From Real to Realm

The conversation had turned somber after such a heartfelt apology. Val hadn’t been aware that Cyrus and his group felt that way. Apparently, it had been eating them up enough that they felt the need to apologize to her. However, Cyrus and his group had plans for the day, so after a few hugs and handshakes, they left.

“I didn’t realize they felt like what happened was partly their fault,” Val said, head in her hands.

Amarisse was straddling the side of the bench they were on, facing Val. “I can see where they’re coming from. They took you under their wing, but didn’t make sure you were truly ready. Kinda showed you the ropes and released you in the wild essentially.”

Siira was sitting across the table from them. “I don’t know all the details, but I can tell they value their friendship with you.”

Val finally looked up, smiling. “I value it just as much, if not more.”

Amarisse looked to Siira. “Any recommendations on an escort job? Any bad eggs we should look out for?”

Siira tapped her chin. “There aren’t really any ‘bad eggs’. The guild is very thorough about addressing problems promptly. Doesn’t mean there aren’t groups that tend to be too risky, though.”

“Who would you suggest?” Val asked.

“Well, it depends on what is available right now,” Siira said, standing up. “You need to consider a few more things as well. How long you’re willing to travel, what ranking the escort asks for, etcetera.”

Val and Amarisse stood as well.

“Well, let’s go take a look at the request board,” Amarisse suggested.

Siira, Amarisse, and Val left the training grounds together, making their way around the east wing. After weaving their way through the courtyard and into the guild lobby, they were standing in front of the request board.

“Alright,” Siira said, pointing. “This smaller side is specifically for escort requests.”

The escort request section of the board was roughly a third the size of the entire board.

Siira continued her explanation. “Companies aren’t the only ones who request escorts. Nobles, travelers, and archivists could also request one. You could be escorting someone to a different town, or covering an archivist while they search for a plant.”

“The requests look pretty simple to understand, too,” Val said, pointing toward one on the bottom. “The layout of the request sheets gives you everything you need to know.”

Siira nodded. “If someone makes a habit of not telling the guild the whole truth about their request, they can be banned from making future requests. It stands to reason most people within the city would rather not risk that.”

She turned around, looking over the papers attached to the board. After a few seconds of perusing, she turned back around.

“Did you want it just to be the two of you? Or would you be open to grouping up with others?”

Amarisse shrugged, looking to Val. “I honestly don’t care. You?”

“Honestly, grouping up with others is probably better,” Val said, stepping up next to Siira. “We don’t know much about escort requests.”

“I agree,” Siira said. “You both are still level one and only Bronze 5th Class. Very unlikely they’d let just the two of you do one on your own.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Amarisse said, then she crossed her arms. “Just not anything babysitting an archivist while they look for something. I want to be moving around, maybe something heading to another town nearby?”

Val turned back around just as Siira started looking at the requests.

Siira pulled a request paper down. “This one.”

The paper itself was well kept, straight without any wrinkling. A small filigreed border outlined the request itself on the page.

Siira handed them the paper. “This is a very common request.”

Val and Amarisse started reading it over together.

Needed: Armed Escort

The Gilded Concord seeks five badged adventurers to escort a routine supply caravan to Edmur, stand guard during overnight exchange, and return with Edmur’s outbound goods.

This escort will follow the main trade road. Incidents are not expected, but never impossible. The anticipated duration is five days. Two days’ travel both ways with an overnight stay in Edmur.

Pay is 1 Crown per day, with 3 Crowns upon safe return with wagons and their cargo intact. Hazard pay assessed on return.

Additional details available through Guild Representatives.

When Val finished reading, she turned to the other girls. “Who’s ‘The Gilded Concord’?”

Siira raised an eyebrow. “They’re a council of sorts, I guess. They keep an eye on everything related to the markets. I wouldn’t know all the details, but a lot of escort requests come from them.”

“So, someone we can trust for our first escort quest?” Amarisse asked, smiling from Siira to Val.

Siira nodded. “Absolutely.”

Val rolled the request up. “Well, let’s go sign up. Hopefully, they haven’t filled the slots yet.”

Together, with Siira guiding them, they made their way to a different room. It wasn’t far from the one recruits would sign up as adventurers at. However, the little office area was much different.

