The place was a mess of endless papers, scrolls, records and reports. What drew everyone’s attention was the shouting that echoed through the halls, an array of verbal assaults that stung the ear like a hive of angry bees. From the way she spoke, Anthony could tell the speaking was a sound of a hurricane clashing against the waves of a mighty shore by the name of Zoe Gaia.

“I can’t believe you’re hiring more staff!” The young white hair woman shouted to the master. “We’re barely able to stay afloat with all the debts we have, unless you start charging more for your services.”

He saw before him a young, but vibrant woman, but with premature white hair that shines like silver. If it were because of the strenuous look in her eyes or the way she carried on toward Ms. Zoe like she was her equal and not her superior, neither would have surprised Anthony. Zoe was calm and collective sitting at her desk signing documents and reports to her request as if there wasn’t even a voice beside her own in the room. Calmly, she continued her reviews and work at the desk while maintaining the calm elegant composure of Grand Master Mage from years of experience.

“As I’ve told you before Ms. Menander, I’ve reached an arrangement with the hunter on the way over here, he’s willing to work for room and board as well as few other assurances instead of an annual salary.” She placed her quill in an ink bottle and moved onto the next document. “Does your grievance perhaps have less to do with my choice of staff and more to do with the amount of paperwork this means for you?”

“Ugh, do you know how many documents I have to fill out with the city?” She placed her palm on her head to calm her growing headache. “Just because he’s a freelancer, doesn’t mean the city is gonna want its cut, not to mention the Hunter’s Guild. Your status as war hero and decorated academic in the Empire will only get you so far. They already think you’re a spy for the Empire despite your insistence that you’re ‘officially’ retired.”

“They can speculate all they want, but I’ve dealt with demons, noblemen, and senior professors. I think I can handle a few meddlesome overseers butting into my personal affairs.”

“About your ‘personal affairs’ I know they won’t get involved since you’re risking your own life, but how am I supposed to explain these recent expenditures to the commercial review boards...” She continued to ramble about dwindling inventories, retail disputes, and other business related affairs, until Anthony finally understood why Jason called her The Silver Dragon.

“Ms. Menander’s arguments seem sound, but why does she refer to Master Gaia’s medical endeavors as ‘personal affairs?’” He whispered to Jason over the roar of Selene’s continued protests.

“You are pretty sharp Anti.” He wondered how he reached that accurate conclusion so quickly. “Ms. Gaia has a soft spot for activities in the Slums, she’s practically the only healer who takes time to make a call to the slums, and she doesn’t even charge except what she deems reasonable or whatever they can afford.”

“She’s really sharp too.” Iris praised. “If anyone tries to cheat or hold out, she’ll catch them and make them pay with their hides. I mean, not literally, but she’ll definitely make them pay if you know what I mean.” She pounded her fist for emphasis.

“Still, why keep all of it secret, why not ask help from the city or even the local magistrate from her humanitarian endeavors?”

“Ha, humanitarian, you’re definitely not from the Duchy.” Jason quietly laughed. “Humanitarian efforts only extend beyond the borders of your state. Even though the lower States are parallel to the slums, they’re not going to spend money on a neighbor when they have their own problems to worry about. Technically speaking this little shop is a pharmacy on the edge of the lower states, we sell some basic amenities to neighboring villages and the city, but all our operations in the slums are off the books.”

Anthony looked like a Master Gaia with a new view of respect for risking her life every time she ventured into the Slums to heal those who society had all but forgotten.

“Don’t be scared of Selene either, she may seem scary but she has a good heart.” Iris smiled with a thought of nostalgia. “She was actually one of the first followers of Ms. Gaia, she even left her job in the Middling States of Kenos to work here.”

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Anthony turned his eyes to Selene and realized why she earned the respect of Silver Dragon. He once read a book about the Free States of Hestia and how instead of worshiping the Sacred Flames like the Empire they worship demons as a higher power. It was considered primitive but reading about the awesome power of the Chimera, The Sea Serpent, The Griffon and the Earth Dragon, he realized why they would consider it’s power divine. It was the same reason, why Imperial uniforms were and badges were constructed from their hides as sign of superiority and valor, because they were considered powerful magical beasts.

