Hunt Race

The morning crowd moved steadily through the Guild as Darius led Kael across the courtyard.

Hunters passed in both directions, some returning from early patrols while others hurried toward the gates with fresh commissions tucked beneath their arms. Guild staff carried stacks of ledgers from one building to another, weaving effortlessly through the flow of people.

Unlike the lively dining hall, the building ahead carried a quieter atmosphere.

Its wide stone walls bore the marks of age, and the large wooden doors had been polished smooth by countless hands over the years. Hunters entered with reports, requests, and questions, only to leave moments later before another took their place.

Darius pushed one of the doors open.

"Come."

Kael followed him inside.

The hall was larger than he expected.

Rows of sturdy wooden counters stretched across the room, each attended by guild clerks who worked with practiced efficiency. Pens scratched steadily across parchment while seals were pressed into wax, and shelves overflowing with neatly arranged records covered the walls from floor to ceiling.

There was no shouting.

No unnecessary movement.

Everyone seemed to know exactly what they were doing.

Kael found himself slowing his pace, quietly taking everything in.

"This way."

Darius's voice pulled his attention back.

He followed the captain toward one of the quieter counters near the far end of the hall.

An elderly clerk looked up from the ledger he had been writing in. His sharp eyes settled on Darius before drifting toward Kael.

"Back already?"

"The expedition returned yesterday."

The old man nodded as though that explained everything.

His gaze returned to Kael.

"A recruit?"

Darius gave a single nod.

"He'll be registering today."

The clerk closed the ledger in front of him and reached beneath the counter, producing a fresh sheet of parchment along with a small bottle of ink.

"Step forward."

Kael did.

The old man dipped the tip of his pen into the ink before looking up.

"Name."

"Kael."

The pen moved across the parchment.

"Family name?"

Kael answered.

"Age?"

"Seventeen."

The clerk continued writing without pause.

"Place of birth?"

Kael gave the name of his village.

One question followed another.

Each answer found its place on the parchment until the clerk finally set his pen aside.

He read over the page once, making a small correction before giving a satisfied nod.

"Everything appears to be in order."

Opening a drawer beneath the counter, he removed a small bronze-colored badge no larger than the palm of a hand.

It was smooth around the edges, with an unfamiliar crest engraved at its center.

The old man placed it carefully on the counter.

"This identifies you as a registered hunter of this Guild."

Kael picked it up carefully.

The metal felt heavier than it looked.

He turned it over in his hand, studying the crest engraved into its surface.

"This badge should remain with you at all times," the clerk continued. "You'll need it to accept commissions, receive payments, and identify yourself whenever Guild business is involved."

Kael nodded.

"I understand."

The old man's expression softened ever so slightly.

"See that you don't lose it."

"I won't."

Beside him, Darius folded his arms.

"Congratulations."

Kael looked up.

"You're officially a hunter now."

For a brief moment, Kael simply stared at the badge resting in his palm.

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