Riley Fenn's Arc

Chapter 1 of 5

Riley waited outside the guild hall at dawn, just like she had every morning for the past three months. The heavy doors stayed shut. She kept her coat plain, her posture patient, her face blank. No one came out to speak with her. No one ever did. But today a woman stopped three steps away, hood drawn low. She opened her palm to show a smooth piece of crystal that pulsed with faint pink light. Riley had seen guild certifications before, but never one that glowed. The woman spoke quietly. She had documents proving that Senior Merchant Halver had been forging the same kind of seals Riley's family was banned for selling. She wanted nothing in return except Riley's presence at the next guild assembly as a witness. The woman closed her hand around the crystal and walked away before Riley could answer. Riley stood still, weighing what cooperation might cost her and what it might finally buy.