Emilie groaned on their way into the inn. “So, annoying we couldn’t find the third person.”
Jenora shrugged. “I guess if we do two more interviews tomorrow and the last one the day after that we’d still have plenty of time to gather evidence and speak with Miss Conway.”
The four of them filed in ate and went to sleep. The next day after eating and going outside the inn a crowd had gathered outside. They cheered as soon as Victor stepped out. ‘Oh dear, I’m a celebrity.’ Victor paused and shook some hands. “Thank you all for coming. Unfortunately, this week I am very busy. I’ll be happy to speak with all of you next week.” The crowd dispersed slowly over a few minutes. Victor turned to the three of them. “Is it always going to be like this?”
Cawthorn calmly raised one wing and regally assured Victor. “It’s always like this for the greatest mage and greatest bird in Verdan. Such respect is to be expected.”
“I’m shocked you’re not shouting it from the rooftops,” Victor noted.
“I had to quit my flock to hear the roaring cheers of the crowd. Wonderful sounds one and all. My flock you may resume cheering for us.” Cawthorn threw up his arms as his delusional flock resumed praising him.
Jenora commented to Serena. “Since I can’t hit anyone and you’re so good at it. You play the, what was it? Bad cop.”
Emilie wrapped one arm around her. “It’s alright you could never be a bad girl.”
Jenora nervously nodded. “Yeah.”
Serena smirked. “I enjoyed intimidating them. I don’t want to do anything to them, but the respect was intoxicating.”
Jenora agreed immediately. “You’re an excellent interrogator. You’re threatening without physical violence. Without actually hurting someone I’m a lot worse at that. I will watch and try to learn that skill from you.”
Emilie sighed. “Are we going to try and find Nathan Price or Georgia Young? We couldn’t find her yesterday, but she was on the list.”
“Let’s start by asking the Freedman’s Guild about Nathan Price. If we can find him, we should start with him. He’s the most likely suspect after all.” Jenora extended her hand pointing to the guild. “That place also likely has any remaining evidence that could be used.”
“Agreed.” Victor nodded as they began to walk. On the way, people came up to them and walked and talked asking simple questions here and there about him such as his favorite food and color. Eventually, one question came up which he evaded, poorly. “Well, I can’t tell you where I grew up, but it was rather far from here.” This fueled wild speculation amongst those around them.
They reached the long lines to a groan from Emilie. “This again.”
One of the men spoke to someone and disappeared before reappearing. “Sir, could you come with me?”
“Can my party accompany me?” Victor tilted his head toward the man.
“Of course, sir. Please accompany me.” The massive man stomped back past the front desks to a hallway leading into the back of the building. “Right this way sir.” He opened the door for them bowing and motioning them in. “Lord Londo Volox will see you.”
An old man with a white wispy mustache and a bald head in a white suit greeted them in what Victor. On his desk filled with papers and old ink fountains, he had a tiny area that cleared the space of a single sheet of paper. “Welcome Victor! Or do you prefer Mr. Vogal? My name is Londo Volox but you can call me Londo. I am the Freedman’s Guild Wonora Division Leader, a long title to be sure but an accurate one. Come sit, sit. I am sure you’re irritated by the long lines at the front of the office. It’s an unavoidable curse due to our volume. How may I help you today sir?”
“Quite the talkative fellow. Victor is fine.” He took a seat as did the others and the man closed the door. “We are looking to speak with a guild member today, specifically Nathan Price.”
The man scratched his chin. “One moment. George!”
The man opened the door. “Yes, boss?”
“Please collect the dispatch forms associated with Nathan Price.” He instructed him as George closed the door behind him. “While he retrieves that information are there any other questions you may have for me about this guild or the city at large?”
“Is George your slave?” Victor asked.
“George? Of course not. Slaves are for menial tasks only. He’s security.” Londo clarified.
“Do you own any slaves?” Victor asked him pointedly.
“Hm? I don’t. Don’t see the need for them. Slaves can easily skirt the commands you give them and do poor jobs. Sure, you can punish them but it’s a lot of effort. I prefer high-quality well-paid employees and guildmates. Quality over quantity if you will.” Londo waved his hands around as he explained himself. “To be sure you can make more money with quantity, but my position does not depend on myself increasing volume but rather making sure we are successful overall in this region.”
“Does success generally depend on the number of slaves you sell or use?” Victor continued irritated.
“The slave trade is a small part of our operations. Some individuals in our organization utilize them more than others and some need them to be economically viable. Why do you care so much about this issue?” He leaned forward with great interest.
Victor seemed almost incensed by the question as though the answer was self-evident. Serena stepped in and spoke up. “Where he comes from there are no slaves. He finds the practice repulsive.”
“It flies in the face of freedom, and choice.” Victor glared at him.
“I see.” He scribbled down a note somewhere. “Unfortunately, on that front, all I can do is avoid directing you to guild members who employ such practices and acquire such goods.”
“I guess that’s better than nothing.” He sat back with disdain on his face.
