The first thing Eliahope noticed upon waking up was a splitting hangover. Shelooked around in the dimly lit hostel, with only a singular oil lamp illuminating the door, as she gazed upon her friends still in their armor and day clothes - expect sterline, who was sitting p in her bed, night clothes and all, reading a book.

  “W-well good morning ma’am…” Eliahope grumbled, squinting in Sterline’s direction, “W-why are you up..?”

  “Good morning to you too - Well, it is almost midday. I was just being kind not opening up the window curtains.”

  Eliahope grumbled and held her head as she made her way to the door, change of clothes in hand, “D-didn’t you… You drank more than all of us! How are you okay..” Tension in her forehead from frustration pulsed as her head throbbed, herself feeling somewhat faint.

  Sterline scoffed, “Human alcohol is nowhere near as strong as dwarven ale. Moonshine may get a common dwarf tipsy at best - though I will say it is quite more enjoyable taste wise - like juice!” She chuckled to herself before turning back to her book, “So, I can tell you have questions. I will say you are rather late in perception for an elf.”

  “W-what noble house..?”

  “Not a noble house. Dwarven ‘nobility’ in a sense is based off of connection to the Forge Deity. As I had a natural connection towards healing and forging, I was given the religious name of ‘Sterline’ and was made an important figure in the mountain range at the north-most point of Hearan. Each child born in the mountains is given a test at four to determine where their natural inclinations lean towards - and mine were towards the church. So, in a sense I am of nobility, but in a completely different definition in which you describe.”

  “S-so why are you here?” Eliahope leaned against the wall near the door, steadying herself, “Gods I need water…”

  “Simple again, Eliahope. I am to build connections for our exports outside the mountain so we may generate revenue, just as a city might. The nation’s prosperity thrives on good trade and connections. My goal for the time being is to build a proper connection with lady Samfa, who as the head of a well-known guild would have plenty of use for dwarven craft.” She smiled warmly, putting down her book, “You should go get changed, get some water, have breakfast. You smell foul.”

  With such, Eliahope stumbled on. Getting cleaned up, dressed, and grabbing a table for herself (and friends, once they stumbled from upstairs). She ordered a basic breakfast, and pulled out her notebook. She needed to think straight:

  Priorities:

  Staying in Luesall until end of winter (at minimum). Travel is dangerous through mountain pass during winter. Consider going to capital once spring arrives.

  Find income source (potential nurse assist for elves in area or odd jobs with Sterlne).

  Find residence (small apartment - seasonal lease/inn stays?)

  Make plan on how to study elves in current city for stay.

  She sighed with relief. At least most of her priorities were logical items to sort. The last one however, made her stomach church. Was coming to Hearan a mistake? Was the reason that there weren’t cases in Hearan simply a probability chance? She shook her head, as she couldn’t afford to think such at this point. Probability or not, life was more prosperous in Hearan. In the embassy there was no room for her, and in the small town of her family home she felt suffocated by the memory of her mother. She began to write again:

  Dear Aunt Tulie,

  I hope you are well. Hearan has been kind to me as of late. I was shown generosity and hospitality by a church upon arrival by ship - even with no coin I was taken care of.

  I then found myself amongst a group of ragtag adventurers who almost demanded I joined their party for a delivery to Luesall. I briefly considered going anyways, so I accepted.

  I now find myself safe within Luesall as I write this to you, and while the road was not without travel, it was made worth my while with pay and a connection to a well off lady of the town. I think you would enjoy her company.

  Upon my weeks in Hearan, I have already run into a case of the plague. I fear Hearan is not the utopia for elves we envisioned, but rather as their is no elvish embassy as of my writing this in Hearan, the Elvish council of the Isles was not notified of any reports. No doubt a consequence of Myunlun refusing to acknowledge Hearan as a nation.

  Still, people here are friendlier than in the embassy from my experience, and it is nice not needing a chaperone.

  Maybe you could work to make an embassy in Hearan, and you and I could both live here, away from your brother.

  If you feel need to write to me, I will be purchasing a post box from the office in Luesall as a first point of contact (I doubt this letter will reach you before spring).

  Sincerely, your niece,

  Eliahope E.

