The Grand Temple Bell bellows out three rings, announcing time of day and prayer for the fortunate who could leave work and attend. The sound reached mid-town proper and bounced off the walls for all to hear. In upper mid-town there were few to be seen working or walking around, except for Gricrir.

Three in the afternoon? My efficiency is lacking. I need to speed up. Updated Captain Thaddeus, finish my rounds and get home to my girls. Gricrir thought to himself as he maneuvered past various building and the few couriers on the street. It was hard to see given the light reflecting off the mirrors and gems used to decorate the buildings. Gricrir kept his eyes shielded.

Good thing the guards station isn’t further north. I’d wouldn’t be able to see where I’m going. It’d take forever to get around. I do hope Guard Captain Thaddeus is in; otherwise I will have to ask around until I find him. He needs to know what’s going on. It’s my duty to inform him after all. Gricrir thought.

He continued a hasty walk. His thick black armor soaked up the rays of light, raising his core temperature. There was no shade to be found in this space of mirrors and gems and thus his core warmed up, causing beads of sweat to dot his brow. His sheathed sword and mace weighed on his duty belt, discomfort in his lower back. But he did not complain or stop until he came upon the Guard Station building.

The Guard Station was a squat cobblestone building. A wooden sign above its oversized door had the symbol of sword and shield, denoting an official guard’s site and place of law. Next to the wooden door were two torches. Instead of the customary flame forces; these torches were lit by a magic and had a blue flame that gave off no hear nor burned. And right next to these were two guards dressed in the typical white-leather, and decorated armor of mid-town guards.

Gricrir gave a polite inclination of the head to the two guards. The guards responded with a simple “Vice Captain”. They did not move or open the door. They simply remained, staring out into space.

Gricrir walked inside the building and stood in a hallway that went all the way to the back of the building. The space was small ,but house a number of rooms including a toilet room at the very back; a mid-town perk of living. On his right was a room to an empty cell, past that a room for confiscated items, and beyond that sleeping quarters. On his left was an office. On it’s door was the same sword and shield insignia that was on the sign outside of the building. Past that was an armory. Gricrir turned left, made a quick knock, and then walked into the office.

The room Gricrir entered didn’t have much. The walls were covered with portraits of prior Guard Captains. The room’s center was dominated by a simple wooden table. On top of that table were the feet of the Captain of the Guard, Venat Thaddeus, who was leaning back in his chair with a book in his hand.

Gricrir eyes followed Thaddeus form from the feet that were on the table up to his head. His build was not impressive. His legs were thin, his belly large, and his arms lacking any bulge. His clothes were designer versions of what should be a guards armored uniform. He wore expensive rings and a soft tricore cap with a purple feather poking out of it. He sat leaned back in his chair, reading a book, without any sense of care in the world.

Curious. He is the spitting image of a potato with legs. Gricrir thought.

Gricrir stood at attention, waiting to be acknowledged. He stood there for a few moments as the Captain flipped to another page in the book. Gricrir raised on his toes slightly, hoping that the movement would catch the captain’s eyes; to which there he received no response.

Speaking up “A Lace Noble book Captain? I did not figure you as a romance reader.”

“Shhh, this is the good part,” Thaddeus says, flipping a page.

Gricrir couldn’t help the slow roll his eyes gave after hearing the response. He said nothing. Instead he disinterestedingly looked up at the ceiling from the corner of his eye. Gricrir would look at Thaddeus when it seemed he was going to say something. However, the Captain’s mumbles and expressions were only in response to the book. This went on a for a few moments until the Captain closed the book with a content smile.

“That, was good. Real good. Have you gotten a chance to read the Elf And Pixie of Smookey Woods yet?”

“No sir,” Gricrir’s eyes finally falling on him.

“What about Romancing the Three Lutes?”

“No sir.”

“At least you’ve read Something Immortal?”

“No sir.”

“What a bore,” Thaddeus says, making no attempt to hide his eye roll. He tosses his book onto his desk. He then draws out a nail file and begins to file his nail. “Well, what do you want Gricrir. I’m very busy.”

