Priscilla endured questions about Asha, answering them the best she could while hiding the fact the artifact was sentient. While there was a part of Priscilla that debated momentarily if she should reveal that, she dismissed the notion. It wasn't Priscilla's secret to share and she wouldn't betray Asha by putting the artifact on the spot. A pulse of appreciation went through their bond and it solidified Priscilla's resolve.

One day she would introduce her artifact to her friends, but that day was not today.

Illnyea seemed content when she eventually sat back while Sulaiman had a flinty look in his eyes that promised hours of interrogation if he was left unchecked. Even though Priscilla was feeling better after hearing that Kavil and Illnyea forgave her for her lie of omission, she didn't think she had the emotional bandwidth to let discuss this to the lengths Sulaiman wanted to.

So before said interrogation could continue, Priscilla clapped her hands during a lull in conversation and asked, "Is anyone up to going into the city proper?"

"Sure," Kavil said, casually leaning forward with a half-smile that lightened Priscilla's heart after her nightmares had been plagued by his hurt expression from yesterday. "What would you want to do?"

"We have to return the enchanted gear to Arnold," Priscilla rattled off as she raised a finger, "see about fixing up my bat, get Illnyea a new sword, check out the preparations for the harvest festival, and I'd like to swing by the adventurer's guild and look into getting official membership for you and I."

Sulaiman muttered, "What aren't we doing?"

"Do we really need to get memberships?" Kavil asked. "Frean's journal didn't mention much about the guild in his journal as he and his companions didn't really visit them much."

His head was tilted, his nose scrunched up in adorable confusion.

No, bad Priscilla, don't infantilize him.

Think something more like… uh, charming confusion? Pleasing confusion? Aesthetic confusion?

None of those sounded right – she'd have to workshop it later.

Sulaiman sighed, crossing his arms. "Remember how we turned in bounties? If I didn't have a membership, we only would have been paid half because of their pedantic rules about the difference between mercenary and adventurers."

"They kind of have a rivalry with mercenaries," Illnyea said, leaning forward with the sly little smile one had when sharing gossip, "as they think they're better than them because they aren't contract killers. The guild will do nearly anything to make a mercenary's life more inconvenient, like paying half bounties."

One of Kavil's eyebrows arched as the other flattened as he seemed to grow more confused. "But don't both groups kill things?"

Sulaiman snorted.

"Fair point," he said, a hint of a smile at the corner of his lips. "But the main difference you should understand between adventurers and mercenaries is their purpose. Adventurers deal primarily with monsters, natural disasters, and the like, but their core tenets are built upon the idea that they will be held accountable by their organization and the people they serve.

"Mercenaries on the other hand," Sulaiman said, his gaze going a little cooler, "have no such limitations. They are only bound by money and their word – and sometimes, not even that is enough if betrayal pays so much better. Anyone can become a mercenary if they find a troop willing to take them in."

"It's not that too hard to become an adventurer if you have someone to vouch for you," Illnyea added. "All that's required to keep it is to do a minimum number of quests or bounties a year, like five or so, and don't break any of the guild rules."

"And what are the rules?" Kavil asked, then added quickly, "Not that I think I'll be breaking any, I'm just curious."

"There's three big ones," Illnyea said, her eyes shining with excitement. "Don't pillage, rape, or murder; respect local laws; and when you're called upon to protect the city, you must report for duty without fail."

"We can get into the nitty gritty about what it means to be an adventurer while we're traveling," Priscilla said, cutting in neatly before another question could be asked. "We're burning daylight here."

Mr. Ordan was more than happy to arrange transportation for them, bustling about surprisingly quickly for an old man and preparing a carriage within five minutes. While he initially waved off Priscilla's invitation to come with them, Illnyea perked up.

"Mom and dad aren't going to be home today, Mr. Ordan," Illnyea said, a stubborn gleam entering her eye as she drew herself to her full height, which was just shorter than Priscilla, "so come with us and relax. You can do your own thing, but there's no reason to stay cooped up in an empty house all day."

Priscilla gave Mr. Ordan her best pleading expression and the man broke, sighing, "Well, if you insist so…"

As they opened up the door to leave, they were greeted with a strange sight.