Inside the room, there was a counter that stretched from wall to wall with a small door on the right side. Behind the counter stood two guild representatives. Behind them were multiple desks with other employees working. On the far side of the room was a window leading back into the lobby. Val couldn’t tell who was standing there, but they were talking with an employee who was writing.

“May I help you?” Asked the man on the right.

Siira stepped to the side, allowing Val and Amarisse to walk forward.

Val set the paper down. “We’d like to sign up for this escort request.”

The man picked up the paper and started reading it. “Ah, I believe we were waiting for two more to sign up. One moment while I check.”

He turned around and walked deeper into the room. About halfway through, he stopped behind another employee sitting at a desk. Due to the hum of activity, Val couldn’t hear anything they said.

A few minutes later he returned. “We have two slots available. What are your current ranks?”

“Both of us are Bronze 5th Class,” Amarisse said, stepping next to Val. “Hopefully, we aren’t too low?”

He read over the second page he brought with him. “You lucked out; higher-ranked members filled the other three spots. The Concord doesn’t mind low ranks, but they asked for at least one higher than Bronze this time.”

Val tilted her head. “Is it common for them to ask that?”

He tilted his head side to side. “It depends on what the escort is exactly. Sometimes they don’t care who accepts it, but this is a pretty routine escort. They want someone with more time under their belt to lead it.”

“What are the other ranks?” Amarisse asked, trying to peek over the tip of the paper.

He raised an eyebrow at her. “We have an Iron 3rd Class—they’ll be leading the caravan. An Iron 5th class, Bronze 2nd Class, and then we have the two of you.”

Siira stepped up. “An Iron 3rd class is only one below myself. With two Iron Classes, I don’t see any reason you should struggle at all. The two of you can handle your own as well.”

“So you’re still taking the job?” asked the guild rep.

“Yes, absolutely,” Val replied, turning back around.

“Alright, I’ll need you both to sign the bottom of this form.”

It was the paper Amarisse was trying to peer at a moment ago. On the page were general disclaimers about the risk associated with such a quest, what was expected of them, and then there were lines for them to sign on. Three names were already inked on the page.

After they both were done signing, the man rolled the paper up and tied a ribbon around it. “Alright, I will let the Concord know every spot has been filled. Check in tomorrow morning, I am sure they will be ready for you by then.”

With that handled, the three of them headed back into the main lobby.

“We need to check in with Stormveil,” Val said. “To let them know we’ll be gone for at least five days, if not more.”

“I would suggest telling them a week,” Siira suggested. “That gives you an additional two-day buffer. Give the basic info about the escort, and they’ll be able to fill in the blanks.”

“That’s a good idea. The more transparent we are, the better our reputation with them, right?” Amarisse asked.

Siira nodded. “Exactly. If you keep a good reputation with Stormveil, it could open up more options with other chapters in the future as well.”

The three of them made their way back into the main lobby.

“I’m heading back to my chapter hall,” Siira said, motioning over her shoulder. “If I don’t see you two before you head out, good luck and be careful.”

After saying their goodbyes, Val and Amarisse started walking through the lobby toward Stormveil’s chapter hall. They looked for the familiar crest from before. Once they found the right set of double doors, they pushed through.

It was just as chaotic as before. Multiple sets of conversations were happening throughout the room while people moved back and forth.

“Well, look who it is,” said Tamsin as she walked over. “Val and… Amarisse?”

“Yep, that’s us,” Val said, smiling.

Tamsin grinned. “What brings you by? Changed your mind about joining up?”

Amarisse shook her head. “Actually, we just finished signing up for an escort quest to Edmur.”

Tamsin’s smile faded only slightly. “So you’re going to be gone for a bit.”

“Right,” Val said. “It was recommended to us that we should let your chapter know. So you didn’t need to worry about finding us for a delve.”

Tamsin nodded. “Whoever suggested that was right. Nothing sucks more than trying to find someone for a delve, and they’re gone for some reason.” She crossed her arms. “How long will you be gone?”

“The escort says five days, but we figured a two-day buffer wouldn’t hurt,” Val said, looking around some. “I don’t see why it would take more than five, but I also don’t know what we could run into out there.”

Tamsin thought for a few seconds, then nodded. “Seven days sounds good. It gives us some more time to set up a low-level delve with you two included. Do us a favor and drop by when you get back?”

“Sure thing,” Amarisse said. “We probably wouldn’t mind a day off in between, but we’ll make sure to let you know.”

