Part Two: Little Rogue (In the Big City)

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Chapter Fourteen: You love me. Stop acting like you don’t.

By noon, the towering walls of Ironstone came into view. They loomed at least thirty or forty feet high, constructed from the flat red stone that gave the city its name. Traffic on the highway had been growing steadily all morning, and it wasn’t long before we joined a queue of carts, wagons, and carriages backed up for miles outside the city gates.

Like Longhorn, Ironstone had a sprawling suburb outside its walls, but this one wasn’t a patchwork of shanties. It was more of a proper village, stretching along the highway and into the surrounding area. The road became a chaotic boulevard of wagons, horses, pedestrians, and vendors hawking everything from fresh produce to questionable trinkets.

I perched on top of the carriage, taking everything in as Kev and Jinx worked to navigate the congestion, their shouts adding to the cacophony of the street. Kev even cracked the whip a few times to keep vagabonds from getting too close.

Traffic eased about a mile from the city, where side roads branched off toward the north and south gates. Signs pointed cargo wagons south toward warehouses and the shipping port, while others directed goods north to the city markets. Another sign announced that all new visitors had to register at the main gate unless they were delivering goods or passengers.

After what felt like an eternity, more like an hour and a half, we finally reached the main gate. Human and dwarven guards armed with small leather whips stepped forward to stop the carriage. Their stern expressions left no room for negotiation, and their cracking whips drove the point home.

“Tokens,” one of the human guards said as he cracked his whip. Kev and Jinx climbed down, and I followed. They pulled out their gold Imperial tokens and held them up for the guard to inspect. He glanced at them without taking them from their hands. I held my silver one up and was similarly examined.

Gem slid the window open, and everyone except Leoleth held theirs out. The frost elf must have been missing credentials and seemed to opt for hiding back in the compartment. The guards didn’t seem too keen on inspecting the vehicle after being told it was a Mercenary Guild party returning.

“They don’t give Guild parties much of a 'ard time.” Jinx said. “We bring in gold to the city, an' the guards 'ave enough to look after on a busy day like today.”

Gem and I climbed onto the top of the carriage as we resumed our journey into Ironstone. And it indeed was a city, a real city, unlike anything I had ever seen. Once inside the towering walls, the city spread out in every direction along seven massive thoroughfares radiating from the main gate. Most buildings were six or seven stories tall, all built from the same red stone as the walls and streets. In the distance, taller structures jutted up. They looked like civic halls, commercial towers, and the spires of churches fading into the sky. Above it all hung a heavy cloud fed by thousands of chimneys and smokestacks. The haze gave the sunlight a yellowish hue as it filtered down onto the bustling streets.

The moment we passed through the gate, something stirred in my chest. It was a warm, inexplicable feeling of home. I had never felt anything like it. No, that wasn’t true; this was a kind of Christmas and Thanksgiving warmness. Everything about this place, from the red stone to the busy people, even the thick haze above, filled me with a deep sense of belonging.

I closed my eyes, breathing in the city's layered scents. Smoke, horses, street food, and even the sour tang of garbage mingled into a strangely familiar aroma. The traffic sounds along the thoroughfare was almost rhythmic, like a melody waiting for music.

My eyes darted over the buildings—shops, tenements, restaurants, inns—calling to me. I wanted to leap off the carriage and dive straight into the city's heart. I could hardly wait to explore every street, climb every building, and uncover every shadowy corner Ironstone had to offer. It was alive, and I could feel it. And it welcomed me in with a warm embrace.

“Oh boy,” Gem said, interrupting the spell. “Not a huge fan of cities.” I looked over at her wrinkled nose.

I was still looking around, mesmerized by the sites. “I love it.”

“Of course you do.” Gem chuckled. “You’re an urban elf. This is your thing.”

The spell suddenly snapped off, and I blinked in surprise.

“Whoa.” I shook my head. “It was like a magical spell or something. I almost had an orgasm just sitting here looking around.”

“You’re about three-quarters orgasm all the time.”

“Rude.”

“Seriously, I feel the same way when I’m in the forest,” Gem said, her tone light. “We satyrs are nature-bound—living outside walls is just how we are.” She slung an arm around me, pressing a playful kiss to my cheek. “Your kind come from the city, however. It’s natural to feel a little giddy now that you've arrived.”

