Jacob brought Old Pai, Sophie, and Deacon into the common room of the Guild. He ordered some drinks and sat everyone down at a table. Elle joined them as the drinks were being delivered by the server. Deacon was nervous since he was prodding the dragon in his mind but getting no response. He didn’t know what to tell this old man and he didn’t want it getting out that he’s carting around the soul of dragon.

  “So, Deacon. Anything you’d like to say about what you were up to today?” Jacob asked.

  “We went shopping. That’s it. You want me to get started in the alchemy lab, right? I needed some ingredients. I also needed some new clothes. I got this pretty nice shirt all stabbed up thanks to that brat.” Deacon complained.

  “One day. You’ve been here one day. In that time, you’ve turned this guild upside down. Do you know the last time the head of thieves guild actually came over here himself? Of course you don’t, never. The answer is never. Do you know who’s nephew that novice is? Again, you don’t. Lord Cullep, he owns the iron mine. I have a request for you. Just spend some time getting to know your guildmates and working on potions. After speaking with Elle and Typhus, it seems you attract trouble like the center of a whirlpool. It’ll be easier to help you if you aren’t actively spinning the water.” Jacob said

  “Let me see if I can sum up what you just told me. Fuck you, stay home. Is that about right?” Deacon said with a scowl on his face.

  “No, I said let’s spend some more time here. Elle can you help me out here?” Jacob asked.

  “He’s saying he can’t keep Cullep from doing something drastic if you leave the guild.” Elle clarified.

  “Real smooth.” Sophie responded.

  “None of that matters. Once the schools find out about a non-elemental monk, they will either recruit him or kill him. Most likely kill him because his skills are monkey shit.” Old Pai interjected.

  “Master Pai Mei, thank you for coming to see us. I was not aware you knew Deacon.” Jacob now addressed the agitated elderly man.

  “I just met him today. It’s a good thing too or there might have been trouble. There are some questions I need answered but they will have to wait until your guild business is done. They are not for public consumption.” Old Pai said.

  “Ok so I didn’t get that message. Thanks Elle. What’s the deal with that Cullep guy? Didn’t Armand say something about him?” Deacon asked.

  “Rich people always get their way. I’m sure your last comment isn’t going to go over too well either.” Sophie answered.

  “Look I’m trying to not kill people just like Armand asked. I went easy on those kids.” Deacon said.

  “They needed to call a fire mage to melt a patch of ice two of them were trapped in. Apparently normal fire wouldn’t melt it.” Jacob replied.

  “Good to know. That’s an added layer of utility.” Deacon replied while rubbing his chin in thought.

  “I’ve had enough fun for one day. Deacon it was a pleasure spending the day with you. Let’s do it again in a year or so, ok?” Sophie said as she excused herself from the table.

  “I told her you were a handful.” Elle said as she giggled.

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  “I feel bad. Its not like I wanted to get her in mixed up in this stuff.” Deacon said.

  “Deactastrophe is right.” Jacob chuckled.

  “Enough. I need to speak with him privately. Is there a room we could use?” Old Pai asked.

  “Right this way.” Said Jacob as he got up and led them to a what looked like a meeting room with a table and a few chairs. There was one door in and no windows.

  “Now tell me how you met the long dead Zageracks?” Old Pai asked.

  “Woah, how did you guess that so quickly?” Deacon asked with an astonished look on his face.

  “There was only ever one being that called me worthy. It was that damn dragon. Now answer the question cotton head.” Old Pai said with a look of agitation.

  Deacon then began to regale Old Pai with his exploits to date. From waking up in that crypt, to fighting off the Kobolds, and finally to meeting the spirit of Zageracks. Old Pai gave him a go on like gesture and Deacon kept going. Once he finally summed up with getting to town Old Pai held up his hand.

  “You are a Duke in the lands of New Mulvaria. You have a fate generated title called the mangler? Any other classifications that you think might be important?” Old Pai asked.

  “I’m the Champion of Cheshire. What’s with all the questions? Why do you care so much?” Deacon said lowering his head.

  “Should have led with that one.” Old Pai said as he flicked the air and Deacon felt it on his forehead.

  “How do you do that? I can’t even see what you’re doing.” Deacon asked as he rubbed his forehead.

  “I’m going to teach you to control your aura.”, Old Pai said as he held up a hand to forestall anymore questions, “I was taught my fighting technique by none other than Zageracks. I owe my long life and freedom to him. I am not doing this out of the kindness of my heart. You will bring the Great schools down on Iron Mountain. That will affect me whether I do this or not. I’d rather have a half-trained student than a completely ignorant cotton head when they come.”

  “Now that is a story I’d like to hear.” Deacon said.

  “No.” Was all Old Pai said.

  “But…” Deacon began in protest before feeling another flick on his forehead. Enraged he flipped the table onto its side and just stood there fuming.

  “I see I’ve found the stick. Tomorrow morning when the sun rises, I will meet you in this guild’s poor excuse for a training yard. Be prompt. Pack away all that frustration you are feeling right now, you will need it.” Old Pai said as he got up and left the room.

  “What the hell just happened?” Deacon asked himself.

  It was barely sundown and Deacon wanted to take a look at this alchemy lab. He wanted to throttle the little old man but knew he’d just be eating dirt in seconds. That meeting could not have gone better for him. The guild masters treat Old Pai with reverence. Learning that technique he used earlier might be game changing. Deacon asked a few people where the Alchemy lab was and eventually found it.

  Inside the lab were several beakers, test tubes, diffusion devices and a centrifuge. That seemed advanced for a guild lab. He immediately found the open area where the core work would be done. Taking out the equipment he bought, Deacon dragged a stool over and got to making his first standard healing potion. Unfortunately, having a level one skill meant that two out of every five attempts ended in failure. That was unacceptable considering he’d be losing money with so much fallout. Maybe he could post low level guild quests and just let others bring him what he needed.

  It was getting late, and Deacon was starting to make mistakes. The first mistake came when he reached out to pick up a small knife to cut pieces of the root he was using instead of breaking them off. The knife must have been considered a weapon and it shot across the room ricocheting back at him from the wall. The blade scored a line across his knuckles before appearing back on the table in its original position. It must be enchanted to return to the same place. Someone liked a tidy workspace, Deacon thought. Just then a droplet of his blood ran down his hand and into the mixture in the bowl. Light started to pour out of the bowl before settling into a pinkish brown liquid. Once Deacon poured it into a flask looking to get rid of it in one shot, he received a notification.

New Alchemy Recipe Discovered- Champions Endurance- this potion bestows infinite endurance until its affects wear off. This potion can only be consumed once per day and lasts Alchemy level in hours of the creator.

Alchemy skill has increased to Level two.

  “Now isn’t that interesting. Guess that’s why I never get tired. I do start feeling loopy if I don’t sleep though. Guess you can’t have everything.” Deacon said to himself.