Len wiped his face, all traces of water evaporated by the time his hand moved to his chin. “And that’s the story. A lot to take in.” He said.

I relaxed into the chair, just now realizing how close to the edge of the seat I was. A lot isn’t even half of it. More contemplation was needed to sort through my thoughts on the matter. It shed some light on the Feral position, sure. How some of the hate was earned, but that was clearly just a symptom of a larger issue. But the entire Feral population didn’t deserve it. From the sounds of it, only a small minority actually planned the terrorist act.

I couldn’t help but think about how similar it was to back on Earth. But people will be people no matter what. One charismatic and, in this world’s case, literally powerful leader will win over a group and that group will follow with blind devotion. Being so oppressed by the ruling entity made recruiting for those Naturals that much easier.

But I wasn’t ready to make any sweeping claims about it. Ferals were definitely the group being hurt the most here, that’s for certain. One thing about the story nagged at me though.

“What happened to Lisse? The bride.”

Len shrugged. “No idea, she was gone by the time Lirae and I calmed down. And with us being the last living guests of that wedding, we had no one to ask. I know she left the city, probably went back to the Feral village. And it’s well hidden, nobody knows where it is except for them. And the Ferals will die before revealing anything. Lirae can tell you all about that.” Len’s eyes hardened before he finished speaking. “But I will find it.”

“That why you made the Explorer’s Guild?” I asked.

Len chuckled at my question, his face returning to the baseline grin he normally wore. “Nope, it was made because of something else. But no gonna lie, it’s on the docket.”

“Alright, oh one other thing—”

CRASH!

We both turned our attention to the loud crashing sound that went off on the floor beneath us. Len rolled his eyes. “Ah, took him longer than I expected.” Len looked at me. “Hate to be you right now.” He reopened up his notebook.

Loud stomping boomed up the stairs and through the hallway, stopping right at the office doors.

“JAREN! I swear to Tiamat, if your boots so much as touch my doors I will melt them to your ass!” Len yelled through the office.

After a brief moment of silence, the door opened slowly, peacefully even. Which was in complete contrast to the bald half elf’s face. Jaren, pissed off, stomped right up to me. “Why the shit are you not at the Barracks right now?”

I sunk into my chair for a second. Then memories of last night floated across my brain. I recalled why I came to the guild in the first place. I swallowed down. “Because I’m still figuring out if I even care to fight in your bloody legion.”

“What the hell does that mean? You’re signed up, ain’t no turning back now. What one little scuffle with Zaner got you running scared? Thought there was more to you than that. Guess fucking not.”

His words burned in my ears. They reminded me of how drill sergeants from old war movies were portrayed. And yet they still did their job. Self-righteous anger flared up in my chest. “No, Sir.” I replied with venom. “I’m figuring out if this piece of shit city is worth my time. And if you heard right, I demolished that horned dipshit. He had to nap the whole day away. And besides, it's not like any real training’s going to get done. Your legion seems to have some problems with me and where I came from. Why should I bother wasting my time?”

Jaren’s face twitched at my response, a snarl forming on his lips. His bright green serpent-like eyes almost glowing. “Who do you think you are, you upstart little brat? Everything we’ve given you not enough, that it?” His knuckles popped. I stood up to match this man’s energy. I knew I couldn’t take him, but damn if I wasn’t gonna try. A nice Ursa Rage would probably do me some good, clear out my brain a little.

Len rose from his chair before either of us could say another word. He slammed his hand on the desk. “Cut it out now! Or you will both be leaving with fresh burn scars.”

Len turned to Jaren. Jaren met his eyes. Len shook his head firmly.

“Fine. But if he skips two days, he's done. Plans be damned. You might not take your duties as a Legion Commander seriously, but I do. Slackers and deserters get no quarter from me.”

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Jaren turned and left the room in a huff, almost slamming the door behind him. Len sparked a fire right next to the large half elf as he held the door.

Len sat down, rubbing his forehead. “It's probably best if you stick around here today. I’ll explain stuff to him later. I’d suggest training out back. No matter what you decide, training will always help.”

