—{Jude's Alchemy Shop}—

  The clock; 9:45 AM

  The light was on. Jude's desk was clean, books and papers stacked properly. On the chair sat Jude, his glasses on, white shirt clean straight, head tilted and resting on his fist. The elbow on the edge of the desk.

  Across him sat Riven and Shirin. With frowns, Shirin seemed extra disappointed. She had her arms and legs crossed and eyes on the floor.

  Jude: Raised his eyebrow, “So, she really said she won't?”

  Both nodded.

  “Now what will you two do?” Jude asked.

  Riven: Sighed, “No idea. Really. We had already planned everything. Picked a level 5 contract off of the guild, this morning. Went to the bar and there she refused to come.”

  Jude: “Oh, something happened?”

  Riven: Nodded, “Yea. Apparently her father is away for a few days so she'll stay in the bar. For now.”

  Jude: “Oh.”

  Shirin: Looked up and spoke with a raised voice, “Don't just ‘Oh’ and say something useful. We'd planned this the whole night. And, it went to… waste.”

  Jude: Leaned back and gave her a skeptical look, “But, Riven said you two picked up the contract this morning?”

  Shirin: Nodded, “We did but we had our eyes on that since yesterday.”

  Jude: “Oh.”

  Shirin: Particularly jumped from her seat “Don't just ‘Oh’!"

  Riven: Facepalm, “Shirin, please. Just sit silently.”

  Shirin: “Tsk.” Sat back, arms folded and with a grumpy face.

  Riven sighed and leaned back on his seat.

  Jude: Raised his eyebrow, cleared his voice and pulled their attention to him. “Okay so now. Any other new plans?”

  Riven: Glanced at Shirin, and saw her looking right at him. She nodded her head towards him and turned to Jude. “Okay so, we had our eyes on a level 4 contract for a few days. But, we were also wondering if you need something.”

  Jude: Hearing that his posture got proper. Legs crossed, both arms on the desk. He leaned forward, “Is that so? Tell me about the contract, and I'll consider if I can get something from it.”

  Riven: “Okay so…” He raised his finger as he paused. And it came to his chin. After a pause he spoke again, “The contract was about the Old North Bridge. Some harpies have infested the bridge and its canyon cliffs.”

  Jude: Leans back, scratch chin. “I see. Can you be more specific? What kind of harpy are we talking about?"

  Riven: Now faced with Jude's question Riven couldn't answer. And only met eyes with Shirin who instantly ignored him and looked to his opposite. Riven sighed, “I don't remember.”

  Jude: “You don't?”

  Riven: “No, I don't remember the name.” Scratched the back of his head.

  Jude: “Hm. Fine. I'll look into it myself. Must be on the news, I suppose.” Snapped his finger, grabbing their attention. “And an advice. Try to get the contract before anyone else. You'll lose it if you're late. Some other hunters may try to take it if it's in the news.”

  Riven: “Then we should get going. Shirin.” he said, already getting up from his seat. She didn't say anything and just stood up, with her arms still folded. She nodded and started heading to the door.

  Riven stood close to the door; turned back for a moment and waved his hand at Jude, “Bye,we'll be back with the contract.”

  Jude: “Be quick.”

  They exit out.

  Outside Shirin grabbed Riven's hand and motioned him to start moving. She was the first one to walk and Riven followed.

  Her pace started to increase and soon they started running. “First to reach wins.” Saying that she started sprinting and Riven tried to keep up with her, “Wait—” He said.

  Shirin smoothly skipped beside and between the pedestrians. Her body flowing like water skipping between the gaps.

  While Riven started to slow down as the path became more crowded. “Shirin.” He called out. No answer.

  He could still see her far ahead. He sighed and walked slowly.

  —{The Efficiency Syndicate}—

  It wasn't long until Riven reached the guild gate. From the gate itself, without taking a step in he saw Shirin sitting on the bench outside, in the guild's ground looking in his direction with a rolled paper on her hand.

