Benden and Jolah were overjoyed to have their daughter brought back home safe. The farmers couldn't contain their hugs as Siffa ran into their farmhouse at daybreak. She apologized profusely for leaving, but her fathers forgave her in an instant, simply glad she returned. The whole family broke down in tears.

Londra and Konas, once more the size of a house pet, hung back and beheld the joyful reunion. It had been a hard night's work for the two of them, but results like this were their reward. They couldn't have asked for a better case to introduce themselves to Cordon Heath's community, both magical and mundane.

"Miss Londra, we can't thank you enough for bringing our daughter back," said Jolah.

She held up her hand. "No thanks necessary. Things like this are my duty as your Guild representative. I'm just glad I could bring her home."

"And we're glad to know Winnakin's old office is in safe hands. We'll tell everyone in town about what you've done for us."

Londra lowered her head to hide her smile and her Vesper purred in her ear. It appeared they had finally stepped out of her predecessor's shadow.

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"I appreciate that," she said. "Well, if you'll excuse me, there are other things I need to attend to."

Saying one last goodbye to Siffa, the Guildswoman retired to her office.

"What other work is there for us to do?" Konas asked.

"Getting some well-deserved rest."

"Agreed."

And sleep they did, not rising until mid-afternoon.

Upon waking, Londra bandaged their few wounds and they both drank some strong healing potion to deal with any lingering Fairy Vesper magic. The medicine tasted foul, worse than warm wine and twice as bitter, but the best medicines often did. Afterwards, she returned to the paperwork she'd left before the evening's excitement. Some dull routine would be exactly the refreshment they needed.

As Konas lazed on her desk, Londra pulled an old tome from her collection. The title read On the Psychology of Imps.

The white-furred contractor spied her choice of reading material. "Doing some research?"

"You could say that."

"Do I sense a trip to the well in our future?"

She said nothing, only grinned without showing her teeth.

Before she could dig into the grimoire though, a knock came at the office door. An old woman poked her head in.

"Hello, are you the new Guild representative? I have something of an issue with the gnomes in my garden and Benden said you could help me. Old Winnakin never did, but the farmer's daughter assured me you would."

Sighing without annoyance, Londra put the book on imps aside. Such was the life of a small-town Guildswoman.

"Duty calls, Konas."