Thinking it was possible such a learned man could dwell in a city such as Hope-Ridge, the group vowed to look into the matter once they were free.

"We should... Winters," Zan said. He fell back to his cot on the ground.

"Stay put!" Jiehong said, raising his voice. Having silenced every one of his friends, Jiehong said, "Sorry. I didn't mean to appear upset. You should continue to rest, Zan. Whiskey and I can go and approach Winters."

"I'm the grandmaster of the Order, though..." Zan said.

Of course, this was when the Screen Master poked his head in on a multi-line, addressing both Zan and Jiehong.

Listening to the Screen Master, Jiehong heard, "A momentary interruption! Zan. I must be clear: you are grandmaster in name only. Later, once certain requirements and milestones have been met, you will be grandmaster. For now, your title is merely technical. Honorary."

With a cracked voice, which Jiehong thought was only partially related to his illness, Zan said, "Does that change anything about my role?"

"No. It does not," the Screen Master said. "You remain the de-facto leader. You should, perhaps, be there to meet the Colonel. Considering your condition, however, sending Jiehong as a proxy might be best."

"I'm so hungry," Zan said.

Hearing his own stomach rumble, Jiehong felt a similar need roar to life.

"Let's go grab a bite," Jiehong said, who, as he turned to lead the party outside and find a tavern, they encountered Marsha and Mimsy.

"Oh! Marsha! This is Whiskey. My battle-sister..." Jiehong said, then introducing everyone formally.

"I hope you guys have a great night one the town! But you know. If you're looking for a meal, try the ladies in the basement. They're so good!" Marsha said, being helped by her granddaughter.

Jiehong said they would try the basement ladies... someday. For now, he wanted to take them to a nice spot.

Jiehong did not dawdle on finding a spot to eat. He knew how beat Zan felt. And after her journey and then Jiehong filling her ears, Whiskey would surely want to rest her feet. Her face. And simply eat.

Buying some meat and vegetable skewers from a street vendor and then eating them in the public park, their skewers did not fill enough of Zan. Heading inside to an actual tavern and inn, Jiehong procured for them a table in a busy place through use of a well-placed bribe.

Together, the table ordered plates of food to share. And more than a few merry drinks. Everyone had a nice time enjoying hot food, intoxicated company -- the locals were holding some kind of annual drinking competition, so everyone was merry beyond convention -- and could relax while letting themselves bob-away to whatever fragment of the bard band could be heard above the drunkard's din.

Wiping his face and belching loudly, Zan looked satisfied. Color also appeared to be returning to his skin.

Jiehong paid the tab, with some help from Whiskey, and the group left the tavern. Talking outside, Zan rested on a bench as the group plotted their next move.

Zan said, "I'm well enough to meet Winters. Whiskey -- do you know what you are going to ask of the colonel? As your reward for participating in a royal-affiliated mission, I mean. And do you still want to join our order?"

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

Jiehong looked at Whiskey. Then held eye contact.

Whiskey did the same with Jiehong and then Zan. Slowly, she said, "Yes. I know what I am going to ask the Colonel for; and also yes: I still yes to join your martial order. I know the demands which will require me to conform. I think this is what I need in life and how to be most useful." Whiskey's response seemed enough for Zan who nodded along, showing active listening.

"If you think you're well enough, let's fine him. He's probably out of range for the echo-beetle things, yeah?" Jiehong said, trying his beetle only to find silence on the other end.

The group explored the city as Jiehong and Zan continued to try and hail the colonel. Through a combination of actively trying to find him and asking for directions from guards in unfamiliar corners, they found the garrisons where the troops stayed.

Between waiting for confirmation from several secretaries, personal attendants, and more, hours of uneventful tedium eloped. When they finally came to stand before Colonel Winters, Jiehong felt Whiskey had to be sour at ever leaving the procession of soldiers before she knew where everyone would be marshaled toward upon their entry to the city. Had she stuck with the group, she could have avoided all this trouble. Circumstances aside, Jiehong was happy she came with him to check on Zan. It showed her commitment to the Order. And more importantly, people.

"Zan! And friends! I am happy to see all of your alive and in one piece," Winters said.

Filling in for him when Zan tired of explaining, the group then filled Winters in on everything which transpired once the airship battle begun. Winters nodded along to every word of the story, showing great interest in the tale.

When the story ended -- over an hour later -- Winters could only say, "Your heroism knows no bounds, lads. Incredible work! An airship tallied to your kill count is an impressive accolade. And your survival skills. Jiehong -- you are an honorable young man, are you not? Few men of ill-traits can tread the astral waters of an eldritch being and live to tell the tale. You two are something else..."

Jiehong wasn't expecting praise. And certainly not from Winters, a man he thought highly of, and as a respectable member of society. What had he done except walk and think? How did that make him heroic? When Winters spoke about him, Jiehong welled inside as a flower does on birth. If Winters could speak so highly of me, he thought, then maybe there is something to me after all? I am not merely my Parents's plaything. Their mini-thems.

Looking at Whiskey first, Winters asked, "Alright, las. I promised you a reward for the service of you and your Scouts. What can I do for you?"

Looking carefully at Whiskey as she made her request, Jiehong considered her face and tone as she talked. What someone expected as a reward could reveal a lot about their character. Jiehong wondered what she would pick. Whiskey said, "Gold is fine. Or jewels. Any precious stones capable of being fenced."

"I understand. I will beseech our rescued viceroy and call upon him to surrender a few of his no-longer wanted valuables. I saw a trunk full of shiny junk. I can't give you a timeline on when I can hand you the reward, but it will be soon. Is this acceptable?" Winters asked.

"More than acceptable. I will check in with you every day until our departure," Whiskey said.

"Departure? Plans?" Winters asked.

"I do not have to tell you of my plans, Colonel. But I will. Out of respect for my new allies, comrades, and battle-companions. I am joining Zan's order. To do so, I will need resources to buy-out my contract. Plus, some funds thereafter."

"Say no more. A wonderful course of action, Whiskey. Not merely because I think you falling away from those rebels is a good thing but because I do believe your talents would be better served elsewhere. Do let us know if you need help. If it does not cause an issue for me, I am always ready to provide help to upstart organizations,"

A conventional answer, Jiehong thought regarding Whiskey's asked-for reward. Practical. Pragmatic. He didn't know what he had been expecting. He was happy Whiskey wisely selected. And how she planned to continue helping them and wanted to join them formally.

"Jiehong? Zan?" Winters said. "What can I do for you?"

Wanting his half-brother to conserve his energy, Jiehong spoke first: "A bundle of local currency is fine. Funds for our coffers is more important than anything else. So, that is what I would like my reward to be, sir."

"Understood. I will procure some local funds before you depart. As a word of warning, however, the economy is unstable right now because of the war. Some places might take advantage of the situation by charging excessive rates. Then there is inflation. I plan on giving you a tidy sum of bills, lad. However, these bills are unlikely to take you far. Use them very wisely."

Showing he was listening, Jiehong nodded along actively. He made eye-contact. All that jazz Zan didn't know or bother doing.

"And you, young sir?" Winters said, addressing Zan.

Zan took a deep breath and said, "Sir. I want nothing."