Moments later, the Eleonora and Isadora passed beneath the shadow of the city gate into the city proper without further incident. Behind them, the guards waited just long enough to be sure they were out ear shot, before quietly losing the battle against their laughter. Leading to the surreal sight of 3 grown men laughing like school children.

  Once inside the bustling streets of Haigian, Isadora guided Speed a little closer to Eleonora, carefully steering them away from a knot of shouting fishmongers and a cart piled high with cabbages.

  The city was already fully awake with bells ringing the time from distant church towers. Nearby shopkeepers argued with customers over everything from the color of the sky to the price of a moldy apple.

  “My lady,” Isadora said quietly, leaning just close enough so Eleonora could hear her over the din, “I will find us an inn and secure rooms. You should proceed directly to the Adventurers’ Guild and register.”

  Eleonora perked up so suddenly she nearly pitched herself straight out of the saddle.

  “Oooh yes! Yes, yes, yes!” she squealed, bouncing in place. “I’ve been waiting for this moment, like, since forever! Well since yesterday, which felt like forever!”, Eleonora proclaimed.

  Several passersby turned to stare. One street vendor smiled indulgently from Eleonora exuberance. Isadora bowed her head slightly before speaking. “I will meet you there shortly,” she said. “Please try to remain… uh... composed", Isadora finished. “I am, like, always composed!” Eleonora declared proudly.

  At that exact moment, she dropped her reins, wobbled dangerously to one side, and had to clutch a handful of Lady Sparkles’s mane to keep from sliding off entirely. The mare snorted in mild annoyance but held steady.

  Isadora closed her eyes and exhaled through her nose. “Of course, my lady,” she said flatly as Eleonora straightened her riding posture. “See? Totally fine!” Eleonora said before heading off into the crowd.

  ********

  Isadora

  ********

  Isadora watched Eleonora leave for a long moment before she turned Speed toward the nearest respectable inn.

  Already silently praying to every saint she knew that the Adventurers Guild had forgiving and understanding people there today.

  Isadora made her way up the gently sloping streets towards Upper Old Town, keeping a steady pace as she headed for the inn she had in mind.

  She inwardly chastised her ward for being overly dramatic in avoiding her brother, but in the end, she had to defer to Eleonora’s whims.

  It would have been nice to see Uncle Clotho, she mused, but perhaps there would still be a chance later.

  As she ascended, the area gradually became less rough and bustling, the narrow, cobbled streets widening and smoothing under her horse’s hooves.

  Once she passed through the old city gate into Upper Old Town proper, the transformation was astonishing.

  The streets were clean and lined with mage lights suspended from beautiful wrought iron poles.

  They bathed the streets in a steady blue glow at night.

  Graceful stone townhouses lined the streets, their fa?ades punctuated with elegant balconies and small, shuttered windows.

  A few well-kept shops and cafés offered freshly baked breads, delicate pastries, and steaming mugs of coffee, the air fragrant with roasted coffee and freshly baked pastries. It didn’t take long for Isadora to find the inn she was seeking once in Upper Old Town.

  The Graceful Doe was a long-established, stately building owned by the Duanna family, making it perfect for accommodating her young mistress discreetly and comfortably. The structure was a large, square building. Its ground floor is devoted to an upscale tavern.

  The tavern had access to the central courtyard.

  Which opened up like a hidden oasis, complete with a polished stone fountain from which water trickled in soothing arcs and ivy crawled along the outer walls, and planters filled with bright flowers added a cheerful contrast to the grey stone.

  Isadora dismounted and hitched speed before approaching the side counter where reservations could be made. A girl in her late teens stood there, wearing an elaborate uniform.

  Her eyes widened slightly at the sight of the retainer before her, but she quickly recovered, offering a bright, bubbly smile.

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  “How may I help you, ma’am?” she asked in a soft soprano.

  “I’m fine,” Isadora replied, her voice calm but firm. “I need to rent a room for my lady, Eleonora Duanna.”

  The girl blinked, momentarily stunned, before recovering with admirable composure. “Of course, ma’am!” she said, glancing down at the Duanna seal Isadora handed over, confirming her authority.

  “We have the ducal suite available. Would that suffice”, the girl asked.

  “That would be perfect,” Isadora answered. “And my lady would like some privacy for a few days, so please do not report her presence to Lord Maximinus.”

