Back to the Guild - 2B (Mirrored)

Chapter 2B – Putting the Team Together (continued)

When they arrived back in the main room of the guild hall, Kaylen found that not much had outwardly changed. The faces were different, and some of the mercenaries and clients had chosen different seats, but the same sorts of conversations about the same manner of business was occurring as it had been when he had arrived with Arrani earlier that same morning.

Kaylen found an unoccupied table and selected a chair while Alanthea sat to his right and Marius stood against the wall nearby. They both waited in silence for Tyrell to return from the backroom with a small stack of parchment. “We tend to keep a small collection of low risk requests for new adventurers to cut their teeth on.” He explained, “It looks like one of these four has already been accepted, and you don’t meet the prerequisites for the second one. That leaves these two.” He spread out two of the sheaves onto the table. “A small tribe of goblins has been spotted in the caves near a mining town in the eastern part of the kingdom, and some local woodsmen have seen signs of a growing nest of giant spiders.”

“I don’t know much about giant spiders.” Kaylen admitted, “But I’ve heard some things about goblins. If I recall correctly, there are no female goblins, or at least they are very rare?” He asked.

“That’s correct.” Tyrell confirmed while turning one of the sheets of parchment back around so he could read its contents, “And now that you mention it, that would present an unusual challenge for your team which consists mostly of women, wouldn’t it?”

Kaylen frowned, uncertain, “What do you mean? Why should that make such a difference?”

“Oh.” Alanthea exclaimed, reminding them of her presence. “They would likely try to **** us.” She added after a moment. “Not a high priority occurrence for most women.” She looked at Kaylen as she said the last part, an inscrutable expression on her face.

“The sister is correct.” Tyrell confirmed, “Blunt, but correct.” He returned that sheaf of parchment to the stack of the others, “Goblin tribes with no females of their own need to mate with females of other species in order to reproduce and maintain their numbers. Being faced with multiple females in your group could send them into something of a frenzy, making them more difficult to defeat. That doesn’t mean you couldn’t handle them, but I don’t think I can in good conscience send you to face them completely untested. So that just leaves the spiders.” He took a moment examining the last sheaf of parchment before pushing it across the table to rest in front of Kaylen.

Kaylen picked up the sheaf, which consisted of several sheets stacked together, and read over the details of the mission in question. “I’m sure these won’t prove to be a problem for us.” He informed the guild master. “Thank you for your assistance, and your consideration.” He added after a moment.

“You are welcome, Adept Gallowglass.” Master Norrison stood, and collected the remaining three sheaves of parchment, then extended a hand to Kaylen, “Good luck on your first adventure.”

Kaylen stood as well and shook Tyrell’s hand. “Thanks again. I look forward to returning and reporting our success.”

The guild master nodded, “While it probably won’t be me who takes your report, I’m sure I will see you around. Farewell.”

“Farewell.” Kaylen replied, and released Tyrell’s hand. After Master Norrison had turned away and departed, to return to whatever his regular duties might be, Kaylen turned to his newest companion to address her, “Well, shall we?”

“Yes, Master.” Alanthea nodded, and at Kaylen’s gesture to proceed, she led the way out of the adventurer’s guild and toward the market. Kaylen shook his head at her antics, and followed shortly after.