Perry had somehow found himself a leather carryall and he was napping atop it, enjoying the sun's rays. When the door opened, he lifted his head, blinking sleepily as he stood and stretched in a strangely cat-like manner for a platypus.

Perry did a whole body shake before clacking decisively at Illnyea, his beady eyes insistent.

"I think Perry wants to come with us," Priscilla said, amused with the little eldritch beast.

"Do you want me to carry you?" Illnyea asked, kneeling next to Perry. If Priscilla didn't know Perry was far more than what he appeared, it would be funny how seriously Illnyea spoke to the platypus.

Perry let out two sharp clacks before he nosed at the edge of the bag. Illnyea chuckled and she helped Perry situate himself comfortably into the bag.

Mr. Ordan opened his mouth and then closed it as he watched Illnyea situate the leather carryall across her shoulders so Perry rested against her hip.

"We should add finding platypus food to our list of errands," Priscilla said to the butler and earned a brief flabbergasted expression that made her smile.

"What does one feed a 'platypus?'" Mr. Ordan muttered to himself as he stepped into the carriage.

Illnyea kept up a steady babble about the adventuring guild as they squeezed into the carriage with Sulaiman interjecting occasionally and Kavil soaked up everything that was said like a sponge. Priscilla listened to it with half an ear, as she already knew most of what was being explained, and passed the time by keeping an eye on the city.

Meadowyar was certainly living up to the name of "City of Flowers" as it prepared for their annual harvest festival. It was quite the event, evolving far from a simple harvest festival as it became a hotbed for merchants from the surrounding countries to gather and show off their wares and make a killing. Stalls were being built alongside the main pathway in the merchant district, half-finished signs advertising rare objects from afar and promising great deals. Flowers were involved with almost every piece of decoration Priscilla saw, blooming ivy twining around the legs of a stall that looked like it was some variant of a ring toss, peonies hand painted onto a sign for a pop-up tea shop, a metal hammered into a rose in front of the blacksmith.

Priscilla couldn't wait to actually walk around the markets when the festival was in full swing, her knee bouncing with nervous energy as she pictured it. Illnyea would want to go, and Kavil too, though Sulaiman might be a harder sell because he didn't like people, Priscilla was sure they could break down his resolve with some well placed taunts and tactically deployed puppy-dog eyes.

They arrived at Arnold's, the stylized A sextant catching the eye as it glinted in the sun. The shop was somehow more chaotic and messy than last time, every free space on the wall covered with various sketches of products. Many of the products had 'SOLD OUT' scrawled across it in red ink. The glass cabinet that served as the front desk was empty, little signs resting where products used to be, stating, "YOU SNOOZED, YOU LOSED."

A bell chimed as they entered and there was a loud groan and the sound of something being placed down forcefully.

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"I won't enchant your sign to yell at passerbys, Lyall, because I refuse to explain to the –" Arnold came to an abrupt stop as he came out of the back room, the outrage fading from his countenance. He was in the midst of taking off a pair of gloves and his goggles were pushed askew on his forehead, a line of soot smeared above his eyebrows.

"It's you," Arnold said, glancing over everyone. His eyes lit up when he saw the items held in Mr. Ordan's hand. "And you brought back my babies."

"Nice to see you care about our survival," Priscilla said with a laugh, leaning against the front counter.

Arnold waved his hand dismissively before taking a saddle, spreading it onto the counter to examine it.

"Hans would have been bothering me with all his wallowing if you had gotten hurt," Arnold said, running his finger over the leather as he motioned for everything else to be placed up there. "The man's got a whole aura of sadness about him when he's upset."

Mr. Ordan's cheeks colored as he said, "I would not have been wallowing."

Arnold snorted, green eyes darkly amused. "Alright, you would have been blubbering and sobbing because your soft little heart couldn't take the guilt of letting 'two promising young ladies' die on your watch."

Mr. Ordan fixed the man with a glare, breathing sharply through his nose. Priscilla was touched at how obviously right Arnold was, and resolved to get Mr. Ordan something nice at the harvest festival to show her appreciation for all the butler had done for her.

Arnold chuckled as he ignored Mr. Ordan's glare, glancing over everything that had been laid before him one last time, running a finger over the stirrups before nodding sharply.

