It is commonly known that the most powerful and influential guilds in the entire world are those that have great and consistent profit streams. Because of this, the Merchant, Smith, and Mage guilds hold the highest influence. The profits of [Merchants], the constructions of [Smiths], and the advanced and diverse magical versatility of [Mages] gives these three groups a great deal of power. Not that they are a singular organization, but a combined political and financial one composed of many smaller guilds pooling resources to create beneficial change for the whole.

After those three major types, the next ranking down is almost completely in the martial classes. [Mercenaries], [Soldiers], [Marines], [Knights], and especially [Bounty Hunters] have acceptably influential guilds. Acceptably influential in the sense that though they in theory have a lot of power as a group, but are knowere organized enough to make such power a reality. For example, though [Bounty Hunters] have several major guilds in Magnis, many of those guilds are in direct competition with each other. [Bounty Hunters] from the Raven Guild and those from the Shark Guild do not see eye to eye as they generally compete for the same bounties.

With such competition and lack of coordination, these [Guilds] naturally have a loose hold on their members. So, if a member of the Shark Guild decided to open up a branch of the Guild in a city for three years so as to wait for a possible prey to return, the [Bounty Hunter] may never be punished for wasting such valuable time. It is in this specific scenario where a certain woman finds herself in.

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Egressa Dleron glares at her former [First Mate] while her hand pets the adorable kitten on her lap. A very large lap with very large hands. The woman is tall, broad shouldered, short haired, and built like a line-backer. On her left arm is a tattoo of a shark's mouth, and on her right is a picture of several winged sharks in the midst of a feeding frenzy. Next to her is an elegantly runed glaive that has an open shark's mouth design with the blade sticking out of its mouth. The shaft is made of wood reinforced with metal. The hilt has something of a fin design to go with the shark aesthetics.

“Three fucking years I’ve been waiting in this shithole of a city for my prey, and my prey has just returned. Finding and killing the girl takes far more priority than wasting time to find this killer,” Egressa growls.

The man sighs. “Yes, we’ve got all the members scouring the city- but it’s important to look into the killing. Someone slit an [Apprentices] neck overnight within the confines of the building.”

“And we’ll find them, but the hunt comes first.” She continues petting the cat, even scratching under its chin.

“Egressa, this is important- where did you even get the cat?”

“Fluffles? Yesterday, it just walked into the guild and started rubbing its head on my arm.”

“You named it already?”

“Of course, I even gave it a collar.” She slides a finger on the leather piece around the cat's neck.

“I thought you didn’t like animals.”

“I don’t dislike animals, it’s animals that dislike me. But this little guy is a brave boy.”

The man sighs. “Fine, but we need to address the killing. Just give a speech or something, or threaten to gut the killer.”

Egressa rolls her eyes. “Fine, after everyone returns. For now, focus on finding the child- or even the old man. He can be used to lead us to her.”

“Everyone is looking.”

“Then look harder. If we can get the kill, I’ll get my level and we'll be financially set for life.”

“I still can’t believe waiting for the child to return worked.”

Egressa chuckles. “Remember that woman at the tavern three years ago? The bitch refused to give me information no matter how much I hurt her. Now that is loyalty, loyalty enough to return and check on her. Did you post anyone to the Tavern?”

“Three of our best. When they return, hopefully they will have some news.”

“Good. The moment you find them, do not engage. That old man shouldn’t be underestimated. He injured me last time, but I won’t have my guard down again.”

____________________________________________________________________

“An underground tunnel. You seem to have prepared rather well. Does this lead to another building?” Myers asks.

Adriana relaxes on her wheelchair while the old man pushes her. On her lap is Clay, sleeping comfortably in her arms.

“It does. After I lost my legs, I found it imperative I have a way to escape from the Grounded Gardener. I bought a building, renovated it into a small jewelry shop, and installed an underground passageway to it.”

Myers nods. “You were always excessive at dealing with problems.”

“I did learn from the best.” Adriana looks up with a grin.

The old man blushes at the praise. “That was a long time ago.”

“Maybe. But it was a good time, and it would have still been a good time if I didn’t get pregnant.”

The two continue walking down the tunnel in silence.

“Do you regret getting pregnant?” He asks.

“No.” She goes silent again.

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“I regret who I allowed to get me pregnant.”

“You’ve avoided telling me who the father is.”

“It’s better that way.”

The two continue in silence for a bit longer. Eventually, Myers stops.

“It’s not,” He finally says. “You showed no interest in any other guy while serving under me. Then, all at once, you said you’re pregnant and left. I- I need to know.”

She looks down, sad. “The truth will hurt.”

“I have lost much of my time alive. Few truths will bother me.”

She squeezes Clay’s sleeping form closer to her. “Promise me you won’t blame yourself.”

“I-”

Her eyes look upon him with several decades of hardness. “Alistair! Promise me you will not blame yourself.”

He matches eyes with hers.

“I promise.” Then he continues walking.

She takes a breath. “Remember the battle of Greenforge?”

