YOU NEED YOU TO LEAVE

Back within my study, I worked diligently, signing off on repairs and reimbursing essential shops destroyed by Cain and Mokoto. As I was signing documents, my eyes would glance over to the report of the fight drafted by the guards who were present. It bothered me that one gent could cause so much destruction, but I had to be grateful the Executioner didn't decide to go on a rampage. Despite my faith in Beka and Boradashire, this city wouldn't withstand such a fight.

Finally, the last parchment to sign off. But just before my pen touched the paper, I noticed this had nothing to do with the fight.

LEON

Land purchase?

I asked, looking up at the city merchant who brought in the document, and he nodded.

CITY MERCHANT

Biggs and Wedge sire.

I frowned in thought before asking,

LEON

How did they know about North Star's recognition of our land claim?

Nerves painted his face, and he stumbled over his words.

CITY MERCHANT

Uh—um, we, well, I—I accidentally told them?

I raised a brow at him.

CITY MERCHANT

My sincere apologies, sire! Those two had berated us for months about land claims.

LEON

Does Don know about your mistake?

He nodded quickly,

CITY MERCHANT

Yes, sire. After finding it, he sent me here with this request. It won't happen again.

I sighed and reread the parchment. Biggs and Wedge were the two stonemasons of the city who ran a small guild of young masons. My father and I contracted the guild's work on multiple occasions. Tch—they're still working on the city's walls to this day.

They sought to purchase the hills, several acres to the south, for mining, landscaping, and prospecting. They also sought to buy the entire ruins. I grimaced at the exorbitant price—it must be the work of Don because, as Chief, I was meant to set the price.

LEON

But since I haven't even gotten to that yet,

I sighed softly to myself.

However, I noticed Don had removed provisions for their safety and city guards for a whole year, along with a whopping ten percent tax for the first year. I nearly laughed out loud but instead smiled and signed off on the purchase.

After handing off the parchment to the city merchant, I closed my eyes and leaned back in my chair with a deep breath.

LEON

How many do you think that was Cinda?

I asked, and she chuckled from the back corner of my study.

CINDA

Around thirty.

I shook my head in disbelief. But I felt good after completing this amount of work. This is what it meant to be a Chief in my eyes. My mind wandered for a moment, and I remembered how I came to the realization.

After meeting with Cain when he first arrived, the sting of being belittled forced me to train with Gate that night. I then realized that Gate was a capable soldier—my Captains of the Guards were also skilled.

After that realization, I remembered Layondo's last words: I sought to be a healer, not a damage dealer. It helped me to realize that I am a trader, not a warrior or a fighter.

CINDA

You have another sire.

I opened my eyes to see Captain of the Guard Otis standing before me.

LEON

Good news, I hope.

He nodded.

OTIS

Keeper Beka and Captain Boradashire have escorted Cain to the courts. Boradashire is currently watching him.

LEON

Good to hear. Inform them I will be over shortly.

Otis nodded and left promptly. At his departure, I stood and stretched.

CINDA

I must remind you, sire, Sir Donatello requested that you stay in your study.

I looked at her and held her gaze as I ambled around my desk before turning and heading out of my study. She quickly followed after me, and I smiled to myself.

LEON

I could use a walk.

I met with Don in the Black Hawk Tower. He looked up at me from his desk and glanced at Cinda, who looked away in response.

DONATELLO

Sire—

LEON

I needed to stretch my legs.

I stated before he could complain.

LEON

She's a servant, not a Black Hawk,

I explained, gesturing to Cinda,

LEON

And I'd rather talk to you myself. It's much quicker that way.

Don's mouth opened and closed as he found the words,

DONATELLO

No, I'm glad you're here.

I squinted at him, and he continued with a soft smile,

DONATELLO

The guild? You wanted to discuss its functions, correct?

LEON

Correct,

I responded suspiciously—I was positive he was about to complain.

Within the somewhat private second level of the tower, a circular room harboring dozens of shelves filled with archived notes, letters, contracts, and ledgers, I learned how the Adventurer's Guild functioned. We sat around an oak table, and I had Cinda inform the chefs to make us some tea and desserts.

CINDA

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Right away, sire.

The Adventurer's Guild of the Elemental Peninsula was the full name and was started by Sarumonin in response to the lack of Mercenary Guild members who traveled to these lands.

But compared to the Mercenary Guild that resided far up north within Sante June, Sarumonin only sought money and kept his cut as small as possible.

DONATELLO

Sarumonin earns quite the puri despite his small cut from the guild. With over one hundred thousand members and barely any cost to run such a guild...

Don shook his head, and I understood completely.

LEON

Yet, a gent named Murphy holds the title of the wealthiest gent in the Earth Kingdom?