Gricrir eye twitches.

“Gricrir reporting sir. We’ve had a number of intoxicated people in low-town since the rumors about the Hali family. The people are staying out later celebrating. It has placed additional strain on our resources to keep the peace. However, we’ve been able to achieve it with longer shifts. No major injuries to the public or guards.”

“Good, good. You’re doing you’re job. That’s to be expected”, he says, continuing to file his nails.

“Ye-yes sir. We’ve been able to keep the market and warehouses relatively safe despite the influx of imports and travelers.”

“Keep it that way. While the warehouse may be in low-town, they are mostly owned by people in high-mid town. I don’t want any complaints that their businesses are having issues because of our, your poor guardianship.”

Gricrir’s nostrils flair. He takes a moment before responding. Through gritted teeth and a slow measure he responds “Yes sir. Speaking about issues, there a few I need to make you aware of.”

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Thaddeus stops his nail filing, looks up at Gricrir, and then returns to filing his nails. “Go ‘head.”

“Two issues sir. We have insufficient numbers for patrol purposes. Further, I am getting startling information that people are disappearing from and around the orphanage. I was informed that the additional mid-town guards that were dispatched have not been attending to their duties”.

Thaddeus puts his nail file down with a clack. He looks up at Gricrir and then gives a non-chalant shrug. He then folds his arms across his chest. “It is possible that their presence has not been as engaged as we’d hope. I am responsible for the white-backs and so they’ve kept me in the loop about this. The reality is, like with what you’re dealing with, we’re outstretched. Our numbers are too low. My men are working double time. We too are doing the best we can.”

“Yes sir. But I am getting word that they are no where to be seen on most occasions. Especially night. People in the orphanage district”

Thaddeus snaps his hand up, cutting off Gricrir’s sentence. In a mild disgusted voice he says “The orphanage? They shouldn’t have ever let that thing be built in the first place.”

“Sir …”

“Listen Gricrir, a few missing people from an orphanage is no big thing. They’re probably off doing who knows what and just chose not to come back. In fact, they’re probably just out there ploughing each other in an alley. Like parent like child they say. They’re just getting ready to set up the next generation of orphans who will suckle on the teet of the generous donations of nobles and merchants.” He waves a hand dismissively “Let them run away. It’d be better for us all.”

“Sir it is our responsibility to-“

“You know. Here’s an idea! Lamb skin! Slip it on. Have your fun. Tie it off, and toss it out. No grubby poor kids you can’t take care of. And no more of us having to waste our resources on them.”

Gricrir takes a deep inhale through his nose; an audible sound that couldn’t be missed. Except it is missed by Thaddeus who continues to on.

“They can’t control themselves. They thieve, they steal. They cause problems and then they expect us to fix everything. They complain because they can’t “see us” in the evening. Well what are they doing out so late? A bunch of drunkars, whores, and beggars. You know what I think?”

Gricrir does not respond.

“I think they should be glad we let them live in this city. You know what.” He smacks his hand hard on the table. “They should pay us for letting them live here.”

Plainly, “Sir, they already do. It is called taxes.”

“Well they should pay extra then. They give people like you and me, a bad name and shame our nobles.”

Gricrir closes his eyes. He takes in a deep breath before opening them again and responding. “Respectfully sir, that is beyond the point. We chose this profession and they are due our services. That said, these disappearances are highly concerning admist all the recent activity. We need more patrols. If people go missing-“

“Fine,” Thaddeus says flatly, tossing his hands in the air.”

“You take care of if then Gricrir. You have my permission. To use your staff. Mine are over extended and exhausted.”

Gricrir blinks slowly a few moments. Realization and red race across his face in unison at the words. Through gritted teeth “Sir … we don’t have the staffing”.

“You know what that sounds like?”

“Sir?”

“Sounds like not my problem. Figure it out,” Thaddeus says with zero kernels of remorse.

This is utterly absurd. He wants me to take care of this problem without any assistance or any staff. I already resigned myself to longer hours. But this, this means I won’t be able to go home and see the girls. Gricrir thought.

“Sir, this work would all fall on me.”

