Chapter Nine
Guild of Adventurers
“How strong is he?” Asked Ogre softly.
When Lam looked at his large face that was like slate in the shadows cast by the lantern light, the fox had to look away. Ogre heard the beast’s heart speed up, and smelled the acrid scent of fear wafting from the fox. Ogre snorted, this is fear, true fear. The signs that I saw with Lam before, what was that? Was he truly afraid before this moment? The dog knew he had never smelled that scent wafting from the Lam, before.
“You don’t understand.” Lam said, “Even speaking of a Feli in such a familiar way can get you hanged or quartered and fed to one of the Illustrious. It does not matter how strong he is. He could be a level one and you the highest form of soulweight rank, and you still could not touch him.”
“Feli are made of flesh are they not? Cats eat, sleep, squat and water the ground, right?” Said Ogre, “They are not the Godlion.”
“In this world they are the next best thing…kin to the one who walks the heavens and peers at the worlds at sunrise and sunset.” Lam explained, “It does not matter how distant. It matters that they have claimed it and they still live.”
“I will not suffer to be made a pet, fox!” Snapped Ogre.
“You are mighty, dog.” The fox said flatly, “But are you strong enough to resist all beasts who live in this world? What about all the worlds that the Felidae rule, can you conqueror the High Heroes of Yore? All of them? You even can’t resist Borhelm! And he is only the beginning of the minions that they can bring to bear against you! No…he is the least of a Beginning.”
“I will not be a pet…” Ogre said low and deep. “I do not care who serves them. They will not own me!”
“They own you already, a pig owns you!” Said Lam, “Do you even know what a ruler means? What of the power of their thrones? Their Sceptres? Their Crowns? I do not mean metaphorically I mean real power! Why do you think there is a tax on insight and soulweight?”
“So what! I have yet to pay this tax!”
“You are smarter than this, Ogre, think. This insight and soulweight goes somewhere, where do you think that is?”
It dawned on him before Lam finished speaking, but he clenched his jaw and glared at the fox, stubbornly refusing to even say the words. Lam shook his head in rueful wonder. “You know it now and still you don’t care? The Crowns hold insight. Every beast that has ever paid taxes in insight to a rule, over the tens and hundreds of millennia has had that stored to be used at the discretion of the ruler. The same goes for soulweight and thrones. And the scepters give them nigh absolute power in their domain, subject only to the ones above them.”
“Do all leaders in this cat ruled world have this? Do all cats enjoy such power?” Said Ogre dismissively.
“No…but it does not matter. They are cats.” Lam said, “They outrank any low-ears, they are far above any noble, hero, or general that are not cats and can make them do their bidding just by regaling them with their presence. Only kings have the full might that I described but the lesser rulers have a semblance of it. For instance, the Headbeast of Cerulean, represents a percentage of every powerful beast that has ever registered with the Adventurer’s guild. The Headbeast alone may equal the talltales told about the ancient Heroes.”
Ogre snorted, and changed the subject. “You are cunning, Lam. How did you set it up to save my life? Did you truly wound yourself or allow yourself to be wounded to lull me into trusting you?”
Lam said turned away from the dog. “I think you are more than what my master would make of you, Ogre. I think you have potential to rise as high as any beast who are not Felidae may rise. But you do not understand this world. They will crush you or they will kill you, and the mercy is on the latter.”
“I’ve heard your sniveling, fox,” Ogre said, eyes glittering in the dark. “I do not need…”-
-“Wait…just wait!” Exclaimed Lam. “Before you lost your memory and basically all of your supernal strength, they spoke of you as if you were a monster. I would not be surprised if the illustrious Tulron put ties upon you, only a fool would not. Not that any Feli could be known as a fool, as their wit is beyond me and my kind. You did what you had to do at first. But even when some fool beast or party attacked you, you were so far above them that they were fleas or flies to you. And yet you slaughtered them. You are a beast of strength, but they are beings of nobility, of glittering blood. They will not abide any challenge to their way of ruling. But if you bide your time, live long enough to rise as strongly as you did in the tower, you would be too dangerous to ignore, and too valuable to send all of their strength to crush you. I can help you.”
