Walking through the entrance, the sounds of a creaky wagon and horse hooves faded in the distance, signaling the departure of the man who had brought the crates. Outside, the city was coming alive with the early evening hustle, but inside the Guild Hall, a new energy was forming.

Four crates lay there, and Iris shrugged. “Load me up.”

“Don’t overdo it, Iris.”

“Look, I got the stats, I just can’t pick them all at once. Load me up.”

Her girlfriend rolled her eyes but did as Iris asked, and soon Iris was following slowly behind Kaira with a stack of three crates while the elf carried the last.

Inside the taproom, the rhythmic clatter of plates and mugs filled the air. The counter was being arranged with care by three figures: Mocha, Akane, and Iris. The clinking sound of flatware being placed finally subsided, followed by the twin sighs from Mocha and Akane.

Mocha pushed a stray strand of hair from her face. “Feels like we’ve been at this for hours.”

Iris shot a concerned look their way. “You two holding up okay?”

Akane, rolling her shoulders to ease tension, offered a weary smile. “Good, but tired.”

Mocha nodded. “Same. But tonight is good! All coming.”

Before anyone could reply, a voice echoed, “Hello?”

Kaira tensed, but Iris was swift in her reaction, lifting a hand to signal the elf to stay put. “I've got this.”

She walked out to the main area where three people—a telv man and woman along with a high elf woman—were standing there awkwardly looking around.

Iris stepped forward, her voice full of warmth. “Hello there! Please excuse the mess; we’ve just moved in. Can I help you?”

Recognition flashed in the telv woman's eyes. “Miss Iris?”

A vague sense of familiarity tugged at Iris's memory. Who are you? “Yes?”

Nope, nothing.

“You may not remember me because you left soon after, but I’m Lyra? I worked at the Frolicking Fawn Inn. Miss Sera hired me to be the bartender.”

Realization dawned on Iris. That’s right! The barmaid who inspired our very own bar setup. “Lyra! I’m sorry, it’s been quite some time. With everything going on, it slipped my mind.”

Footsteps signaled the arrival of Sera and Deldri. Sera, spotting Lyra, lit up in recognition. “Ah, you're already here! Did you bring the food and provisions?”

Guilt prickled at Iris as she realized she hadn’t acknowledged the other two newcomers. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t get your names.”

The woman chuckled. She nodded toward the man and jerked her head toward Iris while she addressed Sera, the two discussing food.

The telv man looked up at her and smiled. “Hi! I was hired to be one of the barmen. I’m Jonik.”

“Iris Stuart,” she responded, shaking his offered hand. “I suppose I’m the Grandmaster here.”

Jonik's eyes widened slightly, pulling his hand back a tad too quickly. “Oh, apologies, ma’am. I wasn’t expecting—”

Iris chuckled. “You’re fine. We’re the Adventurer’s Guild, not some noble House. Some of the others are already back in the taproom. I suppose you guys want to go help?”

“Yeah, if that’s alright with you,” Lyra added.

“Of course.”

The high elf woman and Sera finished their conversation, and Iris’s friend introduced her as Falene their cook. Apparently, Tanith was already parking a wagon behind the kitchen filled with food, drink, and other perishables and they were on the way in to come help unload and get everything sorted.

A jovial voice boomed, “What have we here?”

As Gryff, Bree, and Laken sauntered in, Iris’s heart swelled with joy. Turning to Sera and Deldri, she said, “I'll handle the greetings. Shout if you need anything.” The duo nodded, suppressing laughter as they departed.

Facing her party, Iris beamed. “Welcome, you scoundrels, to our new home!”

Laken shifted nervously. His gaze darted between Iris and the door leading outside. “I can't linger. I left Owlie in the stables, and I'd rather not leave the stablehand with her too long.”

Understanding filled Iris’s eyes. “Go on then, make sure Owlie is settled. We’ll manage here. Once you're done, meet us in the taproom, alright?”

His relief was palpable, a smile brightening his features. “Honestly, at this rate, I'll be living here more than my own place.”

Iris raised an eyebrow playfully. “Well, you did choose a bear as a companion.”

Laken’s expression turned mockingly offended as he stretched his arms out, showing off his pride. “Who could resist such a choice?”

She chuckled, “Fair enough, I wouldn’t have.”

Bree, looking anything but amused, interjected, “I sure as hell would've. Owlie seems to have this idea that I’m a good spot to lounge on.”

