I was sitting in front of the wagon next to Darren, who had been guiding it the whole way here, and as Dunhearth came into view, I couldn’t help but notice something was off. There were far too many guards on the gate compared to normal.

  Closer inspection also showed they were far better equipped and dressed than I had remembered as well.

  Hari’s voice was heard across the group. “Royal guards ahead.”

  We had planned for this, and it boiled down to acting normally, keeping our hoods up, and letting Hari do the talking.

  Crisplet was currently with Jen, and the wagon looked to be full of goods with the two barrels—only one of which was full—the three containers with the curing boar bellies that would be due to come out tomorrow, and several other items that Jen and Milo had placed in there to make it seem more like a merchant’s wagon.

  As we got closer, it appeared to be six guards standing at the gate, all in royal attire. There was no line or waiting travellers outside, so it didn’t appear like they had the town in lockdown or were doing strict checks. We had already discussed plans if that was happening—skip Dunhearth entirely and go off road until the capital.

  We were still a small distance away, heading out of sight of the gate briefly as we travelled over some small hills, when Hari stopped the group and reorganised where everyone was stationed. George was moved onto the wagon with Darren, and I was placed back on Sable for the first time in a long while, giving her a good scratch on the neck, which I had discovered she really enjoyed.

  Hari had himself and Jen at the front, Micca leading the wagon in the middle, with Liane and Milo at the rear.

  “Onwards,” Hari said, already in a very official-sounding tone.

  Making our way over the last hill, the guards all stood to attention.

  “Greetings,” Hari called from a few paces away.

  “Hello, travellers,” one of the lead guards waved as we approached. “We won’t hold you up for long—just a couple of questions if you don’t mind.”

  Hari dismounted a few horse lengths away. Everyone else was instructed to stay where they were unless Hari directed them to move. I noticed the other guards on the gate were inspecting us closely, but they didn’t look hostile at all.

  Bowing slightly, Hari responded, “Absolutely. My name is Hari, and this is my adventuring group, the Polite Company, escorting Merchant Micca Carlye and her two guards on our way to the capital.”

  The guard let out a soft chuckle. “Well, that answers a few of my questions already. My name is Carrod, Royal Guard, but don’t worry—there’s no trouble in the city. It’s perfectly safe.” He waved as Hari put on the appearance of shock.

  Carrod continued, “We’d like to ask if you’ve heard any odd rumours or seen anything particularly strange on your travels?”

  Hari shook his head. “No, nothing since speaking to Royal Guard Victor on the road from Grey Rock. We informed him of everything we had seen up to that point, but our journey has been uneventful since then.”

  Carrod’s face lit up. “Ah, you spoke with Victor. Yes, we received a message about some troubling news from the south there. Very well—we’re just going to do a quick inspection of your wagon if you don’t mind, then you’ll be on your way.”

  Hari gestured for them to go ahead. As the guards moved forward, I heard Hari ask a question that surprised me.

  “I was hoping to have a word with the lord here before we left—a message I needed to pass on. You wouldn’t know if he’s available, would you?”

  Carrod frowned and shook his head. “Unfortunately not. He’s been called away, and an interim leader has taken his place in his absence.”

  Hari let out a hearty chuckle. “Ah well, it wasn’t important—just a message from a mutual acquaintance.”

  I noticed the guards had only a very brief look in the wagon. One of them had his eyes firmly locked on Jen and Crisplet, but after a moment he walked away with the others, whispering something to Carrod that I couldn’t hear.

  “Everything seems to be in order. Welcome to Dunhearth—enjoy your stay,” Carrod announced, gesturing for us to enter. Hari remounted after a friendly goodbye and led us inside through the gates.

  Nobody said anything as we travelled through familiar streets. The royal guards’ presence did not appear to be affecting daily life, as the streets were still bustling with activity as I once remembered.

  We quickly arrived at our destination out front of the Roaring Inn, where Micca didn’t waste any time dismounting, tying up her horse and heading inside like she owned the place. It was only a minute before the door burst open and out came Geo, looking around before his eyes landed on me.

