Heroes Always Make a Grand Entrance

Days on the road flowed fast in the wagon. Nights under glittering stars and by campfire warmth allowed Maria’s mind to wander, mostly about the chapel and her loved ones who waited within. The occasional twinge in her chest kept her focused on the holy capital that slowly neared.

As the frontier fortress town grew closer, the crisp mountain air of the Great Yargo Mountain had long gone. Towering trees had given way to towering stone walls. A metallic tang and echoed clings of bustling smithies came in its wake. The town of Limina was a proper adventurer town; Thomas raved about it upon arrival. Known for its ancient dungeon that attracted many across the kingdom in search of title and treasure.

Thomas struggled with his hefty pack full of dragonscale. “Plenty of buyers here!”

The sales potential was what truly excited him. Maria was mostly curious about what regional delicacies the town offered, but she knew they couldn’t stay long.

Once the pleasant traveler parted ways at the gates, their time in town was strictly business. Perhaps a day or two loading up on needed supplies, lightening Thomas’ pack, and if anyone needed some assistance, then maybe Maria could give a hand.‌

Kaelan glared at her when she helped an old lady cross the busy street.

Maria rubbed the back of her veil. “Two days… then back on the road.” They’d have to continue on foot, so a proper bed for a night or two would also help. The little help she could provide along the way wouldn’t hurt.

The three continued through the main cobblestone street. Maria happily walked between Kaelan and Thomas, looking around as her eyes shimmered. Adventurers in armor, strings of merchants in silk robes, and quiet clerics bustled past them. High above, colorful guild banners fluttered from the timber-framed buildings, displaying crests of roaring beasts, crossed swords, and magic circles.

A large water fountain, ornate with trims of silver figures, splashed near the bustling square.

"Oh, look!" Maria pointed. Countless pigeons basked in the sun near the cool splashes. "There are so many! Do you think they're hungry?"

Kaelan sighed. "Maria, we are in a frontier fortress town that harbors an ancient, monster-infested death trap. Please tell me you aren't planning to spend our afternoon feeding birds."

“Come now,” she said. “I’m sure they’d appreciate a few crumbs of our leftover travel bread.”

“How about we head to the appraiser?” Thomas pointed his staff toward a three-story stone merchant house. “Before our Saint decides to donate my soon-to-be retirement fund to the local avian population,” he muttered.

“You’re what?” Kaelan asked.

Thomas cleared his throat, adjusting the heavy pack of dragonscale that rustled within. “Our soon-to-be travel funds.”

Maria dragged her feet. “Fine…” But before the three could step away, a voice made them pause.

"Found you!"

A shout shattered the peaceful cooing of the birds, making the flock take flight.

The three watched in silence as one particularly fat bird, startled by the noise, flew directly over the newcomer, a girl with a sword at her side. It dropped a fresh souvenir onto her polished silver shoulder plate before fluttering away.

Thomas almost burst out laughing when the girl pretended as if nothing had happened.

"So you're the culprit..." Kaelan muttered.

The girl appeared some odd years younger than Maria, but she was rather petite. Her bright golden hair swayed in a high ponytail as she marched forward. With a swift draw of her sword, she dropped to one knee and drove the tip of the blade into the ground.

"I, Celeste Aurelian, humbly request permission to join the Hero's Party!" Her voice carried across the entire square.

Maria blinked, her hands still holding a few crumbs of bread. She looked at the kneeling girl, then behind her at Kaelan, who sighed, then at Thomas, who struggled with the hefty pack.

"The what… party?" Maria asked softly.

Celeste ignored the question. Her head snapped up, and her sapphire eyes shimmered as she scanned the group. She pointed her sword forward. It was a beautifully engraved longsword with a crest of a roaring lion. Not even the finest blacksmith back in Bellmere could craft something so grand.

Is she a noble knight?

"You must be the brilliant strategist!” Celeste said, pointing the tip of the blade at Thomas. “The great mage who calculates every move!”

Thomas smirked. “I’m not one to brag, but naturally, one tries to maintain a certain standard of tactical genius.”

Celeste’s blade shifted to Kaelan. "And you... the mysterious scout who lurks in the shadows, eliminating threats before anyone even realizes the danger!"

“That’s… not like me at all.”

Thomas smirked. “It fits you to a tee.”

"And finally!" Celeste turned dramatically toward Maria. "The Mythic-Level Saint Maria, the Dragon Slayer!"

This again? Maria waved her hands. "Oh, no, no! I'm just Sister Maria.”

Celeste gleefully nodded to herself. “Not only the power, but the humility of a true Saint!”

There was no arguing with the headstrong knight. Maria’s desperate explanations always somehow ended as further proof for Celeste. She’d been tracking the exploits of the “Hero’s Party” from all the way back to the village with the tainted well that Maria had purified.

