Deeker told Hans that they would be done in two more days, maybe three.

The palisade had gone up far faster than Hans thought possible. Samson must not have exaggerated when he said the military sometimes built walls around their camps in less than a day. Speaking of Samson, decking a builder may have been a blessing. With all of the workers restricted to the clearing around Gomi, they didn’t have much opportunity to pick fights with anyone else.

Once they were gone for good, one of the largest threats to Gomi’s plan would be behind them.

On his way back to the guild hall after checking the progress of clearing the road–the builders had covered maybe a third of the total length between Gomi and the cabin–a sparrow landed on Hans’ shoulder. The bird tweeted in his ear, but he didn’t speak sparrow like Becky and Buru.

The bird looked Hans in the eye and twisted its head back and forth as though it were thinking. Next, it left his shoulder and flew a few feet into the forest before returning to its perch on Hans. It repeated the same loop until Hans took the hint to follow. Not far off the cabin road, Hans heard the breezy voice of the Lady of the Forest.

“Four adventurers have moved through the pass. Three Gold. One Diamond.” Spinning around, Hans found a feminine figure shaped entirely from the half-rotted leaves leftover from fall.

“Is one a halfling?”

“No.” The leaves lost their form as the word floated into Hans’ ear, and the Lady was gone.

This is what you get for entertaining optimism.

The Guild Master jogged the short distance back to town to alert Charlie. Then he tasked Quentin with warning the Tribe. Thanks to the Lady’s message, they had at least a day before the adventurers arrived, which was a tortuously long time to wonder if Gomi’s dungeon plan had already failed.

***

The adventurers arrived on horseback as most of the builder crew was breaking camp to pack for the trip back to Osare. Hans sat in a chair outside of Charlie’s bakery, reading a book and watching the town gate when he first caught sight of the party.

The man he presumed to be the Diamond wore the finest clothes in the group, a silk maroon shirt, gray riding pants with embroidery stitched down the legs. The embroidery was the same shimmering maroon as the shirt. The same maroon continued into his horse’s saddle blanket.

What is it with Diamonds color matching their outfits?

The Diamond was nearly as white as the horse he rode but was otherwise fairly handsome, Hans had to admit, but the man’s permanent scowl soured the natural charisma that came with good looks. Hans guessed he was some kind of mage from his noticeable lack of weapons.

The Golds traveling with him were on brown horses, and their gear was of respectably high quality on its own, but it looked lesser next to the Diamond. The two women were Fighters, and the other man was either a Ranger or a Rogue, judging by the bow.

When Hans remembered that Uncle Ed left with their next shipment a few days back, expanding to three wagons for this delivery, his stomach sank. He hoped Ed hadn’t had any trouble with adventurers on the road.

“Hail!” Hans yelled, waving at the adventurers from his chair. The Diamond’s scowl deepened. He nodded at one of the Fighters, and they dismounted with their leader, handing their reins to the remaining mounted party members.

“The guild sent us to speak to the Mayor and Guild Master of Gomi. Since we have you already, Hans, can you point us to the Mayor?”

Hans chuckled but didn’t stand. “You guys are good. Found both of us and you’re not even twenty paces into town.” He shouted over his shoulder at the bakery, “Charlie!” He turned back to the adventurers. “He’ll be out in a minute. How’d you know it was me?”

“I took a few of your classes when I visited Hoseki a while back,” the Diamond answered.

“Well, good to see you again. I assume you’re here for the Training Dungeon. Next cohort starts in four days, the full fee is due upfront.”

“No, thank you.” The Diamond seemed mildly frustrated already. Good. “I’m to deliver–”

The bakery door creaked open as Charlie shouted, “Mayor Charlie, at your service. Anyone want a croissant? They’re only two days old.”

The Diamond closed his eyes and tilted his head as if fighting an internal battle to tolerate Hans and Charlie without a public outburst. When he opened his eyes, he said, “I am Aaron, Diamond-ranked adventurer, here on behalf of the Adventurers’ Guild. This is Sarahbeth, a Gold-ranked Fighter.”

