Cless was in her room when Arnold knocked at the door. "Come in," She said.

"You called, guild master."

"Enter and close the door. Sit on the bed." The big boy sat and the bed creaked. "I am going to propose something, and it falls under our previous secrecy arrangement regarding my Skill. I'm going to change it. Whenever you are going to talk about my Skill or anything I've done with it, you'll either become mute or stutter intelligibly before even a single word is uttered. If you try to write, you'll drop whatever you are holding to write with or your hands will shake uncontrollably. If you try to communicate with any kind of gesture or signal, you'll fumble and tremble or remain still. If someone tries to read your mind, you'll forget what happened. That is in exchange to dying so it is an upgrade for you. In addition, you'll never speak of what we did here today to anyone even the guild members. Do you agree, Arnold?"

"I'd appreciate that, Cless."

Contract amended.

"Follow me." She went outside and took him to another room next to hers that was empty. She left Silverfang guarding the corridor so nobody would come to eavesdrop on them.

Arnold's eyes widened when he saw the plate armor on the bed. Cless closed the door behind them.

"Guild master, whose armor is that?"

"It is mine. I won it yesterday. Anyway, sit on the chair and let's talk."

Cless went around the table and sat across Arnold. She took a piece of rabbit parchment and wrote a few words.

Skill [Heavy Armor Adaptation] (D-rank) - Allows the user to stay comfortable in heavy armor, without any movement or stamina penalties, and without chaffing. Increases the defense of and reduces durability damage to heavy armor by 20%.

She showed the writings to him and asked, "What do you think of this Skill?"

He read the paper with difficulty. After he mumbled the entire text, Cless confirmed and Arnold raised both eyebrows. "Is this your Skill, Cless? It is an amazing one."

"Yes, it is an amazing one. Would you like to have it?"

Arnold pondered but after he made his mind, he shook his head. "I'd rather have mine. We don't choose our Skills, Cless. But why do you ask?"

She grinned and met his eyes, "What if I told you that you can gain that Skill? Keeping the one you have and adding this D-rank Skill?"

Arnold stood up and waved his hands, clearly flustered, "That is impossible, Cless. There is no such thing as getting Skills after the rites."

"Arnold, calm down and keep your voice low. I know it sounds absurd. There is no such thing as getting Skills after the rite of passage. But let me tell you one secret. Come closer."

She whispered in his ear, "But the same was said about S-rank Skills, and I'm looking at one in my Status window right now. Maybe I can do a thing or two that are supposedly impossible."

Realization flashed in his eyes. He sat down, clearly nervous. "That's how you got us roped in and all those bargains."

"Yes. My Skill is hard to use and requires a lot of conditions. But I can get you this Skill," She said, pointing at the parchment. "And gift you with that armor, for a price."

Something Cless said or done must have triggered Arnold's preservation instincts. He got wary and asked, "What price, Cless? I'm not going to become your slave again."

"No. I won't make people slaves, and you never were. Arnold, we talked about it. You were there, you did nothing, you consented to what happened. God thought as well. I was blindfolded, I couldn't even know who was there. And I released all of you, never forget that."

"Not all. Eight of us died." Arnold shook his head.

"Because they were stupid and couldn't follow instructions. I was as appalled by the deaths as any of us. I didn't understand my Skill, that is why I amended your contract. I'll do the same with the others so they don't die as well. Back to our proposed deal, do you want it or not?"

"Of course I do! That Skill would let me sleep in heavy armor. I just need to know, what is the price?"

"Seven stat points. With the reinforcement the Skill grants to the worn armor, you won't need as much Agility or Health."

"Heck, no. That is too expensive. Five."

That was what she was aiming for anyway. Cless concentrated on her Skill. "For five stat points from Arnold, I trade the Skill in this parchment and ownership of that suit of plate armor over there. The parchment is to be burned without a trace after the trade is complete." The last part was an experiment Cless was doing. If she were going to use written contracts, they should burn upon acceptance so it wouldn't leave a trail.

Trade accepted. Five Stat points added. Skill [Heavy Armor Adaptation] (D-rank) transferred. 190 Experience Points gained.

The parchment burned spontaneously, leaving only faint ashes behind. Arnold checked his Status and cheered out loud. Cless kicked his shin to make him shut up.

"Put your armor in a sack. You'll need help donning it and I am not doing that for you. We need to go and meet the guild."

