The thundering rain splattering across the lands as Lumians elk's hooves blasted onto the ground. Just out of eyesight of the building that he got closer to, he hopped of the elk and rubbed his inner thighs due to how uncomfortable the ride was without a harness and jogged towards the barely lit building in the dusk.
As Lumian got closer, he saw that the building was actually a large stone wall riddled with cracks and disrepair while the dimly lit flamed torches were being held by grisly, steel-clad armoured knights with what looked to be swords sheathed by their sides.
"HALT."
A loud booming voice was heard across the distance from one of the guards as he slowly approached grabbing the hilt of his sword "Who goes there?" In an inquisitive questioning tone full of wariness, the guard looked upon Lumian in suspicion. Well, this certainly bodes well. thought Lumian in a sarcastic demeanour before replying in a serious voice.
"Be at peace, I'm unarmed and mean no trouble, I just want to enter and find shelter if you would be so kind...sir?"
"Alan, the names Alan." replied Alan the guard on the left before gesturing the guard next to him that he'll deal with this situation. "Come with me and answer any questions I may have."
Alright, at least they haven't attacked me, that's a good sign, right? Lumian contemplated to himself before he was brought into a small stone room to the side of the gate entrance which was much dryer and slightly warmer in comparison with the outside.
"Sorry miss, this is merely procedure, especially during the night I hope it doesn't bother you." Alan, taking off his steel helmet and putting it to one side turned around to reveal a gruffy middle aged man with several wrinkles on his brow developing, his hair a deep dark brown same with his facial hair.
"It doesn't bother me in the slightest, at the moment I'm just glad to be out of the rain." Lumian replied in a relieved expression towards Alan as he sat down on what looked to be a wooden chair by a table.
"Talking about that, what were you doing out there at this time? Also, I don't think I've ever seen you before in this city and someone with your predominant features would most certainly be well known so who are you?" Sitting down across from Lumian, Alan looked at his face when Lumian took off the robes hood.
"Ah...My names Lu-Lumina sir, and I've been traveling from the other side of the forest for quite some time from the ruined town of Moraz, you see I've been separated from some people that I know due to some unreasonable circumstances and I've been alone all this while trying to find them, on that note where am I? Shouldn't this be the capital city Morakaiz?"
"Well, that name has been outdated by quite a while, the city goes by the name Droma now the capital city of exiles, as for your situation... It’s not something entirely unheard of but it is rare enough that we don't actually know what to say or do anything about it miss Lumina. I assume you don't know anything about the current situation of the city do you now?" Alan question with an upturned eyebrow.
"No, I do not, would you mind enlightening me as I am a little lost." Lumina replied putting on a slightly aggrieved tone as an act.
Cough. coughing into his hand before replying Alan said, "Well to begin with it got its name because this is the largest city that accommodates those who were exiled from the other continents into this one creating a rather... semi-lawless land."
Taking a break to rest his voice, Alan then continued. "There are three major groups in the city of exiles, The scavengers who are a group of bandits that plunder from those who move away and to the city, The Hawks who are the main underground gang that extorts, bribes and runs some of the businesses in the city and us, the Sentinel Knights who are sworn to protect the capital city."
"Oh...That sounds like a lot to take in." Lumina replied in a slightly measured voice displaying that she is seriously thinking about this and taking note.
"What you also need to be aware of is that because the continent we are on is extremely perilous, everyone is required to put their skills to use in some capacity to help the city thrive. However, for those who do not have the skills, they tend to have their... Bodies put to use." Alan said that last line in a reserved tone ensuring that he looked directly in Lumina's eyes to get his point across as to how serious this is.
Lumina, shivering slightly from unsavoury thoughts as to how the bodies would be put to use decided to be somewhat open about her skills in order to prevent that from happening.
"Well, Alan thank you for informing me, I wonder if having apprentice level skills with a knife and traveling through the forest alone would help put in a good word for me?" Lumina widening her eyes slightly to appear shocked as to what was happening in the capital city.
"Hmm, I believe you could enter the Hunters guild, their located in the inner ring further north across the road and to the immediate left of you. As for now, I think it best you head to The Bored Hogs Inn which when you leave the building, head north till you meet the crossroads, and it is the building to your immediate right." After informing Lumina about the possible choice he could make, Alan reached into his pockets and grabbed what looked to be some copper coinage with a few intricate patterns on them.
"Here's a few large copper coins, you'll need this to pay for the inn and a meal and possibly anything else you may need." Alan gave a small reassuring smile as he placed them into Lumina's hands.
"Thank you, I’ll pay you back for this, promise!" Leaving that remark, Lumina rushed out the door after pulling the robes hood back up to keep the rain from getting into her hair.
Lumina, just before leaving had a bit of an afterthought and silently commanded a spider shadow to hide in the corner of the room so that she may listen in if there are any concerning conversations that may be had. Once that was done, she jogged to the end of the street in a few minutes before doing as the guard instructed and turned right and saw a sign swaying in the breeze that read The Bored Hogs Inn. Speed walking to the door, Lumina opens it to find a brightly lit interior with brass Gaslamp torches on the sides while wooden tables and chairs clutter the surroundings and the reception desk lied directly from the door’s pathway, a wooden staircase was found next to the reception desk possibly leading to rooms for the night.
Pulling off her hood, Lumina walked up to the reception desk to find a middle-aged lady standing there with a service smile adorning her face. "Hello young miss, what may I do for you this evening."
"Hi, I would like a room for one please, may I know the going rates?" Lumina asked wanting to know how much she can afford.
"The going rate for a single room is two copper, if it’s a single room with breakfast, three copper, a room with breakfast and a tub of water to clean yourself and your clothes that will set you back five copper, however, if you pay for a weeks’ worth then you can gain a special discount of a day’s payment off making it only thirty copper." The lady said in a practiced professional tone as if she's done this all her life.
30 coppers? "Sure, I’ll take the special discount with a single room with breakfast and the tub of water, Thanks." Lumina replied in satisfaction.
Giddy, Lumina starts humming a tune to herself as she climbs the stairway as the receptionist led her to the single room that she'll be using upstairs.
"If you need anything just let me know." The receptionist left with those parting words as Lumina started to undress and finally lay in what was a rather comfortable bed in consideration as to where she was forced to sleep before.
Lumina, starting to get ready to bed but suddenly furrowed her brows in thought. Why am I so happy when others look at me as a woman? Could it be that I... No... But I-I'm... That would mean... Sigh I'm Lumina a young lady. Finally admitting it to herself, that she's actually been a woman at heart all along and that it only took a deity to summon her to this world and forcefully changing her body to match her heart, Lumina finally felt a sense of relief.
Of course, habits need to be relearnt and not everything will change just because of this. Lumina thought to herself. Suddenly, she 'saw' and 'heard' through her spider an interesting conversation.
Alans POV
Just when Lumina left, Alans cordial smile disappeared and called out "What do you think?" Suddenly out of thin air, a figure appeared in empty space covered in knight armour that was much lighter than Alans'.
"She does seem suspicious, yet most of her answers were somewhat truthful as her expressions, breathing and heartrate seemed normal, Knight Commander." The figure answered whilst slightly bowing towards Alan as if he is an inferior.
"I see, make sure to keep an eye on her and any of her actions and report to me if anything... Untoward were to happen."
"Yes Sir."
After the figure left, Alan took a long look at the door Lumina left his thoughts unreadable not knowing that all of this was captured by the shadow spider hidden in the corner of the room.