Everyone went to sleep early that night.

The exhaustion from the day’s shopping and the excitement of the birthday still lingered in the air, blending with the scent of candle wax and aged wood that permeated the inn room.

The bags containing the new clothes were stacked in the corner, Lukas’s books were neatly arranged on the table, and the chest of silver threads was stored beside the bed.

Aurora insisted that they get proper rest to enjoy the following day.

"Tomorrow we’re going to the Adventurers’ Guild." She said, tucking Judite’s blankets around her, as the girl was already yawning.

"And then we have to prepare for the Count’s invitation. It’s going to be a long day."

Lukas lay down on the inn’s soft bed. The sheets smelled of lavender, and the pillow was fluffier than the one at home. The chest of silver threads rested beside him on the bedside table. He touched the woven wood with his fingers, feeling the weight of what was inside.

He quickly fell asleep, dreaming of exotic beasts and vast libraries.

...

He woke up early, before the sun had fully risen.

The gray light of dawn filtered through the cracks in the window, painting the room in soft shades of blue and silver.

The birds outside had already begun to sing, sharp voices and quick trills, while the wind swayed the linen curtains.

Judite was still fast asleep, wrapped in the blankets like a cocoon. Only the top of her head was visible, her brown hair spread across the pillow.

Aurora and Clavor were already awake, exchanging quiet whispers in the corner of the room.

Lukas couldn’t make out what they were saying, something about the Count’s invitation, something about "making a good impression."

He sat up in bed, yawned, and got dressed.

He put on one of his new tunics, the light-blue linen one, which fit perfectly over his shoulders and reached down to his knees.

The sleeves covered his wrists. The hem covered his knees. For the first time in months, he didn’t look like a child wearing clothes meant for an even younger child.

He tied the leather sandals around his ankles, ran his fingers through his white hair to tidy it up, and picked up the chest of silver threads.

He was ready.

He went downstairs with his family to the inn’s dining hall.

The aroma of fresh bread, scrambled eggs with herbs, and fruit juice filled the room. Several travelers already occupied the tables, a group of merchants discussing trade routes, a family with small children, and two adventurers wearing worn armor and deep dark circles beneath their eyes.

They sat at a table near the window.

Lukas ate calmly. Warm bread with herb butter, creamy scrambled eggs, thin slices of smoked ham, and a large glass of fresh strawberry juice.

Clavor drank his bitter coffee, the dark and strong beverage Lukas had yet to try, watching his son with quiet pride. Judite devoured a honey cake with her fingers, licking sugar from the tips.

"Today I’m taking Lukas to the Adventurers’ Guild." Clavor announced, wiping his mouth with a napkin.

"He wants to sell the threads Prata produced."

Aurora nodded, smiling at Lukas.

"Be careful. We’ll meet back here by the end of the morning."

"Yes, Mother."

Judite, still chewing a piece of bread, waved enthusiastically.

"I’m going with Mom to buy more sweets! And I want to see the toys in the square!"

"That can be arranged." Aurora replied.

"But no overdoing it."

Judite pouted but didn’t argue.

After breakfast, Clavor and Lukas left together.

The morning was cool, the sun still low on the horizon. The streets of Great Rock City were beginning to fill up, merchants opening their shops, street vendors pushing carts loaded with goods, children running among the adults.

Clavor walked with firm steps, one hand resting on the hilt of his sword out of habit. His eyes constantly scanned the streets.

Lukas carried the small woven wooden chest in his arms.

He could feel the weight of the silver threads, hours and hours of training, mana spent, and dedication. There weren’t many of them, but they were his. Produced by him, with his own mana, his own web.

The Adventurers’ Guild was only a few blocks away from the inn.

The building was large and sturdy, built from gray stone, with reinforced double doors made of wood and metal. Above the entrance, a symbol had been carved into the stone: a sword crossed with a shield, both wrapped in chains. The same symbol Lukas had seen during their previous visit to the guild.

Even this early, the place was already bustling.

Clavor pushed one of the heavy doors open.

The main hall was enormous, much larger than it had appeared from the outside. The ceiling was high, supported by stone columns, and oil lamps hung from iron chains, illuminating the room with a flickering yellow glow.

The floor was made of uneven stone, worn down by years of boots and armor. The air smelled of sweat, metal, and stale beer, but also of something else, something Lukas couldn’t identify.

Perhaps magic.

The rough voices of warriors echoed throughout the hall. The laughter of groups of adventurers seated on wooden benches. The occasional clinking of coins being counted or exchanged.

At the center of the far wall, a massive wooden board occupied nearly the entire length of the wall. It was covered with pinned parchments, dozens of them, organized into neat rows.

Lukas was impressed.

"It’s the first time I’ve seen so many adventurers gathered in one place." He murmured, his eyes wandering through the hall. During their last visit, there hadn’t been nearly as many people.

There were dozens of them.

Most wore light armor or reinforced leather, some polished and new, others worn and stained with blood.

Weapons hung from their waists or backs, longswords, daggers, axes, bows, and even an enormous club resting on the floor beside a large, bearded man.

Some adventurers stood gathered around the quest board, discussing in low voices, pointing at parchments, copying information into small notebooks.

Others sat at the tables, eating or drinking. A red-haired woman laughed loudly while telling a story to her companions. A thin middle-aged man carefully read through a parchment, his brow furrowed.

"I’m going to take a quick look around while we wait for the receptionist." Lukas said to Clavor, his eyes shining with curiosity.

Clavor nodded, crossing his arms.

"Don’t take too long."

"Alright."

Lukas approached the board.