"It means you can have what's in this box."

Amellia lowered her voice as she said this, seemingly picking up on Shiroe's wish to downplay the prophecy. She began digging around behind the counter, moving mountains of paperwork and regulation books out of the way.

"I'm actually surprised somebody has bothered to finally come to retrieve it. This box was here before I started working for the Guild. Before this desk was even built. One of the oldest and strangest Guild bylaws mention this box. The lock is supposed to be invincible."

Amellia carefully lifted the ancient metal strongbox out from behind the desk and placed it on the counter. Before each step, she carefully consulted the open page of her rulebook. She dug a wand out from behind the counter, one of several, and slowly waved it over the box. Many years of rust, dirt and scratches faded away in an instant, leaving the box clean, its edges sharp. Who puts an invincible lock on a box that can decay normally?

She flipped through her key-ring until she found an ancient metal key, which she gently pressed into the lock until the box popped open.

Carefully, more with an air of professionalism than ceremony, Amellia lifted the objects from the box one by one, placed them on the counter and listed them off as she took inventory.

"One sword hilt; bladeless."

"Five coins; bronze; denomination and culture of origin unknown."

"One papyrus scroll, bearing an inscription in Ancient Tiveran; Inscription reads 'I owe you 445 bronze pieces.' "

"Roughly two ounces of an unknown fruit, wrapped in fig leaf; visible tooth marks."

"One decorative carving; polished turquoise; shape vaguely resembles a blunted dragon's fang; purpose unknown."

"One ancient key, resembling the one used to open this box... actually..." Amellia carefully closed the box, then opened it using the key from inside the box. "Correction: Upon closer inspection, the key is an identical copy of the one used to open this box, save for the addition of a papyrus note tied to the key via a primitive piece of twine; Ancient Tiveran inscription on papyrus: 'DO NOT LOSE.' "

Most of the adventurers who'd been paying attention seemed to lose interest when they realized it was just a box of junk.

Amellia carefully retrieved all the objects and placed them back into the box, before locking it again with her own copy of the key. She handed the box to Shiroe.

"Party formation and dissolution is ad-hoc, informal and voluntary. Lifetime guild membership costs a one-time payment of 100 gold pieces, and entitles you to free use of the basic facilities and priority access to new quests. Enhanced membership starts at 10 gold per month for privileged access to our Gymnasium, Library and Lounge facilities."

Shiroe graciously accepted the box. He opened it once more and briefly considered its contents up close.

"You gonna eat that?" Niki asked, reaching for the half-eaten fruit wrapped in fig leaf, but he snapped the box closed before she could take it.

"Is there anything else I can do for you, sir?"