“I think I’m starting to understand why the crazy dragon cult did what they did,” I said, half-joking.

“Crazy being the keyword,” Gem replied with a laugh. “But, yeah, I get it—sort of.”

“I liked the peace and quiet out in the sticks, but this? This feels like where I belong,” I admitted, glancing around.

“You’ve gotta learn to step out of your comfort zone,” She nudged me. “You could stay like the hundreds of thousands of people here who never go past the gates, but if you want to see the world, you’ve got to push yourself. It won’t be easy.”

“I’m only half-urban elf, you know,” I shot back with a smirk.

We rode along one of the main streets for about an hour before arriving at a colossal, block-sized building that towered at least seven stories high. Its walls were a stunning blend of white marble and ironstone, an architectural masterpiece that gleamed in the light. It was an apartment block, but one so massive and opulent it felt more like a grand palace than a place where ordinary people might live.

Jinx turned around to face us. “Grab your shite.” He said. “End of the line.”

I had nothing to grab, so I just slid off the carriage. The rest emerged from the compartment. Eric and Leoleth looked around, wide-eyed. Leoleth was clad in one of Gem’s dresses, having long decided I wouldn’t make any fashion choices for her.

A stable hand climbed up to the box on top, and Jinx handed him a silver coin along with the reins. The entire first floor of the building was a massive stable large enough to hold dozens of wagons and carriages along with the horses needed to pull them. It hit me that it was an upscale version of those nasty podium buildings that Denver was famous for.

“This is my place,” Jinx said. “Don’t come around unannounced; the landlady don’t like it. The stable hand hauled the carriage, and the party crossed the busy street. “We need to hit The Guild first.” Jinx continued. “There’s an annex about four blocks that way.”

We strolled down the bustling street toward the building he had pointed out. There were no sidewalks like I was used to. Instead, carts, horses, and pedestrians jostled for space on the cobblestones, creating lively chaos. Thankfully, the boulevard was wide enough to accommodate traffic moving in both directions without too much trouble.

I couldn’t help but marvel at the crowd. It wasn’t just gnomes, elves, and dwarves. I spotted reptilian folk, feline humanoids, and even tiny people smaller than gnomes riding around on dogs. Overhead, winged figures flew gracefully across the street, their shadows flitting over the rooftops. It was truly cosmopolitan in a way I never thought was possible.

Street vendors lined the blocks, adding their flavor to the scene. One sold finely crafted leather goods, while another offered herbs in neatly arranged baskets, sold by the bagful. We passed an especially tantalizing vendor grilling and selling skewered meat and thick, greasy-looking sandwiches to a line of eager patrons; my stomach grumbled, wanting in on the action.

Shops and businesses occupied the ground floors of the buildings, each marked by signs painted with glowing magical pigments that reminded me of storefronts back home. Most buildings stood five or six stories tall, their walls accented with wood trim and wrought-iron details. The upper floors housed apartments or offices, their windows adorned with shutters and embellishments that gave each red stone building a unique character. Lanterns mounted above the streets promised ample light after sundown. Every block had an alleyway between buildings, serving as a space for trash and deliveries and a place a sneaking half-elf girl could use to beat a hasty retreat if necessary.

At last, we reached the Guild Annex office at the corner of a block. Its angled entrance was marked by a modest brass plaque below a slightly dusty window. Inside, the room had a utilitarian feel, with a long counter at the back wall fitted with several teller-like windows. A large noticeboard covered the right-hand wall, cluttered with pinned papers and postings. Three of the four windows were manned, but the room wasn’t busy, just a few mercenaries milling about, scanning the job board with varying interest levels.

It smelled faintly of dust and old paper. For all the magic in this strange world, bureaucracy still reigned supreme. I half expected someone to hand me a pen and a stack of forms to sign, like I was closing on a condo in Englewood. The vibe was more “title company lobby” than “adventurers' guild ready to slay a dragon for gold.”

Jinx approached the counter and presented the ring he had never worn from storage. I held back with the others while he conducted business, speaking in terms I didn’t understand yet. He turned after a moment and waved at me to come over.

“You’re a freelance Rogue then?” The Guild clerk asked from behind the glass. His voice came from a small mesh in the wood underneath. A small slot was also available for sliding documents back and forth. The clerk looked like a gnome, but his voice seemed too low and was delivered in a bored monotone.