“Pleasure to meet you,” Charlie said, shaking Aaron’s hand with both of his.

Sarahbeth produced three sealed letters and passed them to Aaron. He handed one to Charlie and two to Hans. Looking at the envelopes, Hans saw that one was plain guild mail, like Hans would send Theneesa, and the other looked to be an official letter from the Adventurers’ Guild.

“You may read your letters now,” Aaron said. “I am authorized to answer your questions about the contents of your letters. If I can’t, I will relay the unanswered question to the Guild.”

As Hans broke the seal on the official letter, he watched Aaron’s eyes dart around Gomi. The Diamond seemed more focused than curious, like he searched for something specific instead of taking in the sights of a new location.

Hans read his letter:

Guild Master Hans,

We write to inform you that the request to remove Gold-ranked Guild Masters from their posts has been declined. Your status and employment with the Adventurers’ Guild remains intact.

Additionally, we are terminating your monthly salary, per new terms proposed by the town of Gomi. In the event you are unfamiliar with these terms, please consult your local government to learn more.

We look forward to your continued adherence to guild policy and procedures.

Thank you.

-Adventurers’ Guild

Hoseki Chapter

Charlie spoke first, still looking down at his letter. “Looks like our proposal’s been accepted. Happy to hear it but seems an awfully far trip for a mail delivery.”

“I have other business. The guild has additional questions for Hans, and I hope to visit a friend while I’m here.”

The Mayor raised an eyebrow. “Who you hopin’ to see?”

“I believe she goes by Olza now. I knew her as Rita.”

Hans and Charlie locked eyes for an instant. They both knew that meant this Diamond was the adventurer Olza used to be involved with, the one she moved to Gomi in secret to escape.

Charlie didn’t hesitate. “Well, ask your questions so we don’t keep you.”

“The Guild Master and I should talk in private.”

“I don’t mind,” Hans cut in. “Gomi’s taken a big interest in their chapter, which I’m guessing you know. He’ll hear about it anyway.”

The Diamond looked back and forth between the Guild Master and the Mayor with his eyes narrowed. “Fine,” he said after a sigh. Sarahbeth passed him a notebook already opened to a specific page. “How long do you plan to stay in Gomi?”

“Indefinitely.”

“Are you or will you use guild funds in the development or management of ‘Hans’ Ultimate Training Dungeon?’” Aaron’s words oozed disdain when he read the name of the dungeon.

“Nope.”

“Have orcs been seen or reported to be near Gomi?”

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

“Two, but we reached out to–”

“We’ve heard from the other Guild Masters you contacted. Have more been seen since?”

“Nope.”

“The orc conflict continues, but its end is within our reach. Master Devontes is expected to route their primary force, but an unknown number of smaller warbands are still in the kingdom. If you learn of new orc activity, will you alert the Guild?”

“Yes.”

“When was the last time you spoke to Gret the Platinum-ranked Rogue?”

Hans sat up straight. “Excuse me?”

“Please answer the question.”

“Why are you asking about Gret?”

Aaron scribbled something in his notebook. “I don’t have that information. I ask again, when was the last time you spoke to Gret the Platinum-ranked Rogue?”

Crossing his arms but staying seated, Hans stared at Aaron for a long minute. The Diamond stared back, unimpressed. “The morning he died,” Hans said, finally.

“Have you been in contact with his widow since his passing?”

“Yes.”

“What was the nature of those conversations?”

Hans scoffed, his agitation more and more visible in the way he shifted in his chair, as if no position would ever be comfortable again. “Her husband died. We were all friends. Sometimes friends talk in those kinds of situations.”

“Can you be more specific?”

“I don’t have the transcript on me at the moment.”

“When was the last time you spoke to his widow?”

The Guild Master deflated somewhat. He hadn’t checked in on Gret’s wife for a while, and he now realized he should have. “Two, maybe three years.” Time just got away from me… That’s no excuse, Hans.