"Looks like everything's still in one piece," Arnold said, tucking the saddle into a box by the counter before leaning forward on his elbows. "What ill advised location are you visiting next and what will you need from me?"

Priscilla blinked at the sudden topic and then blinked more in surprise as Illnyea, Sulaiman, and Kavil turned to her, the same question in their eyes. She wasn't sure why they were –

Ah…

As Priscilla considered everything they had been through so far, she could see how from a certain view that people would look to her as a leader. She had been the driving force behind their adventures so far, rescuing Kavil and Illnyea, and knew the most about the cult and their plans.

The title of leader wasn't something that Priscilla was comfortable with, the expectation falling unexpectedly heavy upon her psyche. This was the position that Illnyea was supposed to hold – and something twisted in Priscilla's stomach at the thought she was stealing it from Illnyea, never allowing the girl the opportunity to prove herself and rise to the challenge.

Still, when her friends looked at her like she might have the answer, Illnyea's own eyes shining with expectation, Priscilla wanted nothing more than to live up to it.

"I wanted to enjoy the harvest festival first," Priscilla said casually, carefully noting each of her party's reactions, "but after that, I was thinking we might head up north and visit the capital."

Kavil and Illnyea both perked up, with Illnyea's eyes going wide and an anticipatory smile stretching across her face and Kavil's eyes gained a speculative gleam, like he was already picturing the herbs he could find in the capital's markets.

Sulaiman was the odd duck out, as he just stilled, face free of expression as his gaze fixed onto the empty glass cabinet in front of him.

"Are you going to be participating in the Equinarial Tournament?" Arnold asked.

Priscilla snorted, waving her hand as if she could shoo the idea away. "No way – I don't even know how to use a sword and I'd rather not have only my fists to use against foes in armor. I'm not interested in play-acting for the crown."

It was the events around the Equinarial Tournament that Priscilla was interested in.

If she played her cards right, she just might be able to prevent an assassination that's supposed to be the very first domino flicked over that led to a war starting several years later. It was an assassination that Illnyea only saw the aftermath of, so Priscilla only knew who the victim was and when the assassination occurred. The cult was behind it, but she didn't know which one of the cult leader's lackeys had gotten involved.

She'd have to put in a lot of elbow grease and take chances to save the young duchess, but a happier future was worth the extra effort.

"Equinarial tournament?" Kavil repeated, eyebrows drawing together as more terms he was unfamiliar with were bandied about casually.

Arnold eyed the boy but decided he would deign to explain himself, settling onto his elbows as he leaned forward. Priscilla suspected the man might be using their presence as an excuse to procrastinate whatever he was working on.

"It's a tournament held over the three days leading up to the winter equinox," Arnold said, "with the big finale happening on the day of. It's been going on for three or four centuries, I can't remember off the top of my head, and all you need to know is that it's old as shit and people put a lot of importance on who wins it."

Priscilla snorted at how elegantly Arnold put it.

"Every participant has to pick a hero from history," Illnyea cut in, her enthusiasm not at all diminished by Arnold's words, "and they embody them for the entirety of the tournament. They dress up in special armor and you can only refer to them with the hero's name so everyone can stay anonymous. The winner gets an audience with whichever royal is hosting the tournament and they get to ask a boon from them."

A complicated expression flashed over Kavil's face but Illnyea barreled on, her gaze distant like she was already imagining it.

"My birthday is the day after the equinox," Illnyea said, her smile growing wider, "so if we leave Meadowyar early enough, we might even get to celebrate both my birthday and me winning the tournament as the great Brixiron Keyyra."

Priscilla's lips twitched into a smile as Illnyea chose the same hero she had chosen to fight as in the original story. Brixiron Keyyra was a woman who was most well known for defeating a necro-dragon who had broken free of a necromancer's control. The necro-dragon ate its former master before cutting a swatch of death across the Pliylan countryside, leaving scorched, ruined earth behind it as it headed unerringly for the largest population center. Brixiron had been one of the few swordswomen who had been able to resist the necrodragon's death aura and she had leapt off a castle to jump onto the flying beast's back and destroy its core.

"If you do, I'll be sure to cheer from the sidelines," Priscilla said. "We can make a sign and everything."

Illnyea smiled before glancing at Sulaiman, who still quietly had his hands tucked behind his back.

