The day my Pa passed away, was also the day I was pinned a member of the Silver Cloaks. I returned home to my mother crying her eyes out at his bedside, a tincture bottle laying empty on the table next to a bowl of what I assumed was stew. It wasn't a strenuous leap to make the connection. Mama did what she had to do to end his suffering and her own. I tried my best not to be too angry with her for that, after all, I saw the way Pa treated her in the end.

Over the next few weeks I watched her decline. Mama spent her days at the Loose Anchor Tavern by the docks and if she came home at all, when she did, she was drunk. Business became nonexistent and her savings ran out. I tried to speak to her—to make her see reason, but she kept engaging in destructive behavior despite my protests. The version of her without my father was angry and reckless. I had no idea to what extent her transgressions affected our lives until one day when two enormous men almost broke through the door with the deed in hand to demand I vacate my own house. Apparently, my mother had gambled the deed and lost.

"Give us more time to come up with the money," I pleaded.

"We already gave her three weeks."

"Two more days, please. I didn't know about this, otherwise I could have prevented it, how much does she owe you?"

"Three hundred gold pieces."

"THREE HU—you know what, it's fine, give me two days and I will get the money," I said as I tried my best to usher them out of our home.

"The price goes up fifty gold per day."

"That's ridiculous!"

"Have the money by sunset today if you want the deed for three hundred, otherwise pay the waiting fee." The abnormally large man opened his jacket and tucked the deed away in his pocket then turned to leave. "We'll be back, at sunset."

SHIT! I didn't know what to do, I didn't have the gold to pay them, and there was nothing left of value in the house to sell, Mama saw to that. I clenched my fists in frustration until my fingernails threatened to break through the skin of my palm. I'm going to have to go to Commander Rend—my future father in law, and ask for a loan. I groaned. This was not going to give him faith in my ability to financially support his daughter, but I didn't know anyone else who would have that kind of gold just laying around.

The whole way to the guild hall I rehearsed what I would say, how I would ask for this kind of pay advance. I was a Silver Cloak now, but I had not yet been assigned a posting. Even once posted, I would still have to work for a whole month to make three hundred gold, and by that time the price would be more than double that. Hank escorted me to Commander Rend's office. I wiped the sweat from my palms on my trousers before entering and drew in a deep breath.

"Gabriel, nice to see you, what can I do for you?" Commander Rend asked, standing up and gesturing to one of the chairs across the desk from him. I took a seat and gathered my courage before speaking.

"My mother has gotten us into a bind, she's sick with grief and ale over my father's passing and has gambled away the deed to our family home. If I can manage to come up with the three hundred gold I need to pay off her debt by sunset today, I can get the deed back." I explained.

"I understand your predicament. I am facing a bit of a situation myself and think that perhaps we can help each other. I will buy back the deed to your house and put it in your name, provided you agree to do this favor for me." He folded his hands as I thought about his request.

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"What's the favor?" I asked.

"I want you to attend the royal masquerade ball in Ledora. I will arrange your travel, and your attire."

"Could I bring Sophie with me?" I asked.

"It's best you appear available. Queen Akiri Lazar is attending the ball in search of a husband. We received a letter asking us to send interested eligible males to the ball and we received instructions as to the design of the attire the hopefuls are to wear. We need you to try to get close to her, get to know the young queen and find out what her plans are. That day on Choddrath, she claimed her dragon throne and then flew home and committed matricide, seating herself on her mother's throne. I don't think she will stop there."

"That sounds dangerous."

"The risk is minimal, all you have to do is talk to her. Use your good looks and charm to get her to open up to you about her hopes and dreams." Leon explained.

"Okay. The debtors are coming back to my house for the gold at sunset, after that, I can be ready to go. I want to get back to Sophie as soon as possible."

"Thank you. I will see you just before sunset. Thank you, son," Commander Rend said as he stood up to walk me out.

As promised, Commander Rend was at my house before sunset with a few Silver Cloaks. Mama was semi-conscious on the sofa, even the threat of homelessness was not enough to quell her urge for a drink. Rend pointed her out to the soldiers with him and they apprehended her.

"What are you doing? This wasn't part of the deal, leave her alone!" I tried to rush to her side to protect her, but he grabbed my arm and pulled me back.

"Don't worry, we are going to help her get well. You can come visit her at the guild. I want her to see you married and if she doesn't stop drinking and gambling at the Loose Anchor, she's not going to make it." Commander Rend's words were harsh and carried the weight of truth. I didn't want to admit that he was right, but I could see no error in his statement.

Mama screamed for me to help her as they escorted her out the door kicking and fighting. My heart wrenched as her screams grew faint until they were too far away for me to hear. I wanted to go with her, but we had business to see to first. Commander Rend approached the kitchen table and pulled out a chair to sit down. The sound it made as it skidded across the wood floor broke the silence. I was much too nervous to sit. I paced, cracking my knuckles and rolling my neck to ease the tension.

"Oh good, it looks like you found my money," A hulking figure stepped into the door frame and his shadow stretched across the floor and ended just before my feet. He had to turn his shoulders to fit through the door and I couldn't help but to notice the scimitar hanging from his leather belt. He had a stubbed nose and deep wrinkles set into his face that made him look like Miss Hadley's mastiff. Two tusks jutted upward from his bottom lip and he looked from me to Commander Rend with a menacing scowl. This was not either of the men who came yesterday and it was my first time ever seeing an Orc; I thought they were all gone after the orc wars. Leon maintained composure as if this were an every day encounter for him.

"Did you bring the deed?" Commander Rend did not bother rising from his seat as he spoke. I understood it to be a clear sign of disrespect.

"Did you bring the gold?" The man asked as he stepped to the table and towered over Commander Rend as if he meant to intimidate him.

"I did, and I apologize, where are my manners? I am Commander Leon Rend, Guildmaster of The Silver Talons. I don't believe we've had the pleasure."

"I'm Obren. I run the books for all the betting that goes down in the Tavern."

"Okay, well here's what you're going to do, Obren. You're going to hand over the deed, sign it, and then you're going to get out of my city, otherwise, these gentlemen have orders to drag you to the entrance of the abyss and throw you in." Commander Rend gestured to the door where a squad of Silver Cloaks had assembled outside.

"I knew I shoulda never come to this town," he grumbled as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a roll of parchment. Commander Rend handed him a quill and Obren scribbled his name on the line. Next, Commander Rend held the quill out to me and snapped his fingers for the Silver Cloaks to escort Obren out.

After I signed the deed, Commander Rend rolled it up and slid it into a pouch that should have, in no way, been able to fit a roll of parchment that size.

"I thought—

"Don't worry, Gabriel. You'll get the deed once you've returned from Ledora with the information we discussed." He stood up and pushed in his chair. "Be at the guild hall by dawn."