First Conversation

First Conversation

It wasn’t too late yet, but Ravenhold was never truly quiet.

Zio lay flat on his back on the bed, his eyes fixed on the wooden ceiling above. The old beams crossed the room in uneven lines, barely visible beneath the dim glow of the lamp.

Footsteps passed through the corridor outside. Doors opened and closed. Voices drifted from other rooms, followed by soft laughter, the scrape of chairs, and the faint clink of glasses against wooden tables.

Every sound reached him.

Yet his hand remained still beside him.

Zio sat up and looked toward the window.

After a moment, he stood and walked closer.

Beyond the half-open shutters, Ravenhold was still awake. People moved along the streets below. A wagon passed slowly beneath the lanterns before disappearing into the distance.

Zio watched for a while.

Then he stepped away from the window and left the room.

The wooden floor creaked beneath his feet as he crossed the hallway and descended the stairs.

The voices in the main room softened when he appeared.

Thomas, sitting near the hearth, looked up.

“Still awake?”

Zio stopped.

“Couldn’t sleep.”

Thomas gave a quiet laugh.

“Yeah. First night in Ravenhold does that.”

Behind the counter, Myra glanced over. She placed the cloth in her hands aside and offered a small smile.

“Don’t worry. The city has a habit of keeping newcomers awake.”

Thomas shifted on the bench and moved aside.

“Sit. No point standing there like a statue.”

Zio sat down.

Myra walked toward the small stove, poured hot water into a cup, and added a pinch of tea leaves. Steam slowly rose, carrying a faint herbal scent.

The hearth had burned low, leaving only glowing embers. Mana lamps filled the room with a steady warmth, softer than candlelight.

Thomas leaned back and stretched his arms.

“It’s still cold,” he muttered. “Spring’s taking its time.”

“Maybe it forgot the way here,” Myra replied. She placed the cup in front of Zio. “Drink while it’s warm.”

Zio lowered his head slightly.

“Thank you.”

Myra rested her hands on the counter.

“So,” she said casually, “where did you come from?”

“The north.”

Her eyebrows lifted slightly.

“Sylvaen?”

Zio shook his head.

“Not that either.”

Thomas looked over.

“North...” he repeated. “I thought there wasn’t much there besides forests and mountains.”

“I lived near the border.”

Myra nodded slowly.

“Greyhollow?”

Zio looked at her.

She smiled faintly.

“I’ve heard of a village out there.”

He gave a small nod.

Myra hummed softly.

“You’ll get used to Ravenhold eventually.”

Her gaze moved briefly toward the busy streets outside.

“Cities like this have a way of becoming familiar. Even when people don’t expect them to.”

Thomas continued talking, moving from one topic to another without needing much response.

He spoke about the growing market, the ships arriving at the docks, and how there was always another job waiting somewhere in Ravenhold.

Myra occasionally joined in from behind the counter, adding a quiet remark whenever Thomas made things sound bigger than they were.

Zio said little. He simply listened.

Yet, without realizing it, he remained there longer than he had intended.

After a while, Myra’s gaze returned to Zio.

Softer this time.

“You left that village alone?”

“Yes.”

“And your family?” she asked quietly. “Do they know you came this far?”

Zio’s fingers stopped around the cup.

The surface of the tea trembled slightly.

For a moment, he said nothing. Then he lifted the cup and took another sip.

Thomas looked away.

He did not ask again.

Myra only gave a small nod before turning back toward the counter.

“Hm.”

The silence passed.

“Tomorrow morning will be busy,” she said. “The grain wagons from the south usually arrive early. The main road will be crowded.”

Thomas leaned back.

“Which means my uncle’s warehouse will be noisy.”

Zio listened without speaking.

The tea slowly disappeared from the cup.

When nothing remained, he placed it back on the table.

Myra glanced toward the door.

“You should see the city a little.”

Zio looked at her.

“Don’t spend your first night hiding in a room.”

Thomas stood before Zio could answer.

“Come on.”

He walked toward the door and pushed it open.

Zio remained seated for a moment before standing and following him outside.

***

The night air of Ravenhold greeted them.

The smell of roasted food mixed with oil and a faint trace of salt drifting from the distant docks.

Hanging lamps swayed above the streets, their shadows moving across the old stone walls.

The taverns were still alive. Laughter and music spilled through open windows. Small restaurants remained crowded with people who had nowhere else to be.

Zio walked beside Thomas, his eyes moving quietly from one place to another.

People stood close together. Strangers brushed past each other without hesitation. No one looked over their shoulder.

A broken plate crashed somewhere in a narrow alley.

Laughter followed.

Zio’s hand moved toward his waist.

