Next Level Requests

Back at the guild, we went up to Anna at the clerk’s desk, and I handed her the sealed letter.

“What’s this?” she mumbled, inspecting the seal. “The Vasquez family!? How’d you guys get ahold of this?”

“That graveyard quest. Apparently the Vasquez family owns the land it’s on, so we were working for him. He gave us this letter and said it’d let us do higher ranked requests,” I said. She opened the letter, skimming through it before replying.

“Man, good for you guys. That’s a pretty lucky break. Usually adventurers take about a year or so to build a reputation and get access to upper level requests. Then there’s the lucky few,” said Anna, closing the letter back.

“Just goes to show,” said Lucille, “people should look more closely at the requests posted, and who the requester is. Had anyone else taken it instead, they’d likely be here with this letter.”

“True enough,” said Anna. “I’m going to have to show this to the guildmaster. It’s actually guild policy to only let full parties of four or more to attempt high level requests, but this letter is from one of the guildmaster’s old party members...”

“Wait, what? The guildmaster was in a party with Rodrigue De Vasquez?” I asked incredulously.

“Yes, and that’s how they both attained their current positions. They were both quite famous a few decades ago,” said Anna.

“I figured he was born a noble,” said Sofia.

“While Reinfast is, Rodrigue is quite the self made man,” Lucille said. “After he retired, he used his fortune and connections to be appointed chancellor to King Zain, upon his coronation twenty years ago.”

“I guess that explains his intimidating aura,” I muttered.

“Ooh! I’ve got an idea for you guys!” Anna said excitedly. “You guys could use a healer in your party, couldn’t you?”

“We ARE sorely lacking in that department,” I said, looking back at my fellow party members. They both nodded in agreement.

“Then have I got the request for you!” she said pulling a request sheet from under the counter. “Dun-dun-dun-duh! A brand new one, just came in this morning. A request for bodyguards for a cleric’s pilgrimage!”

“How exactly does that help us?” I asked, confused.

“Clerics of the Church of Esther are required to go on a pilgrimage before they turn twenty,” Lucille said. “They have to aid people with their healing magic along their travels, and some take up adventuring as a convenient way to fulfill their pilgrimage.”

“So by accepting this request, we’ll essentially gain a capable party member?” I asked.

“Exactly!” Anna said, handing me the request sheet. I graciously took it.

“Thanks a bunch for your help, Anna.” I said.

“My pleasure. Not everyday a couple of rookies get endorsed by a former guild legend!” she said, waving us goodbye as she left to speak with the guildmaster.

“That worked out surprisingly well,” said Sofia.

“Yeah,” I said. “Let’s take a look at the request, shall we?”

Request: Bodyguards for a Pilgrimage *5 Requester: Church of Esther, Hearthvale Details: We need a few adventurers to act as bodyguards for one of our Clerics’ pilgrimage. The church will provide ample money to pay for Alice’s amenities over the course of the request, as well as a reward of 50 gold, paid up front upon arrival at the church.

“Hearthvale?” I asked, realizing I don’t know much about Gaia’s geography. All I knew was that this country was Regnica. I didn’t even know the name of the town we were in.

“Hearthvale is about a week’s travel on foot east of Regnus,” said Sofia. Presumably Regnus is the city we’re in.

“We should split up for some supplies, then.” I said.

“Agreed,” Lucille said. “I’ll handle provisions and camping equipment. Sofia, would you help Flynn get his sword appraised?”

“No problem,” she said, giving Lucille a thumbs up.