Deepwoods (Book 1)

“I was stopped by a messenger from Blackstone,” Sylvie said and held out a folded sheet of paper that had been sealed with
black wax, the crest of the main guild of the city impressed into it. “Seems
urgent.”

Siobhan broke the seal with a quick twist of her fingers
before unfolding the paper. Deepwoods had strong ties to Blackstone, the master
guild of Goldschmidt, and often took on minor jobs for them. To be given a
message like this wasn’t unusual. To get it this late in the day, however,
spoke of impending trouble. She scanned through the letter quickly and unease
coiled into a cold lump in her stomach.

“Listen up,” she called to the table, not taking her eyes
from the letter. A hush instantly descended. “This came directly from
Guildmaster Darrens. His daughter Lirah has gone missing.”

“Missing?!” several people repeated in shock.

“She apparently was going to Sateren to negotiate something
for her father but she never got there. He’s verified that she went through
Island Pass so she at least got to Wynngaard, but it’s now three days past when
she was meant to arrive and there’s no sign of her.” She raised her head and
looked around the table, stating what everyone had already guessed. “He’s asked
us to go after her.”