Chapter Thirty-Nine: Peace and Trust Can Win the Day

“Marc? If I may have a moment?” The stoic Guild Head asked.

“Umm, sure.” He said, then followed as she took a few steps away from the group.

“Could you allow me to borrow the Catalyst again for a moment?”

Marc pulled the small object from his storage space via the magic bag. Hesitantly he held it out to her.

She reached out and took it from his hands and he was immediately shifted into a familiar-looking white space.

Standing in front of him was Ba’eth, and surprisingly Kira.

“Thank you, Marc. Do not worry, this is just a temporary connection. You have not left the Guild Hall or even moved a muscle for that matter. When I release the connection, no time at all will have passed, and no one will know we have had this conversation. It would be best if you react appropriately when we return.” She explained.

Marc nodded, not knowing what to say.

“I understand that you and Kira have had a chance to talk?” She said looking at the nodding Kira.

“Yes. Just a moment ago. She told me some… some troubling things.”

“Yes. I don’t want you to assume too much. I have no evidence that Rynan is indeed involved directly with the Deacons, just the opposite. Over the years she has gone to great lengths to avoid any contact with them.”

“Then why-“

“That is precisely why I have my concerns. She is too careful. Too informed about their movements. That, and she has had known connections with them in the past. Specifically, she once harbored and aided a known spy of the deacons.”

Marc was surprised by this. He waited for the Dwarf to explain more.

“This happened long ago. Early in my tenure here, when Grenn was still a young Guild Hunter.” She said, Marc, doing the math.

《It was 23 years ago.》

“We discovered that a Guild member had been transmitting confidential information to a known Tower agent. That member was a key member of the number one Hunter Clan in Clearwater at the time. The Rising Sun Clan.”

Marc recognized that name. Meservi had mentioned it when he had first met him.

“I am Meservi of the House Sen-Tari of Sen Anatra, Adjutant of The Clearwater chapter of The Guild, Former Clan Leader of Rising Sun Clan, Holder of…”

“That was Meservi’s Clan?” Marc asked.

“Yes. He must have mentioned it. He was so proud of it. A Clan is an informal sub-group of the Guild. A team of individuals who share information and pool their abilities to form more efficient parties.”

From what Marc now knew about the job system, this made sense. Since rewards were split evenly by all members, leaders would want to form parties with the least number of people possible. But they would also want to ensure the makeup of the group covered all anticipated needs. Forming groups where everyone knew each other’s abilities and trusted one another would be much more efficient and profitable at the same time.

“Then Meservi-“

“Meservi was the Clan leader, amongst the members were also Rynan, Grenn, and Johvi. Johvi was a rare human Earth Mana wielder. While the Guild had other members, these four made up the core of the Guild. They were a four-man party that contained Fire, Water, Earth, and Air Mana users, a so-called ‘Golden Party’.”

Marc realized was more than that, they actually had all five elements.

“For years, they dominated the Guild Hall in Clearwater. They had records that have never been even approached by the best Hunters in the Republic. So you can imagine the shock when Johvi’s betrayal was discovered.” Ba’eth sighed as the memories obviously brought her great regret.

“When the evidence was brought to me, instead of dealing with it through the appropriate channels and taking the accused into custody…” She paused to take a long, deep breath. “I… I broke protocol and attempted to question Johvi myself.” She stared down at Marc’s feet.

Marc could feel the self-recrimination this formidable leader was loading on herself.

“I thought he would have some reasonable explanation. Instead, he admitted everything. Then he insisted he had to complete his work and fled. I didn’t even lift a finger I was in such shock.” She stared down at her own knobby and wrinkled fingers.

“We mustered a force to bring him in. Everyone was incensed, especially Rynan. It was known at the time that… that they were involved.”

Marc was shocked by that. He realized it shouldn’t, of course, she must have had many relationships in her long life. after all, she could easily remove as many years from her appearance as she liked. Still, it was hard for him to picture Rynan with someone. A mysterious person whose face he couldn’t even picture.

“We chased him into the forest. He had a hideout in the Witch’s Den. We were able to surround him, and then…” She stopped.

Marc looked up at the Dwarf, waiting for the continuation of the story. Finally, she continued.

“And then the Witch, the famous Riverwall, Rynan let him get away. So suddenly we were not prepared. She had seemed so angry we never expected her to turn on us. She just turned around and froze a wall of ice around the whole place. By the time we were able to break through, Johvi was gone. He was never seen again.” Her story near the end, the Guild Head’s stature and demeanor returned to its stoic norm.

“Of course, Rynan was disciplined, but there was no evidence that she was involved in Johvi’s espionage. She was allowed to retire from the Guild in good standing and left Clearwater. We received information that she had taken up the role of Professor at a Tower Academy in the Ranoba Empire. Of course, others were punished as well, myself included. The Rising Sun Clan disbanded. The incident was forgotten.”