  Sealing her letter, she hugged it close to her chest. Though she was 50, the age where humans turned old and gray, she still felt young and childlike, and a need to cling to her beloved family. Yearning for her mother, she flipped to the beginning of her journal, which wrote out “To my ever bright Eliahope. With Love, Mama.” In now faded writing. Holding back tears she swiftly closed the journal and wiped her eyes and sighed before writing up a brief shopping list.

  Sterline soon came down the stairs, with a groggy Sahri and Yasha behind her. Sahri plopped down on the bench, her head hitting the table, as Yasha gruffly sat beside her.

  “How long have you been up..?” Sahri grumbled.

  “Long enough,” Eliahope muttered, passing the rest of her breakfast to the two of them, “I’m going to reach out to temples in town today and market myself as an elf nurse assistant. It seems to be the best case scenario work wise from what I’m trying to accomplish.”

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  “Awww.. But then you’ll be too busy for uuuuussss…” Sahri whined, and while the other two stayed silent, it appeared as a quiet agreement to the sentiment.

  “Well, not exactly. See, if there aren’t many elves, the most likely will have little use for a nurse assistant for elves. I’m going to essentially leave my card to the churches in the area of where they can find me if they have an elf in need of care, and then I may be away for a little bit, but other than that - I figured I could make an income in the meantime by assisting you all in Luesall.” Eliahope smiled down at her journal, strangely thankful that she had friends who would whine over her absence. “I just need… well, calling cards first. And a residence.”

  “Well good to hear it. Sahri wouldn't be happy if our journey with you would have ended right here.” Sterline looked down at own plate, seemingly hiding a smile, Yasha following in turn.

  After a few hours running around the town, Eliahope was able to find a decent furnished apartment with a three month lease, only costing her four gold coins, a post box at the inn, and some basic cards which she could now hand out her information on.

  “So, why come with me..?” Eliahope laughed slightly, as Sahri looked bored beyond measure, and Yasha off in some form of day dream

  “Two reasons: one, we wanted to make sure you weren’t scammed as you aren’t familiar with the currency. And two, we wanted to ensure you weren’t up to anything nefarious - you’re still new.” Sterline chuckled, softly elbowing Eliahope as they walked side by side.

  The three made their way back to the inn, finding Theodar and Alix sitting at the table - Alix loudly sharing stories to anyone who would hear it, and Theodar quietly reading his newest book.

  “Alright everyone, In one week we will begin taking in-town small jobs to fund out work. Until then, please spend wisely. If you do not spend wisely, or would like to earn more, you can take solo jobs. Sound amicable to everyone?” Sterline chided, looking around at her compatriots.

  “Uh-um, Sterline! Sterline, question-” Alix immediately turned to the table, cutting off his gladiator tales half through, “What if we’re already out of money, and can’t get a room tonight?”

  Elaihope sat, slackjaw at the man. “Alix, you already spent 10 gold? How on earth did you accomplish that? I just leased an apartment for four! Furnished, and firewood for the over included!”

  “Well, when I said yesterday I wouldn’t buy one pound - well, I didn’t like because I didn’t! I.. well I bought 7. And then I tipped him the rest since he told me about how his boat was damaged beyond repair…”

  “Alix, I’m disappointed in you!” Sterline scolded, “Why am I not surprised. You did something very similar last payout! It is not fair to your compatriots to pay for your bed.” She grumbled before pulling a gold coin out of her purse, “This will pay for your hostel stays for the next week. Plus breakfast and dinner. I suggest taking jobs starting tomorrow.”

  Alix kissed sterline’s hand before rushing to the counter to order his dinner without saying another word.

  Eliahope blinked in shock at at Sterline, “Does this happen… often?”

  “Yes,” Sterline sighed, “Quite often. So often that we actually have a ‘Rescue Alix’ fund which he is unaware of. He often finds himself in… financial hardship. We put a coin of highest value that we received in the fund every time we get paid. It has never not been used.” She rested her chin in her hand as she leaned on the table, “He’s.. well, illiterate. And I think his head was hit around too much as a child. He doesn’t seem to have impulse control outside of dire emergencies.”

  “I once saw him consider gambling his prosthetic foot.” Theodar snickered, not caring to look up from his new book.

  “Should he be fighting?” Eliahope exclaimed, “If he can’t handle himself, he probably shouldn’t be a sword for hire!”