"She's completely hopeless," Kaelan muttered.

Maria bowed. “Sorry, but we must get going.”

As they began walking through the market streets to gather provisions, Celeste followed closely behind, chatting excitedly about "proving her heroic worth" and "earning a place on their quest to defeat the Demon Lord.”

Any words fell on deaf ears as Celeste tagged along in a frolic.

***

The three spent the day completing necessary errands before their departure in the coming days. There was nothing exciting about watching them complete mundane tasks, but the peppy knight insisted on accompanying them.

“Well, we’ll be leaving in a few days anyway…” Thomas said.

By the third stop in the market, Kaelan shrugged. “Suit yourself. But don’t follow us out of town.”

Celeste beamed. “I’ll prove my worth before then and become the vanguard for your Hero’s Party!”

Kaelan put a hand to his face. “That’s not what I said…”

Maria just chuckled dryly on the side.

After the market, their first major stop was at an armory. The place was chock-full of swords and shields of all different shapes and sizes. Kaelan ran a finger along the edge of an obsidian dagger. Thomas inspected a staff comparing it with his silver one, while Maria wondered if she should carry a weapon of her own, staring at a large battle axe.

That is… until a loud clatter came from the back where the sword display lay. Celeste stood motionless with countless priceless blades at her feet.

“S-Sorry…” she said.

The owner stared daggers at the group.

“She’s not with us,” Kaelan said.

After Maria’s heartfelt apology, the group moved on.

***

Thomas gleamed as they finally headed to the merchant house to sell the dragonscale, but before reaching it, a little girl crossed their path. She nearly drowned in the bustle of the streets, but Maria noticed her tears.

"Mr. Whiskers! Where are you?"

Maria walked over to the little girl and kneeled in front. "Did you lose your friend?"

"My... my kitty," the girl sobbed.

"Don't worry," Maria smiled warmly. "I'm sure he's just a little scared with all the people around. Let's see if we can find him."

Thomas almost shed a tear, though not out of empathy. “But the merchant house will close by sundown…”

“This won’t take long,” Maria said.

She folded her hands and muttered a quick prayer. A warm wave of golden mana radiated outward and drew curious gazes like a magnetic pull.

“Amazing!” Celeste hopped in excitement.

Within seconds, from the narrow alleyways and the underbellies of the merchant carts, animals began emerging. Three stray dogs trotted over, their tails wagging happily. Half a dozen cats, including a fat ginger one with a torn ear, leaped down from the roofs, and a swirling cloud of birds descended from the sky.

Maria stood in the center of the golden glow, looking like the queen of a forest, surrounded by an adoring crowd of animals.

"Oh, there you are, Mr. Whiskers!" The little girl scooped up a small gray kitten that had happily trotted out. "Thank you, Sister!"

"You're very welcome." Maria patted the kitten’s head, which responded with a happy meow, before the little girl ran off with a smile.

Beside her, Celeste stood frozen, buried beneath a flock of birds that decided her polished silver armor plates were the perfect landing spots. She coughed, puffing a feather out of her mouth as she stared at Maria in awe.

"Building... building rapport for the Hero’s Party… among the local populace,” Celeste said between feathered coughs. “Brilliant.”

Kealan playfully bumped into the bird-covered knight, making them fly off, much to her relief.

“Oh, sorry, Shrimp. Didn’t see you there,” he said.

"I’m not a shrimp!” Celeste yelled with a hop, making her armor clang about. "I am a distinguished knight of House Aurelian!"

"Right, right," Kaelan muttered, while Maria laughed on the side.

Thomas just looked on with pleading eyes while the sun grew lower overhead.

***

By sunset, Thomas almost cried as the group stood before the merchant house doors.

“Closed,” Maria said, reading out the sign.

Kaelan gave him a solid pat on the back.

“There must’ve been a small miscalculation in your brilliant strategy,” Celeste said, rubbing her chin.

“Yes.” Kaelan glared at her. “You..”

The three walked away in search of warm beds for the night.

“Don’t worry, Thomas, we’ll try again tomorrow. Bright and early!” Maria said.

Before walking past the Adventurer Guildhouse, Maria paused. An anxious crowd gathered on its steps. The tense voices of several adventurers carried clearly in the cool evening air.

A rookie expedition had entered the deep passages of the dungeon three days ago and no word had come from within sense. It seemed the Guild was preparing a rescue party, but one that wouldn’t be ready until the end of the week.

"But aren't they still down there right now?" Maria whispered.

Kaelan and Thomas glanced at each other with a knowing look, while Celeste tilted her head in between. She’d soon learn firsthand how word of Maria’s exploits would always come to spread.