A Knight's Lilies

Though commissions and ranks for the adventurers guild are ostensibly divided into ten separate ranks. Each delineating a certain level of difficulty or competence. Many times, due to the abundance or lack of members, groups are allowed to tackle commissions on a relatively wide band. It might mean a group isn’t the right fit for it, but as long as the job gets done, they can register it on their record as completed and add it to their adventurer party logs when asking for a rank up.”

- Adventurer’s Guild Unofficial Notes, “On Taking Commissions and Ranking Up”

“Mmm, so you’re going to be an adventurer? Properly? But haven’t you been one this whole time anyways?” Ary mumbled into her shoulder.

“Aye, but I can get properly paid and take what commissions I want.” Sophie pecked her forehead.

“It’s the best deal we could’ve gotten given the circumstances.” Elaria bobbed her head.

“I still can’t believe you.” Sophie grunted.

“What?”

“You used the void.” Sophie hissed, “To breach the wards and on Raylani and Ary.” She stroked the redhead’s hair, making Ary purr in contentment.

“A tiny enough breach, unnoticeable to most, alright? And it helped out.”

“Tsk. But fair enough,” Sophie sighed, “I can’t argue with that.”

“See? Look, Soph, I know what I’m doing alright?”

“So do I. So did Sophia.”

That brought down the mood and everyone silently brooded a little. Ary shot Sophie a dirty look and Sophie nodded.

“Look, sorry, Ela. It’s just, I’ve tried to be as cautious as possible using the void.” She whispered, “So to hear about it being used so wantonly within city limits is…”

“Risky, yeah, yeah. I get it. Sorry.”

“Better?” Ary quipped.

“Eh, not really, but it’s good enough.” Elaria chuckled.

Sophie grinned and nodded.

Raylani mostly just remained amused the whole time, though the dark elf seemed content enough that things had been resolved without issue. Ever the reliable one. Sometimes, I wonder what she does for fun. Catching the dark elf glancing at Elaria, Sophie tried to hide a smile, besides Elaria that is, heh.

She nuzzled Ary once more before sighing heavily and pulling back, the others looking at her expectantly.

“Time?” Ary cooed sadly.

“Yeah. I’ll probably be done in a bit. You guys feel free to get dinner without me.” Sophie kissed her.

“Already planning on it.” Elaria smirked.

Sophie jokingly rolled her eyes and stood up. “Well, see you guys in a few.”

“Uhn!” Ary enthusiastically agreed.

Sophie made her way back across the guild hall, ending up back at the training fields within moments. Compared to what she had seen in Eichafen or Sturmbreaker, the fields here were of a modest size in comparison. Likely a result of Arteria’s premium on space within the city. But just as it was smaller, it was also far more well stocked. High quality equipment and facilities as befitting that of an organization located within the heart of the continent.

The adventurer Hayden waved to her, the man looking a little uncomfortable if eager to get things over with. Sophie was much the same, though hers was a more longing desire to be done so that she could go spend time with Ary and the others.

“Ho! Lass. You ready?” Hayden bellowed.

“Yeah, I’m ready.” Sophie affirmed.

“Alright, well the first one’s going to be easy. Do a minute or two of stretches then I want you to do an endurance run. Just laps around the field really.” He motioned at a track around the outer edges of the area, “It’ll be a bit dull, but I just need an estimate of your physical skill.”

“Got it.”

“Good, now go over there on the line. You good?”

She nodded.

“Alright, then let’s get this started.

Endurance exercises proved to be something Sophie had grown more accustomed to as of late. From her panicked flight through the Mistveil to hours of hard battle, her stamina had improved. Or so she felt. Whatever the case, the man seemed happy enough by her performance that he offered no real critique or concerns, only offering some general hints on how she could do a bit better in the future.

Her next task however, would prove to be the more difficult one. Hayden had managed to secure the help of another veteran adventurer for her assessment. She was to duel the woman one on one. It would be a format similar to what she had seen before, three rounds, sparring until Hayden judged it fit to call the match, or one of them was forced to surrender due to the other enacting a ‘lethal’ blow.

It started off well enough, her and the adventurer spending the first match trying to get a better measure on each other. The two were evenly matched to begin with. But after a few quick clashes, Sophie could almost immediately tell that on both a technical and applicable level, her opponent was just as capable as she was.

She dashed, and the adventurer retreated. She back peddled when the adventurer attacked. Their blades crossed each other in a demonstration of skill, dancing to a battle rhythm as they both tried to out maneuver the other.

Though she had thought that the fight was going well, after a quick pivot on their behalf, she found herself down on the ground, forced to tap out. It was a sobering clash that reminded her not to get too complacent. To have been beaten so readily felt almost an affront to Sir Taurox, almost like she had let him down by performing so poorly.

Hayden however, seemed more than impressed by how well she held her own. The man said nothing much but she could occasionally catch glimpses of approval flickering through his eyes.

The second bout proved to be just as difficult as her first. Worse still, Sophie was now more doubtful of her own abilities and thought too much about her own movements. It had become a matter of pride in obtaining at least one victory, but against the veteran adventurer who fought just as dirty as she did, there would be no turnaround.

She held the advantage to begin with, but after an accidental slip that staggered her, she could then feel the practice blade lined up perfectly behind her. Still, Sophie refused to give up. She hurriedly ducked and spun around, lunging forward to close the distance. It ended with bot their blades pointed at each other’s throats. A tie.