"Would you want to fight too, Sul?" Illnyea asked, her tone light without a hint of pressure. "You're far better than me, so you'd probably have a better chance of winning – though I won't hate it if you join my cheering squad and make things easier for me." She winked at the end, tilting her head in just a hint of a challenge.

Sulaiman's mouth parted before firming in indecision.

"I'll think about it," was what Sulaiman finally said.

"How large of a boon can you ask for if you win?" Kavil asked, tapping his chin in thought.

"Most pick gold or employment," Illnyea said with a shrug, "but some second sons have earned themselves minor noble titles."

Arnold shook his head, tutting.

"You think too small," Arnold said, eyeing Illnyea in disapproval. "If one of you sorry suckers manage to win, you ought to ask for the stars in the sky."

Illnyea laughed easily, baring her teeth in a competitive smile.

"I'll be sure to do so," Illnyea promised.

There wasn't anything they actually needed from Arnold at the moment, so they milled about the shop while giving Mr. Ordan and Arnold a chance to catch up. The two men seemed to have known each other for a long time based on the way they held themselves casually with no pretense, and Mr. Ordan relaxed from his usual demeanor.

But eventually, they had to leave as there were one hundred and three things to get done today.

Priscilla was at the back of the pack as they filed out.

"Hey kid."

Arnold's voice lacked the usual bite but there was something within his voice that had Priscilla turning back towards the enchanter as the door fell closed in front of her.

"Yeah, old man?" Priscilla replied.

Arnold's lips twitched but his countenance was serious as he crossed his arms across his chest.

"You best be careful with that friend of yours," Arnold said, jerking his head over Priscilla's shoulder. Before Priscilla could ask who, Arnold said, "The Muloian."

Priscilla immediately stiffened, outrage building within her chest as her opinion of Arnold began to immediately sour. It was an unpleasant surprise as she had thought Arnold was smart enough to know better, but Priscilla refused to associate with anyone who thought less of Sulaiman because of who his ancestors were.

Arnold held up a hand placating at whatever expression was building on Priscilla's face.

"I don't care that he's a Muloian," Arnold said, sounding irritated, "I just don't know the kid's name."

The tension in Priscilla didn't leave completely, but she forcibly relaxed her posture. Her hand drifted to where her knife usually sat on her belt, and Priscilla wasn't sure what to do with the realization her body was ready to stab Arnold if he said anything negative against Sulaiman.

"Why do I have to be careful then?" Priscilla asked, crossing her own arms and glaring at the enchanter.

Arnold sighed and ran a hand through his hair, taking off his goggles.

"There's been rumors going around," Arnold said, "about a gang of Muloians in the south attacking merchants and travelers, stealing all their belongings and leaving nothing but ash behind. I barely leave my workshop and the rumors has reached my ears, so all of Meadowyar has probably heard about it. I just wanted to warn you to keep watch on your friend of yours because there's plenty of stupid people who have less self-control than a gerbil with greens."

Priscilla frowned while she absorbed that information. She searched her memory for any plotlines that had involved Muloian bandits or raiders. None came to mind, as the second rebellion wasn't set to occur for several years now, but maybe this was a precursor she simply wasn't aware about.

"Thanks for letting me know," Priscilla said slowly. "I'll make sure to keep Sulaiman safe."

Even if it meant Priscilla would have to actually learn how to wield a sword, she refused to let ignorant fuckwads hurt Sulaiman. She'd start wearing her dagger more regularly and would have to practice so she would only hurt the people she intended to maim.

Arnold smirked, as if he expected that response. "Go enjoy the rest of your day, kid."

Priscilla rolled her eyes. "I will, old man."

"I'm not that old," Arnold protested and Priscilla ignored him, pushing the door open to join her friends.

Sulaiman was in the midst of raising one skeptical eyebrow at whatever Illnyea was trying to convince him of, and Kavil seemed to be egging her on with a sly grin. Sulaiman met Priscilla's eyes over Illnyea's head, tilting his head at the other two with a, "Can you believe the shit they're spewing?" expression.

She grinned, joining the conversation by slinging her arm over Kavil's shoulder. Priscilla would tell her friends about the rumors later, but for now, she wanted them to enjoy today.

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