A heavy uneasiness hung in the air for a few minutes before Londo spoke. “I see you’ve formed your guild but aren’t the guild master.”
“Yes. Forala Medot is the guild leader. She’s much higher level and extremely proficient in combat.” Victor explained.
“That’s the reason she’s in charge?” He asked in utter disbelief. “Excluding the Reapers guild there is no major guild in this country which is structured that way. You should be the guild leader. Your fame would massively increase your recruitment potential, if not guild leader at least Vice Guild Leader.”
George returned with a sheet of paper. “Sir it appears he will return tomorrow. He departed for the necropolis 6 days ago. The trip is 3 days out and 3 back so a day or two and he will be back likely with an artifact.” He handed the sheet of paper to Londo.
“Thank you. That will be all for now George.” George closed the door. “A day or two and he should be back. I will see to it you are notified when he returns. I am sorry I could not be of greater help.”
“What services can you offer?” Victor asked reluctantly. ‘He’s effectively the top trader in the area I may as well ask.’
“Splendid. Normally virtually all services of the Freedman’s Guild would be off-limits to you however we can officially consider you a partner guild similar to The Great Golden Guild. We can offer you deeply discounted services and access to information services on the cheap. Given the name of your guild, I suspect availing yourself of that information may be what you use these services for.” Londo smiled giving a quick nod.
“Are there any pieces of information on artifacts you could give us for free in the tier 2ish range?” Victor leaned forward with greater interest.
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“Well, the first thing is public knowledge but if you do not know the necropolis was defeated something like two months ago. New wings have been found nearly every week since it started being cleared out. Some large, some small but thousands of Spheres of Undeath have been recovered and sold to The Great Golden Guild. While I have no leads on specific places within the necropolis, I recommend it as most creatures there have been between level 5 and level 25 and if you encounter a creature beyond your skill simply running is likely possible as many other groups will be within a minute or two run from you.” He smiled at Victor. “If you find that not to be suited to you return and I will see what I can do for you.”
“That does seem like a good place to start. Perhaps I judged you too soon.” Victor pulled back.
The man tilted his head down and held both hands up as if to say, ‘Oh well’. “It isn’t a big deal. Given your distaste for a significant portion of my guild, I’m more than satisfied with that.” He reached across his desk to shake Victor’s hand. “If there is anything else you need information-wise or specific gear let me know.” He reached into his desk and pulled out a card signing it. “This will treat you as a guest of the guild at all Freedman’s Guild-associated shops in Wonora. You’ll receive a discount for it.”
Victor looked at the card with the bag of coins logo on it and his signature with Guild Guest printed on the back. He put the card in his pocket. “Thank you for that. I appreciate it.”
Londo reached across the table. “It’s understandable if you find part of the organization repulsive remember, there are a lot of people in it and not everyone feels the same about every part of it.”
‘Yeah, that’s what people said about large corporations back on earth. Didn’t make it any better for the peasants at the bottom who could barely afford to eat. Doesn’t free a slave either. I’m not big enough to make those changes today but one day I will be. He may not need to die but this organization does.’ Victor contemplated for a moment before taking his hand and shaking it. “I appreciate your time Londo. We’ll be going now.”
The group left and outside Victor turned to Serena. “That went far better than I expected.”
Emilie looked at him still somewhat surprised. “Yeah, he was weirdly helpful. I guess that Caleb Scott guy was just an asshole.”
Victor noted. “Every group has a variable number of assholes, for some the ratio is 1 to 1.”
Swordie countered. “Everyone has one. Some people are just full of shit.”
Victor smiled. “Where’s yours?”
“Oh, my sweet student, he’s holding me.” Swordie gently finished.
All of them even Victor tried to contain their snickering but failed to do so as they walked away. “We still need to find Georgia Young. We should head to 5 Star Road and ask around.” Serena turned to Victor and picked him up. “Well?”
Emilie jumped on Jenora’s back. “WE RACE! Speed boost!” Jenora reluctantly took off with Serena close behind. As they ran Serena slowly pulled ahead with every turn and twist.
Victor added his own “Speed boost.” Though his mana quickly wore out Serena pulled ahead significantly.
“It’s alright Jenora next time I’ll carry you.” Emilie patted her back.
“Impressive as always dear.” Victor complimented her as she sat him down at 5 Star Road.
The four of them looked around. Victor looked at Serena. “So, I was about to start going door to door unless you stop me.”
Serena hung her head and put her hand to her nose. “That might technically work this time. I hate that but just knocking on doors might work.” Victor walked up to a door and knocked. They asked the same question at that door they’d ask at the next dozen. “Do you know Georgia Young?” No one did. They finally went to the run-down shit shack to sit down. “Uhg! Where is she?”
“It’s like this woman doesn’t even exist!” Emilie groaned.
Jenora shook her head. “There’s got to be something we are missing.”
Serena sat there thinking just flabbergasted. “What if there is? What if that isn’t her name.”
