“Yes.” He nods. “All I would like to is invite you to the guild and show you around. If you’re interested, great! We would welcome you with open arms. If not that’s fine too, we can’t force you. But even then, maybe we can work something out, have you help out occasionally or something.”
“That’s a nice offer but I’ll have to decline. I don’t know if you know yet, but I am here because I kinda am the fiancée of Vadia. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to check it out, but I don’t think I’ll have time to.”
Brenn looks at her and holds his chin.
“I see, that does complicate matters.” He sighs after some time. “And you really can’t make it at least say, two days a week, even one?” He looks at her with a pleading expression.
Sanora ponders. One day a week, I mean how busy could she probably get for the time being? Vadia doesn’t even give her any work to begin with and usually just leaves her by herself all day long.
“Now that I think it over again, I might be able to join you after all, but only for the next few weeks or something. Anything beyond that I don’t know about yet.”
Brenn’s face lights up again.
“Really? That’s great news!” He grins at her. “So, wanna visit the branch after all?”
“Sure, lead the way.” Sanora says and they start to make their way to the local branch of the adventurers’ guild. In truth Sanora would have been euphoric about seeing such a place, but the recent events have caused her curiosity to die down a bit. They walk a bit through the third ring until they reach at a large building. It stands out a bit, being made of bricks rather than the usual wood. It’s big too. Two stories, and double as long and wide as any other house around it, with a constant stream of armoured and armed people walking in and out. Some with bows and light leather gear, other with medium chainmail and daggers, some like Brenn with heavy plate and greatswords and very few even with robes and a staff. Some of them alone, others in groups.
They walk in and the smell of food and alcohol wafts at Sanora, immediately reminding her of the Weary Traveller. The hall on the ground floor is filled with tables where people sit and eat together, having meetings and small celebrations. Straight ahead at the far end is a counter manned by three people, all busy talking with adventurers taking on new jobs or collecting payment. The whole place is illuminated by a few iron chandeliers on the ceiling.
“This is the common hall. You can check out jobs either at the boards-“ Brenn points at two big wooden boards, filled with sheets of paper, at the right of the room “-and check them out at the counter, where you can also ask for more specific or stuff with special requirements. You can also meet people around here, ask to form a group, offer to join one or just make new friends. We also have a small kitchen here, and of course plenty to drink.” He grins. “Any questions?”
“It’s nice, reminds me of a place back home I used to go to.” ‘All that’s missing is an old werewolf and a gargoyle girl…’
“So, people come here and take a job, then do it and just get paid?”
“There is always some sort of proof that they need to actually get paid, but yes, that’s the gist of it.”
“Proof? Like what?”
“Let’s take that nest you took out. From each lurcher you kill you cut off the top fin from its head, and for each fin you bring you get paid. If you have ten or more it’s considered a nest which brings up the pay. And if there is a nestking too you get even more.”
Sanora nods. “So, anyone can just go around hunting lurchers for a living?”
“If you do work unregistered the guild will take a bigger cut from the pay, since there is a lot more paperwork to do with every job you take and finish.”
“Pay cuts?” Sanora raises an eyebrow. “You take from the money that people earn?”
“Well yes, as the cities need taxes to fund building and the guards we take a cut out of the pay to keep the guild up and pay for jobs that the guild itself issues.”
‘What the fuck are taxes?’
“I see, I guess that makes some sense.”
“Well, if people want the full pay they can always search out each job personally from someone who needs workers. What we offer is a place where people do that sort of thing while the organizing and paperwork is done by us. So instead of running around, finding someone who offers a job, working out the details with that person, then doing the job and possibly getting screwed over, all you have to do here is pick from the board, do your job, come back and get paid.”
“So basically, you’re acting as middlemen who do all the boring stuff so people can get jobs done easier.”
“Exactly! That pretty much explains the whole guild.” Brenn laughs. “But there are select few exceptions, like me for example. I’m one of the better adventurers around here and at some point, the guild asked me if I want to be an unofficial runner with a monthly salary rather than pay per job. So as the name suggests I run around, scout out places with monsters and problems, deliver messages in this branch’s territory or, in rare cases like this, talk with talented people like you.”
Sanora looks at him, letting the words sink in a bit while scanning the room. People are in a good mood, the constant sound of laughing and talking hangs in the air along with the scent of ale and grilled meat. A faint smile spreads on her face.
“Well, then all I have left is one question.”
“Shoot.”
“After what happened with Jared, why should I trust you?”
Brenn blinks at her perplexed, seemingly not having expected that question.
“That is a good question, and a justified one. What Jared did was shameful to no end, for him and our reputation. So, I understand if that’s a dealbreaker for you. I guess you have no real reason to trust us right now, and there will always be people like Jared. But there are also plenty of good people, and I can at least promise that if you join, we’ll do what we can to earn you trust that Jared already lost us.” Brenn’s eyes are earnest, his head lowered, his voice apologetic and honest. If Sanora had to describe the vibe he is giving off, it would be the exact opposite to the sneer she saw on that man in the streets.
“Speaking of Jared, isn’t he going to be around here a lot too?” Sanora asks.