Donatello shrugged,

DONATELLO

I sometimes believe he funded the Adventurer's Guild and simply gave Sarumonin the title of Guild Master.

Continuing on, I learned the independence of the Guild and how they were absolved from any conflict if their members were contracted to harm a nation.

DONATELLO

The quest giver and the city that allowed such a quest would be at fault.

In response to my dumbfounded face, Don explained how assessors, guild staff members who ranked the quests, worked with the city representative. The representative was usually the baron or a judge who would approve or deny quests.

DONATELLO

There's no need to worry, though.

He comforted me after taking a bite out of his sweet roll,

DONATELLO

The only types of adventurers strong enough to accept a quest to harm a nation are heroes.

I nodded, understanding that part as I recalled my late father had contracted a hero party from Sante June to handle a group of giants that made camp in the northeast woods. If I were to put heroes in a category of power, I would easily put them on Cain's level.

DONATELLO

But even then, most heroes would only accept such a quest if they were at war with the said nation. In many of their own words and journals, the point of being an Adventurer was to be free and powerful—not bound by duty or service to a king. And if any mindless, feeble adventurer does accept a quest to harm a nation...

Don laughed and mentioned,

DONATELLO

Sarumonin may be absolved, but they are on their own if captured.

He glanced up at me with a grin,

DONATELLO

Really glad you decided to do this. With our new land and the wilderness surrounding us, adventurers will flock to our city in hopes of an adventurer and puries. Biggs and Wedge are contracting adventurers as we speak.

He raised his cup of tea as a toast. And so I mimicked him and took a sip.

LEON

I saw what you did with Biggs and Wedge.

I pointed out, but he simply smiled in response.

I finally made my way to the courts to meet with Cain, but not without stopping to pay respects to my father's statue. I wanted to make sure Cain understood his place in someone else's city as I finally strolled through the courts and met him in the southern rooms. This room had no windows, cheap paintings along the walls, and was lit by a hanging chandelier.

Inside, Cain sat with a face smeared with annoyance in one of the red leather chairs around a wooden round table. He sat with his arms folded and both feet on the table. Boradashire stood to his right beside Cain's two Blasters . Cinda took her seat at the back right corner, and my personal Guardians stood by as I sat across from Cain.

CAIN

Enjoyed your lollygagging?

He muttered.

LEON

I didn't think it would bother you.

Boradashire chuckled,

BORADASHIRE

Actually, he was shouting complaints about your tardiness moments before your arrival.

Cain glared at Boradashire, but Boradashire only stared back at him through his visor, seemingly daring him to say something.

LEON

Oh, is that right? My sincere apologies.

I lowered my head slightly,

LEON

Allow me to be brash and to the point. Cain of Fire Kingdom, I must demand you to leave my city.

CAIN

Why? Because I sought revenge for one of my own?

LEON

Mokoto was present at the court after that incident. The news echoed throughout the town—where were you?

Cain fidgeted a bit before responding,

CAIN

One of your citizens—

BORADASHIRE

I told you before, he—

LEON

Bora,

I raised my hand, somewhat shocked at his excitement.

BORADASHIRE

Oh, sorry sire.

LEON

As my companion was about to say, Mokoto is not a citizen of this city, and neither are you. We've had dozens of complaints about your soldiers and Blasters pestering my people. So I need you to leave.

I stated sternly. Cain rocked himself slightly before taking his feet off the table. A smile sliced across his face as he leaned forward onto the table,

CAIN

You know we have yet to find Ire.

LEON

Not my problem.

Cain let out a soft laugh as he shook his head.

CAIN

I remember meeting your father. He was not as level-headed as you. He was rather brash and harsh, but he was far wiser.

LEON

I appreciate the praise.

Cain sucked his teeth at my snide comment.

CAIN

Fine. I'll leave the city. But you're making a mistake.

I pursed my lips,

LEON

I'll shoulder that burden.

Cain slammed his feet onto the table and leaned back in his chair.

CAIN

May I ask you a question, Chief of Dagon City?

I took a deep breath—my frustration with this bastard was hitting its peak.

LEON

Go on.

CAIN

Would you ever bow your head and swear allegiance to Fire King Solo Windhammer?

BORADASHIRE

Ridiculous—

LEON

Bora!

He quickly silenced himself before I took my time to answer Cain.

LEON

A question such as that is so absurd I find it hard to take you seriously, Cain.

Cain laughed and nodded solemnly.

CAIN

Three days. Three days until I depart your city.

He gave me a fake smile and materialized a Scryer,

CAIN

Allow time for my soldiers to retreat from the wilds. But until these three days pass, I will be sure to make myself scarce.

I nodded.

LEON

Be sure that you do.