“What’s your business in the City,” said the gate guard.

Jen replied, “We have business with the Arc Guild.”

The guard looked over them closely, and paused just for the briefest of moments when looking at Tamako. Tomako’s psych ability was the weakest at forging her level and stats. Jen sent a light static buzz into the sound wave on the guard’s ear distracting him.

The guard fumbled with his sound wave settings and said, “That’ll be 24 copper, and be warned, we execute unauthorized gambling quests!”

“Of course,” said Jen as she paid the man, and they entered Rolling Dice City.

It was only about one-half the size of Casino City, but it was still considered a large city on the First Deck. They could see the City’s Shop and crafting sectors, but Jen also wanted to make a quick stop by the Arc Guild to find out if Director Devon and his sister’s family were O.K. after the Roulette attack.

They purchased supplies for their Deck jump, and made a few stops in the market area. On their way to the Arc Guild, Jen commented, “Rolling Dice doesn’t have near the constant chaos of Casino City. There are alert guards everywhere ready to crush any system gambling activity. It’s nice not constantly worrying about gamblers trying to steal from you or attack someone.”

Tamako looked a little envious and replied, “This is the way a Deck City should be run, but most of the City Lords in the First Deck will not hire enough guards to keep the peace. They don’t give a damn about the chaos gamblers create, as long as it doesn’t impact the amount of taxes they can collect. They’re too cheap and short-sighted to realize that if you make the city safer, it will encourage trade, which in turn will generate enough additional tax revenue to pay for the extra cost of the guards, and then some.”

Slim messaged Jen as he headed off down an alley, “I’m going to take a look around the city, call me when you are ready to leave.”

“O.K. be safe!” Jen called after him, purposely annoying him like a family member is supposed to.

As Team Kelly requested entrance into the Rolling Dice Arc Guild branch, the guards were actually expecting them, and lead them straight to guild Director Tobin.

“Ms. Jen, Captain Tamako, and Master Enchanter Sam, I am Director Tobin of the Arc Guild. We heard rumors you might have been killed during the attack on Casino City, but Director Devon believed you survived and would be heading our direction. Please have a seat and let me get you a drink.”

“Thank you Director Tobin for seeing us and for the refreshments” Jen said.

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Director Tobin and Jen made niceties for a while and Sam was thinking how he was grateful that she handled this stuff. Director Tobin seemed like a really nice man, but Sam just wanted to find out if Director Devon was Ok, and look through the guild shop, but “when in Rome...let Jen handle it,” he thought.

“Director Devon, his sister, and her family are just fine. No City Lord or invading army would risk losing the trade affiliations associated with the Arc Guild, but I will pass along your concerns to him.”

“Do you know what happened with the City Lord?” asked Jen.

“After the unexpected defense of the palace System Shop, the New City Lord tracked down Caesar X. Rumors say that Caesar had only about one-half of what was supposed to be in the City accounts, and he told everyone that Captain Tamako was supposed to keep the rest of the treasury safe. You should be aware; the New City Lord purchased a gambling-quest from the System Shop for your capture Captain Tamako.”

Jen looked at Sam, and he spoke up, “Director Tobin, the Arc Guild has been very honorable and fair in all our dealings, please keep it confidential that we survived the battle. Additionally, we are about to Deck jump, is there anything we can do for the Arc Guild to show our appreciation before we leave?”

“Director Devon informed me that you set up a multi-Deck account with our guild, but I don’t recall him mentioning payment for a deck-jump. Are you looking to purchase a deck jump with us, or are you jumping with one of the other guilds?” asked Director Tobin, not believing they would have enough gold to purchase a Deck Jump, unless...

Jen replied, “We are planning on Deck-jumping in the wild.”

The shock on Director Tobin’s face was unmistakable. Jen’s statement made it clear to him that Captain Tamako definitely did not loot the Casino City treasury as rumored, and he advised, “I understand you are anxious to get to the Second Deck with its mana, technology, and gold. However, the beasts and gamblers that roam the wilds are much more powerful than what we have here. Additionally, keep in mind, the shop on the second Deck may pay more for loot you gather in the wild. However, the weapons you will need to purchase from the system shop or guild shops in order to kill Second Deck beasts, will also cost much more, and that’s assuming you even make it into a city in the first place!”

When Jen and her companions did not look concerned enough, Tobin said, “Look, I know you had a successful enchantments store in Casino City. I believe you could easily do the same thing here. If you save up for a year or two, you might have enough to purchase a safe Deck Jump with us.”

Jen couldn’t explain to Director Tobin that they had a way to carry their gear with them to the Second Deck, so Jen smiled and replied with an excuse, “your advice is logical and sound, but with the gambling-quest for the capture of Tamako, we are going to take the risk.”

Director Tobin wanted to argue against their decision, but they were not of his guild and it was not his place, and said, “We wish you the best of luck, is there any other business you would like to discuss before your journey?”

Jen smiled, “Just one. Any interest in the location of a new dungeon?”

Director Tobin was speechless for a second as he thought, “The last dungeon discovered on the First Deck had been almost five years ago. This would be two new dungeons for our guild in less than a year! How are they finding these dungeons? What can I do? We don’t have nearly the budget of the Casino City Arc Guild Branch.”

Jen felt Director Tobin’s emotions spike before he said, “Ms. Jen, we are certainly interested, I will call in our executive board to discuss. We will certainly want to hear more.”

Jen smiled as she prepared to discuss terms.