Then stopped.

He lowered it again.

Thomas glanced at him briefly but said nothing.

They continued until they reached a small park at the edge of the street. Wooden benches rested beneath rows of still trees.

From there, Ravenhold stretched beneath the darkness, scattered with countless lights.

Thomas slowed his steps.

“Let’s sit for a while.”

They sat down on a bench beside the street.

For a while, neither of them spoke. The wind moved softly through the branches above.

Thomas glanced toward him.

“So...”

He paused for a moment.

“What brought you here?”

Zio kept his gaze on the city ahead.

“I don’t know yet.”

Thomas blinked once, then nodded. A small smile appeared on his face.

“Honest answer.”

He leaned back against the bench.

“Most people come here with a purpose.”

“Work. Money. Something they’re trying to chase.”

Zio remained silent.

Thomas looked down at the streets below.

“Some join the Guild. Some take whatever job they find first.”

He shrugged.

“My uncle says Ravenhold doesn’t care about people’s plans.”

“It keeps moving anyway.”

The lantern beside them flickered softly.

Thomas glanced at Zio.

“You don’t look like a farmer.”

Zio turned slightly.

“I’m not.”

Thomas looked forward again.

“Yeah.”

“I figured.”

A short silence passed.

“I’m not saying you’re dangerous.”

His voice lowered.

“You don’t look like someone who spent his life working the fields.”

Zio’s expression didn’t change.

Thomas let out a quiet breath.

“If you’re looking for something to do, the Guild is one option.”

Zio gave no response.

“But there’s another.”

Zio looked at him.

Thomas turned his gaze toward the distant roads beyond Ravenhold.

“The Royal Forces are holding a ceremony next month.”

“A lot of people will come.”

“After that, they’ll start taking new recruits.”

“Royal Forces?” Zio asked.

Thomas nodded.

“They’re the Crown’s own soldiers.”

“Different from Guild adventurers.”

He looked back toward the distant city lights.

“The trials will be held at the colosseum in Solcarys.”

“People come from all over to try.”

“Are you interested?”

Zio looked ahead again.

“I’ll think about it.”

Thomas let out a quiet breath.

“Yeah, take your time.”

He looked up at the sky before standing.

“I’ll get you a map of the city.”

Zio glanced at him.

“You don’t have to.”

Thomas smiled faintly.

“I’m offering.”

He brushed the dust from his clothes.

“City streets are annoying for newcomers.”

“A lot of people get lost a few times after arriving here.”

The park lamps began to fade one by one.

Darkness gathered between the trees.

Thomas turned toward the path.

“Come on.”

“Let’s head back. It’s getting late.”

Zio stood as well.

Together, they left the park, while the sounds of Ravenhold slowly faded behind them.

***

The street that had been busy earlier slowly emptied.

A few shops closed their doors. The sound of glasses and laughter faded, replaced by the steady footsteps of night guards passing through the distance.

The wind grew colder between the stone buildings. Lanterns along the main road still burned, their light stretching across the empty streets.

Ravenhold grew quieter.

They returned to the inn without much conversation. The front door closed softly behind them, leaving the remaining sounds of the city muffled beyond the wooden walls of Halvor Inn.

Zio climbed the stairs and entered his room. He placed his shoes near the wall, removed his cloak, and lay back down on the narrow bed.

His back rested against the mattress. His arms remained at his sides, the same way they had been before.

Outside, the night watch bell rang once.

Then only distant footsteps and fading wheels remained.

Zio closed his eyes.

The voices beyond the walls slowly disappeared.

Sleep came before his thoughts could return.

***

Morning light slipped through the crack in the window, falling across his face.

Zio opened his eyes.

For a moment, he stared at the unfamiliar ceiling before remembering where he was.

The city had already begun moving.

Wheels rolled along the streets. Merchants called out from outside. Footsteps passed beneath the window.

He rose, straightened his clothes, and left the room.

The main hall was already awake.

Thomas sat on a bench with breakfast in front of him. He looked up when Zio approached.

“Come here, Zio.” He lifted a hand. “Eat first before we head out.”

The scent of warm bread and hot tea filled the room. Behind the counter, Myra moved from one task to another, preparing the inn for another day.

After finishing breakfast, Zio followed Thomas outside.

The main road was already crowded.

People moved in every direction. Wagons passed between merchants. Voices blended together beneath the morning light.

“Where are we headed?” Zio asked.

“Warehouse,” Thomas said. “Figured you could use the coin. Uncle’s always short-handed.”

Zio said nothing, but he didn’t slow his pace either.

Zio stepped forward with the flow of the crowd.

This time, he did not search for the road out.