Registration

Registration

Morning light slips through the trees, stretching across the side of the cabin and the ground before the porch. A faint breeze stirs the grass and the loose end of a saddle strap.

Zio stands beside the horse.

A black hooded coat covers his shoulders. He gives the saddle strap one last pull, then lets it fall. His hand settles at his side.

Nyssa sits on the steps, half a piece of bread in one hand and a cup of still-warm tea in the other. Her legs swing lazily, heels tapping the wood now and then.

She glances over.

“You heading to Ravenhold again?”

“Yes.”

“For what?”

“To take you there.”

The bread stops halfway to her mouth.

“Oh. So I'm getting kicked out?”

“No.”

“Then why go all the way to Ravenhold just to drop me off?”

He opens the pouch at his belt, takes out a coin purse, and lifts it slightly.

“You said you needed to borrow money for an inn. I set some aside.”

Nyssa shifts on the step.

“That was yesterday. It was getting late. I hadn't found any work yet.”

The purse lowers. His gaze drifts toward the river, where light flickers across the water. The saddle strap creaks softly in the breeze.

Nyssa exhales.

“I thought maybe I could tag along and help at the farm or something. Turns out it's still being built.”

He steps inside the cabin. The floorboards creak once beneath him.

A moment later, he comes back out. The coin purse is gone, replaced by the straight sword resting at his side.

Nyssa watches him.

“Where are you going?”

“Ravenhold.”

She rises at once.

“Then I'm coming with you. I'm not staying here by myself.”

A quiet breath leaves his nose. His shoulders loosen before settling again.

Nyssa is already heading inside.

“Give me a minute. I need to change.”

He waits outside, facing the dirt path as the wind lifts the edge of his coat.

The door opens.

Nyssa steps out in a light green hooded coat with a small travel bag slung over one shoulder. She comes down the steps quickly.

His eyes settle on the bag.

“Where's the large pack?”

Nyssa pauses halfway down.

“In the room.”

His gaze remains on the bag.

Realization crosses her face.

“Oh. You thought I was moving out?”

He says nothing. His attention returns to the road ahead.

Nyssa snorts, adjusts the strap on her bag, and walks past him.

“This one's enough. Let's go.”

Zio mounts first. Nyssa climbs up behind him.

They leave the cabin without looking back.

The sound of the river slowly fades behind them.

***

The horse kept an easy pace along the dirt road. Dew clung to the grass at the roadside as sunlight slowly spilled through the trees.

Nyssa sat behind him, one hand resting against the back of the saddle.

“It’s nice riding out this early,” she said lightly.

He gave no answer. A slight pull on the reins steadied the horse's pace as the wind caught the edge of his black coat.

Nyssa narrowed her eyes toward the road ahead. The faint outline of Ravenhold's walls was beginning to take shape beneath the morning sky.

“Heading to the public notice board again?”

“No.”

She fell quiet for a moment, then let out a small huff.

“Hm. So there’s another plan.”

A subtle shift of the reins urged the horse into a quicker pace.

The walls of Ravenhold soon stood clear beneath the morning sky.

***

The southern gate of Ravenhold came into view. High stone walls cast long shadows across the tightly laid stone road.

Two guards stood beside the open entrance, spears planted upright at their sides.

The horse slowed beneath a light pull on the reins.

One guard gave them a brief look. His eyes dropped to the sword at Zio's hip before shifting to Nyssa seated behind him.

After a moment, he gave a short nod and lifted a hand, waving them through.

The horse carried them into the city.

Wooden wheels rattled over stone pavement. Vendors called from both sides of the street as the scent of warm bread drifted through the air, tangled with the sharp tang of heated iron from a nearby forge.

Nyssa's gaze moved from stall to stall.

Zio kept his eyes ahead while the horse threaded its way between passing carts and pedestrians.

The Guild building soon rose into view near the center of the main road, its stone walls taller than the surrounding buildings. Wide doors stood open beneath a carved emblem.

Small groups of adventurers crossed the street. One burst into loud laughter while another argued over coin, voices tight with irritation.

The horse came to a stop beside the Guild.

Zio dismounted first. Nyssa followed a moment later.

After tying the reins to a short post, he headed for the Guild's entrance.

***

The Guild's front doors stood wide open, letting the morning light spill into the lobby.

Nyssa remained outside, leaning lightly against the pillar beside the entrance as Zio stepped inside without hesitation.

Early summer air drifted through the doorway, carrying the scrape of chairs, low conversation, and the occasional clink of coins.

Inside, the light settled into a warm glow.

Several round tables occupied the left side of the lobby, where adventurers ate or spoke in subdued voices. Along the opposite wall, layers of parchment covered the mission board.

A few heads turned as he passed. Their eyes lingered briefly on the sword at his hip before returning to their own conversations.

