The Kritenya

"You may want to have a drink for this." She says when noticing my surprise.

"I am having a hard time buying what you're selling to me. My father and I were very close." I say.

"Is it possible I just happened to work along him?" She shakes her head. "You remind me of your mother." She sighs deeply.

It is now dawning on me. I didn't get to know what my father actually did for work. I think I should investigate. I take my walk to the door of the tavern and check the lock. Of course it is secured.

I smile working my way back to the strange woman. I have never seen such a being. She stands and takes her cloak off and it's weird to see someone who is clothless and yet has no sexual features. She takes her seat again.

"You don't mind do you?" She asks.

"Not at all. However, you were saying you knew my father." I reply, taking my seat.

"That I did." She raises her feathered arm with a finger pointing upwards.

"So, what do I need to know?" I ask her.

"First, I will keep guard of your tavern whilst you follow my clues." She says. "In the end, you're to figure out the puzzle." She adds.

"Alright. I'll bite. A test from my father?" I ask.

"Correct." She says.

"To run my tavern, you're going to have to be clothed, you know this right?" I ask.

"Understood. Now, your father left me a set of instructions for your guidance. You will start by getting his dagger." She smirks.

"Sounds easy enough." I say.

"You'll need to go to the Cairn of Clutea." She says. "Survive and bring back his dagger for your next hint." She adds.

"Might I ask one more thing?" I request.

"Sure." She says.

"What is a Kritenya?" I ask.

"We are the spirits that protect the realms." She says. "It is our duty to ensure the safety of this world and to be guides for the ones we see as the hope for the realms." She adds.

"I see. So you knee my dad I'm going to guess it's because of that." I say.

"Get the dagger and we'll talk more." She says. "I would expect you seen it before." She adds.

"Touché." I say.

I turn to the front door of my tavern, nothing more to say and head into the cobblestone streets of Silvana. I know I need to go to the Cairn of Clutea. I head for the northern exit. The guardsmen seem to be rather active today. Almost as if there is more to the day. Did I forget a holiday or something?

I wander along to see many people staring at me on my way out of town. It's not like I am a common offspring seen here, but even so they all know who I am.

I don't spend much attention on it. I sigh deeply. The walk will be a long one. Thankfully my father taught me when I was a wee lass that I could survive by the gifts of the forest.

I smile as I recall my father's times teaching me to fletch my own arrows, almost mindlessly wandering into the roads out of town. I know my way well enough to a point. The birds are chirping and singing to the air of the day.

I smell sweet wandering floral scents and a nice fruity tint in the air with it. I can easily tell what that is, Brindon Berries. Brandon Berries are typically used for perfumes and tea. They are known for their soft flavor.

I sigh. Already I miss my tavern. The Kritenya seems certain I can do this. I keep making my way through the wooded trail. All of the greenery is amazing to behold.