“Oi, these agents of the prince think they can hire assassins without first coming to me?” Vaelena growled, spittle flying from her small mouth.

“Some nerve!” The lean man growled.

Nameless overheard another thug calling him Spike.

“Hey, Elora, you think this Snel is the main operative?” The halfling crime boss asked.

“As best we can tell,” answered the elf.

“Looks like we need to pay this sergeant a visit. Who do we know in the guard?” Vaelena asked the collected criminals around her.

“You can’t seriously think you can stand up to a prince?” Karl asked incredulously.

“Or the Legion,” Nameless pointed out.

“No, the last thing we need is the crown coming down upon our operation. Our ire is with the agents. Do they think they can organize a coup or order hits without first consulting us? The guild?”

“No respect,” Spike added with a shake of his bald head.

“It’s time we teach them how things are done in this town,” another goon growled.

There was a collective cheer among the criminals. Elora even joined in while Zel and Karl huddled close to Nameless. The large Black Knight was a reassuring protective presence in the den of thieves.

ARMOR: MAGIC REMAINING 30%

QUEST! FIND THE CHOSEN ONE!

YOU NEED TO GET TO THE UNIVERSITY BEFORE PRINCE ZAVERICK’S ARMY ARRIVES! WAR WILL CAUSE THE UNIVERSITY TO LOCK UP, AND YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SPEAK WITH PROFESSOR HANOI. THE PROFESSOR KNOWS ABOUT THE CHOSEN ONE! YOU ARE TASKED WITH FINDING AND PROTECTING THE CHOSEN ONE! THAT IS YOUR PURPOSE! DO NOT FAIL!

Nameless grasped his head as this message was more forceful than before. More urgent.

“What is wrong with him?” Spike asked.

Elora, Karl, and Zel looked concerned while the collective thieves glared while they fingered the handles of their knives.

“We need to get into the university!” Nameless cried as the pain in his head reached a high point.

“Not with the Mark,” Vaelena said.

“Assuming you don’t get accosted by the guard. You won’t be able to enter through the magic gate,” Spike hissed.

“If I can get my tools, I can remove the mark,” Karl said.

“But you don’t have them,” the thief guild mistress retorted.

“You must help us!” Elora pleaded.

“Oh, and why is that?” The halfling asked.

“You said it yourself. You need to make a statement that they can not operate without the guild. What better way than to foil their plans?” Elora explained.

Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

A young girl dressed in rags entered the tavern, made her way over to the halfling, and leaned down to whisper something. Vaelena gave the girl in rags some coins, and she departed as silent as a mouse.

“We have things in motion already,” Vaelena replied.

“An army of mercenaries and demons are about to march upon this city, and all you care about is your stupid operation?” Karl cried.

The room became quiet. Thugs glared at the polka-dotted Ooraki as they readied to draw their knives at Vaelena’s command.

“The guild has survived the war with the Wasteland when the Goblins turned on the Machinery and locked out the gods. This civil war will be a walk in the park. By the Hells, it may even be profitable. We just need to let our presence known to those that would choose to operate without our consent,” Vaelena said.

“We can help each other,” Elora said quietly.

At this, the dark-skinned halfling perked up with a sinister grin. Nameless had a bad feeling, but the pain in his head had subsided. Whatever was going to happen, the power behind the armor was content with it.

“Now we are talking. You scratch my back, and I scratch yours, eh?” Vaelena said, as her eyes narrowed.

“I don’t like this,” Zel whispered to Karl, but it was loud enough for everyone to hear.

“We need to get into the university tomorrow,” Elora stated.

“The guild knows of ways to bypass the magic protections. Dangerous ways, but a way nevertheless,” Vaelena replied.

“What do you want?” Elora demanded.

Vaelena laughed as she hopped off the table she was sitting on to go behind the bar. Her small frame was hidden from view as they could hear her rummaging. After a moment, she popped back out and threw a set of dark leather armor on the ground before the elf.

“I need you to do a job for me. What do you say? Just like old times,” Vaelena said.

“What sort of Job?” Nameless growled.

“A break-in and snatch job. One where Elora’s talents and your muscle is needed.”

“Who is the target?” Elora asked as she gathered up the armor.

“You can’t be considering this!” Karl asked.

“We have no other choice,” Elora responded.

“That’s my girl!” Vaelena cheered.

“What’s the job?” Nameless asked.

“Goldwaters Shipping has not paid the pirate queen her due. She has asked me to obtain their shipping manifests.”

“Goldwaters! Are you mad? That is one of the biggest companies in all the Imperium. Their offices would be heavily guarded and protected!” Karl cried.

“Yes! And what luck do I have where an odd crew such as yourselves would appear at my doorstep? Academy trained and an armored behemoth for muscle? Fate is surely on my side!” Vaelena explained.

“Wait, what? That is not what I meant,” Karl sputtered.

Elora placed a hand on the Ooraki enchanter’s shoulder and turned toward the halfling crimelord.

“We need to meet someone important tomorrow,” the elf said.

“The job can be done tonight if you wish to be reckless,” Vaelena responded while lounging back on her elbows on top of the bar.

“This is madness!” Exclaimed Karl.

“Looks to me that you have limited options,” Spike growled.

“We do this, and you get us into the university?” Elora asked.

“We of know of ways, you have my word,” the halfling said while raising their right-hand palm up.

“We need to be there tomorrow morning,” Nameless stated.

“That can be arranged,” Vaelena replied, hopping off the bar to extend her tiny hand, and she asked, “do we have a deal?”

Elora looked to her colleagues. Nameless nodded. The knight felt he had no other choice. He also did not want another severe headache, and it seemed the armor agreed to this course of action. Karl glowered and crossed his thick arms. Zel was picking their nails clean. Elora wondered if the necromancer was even paying attention.

“Deal,” Elora said while shaking the halfling’s hand.

“Excellent,” Vaelena said with a grin and a glint in their dark eyes.