“Well, make your people work more, or find a way to do it yourself.”

“Sir”

“Vice Captain,” Thaddeus says with a smile.

“Yes sir.”

“I must remind you, that you sir, are on the precipice of moving to high-mid town. I am working hard to make those connections for you. Your success here, in patrolling with limited staff and keeping our markets safe will really be something worth bringing up to the nobles and merchants. I’d think they’d want a distinguished gentleman such as yourself, with a heart for service and the ability to achieve, closer to them than you are now.”

Gricrir’s mouth turns dry. He swallows hard at the words and their meaning. Thaddeus smiles at the silence and chooses to add in another word.

“And when I move up to high-town guard Captain, someone will need to take my place as Captain for mid and low-town.” He then gestures to Gricrir. “You’d be a shoe in I imagine. If you don’t fail me, or give me more of a headache. And you’re so good of taking care of potential headaches. I’m sure you’ll handle this. Meaning keeping the complaints low and the businesses safe.”

Gricrir’s eyes are cast down as he gives a simple and small “yes sir.”

There is silence between the two. Thaddeus smiles contently. He then pulls open one of the various drawers under his desk. He acquires a small box wrapped in golden foil. In it are small candies that he begins to toss into the back of his mouth.

****

“Sir, one more thing.”

“Seriously? What is is Vice Captain. I am trying to relax after our serious meeting. Go on. Go on. I’m going to be a small vacation for the next few days. So tell me whatever you need to tell me. ”

“Sir, were you, erm, able to get any new recruits?”

“Nope.”

“None?”

“Nope.”

“Sir … I will see to the problems we talked about. However, we are short not just in overworking people. We literally have less numbers due to retirements and injuries. As I advised three months ago when I got word that strange things were occurring in the mainland.”

“You did mention that. I’m pretty sure I brought it up around that time. I think they said they couldn’t add more funds for recruitment bonuses.”

“Yes sir. You are very busy and politics are politics. Were you at least able to get more funds for the crews?”

“No Gricrir. No. It’s hard to get money. Things are fairly tight.”

“Sir, per your earlier request for me to address issues happening in town, I must also advise you that my crews need more pay to match the hours. Plus their armor is getting seasoned and needs professional maintenance. It’s only fair that they have these benefits, like every other guard”

“Yes, yes. It probably doesn’t seem fair either given that those under my care did get a new of set of armor a few years ago”.

He means ever year. Gricrir thinks.

“But, Gricrir, as you know, they allow a certain amount of money for mid-town guards, and it must be spent. Just nothing I can do about it. We’re all just trying to make it here.” He then tosses back another candy.

Gricrir eyes Thaddeus and the candies.

“What are those sir?”

“Briar thorn candies. Straight from high-town. Want one?”

Aren’t those the cost of a guardsmen’s monthly salary? Gricrir thought to himself.

“No, no sir.”

“Suit yourself Gricrir.”

“Excuse me sir, I’m going to go check in on supplies.”

Before Gricrir could leave the room he is stopped by Thaddeus’s sudden raised hand.

“Wait, wait,” Thaddeus says, and then pulls a stack of papers from a a different drawer underneath his desk. He hands the papers to Gricrir. “Here.”

“What are these sir?”

“Complains and other issues form low town and a few from mid-town. It’ll give you some variety.”

“Wha-why?”

“Well, now that you’re looking into the orphanage area, these fall into your jurisdiction. I’ve been trying to get through these complaints. But you know, low-towers aren’t always good at expressing themself on paper.”

Gricrir gives Thaddeus a blank stare, not yet accepting the papers.

Thaddeus simply withdraws the papers, shuffles them, and says “How’s your wife Laurena doing and your girl Angelica? You know, they got some good schools in mid-town. I’m sure you’ll want her attending them …”

Gricrir snatches the paper out of his hand and attempts to leave the room again.

“And Vice Captain…”

“Yes sir”

“You really need to smile more. It’s good for the populace to fee like you’ll protect them, and are engaging, you know, function and form and what not.”

Gricrir gives a shit eating grin, turns on his heel and storms out.