the man seemed quite unimpressed. "Yes, quite well. You'll have a lot to learn here. Our entry fee is 50 coin. You'll be receiving tutoring and access to our library. Should you show potential, you'll gain access to more services."

The scholar nodded. "We shall be awaiting your return then. Good day."

At this point, Lucem was probably on his way out to the bandit's lair. His bounty note contained some extra information he could look through while going there.

The bounty detailed the rough location. Some mountain to the east. A cluster of low-lifes had holed up there and was preying on lone travellers. Lucem was lucky to not have encountered them. The bounty required proof of the act by presenting proof in the form of physical evidence. Thus, cut off ears. Upon completion, the proof would have to be taken to the citadel plaza, where the guards had their station.

It took a good six hours. As his horses hoofs rhythmically impacted on the crushing sound of dust and ash. This stretch of dark ground, it seemed to be like a desert of ashes and dust. the remnants of countless armies and dragons, burnt away under sheer power. As he rode, both he and his horse could feel the desolate, haunting aura of the many dead that roamed here. From the corner of his eye, Lucem saw a four armed creature, slim and disturbing, roaming the same desert. A reaper, scouring for lost souls. They posed no threat to him, but the rare sight of them was disturbing.

Beyond the desert, rose tall mountains. The location of the bandits was supposedly somewhere in the middle of it all. Just along the crevice in the mountain through which Lucem had earlier come.

The horse calmly remained. While Lucem continued further into the mountains.

After some time of hiking, perhaps half an hour, he came upon the sight of fire on a particular high peak.Or rather, smoke rising from the plateau at the top. there seemed to be no clear path up there, but Lucem did come upon a cave on the side of this peak.