He nods. “My fleet was caught by surprise by both the combined might of the rebels, mercenaries, and a member of the Corsair. I was forced to order a retreat but your ship was far too close to the island. They overlord the runes of your ship and you were forced to surrender. You were arrested and confined to the island for a week until I returned and quelled the rebellion.”

She frowns. “I told you that they only tortured me for information… That was a lie. They did far more than that.”

Myers releases a heavy breath.

“You should have told me,” He says.

“Would that have changed anything?”

“Yes. I would have taken responsibility.” He stops walking right before a closed door. “We’re here.”

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“Well, are they genuine or what?” Cillian asks with a grin on his face. He is currently in the hold of the Timbergrove with Salence at his side. Both are watching a Guild [Runesmith] kneeling and thoroughly checking the chests.

The [Runesmith] finally gets up. “They are genuine. Exceptional quality, all of them. The kingdom markings can also be changed without damaging the runes.”

Salence smiles. “Good, good. Do you by chance know the kingdom's markings?” He asks, to the frown of Cillian.

“No. They are old, easily over three hundred years if we go by design.”

Salence grimaces while Cillian’s grin returns. “I’ve a map- even a book about said kingdom I can offer.”

The [Journeyman] continues staring at the chests on the floor. After a moment, he glances at the short man. “I’m going to be honest here. I know you have something worth far more than a bunch of exceptional quality chests. Considering these chests are designed to be stored in a treasury, I am led to believe you found something far more valuable.”

Cillian shrugs. “Possibly, possibly not. Maybe your skill is faulty, or maybe the map I’m offering is worth far more than the chests. Maybe the map is worth so much that selling it on the open market would put such a large target on my [Captains] back that not even Memphis could protect him.”

Salences' eyes widen in recognition. “That’s why you’re demanding such a low percentage for the chests.”

“Perhaps,” Cillians says with a grin.

The [Journeyman] chuckles. “It seems everything is in order. Let us return to the Guild Hall, sign a contract, and then I will have men sent to retrieve the chests for auction.”

“Lets.”

The three exit the Timbergrove, pick up Nepenthes, travel down the ramp, and then halt at what seems like a confrontation.

“I am part of the Timbergroves crew,” Myers argues. The old man is pushing a disabled woman with a sleeping clay in her arms.

“You have no Job and your name is nowhere listed under Timbergroves crew.” The [Guard] explains cooly. “As of which, I cannot allow you to board the vessel.”

Myers glares back, and then notices the Scot.

“Cillian,” he calls out, “do mind assisting me here?”

Cillian chuckles and walks up to Myers. “He’s part of the crew, so is the child,” he explains to the [Guard]. “Where's the [Captain] and who's the cripple?”

Myers grimaces at the word cripple. “Quasi left to hunt someone down and this is Adriana. He has a deal with her for information in exchange for healing.”

“Healing? Really?”

“Yes. Quasi believes Nepenthes can fix her broken spine.”

“I will require excess nourishment and adequate time depending on the damage,” Nepenthes explains.

“Later, once I’m done with the paperwork,” Cillian says. “I need her as a bodyguard for the time being.”

“Is not Irmgard or Boriss available?” Myers asks.

“No. Boriss left for a drink and Irmgard went with Emma to restock supplies.”

“It’s fine.” Adriana places her hand on Myers. “I’ve been crippled for many years, what is waiting a bit longer? We can try to fix my back when the [Captain] returns.”

The old man sighs. “Alright. We’ll wait on the ship. Don’t take too long.”

“Money waits for no one. Salence, let's get this contract underway.”

Myers watches them leave before pushing Adriana up the plank and into the ship's hold.

____________________________________________________

After a rousing speech by Egressa, the rest of the [Bounty Hunters] part of the Shark Guild have their worries assuaged. She promised a massive payout, levels, and that she would find and kill whoever assassinated one of her members.

A very rousing speech from Egressa’s point of view. But, from the point of view of those who listened, all they heard was an angry woman yelling about money, levels, and a promise to slit the throat of whoever killed one of her members. It also didn’t help that she cursed out several members on account of not finding any leads on the girl. Angry and pissed, she trudges to her room to sleep the night away, as do the rest of the [Bounty Hunters] living in the guild barracks.

With night fallen and most members asleep, a kitten finds itself roaming the empty hallways of the building. The kitten, as silent as its species can be, finds its way into the guild mess hall. There, it searches the cupboards for whatever it can find. A bottle of bleach, some kind of liquid soap, and other various chemicals. Eventually, it finds a bottle with a skull label. The contents of the bottle are of a powder that would add an interesting taste to, say- a refrigerated broth.

Finished with the kitchen, the kitten sneaks back into the hallways and makes its way to the barracks. Here, the rooms house two [Bounty Hunters]. Sneaking in and checking each and every member, the kitten finds those that were the most heavily berated by Egressa. With a practiced ease, throats are crushed and severed as silently as possible so as not to awake anyone.

With the job done, the kitten returns to a little bed in Egressa’s room. It sets its tiny head down on the comfy cushion, closes its eyes, and dreams of slaughtering those it considers its enemies.