Ogre sniffed at him, markedly wrinkling his nose at the unease coming from Lam. “If you wish to be of use to me, tell me his strength. Tell me how he will approach me, tell me when he will he unveil himself to me.”
“I cannot speak these words.”
“Why?”
“Because I was commanded not to.”
“You are useless then.” Said Ogre, “I cannot even keep you, as you already know that I know of your affiliations. And you will not be able to lie to your master either. I’m guessing, you hold your tongue not because of a power, skill, or talent the beast has, but simply for the command given to you.”
“We must obey, them Ogre.”
“Go back to your cat, fox, leave me and the otters to our game of getting stronger! You already have your place in the world do you not?”
“He will kill me.”
“You are already dead to me.”
“I saved your life! You possess a vessel with all that power, and you were nearly ended by a bolt launched by a level 10 mustel.” The fox snapped, “I made sure you survived the Tower! And because of that I’m the reason you survived the woodlands beyond it! Are you aware that those creatures were there because of you? Hunting you!? Dreameaters are the only beasts with the power to draw monsters from different realms of the Tutorial Levels and bring them into the worlds beyond it. Jeda was right, Ogre! You were responsible for Glaeddra’s death! You are the reason for all the deaths of the otters! Perhaps I should tell them the truth!”
“Perhaps I do owe you debt!” Ogre said in a tone that suggested musing, “But your silence told me exactly what I needed to hear about the time when you ‘saved’ me in the tower! What of the Gremlin? Your master commanded that you stay near me did he not? And you knew that those monsters would be drawn to me, correct? Had I not slain it…you would be dead.”
“You had to kill it to survive!”
“Once I had the strength to slay it, it did not have the means to slay me lest I allowed it. I could have left you to die, Lam.”
“That is…that…”
“Stay away from me, fox. Or I’ll forget that you saved me and remember only that you set up those mustels to test me.”
With that Ogre left the fox where he stood, not turning when he saw the beast fall to his knees in the middle of the street with Visionary. Lam’s wail went out like a siren call. Ogre growled to clear his throat of his heart, that rose to choke him and rubbed his eyes to soften the burn in them. His gauntlets came away wet. I will not cry for that miserable traitor! The dog followed the path that the otters took down the road, rifling through hundreds of older scents with ease. He could smell at least a dozen different animals present in the town, not including mustel, fox, and boar. There was even a biting, wild odor that could have been a rapid dog, but Ogre guessed that it might be a coyote or wolf. Ogre did not pay much heed to the buildings any longer. His thoughts were drawn to what the fox said. There was so much to decipher and some things that he was able to confirm. The dog’s dismissal of his strength in the dream made sense if he was this so-called Dreameater. He still did not know what it was; if it was a being apart from him, or some version of a monster like the gremlin. He recalled the fear that it inspired and tried to put his thoughts on it rather than the recent betrayal.
Ogre saw the pillar rising up from the town before they entered Cerulean, it grew as he approached rising high in the night sky from a town circle of great proportions. The street circled it, splitting into four different paths, not including the main street that Ogre took. There were two great paths that the dog could see, one that swept all the way to a courtyard of elegant stone and horticulture, and the other that went off towards taller buildings and homes with steeply arched roofs. A building larger than any that the dog had seen in the town so far followed the great circle. Ogre guessed that this was the Adventurer’s Guild. The inside curve of the structure had signs that protruded akin the ones on the streets before it and a few of the smaller branches of the circle after. Beasts fought and trained in the courtyard near the entrance where the great path flowed into it. They dashed in and out of the pools of lantern light, that were posted around the enormous curve of the circle. Ogre was surprised at how many of the beasts there were, still training well into the night. A large ram, with leather bards and great curving horns were supervising them. He was as tall as Borhelm, as tall as the guards at the gate, but only half as wide, and with his horns which gave a full extra pace of height, he seemed like a stout tower. Many different beasts trained, nearby, rams, goats, badgers, weasels, and a group of otters that wielded wood topped spears and plank shields.
