Chapter 54: Burden of Guildmaster
The warm light of the setting sun bathed the city in amber hues. Shopkeepers began to close up for the day, while others such as night vendors and tavern owners, were just opening, ready to serve the evening crowd.
On the second floor of the Dawnbloom Guild headquarters, the dusky sunlight streamed through a window, casting long shadows across the hallway.
In front of one of the doors, Ida stood silently, her gaze fixed on the sun slowly setting below the horizon. The silence was broken by the arrival of another woman, dressed in a full apron and pushing a trolley laden with plates, cups, and cleaning supplies.
"Um... Miss Ida, may I come in? It’s getting late," the woman asked softly.
Ida turned to her, adjusted her glasses, and replied, "Wait a minute."
She knocked on the door.
"Come in," a voice mumbled from inside.
Ida opened the door and stepped in. Inside sat Mirinda, slouched over a desk with her head resting on her arm. A half-empty bottle of alcohol dangled from her hand, and several more, some empty, some spilled, lay scattered across the table. Her cheeks were flushed red from drinking. She was clearly, hopelessly drunk.
It was a familiar sight to Ida. For the past seven years, ever since Mirinda became guildmaster, this had become a recurring scene, one that came every time the pressure grew too heavy to bear.
Ida walked in and nodded at the apron-clad woman, signaling her to begin cleaning the room. The woman hesitated, then quietly began her task.
"Guildmaster Mirinda," Ida said firmly, approaching her. "It’s late. Let’s get you to your room."