The next morning found all four of the group bright eyed and bushy tailed outside the adventurers guild. They were watching with anticipation down the street for Julia’s eventual approach. There was a special kind of energy going through them, the kind of energy people get every two weeks or so, it was payday.

“Any guesses how much we’re going to get paid?” Francis was bouncing on the balls of his feet. “I’d like to think taking out that group of goblins would be worth a lot.”

“We’ll get paid what we’re owed.” Marks steady gaze focused down the street. “I’m sure Julia will be fair about it.”

“I think there might have been information about that on the quest paper.” Paul was leaning against the wall. “But I couldn’t make anything out.”

“Don’t beat yourself up about that.” Tim patted Paul on the shoulder. “It couldn’t be helped.”

“Well well well. Look who we have here.” The mocking tone of Everett had snuck up on the group. “Looks like the cheaters have decided to show their faces.”

Turning to stare Everett down, Mark let a scowl cross his face. “I don’t see how we could be ‘cheaters’. We did the job.”

“HAH.” Everett elbowed the gray robed mage he was with. “Get a load of this guy. Thinking a bunch of weaklings like them could even possibly take out an entire goblin camp.”

“Probably stole that pot.” Gray robes nodded along. “Some family out there is missing their only cooking pot I bet.”

“And the smell.” Bow lady interjected. “Only one way to get THAT kind of smell.” She glared hard at Francis’s diminutive form.

“What? Why me?” Francis looking shocked.

Before Bow lady could elaborate, Julia arrived. “Oh good, you’re here.” She looked over the two tense groups. “Just let me get set up inside. You’re all welcome to sit at the tables though.”

Julia opened the door and left it swinging after stepping through. Everett and his group quickly moved to get in the doorway first. Giving a sneer to the others like cutting in line and knowing the people behind would be too polite to object.

“What’s got their panties in a bunch?” Francis asked.

“I think I’ve seen this before.” Paul glanced at the others. “I think they’re jealous of us.”

“What would they have to be jealous of?” Tim raised a golden eyebrow. “We literally only have the shirts on our backs.”

“You remember how Julia said something along the lines of how they could be working but aren’t?” Paul gestured to where the other group was likely sitting. “We come in here, with nothing, and get a job done they couldn’t or wouldn’t. Yeah I can see us being a threat to whatever they have going on.”

“Something to think about.” Mark added while walking towards the door. “But lets go sit down.”

Mark led the way to one of the tables and sat with his back to Everetts group. The other three joined him at the table.

Francis started up a conversation with. “So, what are you guys going to buy first?”

All three in unison said. “Clothes.” and paused.

“Yeah well, I mean after that.” Francis rolled his hand in a ‘go on’ motion. “Personally, I’m thinking cool sword, like a rapier.”

Paul nodded. “I think that would work for you.”

“I just figured it would help with the poking up thing, ya know?” Francis mimed a stabbing motion over his head.

Paul chuckled at Francis’s antics. “What I’m needing is a spell book of some kind. Or at least something to write in.”

“Why’s that?” Tim asked while rubbing his finger on the table top in a pattern.

“If things are shaping up like how I think they’re shaping up.” Paul tapped the side of his head. “Then I’ve got to write down what I know up here before I cast something big. Otherwise I’ll forget it once I do.”

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“I figured your memory was actually pretty good.” Tim stopped rubbing the table. “Do you think I’d need one of those as well?”

“Probably not?” Paul cocked his head to think. “I’m fairly certain you’ve got your book on you if you think about it. That, and from what I recall your magic is different than my magic.”

“In that case, I’m going to want something different.” Tim mimed some shapes. “First off, a big walking stick. A properly sized one that’s going to be solid. Second, a backpack for carrying stuff.”

“Good choices. Useful choices.” Mark held up his hand and ticked off fingers. “For me, considering what we’ve done, I’ve got a bit of a shopping list. The two most important things though are some Armour, hopefully metal, and a weapon, a big one that I can use with two hands.”

“The traditional option is a great sword, or claymore if you want to put a name to it.” Paul suggested.

Mark rubbed his chin in contemplation. “While that might be good. I think what would be better is an axe of some kind. We really could have used one yesterday.”

“That would have a bit more utility, sure.” Paul admitted. “I’d be willing to chip in a bit if it keeps you and us safe.”