“Yes,”

“May I see your token, please?”

I produced my token and held it up to the glass. The gnomish man squinted at it momentarily before sliding a piece of paper at me under the slot.

“Please sign to accept payment.”

I signed the paper without reading it, stifling a little internal snort. Title company vibes, indeed. The pen was even tethered to the counter with a chain, completing the aesthetic. A moment later, my inventory flashed, showing a deposit of GP that nudged my total to just over three thousand. A small thrill of excitement buzzed through me.

I turned to see the rest of the party staring off into the air, clearly watching their virtual deposits roll in. This world might run on magic, but apparently, it had online banking, too. Thank the gods.

“I’d like to say that was easy money,” Kev said, shaking his head. “But, by the gods, I’m glad we’re back in civilization.”

“I’m gonna miss the Axe.” I lamented.

“That’s a good item.”

“Maybe I’ll buy a dagger or sword just like it.”

“That kind of high-end magic is not within our financial means.”

“Then what’s the point of making something like that if only people who can use it can’t afford it?”

“You really have to ask?” Gem said. “Rich people vanity.”

“There’s some good stuff out there,” Jinx said. “You just need to find it.”

We wandered out of the annex and back to the bustling street. I reached into my storage, pulling out twenty GP and two small pouches. It just dawned on me to do this while we were approaching the city, but I didn’t have a chance to get to it until now.

“Here,” I said, slipping ten coins into each bag and handing one to Eric and Leoleth. “It’s not much, but it will help you get to the next thing.”

Leoleth accepted the bag and tucked it away. “Thanks.” She gave me a wink and puckered her lips at me.

“I’m okay,” Eric said, handing the bag back. “I have a pile that I managed to snatch from the duke and a fair amount of silverware. I like to pretend it’s my inheritance.”

“I’ll take it then.” Leoleth snatched the bag. I let her take it. It would have been like trying to wrestle a piece of sausage from a dog; really, no point.

We followed Jinx as he led us off the busy thoroughfare and onto a side street so we could talk.

“I’m gonna take Regan with me to get the rings cracked. Let’s meet for dinner at The Crying Jester.” We all shrugged in agreement. “It’ll take us some time to get it done. We’re still partied, so we can chat if we are close.

“Uh,” Eric said, “We can’t chat with you.” He and Leoleth looked at Jinx expectantly.

“We need to finish settling things up,” Jinx said. “Then we disband. So, there’s no point in adding you.”

“I need to go to the temple,” Heather said softly as she crossed over to me. We hugged tightly, and she whispered, “Goodbye, little elf,” into my ear.

“This isn’t one of those forever goodbyes, is it?” I asked, my voice wavering as a few tears threatened to spill. I clung to her, afraid to let go and lose my friend.

“No,” she assured me, gently pushing me back. She handed me a small ceramic token. “This is from the church. Reach out to the temple if you need me.” She kissed my cheek, and a rush of divine energy coursed through me at her touch, filling my body with the warmth of her blessing.

She turned to Leoleth, “Do you want to come with me to the temple?”

“No,” the frost elf replied flatly.

Heather’s face fell slightly before she turned and sauntered off down the block. My gaze lingered on her retreating figure, her graceful form commanding my attention until she disappeared into the distance.

“What exactly are your plans?” I asked Leoleth when Heather got too far to enjoy watching.

“I need to find a job,” she replied, brushing a hand dramatically through her silver hair. “Something that pays well. Unfortunately, I don’t have many skills to make money. That’s a problem.” She pouted as if her newfound poverty was somehow my fault.

“What skills do you ‘ave?” Jinx asked.

“I have a couple of ice spells. You know, the ice spikes and the wall thing. I am a level three ritualist, but I don’t think anyone needs one of those.”

Jinx raised his eyebrows at that. “I think the two of you need to come wif me then.”

He practically yanked our arms off as he pulled us back onto the main street. He was unusually excited. His gripes seemed more like happy gripes.

He chattered endlessly as he guided us through the streets of Ironstone, his enthusiasm boundless. He regaled us with tales of legendary war heroes, equally heroic dwarven urban planners, and the city's storied history. He had a deep affection for the place or at least its history. It was more like a local showing off their knowledge to the newcomers.