Training? Are they new adventurers like us? Ogre thought as he watched the otters perform the skill thrust, and a badger with a great axe perform a skill that was like vertical slash. Walking past, and feeling eyes on him, he walked up a host of wide, deep stairs. Great double doors, tall enough to admit the ram with triple its height to spare, and wide enough for three boars together reared before the dog. Ogre took the lower handles on the door and pulled the door on the right open. The Entrance Hall was warmly lit, and there was a hubbub of voices, some high some deep, that floated with the sounds of eating and the smells of mouth-watering food. It was spacious inside, even with enormous pieces of furniture in it. The ceiling rose five or more stories above him. A long stone-topped desk, stretched from one end of the entrance hall to the other. Well-groomed animals in livered uniforms staffed the desk. Behind them rose a great free-standing wall, thick with parchment that had Wanted or Quest, Bounty or Help on them. There were hundreds of them. Some of the uniformed beasts took them down and put others up as they spoke to beasts in seasoned plate-armour, travelworn robes, or leathers; or animals in merchant finery, or pheasant stockings and tunics. Quest-takers and Quest-givers? Ogre mused taking a step towards the reception.
If you come across this story on Amazon, it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.
“Greetings, New Adventurer. I surmise that you are Ogre, the great leader of those Otters that came in.”
Ogre’s heart leapt, but he was able to turn smoothly, to speak to the beast at the desk. The dog blinked, all he could see was the desk. He spoke carefully, “Hello, did someone speak to me?”
Ogre could smell them, but it was like smelling shadow in the darkness with so many beasts about. And he was not familiar with the scene of this dog. Ogre blinked. It is a dog!
“Ah, yes, I should be more mature,” The dog giggled as he strolled from behind the standing desk, “I was watching the spot for a friend.”
He was small, barely rising to Ogre’s chest with ears up, possessing fox-like features blunted and smoothed into a kinder face, and rounded triangle-tipped ears. His fur was the color of mature wheat, with a cream-colored throat, chin, and paws. He was dressed like prosperous merchant. His shirt was billowy cream silk that gave him the appearance of not wearing a shirt at all, with satin waistcoat and trousers, all dark with a slew of many colors spreading in a sheen throughout. His boots were knee-high, turned down at the top, black on the outside, and a cream gray on the inside. He carried a glass mug that two-thirds his size, with amber colored ale. He took a swig, bringing it down nearly to it’s dregs from halfway and then made an stylish leg as he flourished his other paws as if to doff an imaginary cap to match his fine clothing.
“Greetings once more, good dog,” said the dog, with an impish grin he tried to hide with his bow. “I am Coriander Zeiwhynon Chrysanthemumsalamander. You may address me as Cori. Nice to make your acquaintance.”
Ogre was speechless for a time, “I did not expect to see another…Well, yes, I am Ogre, nice to meet you.”
“Your friends are waiting for you and a fox I believe. If you circumnavigate the Great Reception Desk, you will find a passable tavern behind it, with vittles to spare and drink aplenty. You look like you can tuck it away, so I suggest the Three-Shores Duck. It’s larger a Warrior Boar, and it comes with wild bear sausage, briar venison, and fresh caught fat-broiled river-fish. The candied sauce is good enough to garnish ambrosial meat, I daresay.” Cori said, “As for drink. You look barely old enough to be a pup, despite that monstrous size of yours…what do they feed young ones these days, beetle milk? It’s of no import, you are an Adventurer now, you may die on the morrow under the foot of a troll, or by the cleaver of an orc, so you can drink what you want. The guild ale is not a quarter bad.”
“Hmmmm…” Ogre grunted. “I will ask the beasts at reception about classes and ranks then I will see to your recommendations. Thank you.”
“Did guardsbeast, Byre suggest a drink?”
Ogre paused after taking a step to past the small dog. “Yes, he did.”
