Ban’s alarmed gaze shot to me.
Callum, however, started to laugh. “You wouldn’t get far. You’d take three steps and trip.”
“Rude.”
With no destination in mind, I veered down a street with shops on both sides. People strolled past us, greeting me with a nod or smile, which I returned. Restaurants buzzed with activity as the dinner crowd swept in.
Excitement fluttered in my chest. This was the city my mom had grown up in. Twenty-three years was a long time, and anyevidence of her was probably long gone by now, but still. I could almost imagine her in my head, walking along this same street.
Did she ever stop in at the bakery for a loaf of bread? Had she bought apples from the farmer’s fruit cart?
Where had she met my dad? By that fountain, with the water cascading behind them and a gentle breeze sweeping through the surrounding trees? Or maybe they’d met in front of the bookstore, bumping into each other and dropping their bags before frantically apologizing, then looking up and locking eyes in a Hallmark-movie-worthy meet-cute.
Lupin, the cryptic butthole, had said it was too dangerous to reveal my dad’s identity. But learning more about my mom could lead me to answers about him too.
I was happy with my men. Happy with the family I’d found. However, there was a tiny hole in my chest when I thought of the parents I never had the chance to know. Being in Exalos might help me fill that emptiness, at least a little.
Kids exited a candy shop, grinning from ear to ear as they clutched their bags of goodies. A group of four women wearing leather armor walked past with bows strapped to their backs and daggers holstered at their sides. A man followed behind them, struggling with a large bag that clanked, probably filled with weapons and supplies.
“Adventurers?” I asked.
Ban nodded once.
“Every city has a guild hall,” Callum said. “You interested in changing careers? Not sure the captain would approve. You’d try to raid a dungeon and end up as the monster’s afternoon snack.” He ruffled my hair. “Because you’re too sweet.”
I patted my hair back down and sneered at him. It only made him laugh. “No, I don’t want to be an adventurer. It’s just kinda cool.”
Maybe an adventurer knew something about my mom? Or someone who worked in the main guild hall? They usually knew all sorts of secrets about the city and everyone in it.
“I see your interest.” Callum sighed. “All right. Come on. We’ll take a quick look.”
He took my hand and led me toward the guild building, and Ban and Duke followed behind us. More adventurers exited as we approached, each holding a small coin pouch. Probably payment for a recent job. Reaching the main set of doors, I felt like a little kid about to step into a long-anticipated theme park.
Was I suited for a life of raiding dungeons, fighting monsters, and completing magical tasks or quests of bravery? Well, no. I’d more than likely trip over a rock and impale myself on my own sword or whatever.But.Everything about it intrigued me.
Upon entering, my gaze darted everywhere, taking in the marble floor, high arched ceilings, and scattered conversations.
People stood in groups, more than likely members of the same guild or party, and pointed toward a board with quests posted. Others stood in lines awaiting payment for completed missions. The adventurers were decked out in leather armor and chainmail, while others reminded me of Vikings, with braided hair, black markings like tattoos, and huge battle axes.
Several groups dressed like Rowan too, wearing hoods and face coverings, like maybe they specialized in stealth-oriented quests.
“Are you a free-roaming adventurer with no guild?” a woman called out, standing on top of a crate. “Find your home with us at Half-Moon. Equal share of pay for all bounties earned.”
“Seems like she’s recruiting,” I said.
Callum gave me a look. “Don’t even think about it.”
I laughed. The place was everything I’d imagined. The adventurers ranged from humans to demi-humans, and several had pointed ears. Others had a reptilian look to them, with a faint shimmer on their skin reminiscent of scales, clawed fingernails, horns, and glowing irises.
“Are they demi-humans?” I asked in awe.
“Of sorts,” Callum answered. “They have the blood of dragons.”
“Dragons? Oh my god! Seriously?” I couldn’t take my eyes off them. Their skin varied in shades of green and hues of brown, and their horns looked to be made of wood.
“From the earth clan,” Duke added. “They’re prominent in these mountainous regions. Those from the water clan are found more along the coast. Fire is to the east, and the northern lands are home to the ice clan.”
There was still so much I needed to learn about this new world I now called home. Freaking elemental dragon hybrids? How freaking cool was that?