"Cless. Wait. I can't even understand what you did there. You... you can grant Skills?"

she saw the confusion in Arnold's eyes. Cless sighed. "No. I can trade Skills. Stat points and Experience as well. I had that Skill but wasn't going to wear heavy armor. You, on the other hand, seems perfect for that."

"You have no idea," Arnold said with gravity. He couldn't even look at Cless. "I wanted to be a heavy warrior but I had no idea how I'd get the money. Now? Now I know what class I'll get. If I can get around this stupid Exp penalty."

"And what class is that?"

"I'll be a Guardian. Heavy on Health, split in Strength and Agility. An unbeatable and unstoppable bulwark."

"Amazing, Arnold. Glad I could help. As for the Exp penalty, maybe we can fix that. I mean, how much Exp are you missing yet? Wait, don't answer. Let me check. See Exp debt with guild members."

The sound notification spoke in her ear.

Arnold: 19,596 Exp

Lyle: 25,596 Exp

Lawrence: 25,596 Exp

Martin: 19,596 Exp

Shane: 19,596 Exp

Collin 16,596 Exp

"I can try to fix it. For a gross interest of ten percent, offer Arnold twenty-three thousand, six hundred experience points from my pool."

Offer accepted. Arnold now owes 25,960 Exp to Cless.

"Did you level?" Cless asked?

"Yes, I'm level five now. Cless you are amazing!"

"Good. Get your armor to the blacksmith to fix those greaves and to remove the heraldry. Then go to the Association, get registered, select your class and profession and meet us at back here at the inn. I need to talk to everyone.

Cless and Arnold left the inn, Arnold going to the market and Cless to the north gate.

"Good morning, guild master," She went on and received greetings from some townsfolk. It was nice for a change.

She reached the north gate and there was a crowd as usual. Some of the petitioners were there, most notably Vanessa.

"Hey, Guild Master," She was all smiles and faked candor. Cless would hit them hard if they ever joined.

"Hello, everyone. Today we are not going to the forest. We have no outstanding tasks and some coin to gather 'round here."

Cheers. The prospect of earning money, especially easy money for those that didn't even bother to lift a twig after the wolf fight was always welcome. Cless made note of them and shouted.

"Only the active members of the Blind Eye can come. The petitioners must wait until next week as I told you. If and only if I change my mind, you'll be warned. Shane!"

The boy came forward, "Yes, guild master!"

"Go to Olson's farm with Lawrence and get the remainder of our coin and wolf pelts. Martin. See if the apothecary has our money already. Lyle goes with you. The others, follow me."

They went after her and back to the inn.

"Josie, I'm back with the guild. Serve them only mead and water." She shot the barmaid.

Josefine saluted, mocking Cless, "Aye, aye, guild master."

Cless was sure some of them would order wine if allowed. She gathered them facing her and started to give them the news.

"As you know the guild made some coin these last few days." She let them cheer. "But not because of your hard work. You know who you are, you who skipped guild activities and only returned because the ones that remained with me got some loot. Lyle and Lawrence were bedridden and I'll not hold it against them. I'm keeping tally of who showed up and who didn't. Trust me it will be considered when it is time to pass some loot around."

"Are you telling us that so you can go pocketing the money?" One of the boys asked.

"What if I am? This is my guild after all. No. I'm saving money to get us a guild hall. After winter, we are going to move to the dungeon town next to us. Then we are going delving for real."

More cheers, slightly abated. But at least most of them trusted Cless that she would use the money for the guild.

"What are we going to do over winter?"

"We are going to train. Hard. Everyone will get proficiencies and learn combat reflexes. Learn how to work in teams. The dungeons are sources of wealth but also death. Unless we work together, we will all die before the winter after this one. We are also getting any job we can do. If the people at the lumber mill is not mad at us, we are going to cut more logs. Wood in winter costs more anyway."

"Are we getting any payment?"

"Based on productivity. The exact amount will depend. You have the afternoon free, find a job. I work here at the inn before I go to meet you and train the whole afternoon."

They started to talk among themselves. The boys on their errands returned and handed over the goods to Cless. The discussion went on and Cless sat back to be with her own thoughts. She needed a day off.

Then a group consisting of Joe, Edward, Jerry, Alan, Jimmy, Herbert, Brett and the four girls Maria, Clara, Patty, and Kelly came up to Cless. "We want to get out of the guild. Things are not going the way we like."

"So that's your two-week notice. Okay. You are expected to work these two weeks and then you'll be free to go."