  Riven waved his hand, so did she. Riven walked in and towards her. “Hey.” He said.

  “Hey.” She replied. And pat the spot beside her.

  Riven came to sit beside her and his back slouched. Looking at the ground he asked, “Got the contract?”

  She nodded, “Barely. Some guys were talking about it, maybe discussing whether they should–take it– or not take it.” Tilts her head, “And I snatched and filled the form while they were busy.”

  Hearing that Riven let out a sigh of relief, “Thanks Shirin. We might have lost it if it weren't for you.”

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  “I know.”

  “Let me see that.”

  Shirin hands him the contract info.

  Contract ID: ES-661

  Title: Silence the Sirens of the Sundered Span

  Client: The City of Veridia

  Posted: 6th of Cadent

  Danger Level: 4

  Minimum Team Rating: 4

  Advance: 800 Crowns

  Full Bounty: 4,200 Crowns + 45 Merit Points

  Description:

  The Verdian Span Bridge, a vital trade artery, has been compromised. A colony of Gloomcall Harpies—mutated variants with slick, oily feathers and corrosive spit—has infested the bridge's understructure and the canyon cliffs beside it. Their incessant shrieking disrupts traffic, induces mental fatigue in guards, and is slowly dissolving the bridge’s mortar with acidic droppings. They must be culled before structural integrity is lost.

  A moment of silence passed them as they quietly sat at their spot. Then Shirin tapped his shoulder, “Hey.”

  “Hm.”

  “I won, y’know.”

  —{Back At Jude's Shop}—

  Jude was analysing the contract, looked up at Riven and Shirin with wide eyes, back on the contract, back on them.

  Jude: “Damn, you two are fucked."

  Riven and Shirin shared a “Huh?”

  Jude: Placed the contract back on the desk and sighed, “That's probably the worst possible contract you could've chosen… For your rank I mean.”

  Riven: The first to speak while Shirin just sat beside him quietly, “What do you mean by that?”

  Jude: Puts his finger on the contract, leaned in, “Those harpies. Don't have white or grey wings. But their plumage is the colour of oil slicks, wet charcoal, and deep bruise-purple. It's slick and greasy, making them resistant to water-based magic.” Raises his both index fingers at them, “That makes you two.”

  Riven: “Really?”

  Shirin: “Now what do we do?"

  Jude: Leaned back and cleared his voice, “Better to look for another contract or get someone with fire magic… Rustwood would've been useful.”

  Riven: “How so?”

  Jude: “For now. It doesn't matter.” Slammed his hand on the desk, lightly “Now back to the actual matter. What do you plan to do now?” He asked and raised an eyebrow. Folded his hands.

  Shirin:Threw up her hands, “You tell us.”

  Riven: Jude was about to speak but Riven interrupted him, “What if we take advice from you, you know. Her?” He shook his head a bit.

  Jude: “Who?” Raised an eyebrow.

  Shirin: Giggled a bit to herself, “Maybe I have an idea.”

  Jude: Head turned between them, “Oh. Now I get it.”

  Riven: Took in a deep breath “But please— Don't make it weird.”

  To which Shirin exchanged a glance with Jude who didn't have much change in his expression, but a smirk built on her face.

  —{Rustwood House}—

  Seated inside, and on the couch. All three of them are across from Calira Rustwood.

  Calira had her legs and arms crossed. She looked at them with a stern face and asked.

  Calira: “Advice, what kind?”

  Jude: The first one to speak. “They need advice for a gloomcall harpy, contract.”

  Shirin: Shifted in her seat and said, “Yea, since you can't join us anymore maybe you could at least give us some kind of advice?”

  Calira: Her expression didn't seem to change even a bit, “Gloomcall? What's that..? Oh, never mind. I remember.” Finger twirls in her hair. “What's the environment it is in?”

  Jude: “It's the Old North Bridge. The Verdian Span.”

