had only just arrived.

  “Seriously, we’ve got to wait because of this stunted gnome?” one of the men muttered loudly enough for half the line to hear.

  “Shut it, Belran. He doesn’t look like he’s from around here. And he looks lost, too. You can wait two damn minutes, idiot,” snapped a woman from the group in reply.

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  But at last, Alynia and the guard reached an agreement.

  “Fine. But the next time I see him, he’d better have his papers in order, understood? I’ll pass the word along to the other guards,” the man finally said.

  Alynia gave a nod, motioning for Veil to follow.

  “Thank you,” Veil whispered timidly as he passed the guard.

  The man lowered his head, and Veil stepped after Alynia—his first steps into the city at last.

  The fear that had gripped him moments earlier melted away as he entered the street before him. The road stretched endlessly ahead, climbing all the way to the base of the mountain where the castle stood.

  The street teemed with people of every race, weaving around one another or deliberately avoiding contact. Merchants with carts or market stalls shouted to lure customers, while shop windows displayed goods so dazzling they hardly seemed real to Veil.

  Farther on, a massive fountain dominated the square at a crossroads. It depicted a rearing horse, mounted by a man in heavy armor raising his sword. Children played in the water or chased each other around the edge while parents laughed, scolded, or shouted warnings.

  As they walked, an aroma crept into Veil’s nose, making his stomach growl. He closed his eyes, mouth watering as scents swirled together—freshly baked bread, grilled meats, spices both sweet and sharp.

  “Be patient. First we get treated, then we stop at the guild, then we’ll eat, Little Wolf,” Alynia said, though her own stomach protested at her words. “You’ll see—it’ll be a nice change from the meals we’ve been stuck with.”

  Veil didn’t answer. His gaze darted from window to window, stall to stall, pausing at displays of armor or home trinkets. At one point he stopped before two merchants—men in the middle of a heated argument.

  “My fish not fresh? Not fresh?! Look at the state of your cabbages! Even an Oakmaw wouldn’t touch those shriveled leaves. You’d better learn how to grow vegetables properly—plants don’t thrive when you water them with your mutt’s piss!” one of them shouted, veins bulging at his temple.

  “My cabbages are fresher than your stinking fish! Your lot reeks so bad that even the flies keel over, you crook!” the other bellowed back, waving a half-rotten cabbage in his fist like a weapon.

  Their quarrel escalated quickly. Shoves turned into grappling, curses into a tangle of fists and torn tunics as the pair rolled around in the dust. A small crowd formed, half cheering, half laughing, while the merchants clawed at each other like lifelong rivals.

  The spectacle lasted until a guard, brandishing a halberd, stormed onto the scene.

  “What in the blazes is going on here? You think this is some kind of arena? ON YOUR FEET—NOW!!” he roared, slamming the butt of his weapon against the cobblestones with a thunderous crack.

  The two men scrambled upright, hair wild, clothes ripped, glaring at each other with murderous eyes while panting like dogs.

  But as the guard’s sharp gaze pinned them in place, Veil caught sight of a small hand darting between the stalls. Quick as a shadow, the thief swiped goods from both counters before slipping away into the crowd.

  “You pack up your goods and get OUT of the city. IMMEDIATELY. You’ve stirred up enough trouble. Hand over your trade permits—you’re banned from returning. Am I clear?” the guard barked, holding out his hand.

  Veil was still watching the scene unfold when a hand landed suddenly on his shoulder, making him jump.

  “I know all this is new to you, but I’d really like to get treated. It’s been six days, Veil. We need to recover. I’ll show you the city afterward, don’t worry,” Alynia murmured.

  As the guard continued scolding the two merchants while they packed up their wares, Veil and Alynia resumed their path. They followed the main street for a while, passing the fountain he had glimpsed earlier from afar.

  The farther they went, the more luxurious the buildings became. Storefronts glimmered with gilded decorations, their merchants dressed in spotless, extravagant clothing. Their eyes fell on Veil as though his very presence in his ragged attire was an insult, as if he had unknowingly crossed into another world.

  “Don’t pay attention to them. Those damned nobles think they’re better than everyone else. I told you, beneath the beauty lies plenty of fools like that. Keep your head up and follow me,” Alynia said, making no effort to hide her disdain.

  “Yeah, you told me… but now I’m starting to regret the Dungeon. Maybe it’s stupid, but at least in there I didn’t feel like I was intruding. I don’t like this feeling,” Veil muttered.

  “You’ll have to get used to it, Little Wolf. Even among adventurers, the stares can weigh heavy. But not all of them are idiots—you’ll meet good people too,” she added, flashing him a small smile.

  They continued down the road until they reached the base of the mountain. Towering walls surrounded the area, and a white-bricked path wound upward, bordered by manicured hedges.

  “It’s beautiful, but don’t expect to ever go through there. Only nobles and other important figures are allowed past that gate. We’re going over there,” Alynia said, pointing toward a street on the left.

  Farther ahead, in the direction she indicated, stood a massive building. Grand arches extended from a tower crowned with a bell.

  “When you finish a mission and need treatment, this is where you come. I’ll explain the details later. Come on, let’s go,” she said, setting off again.

  “Alright… but what is this place? Why is everything so big here?” Veil asked.

  “That building is the sanctuary of the gods people worship. They come to make offerings and other nonsense to earn blessings,” she replied, her voice tinged with annoyance. “But if you ask me, it’s all rubbish. If the gods really wanted to help, half the things that have happened in this world never would have.”

  “I feel like going back to the forest and letting the snow bury me for good. At least with CryoWolves, you know their intentions—they want to eat you, plain and simple,” Veil muttered.

  “I’ll admit, when I’m out on missions, that’s when I feel truly free. Away from all these people who think everything belongs to them, who treat the world like it’s their personal game,” Alynia growled, her fists clenched.

  “Sounds like you don’t like them much either. Since we got closer to these fancy buildings, your look has changed,” Veil remarked.

  “You could say that… but now’s not the time for that talk. We’ve arrived. Let me handle this, understood?” she said, ending the conversation.

  They reached the sanctuary, its massive gates towering above them. A small crowd flowed in and out—some carrying baskets, others clad in elegant white robes.

  Though the people they passed wore warm smiles, Veil couldn’t shake the sensation of an unfamiliar, hostile gaze fixed on him from somewhere in the crowd. The chill it sent down his spine made him shiver.

  He shook his head, brushing off the thought, and followed Alynia as she led him toward a side door.

  He didn’t know what awaited them inside, but at last, their long-suffered wounds were about to be healed.