Ironstone was three cities within one, all enclosed by one of the largest city walls in the world. That much I gathered from Jinx's impromptu tour guide performance as we moved through the streets, Leoleth following silently, her eyes everywhere, taking it all in.

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

First, there was Ironstone Proper, the bustling heart of the city where I had first arrived. It was a hive of commercial activity, home to markets and businesses and a mix of lower to upper-class citizens. It dwarfed the other areas in size and energy.

To the south lay Commerce City, the oldest of the three settlements, dominated by docks, warehouses, and the massive river port. It was a chaotic maze of industry and opportunity, though its labyrinthine streets also made it a haven for criminals.

Finally, perched on the mountainside was Ironstone Prime, the mining hub turned playground for the city’s wealthiest families. It reminded me of affluent mountain towns in Colorado, with its sprawling estates and air of exclusivity.

Jinx led us through Prime's tree-lined, winding streets, enclosed behind its own secondary city wall. Gaining entry required tokens and a stated purpose. Leoleth's presence cost us a few extra GP. We climbed through a high-end commercial district where well-dressed pedestrians strolled leisurely along sidewalks that separated them from the paved roads. Upscale shops and fine dining establishments lined the streets, exuding an air of wealth that made me instinctively check my coin purse. I mean, if you wanted to pick a pocket, this was the place.

Eventually, our ninety-minute trek brought us to a basement tavern hidden beneath Hotel Prime, a luxurious five-story building constructed from imported white marble and nestled against the mountainside. The entrance was an unmarked door several steps below the cobblestone street. I braced for a grimy, dimly lit dive bar but was pleasantly surprised.

The tavern was unexpectedly upscale, with plush chairs and velvet-cushioned couches arranged around small tables. Warm, soft lighting bathed the space, and a trio of musicians filled the air with that soothing medieval jazz. An illuminated bar stood at one end, staffed by human and elven bartenders, while the rest of the room offered ample lounge seating. A staircase led up to the hotel above, tying the place together with a vibe that felt distinctly Earth-like yet unmistakably otherworldly.

I glanced down at my simple tunic and pants and felt immediately underdressed. It was largely empty, but the refined clientele here milled about in elegant attire, and I silently thanked the dim lighting for sparing me further embarrassment. Still, the cozy, sophisticated atmosphere was a welcome surprise, and I relaxed just a little as I took it all in.

“This is a don’t-speak-unless-spoken-to situation,” Jinx whispered to us, his tone low and serious. “It’ll be in yer best interests to follow my lead.”

Leoleth and I exchanged a glance but nodded in unison. We settled onto a curved couch tucked into one of the corners. A low cocktail table sat in front of us, lit by a single flickering candle, flanked by a couple of comfy chairs on the opposite side. The room was quiet, the midafternoon lull keeping the crowd sparse.

When the serving wench approached, Jinx held up three fingers without a word. She was a dwarven beauty, her dark blue strapless silk dress hugging her figure and falling just short enough to show a tantalizing glimpse of the ribbons of her black, thigh-high stockings. She smiled sweetly, nodded, and spun around with a practiced flair, her pleats twirling before she strode toward the bar.

I glanced at Leoleth, only to find her watching me with an eyebrow raised, clearly aware of where my attention had been. I cleared my throat and shifted awkwardly, pretending to inspect the candle as if it held all the secrets of the universe.

Before long, an elven bartender appeared, balancing a tray of red liquor in shot glasses. His youthful appearance was striking, though with elves, it was hard to tell if he was twenty or two hundred. His skin had a dark, metallic gray sheen that caught the room's dim light, and his hair was as white as Leoleth’s. His androgynous, flawless face leaned just masculine enough, thanks to the faint stubble along his jaw.

His silver eyes seemed to glow faintly, like twin moons in the shadows, and his attire was sharp: a black, tailed suit with no tie, the top three buttons of his shirt left undone. A row of silver hoops adorned his long, pointed ears, glinting in the low light, and a few flashy chains hung around his neck, surely adding some bonus points to his Charisma.

He set the tray on the table with a quiet clink, his movements smooth and deliberate, before standing back with an air of practiced elegance. This place took its style as seriously as its clientele.

“Jinx,” he said with a smile as he sat in the chair across from him. “You’re back early,” he placed the shot glasses on the table one by one in front of each of us. “How was the tour?” He spoke with a drawl, something like a Texas accent. It came out of him smoothly, like the hustler in an old-timey western.

