Herald of death

Ethan pushes the doors of the Adventurer Guild. He enters without Russ, who stayed at the inn; He's too much of a risk, as he was seen at the auction. Ethan walks to the quest board, scanning it. 'A mission with a variable reward,' he thinks.

"I haven't seen you in a few days," Elara says. "You came without your dog?"

"He's sleeping in," Ethan lies. He spots a C rank quest requesting iron ore rich in Ether, findable deep into the caverns of Mount Silverveil. The mountain in question is two days away from Opal City. 'A gold for every kilo of ore,' Ethan reads. 'This is perfect.'

He approaches Elara's countertop. "I'd like the quest for Mount Silverveil," he says. "Do you know the reason for its C rank?"

Adventurers who heard him chuckle. "Monsters live in those caverns," she explains. She takes a book from under her desk and opens it. She stops at the illustration of a Skullgor – a humanoid, ape-like creature with a thick external skull. "Still interested?" she asks.

"Yes," Ethan answers. "Is there anything else I should know?"

"You must go to the Hammered Heart Smithy first. Otherwise, you won't have the tools you need to properly extract the ore," she answers. "It's in the inner city."

'I was planning on using black powder, but sure,' he thinks. He nods as he grabs the quest's copy.

As Ethan enters the smithy, he's welcomed by a cacophony of complaints. A man is loudly bargaining for a battle axe. Another man barks at a young clerk, complaining about his late orders.

A young girl enters the room from behind the counter, carrying a sheathed sword. She walks up to a seated man and hands him the blade. He extends a hand, and she lets go; he fails to catch it, and his weapon clatters on the ground.

"You stupid bitch!" he yells. He grabs her by the shoulder and swings his backhand at her face.

Ethan grabs his swinging wrist, tightening his grip until he lets go of the girl. "What is wrong with you?" Ethan lets out. He feels an unknown Ether sipping from the man's skin.

As the man reattaches his sword to his belt, Ethan closes his eyes. His sight fills with two kinds of Ether: the natural, neutral blue threads tangle with incandescent red ones.

Ethan draws in a small amount of red Ether, and it fills his body with warmth. His muscles team with energy, begging to be used. Pride gathers in his chest, and Ethan feels invincible. His mind clouds slightly, as if he were drunk. 'I'd open my status to be certain, but I'm convinced that this is fire Ether,' he concludes.

A clerk approaches Ethan. "What can I do for you, dear customer?" she asks.

Ethan shows her the quest, and she nods. "I'll go fetch Edgar," she says before disappearing.

A burly man appears, still wearing a thick leather apron. His gray beard is burned in some spots. He presents his calloused and massive hand for Ethan to shake. 'He's strong,' Ethan thinks as he feels the man's grip.

"Glad we finally found someone courageous," the man jests. "I'm Edgar Heart, this forge's owner."

'Courageous? Should I reconsider?' Ethan asks himself. "I was informed that you have equipment I need for my mission," he says.

The door opens, and the customers fall silent. Ethan glances behind him and sees Thea enter. Her long, golden hair cascades around her shoulders. Her piercing blue eyes reflect the interior lights, scanning the room. She's escorted by two soldiers clad in thick plate armor, carrying immaculate swords, shields, and spears.

Ethan is taken aback by her beauty but regains his composure. He mocks himself, 'Come on, she's at least ten years younger than you.'

She steps towards Edgar, ordering Ethan to move away with her gaze. He complies, feinting the same gaze of surprise as the other customers.

"Lady Dawnstar," Edgar welcomes. "How may we serve you today?" His voice became higher-pitched. He rubs his hands behind the countertop, trying to dissipate his stress.

"My sword was damaged," she says. Thea unsheathes the thin blade Ethan saw her wield; it's chipped in several spots. "I need it fixed before tomorrow night," she demands.

"I'll do it myself, Lady Dawnstar," the owner promises. He places his hands to receive the sword. With the blade in his possession, he moves towards the door leading further inside and nods at Ethan to follow him.

"Stop," Thea orders as she sees Ethan move. "What were you doing three nights ago?"

Ethan takes another step before turning around and pointing at himself, feinting to be unsure of who she's questioning. "Me? I was hunting outside the city for the last few days."

"What did you do with the game you caught?" Her piercing gaze is locked on Ethan.

"I sold them to a merchant who was leaving the city," he lies.

Her eyes rotate to the side, betraying that she's in her thoughts. "Show me the money you made," she orders.

"Lady Dawnstar," one of her guards interjects. "Our halt at this establishment already disturbed your schedule."

She turns around, glancing at the silver coins Ethan presents, a fake look of incomprehension on his face. She leaves with her escort, and Ethan joins Edgar. 'Those guards mustn't be reporting to her,' he thinks. 'She could have asked for my status or used Insight, not that the city's guards refrain from it.'

As he enters the workshop, Ethan's gaze falls on Sylas Hartwell, who stares back at him. "You two know each other?" Edgar asks. "That's great."

'I don't like where this is going,' Ethan thinks. He looks around the workshop, his gaze falling onto a central, circular forge. Bright crystals release furious, crackling flames that turn steel bright red in seconds. Each flying spark escapes the forge along a thread of fire Ether.

"I feel better knowing you will be the one escorting me," Sylas says. He places the handle he was carving on his workbench and walks up to Ethan.

Ethan glances at Edgar. "I was told I would be borrowing equipment," he says, insisting on the last word.

"Of course. You'll be borrowing my tools, but Sylas will go with you to use them. The boy comes from a village of miners, and contrary to you adventurers, he knows what I'm looking for," Edgar says.

'There weren't any other missions that would make me a hundred golds in the next few days,' Ethan thinks. 'I could press Cole for it or steal it, but then I could get questioned on the coins' origin.'

Sylas offers a small smile and a handshake. "Don't worry, I won't bother you too much," he says. His pledge feels hollow to Ethan, who sees Sylas' frail stature and unbalanced stance.

Edgar drops at their feet a large, but mostly empty, bag containing a shovel, a pickaxe, lanterns, and rope. "Ask for Bram at the east gate's stables. Tell him you work for me, and he will lend you two horses," he says.

'That could also be my chance to train Sylas and get myself an excellent blacksmith,' Ethan thinks. "We just need to make a stop at an inn to get Russ," he says before exiting the workshop.