“Not sure if that is a great idea. I really, really feel like smashing something to pieces. And from what Fennel told me, those are pretty expensive.” I said back.

Len chuckled. “Take on a Tier six, you won’t think that for long. Here I get one started for you.” Len waved his hand. A small sigil sparked into the air. “Have at it.”

I walked out the door, stopping before I went through. There was something else I needed to say. “Thanks for the story. I’m sorry for making you relive it.”

“No problem.”

I turned back but stopped once more. “Oh yeah, I had one other question, before stompy came in.”

Len looked up from his notebook. “Yes?”

“What’s the most enchanting thing? You said Lirae was the second, what's the first?”

Len stiffened at the question, his pen dropping on to the book. He picked it back up and looked down at his journal. “It was the day I first laid eyes on my daughter. But that story is much longer and you have a mannequin to demolish.”

I nodded once and left the room. “Yep, you’re right.”

——

Liam closed the door. Len continued writing in his notes, messing up several times as memories reformed in his mind. He picked up the notebook once Liam was outside of the building. He knew deep down he couldn’t be mad at the boy for asking that question. Liam didn’t know that tale was liable to have Len accidently incinerate the whole guild, if not a portion of the Academy District.

He held the notebook in one hand, looking over the minor mistakes, then torching it completely. Better it than the building. He wouldn’t miss that journal, it was a contingency anyhow.

He heard a snicker come from the corner of the room, near the ceiling. Unnatural shadows filled the corner. A pair of gray bat ears poked out from blackness as it melted away, revealing his old friend and confidant.

“Really sugar coated that story. Left out some of the truly juicy bits.” Mel spoke as she floated down from her perch. “Like how I saved your ass from that raid boss. My back still hurts from shoving you out of its grasp you know.” Mel tweaked her back in mock pain. She smiled. “Or the truth behind the battle with Grisse. How you burned down an entire city block along with that bastard. A week after the wedding.”

“Enough Mel. He doesn’t need the specifics. And I’m not proud of that fact. I try not to make light of those casualties.”

“And yet your words ring hollow for some reason. It was their base of operations. I don’t think he’d blame you. They killed your son after all. And destroyed your marriage too. Why hide such a beautiful act of destruction?”

“I think the brutality inflicted on the innocent families who lived above the base would raise his eyebrows however.”

She shrugged. “Gotta crack some eggs to make an omelet.”

Len pinched the bridge of his nose. “Why must everyone try their damnedest to give me a headache today?”

“No fun otherwise.” Mel said, grabbing some jerky from the desk drawer.

“Any news from the Gloom?” Len asked.

“Not last night. I had to watch your proteges’ little rooftop date, remember? They got lucky that it was the guard captain that raided the den. But about the other stuff.” Mel’s voice lost its jesting tone. “No doubts about Feral involvement with the break in. Found the alchemist who made the bomb. Some loon who once worked for the Capitol Labs. All materials sourced from the slum lord Mort himself. He’s talking more and more with the unhappiest of the Ferals. The new girl’s actually been some help on that front. She’s got a knack for being in the right place at the right time.”

Len laughed. “Doubt she’d agree. I knew you’d take a shine to her.”

“Don’t go planning the training schedules yet. She’s still greener than a Reptan’s hindquarters. But she’s got chops. She’s got another meet up with Mort himself this evening I plan to listen in on.” Mel said.

“That all?” Len asked.

“Nah, found the bodies of that wall squad. Want me to leave a tip with your man Herman?”

Len pondered her words. “No, let me sit on that one for a day. Will he find it?”

“Not a chance.” Mel replied. “Those Ferals are damn good at hiding their tracks. I only found the spot because one of their new members slipped up. Which is the other thing. Their numbers are growing. Faster than last time. It looks like the story you told earlier may be repeating itself.”

Len shook his head. “Anything else?”

“Nope, I’d have more for you if I didn’t have to worry about babysitting.”

“Goodbye Mel, get some sleep.” Len said, shooing the bat woman away.

She disappeared back into her shadows.

Like last time. He thought about that terrible day again. “Letting Lisse go might have been a mistake.”