Hired, Survived, Signed

Tessa is a broke, low-level Patchwork Crafter just trying to survive in the capital. Her gear barely holds together, her Experience gain is a joke, and her only ally is a giant baby bird. To reach level 100 and earn a spot in the Maker’s Guild, she takes courier jobs on foot—delivering messages, dodging nobles, and patching her boots between shifts at the stables. But a high-paying delivery sends her off the map—and straight into trouble. She just wanted to earn enough to eat and buy materials. Now she’s carrying something worth killing for. [participant in the Royal Road Writathon challenge]