"This mine shaft down here, is this still active?"

Scott says "Yes, in fact that was one of the most promising veins. We actually found minute traces of Armatite!"

"That is probably where the bird-things came from, your miners probably broke through into a natural cave system."

Scott says "That deep? I've never heard of any cave systems that far down before."

"The one I was in under the kingdom went down a mile or more from what I could tell."

Scott says "Well, I don't have any other explanation for them suddenly appearing and eating my miners. So will you do it?"

"That depends, I have other things I need to be doing, so to be blunt what's the compensation?"

Ambrose says "The posted reward with the guild is one hundred and fifty thousand gold. But I think you should talk to the survivors before you accept the mission."

"I will talk to them to verify that it is the same beast I have dealt with before, but I will take the mission with two additional conditions."

Pelos says "What conditions?"

"One, you will raise your prices for Pine and all his people by ten percent. Two, you will stop all discrimination against the summoned."

Pelos says "So you really have thrown in with these guys against Pine. Alright, I can do that. You do understand the discrimination was by people in my guild because your summoned didn't want to learn the proper skills."

With a sigh I draw Blitz again and let Pelos take a look at it, I may be the one holding it but he studies it intently. From what I can tell, he truly loves blacksmithing, he may even regard it as a sacred art or something like that. He isn't going to like learning how easily we summoned can master a skill, he also isn't going to like that we can far surpass what he is capable of.

"What do you think of this blade?"

Pelos says "Well, it's made of Armatite which is truly impressive. The crafting is decent and uses techniques I am not familiar with."

"I made this sword while trapped underground beneath the kingdom. I did it without ever having anyone teach me anything about blacksmithing."

Pelos says "That is impressive! But what is your point?"

"My point is that the summoned gain skills in a different way than you are used to. I did this myself and I am not even a crafter, the two blacksmiths you are referring to have already surpassed my level of skill."

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Pelos says "How could they? They haven't any ore to work with!"

Scott says "Wait! You were denying them ore? That wasn't part of our deal, you may get first pick but you are still required to sell ore to others!"

Pelos says "We have kept up our end of the deal, we sell your ore so you don't have to worry about it. And when the market is slow we buy up whatever is left so you always get paid. Those two summoned are the only ones we ever refused to sell to."

"Well, I am supplying them with ore now so it doesn't matter for the time being. But when my supply runs out I expect them to be able to get ore when they need it."

Scott says "That's easy, just have them come to me, they can have first pick."

Pelos says "Now, wait a minute! We are supposed to get the first pick!"

Scott says "Unless he can get our mine back for us there won't be any decent ore to pick from!"

Ambrose says "Alright, enough bickering you two! Try to remember we are in public."

The two of them look guilty as they realize that all the nobles are still watching us. It isn't all that surprising since five of the seven guild masters are all in one spot, not to mention I am still an object of curiosity at the least. I am also sure that some of these nobles are watching so that they can report everything to Pine.

Scott says "Ahem, anyway, how soon can you start?"

Ambrose says "First, he will need to join the guild, so he can collect his reward without issue. It would also be a good idea to take some backup."

"No need for that, no offense but they would only slow me down. Not to mention I would have to protect them."

Ambrose says "I really don't feel comfortable with you going against beasts that took out my best team."

"How would your best team fare against a drake?"

Borrik says "They would be its lunch!"

"Exactly my point. Now how long will it take to get me in the guild?"

Ambrose says "The paperwork is fairly quick but you will need to take a test or two so we can place you."

"Test me for the highest rank you have, and let's get it all done tomorrow so I can go into the mine the day after."

Ambrose says "That's a tall order, but I think I can manage it."

Roddick says "Top rank, aren't you being a little arrogant?"

Borrik says "If he can kill a drake solo then he is qualified already, the test is just a formality."

Ambrose says "Yes he is being arrogant, but it is well earned. I really have no doubts about him passing the test but we will still do it anyway."

Scott says "Day after tomorrow? That sounds good to me!"

Roddick says "I still think he shouldn't be going in alone."

"I won't be alone, I will take Lizzy. I will let her clear the upper levels where she can fit while I go down below."

Pelos says "Lizzy?"

Ambrose says "That's his mount."

"She makes your beasties look like chickens."

Borrik says "You have a mount that's that dangerous?"

Ambrose says "He isn't exaggerating."

"Also, have they come out of the mines to hunt yet?"

Scott says "Not that we know of. Would they do that?"

"They should be sensitive to light so not during the day, but at night it is possible. Are there any villages close to the mines?"

Scott says "Yes, several."

"Can we check with them to see if they have had any people or livestock disappear lately?"

Roddick says "I will see to it."

Pelos says "What makes you think they would come out of the mines?"

"Because they have found humans to be an easy and abundant food source. Which brings up another point, the cave system they came from would have to be fairly extensive to support them."

Scott says "What about it?"

"Are you paying me to explore it or am I just exterminating the bird-things?"