“oooOOOooooHHhh, how touching.” Everett spoke up from the other table. “Delusions of grandeur. Promises of friendship. Just the right kind of ACT you lot would put on.”

The four turned to scowl at Everett’s mocking speech.

“Already taking bites even before the food is cooked huh?” Everett continued. “Just sitting there in your stew of lies. Not even a nibble between you all. Trying to figure out more ways to get honest hard working people like Julia to believe you.”

“Do you have a problem with us?” Mark said in an even tone.

“I have a problem with people who don’t know their place!” Everett smacked their table with his fist. “When trash like you try to beat the system with a meagre [Power] like yours.”

“Meagre power like ours?” Mark repeated.

“Yeah there’s no WAY you could have possibly beat those goblins.” Everett pointed directly at Mark. “A mere 16 [STR]? Those muscles I see are all fakes. Probably had that [Mage] over there cast an illusion.” The pointed finger shifted to Paul.

Francis leaned in close to Paul to whisper. “What was that thing you shouted at the goblins yesterday?”

Paul bent his head down. “Geek the mage?”

“Yeah that was it. I see where this is going.” Francis slipped off his chair and under the table.

“And another thing!” Everett rose out of his chair. “If you guys weren’t so intent on holding back an actual USEFUL member of your party.” Looking directly at Tim. “We’d all be better off out here.”

Mark also stood up to square off against Everett. “I’m not liking your tone boy.”

Everett moved around their table and got face to face with Mark. “Liars never liked the truth now do they?”

Mark gritted his teeth and squeezed his fists into tight balls.

“What you going to do about that?” Everett poked Mark in his chest. “Liar.”

Mark swung his fist into the side of Everett’s Face. The blow catching their chin and smug grinning face which pushed Everett back and caused him to stumble.

Everett raised his hand to his face and brought away a drop of blood. With a snarl he shouted. “Get em.”

Time froze.

Francis rose up, knife in hand and gripped the hair of the gray mage to put his knife to their throat. “Easy now, no sudden moves.”

Bow lady leapt across their table to send a flying kick at Paul who barely ducked to the side in time.

Gray mage stiffened in place.

Everett threw a punch at Mark who casually stepped to the side.

Tim moved to the bow lady and tried to grab and restrain her, but was unable to grab hold.

Mark landed a second punch on Everett striking the other side of the mans face.

Paul stood up from the dive he took and moved around to flank the bow lady.

Francis kept the gray mage in place.

Bow lady sent another kick at paul, this time connecting with his leg and causing him to stumble.

Gray mage continued to not move a muscle.

Everett punched out another time and struck Mark on the chin. Only to clutch their hand in pain.

Tim took advantage of the distraction and grabbed the bow lady around her waist and held on tight.

Mark landed a haymaker on Everett which knocked the man to the floor.

Time unfroze.

“WHAT’S ALL THIS THEN?” Julia shouted.

Everyone froze in place. Francis quickly removed the knife and hid it behind his back. Everett moaned from the floor.

“All you had to do was sit quietly for a few minutes.” Julia shook her head.

Mark looked apologetic. “This would be my fault ma’am. I shouldn’t have acted the way I did.”

Everett got up off the floor holding a hand to his tender face. “These animals were trying to rob you and the guild Julia.”

“Don’t think I can’t hear what goes on in this room.” Julia narrowed her eyes at Everett. “You were looking for a fight, and you got one.”

“One that they lost, handily.” A new voice spoke up.

“Guild master!” Julia stiffened. “You’re back, and on time!”

“That last one was uncalled for.” The guild master stood up from a chair behind the counter. His Gray hair was cropped short and weathered face was wearing a smile at the gentle ribbing Julia gave him. The uniform he was wearing matched Julias but with an additional set of tassels that gave it more ostentation.

“I saw that fight brewing and had to see the new ones in action.” The guild masters eyes twinkled. “I take it they did a good job, Julia?”

“That they did sir.” Julia moved over to the counter top and laid some papers in front of the guild master. “Took on the goblin quest, came back with their cauldron. Above and beyond rating.”

The guild master glanced over the papers. “Above and beyond huh.” He looked up at the four, now shuffling in place near each other. “How’d you do it?”

Mark stepped forward. “Ambush, lured a bunch away, then scared off the rest. They said they had to ‘protect the recipe’.”

The guild master stared hard at Mark. “Protect the recipe.” Seemingly mulling those words over inside their head. “Where did you guys say you were from again?” their tone accusatory.