However, there was one beast that was a prize above all ease, reserved only for royalty and important heads of states, known as the Silver Dragon. It was a legend passed down in the Free States said to date back to the Second Era. While all dragons today are related to one or two elements, only a True Dragon could master all four, considered the progenitor of the whole Dragon race. As a former nobleman and accustomed to the ways of politics himself, Anthony knew that what ties a business together was a great financier. Ms. Gaia generosity and knowledge would sacrifice all to achieve her goals in a brave but some would say unrealistic fashion. While her heart kept the shop alive, it was Selene’s financial management that kept it all together and without her there would be no operation making her a vital ally.

“I’ll address all your concerns accordingly Ms. Menander, just leave the appropriate paperwork on my desk.” She picked her quill back for the last time, before turning around to address her face to face. “Now, why don’t you show a little common curiosity and greet our newest member, I’m sure in time you’ll find him as indispensable as yourself.”

“Very well...but you know we’re not finished with this conversation.” She tried to wipe the stern cold look from her face while glancing at Ms. Gaia’s smile and relaxing demeanor.

“I wouldn’t expect anything less of you, Ms. Menander.”

Selene simply walked up to Anthony and stared him dead in the face with little enthusiasm.

“Welcome to the team, I guess.”

“Thank...” She left before he could even finish his sentence. “...you?”

“You’ll have to forgive Ms. Menander, kid.” Ms. Gaia approached Anthony in her stead. “She’s probably going to try to get the right documents before the close of the business day. All business that one, but still got a heart beneath that mind, not unlike yourself.”

“You’re a bright one, but you need a little work on your social skills.” Jason chuckled.

“I’ve had little time to practice with them, since my previous employment was as a Librarian.”

“A Librarian, that explains why you’re such an intellectual.” Iris said, swooning beside him.

“You’re definitely a mystery, how do you go from Librarian to Hunter? I mean, the other job probably pays better.” Jason looked at him with his same suspicious gaze.

“Who cares what the kid did, we need all the help we can get in this little shack.” Zoe patted him on the back. “Speaking of which, has anyone seen Clio, she must be done unloading the cart by now.”

“Oh goody, did my new mineral samples come in?” Iris eyes lit up like rainbows.

“What about the new seedlings I order?” Jason joined her in her vibrant enthusiasm.

“I don’t know, ask yourself, I’m not in charge of inventory.” She shrugged at such a menial task.

“Aren’t you the owner of this establishment?” Anthony scratched his puzzled head.

“What’s your point?”

“Perhaps it would set a good example for your employees if you were to partake in some of the day to day operations since your schedule is currently unrestrained?”

“It couldn’t hurt.” Jason shrugged.

“Come on Ms. Gaia, please?” Iris pleaded with her big saucer eyes.

“Eh, alright fine. We’ll go together.” She led the way with all her friends to the loading dock of the building. “Honestly kid, you’re starting to become more trouble for this old lady.”

Despite her grumblings, they proceeded to an area near the stable, it wasn’t so much a dock, but more of an elevated pedestal near the cart so that objects could be easily taken off and pulled to the room next to it. A set of gates were opened next the cart as the same barrel’s that Anthony had seen onboard the wagon were now among various others already in stock. Clio had already finished unloading the inventory but was now onto something else that required her utmost concentration.

They stood in the loading area, calm enough to be locked in deep concentration as she sat near a table with a bowl of water and a piece of fruit that resembled a ripe strawberry, on the table. They watched as she breathed and spread her hands out across the water, turning into a gentle mist that she guided with a wave of her fingers toward the fruit. When the mist had completely surrounded it, it began to freeze the strawberry-like fruit slowly until ice crystals formed around it. It was then that Anthony realized why Clio had been chosen to help Master Gaia because she was Water Mage. Although they were considered mages prize in some circles, to the Empire they were considered non-essential and only useful as servants or at least auxiliary recruits in the Empire. Seeing Clio practice, Anthony did not see a worthless Mage, he saw tremendous potential.