Arc 3 -
Chapter 18 - Where the City Moves On
Morning reached Ravenhold without ceremony. The city was already moving.
Wooden doors opened along the street, cart wheels creaked over stone still dark with night dew, and the scent of bread drifted from somewhere down the road. At the Halvors family inn, the kitchen had already been awake for hours.
Zio sat at the table near the window. He ate in silence, spooning soup until it was enough, then stopped. Bread lay untouched beside the bowl.
Mirella Halvors passed with a cleaning cloth and paused at the edge of the table.
"Out early," she said.
"The Guild."
She nodded once. "Roads are still quiet."
Zio took a few copper coins from his belt pouch and set them down. Mirella glanced at them, hesitated for half a breath, then pocketed them without comment.
Footsteps sounded on the stairs. Eren came down with a cloth bag over his shoulder. His eyes flicked briefly to Zio, then to the straps already secured properly.
"Morning."
"Morning."
Eren paused, then turned back and stepped into the small room at the rear. When he returned, he carried a dark leather satchel, neatly stitched, with a simple metal clasp. He set it on the table.
"Use this."
Zio looked at it. "What is it?"
"Satchel. Basic magic bag," Eren said. "Not large, but enough for mission items. Better than cramming things into a normal pack."
Zio lifted it. It was lighter than it should have been. He checked the clasp twice before setting it down.
"Why give it to me?"
Eren shrugged. "You're registering today. People forget things like this. That one's not being used."
Zio nodded. "Thank you."
"If it breaks, it breaks."
Mirella glanced over, then returned to her work, as if the exchange required no attention.
Zio slid the satchel onto his belt, adjusted its position, and stood.
"I'm heading to the market," Eren said, lifting his own bag. "Same route as far as the west crossroads."
They stepped outside together as the city began to stir.
The stone road was damp, the air cool. Merchants pushed small carts toward opening stalls. Guards changed shifts at intersections, movements practiced and unremarkable.
Eren walked slightly ahead. Zio matched his pace, leaving just enough space to see around him.
"Most people who arrive here," Eren said without turning, "spend days getting lost. Learning which alleys not to take."
Zio's eyes moved with the street—the flow of carts, the wind carrying iron from the smithing quarter, water running through shallow channels along the stone.
"Standing still is how you get lost," he said.
Eren let out a short breath that might have been a laugh.
They passed rows of two-story buildings. At one corner, a carpenter shifted planks on his shoulder and nearly collided with a passerby. Zio adjusted his pace and moved on.
"You used to big cities?" Eren asked.
"No."
"Looks like you are."
"You notice things if you have to."
A few steps later, the sound of water grew clearer. A narrow river cut through the city, flowing north to south. A low stone bridge spanned it.
Zio paused at the center of the bridge, longer than necessary, watching the current slide between dark stones.
"From the north," Eren said, stopping beside him. "Asterfell Mountains. People go up there for alchemy materials. Not all of them come back."
Zio nodded once, committing the name to memory.
They continued.
The crowd thickened toward the city center. Bread and hot metal mixed in the air. A child ran past with rolled fabric, nearly colliding with Zio before veering away.
"West district," Eren said, pointing. "Market's there. Guild too. Big stone building."
Zio had already seen it. The Guild Hall rose above the surrounding structures, gray-silver stone left unpolished, older than the streets around it.
"My cousin works there," Eren added. "Reception. Her name's Selene."
Zio glanced sideways, then nodded.
At the intersection, the flow of people split. Eren stopped.
"I turn here."
Zio stopped as well.
"If you're still in town tonight," Eren said, "the inn's open. Mother usually saves soup."
"Thank you."
"Be careful."
They parted without ceremony.
Zio continued straight. The Guild Hall drew closer—thick wooden doors, the emblem of crossed swords above them, a mission board already gathering attention.
His pace did not change.
Inside, the air was cooler. Voices never rose above a certain level, as if the hall itself discouraged it. Adventurers sat at long tables, checking gear, reading notices. A few glanced his way, then returned to their work.
Zio approached the reception desk.
The woman behind it looked up. Dark brown hair, expression practiced rather than warm, eyes sharper than her tone.
"Good morning. How may I help you?"
"I'd like to register as an adventurer."
"Alright. Please fill this out."
She slid a form and pen forward. Zio wrote only what was required and returned it. She read it once, then again, before nodding.
"One successful mission to activate your license," she said. "I'll show you the board."
The mission board stood along the right wall, thick wood layered with notices. Some bore red stamps. Most did not.
"For initial registration," she said, "we recommend non-combat work. Within the city."
She indicated the lower notices.
Zio scanned them quickly. One stood out.
Alchemy Supply Verification — Wren's ApothecaryLocation: South District
"This one."
"That should be manageable," she said, noting the number. She handed him two rolled sheets. "Map of Ravenhold. Regional map. Keep them."
Zio slid them into his satchel.
The South District smelled of herbs and dry earth. Wren's Apothecary sat on a narrow corner street, marked by a carved bird above the door.
Zio knocked.
A woman opened it, hair tied back, gaze direct.
"Yes?"
"From the Guild," Zio said, showing the notice.
She read it quickly and stepped aside. "Come in."
The shop was orderly. Shelves lined with labeled bottles, scents restrained and layered rather than sharp.
"You're early," Wren said. "They usually come later."
Zio followed the checklist—counting stock, cross-checking deliveries, marking delays. The work required attention, nothing more.
When he finished, Wren signed the report.
"No issues," she said.
Back at the Guild, the hall was busier. The receptionist reviewed the report, then reached into a drawer.
"Your registration is complete."
She placed a small metal card on the desk. Zio closed his fingers around it, turned it once, then slipped it into his satchel.
"Welcome to the Guild. Maintain your reputation."
Outside, the city moved on without pause. Zio stepped back into the flow of Ravenhold.
End Of Chapter 18