  “Trev! How ya’ been, lad?” Geo stood there with a goofy smile on his face, arms wide. He looked like he had grown rounder since I last saw him—or perhaps I just didn’t remember well. Hastily tying up Sable before rushing over and giving my old mentor a hug.

  “I have so much to tell you!” I began when the door opened again, and Larry stepped out with a stern look on his face.

  “Should have known it’d be you coming to interrupt our dinner service.” But the stern appearance broke into a smile across the rough-looking man’s face.

  “It’s good to see you doing well,” he said, taking me in. “Very well, from the looks of it.”

  I just nodded. “So much has happened—I have so much to tell you…” I was interrupted by Hari, who stepped up and shook Larry’s hand.

  “Not outside, Trev. Larry, I don’t suppose we’d be able to book out your inn for the evening?” Hari asked.

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  “You mean the rooms? We have enough—” Larry began, but stopped when Hari shook his head.

  “No, for this one, I mean the whole inn. We’ll pay, of course.” Hari pulled out a few gold coins, and I watched Larry’s eyes go wide. I remembered how much the inn made: a few gold was more than even the busiest of nights.

  “Absolutely. I’ll give Janette the night off,” Larry said, turning around and pushing the door open. I caught sight of Micca chatting with another girl, who I presumed was Janette.

  “Janette, you can take the night off—we’re closing.” Larry shut the door before either girl could respond. “Now, your horses and wagon. Trev, you remember where the stables are. I wouldn’t trust anything valuable in your wagon, even with the royal guards patrolling.”

  Hari chuckled. “It’s fine—there’s nothing of note in that wagon yet.”

  I looked at Hari, outraged. Nothing of note? That was soon to be my alcohol and boar belly bacon.

  Hari must have seen my expression, because he coughed and amended quickly, “Nothing of note that we can’t bring inside, I’m sure.”

  Jen came up behind me, placing a hand on my shoulder. “We should see about visiting the others—see if they can come to the inn as well. I’m sure they’ll appreciate hearing your story.”

  Liane appeared nearby. “I’ll go with him.”

  Hari lowered his voice. “Fine. Just be careful. I’m sure they’re suspicious—that guy spent a long time looking at Crisplet. Jen, maybe you should go with them as well. Milo and I will get everyone sorted here in the meantime.”

  Larry and Geo both looked a mix of confused and concerned.

  “More trouble? It shouldn’t be the lord—he was taken to the capital after the auditor visit,” Larry said.

  Hari turned back to them. “Not sure if it’s trouble or not, but it’s not something we can talk about on the street.”

  Larry seemed to grasp the seriousness of the situation, while Geo still looked confused.

  “Right. I’ll help with the horses. Bring the wagon around the side!” Larry said, already directing Darren where to go.

  Hari turned to me. “Stay safe. Any sign of trouble, just get back to the inn and we’ll deal with it from there.”

  I knew a lot was going on, but I was still stunned at the news that the lord had been taken to the capital. How did no one blink an eye at that?

  But I didn’t want to stop everyone to ask, especially as Larry was already heading towards the wagon, Geo was wandering off towards the market talking about preparing a special dinner, and Jen’s hand on my shoulder was guiding me away.

  I would ask later.

  Turning around, I wondered who I would speak to first. Martin and Peter were the obvious choices, as I was sure they’d at least make an appearance at the inn, but I also wanted to visit the Matron to pay my respects for the start she had given me.

  Other than that, there wasn’t really anyone in the city I cared to catch up with.

  “We’ll go to the pavilion first, then the temple. I don’t think the Matron can step away from her duties, so it might be a longer visit there,” I said to Jen and Liane.

  Jen nodded, and we were on our way.

  It was a strange feeling walking through these streets again. It hadn’t been that long since I had left, but to me, it felt like an age had passed.

