As it turned out, Alurial had managed to cause the group problems much sooner than Rex would have ever expected. The little pipsqueek had become even more irritable after rex had brushed her off, lashing out at not only her friends, even if quite a lot less angrily, but also anyone who crossed paths with them, inevitably kicking an iron plate. As a result, there was a rather large amount of money they had to fork out, lest the offended party took offense and the guild would make the girls compensate in the only way they could at that time- using their bodies to pacify the hurt party, something that said 'hurt party' was counting on, most likely having pulled some strings to get the current result.
"So, after a small chat with Derek and learning of our involvement, as well as learning of my interest in Ria, you came to the conclusion that it was better for only one of you to have to go through what was looming over your heads."
"No, I volunteered." Ria corrected him "Samanta and others offered as well, but since you had spoken so highly about me.." she did not finish, her head hung low, clearly embarased to talk of such things.
"Now I feel like a piece of meat. And here I thought I have a pleasant impression on your group, the pipsqueek excluding." Rex sighed, covering his eyes and massaging his temples.
"I am more than willing to offer myself, but we desperatly need to make that spot. Rex please?" Samanta spoke, though Rex still could see that the offer was still nothing more than an act of desperation, choosing the lesser of the two evils.
"Sorry girls, but your offer is not appealing in the least. I doubt I could enjoy myself, with tears being the least of the harm such a deal would create." and seeing as their eyes grew more somber and dejected, he added "Though I have a possible proposal that could work for all of us." The last sentence did return a slight amount of light to their eyes, as they focused on whatever Rex would speak next.
"What I offer, is simple. Wait a sec." he stopped and called Lisa back into the room. She was a member of the guild after all. And with Lisa by his side, he continiued. "So, my offer is simple. Your request in exchange for a montly dates with Ria while she makes a sound commitment that no other man gets anywhere near her." His words tokk the tree ladies by shock, as Lisa sputtered.
"Rex, that is not proper at all. What is it that they asked for, by the way?"
"That is between us, though note that they were willing to go much further, with my offer being the chaste one." His words caused Lisa to took at the two ladies on the other side of the table, all three of them suddenly blushing.
"So, what do you think?" Rex asked the duo.
"Why?" a quiet question came from Ria, barely audible. Moments later, she spoke once more, this time much clearer than before. "Why would you go so far for us?"
"Lets just say that a forcefully plucked fruits are not nearly as tasty as one thats ripe and perfectly prepeared. Besides, Samanta is a nice person, a bit too good if you aske me. And you just seem too precious for some scummy noble to spoil. Right, and I want to be there as you deal with your small problem after the raid. So, do we have a deal?"
The two party members looked at each other for just a moment, promptly agreeing to his offer.
"Perfect then. Lisa dear, could you inform guild master that as my right to have a party for the raid, I will be joining hands with Light's oak? And I would like to have this little deal of ours to be written down and noted by guild."
"Sure, though the latter will cost you a few silvers at the very least." she replied as she left to take care of the requests, the trio remaining where they were, awaiting her return.
"See, you look much better with that relaxed smile on your face." Rex spoke when he noticed that Ria had calmed down considerably and was even sporting that light smile of hers, prompting her to touch her own face in shock, feeling it for herself, as well as having Samantas gaze directed at her.
With Lisa gone, Ria asked a question that had crept up in her mind during the latter part of their conversation.
"I think I understand your reasoning in not going along with our offer, but how does this one benefits you? There is nothin more than simple dates guaranteed after all" she quickly shied her gaze away, not entirely comfortable talking of such topics, her last sentence of much more muffled.
"Look at it this way." Rex replied in a relaxed manner. "I get to know you better at a slow and relaxed pace, without worry that some smuch, or a skilled manipulator could sweep you off your feet and sink their claws in you. You are aware that I find your physical appearance quite pleasing, so if I come to enjoy your company, and you mine in return, its a big win for me. And the slow pace of our outings will allow me to focus on adventures and my growth, with, as I stated before, safety net that you are focused on me alone as a potential partner."
"And you thought that all through during our small interaction? Where are my man of such caliber." complained Samanta from the side, much more spirited now that at least a part of their conundrum was solved.
"By the way, should the raid not pan out too well for you guys, for that is a posibility, I will call in a favour with guild master to get Ria through without the same problems the rest of you will face. Unless I myself get so much dough that I could consider bailing you all out, though that pipsqueek of yours is an issue."
Samanta winced at the bluntness that Rex aproached the subject, since that was a possibility, but even with that stark difference in his attitude, she had a question that was hard to contain.
"Why dont you like Alurial so much Rex? I know she is a handfull, but still."
