Eiyuu Kishi Den

Invitation wrote:King Kadomos the VI of Alania requests your presence at a ball to honor the heroes of our time. Please, don your finest and come to the palace by April 5th, New Royal Calendar 547. Your immediate family is welcome to accompany you.

Thank you. We do hope to see you then.
King Kadomos the IV
Parn, former Free Knight of Lodoss
Queen Deedlit
Princess Ailil

Ryna rubbed her forehead tiredly. There was hardly much work for a mercenary these days, things had been peaceful. A few men were hired out every few days to merchants wanting guards against brigands. That was the only thing people had to be afraid of--at least, outside of places like the Wildlands.

Ryna had records of all the men and woman who passed through the guild on her desk, records of the money they paid the guild for their membership, records of who had been hired to who and to where, etc. Today had been long and boring. A well-to-do peddler was the only person who came in, he was looking to hire one or two mercenaries. She wrote out his request and posted on the board and nearly every mercenary in Raiden jumped on it.

Ryna was aching to go home, have a nice dinner, and settle in with a good book. A knock came at the door. "Come," she called, half-hoping it was someone looking to hire, half-hoping it was something simple. A messenger entered with a letter in his hand.

"This comes from King Kadomos, Mistress Ryna," he said and gave a slight bow before turning to leave.

"Parn eh?" she said to herself after the messenger left. "Well, it's been a long time."

Jamila came home to her mother and Leaf after a day of visiting the shrines. She was a little nervous, for she had made up her mind about her future. A priestess of Marfa was what she would be, now if only her mother would approve.

It wasn't that she was too afraid of what Ryna would think. It just seemed that Ryna wanted a daughter like her. A warrior. Maybe if Jamila decided to be a priestess of Myrii, her mother would be happier. But Marfa was the one who called to her. It was Marfa or none.

Jamila took her place at the dinner table quietly, waiting for Lina to serve them. Ryna led a rather wealthy life now, running the guild, and she could afford a maid. Jamila never even heard Ryna come in.

"So, how has your day been?" Ryna asked. "We're going to be leaving for a few days."

Jamila looked up at her mother. "Leaving? Where?"

"Alania. The king has invited Leaf and me to a ball, and you're coming too." Ryna replied.

"But...I had plans..."

Ryna raised her brow. "Oh really? What plans?"

"I..." she started but couldn't think of the right words. So she just blurted it out. " I want to be a priestess of Marfa."

Ryna looked at her with an unreadable look. "Really?" she finally said. "Are you certain that's what you want to do?"

Jamila nodded. "It's...it's my calling."

Ryna's face broke out into an unexpected smile. "It's good to hear." she said and hugged Jamila tight. "But we're still going to Alania."