“Do you have any knowledge of or reason to believe that Gret the Platinum-ranked Rogue was involved or associated with a theft from the Hoseki chapter of the Adventurers’ Guild?”

“No.”

Aaron closed the notebook. “In the event that you become aware of any such activity, you are obligated to report it to the Adventurers' Guild immediately.”

“Sure.” Hans and Charlie exchanged looks again.

Handing off his pen and notebook to Sarahbeth, he asked for directions to Olza’s.

“Welllllll,” Charlie began, “We won’t be telling you.” When Hans went to speak, the Mayor held out a hand for him to wait.

“Excuse me?” The Diamond took a step toward Charlie.

The Mayor’s demeanor didn’t so much as waver. He looked up at Aaron, which tilted his head as far back as it would go. “Not much to it, really. Citizen let’s me know someone might be coming to stir up trouble, someone they don’t want to see, it’s my job to take it seriously.”

Sarahbeth’s eyes dropped, and she quietly shifted backward, away from Aaron.

“I think you’re mistaken.”

Charlie shook his head. “I don’t believe so.”

Standing to separate the two when Aaron leaned forward, Hans said, “Procedure says I have to report any complaint from a government representative directly to the Hoseki chapter. There’d have to be an investigation, especially if it involves the safety of a citizen. We’re pretty far out here, so maybe the investigation is done in a year but more likely it’ll be two.”

“Oh, I’m pretty forgetful,” Charlie added. “Mail only comes once a month. Easy to lose track of that and miss a few deliveries. Could take longer on account of my old brain.”

“They’d have to interview your Golds too,” Hans added, loud enough to be certain Sarahbeth heard him. “Pretty big career risk for them to bend the truth on their testimony.”

The Diamond looked back and forth between the Mayor and the Guild Master before risking a glance back at his nearest Gold-ranked escort. “Can’t get Diamond so you go white knight, eh Hans?”

Hans chuckled. “We’re protecting you, not her.”

Charlie agreed. “Bein’ courteous.”

The Guild Master whispered in Aaron’s ear, “You’ve worked hard for your rank, and you’ve got a lot of road ahead of you. Could even make Platinum. Become one of the greats.”

“We’ll hit the inn and be gone in the morning,” the Diamond said, weakly.

“Gomi doesn’t have anything fancy like that,” Charlie said. “Good camping spot back toward Osare. Should be able to get to it by dark.”

Aaron stepped away slowly as if still debating his final decision, but once he started moving, he didn’t stop. Sarahbeth and the other Gold-ranked followed him out of town. Hans and Charlie watched until the adventurers entered the treeline.

“Olza’s going to be mad we did that,” Hans said.

“She’s plenty strong to have handled that by herself. I don’t doubt it,” Charlie said. “Doesn’t mean she has to.”

***

Quest Update: Suggest growing mandrake elementals to the dungeon core.

Commissioning maces was simple enough, and it gave Hans an excuse to continue the apprenticeship conversation with the blacksmith. He was intrigued by the idea of having a steady supply of rare materials, especially if they could find a way to sell what they made. If everyone had work, he had no other concerns about taking on apprentices.

That was enough insight for Hans to continue pursuing growing precious metals and other rare crafting materials. Brainstorming what interesting monsters they could grow was a good way to get his mind off Aaron’s questions about Gret, but the distraction was only effective in short bursts.

Gret? His widow? And why after all this time?

Hans didn’t lie in any of his answers to Aaron’s questions. His rage when Gret died was well documented, and his friendship with the Rogue was no secret either. Hundreds of people must have reached out to his wife when he passed. Gret was Platinum. He knew a lot of people, and he was good to them too.

The Guild Master was back inside the Gomi guild house with no recollection of having walked there. Rubbing his eyes, he sat with the second letter on his desk before him, wondering if perhaps he should save it for tomorrow. A caravan wasn’t due for a while yet, so he couldn’t respond right away anyhow. Putting it off wouldn’t hurt anything.