  No words were spoken on our trip there; I just took in the surroundings, eventually reaching the doors to the pavilion. I hesitated, taking a deep breath before entering.

  “Trevor?” a soft female voice said as I stepped inside.

  As my eyes adjusted, I recognised who spoke before it clicked. There stood Gemma, in a white robe.

  “Gemma?” I asked, almost out of reflex—I knew instantly it was her.

  “It’s been so long. Are you here for medical attention?” She asked softly before Jen and Liane entered behind me, causing her eyes to widen.

  “Oh! Sorry—greetings, adventurers. Do you require healing today?” She said quickly, bowing.

  I waved it off. “They’re with me, Gemma. And no, we don’t need healing today. I was hoping to speak with the Matron, but—how are you? How’s everything been?”

  I had so many questions for her.

  Gemma let out a soft chuckle. “I’m really well. I’m doing really well. But I can’t get the Matron if I’m answering questions. Is the Matron expecting you?”

  I realised I was getting ahead of myself. “No, she’s not expecting us. She knows me, though.”

  “Okay, I’ll go check.” Gemma slipped through the side door towards the Matron’s office.

  “Old friend of yours?” Liane asked once Gemma vanished.

  “She was in the orphanage with me—one of the eight of us who aged out at the same time,” I explained.

  “Ohh. Makes sense. This is a nice place to end up,” Liane said, nodding as she looked around.

  A moment later Gemma returned, followed by the Matron, who had a beaming smile on her face.

  “So good to see you again, Trevor. Please, come through to my office.” She gestured to the open door and seemed faintly surprised when Jen and Liane followed me, but said nothing.

  I waved to Gemma as we left the room. We headed down the familiar hall and into her office. I took a seat; Jen stood close by, while Liane sat on a reading chair by the window. The Matron entered last and took her seat behind the desk.

  “My apologies, Matron—these are my companions, Jen, Liane and Crisplet,” I said, gesturing as a burst of embers appeared from Jen’s brazier before Crisplet emerged from it.

  Her eyes widened at the sight of him.

  “I see a lot has changed since we last spoke,” she said with a smile as Crisplet came to my side.

  “You could say that.” I couldn’t help but smirk.

  “I know you are always very busy, but I don’t suppose you could spare some time this evening to visit the Roaring Inn for a bit of a catch-up?” I asked hopefully.

  There was a look of sorrow on her face. “I don’t know if I’ll be able to; we have several people here who are quite ill at the moment, but I would love to hear what has happened—and who your companions are.”

  “Oh yes! Sorry. I’m actually part of an adventurer group now, and these are my party members. Crisplet was originally from a skill of mine, but now he’s gone independent of that and is a bonded companion.” I gestured in kind as the others waved to her; Crisplet let out another burst of embers.

  “You didn’t reach Boltron then?” the Matron said with a soft chuckle.

  I winced at that. “I did, but… a lot happened there. It was attacked by the Tempest Dragon.”

  The Matron said nothing for a long while. “I see… maybe I should visit the inn tonight and catch up.”

  “I have some rolls here that might help your residents heal a little faster,” I said, pulling out five. “Or I can make you some stew before I leave in the next day or so.”

  She waved me off. “No need to trouble yourself. I will drop by just after sundown to hear your story, as it sounds like there is a lot to tell.”

  “Thank you, Matron. The inn’s been booked out, so just mention you know me and Larry will let you in.” I stood and bowed slightly. “I’ll save all my stories for tonight then. It was great to see Gemma as well.” Everyone got up from their seats.

  We didn’t hang around much longer. I caught Gemma in the entrance hall on the way out

  “Gemma, if you’re allowed to step away, you could come visit the Roaring Inn this evening? I believe the matron will come along. George and Darren are with me as well.” I asked,

  The Matron came behind Gemma, placing a hand on her shoulder. “We’ll drop by briefly, worry not.”

  I waved as we left, making our way outside. I set my sights on the temple.

  “Right, temple next,” I said as Crisplet went back to the brazier Jen was holding.

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