"Besides the fact that she is arrogant without the strenght to back it up, or that loud and presumptious persona that she goes around as? Geez, I dont know, must be the wind."
Once again, both women winced at his words.
"And of course her inability to see that her actions are quite the threat to the rest of your party. Case in point your current troubles. She either gets her act together fast, or she will be the death of you. And since I am investing in Ria now, you can see how my opinion of that pipsqueek gets only worse."
The room descended in silence, and soem minutes later Lisa returned, with sets of two papers in her hands. One proved that Rex had teamed up with Light's Oak for the raid, the other being their contract, with both sides agreeing to the aforementioned terms. Another ten or so minutes later, the duo left, allowing for Rex and Lisa to return to the living quarters of the guild, where they spent most of the day relaxing. It was in the evening that Lisa informed Rex that the raid had been completely assembled and ready to depart, which would happen in the early morning of the next day, and that all the parties who would be taking part had already be notified.
xxxxxxx
As per ussual, Rex woke up nice and early, the air outside felt positively energized, what with all the adventurers already up and about, arriving more than an hour earlier than the supposed assembly time. It seemed that not one of the parties was willing to miss out on the oportunity, though that was to be expected, what with all therumors of someone always striking it rich after such a raid. Of course, the level of success always varied, but nonetheless, that did not dampen the spirits and excitement of the crowd.
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Finding his way to the guild kitchen, he met with a couple of attendants, up nice and early and prepearing for a possibility of quite the hectic day, likely that the adventurers that did not get a spot in the raid would come in droves to take some other quest to went their anger out on. They could do nothing to the guild after all, well aware of the enormous power behind it as an organization. Nodding a light greeting to the people present, Rex set about to prepeare himself some breakfast and, well aware that Lisa would soon slump into the kitchen and dining area, not being a morning person whatsoever, he made an extra portion to provide the young lady with.
Truth to his expectation, Lisa arrive sson after, and seeing as Rex was setting plates for two, beamed a happy and thankfull smile in his dirrection. Once they both were at the table, with Rex's portion being much larger than Lisas, though nothing new by now, Lisa spoke once they had been eating for a short while, a pleased sigh leaving her lips.
"Sigh. Whatever woman manages to land you will be trully lucky." Then, after stuffing her cheeks and chewing for a while followed by another sigh, she continiued "Do tell me should you find another man like you. A girls gotta think of her future you know. " Rex smiled and even laughed a little, eliciting a light groan from the girl.
"Well, I am starting to consider you like a little sister of mine, so whoever decides to pursue you, will have to get past my evaluation."
Another groan escaped her cute person. "Not you too. The guildmaster said the same thing."
"You should be happy Lisa. That just means how precious you are. Take it as a compliment that is should be."
"Easy for you to say. Guildmaster is quite the busybody when it comes to matters like this. The scores of random adventurers lining up to my workplace are of no concern to him, but the second I show any interest in any man, he sweeps in like a hawk, disecting any and all actions of said pesron, eventually marking them as unft and scaring them away."
"Well, I would have to say he has been correct so far then." Rex replied, adn seeing her incredulous look, added an explanation. "Anyone who gives up and runs away just because of the presence and scrutinizing eye of the guildmaster does not deserve your time and affection anyways. They were probably just looking for a quick score and bragging rights. Cant have such scum sully a treasure like you. So, whats one more guard dog to ensure that no scum or simple thief walks away with the treasure of a century." Rex smiled after his own explanation, sure his point had gone across quite well,reflected in the blooming smile on Lisas lace. The remaining breakfast was rather quiet, with both of them thinking on their own . Once done, Lisa lead Rex over to the guildmasters office, the middle aged man looking much more offical and presentable, a far cry from the hungover old man he had met a few days ago.
"Ready to prove your words true kid?" The man grinned from ear to ear.
"There is nothing to prove. All I have to is guide you to ensure that it is not missed is all."
"Ha ha ha ha. Confident. I like it."
"You seem to be doing much better yourself." Rex remainded the guildmaster of the last time they had met, something the man in question simply waved off. "We all have working ours, even me. What I do in my spare time is of no business to the guild, or anyone else for that matter."
"Sure thing sir. On an unrelated matter, if you will lend me an ear." Rex spoke, waiting for the guildmaster to signal for him to continiue, an when said sign finally came, he continiued.
"I dont know if you are aware, but is seems that someone has used some backdoor connections in this branch." To his words, the guildmasters face visibly darkened.
"Tell me all about it."
"Dont know much myself, but that it involves a party by the name of Light's Oak and that they are supposed to play a rather large sum for some small offence, otherwise they would have to use their bodies to compensate for supposed damage, and that it had been done with the guild approval and blessing."