The third bout was the one in which she simply threw herself into the fray. Seeing that she couldn’t out manuvouer or outright out duel her opponent, she used her speed and size to her advantage. She darted back and forth in between a plethora of light attacks. Most of her blows were parried or missed, but it also kept her opponent guessing.

It was not enough however, and when she planned to launch her final series of blows, the adventurer figured her out. As Sophie retreated from a strike, the adventurer dropped to the ground and kicked her legs out from under her, sending her tumbling to the floor. By the time she had recovered, the bout was over, it was her defeat.

Despite the two losses and tie, the other seemed relatively pleased with her performance.

“Not bad, not bad at all, eh Selena?” Hayden pat the adventurer on the back.

“She’s got potential.” The lady grunted, more focused one straightening her outfit.

“You held your own pretty well.” Hayden turned to Sophie.

“Thank you, sir. But didn’t I lose?”

“Sure you did. But you lost against a gold rank. I was going to call up someone more appropriate to your skill level but Selena here was the only one free.” He motioned to his comrade.

“Does that mean I pass?” Sophie asked cautiously.

“Aye, of course. While you do admittedly, fight a little too chaotic for my liking. I’m not a fool. I can see you have some level of combat training already ingrained within you. In home territory I suspect you might even have a chance at beating her.” He laughed, “What do you think, Selena?” Yes!

“Well fought.” Selena bowed towards Sophie who immediately bowed back, “But you still have a ways to go. Your attention is not focused enough on my weapon, that’s why I keep catching you off guard. You focus too much on me, not what I’m about to do”

Ahh, it’s like what Taurox said. Sophie nodded respectfully.

“Well then, I suppose we are done here for now. Good showing to the both of you.” Hayden announced, “And you,” He addressed Sophie, “can tell the staff that your physical assessment is a pass. Good luck.”

“Thank you, you too.” Sophie bid them goodbye.

Returning to the guild hall, she could see the others looking happily at her, prompting her to wave back. Her other duty though, was far less enjoyable. The administrative staff processed the information with a speed comparable to that of a tortoise upside down. She stood around for almost ten if not more minutes before the staffer returned and confirmed her result. Only now did they deign it proper to inform her of the necessity for her to visit before the weekend was over for the written and more questioning portion of the assessment.

So it was that with a groan and mild patches of annoyance, did Sophie advance on her steps to being an official adventurer. Only for her to have ot wait, once again.

Meting back up with the others felt good though, she could finally relieve some more stress and without the looming assessment over her for now, she was able to spend time with them in a far more relaxed setting. When she recounted today’s event’s within the guild however, Ary was the one who randomly burst out laughing.

“What? What’s so funny?” Sophie unwittingly giggled alongside Ary, able to keep herself from sharing in the redhead’s joyous expression.

“Eheheh, it’s just funny. You’re worried about being an adventurer and passing your exams. Heheh. But Sophie.” Ary giggled some more.

“Whaat?” Sophie purred.

“You’re a knight, you’ve travelled the land, you’ve fought monsters, orcs, undead. You saved me.” Ary emphasized the last point with a kiss, “You’ve practically had more adventures than some might have in years, and all within one year of your own. So why does my darling little knight in shining armour need to feel nervous?” The girl teased.

Ary flirting was still something that Sophie had not gotten used to and her cheeks turned crimson. “Ary.” Sophie whined.

“Mmmm, Sophie.” Ary’s cheeks rubbed against her own.

It was pleasant, and too relaxing to resist.

“I just want to not disappoint anyone. Maybe make the rest of you proud to have known me.” Sophie mumbled.

“We are proud of you, at least I am.” Elaria interjected with a chuckle.

“Mmm, me too, very proud.” Ary turned the tables and nuzzled Sophie.

Raylani just smiled, but that was enough.

Sophie sighed and accepted their feelings, opening her arms wide and surrender herself to Ary’s control. The redhead scooted over and plopped herself onto Sophie’s lap, then manipulating Sophie’s arms to wrap around herself. Content, Ary then leaned into her. The lovely floral vanilla scent seizing complete control of her world.

“What now?” She mumbled from behind the redhead.

“Well, seeing as you haven't had dinner yet, we were planning to grab an extra bit or two to eat.” Elaria informed her, “After all, you did just also get out of jail, lest you’ve already forgotten that bit.”

“Hah. One helluva day, that’s for sure.” Sophie groaned.

“All’s well and good though. You just need to study a little harder during the weekdays to make up.”

“Ugh, but the weekends… I won’t get that much time to spend with you guys.” Sophie spoiled herself by rubbing up against Ary, trying to siphon what drops of excess joy she could.

“Heheh. It’s fine, Sophie, you silly.” Ary chirped, “It’s only six months. And we’ll see each other in classes and in the dorms.”

“Eheheh.” Sophie giggled at the thought.

“See? No real problem now, is there?

“Mmm, maybe, maybe not. Still don’t like it though. Would rather spent more time with you guys.” Sophie complained.

“Well, seeing as you’re just so eager to spend more time together. Why don’t we go grab a nice relaxing dinner, eh?” Elaria sniggered, “Besides, I could use a little bit of a break myself. Exerted myself a little too much today.”

“That sounds delightful, mistress. Rest is important” Raylani spoke up.

Hearing the dark elf’s voice broke both Sophie and Ary out of their loving stupor. The two quickly nodded their assent before glancing at each other.

As she stared at Ary’s eyes and saw the faint hint of her own reflection in them, Sophie’s determination to succeed only grew tenfold. I'm back, and I'll keep you safe. All of you.