  The girl nodded professionally.

  “Yes, ma’am. Consider it done. And here is the key," the girl added. Isadora nodded, accepting it.

  “Thank you. I will need to fetch my lady, but I should return in a few hours to ensure she is settled in," Isadora informed the girl.

  “Everything will be ready, ma’am,” the girl promised, her smile unwavering as Isadora turned to leave.

  *********

  Eleonora

  *********

  The city buzzed with life from fishmongers shouting prices while brandishing their slippery catch to shop keeps shouting their wares and prices.

  Somewhere nearby, a bard was practicing his craft serenading the area with gentle music.

  As the streets thickened with the day's clamor, Eleonora realized that she wouldn't be able to ride Lady Sparkles through the throng of people. With a heroic flourish, she dismounted, her armor clanking as she did so.

  Eleonora grabbed lady sparkles mane and began leading the mare at a leisurely pace though the press of people.

  As she walked by people would occasionally notice her, often making them laugh at the ridiculous sight they saw.

  Every now and then, Eleonora waved at a vendor or a child, as though she were some kind of radiant, very regal princess greeting her loyal subjects.

  By the fountain in the center of the square, a boy no older than ten sat perched on the stone edge, his clothes frayed and somewhat in tatters.

  His eyes widened as he stared at Lady Sparkles, whose appearance appeared magical to the young boy.

  Eleonora gasped softly, clapping a gauntleted hand to her chest at the sight.

  “Awwwww! He’s adorable!” she squealed, crouching down in front of the boy with a massive smile. “Hi! You’re cute!” she said her voice sounding like how one would talk to a cute dog.

  The boy blinked, utterly bewildered, and not just by the sudden appearance of a knight in front of him. But also, because there was suddenly a golden whirlwind of enthusiasm practically radiating from the knight.

  Without a second thought, Eleonora dug into her coin pouch and plucked out a gleaming silver coin. “Here you go! Buy something fun! Like sweets! Or a pony! Or… um… something!” she squealed.

  The boy froze, his mouth opening and closing as if he was choking.

  Around them, the bustling marketplace seemed to hold its breath.

  A few merchants murmured behind their stalls; eyebrows raised in disbelief.

  Eleonora’s grin only widened. She had no idea she’d just handed the equivalent of a month’s wages to a single child, and in fact she was so oblivious that the thought hadn’t even occurred to her.

  The boy finally stammered a nervous “thank you”.

  Before he bolted away, his tiny legs a blur as he vanished into the crowd. Eleonora clapped her hands together. “That was nice,” she said, nodding to lady sparkles.

  “Good deed number two!” she proudly announced to the horse

  Her smile faltered only slightly as she realized she had no idea where the Adventurers Guild actually was. She waved frantically at a passing older woman.

  “Hi! Um, excuse me? Do you know where the like uh… adventure guild… uh… hall is?” she said.

  The woman peered down the street, shaking her head at the strange girl asking her questions. However, she still pointed out the building.

  “Right there. The building with the crossed swords sign.” the woman said, pointing to a building just down the block. Eleonora was grateful since Isadora would never let her live it down if she had gotten lost.

  "Thank you, ma'am", Eleonora said before walking away.

  “Your welcome milady,” she said, stepping back quickly, as Eleonora left.

  She finally reached the large stone building which looked more like a military barracks and was at odds with the rest of the new town district.

  It consisted of a large 4 story rectangular building with a tavern at the bottom and offices and living quarters for the guild staff on the upper floors.

  Its back side fronted a large training yard with a smaller building for housing the equipment.

  In front of the building were rows of horses tied to stout wooden posts.

  Above the building's entrance, a wooden with a painting of crossed swords on one side and adventures guild on the other, swung lazily in the breeze, creaking as its iron brackets rub against the iron rod holding the sign.

  She tugged Lady Sparkles toward an empty post; the mare sniffed it suspiciously.

  As if she was convinced someone had hidden treats inside of it. Satisfied, or perhaps just mildly offended at the lack of snacks, Lady Sparkles stamped her hooves once before standing patiently.

  Eleonora on the other hand, could barely contain her excitement.

  She skipped up the wide wooden steps, helmet bouncing against her hip and her armor clanked lightly with each eager step. As she approached the door.