Mei's Arc

Chapter 1 of 2

Mei smoothed the red silk of her robes and stepped into the morning light. Her matchmaking house would be the finest in all Feireich. She dreamed of uniting powerful families from distant lands, creating bonds that would last generations. Today marked the beginning of that dream. The golden building stood three stories tall, its walls gleaming in the sun. Mei pushed open the carved wooden doors and walked through the entrance hall. Wide windows filled each room with warm light. Cushioned seats lined the walls, perfect for private conversations. She ran her fingers along a polished table and smiled. This was where families would meet, where alliances would form, where her future would take shape. Next, she needed clients. Mei walked to the town square where a tall stone structure rose above the crowd. People had already pinned dozens of notices to its surface. She pulled out her carefully written announcement and pressed it against the stone. The words promised connection, partnership, and prosperity. Her hand trembled slightly as she stepped back. Now others would see what she offered. By afternoon, Mei sat in a corner booth at the inn. The wooden beams overhead gave the place a cozy feel. She ordered tea and waited. Travelers from distant lands stopped here first when they arrived in town. She watched each new face that came through the door. Someone would need her services. Someone would be her first client. Her dream had moved from thought to action, and there was no turning back now.