The Twice-blessed Paladin

The stone walls of Gildan's Reach loom overhead, reinforced by towers where guards in polished armor patrol with sharp eyes. The city gate is a massive iron-reinforced structure, wide enough for multiple wagons to pass through at once.

Aldric and Edric approach on horseback, joining the long line of travelers, merchants, and adventurers waiting to enter. The city is alive with movement—caravans filled with trade goods, mercenaries escorting nobles, street performers entertaining the gathered crowd.

As they move forward, Aldric studies the people carefully.

Gildan's Reach is far richer than Black Hollow. The people here are well-dressed, well-fed—but there is an underlying tension.

Beneath the wealth, there is unease.

Guards watch the streets with suspicion, and there are more patrols than expected.

Something is wrong here.

Edric notices his gaze. "You see it, don't you?"

Aldric nods slightly. "This city is wary. It is not just prosperity that fills these streets. It is fear."

Edric smirks. "You're sharper than most knights I've met. The disappearances have people on edge. Some believe bandits are growing bold, others whisper of something… worse."

Aldric says nothing, but his grip on the reins tightens.

"This city will need a warrior soon enough."

Once inside the city, Edric leads Aldric through the bustling streets. Unlike Black Hollow's wooden buildings and open spaces, Gildan's Reach is a maze of stonework, narrow alleys, and towering structures.

The Adventurer's Guild stands near the central plaza, a massive, three-story structure with banners hanging from its high walls, displaying the guild's crest—two crossed swords over a rising sun.

The main doors are twice as tall as those in Black Hollow, made of reinforced oak, wide open as a constant stream of adventurers flows in and out.

Inside, the guild is alive with noise—a grand hall filled with warriors, mages, and rogues, gathered around quest boards and drinking tables.

Unlike the rowdy, close-knit atmosphere of Black Hollow's guild, this one is colder, more structured.

There is order here—but also tension.

Edric leads Aldric to the registration desk, where a middle-aged guild clerk, dressed in finely tailored robes, greets them with a practiced smile.

"Sir Edric," the clerk says with a nod. "To what do we owe the pleasure?"

Edric gestures toward Aldric. "I am here to personally introduce a new adventurer. He has already proven himself in Black Hollow—cleared out a goblin den alone. I believe he will be… useful here."

The clerk's eyes flick to Aldric, scrutinizing his imposing armored form.

"Interesting," he says. "And your name, sir?"

"Aldric."

The clerk scans a registry before nodding. "Your transfer from Black Hollow has been confirmed. You are officially registered with the Gildan's Reach Adventurer's Guild, Rank D."

He slides a small badge across the desk, marked with the city's crest.

"You may now accept quests within the city's jurisdiction."

Aldric takes the badge.

Another step forward.

The clerk leans forward slightly. "One more thing, Sir Aldric. You'll find that Gildan's Reach is… different from the smaller towns. Adventurers here operate under a stricter code."

Aldric meets his gaze. "And what code is that?"

The clerk smiles thinly. "We serve the interests of the city. Do not make enemies among the nobility. Do not interfere with matters beyond your station. And most importantly… know when to walk away."

Aldric stares at him for a moment, then nods.

"I will walk away when the gods themselves command it."

After leaving the guild, Edric and Aldric part ways.

"Stay alive, knight," Edric says, mounting his horse. "You may be the only real warrior left in this city."

Aldric watches him ride toward the noble district, then turns his attention to the streets.

The city is alive with rumors.

He walks through the bustling markets and taverns, listening.

"Another merchant gone missing last night. That's the third one this month."

"They say people vanish in the lower district—just disappear without a trace."

"I heard someone found a pile of bones in the sewers. All stripped clean."

"The guards are covering something up, I swear it."

Aldric continues moving, his mind piecing together the city's hidden tensions.

Then he notices something.

A group of city guards watching him.

Their expressions are unreadable, but they do not approach.

He keeps walking.

"They are already aware of me."

Aldric returns to the guild and scans the quest board.

Most of the high-paying jobs are guard work for nobles, escort missions for merchants.

But one job stands out.

"Missing persons investigation. Last seen: Lower District."

Aldric reaches for it—only to have someone slam their hand over it first.

He turns to see a tall, broad-shouldered man with twin daggers on his belt, dressed in dark leathers.

"Easy there, knight," the rogue says with a smirk. "This job ain't for you."

Aldric tilts his head. "Why?"

The rogue leans in slightly. "Because the last three people who took this job? They never came back."

Aldric grips the quest paper and pulls it free.

"Then I will be the fourth."

The rogue watches him for a moment before chuckling. "Your funeral, knight."

Aldric says nothing and walks away.

As Aldric steps out into the streets once more, he feels it.

The city is watching him.

Not just the guards.

Not just the adventurers.

Something else lurks here, hidden beneath the surface.

He grips his sword and moves toward the Lower District, where people disappear in the night.

His first mission in Gildan's Reach has begun.

And soon, his name will spread even further.