The Path Unmarked Vol. 3 [FanF]

As we neared the entrance to Gridania, a few of the lancers broke off from the group to confer with their counterparts standing guard. The Padjal conjurer pressed on into the town while one of the female hyur lancers took a moment to address Papalymo, Yda and I. To me, she pointed out another guard, a Roegadyn male, and instructed me to speak with him. Papalymo and Yda, on the other hand were asked to accompany her. The three of them walked on leaving me at the gate.



Before preceding, I surveyed my surroundings. From the direction of the conversations I overheard, it seemed there were of handful of adventurers, who like me were visiting Gridania today. "Adventurer" I said out loud and giggled a little at the context. I had never really thought of myself as an adventurer, and hearing it applied to me seemed so unfamiliar. At no point in my history would it have eluded to the path I was taking up now.

"I have a name" a towering rugged red-skinned Hellsguard Rogaedyn responded gruffly while sporting a bemused smile. He held out his hand in greeting... "Its Blindrage".



I was now startled out of my thoughts, as I clumsily brought forth my hand in greeting. I quietly I replied "uh... hello Blindrage." With that our hands dropped back down at our sides. I felt obligated to offer him an explanation. "Hey, I'm sorry about that, I was just thinking out loud.. I didn't mean to bother you, or to call you an Adventurer"



"Aye, but I am" he laughed. His tone then quieted and turned serious "...and I'm not sorry."

Great Job Katella! I thought to myself a little disgusted. I felt my face flush as the realization occurred to me that if he hadn't been insulted before, He likely was now.. "I didn't mean to insinuate there was anything wrong with being an adventurer... I'm one too.. I think" I offered as I looked around uncomfortably.

"You think eh?.. you don't sound convinced." He tilted his head and paused a moment before bending down towards me to quietly say... "You worry too much.. its all good."

His faced erupted into a welcoming smile. He fumbled a second with his satchel, and once successful, pulled from it a single red carnation. "Here.." he said, handing it to me "You can have this if you like... maybe you can find some use for it.... or you can just enjoy it too.." he stated. "I had been charged with a leve of collecting a complete bunch to deliver to B'konbalha at The Knot... I had miscounted and this was an extra..."

Relieved by his friendliness I bowed in thanks.

With a wave he smiled and said "Take care" as he jaunted off out of the gate.

"....Take care" I offered weakly as I went back over the whole odd exchange in my mind. I was lucky he was kind, it wouldn't have been the first time my mouth would have unintentionally got me in trouble.

I looked down to my hand. The red carnation was beautiful and its alluring aromatic smell wafted lightly around it. Carnations had always been my favorite since I was little. I remember once when Father had come back from one of his journeys, back when Mother was still pregnant with Ashlynna, that he had brought a bunch of them home for Mother, but also had singled out one flower each for my twin, Kaellen and I. That one had also been red in color. It was a nice memory to revisit. I carefully placed the carnation in my satchel with the bunch of lavender and the large odd white vine that I had found after running away from the Trent in the woods. It has been an amazing day.

I regrouped and spotted the Rogaedyn guard that I had originally been instructed to speak with. Working my way through the crowd I reached him just as he was offering to lead a few people to an adventurer's guild called Carline Canopy. He suggested that we find some time to speak to Mother Miounne once inside.

I would definitely need to make sure I did that. Hopefully she was as helpful as he had insinuated, as I knew I would need some direction to find my way around. I was exhausted, and the prospect of finding a real cot to sleep in held promise. As we entered Carline Canopy there was a wave of activity to behold as people bustled in and out the doors while still others sat deep in conversation.

The guard wished us the best and left us to our new surroundings. I spoke with a few patrons who were kind enough to point out a dark haired Elezen woman as being Miounne.

To be continued....