“That is well, but don’t take him up on it, he drinks like a Mountain Giant with a bulbous nose and you’re going to want to get up early to see the receptionists. The Adventurer’s Guild is busy most days, with the increasing attacks of monsters and Behemoths. Most heroes and adventurers will go in midmorning to sleep off their drinking tonight, get up early and you will be fine. Where’s the fox?”
Ogre’s face hardened. “Thank you for your help, Coriander.”
The larger dog strolled past the well-dressed beast, lifting a paw when Cori retorted. “It’s Cori, I gave you leave to call me Cori!”
The ewe receptionist directly across from the dog patiently watched him approach with a longsuffering smile on her narrow white furred face. Her wool fell in languorous curls about her head, white like spun snow. Her livery was a dark blue vest, and long skirt, with a white loose-fitting blouse. She spoke in a smooth cultured voice, “I greet you, New Adventurer and welcome you to the Adventurer’s Guild. I am Middle Receptionist Bahbrah, I pray to the Godlion, that Cori was not too much of a bother, was he?”
“He is…fine.” Ogre said, “I want to know how this all works. Will I be able to stay here? Does it cost jules to live here as an Adventurer? What about rank, how will that affect us? How do I do quests?”
“I will give you the quick orientation if it pleases you, and those are very good questions. All of them will be answered before you can take your first quest.” Said Bahbrah, “First, what is your name, level, and chosen class?”
“You can see it for yourself with appraisal, can you not?” Ogre grumbled.
“Yes. But it is considered insensitive at best to peek at another’s Status Archaia without permission. However, that is usually only outside of battle or in the field. Such knowledge is important to know, to fit well into the Guild of Adventurers.”
“I need to know the things that will let me survive. The rest can wait until I have the essentials.”
“Of course, Adventurer Ogre. However, you may listen to all I have to say or nothing at all.” The sheep, sighed. “I do not mean to be short. I understand that you are new here, and one’s class can affect a beast’s temperament. However, please understand, it is my job to give you everything that you need to survive not just what you want to hear. Understand?”
Ogre snorted. I’m not mad at her, I don’t even know her. Ogre you got to get your anger under control. Don’t alienate beasts who have what you need!
Bahbrah, waited a moment for an apology, but when it did not come, she sighed and spoke again. “Manners may determine if a beast in the guild will come to your aide in the field. Adventurers or even Heroes are not required to help one another out, though it is encouraged. Being respectful, and humble will often open relationships and information not available to the brash. What is said being understood…with hope…I have the discretion, along with my coworkers to sponsor new adventurers up to one week, but I will have to vouch for you to do so. I will start off by giving you and the rest of your party, a room for tonight and a meal in the Guild’s Great Eating Hall.”
Nodding, Ogre dropped his eyes, and spoke, “I’m sorry for my rudeness. I’ve had…quite an ordeal just before getting here. Please, continue.”
Bahbrah cocked a brow at the dog, before smiling warmly, “Good…I do not like disorder, and that mood was anything but orderly. Ranks determine what quests you will be given at the guild. It is associated with Heroic Level, but it more strongly correlates with the amount of trust that the Adventurer’s Guild has with you as it’s member. As a beginner, you can borrow from the Adventurer’s Guild for living expenses, and basic equipment. It is not required but if you were not able to gather resources on the way to the Town of Beginnings, this may be your best and safest bet. There are Jule Sharks who would loan to you, but I advise against it. If you default with the Guild, you will work off your debt with menial quests. If you default with them, they will either kill you and sell your parts, or put you in the Gladiatorial Pits as a class-slave. After orientation, acceptance as a member in the Adventurer’s Guild and as a citizen-hopeful for Cerulean you may request, a mission, bounty, or quest. At your…level…Will you tell me it?”
Ogre nodded, “I am Level 4.”