Tamsin gave them a thumbs up. “Good. Be careful with your escort and good luck.”

With that handled, the two of them left The Veilhold.

“Alright, I guess we should head home and prepare?” Val asked.

Amarisse chuckled, shrugging. “No clue. I’ve never done this, but traveling means we probably should bring a few sets of clothes.”

Val nodded. “I guess we can try packing as best we can. Hopefully, meals are covered along the way, too.”

Amarisse’s ears perked up. “I didn’t even think of that. Maybe we should bring some dried food too. Just in case.”

Val giggled. “Might be a good idea. I’ll see you bright and early.”

Amarisse nodded, ears bouncing. “Onto the next step of our careers, right?”

“Right.”

Now it was time for Val to head home. Lynesia had no clue Val was going to be gone for at least five days.

Five whole days without her?

Val gulped, imagining what she’d be missing out on.

No cuddling, no kisses, no sex. Damn, this is going to be tough.

On the walk home, Val went over the things she’d need for the escort. Obviously, her weapon and armor, a few changes of clothes, and some dried food.

“What else?”

Val couldn’t think of anything else to bring with her. It was driving her crazy, though.

“I swear I’m forgetting something,” she said as she pushed her door open.

“What are you forgetting?” Lynesia asked from where she was sitting on the couch. “Everything alright?”

Val smiled the moment she saw her. “Just making a mental note for my quest.”

Lynesia sat up straighter. “What kind of quest?”

After leaning her halberd against the wall, she replied. “I’ve accepted an escort quest for the guild. Nothing as dangerous as the dungeon, but still good experience.”

Lynesia got up. “How long will you be gone?”

Val sighed. “Five days, at least.”

Lynesia didn’t say anything at first, then she finally spoke up. “Why don’t we talk about it during a bath. You look filthy.”

Val smiled. “I’d love to bathe with you.”

Lynesia rolled her eyes as she grabbed Val’s hand to lead her down the hall.

After taking the time to strip together, which was delayed by a few lingering hands, they both were in the tub. Val was against the back wall of the tub, with Lynesia sitting between her legs, facing away from her.

“So, what were you forgetting?” Lynesia asked, running some water over her head.

Val shrugged. “I don’t really know. I was trying to list off the things I’d need for a five-day escort along the road.”

“What do you have so far?”

Val started checking things off with her fingers. “Weapons and armor for one. A few changes of clothes, definitely socks for sure. Some dried food as well, for the times when we can’t have a full meal. That’s about it.”

Lynesia giggled. “Should probably get a cloak too. Could help if it rains and could keep you warm. What about something to sleep on? Are they providing beds?”

Val deflated slightly. “I have no clue. Probably wouldn’t hurt to buy a cloak and bedroll in the morning then.”

“That’s a good idea. Do you have something to store water?”

Val nodded. “I do. I bought a water skin for training this past week.”

Lynesia tapped her chin. “I’m no adventurer, so that’s about all I can think of.”

Val started kissing Lynesia’s neck. “Thank you, Lyn. I appreciate the help.”

Lynesia leaned back a little, obviously enjoying the attention. “Anything for you, love.”

“I can’t get over how beautiful you are,” Val said, still kissing the side of Lynesia’s neck. “I could never tire of seeing you naked.”

Lynesia, for her part, was trying to focus. “You’re such a smooth talker. Are you worried about being gone for five days?”

Val stopped kissing. “Not necessarily worried, more like bummed out.”

Lynesia smiled, taking Val’s hand and kissing it. “I feel the same way.” Then she shifted onto Val’s lap, slowly moving her hips. “How could I possibly go five days without this?”

Val inhaled the moment her length was enveloped between Lynesia’s thighs. The rocking of her hips only spurred her on even more.

Val tried to control her breathing. “Five days without this… will be torture…”

Lynesia continued grinding. “Torture indeed. I wonder how pent up you’ll be when you return.”

Val bit her lip, trying to keep quiet and not fall apart.

“Will you come to home ravage me? Fill me up over and over?” Lynesia’s hips kept rocking back and forth. “Maybe I should buy a fertility potion. Or maybe I should let you guess if I take one or not?”

Val’s hands finally snaked around to grope Lynesia’s chest. “If you want one last fuck before I go, then you’re getting it.”

Lynesia turned to look at Val, eyes glinting with mischief. “Good.”

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