  Calira: One hand on lap and a finger on her chin she tilts her head. “I see.” Let a moment of silence pass through before speaking again, “Have they already built a nest there?”

  Jude: “The contract stated it to be an infestation so yea. There is a nest.” Jude nodded to himself.

  Calira: Finger off of her chin and both hands on her lap. “How big?”

  Jude: Looked at Shirin, “How big?”

  Shirin: Shook her head, “No idea.”

  Calira: “Well, without much knowledge I cannot provide much insightful advice. Sorry.” Sighed. “Can't understand?” Points finger at Jude, “I can't help you with what you've given me.”

  When Calira said that a voice followed from somewhere, “Be more polite Calira.” Calira sighed and repeated herself. “Can you tell me more about it before I choose my next words for insightful advice?”

  Jude and Shirin glanced at each other, even at Riven, but the two only whispered to one another.

  “Read something on the news?” She asked.

  “No. Why would I?” He answered.

  “Could've known something useful.”

  “I ain't got time for that.”

  “Why?”

  “Cause I'm a busy man.”

  “Tsk. No, you're just some guy who apparently has a beautiful girlfriend—”

  “Shut up.”

  During their whispering conversation Calira just stared at them. And Riven was the only silent one who hadn't spoken a word. Until now.

  Riven: Hands tightly gripping on his knee he leaned forward a bit, “Ah, Miss Rustwood. Even the smallest advice would be helpful. We'd work around whatever you say.”

  Both Jude and Shirin turned to stare at him after he spoke. Shirin whispered to Jude, “Is he talking?” Jude whispered back, “Shut up.” and got elbowed. Hard.

  Calira: Leaned back on the couch she was sitting on, looking up at the ceiling light. “Umm…” Snapped her finger, “Target for the leg. And back.”

  Shirin: “Why back?”

  Calira: Eyes remained fixed on the ceiling. With a flat voice she said. “They’re built for the air. Their weight balances on the launch tendons in the legs. Cut those, and you'll be good.” She finally looked at Shirin. With an unblinking black gaze then continued, “The back is where the wing muscles anchor to the spine. Serve the spine there, and you sever everything. Do both and you'll secure the contract.”

  Jude: “That's it?”

  Calira nodded.

  Shirin: “Thanks, Miss Rustwood.”

  Riven: “Um, Anything else?”

  Calira: “No, now get out.”

  “Calira.” A voice came.

  Calira sighed and asked, pointing at the door. “Could you. Take steps towards that door and take your body out of my house?”

  “Calira.”

  “Augh, just leave.” Calira waved her hand at them.

  They walked out the door but for a moment Riven’s face would be seen warming up.

  It wasn't long for them to now be walking on the footpath outside. The three of them walked at the same pace but Riven walked behind them. People walked past them and carts drove off on the road.

  Shirin: Hands in her pocket, “Damn, he actually talked to her.” She nodded towards Riven.

  Jude: Walking with free hands he added “That is, indeed a surprise.”

  Hearing their words Riven had a kind of grumpy expression but didn't say anything.

  Shirin: Turned to Jude, “So how's Sylvia?”

  Jude: “Shut up.”

  Shirin: Huffed out air and now her hands were on her hips, “Hey, I'm just curious—”

  “Hey, you two.” A voice came from behind cutting through the air and Shirin's words. When the three turned around they saw Zara approaching. Hands in her pocket. Got closer and now standing in front of them.

  Zara: Eyes scale Riven head to toe then asked, “So, you and the girl. You two were the ones with Calira, right?”

  Riven: “Yea.” Answered and nodded.

  Zara: Tilted her head and glanced at Jude but asked nothing about him, rather turned her gaze to Shirin, “Got more going on with Calira?” She asked and her eyes flickered.

  Shirin: Shook her head, “No.”

  Zara: “I see.” Tilts her head to the other side. Straightened her body, “I have an offer.”