Drog says "But I want to go with Isabella!!"

"I don't care if you want to chase Isabella's boobs, you are coming with me. That's an order."

Drog says "Yes, master."

Drog follows me but he is whining as he does, I tune him out and head for the portal. When I get near the portal I look around for Lizzy, when I spot her I am shocked to see she is eating. What shocks me is I recognize what she is eating, it is a forest tiger, a smaller one.

This one is about the size of a normal tiger, but still I have no idea how she managed to catch one. She is an even better hunter than I thought she was, again I am glad she is on my side. I walk over and explain to her what I am going to do.

As soon as I mention the portal she glares at me, so I quickly explain she won't be going with me. At that she relaxes and goes back to her meal, she doesn't seem bothered that I will be leaving her here alone. Once she understands and accepts I give her some scratches and then head for the portal.

With a whining Drog still following me I stop in front of the portal, it looks exactly like the other one only bigger. This one seems to have been set to a size for wagons and left that way, but that makes sense if all the rebel's supplies come through it. I take a deep breath hoping it will help and step into the portal.

It doesn't help, going through the portal is just as horrible as last time. Even before my eyes adapt my ears are assaulted by a blaring sound, it sounds like an alarm. Thankfully the alarm stops quickly, once I can see I find myself surrounded by mages.

Each one is holding a spell ready to cast, so I carefully put my hands in the air. No one moves and after a minute I realize the mages are not aiming at me. The mages are all staring and aiming at Drog, that alarm must have been because a demon entered wherever this is.

"He is a demon, but he is under contract and cannot harm anyone unless ordered to."

Roddick says "Stand down, they are guests."

As the mages cancel their spells and salute Roddick I relax and put my hands down.

Roddick says "Welcome to Illium, Lord Ash. My name is Roddick and I am the guildmaster of this mages guild."

"Nice to meet you."

Roddick says "We have much to discuss, please follow me."

As I follow Roddick I casually look around at the mages guild. I notice Drog is staring intently at every female he sees so I discreetly kick him. The mages guild is quite impressive, magic is in use everywhere, and while well built nothing is gaudy.

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Roddick leads me to a meeting room with comfortable chairs set around a table. As we sit down a servant enters and sets two trays on the table, one is snacks the other is a tea service.

Roddick says "Please, make yourself comfortable."

"Before anything else, you are aware my being here could bring danger from the king's forces right?"

Roddick says "Yes, we are aware and prepared should that happen. But considering the losses he has already suffered I don't think he can attack us right now."

"Just so long as you know what welcoming me might entail."

Roddick says "Illium is a city that is open to all, even the king could come here if he did so in peace."

"That's not too likely!"

Roddick says "True, but it is still the rule of the city. However, that isn't to say there might not be bounty hunters here that would attempt to take your head."

"Just how valuable is my head these days?"

Roddick says "Last I heard it was two hundred thousand gold and a noble title."

"He really wants me dead, that makes me happy."

Roddick says "The fact that he has failed to kill you makes a lot of other people happy."

"Oh, is it that I have fans or that people just like seeing the king frustrated?"

Roddick says "A little of column A a lot of column B."

"Wait, I was joking, I actually have fans?"

Roddick says "Yes, especially in the rebellion. My friend Zamart even told me to allow you to use the rebellion's funds if you need to."

"Wow, he didn't mention anything about that to me. But no need, I have my own funds."

Roddick says "That's good. Zamart also said you have an artifact that needs repaired?"

"Yes, it is this amulet."

Roddick says "Wow, this is exquisite! I've never seen a summoning item like this before."

"Can you repair it?"

Roddick says "Me? No, but there are a set of twins in my guild who are good with artifacts. With your permission I will let them take a look at this."

"Sure, anything you need. I just want it fixed."

Roddick says "I promise we will do everything we can."

"Thank you!"

Roddick says "Also I have arranged a meeting for you with the city master in two days."

"Why in two days?"

Roddick says "So you can explore the city and get a feel for it before you sit down with him."

"I guess that makes sense."

Roddick says "Also, here is a map of the city. It is magical, if you put a drop of blood on it it will show your current location at all times. Be careful with it though, if you lose it others can use it to track you."

"Thank you again, I will take good care of it."

Roddick says "No need to thank me. I owed several favors to Zamart, this is me repaying them."

"So now I owe Zamart?"

Roddick says "No, not according to him. Something about a robe?"

"Ah, now I understand. Zamart sure is sneaky."

Roddick says "He always has been. Would you mind explaining what this is about?"

"I gave him something I found in my travels. The robe of the last archmage of the ancient empire."

Roddick says "What?!?!"

"That was very similar to his reaction."

Roddick says "How did you come across such an artifact?"

Over tea and snacks I tell Roddick the story of my time in the pit and how I got the robe. Drog throws in a few snide comments so I end up telling Roddick how I got Drog under contract.

Roddick says "Haha! Dangling him over a lake of holy water? No wonder he submitted to you!"

"It seemed like a good idea at the time."

Roddick says "Having a demon servant is not what you were expecting?"

"No, I expected most of it, just didn't think how annoying it would be."

Drog says "It is my pleasure to serve my master!"

"Shut up, Drog."

Roddick says "I believe there was one other matter you wanted help with?"

"Yes, I need the best leatherworker in the city."