Book I — Chapter 5: A Rhapsody, An Aria

Written by: Fern & Jake

As dawn glistens across the top of their tent, Rui lets out a yawn before kicking off her blanket. Haruno, who had already been awake, is scribbling some notes.

“Your journal is getting more of a workout than us this trip.” Rui snorts.

Haruno slips a smile, but responds calmly, “If not for my own gain, then at least the guild will have updated records on some of our findings while we were here.”

Before long, the entrance flap opens, “Sorry for the wait, girls, grab your gear and let's make for Parali.” Crea says from beyond the opening, her armor reflecting a stray beam of light.

The three take up their bags and meet the trail home. While mostly uneventful, the duo regale Crea with their experiences in the Great Forest.

“You’re telling me that you met the ‘Forest Witch’? I was told she’s not fond of visitors. Not to mention the forest beyond the shrine is dangerous.”

“She captured humans!” Rui shouted, and Haruno immediately corrected her, “Not like that. They walked right into her net; it was barely covered.”

“You can add the events and the clarifying context into the post-action report once we get home.” Crea notes. “I hope you’ve learned more than to just wander around and tell stories on our journey here.”

“I always thought adventuring was about glory and greatness. We didn’t really do that this time, just deliver a package and talk with the locals.” Rui admitted.

“The true glory is in serving the people. Sometimes it is in slaying monsters, other times, it is in providing for those in need. Don’t let fame and battle blind you from your true purpose. We are adventurers, not soldiers.” Crea responds.

Upon reaching the walls of Parali city once more, the three return to the training grounds, where the rest of the students have already resumed their training under Urase. Shortly after conversing with the other two mentors, Crea gathers the trainees together.

“Students. I appreciate your patience in waiting for our return.” Crea starts.

“I am proud to inform you all that everyone has passed this examination. While the methods may have varied, this journey was meant to teach you something important about adventuring. That there are many aspects to the profession and the life you have chosen. I can’t say it will be everything you’ve ever dreamed of, but I can say for certain that you each have the capabilities to make a fine adventurer.” She pauses, letting the words soak in to her audience.

“That means we will begin with the final aspects of your training. From now on, training will ramp up, so be ready for the most grueling months of your pre-adventurer lives.

Everyone is dismissed. Meet here tomorrow at the usual time.”

As the trainees disperse, Crea takes her leave for her office, ready to rest after a long journey. A strange sound rouses her from the almost therapeutic action of taking off her armor, alerting her to a bird pecking at her window. A raven with a blue ribbon. She opens the window, letting the bird in. It finds a perch to watch her from, cawing as she returns to doffing her armor.

“You’re just going to have to wait. I'm sure the Keeper told you what you’re here for, but it’s not here. I have to retrieve it from the archives.”

It caws once more and assumes a comfortable position as it watches her.

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A few days later, deep within the Great Forest, upon the branches of the witch’s treehouse, caws a raven with a blue ribbon.

“One moment, I heard you the first time,” calls out a voice from within.

The raven continues to caw at regular intervals until Maira steps out, mildly annoyed at the disturbance. She extracts a letter from the raven’s talons, and it looks at her curiously, cawing once more as her attention is drawn to the page.

“All right, all right. Here you go.” She says, grabbing a small pouch of seeds from her robe and placing it on the railing. The raven immediately turns its attention to the bag and begins pecking at the seeds, content in a job well done.

I write this knowing that in acting without the proper approval, I risk endangering my own name and the name of the guild. I implore you not to share this with those that need not know.

I have copied onto these pages the fruits of Parali’s research into Matsuri’s condition and the results of our efforts. I am not an expert, so I cannot ensure the veracity of these documents, but I assume whoever ends up with them will be able to piece together the relevant information.

I refuse to let Solena and Matsuri’s suffering go in vain, and in extending this act of trust, I simply ask that you do whatever you can to give Matsuri the life she deserves. 

I have held to our deal, and I expect you to as well. If I find that you have taken advantage of her, I swear by my honor, there is nothing in this land that will stop me.

— Crea

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“And so, the journey of the Parali envoy to the Mahucrin village came to its close.

The two fledglings returned to their training and would soon sow the legends they once dreamed of. Of battle. Of valor. Of triumph. And would learn one of Crea’s greatest lessons: that greatness comes with a cost.

The witch was able to fashion a unique potion after several disastrous failures. A once-in-a-lifetime potion, specifically tailored to Matsuri’s affliction. And as she healed, her heart yearned to see the world. Joined by her friend, the wild child Kemuri, they sought new horizons and new adventures.

And that is what brought them back to the witch’s house, where I awaited their arrival. For their tales had just begun, and I, just a teller.”