Laken, already halfway to the door, threw a teasing grin her way. “Only because she’s fond of you!”

Gryff snorted, nudging Bree, “It’s because you're bite-sized. Almost like a comfy cushion.”

"Or perhaps, an appetizer," Iris commented with a smirk.

"Hey! I'll have you know I have been told that I am... Oh, wait. Yeah. That tracks."

"You are what?" Gryff prodded.

"She's a tall drink of water, Gryff. Anyone would be lucky to have this absolute snack right here. You were too busy flirting to see the adoring fans Bree had when she started singing."

Caught off-guard, Bree's voice was a mix of embarrassment and pride. “Hold on—”

Gryff's feigned innocence only served to fuel the jests. “Oh? I would say that I am sorry that I missed it, but honestly... no, I'm not.”

If you come across this story on Amazon, it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

“It's okay because while you had two girls listening to your embellished stories, she had a whole crowd of girls staring at her fingers strum her lute.”

“Woah, woah—”

“I can't say that I'm surprised,” Gryff said while stroking his beard exaggeratedly. “Well, actually I can just say that I'm surprised it took this long. She’s always strumming her lute. Just everywhere we go, plucking away.”

Bree threw her hands up in exasperation, “Oi! I'm right here you twats!”

Gryff and Iris’s laughter echoed through the hall.

✦ ✦ ✦

The natural light from the outdoors shined through the windows of the taproom, casting muted shadows over its occupants as the door creaked open. The orkun merchant from the Fenren Trading House, Lucille of Blighwych, walked in and quickly took in the gathered people. She greeted Iris with a courteous nod and a few exchanged words of gratitude, before she swiftly beelined to Sera and Tanith, her every move hinting at her excitement to be there.

Everyone mingled and talked while Sera slipped out of the room with Neri and Deldri in tow.

Iris sat and talked with her party while Akane and Mocha moved from table to table trying to make friends with anyone and everyone.

The kitsune introduced herself as Adventurer Akane, something they had figured out just that week at the temple.

A couple of bells later, Sera and the others had returned and joined in the conversations. As they were standing there, a rustle from the door diverted Iris’s attention back to the entrance. The three familiar faces from Stilstead village stepped in, drawing a welcoming grin from Iris. “Glad you could make it! Come, join us.”

The telv woman, her hair cascading over her shoulders, beamed, waving at Sera. “Apologies for our tardiness. We were, unfortunately, misled.” She cast a playful glare at the high elf man beside her. “Someone here insisted it was in the old town.”

“I said I was sorry!” He protested, throwing his hands up in a gesture of surrender.

As the bickering continued, Neri, eyes shining with enthusiasm, dashed forward. “You're the other receptionist, right? I'm Neri!”

Matching Neri's eagerness with a chuckle, the woman introduced herself, “I'm Audrielle. The misinformed guide here is Findal, and this,” pointing to the third man, “is Divaro. We hail from Stilstead.”

“And how long do you intend to stay with us before heading home?” Iris asked.

Audrielle, not missing a beat and seeming accustomed to taking charge, responded, “Until I'm fully equipped with the knowledge to helm a minor branch.” Her gaze shifted to Iris, laden with respect. “Assuming that aligns with your wishes, Grandmaster.”

Iris let out an amused snort, raising a hand dismissively. “Just 'Iris' will do.”

Sera, however, saw an opportunity for a lesson. She moved closer, her voice clear and authoritative, capturing the attention of the room. “It's essential we maintain titles within the guild, but amongst us in settings such as this when Iris okays it, informality is permitted. To the outside world, she is to be addressed with the same reverence due to a high noble like any other Grandmaster of the Guilds. This standard we set will be mirrored across all of Ikios.”

“Ah, yeah,” Iris said with a wince. She was still getting new to all of this responsibility. “Yeah, sorry guys! Sera’s right. We have to do this right. It’s new for all of us, but we’ll get it!”

Kaira chuckled. “We’ll help out, we’re used to a bit of order in the Guard.”

“Yeah, Captain’s right. We’ll get it, but I think the Adventurer’s Guild is different,” Bree said. “I think there’s something there. Instead of being overly formal, what about something more… fitting? Use titles, we can even have a little adventurer-only ceremony where people are given their titles by other adventurers.”

Iris smiled. “I love it! We’ll figure it out. We do need our own stuff that makes us… us. So, how about this… When we deal with customers, we’re professional, when we deal with important people, we’re formal. I haven’t dealt with the Mercenary or Blades Guilds, but I would assume they’re similar.”