Bahbrah nodded, “At your level…you will not be able to do much of anything other than material gathering, pest control, porting for other adventurers, or helping with labor tasks, such as mining. Our sewers are always in need of Pest Control, there are at least twenty or so bounties on Wild Rat, and Bug exterminations. They pay little but it will be enough for a beginner. The otters who view you as their leader…they may take on higher level quests, provided they are evaluated by our Master-at-Arms and pass. I…If you don’t mind, how did you sway them to allow you to lead? You have an impressive physique, but they are so far above you in level I cannot see how it is possible.”
Considering the sheep, Ogre spoke deliberately, “I survived when I should have died. They respected that.”
She does not need to know that my true strength far outstrips my heroic level.
“Hmmm…” She said, musing, “I am aware that nearly all adventurers have specific stats that are higher than their level would indicate. However, in order for a Level 4, let’s their Intellect or Wisdom stat to be high enough to make a different for a Level 62, a beast would have to be able to render every other stat to zero and put all of those points in the one needed. As far as I am aware that is not possible. And it would be foolish to do even if it were. A good balance is needed in even a warrior.”
She truly does not know? Ogre thought. “I understand. Where can I go to sell things I acquired on the trip here?”
“Here at the Reception Desk, we buy back and sell some of the more integral items, associated with adventuring. Also, there are shops located along the square, that you can access from within the Guild building. These will sell specialty items that general shops, including Reception, namely us at the guild proper, will not have. They will also generally have better prices for rarer objects. However, since you have a better relationship with us, the prices on both buying and selling will be better here. For the time being.” Explained Bahbrah, “Now please, you can find your companions in the Great Eating Hall. Just follow your nose. Ah…I almost forgot.”
The ewe, reached under the stone topped desk and pulled out an iron key with a small green banner attached, it had the rune for ‘14’ on it. “You and your pack will bunk together, there’s room for eight, but lucky for you they were sweetly mannered. So, you will have this space to yourself at least for tonight. They told me to give you the key. We have a master at reception, but if you lose it you will pay for the cost to replace it at the locksmith.”
She dropped the iron bar in his gauntlet, with a tinny ‘plop’. Ogre nodded, and gave her a small stiff bow, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome…I like this Ogre. He is less like the namesake, and more like the gentlebeast façade all heroes put on to live with animals such as we.”
Ogre grunted, and walked around the desk. Bahbrah was located at the center of reception, and it took fifteen paces for him to get to its side. Beyond, the giant free-standing wall stretched hundreds of long tables and stout benches, and half again as many round tables with tall stools. Some tables were massive, standing as high as Ogre was tall, with benches that looked like trees, stripped of bark, and polished free of splinters. Other tables went only as high as the dog’s knees. The hall held less than a tenth of what it could and yet there were still hundreds of beasts there. Some looked dangerous and skilled, bearing metal in natural hues that Ogre did not know, monster-skin gambesons or leather bards. Others were clad in bits of pig iron plate, or even threadbare tunics. Some beast had their weapons leaning against tables or chairs, or as in the case of knives sheathed on their person. Still others, must have kept their weapons in their inventory.
Lanterns gave their light in warm hues, but no fires were lit in the giant fireplaces set a few dozen paces apart. Down the center of the huge chamber there was stone lined pit, with iron bars for roasting game of tremendous proportions, over the ashes of many years of doing just that. Rumbling laughter, echoed in the hall at regular intervals, but could not conquer the sheer size of the space. The smell of beast, ale, and other liquors mixed with exotic meats, stews, pottage and sweetmeats. Ogre took a meandering path to the otters, savoring in the sights and smells as a drunk would his first swig of the day. The tension that he felt since waking up in the World Tutorial Tower eased a little from his neck like a drawn-out sigh.
“Captain Ogre!” Called Orda, from their table, baring white teeth in a welcoming smile.
Xendaranan, Aida, and Vedana saluted with tankard of ale, as he approached. The muscles in his body relaxed a bit more, as Orda slid a tankard his way and Aida proffered a seat at the head of the table. Ogre returned the otters smiles, taking the drink and lifting it high. “To our fallen comrades, and to our future strength, may we live long and grow strong enough that no beast can slay us!”
The four clacked their tankards together in agreement, with hoots and cheers.