“So that’s why you don’t trust Rynan?” Marc asked.

“We were friends once. Long ago. Well, perhaps friends is the wrong word. Rivals? But I thought I knew her. I fought with her and alongside her. I never expected her to turn against us. To abandon us. When she came back, she was different. She never apologized, never even asked for understanding. She moved into that cabin in the Den and as far as I know, has rarely ever stepped foot in the city. Only Grenn has kept contact with her. He never lost trust in her, or in Johvi for that matter.”

At the mention of Grenn’s name, Marc remembered the other news Kira had shared with him. He was about to ask when Ba’eth sensed his change in focus.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“About Grenn, I won’t speak about his situation. If you wish to know anything, you may ask him yourself.” She said firmly. Then she added in a more gentle tone.

“But if you could, please look after him. He has had a hard life and is not as strong as he looks. If you could, please help him shoulder his burdens.”

Marc wondered at first if she meant it the other way. He could not imagine ever being able to help Grenn with anything. He just nodded.

“Now, is there anything else you wish to know?” She asked.

Marc thought about it for a moment.

“About the other Traveler, the one who gave you the Catalyst,”

“Her name was Isabella.” Ba’eth recounted, “We were childhood playmates. She was different from you in some ways. She was born here, just as any other person. But when she awakened, she changed. She remembered her previous life. In a way, she became a different person. Isabella is not the name she was born with, but the name she had before coming to this world.”

Marc had not expected this twist. So not every Traveler came here the same way. This Isabella had inhabited the body of another person? Marc wanted was eager to know more.

“Perhaps another time we can talk about Isabella, but I caution you not to get your hopes high. Regarding Travelers and their powers, their destinies, I know very little. She was only my precious friend. She is long gone from this world, and I only have my memories of our friendship and the Catalyst which I gave to you.”

Sensing this line of questioning was done, at least for now, he asked the last question burning in his mind.

“What should I do now?”

The Dwarf stared down at him with a sharp, cool gaze.

“Do what you wish! I am not your master. The Guild has offered you support and means, your teacher has given you a home and knowledge, Your mentor has given you training and shared his family with you, and the Elf… Best not take anything he offers, just to be safe.”

Marc chuckled at the good-natured slight.

“One last thing. Enpii. You planned that right? You set me up?” Marc asked seriously.

“Congratulations on your acceptance as a Guild Prospect. As Guild Head, I will be looking forward to your success and contributions to the Guild.” Then she added. “Despite your challenges, both in the past and your future, I hope that you can view the future as a way to contribute and trust that those contributions will benefit you. That is the mission of the Guild. That is our purpose.”

Marc thought about this. Then he bowed with his right arm on his left shoulder.

“Thank you for your time Guild Head.”

The room returned.

“Thank you, I just wished to confirm something.” Ba’eth handed the Catalyst back to Marc, then bowed and walked away.

Marc turned to Meservi. “I should be ready to go back to the Den tomorrow morning. Is that ok?” Recalling the promise that Meservi had made earlier.

“Eh, Ah! Yes. Of course. Tomorrow then. We will meet here. How does Air4 sound?”

“Do you sleep so late every day? Let’s leave at Air2, ok?”

“Ah, yes. That sounds wonderful.” A shocked and deflated Meservi answered weakly, with a surprised and confused look.

Grenn piped in. “Should we go? I let Keri know you were staying another day.”

“If it’s ok, I was hoping that Enpii might be able to take me on a tour of the Guild Dorms. You mentioned that traveling Guild members could rent a bed there for a night when visiting, right?” He looked at a surprised Enpii.

“Oh, yeah. Right. Sure I guess.”

Grenn looked concerned by the idea, but couldn’t bring himself to counter it.

“Oh. Ok.”

Marc could see the look of disappointment, but he didn’t think he could face Grenn and his family just now. He needed to absorb all he had heard today and prepare himself. He doubted he could look at Keri’s cheerful face and energetic demeanor without breaking down.

“Great. Meet me here tomorrow too? It seems you are my new Guild liaison right?” He tried to sound cheerful.

“Yeah, Right,” Grenn responded with a disappointed smile.

With that, Meservi went back up the elevator with Mumay in tow, Grenn went to talk with some of the other Guild members at the high tables, and Torren gave a crisp bow and went off to resume his duties.

Marc turned to Enpii.

“So, where can we go to get some food? It’s on me! I just got paid and the Rels are burning a hole in my pocket.”

Enpii smiled at looked at Marc.

“Act like that and that pay will be gone before you know it. But I never turn down free food, so let’s go!”

The pair of young men went off to get some food and drink and enjoy the evening after a long day of work.

After a fun time visiting various eating and drinking outlets the previous evening, the pair had made it back to the Guild dorms, Marc’s wallet noticeably lighter.

