B2 Chapter 180: Mistakes, pt. 2

Returning to the Dusty Stables was like returning home.

Hensch had welcomed them with open arms, celebrating their victorious return with a pair of ales on the house. It was more than welcome, after a couple weeks of constant overland travel, the gesture was enough to solidify the choice to stay at this inn.

The few other delvers in the common room nodded their heads, raising their drinks in toast before returning to their own conversations. Few in number, there were only four teams that Kaius could see, and each and every one had some form of beast with them. Most small, but one had a large wolf-like beast that looked at Porkchop in confusion and interest – tongue lolling out of its mouth.

It seemed, regardless of its popularity amongst those delvers with companions, the Dusty Stables was rarely packed to the rafters. Another thing that explained the price, Kaius supposed.

At least it meant that their old rooms were still available, and thanks to the money they still had on the books they were still cleared for the better part of a week’s stay.

After an evening of downing their cups and telling anyone who would listen about their heroic fight against the ‘terror of Hanset’—though they did make sure to downplay its strength—they had retired to their rooms for the evening. Sleeping on a proper bed was pure luxury after the life he had lived, and, despite an anxious gnawing in his stomach about the prospect of meeting the Guildmaster the next day, Kaius slept like a baby.

….

Crossing the common room with a pair of teas, Kaius slipped into the secluded back booth that was nestled in a tucked out of the way corner.

Ianmus and Porkchop were waiting for him. The former cradled his head in his hands, a pallid colour on his face.

“I don’t understand? Shouldn’t your Health and Vitality have dealt with the beer? And why would you drink that stuff anyway if you feel like this the next day?” Kaius caught the end of his brother asking the half-elf.

Ianmus groaned, rubbing his face and reaching for the cup of tea that Kaius offered him with a gratified smile on his face.

“It does, the remnants of the alcohol at least. The problem is that it doesn’t do much for the dehydration or lack of sleep we got last night.” Ianmus explained, blowing on his cup. “I’ll be fine after some water and food.”

Kaius nodded, it was a common thing that most young men learnt. Everyone had heard of someone who had gained their first point of vitality from the celebrations that followed being inducted into the system.

“Hensch is bringing us some cold cuts and bread soon, so don’t worry.” he said, stomach gurgling at the thought of food.

“Thank the Matriarchs, I’m starving.”

Ianmus took a slow sip of his tea, eyes closing in appreciation, before he turned his attention back to Kaius. “How long do we have until we are supposed to meet with Ro?”

“The seventh bell after dawn toll, so we have just over two hours,” he explained. The manager of the guild had told them to return to the Guild just after lunch, she’d be waiting to take them to the Guildmaster.

“I’m still nervous about this; everything you guys have said makes it sound like he’s the equivalent of a Patriarch.” Porkchop muttered.

“That’s not entirely incorrect.” Ianmus admitted. “For places like this, the guildmaster is usually amongst the most premier of local powers. Both political and personal, it’s a big deal for us to be meeting them. I just wish we knew what to expect.”

“I doubt its foul play, but I do have reservations about exactly what they will want us to share. Our general strength, capabilities, and pace of advancement I can understand, but I hope they are not so foolish as to expect us to share everything.” Kaius replied with a frown on his face. Even if they were the guild, he wasn’t about to go blabbing about Honours, or his part in the phase shift. Especially not after he had received that warning immediately on entering.

“I think the effects of our bond skill will help cover some of the impossibilities – especially the racial trait. Remember, the description of the skill was never recorded – we can pretend it evolved with our classes.” Porkchop suggested.

Ianmus nodded. “He has the right of it. The guild is old. I have no doubt in their long and occasionally sordid history, there have been similar occasions to this – though perhaps nothing quite so extreme.”

“Regardless, Ro said that the guildmaster will likely want us to wrestle with him. Isn’t that exciting? It’s been so long since I’ve crossed claws and knew I would lose.” Porkchop’s voice grew energetic as he mentioned their likely upcoming spar.

Kaius snorted a little. Trust Porkchop to focus on perhaps the least risky part of their afternoon. Though, he did admit, the prospect of crossing blades with a Guildmaster did cause his heart to beat a little harder. They were legendary, even if he knew little about this one in particular.

“Do you know anything about him?” he asked, locking eyes with Ianmus.

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The half-elf cocked his brow in surprise. “Seriously? You’ve never heard of Rieker, The Wardog of Deadacre? I’ve heard tales of his exploits in the Depths all the way in Mystral!”

Kaius gave Ianmus a flat look. “Grew up in the Sea, remember?”

Ianmus coughed, having the sense to look a little embarrassed. “Right, right, of course. Apologies.” he cleared his throat. “Well, he’s late into the second tier – at least that is what is rumoured. In his hayday he was known for delving religiously, never taking more than a day or two to offload supplies and sell off artefacts before diving into another. He came to fame for taking down some second tier beast that had wandered out of the north, threatening some small city on the coast north of the dukedoms.”

Kaius looked at him in surprise. “What’s someone like that doing here then? Why’d he stop?”

“No one really knows,” Ianmus said with a shrug. “He took over from the previous guildmaster about five years ago. I’ve heard rumours, from it being a temporary break, a favour to a senior guild official, or even that a secret entrance to a deep layer of the Depths was discovered and this was an easy cover for him to monopolise it.”

“Regardless, the man is a legend, and a renowned lover of battle. Honestly, I think that the two of you may get on well with him.” he finished.

Kaius paused. If this Rieker lived up to the life that Ianmus had mentioned, then he could be a powerful ally, and no doubt would have plenty of lived experience to draw on for advice on how they could ascend as fast as possible.

That, and if he really did want to test them personally, they had an opportunity to impress the man.