“They are,” Tanith called out. “The Guard’s Guild is as well. We’re different than the more mercantile guilds. It’s expected and understandable.”

Iris nodded. “Sounds great! If anyone else has suggestions or anything, feel free to approach me. I want to have an open-door policy. I don’t know how other Grandmasters do it, but I’m one that likes to be involved and I will be taking quests of my own.”

A smattering of approving murmurs filled the room, signaling the collective support of the small staff. It would do for now.

She turned back to Sera and quirked an eyebrow, “So, Sera, why just a Branch Head for her?”

Sera explained, “Given the village's size, they won't have a Guildmaster. They'll look to us, or a future branch in Cosdale for many services. We don’t want to inundate people like Audrielle here with extensive work when she may very well be the only one to represent us there.”

Gryff's laughter echoed from a distant table, his jest clear. “Sounds like more work for you, Iris!”

With a smirk, Iris retorted, “Watch it, or you'll find yourself swamped too! I hear the stables need stocked and set up for the horses, the poor stablehand is out there getting everything ready now!”

“It’s not nice to talk about Laken that way!” he quickly retorted.

Shaking her head in amusement, Iris nodded to Sera, signaling her understanding. “Thanks for clarifying.”

Sera, ever the leader, gathered everyone's attention once more. “Let's get down to business. The coming weeks will be hectic. Every hand here will be vital. Adventurers, in the absence of a quest, this will be your main duty. This evening we’re going to let our taproom staff get used to serving a group of people to give them some practice. For now, we leave them to get their area set up. The rest of us are going to start moving unneeded furniture to the great room. Lucille, we’re still good for the buyers to come and see everything tomorrow, yes?”

The green orkun woman nodded, her lips pursed around her tusks. “They’ll be here, we just need everything ready to go.”

“Perfect.” Sera turned back to the group. “Alright, everyone! While everyone was in here chatting for the last bell, Neri, Deldri, and I went around to all of the rooms. If the door is shut, nothing is leaving. If it is open, stuff is leaving. Some of the items will be moved down to the cellar for the time being, or reused elsewhere. We will be spread out and pointing out what to take and what not to. Everyone understand?”

A chorus of nods greeted her words.

“Fantastic. Let’s get to work!”

Akane jumped up. “I can carry more in my true form!”

Iris's hand reached out in a vain attempt to stop her, a cloud of mana obscured her for a moment before the dire fox leaped out and looked around. Sounds of surprise echoed, especially from newer staff members witnessing this transformation for the first time.

“For those of you who haven’t seen this side of Akane,” Iris called out. “This is her. She’s the same person, able to understand you, though her vocal cords are a bit… limited in this form.”

Akane yipped. ‘Yeah! Let’s get to work, sillies!’

Iris sighed as the Kitsune’s [Sisterly Love] trait allowed them to finally communicate without Mocha translating.

“Well, she’s got the spirit right. Let’s get moving. We have a lot to do.”

As the room stirred into action, Sera began assigning roles and directing movement with military precision.

A soft voice halted Iris. “Iris.”

Iris shifted her gaze to her best friend and sister. “What's up, Mocha?”

“Why are you still in that damn armor? Ditch it. It's not needed.”

She’s gotten a lot better at speaking since learning at the temple.

Sharing a conspiratorial look with Kaira, who was equally armored, Iris responded with a chuckle, “Let’s get some shit done, then Kaira and I can go change before dinner. How about that? I don’t mind working in this.”

‘You’re going to have so much boob sweat,’ the fox yipped in a cheeky tone. ‘It’s gonna be smelly. Warn me so I can change back first. No one wants to smell that.’

“No one wants to smell a wet dog either.”

Mocha snickered. “Well played! But she does have a point, sis.”

Akane's yip sounded indignant. ‘I am a fox! Not a smelly mutt. There's a difference!’

Kaira rolled her eyes. “Honestly, it's like babysitting. Can we get on with it?”

A fond smile curved Iris's lips as she observed her newfound family. Regardless of the chaos, they were hers.

Her reverie was interrupted by a playful swipe of three tails across her face. ‘Last one there gives up their dessert for a month!’ the fox yipped.

Iris grinned, a playful electrical charge dancing on her fingertips.

Being the eldest means setting the young ones straight once in a while.