Marc was pleased that they had a shower facility similar to the one in the apartments, but the sleeping arrangements were a bit of a problem. The dorm rooms slept eight to a room with four beds against the walls, two beds high in a bunk bed arrangement, and another four beds similarly stacked in the middle of the room.

As promised it only cost him 200 rel to rent a bed for the night, and this could be deducted automatically from his account. The problem was that the room he and Enpii were assigned to was full. Enpii spent all his evenings here so along with a discount he also had a permanent locker for his possessions in a storage room, but beds were assigned each night on check-in.

After about three hours of suffering, Marc had enough. Never having shared a room before in his life, he was not ready for the snoring. The noise was deafening. It was impossible to get any sleep. Then, in his desperation, he had an idea.

“Kira?”

《Yawn. What is it? I’m trying to sleep here.》

“Haha. Very funny.”

《So grumpy. Not getting enough sleep?》

“Hilarious you are. I was wondering.”

《Oh boy. Want to try to take over the world?》

“That’s what we do every night.”

《You are grumpy. What’s your question?》

“Remember when you cut off my eyesight after the upgrade?”

The room was suddenly dead silent.

“Love you.”

《Love you too. Gonna cost you though.》

“Fine. Whatever it is, I’ll pay gladly. Wake me up at 9Earth ok?”

----------------------------------------

Marc arrived at the Guild slightly less chipper than he had left the evening before.

As he stumbled up the hill, Enpii walked behind trying not to poke fun at the grumpy sleep-deprived Marc.

After they entered, Marc thanked Enpii for his guidance and promised to meet up when he returned to the city. Marc was indeed grateful to the younger man. Despite his disability, He had an infectious positivity and trust in those around him. He knew this was precisely why the Guild Head had arranged for them to meet, but he couldn’t help but appreciate his presence over the past day. He now had plenty of teachers and mentors. What he needed now was a friend.

Meservi and Grenn were there waiting for him, along with Keri, Sateem, and Safan.

Keri scolded him for not coming back but brought a large bundle of food for the journey back to the Witch’s den. It was more like four journeys worth, but Marc accepted it gladly.

Sateem was crying, she wouldn’t stop until he promised to come back soon and bring her some treats when he did. She also said she wanted his jacket, but Grenn knocked her lightly on the head and she giggled and went back to clutching her mother.

On the way out of the city, they stopped at the marketplace where Keri took over and helped Marc sell the produce he had brought with him. She was shocked when she realized he was carrying a storage bag but quickly shifted into a cutthroat merchant and got him what he assumed was top dollar based on the unhappy looks of the various buyers at the Market. He made sure to leave a generous portion of the best fruits and vegetables from the garden with Keri, which she graciously accepted.

Grenn and his family parted ways at the Market. Grenn promised to be back in the Witch’s Den in a few days to pick up on Marc’s training which had been set aside for the past few weeks to prepare for his visit to the City. Marc watched the family dissolve into the crowd with a heavy weight on his heart. He knew now that they carried an enormous burden, but on the surface, they seemed so cheerful. Knowing what he now knew, it was heartbreaking.

Meservi seemed to pick up on something so he grabbed Marc’s arm and dragged him away towards the City gate.

Marc was excited to use his ID to properly pass through the gate this time but stopped when his path was blocked by a wall that appeared out of nowhere.

It wasn’t a wall. It was a woman. A familiar-looking woman.

“Ritchi!” Meservi called out cheerfully.

“Adjutant Meservi.” A cold voice answered from the barrier standing in front of them.

“And how are you this lovely morning?”

“Well, Adjutant. Shall we check your identification?” She pointed them to a desk near the entrance.

She held her hand out to Marc who reached into his shirt and pulled out the Guild ID token. He handed it over and she placed the token in a depression on the table. A small bell sounded and she handed it back to Marc. Then she held out her hand to Meservi.

Meservi looked shocked and offended.

“Surely-“ He stared to protest.

“Protocol must be followed, don’t you agree Adjutant Meservi?” The ice in her voice was so cold Marc had flashbacks to the winter in the cabin.

“yesofcourseabsolutely.” Meservi quickly reached under his cloak and pulled out a token with the same golden ring around it that the one Torren, the Guild employee had shown him.

Ritchi placed the token in the desk depression and the bell sounded again.

“Thank you for your cooperation.” She said coldly.

As they walked away, she called after them.

“I eagerly await your return, Adjutant. I understand you will be joining our inspection team for the next few weeks.”

Meservi nodded weakly and waved, lacking the strength to say anything.

After they reached the hills across the plain of grass Meservi finally seemed to recover.

“So my boy. I assume you have some things to say. Shall we have a talk before we start your Air Mana training?”

Marc smiled at the grinning man. Indeed, he had many questions.