“Profitable,” Jinx said. “Came back early cuz we made all we could.”

“Working smart rather than hard.” The bartender said. “I like it.”

“Didn’ say it wasn’ ‘ard.” Jinx said with a smile. “Woulda been a rougher go if it weren’ for these two birds right ‘ere.”

“To your two lovely birds, then.” The bartender picked up his glass and held it up. Jinx joined him, and we hesitantly held ours up, too.

“Cheers,” Jinx said. And we traded clinks with each other and drank our shots. It was a cinnamon whisky close to Fireball but a little smoother. It burned down my throat but then instantly sent a second, cooling sensation down right after.

“Quiet birds.” The bartender said with a smile.

“Told ‘em to let the grownups talk first,” Jinx said with a chuckle. “This is Regan an’ Leoleth. Girls, this ‘ere is Aymon.”

“Pleasures all mine,” Aymon said with a smile, offering his hand to each of us in turn.

“I hope not,” I said when he shook my hand. He gave a little chuckle.

“What brings them here?” he asked Jinx, a little business pushed into the charm.

“Couple of things,” Jinx said, his tone was more business now. “Regan,” he said. “Rings.”

I wordlessly pulled the storage rings and necklace out of inventory and placed them on the serving tray.

“Can you get these taken care of while we talk?” Jinx asked.

Aymon raised his eyebrows at the tray of storage items. He smiled and held his hand up, finger waving over his head. The wench came up and silently picked up the tray, whisking it away.

“And the other thing?” Aymon asked, looking at us with silver-eyed intensity.

“These two,” Jinx said. “I wanted you to meet them.”

“Do I want to meet them?”

“Regan ‘ere’s a Rogue. Leoleth’s a Ritualist.”

“Okay then,” Aymon nodded with an appreciative smile. “Maybe I do want to meet them.”

“They need some training up,” Jinx said. “Lots.”

“What jobs do you have, sweetie?” Aymon said, shifting his gaze solidly on me.

“Assassin,” I said flatly. “Level three.”

I could feel the weight of his presence pressing down on me. He was a Charisma powerhouse. That much was obvious. It radiated from every pore, each one practically sparkling with weaponized charm. If I weren’t careful, he’d dissolve my mental defenses like sugar in hot tea, and I’d fall in love with him in no time. I needed a counterattack. Something unexpected. Something absurd.

“Plus,” I added, with all the seriousness I could muster, “Decoupage. Level six.”

He blinked, caught off guard. I had no idea what decoupage entailed, but my mom had a bunch of nineties hat boxes in her closet plastered with vintage pictures. That counted, right? Cute and stupid for the win.

“Gods,” He chuckled. “Should have brought more drinks. That what you want to do?”

“Not especially. I like crafting well enough, But the murder is a little difficult. It seemed like an easy skill to pick up in the sticks.”

“It’s not an easy skill to pick up anywhere.” Aymon tilted his head at me, digging for more. “You want to branch out a bit, then?”

“I want to make a comfortable living. Get out there, see the world, all that. Not necessarily kill a whole bunch of people. It seems hard to completely avoid it, but I don’t want it to be the focus of my professional life. Or my personal life, come to think of it.”

“Where do you come from?”

“Is this like a job interview? I mean, do ya really need to know all that?”

“It’s important to know who we invite in.”

I took a deep breath and glanced at Jinx. He nodded slightly.

“Denver.” I didn’t want to share my past. Jinx said to play it close to the vest, but he seemed to think it was a good time to play it straight with this guy.

“No idea where that is.”

“Too bad, it’s the Queen City of the West, you know. Also, the first city to have both NHL and NBA titles in the same year.” I paused for a moment while he just looked at me. “Yay, Sports,” I said, pumping my arms up weakly. I settled down, seeing his confusion. Confusion was good. “I’m a Rifter.”

“Ah,” he leaned back in the chair and folded his hands, letting my absurdity wash over him. He was getting comfortable. “Skills? Spells? Anything like that?”

“I have Stealth, Sneak Attack, Lockpick, Sleight of Hand and the usual Rogue and Assassin stuff. The only spell I have is Nudge.” I left off Appraisal. It seemed like a good idea to keep that little nugget tucked away.

