Chapter 162

The small magical device was squished in to Tomas' ear canal and made it difficult to hear out of that ear but it was worth the trade off as it allowed him to hear other more important things.

“Overwatch alpha, south and east exterior clear...”

“Overwatch bravo, north and west exterior clear...”

“CPD-5 in motion, moving to point victor...”

Men and women dressed just like any other adventurer moved throughout the Guild grounds without tipping anyone off to their presence. They blended in and looked as if they belonged. Their job was simple. Prepare the way for their Principal. Protect Him at all times. Stay out of sight.

“I don't have a sight-line, Glass-2 switching to secondary position...”

The men and women filtered through the grounds and made their ways towards the dining hall. More and more of them arrived until they had people overlooking all four faces of the building and stationed at points along the route to the dining hall.

“In position, primary approach...”

“In position, rear approach...”

“Fire support bravo in place...”

Tomas moved in to line for the dining hall. At least half the people in line were recognizable to him but he made no move to acknowledge them. For today they had to act as if they didn't know each other.

A flock of birds passed overhead and sent shadows racing across the ground with their flight. Tomas smiled. It was good to be outside for a change, even if it was only for a moment.

The line moved and more of his team entered the dining hall and took up positions at tables throughout the dining area. He took his food and sat at an open table that was now ringed by tables entirely controlled by his team. He sat alone at the table and refused requests for others to sit there.

The room was packed with people and his almost-open table was a draw for anyone looking to sit and eat.

“I'm saving it for my friends in line,” he replied to all inquiries. His calm emotionless stare removed any lingering doubts people may have had over sitting at his table.

He made movements as if eating but he only nibbled on his food as his eyes constantly scanned the room.

If anyone had been paying attention that would have been what would have tipped them off. All of Tomas' people had their heads on swivels – they constantly turned and scanned the room, each of them.

“All stations, target sighted. Thirty seconds out. Primary and three secondaries.”

“Shadow-3 trailing...”

“Shadow-2, I have them. Appear to be carrying their standard kit.”

Tomas continued to pretend to eat as the groups of people, his team, ate at tables around him. They formed a protective ring around the table and were made up of men and women more than capable of defending their positions.

Of course it was just a dining hall. Hopefully they wouldn't be called upon to protect anything. Or anyone.

“Target in line, Shadow-3 handing off to 2...”

“Shadow-2 has it.”

Tomas looked up briefly and caught sight of the primary target with a full tray slide to the end of the line. A dark haired woman stood next to him along with what looked like a young man and a very young looking girl. They matched the descriptions that he had studied all last night and this morning. He spoke quietly and his earpiece broadcast it to his team.

“Shadow-1 has them – target and secondaries verified. Move to position whiskey.” Tomas said almost silently.

Jay and his friends were now clustered together and had just begun to look for an open table. Tomas spoke quickly and quietly.

“All stations set condition yellow! Get the Primary ready. Shadow-1 moving to position sierra.”

Tomas smoothly got to his feet and picked up his tray as he turned his body to face where Jay and his friends were standing. They saw him and his open table immediately and Jay pointed as his group began to make way towards it.

Others had seen it as well but they found it impossible to pass through the outer ring of tables to reach it. A spilled drink down the front of someone's tunic, a boot tripped, a bag dropped in the way – something inevitably happened to anyone trying to reach the inner table – except for Jay and his group.

Tomas turned and blended in to the crowd just as Jay's group arrived at the table and claimed it for their own. Tomas turned after a moment and took a seat that his team had saved him at a nearby table.

Jay and his friends talked for a few moments before Tomas' earpiece crackled to life,

“All stations, Primary moving to position zebra!”

And that was when an unassuming young man got up from his table, turned, and spoke to Jay.

“Excuse me, but if you wouldn't mind, might I have a seat and a moment of your time?” the man said in a polite but firm manner that brooked little argument.

Jay smiled, “We have room for another, have a seat, I'm Jay.”

The man nodded and smiled. “Hi Jay, my name's a mouthful but my friends call me Fair,” the man offered kindly.

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Fair offered and shook the other's hands one at a time. When he got to M'redith she looked white as a sheet. Her eyes widened and she looked as if she was about to say something when Fair cut her off before she got started.

“M'redith, truly a pleasure to meet you,” Fair said with a slight shake of his head.

Jay wasn't sure what Fair was shaking his head about but M'redith picked right up on it and went quiet.

Norri wasn't sure who the new guy was but she was almost certain that no one had yet to introduce M'redith's name. Norri's eyes narrowed as she stared at Fair.

“So Jay, I was planning on heading over to Kagan's Dome today for the big activation ceremony. I hear you and yours had more than a little to do with that.” the man said with a mischievous smile.

Jay looked surprised, “You heard about that already huh? I suppose it is going to get out one way or another, no sense in being coy about it. Ya, it was us. I'm looking forward to the activation if that is what you're asking.”

M'redith looked worried at Jay's familiar tone but stayed quiet when Fair shook his head again.

“I'll be honest Jay, I was really hoping to meet the man that had turned little old Kagan's Dome in to a hot spot of activity. The entire city is swamped with adventurers who all want a chance to run the Dome. That was all your doing, wasn't it.” Fair half stated and half asked.

Jay shrugged. “We didn't set out to do anything major. We were sent out on a job and we did it. That was all.” Jay said a bit self deprecatingly.