  “We thought the same at first,” Sterline picked at her food, “But think of it this way: Alix will fight anywhere he can - because he needs to survive, just like everyone else. If he wasn’t with the party, he would go out and fight on his own. When he’s with us, we can get him medical attention, make sure he’s clothes housed, and fed. And - best of all - he’s here completely of his own free will. He can go off whenever he likes. He’s not confined to a home. He travels, and sees the world, and he is contributing to society. He’s part of our family, and we care for him.”

  “Agree with it or not, if you have a better solution let me know,” Said Theodar, “I’d be happy to rid of his gloating self.”

  Eliahope silently pondered such before shaking her head, and letting her thoughts roam elsewhere. She wrote up a small card with her information before posting it to the inn’s job board - amongst many other “Will work for coin” notices. She marvelled at how many had “gold piece minimum’s” etched in which to her seemed ridiculous, especially with so many “help wanted” postings for a few silver each. Her note read:

  Eliahope, Nurse Assist. Specializing in Elven care, practiced in Elvish Embassy. Pay negotiable. Ask for at Needle and Thread Apartments.

  Theodar came over briefly, and peeking over her shoulder before holding back a laugh, “You leased from the Needle and Thread? Oh you poor soul. I didn;t know you were elderly.” He sneered before returning to his book.

  “What? What’s so terrible about the Needle and Thread?”

  “It’s a spinster apartment! Made for lonely old women of the town!” Theodar rolled his eyes, “No men allowed on the premise, shared bathrooms, curfew. All those are to ensure ou are not… a fallen woman.” He whispered under his breath, teasing Eliahope whose ears had turned bright pink at the jabs.

  “W-well so what?? I don;t see any of you finding love!” Sterline covered her ears and sat down with a huff at the table. “Frankly, I feel SAFER there, spinster apartment or not! There’s security, and I have a locked door between me and others. Callers have to go through the landlady of the apartment, so I feel less inclined to get into dangerous situations.”

  “Betrothed.” Sterline chimed. “But the rest of them are helpless. You have no room to speak Theodar.”

  “I need not speak at all, actually - men socially can marry whenever they want.” Theodar darted his eyes to her, “As you are very well aware, I am focussing on careers first.”

  “Of course - because whoever would want to marry you now with your vile temperament.” Sterline squinted at him, “Your sarcasm has reached it’s limit for the night.”

  “Fine, fine - let sleeping dogs lie then.” he muttered, hearing within Sterline’s tone that it was best to not push further.

  The next hour and a half felt like eons, as the tense air swarmed around then. Eliahope made a brief excuse to leave regarding the curfew - though she felt like she couldn’t leave the situation fast enough - but with each footfall away from the tavern, she felt a breath of fresh air in her lungs that felt comfortable and free.

  As she made her way to the apartment, she began to hear the murmuring of a commotion, which only got louder with each step. As she became concerned, her steps quickened - running to her apartment.

  “As she got there, she heard the land lady and a man arguing with echother. “No - I am sorry sir but Miss Eliahope has not been home since she left earlier today. I can leave a message, but I assure you she is not here.”

  “Fine, fine. Can you please tell her-” The man stopped as he turned toward Eliahope’s running footsteps, “Madam,” he started, taking off his hat, “Would you happen to be Miss Eliahope? We caught word of your missive from Lady Samfa’s tavern.”

  She paused slightly, before taking another step forward “Y-yes sir. May I inquire who you are?”

  “My name is not important in the slightest, ma’am. I’m the butler of a master who has been bedridden for the whole day. He has never been sick since he left the elvish Isles, until last week. It started as a small cold, and has transformed into a strange affliction where he will not leave his bed. But as a discerning elf, he refuses the human’s help. A paper boy for our home saw your missive at the inn and let me know right away. Will you please come with me?”

  “Now wait - what is this man’s name?” The land lady raised an eyebrow, her eyes darting between the caller and Eliahope.

  “Sire Adontemus, he’s but three streets over north.”

  The landlady huffed before turning to Eliahope, “You may go - you have a one hour extension on curfew. At that point, I will send someone for you.”

  “Yes ma’am.” Eliahope bowed her head, before following the man.