The Adventurer’s Guild – 2A

Chapter 2 – Putting the Team Together

The guild halls for the adventurer’s and mage’s guilds couldn’t have been more different. Where the mage guild had a hall that was almost a tower, certainly taller than it was wide with many stairs, and more rooms inside that it appeared it could contain from the outside, the adventurer’s guild had created a low building, only two stories high, and taking up several city blocks. It included a lot of open space behind its outer walls as well, where the adventurers could train with a variety of weapons and abilities, against practice dummies or sparring partners. Though there didn’t seem to be any practicing spellcraft, at least not in any of the areas Kaylen could see as he and Aranni entering through the front gates.

They made their way toward the main building, just to one side, Kaylen kept his eye on those out in the training yard. Some of these might be among those he would recruit when he formed his party. Since battle mages were rare, they were granted the option to form their own team when they became adventurers, and Kaylen was excited to get started.

Then he paused as one particular swordsman caught his eye. Or rather, the fact that it wasn’t a swordsman, but a swordswoman. Her armor and helmet couldn’t quite obscure her feminine physique, especially next to the broad-shouldered barrel chested man she fought against. He remembered Aranni’s suggestion that he could find a mundane to romance. And if anyone would be acclimatized to a magician such as him, it would be someone who fought beside a magic user on a daily basis; someone like the athletic woman sparring with a practice sword as tall as she was. At this distance he couldn’t tell if she exceeded his own height, but she was almost eye level with her opponent. And while the armored man outclassed her in weight, that didn’t seem to be giving him the advantage in a greatsword duel as much as it would have if they were grappling.

It was at that moment that a plan started to form in Kaylen’s mind. If he couldn’t find romance the typical way as a mage, and if there were no available mages his age that he could pursue, then perhaps he’d just form himself a pool of potential partners who would be professionally obligated to at the very least get to know him and grow accustomed to his usage of magic. It would be tricky, of course, because he also wanted an effective team, and for all that a **** multiplier like a sword could help bridge the gap between the average man and woman in terms of physical size and strength, there were still a lot less females who even chose the life of an adventurer. It was definitely a vocation that suited the temperament of men more than the fairer sex.

But he’d have time to work out those details after his introduction, and so he turned his attention back to his escort, Master Rylan, as they entered the guild hall. They checked their weapons in with an attendant in the foyer, and then proceeded into the front meeting room, where a handful of tables lined the walls and small groups of people sat with drinks or bare tables discussing whatever matters they were there to discuss.

Aranni led Kaylen to the counter were a guild representative worked as a bartender, receptionist, and seneschal all rolled into one. “Master Rylan of the Mage Guild here to see the guild master. We don’t have an appointment, but he is expecting us.”

“I’ll inform Master Norrison right away. Feel free to take a seat while you wait.” The man gestured to a nearby table with three chairs, and stepped away through a door behind the counter.

“I’ll be taking my leave as soon as introductions are finished. I still have work to do back at the mage guild.” Aranni informed him quietly.

“I understand. We probably won’t see each other again for a while.” Kaylen nodded.

“Who knows. I’m sure we will check in now and then. I am the local guild master, afterall.”

“That’s true. And next time I’m in town, I won’t accidentally flirt with a thirteen year old.”

“What do you mean, ‘accidentally’?” Aranni arched one delicate eyebrow.

“She didn’t tell you? Neiah had cast a targeted illusion. She let me see her as a much older looking young woman.”

Aranni blinked twice, then brought a hand to her face to stifle her chuckle, “And here I thought…”

“Exactly. I was mortified when I realized. I thought I’d just been flirting back, and thought there was no harm in it, since I had no intention of taking things further. I didn’t understand why you were getting upset by it, until she came to speak with me alone, and I saw through her disguise.”

“That little minx. On the one hand, I should be proud she could produce an illusion that I didn’t even notice. But she should probably have some sort of punishment for deceiving me, and you for that matter. The next person she tries that on might not be as virtuous as you are.”

Kaylen nodded, “I wouldn’t want her to get hurt. But she also seems pretty **** for some kind of affection. Maybe you could help her on that front?”

Aranni pursed her lips, her brow furrowing gently, “You’re probably right on that. When did you get so wise?” She broke into a grin, and he returned the expression.

“I guess I had a good teacher.”

She touched his hand on the table, and he didn’t pull away. They shared a comforting moment, but then the door behind the counter opened, and the receptionist returned with two men behind him. Kaylen guessed the older of the two was the guild master, complete with a chin-strap beard and a coat of plates covered in red cloth that looked comfortable enough to wear throughout the day. The second man was wearing a black tunic with a pair of swords belted over it, and if he had armor beneath it, Kaylen couldn’t tell.

Aranni stood, and Kaylen followed suit, meeting the three guildsmen halfway between the counter and their table. “Master Aranni, so good of you to visit. It’s a shame our business doesn’t bring us together more often.” The guildmaster said while shaking Aranni’s outstretched hand delicately. “And you must be Adept Gallowglass.” He turned to Kaylen and shook his hand more firmly.

“A pleasure.” Kaylen returned the guild master’s grip.

“Adept Kaylen Gallowglass, this is the adventurer’s guild master, Master Tyrell Norrison, and his associate.”

“Marius Dantes.” Tyrell supplied nodding to the man in black, “The pleasure is all mine.” He added, still looking Kaylen in the eye. “We can always use good combat mages in our ranks. I bet you’re eager to start forming your team?”

“Very much.” Kaylen nodded.

“Well, I guess I’ll leave you to it. Wish I could stay longer.” Aranni apologized. “We’ll have to catch up another time. Perhaps a day will come when we are not both so busy.”

“Of course. One can always hope. May the gods watch over you.” Tyrell said his goodbyes to Aranni, then turned back to Kaylen. “I’ve already received missives from Master Rylan and Master Graun regarding your credentials, so I won’t ask for a demonstration of your skills. And I’m certain you don’t wish to hang around doing busywork either. So why don’t we get straight to what, or rather who you are looking for to fill out your team?”