“Nope, kicked him out in a high arc after we confirmed the story.” Brenn shakes his head.
Sanora nods.
“I think I heard enough.” And smiles at Brenn. “Where do I sign up?”
Brenn grins from ear to ear.
“Come along. To the office!” He says and beckons Sanora to follow. They enter a door at the right end of the room behind which a flight of stairs leads up into the first floor. The noise dies down as they close the door, and instead of food and drink a strong scent of paper and ink fills the air as they walk up. The room is filled with desks lining the walls. Behind each sits someone scribbling away at papers, some furiously, some more relaxed. Brenn walks to one of the tables and talks with the woman behind it. After a short talk she dumps her stack of papers on the desk next to her, much to the chagrin of the man sitting there, and walks back with Brenn.
“Hello there. So, you are Sanora. I have already heard about you, and I must say it’s a pleasure to finally meet you.” The young woman smiles at her. Out of all the people working here she seems to be a bit of an oddbone. Her inquisitive eyes are black, as is her short hair in which Sanora can spot a few feathers. She is wearing all black to match. A very wide cut shirt with long, loose sleeves and floppy pants. Her fingernails are narrow and a lot sharper than a human’s. The most peculiar thing however, is what Sanora can’t see with her eyes. Her sense with flesh magic has gotten to a point where she can see that feathers grow on her arms, all the way up to her shoulders. The ones on her head aren’t just braided into the hair either, they are growing there. She is a beastkin.
“My name is Corvina; I’ll go through the registration process with you today so let’s head somewhere more comfortable.” She gestures to one of the doors at the left end of the room.
“Sure.” Sanora nods at her.
“Well then, my job is done here. Sanora, it’s great to know you on board, I’ll see you around.” Brenn says before heading downstairs again while Sanora and Corvina head to the door. The beastkin opens and lets Sanora in. It’s a cozy, small room with a window overlooking the street in front of the building and a coffee table with two couches around it.
“Please have a seat.” Corvina gestures at one of the small couches and they both sit down. Sanora eyes fall on a bottle and two glasses on the table.
“Care for some mead?” Corvina asks her with a smile, but Sanora just furrows her eyebrows at the sight.
“Those stand in all rooms?”
Corvina’s smile freezes. “Ah…” She taps her fingers together. “No. To be truthful we just prepared it with the hopes that Brenn would convince you to at least come by.”
If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
“That so? Well, I’m good, thanks. You guys really want to make a good impression on me huh?”
“Naturally! I’m sure Brenn told you already, but we don’t often see a talent like you. I’ll be honest with you, Sanora. The guild thinks you’ll make it big soon, and we want you. Word about the outsider who cleared a nest alone is already spreading among the guildmembers and I am betting that it will reach the commonfolk in the next week.”
“But was that such an impressive feat? To be honest it felt a bit too trivial for everyone to be singing praise of me like that. Those lurchers all just took a hit and fell over, so I really didn’t do a lot.” Sanora scratches her head while Corvina’s eyes grow wide, and she licks her lips.
“If it felt trivial then that was only because you are extraordinary. We have some skilled people around, but even then, I don’t know of many who take out a lurcher with a single swing. They are resilient, small, and fast. Just hitting them can be a chore by itself.”
Sanora leans back with a pensive smile. She hadn’t felt that the lurchers were that strong. Even the name made her snort. ‘lurcher’, how could something with a name like that be considered dangerous? But thinking back to the day something else comes back to her mind.
“Say, Corvina, these lurchers are a 7 on this scale, right?”
Corvina nods.
“Could you give me an example of what a 10 would be?”
“A ten?” Corvina holds her chin. “I think the best example would be your average soldier or guard.”
“I see.” Sanora nods. “What about a 1?”
Corvina’s gaze grows a bit distant as she thinks.
“I’m not sure when the last creature with a 1 scaling even appeared. The only thing I can think of right now would be a drowned horror.”
“A drowned horror?”
Corvina nods. “Yes. You see there are normal drowned, undead that are, as the name suggests, people that drowned somewhere. They are similar to normal undead with the only difference being the resistance to fire and their toxins. You can find plenty of them around Murkwater. Now a drowned horror is a special sort of drowned. Put simply: it’s a giant one. They tower at around ten meters and are practically impossible to kill. Luckily, they are so rare than the only ones I know about are the textbook ones.” Corvina chuckles.
“So, on 1 we have giant undead that can kill most people with a stomp, and on one we have the average soldier. I see.” Sanora nods, now with a better idea of where lurchers actually stand. “What about that nestking?”
“A lurcher nestking comes in at a 6. That makes it pretty much one of the strongest things around these parts. Even the guild here only has a handful of people ranked 6. Brenn being one of them.”
‘So he’s pretty impressive huh? But that only leaves one question…’
“So, where would I rank in?”
Corvina smiles again and takes out a clipboard from below the couch.
“To find that out we only have to sign you up and then we can get right to testing if you want to, free of charge of course.”
“Alright then. What do we do?” Sanora looks at Corvina expectantly.
“All I need is ask you some mandatory things to confirm your background and your ‘class’ as we call it. It is basically just the way you fight.”