He stopped before the board.

Hunting requests. Caravan escorts. Beast disturbances reported along the border.

After a moment, he turned toward the reception counter.

Three staff members worked behind the long desk facing the entrance. One sat bent over a stack of documents.

Selene.

She looked up.

“A...”

The sound caught in her throat.

Her eyes widened slightly.

A faint smile curved her lips.

“So it's you. You finally decided to come.”

She slipped the papers into a drawer.

Zio gave a short nod.

Her gaze traveled from his shoulders to his boots.

“It has been a while. You are well?”

“Yes.”

“And now you are considering becoming an Adventurer?”

“I’ll see it myself.”

She inclined her head.

“Very well. I'll explain everything clearly so there is no misunderstanding.”

Her hands folded neatly atop the counter.

“Adventurers are not Guild staff, nor are they part of the military. They are registered partners who operate within the Guild system and are bound by Guild regulations and territorial law.”

She gestured toward the mission board.

“You choose your own contracts. Hunting. Escort work. Investigations. Accept them or refuse them. Once completed, every result is reported to the Guild.”

“Including beast cores?” Zio asked.

“Especially beast cores.”

A burst of laughter rose from one of the back tables before fading into the room again.

“The Guild is the sole authorized collector of beast cores in this region. Major industries and research institutions receive them only through Guild distribution.”

“Adventurers sell them to the Guild. From there, the Guild handles all distribution.”

Zio shifted his weight slightly, his eyes remaining on Selene.

“Violations may result in revoked registration. In serious cases, imprisonment.”

She held his gaze.

“The foundation is contract and reputation. Adventurers remain independent, but they are still subject to Guild regulation.”

His fingers rested flat against the counter as he studied the parchment in silence.

Outside, Nyssa peeked through the doorway.

A moment later, she wandered inside, drifting toward the mission board as though reading the notices.

Her eyes slid toward the counter.

They widened.

“Selene?”

She hurried over.

“You work here?”

Selene turned.

“Nyssa?”

A smile spread across Nyssa's face.

They leaned over the counter and embraced awkwardly.

“You're actually here.”

Selene laughed softly, patting her shoulder.

“What are you doing in Ravenhold?”

“A bit of bad luck,” Nyssa replied with a sheepish laugh.

Zio stepped slightly aside, giving them room.

Selene glanced back at him.

“Sorry. Let us continue.”

She retrieved several sheets of paper and a folded map from the drawer.

“Once registered, you won't need to report daily unless you intend to sell beast cores. Registration must be renewed once each month.”

She spread the map across the counter.

“These are the Guild's supervised beast zones. Guard posts are stationed at key locations.”

Zio studied the map carefully.

“Well?” Selene asked.

She placed a form and pen before him.

“If you wish to proceed, fill this out. The registration fee is listed there.”

He took the pen.

After a brief pause, he signed in slow, deliberate strokes before placing several coins on the counter.

Selene gathered the form.

“Please wait.”

She disappeared into the room behind the desk.

Nyssa stepped closer.

“So you're really signing up?”

“Yes.”

“Hm.”

A few moments later, Selene returned carrying a small, thick card.

“Your Guild card.”

He examined it briefly before Nyssa snatched it from his hand.

“Let me see.”

Selene looked at her.

“You know him?”

“We met on the road,” Nyssa replied lightly.

Selene's eyes narrowed just a fraction.

“Hm...”

Nyssa turned the card over.

“There's a magic seal, right?”

“Yes. It distinguishes authentic cards from forgeries.”

She handed it back.

“That's impressive.”

Zio looked at Selene.

“That is all?”

A faint smile touched her lips.

“That is all.”

He turned toward the door.

Nyssa glanced between him and Selene.

“I'm heading out. Take care.”

Selene reached for a scrap of paper, wrote a few quick lines, and held it out.

“My address.”

“Got it. See you soon.”

Nyssa tucked the paper away, gave a quick wave, and hurried out to catch up with Zio.

***

Nyssa stepped out of the Guild a few paces behind him.

She rounded the pillar and found Zio already mounted. The reins rested loosely in his hand while the horse waited at the roadside.

She walked over and stopped beside him.

“Going now?”

“Yes.”

She lingered there, looking up at him.

A quiet breath left his nose. He lowered a hand toward her.

A small smile touched Nyssa's face. She took it and climbed up behind him in one smooth motion.

He drew his hand back, settled in the saddle, and guided the horse toward the main road.

They rode off without another word. Hoofbeats blended into the midday bustle as the Guild disappeared behind them.

By the time they reached the southern gate, the sun stood high overhead. The guards spared them only a passing glance before turning their attention elsewhere.

The sounds of Ravenhold gradually faded, giving way to the open wind rolling across the hills beyond the city.

The horse kept the same steady pace.