"No!" Edward shouted. "We want to go now. Pay us and we'll be on our way. Also, release us of those stupid contracts."

"Hold for a minute." Cless raised a hand. "Josie. Could you be a sweetheart and go check if the merchant association has any spare cinnamon?"

Josefine came and raised an eyebrow, "Why do you want cinnamon, Cless?" Cless frowned and looked out of the door, nudging with her nose. "Oh. Cinnamon. Right."

With Josefine out, she sighed. "Edward, do you have any idea how close you came to dying? If Josie heard you, poof. And I'm not the one doing it. I have no control over the contract after it is settled."

"Bullshit!" Edward pointed his finger at her. "You can amend the contracts. Release us even!"

"One thousand Experience Points for each week. Take it or work these weeks. Every day you skip guild work is a day more in your notices. If all of you boys agree, the girls get out scot-free. I'll pay for the days you worked with the logs."

"Fine. Do you agree, boys?"

Joe, Edward, Jerry, Alan, Jimmy, Herbert, Brett, Maria, Clara, Patty, and Kelly left the guild. 14,000 Experience Points transferred as payment.

"There you go. Farewell, I hope we can remain not enemies at least."

They moved but Edward stopped. "Wait. You didn't release us entirely. We still can't talk about you."

Cless scoffed. "And you won't be released for the rest of your lives. Trying to write or pass the information in any way will also trigger the contract."

"Release us." Edward used a threatening tone. "Release us or I'll..."

"Try to rape me again?" Cless stood right next to him. "You can't hurt me, Edward. You can't even throw swear words at me. And it will remain like this. And don't think setting me up for some trickery will work either. Or sending someone after me."

"Edward, let it go. She'll move out of town and it will all be past." Maria tugged him.

Cless always knew why these four girls joined. They wanted to rescue their boyfriends. Well, there they go. Good luck humping like rabbits under the bonfire again. She caught herself envious. And a bit horny.

"It is not worth it, Edward," Jerry pulled his arm. "Let it go and move on."

"Wait. You are all about bargains. What would it take for us to be totally free?"

"Let me think," Cless mumbled.

There was some trickery there. She reviewed her contracts. The boys were okay, they wouldn't ever talk about things even after leaving the guild. But she noticed that the girls were only bound to not speaking about what transpired while they were in the guild. And right now they were out. Edward already spoke or made her speak too much.

"The eleven of you, out of the inn. We are closed today, for the exclusive use of the guild. And since you are no longer in the guild, you have to leave. Or I'll ask the guild to make you leave."

"You are not a guild master! You are a slave master, Cless!" Edward shouted, loud enough to be heard by passersby in the street. He rolled his eyes and collapsed in a heap.

Edward Hensley died. 181 Experience Points earned.

Cless hung her head and shook it. And they didn't give her time to amend the contracts as she did with Arnold. The other deserters looked at her, at the dead body, and fled. Their faces were full of dread and panic.

Name: Cless (no surname)

Race: Human.

Level: 22 ( 238,769 / 253,000 Exp)

Class: Cleric 7 (22,574 / 28,000 Exp)

Profession: Warmaster 6 (20639 / 21,000 Exp), Weaponmaster 6 (20639 / 21,000 Exp)

Base Stats: Strength: 12 — Agility: 14 [18] — Health: 21 — Intellect: 22 — Magic: 33

Available Status Points: 5

Skills: [ Absolute Contract (S) ], [ Giant's Stamina (E) ], [ Trick Shot (D) ], [ Dangersense ⦅C⦆ ], [ Nimble Step (D) ]

Proficiencies:

Appraisal — Status: 22

Crafting — Crude Weapons: 5

Magic, Cleric — Mending: 19 — Detoxify: 16 — Light: 2 — Turn Undead: 1 — Blessing: 5

General — Prayer: 10 — Scribe: 2 — Houseworking: 6 — Math: 2 — Reading: 6 — Forestry: 9 — Skinning: 7 — Herbalism: 3

Social, general — Negotiation: 14 — Persuasion: 2 (+1) — Bluff: 2

Social, martial — Leadership: 16 — Intimidation: 16 — Tactics: 12

Movement — Tumbling: 3

Weapon — Long Blades: 4 — Short Blades: 2 — Unarmed: 7 — Archery: 12 — Spears: 3 — Maces: 22 — Staves: 4 — Axes: 9