Breaking the seal, he unfolded the letter.

Hans,

Congratulations on the training center. Saw the flier. Looks great!

I hope my gifts arrived before winter. I’ve been cleaning out my storage, and I have several other items you might find useful, especially with the new training center. You should expect many more packages from me but no junk. Promise!

Also, the Guild has been interviewing people who knew Gret. Don’t know why, and I was one of them. Makes me worried something happened to Shandi. Do you know where she lives now? My letter to her Hoseki address was returned.

Stay well.

-Theneesa

Guild Master

Mikata Chapter

His previous letter to Theneesa must not have arrived before she wrote this one. If he wanted news on her ongoing research, as well as her reaction to suggesting tattooed wards, he’d have to wait.

Hans knew Theneesa was guarded in how she talked about tusks she knew, but he wished he knew what range of numbers fit the description “many more.” Should they prepare for five more arrivals? Ten? He reread the letter for a hint of how many tusks to expect, but couldn’t find a hidden meaning that pointed to a number.

As for the news about Gret, he supposed Theneesa had tried to warn him that someone like Aaron might visit. That hadn’t worked out, but knowing that the Guild talked to other adventurers in Gret’s circle was useful. That meant Hans wasn’t the focus, greatly easing his fears that Gomi’s charade had already aroused suspicions.

Shandi was Gret’s wife, and like Theneesa, the last Hans heard she was living comfortably in Hoseki, taking only the seamstress projects that interested her on account of what Gret left her. Gret made enough gold to set his family up for a few generations, but he and Shandi hadn’t had a child. They planned to try when his adventuring career calmed down.

By Silver, Gret had all-but stopped his extracurricular activities, and as far as Hans knew, he stopped for good at Gold. Undoubtedly, a portion of the fortune he left Shandi had suspect origins, but there was no point for a high-ranking Rogue to steal. They made plenty of money, and they could be selective about what jobs they did or didn’t take. Still, a Rogue stealing something important was the most obvious conclusion if something went missing when they were around.

Most of the items Gret loved to boost, like artwork, he could buy outright by the time of his death, and Hans couldn’t recall any other items Gret coveted. Not any that would warrant an official investigation, at least. The Rogue had a tradition of stealing a mug or a cup or a stein from any tavern he visited, giving him quite the collection by the time he reached Platinum, but that hardly seemed serious enough for a posthumous inquiry.

Olza entered as Hans pondered. She hadn’t mentioned visiting today, but Hans assumed she would hear about Aaron’s visit sooner rather than later.

“I can fight my own battles, you know,” Olza said. Though she seemed serious, the bite of her anger was not as fierce as it could have been.

“I know. We all needed him gone as soon as possible, though. Didn’t want a repeat of Galinda and the builder.”

The alchemist nodded slowly. “Fine. I’m glad it’s behind us.”

“A lot of things are. The guild bought our cover story. The palisade builders are leaving soon. Construction on the campus is underway. The Apprentices are doing well. Are we doing this? Is this working?”

“Good news scares me too, but I think, yes, Gomi is heading in a good direction. The best direction we could have hoped for.”

***

Open Quests (Ordered from Old to New):

Progress from Gold-ranked to Diamond-ranked.

Mend the rift with Devon.

Complete the manuscript for "The Next Generation: A Teaching Methodology for Training Adventurers."

Ask Charlie about the history and legends of the Dead End Mountains

Protect Gomi.

Find a way to share new knowledge without putting Gomi at risk.

Determine if the dungeon can support enough crafting materials to provide new tradespeople consistent, meaningful work.

Decide whether or not to pursue silent walking and snow walking.

Suggest growing mandrake elementals to the dungeon core.

Secure interior dungeon doors without trapping adventurers inside.

Find a way for Gomi adventurers to benefit from their rightful ranks in the Adventurers’ Guild.