The morning crowd had already begun to gather as the trio made their way toward the Guild Hall. People lined the front steps, murmuring to each other in tense voices. Leo caught fragments of conversation as they passed something about bandits along the west trail, another about a monster sighting near the forest ridge.
"They're saying the roads aren't safe anymore," Matthew muttered, glancing over his shoulder.
Leo shrugged. "It's none of our business."
They weren't here for rumors or drama. Today's goal was simple: get El registered.
The Guild Hall loomed ahead, a wide, stone-and-wood building with an emblem of crossed swords carved above the entrance. Inside, warm sunlight spilled through arched windows and onto polished floors. Long tables lined the sides where adventurers lounged, some polishing weapons, others laughing over mugs of ale, even this early in the day.
