Novels2Search

Chapter 62

It didn't take long for Owen to bring the two young ladies up to speed and soon they were finalizing the needed details for that night's operation. Even if he was involved as a guide he didn't have any overseeing awareness so Ethan remained relatively silent during the entire conversation except for when he was asked to confirm his part or his understanding of the plans.

"We will send out as many teams of three as possible with two of them accompanying Ethan."

Originally it had been pairs but then Ethan remembered, and subsequently informed the three, about his second encounter when he felt that someone had sneaked up on him. He explained how he could have sworn someone was behind him but by the time he jumped away and turned around they were gone. Owen had taken the news with some concern given his knowledge of Ethan's current abilities. As such the guild master had upped the numbers to three for the different teams, just as a precaution.

"Even if it turns out that Ethan's experiences are unrelated to our situation we'll at least be in the general area of the sanctum and can be begin investigating."

Ethan nodded, silently agreeing with the guild master's thoughts, his gaze staring into the unknown beyond the couch that sat across from the boy's chair. Owen studied him with a sideways glance for a few seconds before inhaling deeply and then expelling the air with just as much force. He began to speak while switching his gaze to Lorelle and Cecelia and as Ethan slowly turned to look at him after registering the sigh.

"I figure we'll have about 9 to 12 volunteers but lets make certain that we have at least that number. For the sake of the community, and the emotional well-being of some of our younger members, post a paid job posting, from the guild. I'll leave the amount up to you two and you can take it out of my pay."

Owen had looked back to Ethan when he got to the part about younger members in his statement. The boy's wide-eyed doe like reaction was satisfying, but also a little worrying, and after he turned back to the pair to finish his instructions he pointed at Ethan with a firm expression.

"This... intervention is an exception! What I'm doing is not only a rare occurrence but also could set a bad precedence so don't get used to it."

After all he couldn't live if he had to put out money for every similar event or situation. While he wasn't heartless he was pragmatic and had a fear that a different guild master wouldn't even care enough about the situation to even explain the world to a young one. If he couldn't afford to live then that meant bad news for the guild in more ways than one. For now though his sour thoughts were cast away as Ethan's brightness seemed to fill the room.

The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

"Mr. Owen!"

The way Ethan said those words, and the expression on his face, made the guild master feel a little uncomfortable and rather embarrassed. Thankfully he didn't see Cecelia violently wringing her hands together to keep herself under control. Furthermore, for Cecelia's sake, she didn't notice Lorelle lower her arm so that she could reach into a pocket of her uniform where a small vial of anti-wrinkle balm was hidden. You know, just in case.

"Thank you so much! I don't know how to thank you! I'll pay you back! I promise I'll work off the debt!"

"Now, now, Ethan, don't get ahead of yourself."

The sweet voice came from Lorelle who seemingly had a glint in her eyes. Owen, who had been about to accept to the offer with a raised finger and what would surely sound like a sagely reason for doing so, didn't get a single word out and slowly turned his face to look at the receptionist.

"While it may be an exception, the guild master is secretly rather proud of being able to help in these situations. That being the case it wouldn't do well for us to intervene with his generosity."

The corner of Owen's eye that was facing Lorelle began to twitch violently as her words were spoken with such a sweet smile it made him sick for all the wrong reasons. As if she expected him to voice his opposition, especially after she somehow noted the twitch, her eyes, which had seemingly been closed up to this point, cracked open ever so slightly. By some magical power that only females seemed to have she leveled a hidden gaze that promised massive bodily trauma to the guild master if he opposed her comment. In fact all he could see before him was a black void with her partially opened eyes and evil grin in the center. To Ethan she was simply smiling at Owen and when he didn't deny Lorelle's words Ethan let the matter drop, though with some hesitation. Yep, the power of the female "look" was immeasurable.

"O.... okay Ms. Lorelle."

"W... well then. Let's get the gears moving and this show on the road as the saying goes."

Owen clapped his hands together in an attempt to disperse the oppressive fog currently surrounding him and looked between them as he spoke. He then looked down and scribbled something down on a piece of parchment and then held it out to Lorelle with a smile.

"Here is the job request for the posting. Have to keep everything straight and official don't we?"

Lorelle, her eyes now completely open but still holding that "smile" firmly nodded and walked forward so she could take the offered note.

"Indeed we must. Thank you guild master, whatever would we do without you?"

Owen's eyes went a little wide before he coughed a bit and brought his expression back under control.

"I really don't know."

He offered before absently rubbing his neck and collar area for some reason. With that Lorelle turned and winked at a knowing Cecelia before they both waved Ethan over.

"Let's go Mr. Kipley, we have some preparations to make and very little time to do so."

Owen watched the three leave and after the door closed behind them slumped back into his chair feeling thoroughly exhausted.

".... Evil."