“That’s a good one,” Aymon said. “You need to develop that and pick up a couple more. Anything telekinetic is handy. Plus, spell development can raise your Luck. We can find a place for you if you're willing to learn. I assume you have your own money.”

“I’m doing okay.”

“I love your hair, but it may not be the best look in this line of work. You need to tone it down a little.”

“You know the carpet matches the drapes.”

He looked confused, the earth reference entirely over his head. “No idea what that means.”

I gave him an overly flirtatious wink. “I’d love to show you sometime.” I felt like I won that round.

He smiled and looked over at Leoleth. “What about you?”

“I’m a Ritualist, Level Three.”

“What else?”

“Look at me,” she arched her back and turned to the side, offering him her profile. “I’m fucking gorgeous.” Jinx snorted out a laugh, but I wasn’t going to break character. Me and the frost elf were like a comedy team.

“Okay then.” He said, sighing. “What can you do?”

“Level Four Summoning, which I’m not proud of: level Two Keystones, Control Sigils, and Adaptive Spell Craft. I also have level four in Divine Structures. I have Ice Spikes, Level Three, Ice Wall, Level Two…”

She went on and on. Not just laying out her spells to him. But every skill she had leveled in her entire life—everything from Sweeping, level four, to Eyebrow Plucking, level two. I had to act absurd, but she was a natural.

“All that and a pretty face.” Aymon said, interrupting finally. He did smile appreciatively, at least.

“The bod rocks too,” I said. “Don’t undersell it.”

Aymon looked at her, puzzled. “What do you want to do with all that awesome you have there?”

“Hot girl stuff.” Leoleth said. “I want a pile of gold and a bunch of pretty things.”

“Don’t you love it when a frost elf calls herself a hot girl?” I asked.

Aymon aggressively ignored me and went on. “You’ll find a fair amount of that on the other side of some tough locks and security sigils. Sounds like you have a good foundation of skills. But you’ll need more than a pretty face and rocking bod to get to those safes.”

“So,” Leoleth said. “Teach me to be sneaky. The little pink hair girl right here can do it, So can I.”

“Yeah, but you’re gonna have to learn to shut up.” I groaned.

She looked at me, fluttering her eyelashes. “You love me, stop acting like you don’t.”

Amon pushed through. “I guess you have yourself a nest egg like Regan?”

“Not really,” she nodded at me. “But she’s got this.”

“I don’t got anything.”

“Honey,” Leoleth looked at me with a sultry smile. “We can be roommates or…something? It’ll be fun.” She puckered her lips and patted me on the thigh. “You’re so cute, I love you.” I could feel my cheeks burning; thank the gods, it was dark in the room.

“I like how you are a slightly more feminine David Bowie, but that doesn’t mean I’m gonna be your sugar mama.”

“I don’t need sugar, just a little gold. We can always get more of it.”

“Jinx,” Aymon said, breaking up our banter. “You wanna grab a drink at the bar?”

“Sure thing,” Jinx stood and winked. “Ladies?” I nodded at him, and he shuffled off.

Aymon sighed after Jinx left. I could tell he wanted to get control of the conversation. “So, you know about the Mercenary Guild, and the Magic Guild, and all the other Guilds, right?”

We both nodded without saying anything. I wasn’t even sure what he was talking about. “You can seek out perfectly respectable employ with any of them.”

“Not looking to start swinging a sword, and they don’t take rogues.”

“That’s part of it. You could potentially train up combat or magical skills to join them, even as a rogue. Plus, nothing’s stopping you from adding another class to your set and taking that route. But you’re sitting here because you don’t want respectable.”

“Respectable…” Leoleth mused, “…dull.”

“And doing illegal shit is all I have if I don’t want to switch to another class?” I asked.

“No,” Aymon said. “The Rogue class is like any other. The skills are just tools that you use to get the job done. They lean toward not hitting obstacles head-on, using finesse instead of brute force.” He grinned at me, raising a knowing finger. “You had the option to pick any basic class you wanted. You knew what that entailed.”

“I was too weak to be a fighter.” I rubbed at the phantom pain in my right hand. “Got my ass handed to me on my first fight. Almost died.”

“You’ve been on the road, and I know you’ve done some extreme stuff already. It takes a lot to hit level three Assassin, especially that quickly. At four foot zero and with no fighting experience, you had to think of something when things got tough. Alternate paths.”