‘Well shit. Do I give her the noble story now or the real one? I mean I already lied to the ruler of the city so this shouldn’t be much worse. I mean it doesn’t really matter since I’ll live under that alibi from now on. Unless...’ Sanora ponders with a strained expression and corvina takes the moment to pour herself a glass from the bottle on the table.
“Who will know about my information?”
“Only employees of the guild. If you want to, we can also keep it classified to the higher-ups, in this case me.” She winks at Sanora. “I know many nobles would rather not give away too much about themselves for safety. The only case in which we will need to share your personal file would be if you commit a crime.”
“That sounds fair and would be much appreciated.” Sanora nods at the smiling crowgirl.
“Of course! Well then let’s get this started.” She pulls out one of the feathers in her hair which isn’t one of her‘s but an actual quill she must have put in there.
‘She’s a bit odd.’ Sanora thinks with a smirk. She can’t help but think of Amni who has some rather interesting quirks as well. Now that she takes a closer look at Corvina she actually looks really cute.
‘Huh.’
“Alright then, for starters what is your full name, and how would you like be known among the guild? Titles are optional.”
“Then just Sanora.”
“For both?”
“Yes, please.” Sanora nods as Corvina already scribbles away on the clipboard.
“I know it’s usually rude to ask a lady, but I still need to know how old you are.”
“About 20 I think.”
Corvina is about to start writing again but stops to look at Sanora with a raised eyebrow.
“You think?”
“Yes, it’s a complicated story involving memory loss.” Sanora sighs.
“So, you don’t know your birthday either? I’m sorry to hear, that sounds horrible.” Corvina says with furrowed brows and a frown. “20 years it is then. You certainly don’t look a day older.”
“Well thank you.” Sanora chuckles. “And it’s not that bad, I’m getting used to this somewhat.” She shrugs.
“That’s good to hear. I’m sure if you are around here for a bit, you’ll find plenty of people have some baggage on them like you do, and they always have an open ear.” The quill in her hand pauses as Corvina smiles at Sanora softly, and something tells her that she herself isn’t entirely unscarred either.
“Well then.” She snaps back to her usual smile. “Next question, race.”
‘… wow this really isn’t my day.’
“Uhm, until a few days ago I would have said human but… yeah.” Sanora sinks into the couch with a sigh.
“Another complicated story?” Corvina tilts her head.
“Another complicated story.” Sanora nods.
“Hmmm.” Corvina twirls the quill in her hand with a thoughtful expression. “Is there anyone you could use as an example?”
Sanora holds her chin and looks up, thinking back to the talk with Virelia.
“Uh, what race would you call an envoy?”
Corvina just gives Sanora a look.
“You are kidding.”
Sanora just shrugs. “It’s what a fleshmage told me. I’m not sure either, for all I care we can go with human too.”
“I see.” Corvina nods slowly and writes something down.
“Alright, next question. What’s your relationship status? We need to ask in case of your passing so we know who will receive your belongings.”
“I see, makes sense.” Sanora nods. “I’m the fiancée of Vadia of Vallis.”
“The Vadia?” Corvina asks with wide eyes. “As in, the child of the ruler of Deepvalley?” She leans forward a bit.
“Yeah, that’s the one.” Sanora nods as Corvina’s mouth drops open.
“Ok, that is a little unexpected but alright.” She nods. “On to the next question then. Your place of birth and current place of residence?”
‘Wait, did she write that down now?’
“River’s Rest and Deepvalley.”
Corvina nods as she writes again. “Good, that already brings us to the last question. Your class, I assume swordswoman?” She looks at the sword fixed to Sanora’s belt.
“Well, what makes my class?”
“Your class describes how you fight, gives a summary of where you’ll be in a battlefield, what you’re capable of and so on. It makes forming parties a lot easier.”
“I see. Well, the way I fight…” Sanora holds her chin, thinking back to the few battles she has had so far. Not counting the undead, there was her first run in with the wolves where she charged in and almost died. Then next was the bone creature that attacked River’s Rest. After that the well with Silas and Tiktaq’to where she took the frontlines, the assassin where she jumped in to shield Vadia and of course the lurcher nest that she cleared solo. She hasn’t seen a lot of fights, but there was one clear position where she could see herself.
“I think I’m a frontliner, using mainly my sword and magic on my offhand.” She answers and hears a crack.
“You can- of course you can use magic too.” Corvina shakes her head with a smile and tosses away her broken quill before taking another one out, though this time from her pocket. She finishes writing and smiles at Sanora.
“Very well, that only leaves open the rank. Given that you cleared that nest I would love to set you to 6 right away, but word of mouth won’t do I’m afraid.”
“That’s alright, just tell me what I need to do.”
“Well, I have two options for you. One is a bit more timely but also more interesting as well as more accurate. First: We can either have you spar with someone of the guild here. It is half reliant since you can’t use your full potential and little magic. Or your second option: Accompany a well-established party out on a quest and have them give us their take on your rank. You can go all out, use magic and lethal force, thus it is more accurate. Although the latter option is a bit unsafe.”
Sanora ponders for a short moment, but she already knows what she wants to do out of the two.
“So, what quest will I go on?”