“How would she get that name on her taxes if it wasn’t her name?” Emilie asked.
Serena almost seemed comically laughing. “Of course. I’m so stupid! I bet she got married!”
Jenora quickly agreed. “That’s a perfect reason. We should go to the mayor’s office and ask about that. At the very least that way we’ll get something done today.”
Victor smiled. “Hey, Emilie.” Victor picked up Serena. “Race you. Speed boost!”
Emilie picked up Jenora and cast “Speed Boost.” Shortly Emilie’s speed boost ran out and she fell behind.
Victor slowed down slightly but Emilie quickly became exhausted carrying the massive Jenora and collapsed. Jenora asked. “Dear are you alright? I can carry you.”
“I can. Do it.” She panted on the ground.
Victor circled back around. “Are you alright Emilie?”
She turned over and sadly quietly answered. “No. Please carry me. I don’t think I can move right now.”
Victor stood over her. “I’m sorry I shouldn’t have done that.”
“Nah it’s my fault. Blaming you won’t help it. I even joked about it before that.” Emilie coughed out.
“Can you two find her name? The two of us can go back to the inn Emilie.” Jenora cradled her in her arms.
Serena stepped down. “Yeah, sorry about that it was supposed to be good fun.”
Emilie laughed. “It was fun. I’m just physically much, much weaker than the three of you.” She coughed again. “The training helped a lot but the gap between us is huge. After we finish with the ghost would everyone be willing to make sure we exercise to meet those achievement goals? I don’t want to be at such a large disadvantage relative to the three of you.”
Serena knelt. “We absolutely will. Go get some rest we’ll find out her name.”
The two of them left walking normally looking at each other lovingly despite her exhaustion. Victor looked at Serena. “I honestly didn’t know her mana would give out so fast or her stamina would go down so fast. I’m sorry.”
Serena rolled her eyes. “I believe you, but it was still dumb to indulge her.”
Victor put up one hand. “I disagree. It’s better that she learns her limits here and not on a battlefield. I’m sorry that I baited her with a runway farther out of reach than I expected but I expected her to be collapsing near or at the mayor’s place and not in the streets a few seconds into the run.”
Serena picked him up. “Regardless she’s got an ego don’t play into it too much and don’t try to break it. Keep in mind she’s even smaller than me and weaker than you.” Serena took off arriving quickly at the office. The two went inside and went to the same office Serena had earlier. They signed some papers and sat down in a records room before eventually finding what they were looking for. “Her name has been changed to Georgia Smith.”
“It’s way too late today we should just head back.” Victor sighed. “Cawthorn. Do me a favor. Search the forests surrounding this area for caves, monsters, and anything else of great interest. I appreciate it.”
“I WILL SEARCH FOR MY MAGE!” Cawthorn proclaimed.
Serena looked at him. “I wasn’t trying to be too hard on you. It’s fine. No one got hurt and you’re right she learned a valuable lesson.”
“I know. I just feel like something might be wrong.” Victor turned to her.
“She’ll be fine.” Serena insisted.
“That’s not what I mean. It’s been several days since we’ve seen Luke.” Victor noted.
“Well, he might not come back here, and he travels fast on that griffin.” Serena shrugged unconcerned.
“Zolvorn is still out there. The way he moves, the way I was able to move.” Victor gripped his fist. “That griffin isn’t fast. Not even close. Either Zolvorn found him and he’s dead or he didn’t. The first situation is horrible. The second situation is arguably worse.” Victor looked to the sky.
“What? Isn’t he being alive the goal?” Serena looked at him utterly confused.
“What would happen if Zolvorn had walked into this city or any major city and then found Luke?” Victor looked her dead in the eyes. “It’s not just our lives that would be in danger. It would make that Drake attack look like a couple of goblins.”
Serena crossed her arms incredulously. “I fought him too. There’s no way he can do that in this city. He’d get overwhelmed with pure numbers. There are thousands of powerful adventurers here and probably more than a dozen tier 7s.”
“I didn’t get to see your fight but to put it bluntly if I had wanted to destroy a town with that power, I probably wouldn’t have even needed to walk in it. It’s too much power. He’s a walking catastrophe.” He sighed at Serena.
“I nearly killed him, and he didn’t do any of that.” Serena shrugged. “Wide area magic often is significantly weaker than focused magic in terms of actual damage. I think you’re underestimating just how hard it would be for someone to fight an entire group that is 10 or 15 levels below them. Think about it. When we fought the skeletal mage, we were behind by what 10 or so levels? Yeah, it’s overwhelming odds but if there were 10 of us that were 10 levels behind, he’d be so screwed.”
Victor sighed furling his brow. “That’s the problem. That’s why I’m so worried. You’re right he might be screwed. He’d still fight it. He’d fight until his last breath to kill anyone worthy of the fight. That’s why I’m so worried. He’ll come and he’ll kill everyone here as collateral damage. I know news doesn’t travel fast but given the way my fight with him went I’m afraid that if we see him again anytime soon it’ll be really bad.”