“Four-foot eight.” I said bitterly. “But yeah, did some stuff.”

“I saw the bodies,” Leoleth said nodding. “She does lots of stuff.”

“Do you fucking mind?” I grumbled at her.

“Back on topic.” Aymon said impatiently. “We have a purpose. The Union, I mean.”

“The Union?” I asked, eyebrows raised. “Sounds very blue-collar.”

“There is a lot of inequity in the world.” Aymon leaned in close, ignoring my comment. “Money, power, and prosperity are locked into the upper echelons of society. It’s not just the Imperials or the royals. Wealth is tied up in the guilds and the churches as well. The gold’s only at the top.”

“So, the Union is made of altruists then?”

“Not exactly. We want to poke a few holes in the buckets of the rich, get some of that wealth to trickle down and don’t mind making a big pile of gold in the process. We also want to dampen down the bad actors, the people that use wealth to exploit and spread misery in the world.”

“Yeah, Fuck those guys.”

“I like the part about getting that gold for ourselves.” Leoleth said. “I promise to be a good girl with my money.”

“Those missions don’t exactly line up.” I said.

“They can,” Aymon said. “We have a code. First and foremost, money flows down, not up. You don’t steal from anyone poorer than you; if you divert wealth or resources from those who need it, you’re out. There are plenty of deep pockets to pick out there; we don’t need to make the world worse. We also don’t move against each other. It’s about who you steal from.”

“What else?”

“We give back. The guilds take twenty percent, and we take thirty. It seems like a lot, but all that GP is tax-free. We reinvest half in the community and the rest in the Union’s members.”

I shrugged. “Sounds like it’s better spent that way.”

“The taxes you pay only fill the coffers of the rich. We only collect fees on quests that the Union hands out. If you want to go and work as a freelancer for a mercenary party, go ahead; the money you make is yours. That also goes for any work you do on your own.”

“But we stick to the code.”

“That’s right, and you need to do quests for us. At least six a year.” Aymon leaned back. “If we don’t have anything suiting you, you help train others or pay dues. We will be investing in you. We will help you with your skills and give you opportunities to get stronger and more capable, but you need to pay that back in solid work.”

“I’m guessing getting booted from the Union is bad?” Leoleth asked.

“You can buy your way out,”

“Or die your way out.” Leoleth chuckled.

“That’s right.” Aymon’s face darkened a little. “It happens, but we have more than a few Assassins to clean things up. But seriously, we are about being the best at what we do. We have access to training and gear to help you achieve that comfortable living you want. And jobs that will take you around the world.”

“We’ll do it.” Leoleth declared, throwing her arm around my shoulder. Then she planted a cold, wet kiss on my cheek.

“We?” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I was glad I missed most of the time in the carriage with her on the way to Ironstone.

“Yes, with your sneakiness and my looks, we will be the unstoppable duo of legends.”

“I have looks, too.”

“You’re so adorable, I want to put you in my pocket.”

“We all okay then?” Aymon asked, not as annoyed as I expected him to be. I mean, I was actively trying to be annoying. And Leoleth was just being herself.

“Yeah,” I said. Leoleth nodded, pulling me close to her side.

“Okay, then,” he said. “No oaths, swearing, or ceremony; you’re either in or not.”

“Okay then.”

“In,” Leoleth said with too much enthusiasm.

He reached into the breast pocket and pulled out a small business-sized card, and handed it to me:

Panqinor Xilberos and Son’s

Clothiers & Tailors

Lower Alley, 5 East and Wood Barrel Ave South

“What’s this?”

“It’s a card.” Leoleth said, looking at me like I was an idiot.

“Before we bring you on, we need to do a full assessment.” Aymon said.

“And then?”

“And then we’ll see. Come by at noon.”

“Where is this?”

“You’ll need to find it.” He reached up and waved back at the bar. “You’re both new here. You’ll need to learn a lot more about this city.”

The wench returned with the tray of storage rings and necklace. I reached down to pick them up but hesitated.

“How much?”

“On the house.” Aymon said with a smile. He waved Jinx back over.

I pulled out a small sack, poured a hundred GP into it, and set it on the tray.

“I said it was on the house.”

“For the Ritualist.”