Eamon and Skarn reached the main entrance of the town just as the sun had begun its slow descent behind the tall stone walls. The air around the town was filled with the smell of smoke, spices, and fresh bread. People walked past the gates, traders shouted about their wares, and carts rolled in and out. The town of Iskareth stood vast and loud before them, its towering buildings and wide roads unlike anything Eamon had seen before.
Arvin had told him of this place. He said his old friend lived there, who might guide him in his journey and help him out, Alarion Grumes. Alarion was a well-known doctor in the town. Respected and wise. Arvin had stressed one thing to Eamon above all: never use the name of his grandfather, Aegon. The royal army had ears everywhere. They might still be hunting for clues about Aegon. If they found out he was his grandson, it would be dangerous.
As they approached the gate, two guards in black armor and silver helmets stopped them.
"Please state your name and your purpose of visit," said the first guard with a firm tone.
Eamon stood tall and tried to sound confident.
"I am here to visit Doctor Grumes. He's an old friend of my grandfather, Arvin. I wish to deliver some medicines to him."
The second guard looked at the first, then turned back to Eamon.
"Don't you know, kid? Dr. Grumes is dead."
Eamon blinked. For a second he thought he misheard him.
"What? What do you mean? How did it happen?"
The first guard stepped forward. His voice was lower now.
"He was murdered last week. By his assistant. That fool ran off right after. We're still searching for him."
Eamon was frozen. Doctor Grumes was his only way in. He didn't have a backup plan. He had hoped the doctor would help him blend in.
Before he could figure out what to say next, the second guard eyed him carefully.
"You seem new in town. And you're carrying a sword. Don't tell me you're an adventurer."
Eamon looked down at the steel sword hanging from his side. He had forgotten how obvious it must look.
Adventurers. They were not just travelers or mercenaries. In the world of the Light Realm, adventurers were part of an established network. They explored dungeons spread across various kingdoms. These dungeons were ancient, filled with traps, monsters, and relics from older ages. Some held powerful artifacts. Others guarded cursed objects.
The royal army had long stopped entering those dungeons themselves. It was too risky. Instead, they formed the Dungeon Management Offices. Each big town had one. Adventurers could register and take on missions. In return, they shared whatever they found. The rarer the object, the higher the reward.
Adventurers trained in combat, magic, survival, and healing. The best among them were almost as strong as the royal knights. The adventurers worked in groups called guilds. These guilds hired adventurers as soon as they passed the Adventurer Trails. Some guilds were small, with only five or six members. Some had hundreds. They were respected. People often turned to them when the army didn't care to help. There were several such guilds in every kingdom.
Eamon knew of all this. He had read about them in books and from his grandfather as well. But he had never seen one. And now, he was pretending to be one.
He looked at the guard and nodded.
"Yes. I wish to become an adventurer. And for that, I need to give a trial in the town."
The third guard, who had just arrived, gave a cheerful grin.
"Oh, that's great, kid. The Dungeon Administration Office is right at the center of the town. You can't miss it. Big building with a bronze roof. Lots of banners outside."
The second guard added with a nod, "There are also many hotels around that area. You can stay in one of them."
"Ohh, thank you so much," Eamon replied, trying to hide his relief.
The first guard looked at Skarn, who stood close to Eamon, tail wagging gently.
"That small pup with you. Is that your bond?"
Eamon glanced at Skarn and smiled.
"Yes. Yes, he is."
"That's rare. For someone your age and build to already have a bond."
"Yeah. I just found him in the forest. He chose me, I guess."
The guard gave a nod of respect. "You're lucky. Not all bonds are that willing."
The second guard pulled out a register and pushed it toward him.
"Just write your name here. Then you're free to enter."
Eamon took the quill and signed his name. He hesitated for a second but decided not to write his full name.
He simply wrote, Eamon.
Then he walked inside with Skarn following closely.
Iskareth was alive with energy. The town had a population of more than a hundred thousand. The streets were wide and clean. Horses pulled carts full of goods. Street vendors sold meat skewers, breads, and juices. Bells rang from towers. Water canals flowed between streets, adding a calm murmur to the town's noise.
Eamon was amazed. He had never seen buildings this tall. Some had three or four floors, made of red brick and black stones. There were banners hanging between them and kids running around.
He held Skarn in his arms, put him on his shoulders, and whispered. "Let's find some answers, buddy."
An old woman pointed him toward a stone house at the far end of the merchant district.
"Big house with a garden in front. You'll see the old symbol of healing on the door," she said.
When Eamon reached the house, he saw the symbol. A crescent moon with a leaf inside. The symbol of an ancient healing order.
He stepped inside the small room at the front. That was where the doctor treated patients. There was a wooden desk. Shelves with bottles and scrolls. But what shocked Eamon was the blood.
Dark stains covered the floor. Some had dried into the wood. A broken chair lay near the wall. There was a mark on the floor as if someone had been dragged across it.
Eamon stepped back quickly. His heart was beating fast. He wanted to leave.
He turned around to exit, and just then, the same guard from the gate appeared. "What are you doing here, kid?"
Eamon stumbled on his words.
"I... I was just... I wanted to see where the doctor worked."
The guard looked around the house. His eyes narrowed. "Come with me. I will guide you to the Dungeon Administration Office."
Eamon couldn't think of an excuse. He had no choice but to go with him.