Fair laughed, “That's a bit too modest, don't you think? No, you managed to turn K'tharkle in to an even more tempting place to visit. Quite an accomplishment!”

Jay grinned and looked at his friends and for the first time noticed their faces. Aiden looked confused. Norri looked suspicious. M'redith looked...terrified? Jay felt as if he had been floating through his day and had suddenly woken up. What was going on here? What had he missed?

He looked at Fair, really looked at him, but all he saw was a man. Jay tried to look closer. He inspected his clothing which was spotless and fit him perfectly. It was also most likely a custom job. The stitching on his clothing also was perfectly and evenly spaced. Expensive. Jay leaned back and checked under the table to look at his shoes. Fair watched him curiously as he did so.

Jay had once read that you could tell a lot about a person based on their shoes. Fair's shoes looked very well made, expensive, but hardly worn. “Who are you?” Jay finally asked after a moment's pause.

“I told you. My friends call me Fair. I would like you to do so as well.” the man said with a wide grin.

Jay shrugged, “Ok. But you're no adventurer with those shoes. You don't want to tell me who you are, that's fine. How about what you want? What is it you want from me?”

The man looked surprised, “Want?” the man sighed and rubbed at his head. He looked at Jay steadily before he spoke again. “You ever feel as if life has grown...too exhausting, and all you can think about is something, anything, to give you a break from the monotony?”

Jay's friends stayed quiet but Fair had hit on something close to Jay's heart.

Jay nodded, “I used to feel that way. Every day. Every single day.” Jay shook himself out of his thoughts, “But now I'm here, and that has all gone away.”

Fair smiled, “Well I unfortunately am still stuck in the thick of it. All I want is for us to be friends – I don't have many and I could use another. I'd like for you to call me Fair. Especially if someone tells you not to do so. Easy ask, right?”

Jay looked uncertain and M'redith looked as if she was about to burst but still kept quiet. Jay shrugged. “Ok. I can agree to that. You should get to decide what people call you, right?”

Fair laughed, hard and loud, and the people at the surrounding tables all shifted in surprise. “I think you may be surprised at how things actually end up working when it comes to what people call me. We'll see. As for the Dome, I'd like to ask for a word with you, after you open the dungeon. I'll make it easy to pick me out of the crowd. If you'd just come right up and have a word after the ceremony I would be thankful.”

Jay shook his head, “Can't you just tell me now?”

Fair smiled, “It wouldn't be the same.”

Jay looked lost but agreed. What could be the harm in talking with this man one more time. Besides, he could probably use someone to talk to considering how many politically connected people would be attending the opening. “Ok. I'll keep an eye out for you after the opening. Since you won't tell us why then at least you could tell us what is in it for us? I know that sounds crass but I can't think up a better way to phrase it.”

Norri laughed a high pitched giggle and Aiden cracked a smile. M'redith looked as if she was about to die from shame.

Fair laughed again. “That sounds reasonable! All I've done is act all mysterious and make requests. Since I've been mysterious up until now there's no sense in changing course at this point is there? I'll see that you are rewarded handsomely for your time, whatever I take up of it.”

Jay smiled, “Ok. I mean, it's just calling you your name and having a conversation after the opening. I want to ask you questions about you but I get the feeling you'll dance around them.”

Fair laughed, loud, and the tables surrounding them again stirred and looked surprised.

“Jay I have to thank you, this was more fun than I've had in years. Thank you for the opportunity to meet you and yours – I really wanted to put eyes on the team that transformed the K'tharkle dungeon running scene. Listen, it's just about time for me to go, but I think I might have use of a team like yours in the future. Would you mind terribly if I were to reach out to you should I find a job that suits you?” Fair asked as if it had just occurred to him and was not the actual reason he had initiated the conversation in the first place.

Jay smiled, “We're always open to job offers.” Aiden and Norri nodded while M'redith hid her face in her hands.

“M'redith!” Fair said loudly and caused her to jump in surprise and she raised her head to look at him, her eyes wide and worried, “It was wonderful to see you, hope to see you again soon. Wonderful to meet all of you,” Fair said as he got up and shook Jay's hand. “See you in a bit Jay,” Fair said with a smile before he turned.

He had to wait a bit as a large number of people sitting at the tables around him had gotten up to leave. Maybe half of them. Then Fair was able to leave, and then the second half of the surrounding table's occupants followed along closely behind him.

“Principal moving to extraction point alpha. Shadow-1 to Rover-1, bring in the convoy.”

“Rover-1 moving to extraction point alpha.”

“Rover-2 standing by.”

“Rover-3 moving to secondary extraction point.”

“Shadow-1 to traffic control, prepare to stop all traffic.”

“All stations, Rover-1 is now Kingdom-1.”

“Traffic halted. Kingdom-1 moving. Convoy en-route”

“All stations set condition green.”

Tomas waited a bit longer and watched Jay and his friends hold a whispered conversation before they all went quiet. The youngest gathered all of their trays and brought them up to the counter before she returned and her and her friends left the dining hall.

Tomas triggered his earpiece, “Shadow-1 moving,” he said before he too got up and left the building. Jay and his friends were gone by the time he made it outside but that was fine. He wasn't hunting them, his job had merely been to arrange a meeting with Jay. Having done so he was clear to leave the Guild grounds and return to his normal duties.