"God damit!" guildmaster cursed under his breath, murmuring to himself "I though I dealt with all that rabble when I took over." A moment later he looked to Rex, as if expecting something else.
"In case you cannot solve the issue in a timely manner, I wanted a guarantee that those slimy bastard dont get their claws on a blonde beauty by the name of Ria in said party. Otherwise there might be some rather tragic accidents a few years down the line. Heavens are fickle after all."
"Hmm. I will take care of it as soon as we return from the raid. Hope such a time frame is fine with you?"
"Not a problem. The party in question will be my plus one for the raid, so it suits us just fine. Ow, and I owe you one. Save it for a rainy day a few years down the line. It will come in handy, I know it."
"With your potential? I could be a moron and would still see something so obvious. Pretty sure that everyone must be here already, so lets get this party started."
With that said, the guildmaster lead Rex downstairs and out of the guild building, where a large number of adventurer parties had gathered. As Rex walked alongside the guildmaster, he soon noticed both Light's Oak and Lightning Sparrow parties, who promptly walked over, without stopping the duo from continuing on their way. moments later, the group stopped by a rather large group of well armored soldiers, led by a man on a white horse. The man was around forty, some gray locks adorning his hair and beard.
"Commander Wulf." guildmaster nodded his head to the mounted man in greeting as he addressed him.
"Guildmaster Ross, a pleasure to meet you. Are we ready to seet out?" the older man asked, his face relaxed but his body told a story of a seasoned warrior who was always alert and ready for any unforseen situation.
"JESS!" Guildmaster Ross yelled out and moments later one of the guilds attendants ran over. "Yes guildmaster?"
"Everyone is present?"
"Yes guildmaster. All checked in and accounted for. We can depart at any moment."
"Perfect. As unrully and individualistic the adventurers are, they never fail to impress me when it comes to raids and large scale oportunities like these."
Moments later, he pulled a horn from his belt and blowed into it, covering the front of the building in a rather odd sound, that silenced any other, quickly earning the attention of everyone present.
"Adventurers!" the guild master exclaimed. "An opportunity has presented itslef to us, and we would be fools not to take it. I know that everyone here is well aware what is in store for us, so I will not waste more words. We head out NOW!"
With those words, he mounted the horse that was prepeared for him, while the adventurer parties climed in whatever carriages they were assigned to, the result of a collaboration between every transport offering fellow throughout the city and beighboring villages. It was one of the reasons why the raid had to wait for a few days, ensuring that thei group would travel and arrive at their destination in a similar timeframe.
Minutes later, the town gate saw off numerous carriages, each and every one loaded with excited adventurers or soldiers, greed and anticipation gleaming in their eyes. It took the large procession aproximately an hour to reach the small village where Rex's subjugation quest had innitially started. And not much later, the rather sizable group, consisting of a few dozen adventurer parties, as well as a few hundred soldiers, departed towards the place where the burrow that Rex and Lightning Sparrow had raided.
Men and women in various sets of armor and numerous different weapons of choice ammased in front of the burrow, their eyes gleaming at the coming oportunities. The guild master took point, with Rex, his temporary companions and Silver Sparrow close by, as well as a squad from the city soldiers, alongside with commander Wul and a few earth mages that were called in specifically to gain access to the other tunnels leading to the city, should the neccesity demand it.
"Lets get this party under way, shall we?" Grinned Ross, recieving nods from both parties and the commander, closely following Rex and his party into the burrow. Due to them already having cleared it once, they were more aware of the place, rather quickly guiding Ross, Wulf and the earth mages to the last chamber, the place where Rex had sensed the signature of hundreds more kobold life singatures.
Once in the larger cavern, Rex pointed towards the dirrection in which he had sensed the activity, pointing out that it felt that there was still some activity, adding that he could not use the same ability so soon again, at the very least nowhere near the same capacity. A rather bold faced lie that Rex had not hesitated to tell. Knowledge was something coveted by many, and the premier skills were in the same boat, but adding obvious weaknesses and drawbacks would make hiss ability to look more mediocre, taking the spotlight off of him.
The earth mages spent around five minutes in establishing a spell circle what they stood in to cast a special spell, after which they confirmed the precise location of said group consisting of hundreds of creatures deeper down. They had confirmed the existance of a large contingent of montsters in the vicinity beforehand. As one of the scouts from the soldiers side returned to the surface, the remaining people present started to look for a possible path downward, one that they found shortly before the remaining adventurers arrived. The earth mages cleared the path in mere minutes afterward, opening the path forward, as every group wanted to find a spot that they could explore freely on their own and perhaps earn some serious treasure.