Returning the green-haired man’s gaze, Liam said, “Doran, is it? My name is Liam.”

“So I’ve heard from the young lass there,” the man replied, casually gesturing toward Nora who obviously desired to watch the exchange with great interest.

Momentarily glancing at Nora before focusing on Doran again, Liam said, “Although she set this up, I might not have come. It seems interesting that you decided to wait for me.”

Nodding toward the entrance, Doran said, “Firghas there notified me you were coming today.”

Craning his neck to see who the man referred to, he saw a young man dressed in attire common to the citizens of the city, a cloth shirt and simple leather pants. The man’s face did not stand out in any way. No one would give him a second glance were they to pass him on the street. The man briefly nodded at Liam before leaving.

The perfect person to use for tailing others… Seems he wanted to make a point, Liam thought before returning his attention to the supposed leader of the Thieves’ Guild. The intentions of the gesture were not wasted on him.

“So, Liam, you supposedly have an interest in joining our merry band of misfits?”

“Possibly, but I mostly wish to begin a beneficial relationship with your,” Liam glanced around the room, “merry band.”

Chuckling slightly, Doran leaned back in his seat and crossed his arms over his chest. Instantly, all but one of the people in the room left. The last person approached their table and took the seat next to the guild leader. The person removed his hood, revealing a face similar to Doran’s but younger and less scarred. The young man’s hair also contained a hint of green but looked more brown in comparison.

“This is my cousin, Orrin, the second in command of our merry group,” Doran said. The young man nodded. Liam nodded back. “Now, how do you propose to begin a beneficial relationship with us, Liam?”

“I assume you can handle more questionable materials in secrecy?” Liam asked in return.

“Certainly.”

“Even materials that would likely draw attention under normal circumstances?”

“Absolutely.”

Producing a few items from his pockets he prepared beforehand, Liam said, “Then I would like to know if you would be able to handle items such as these.”

Upon seeing the three items, Doran’s eyes briefly flashed with interest. Unfortunately for him, his cousin eyed the items with obvious greed. The young man reached for the blue stone, but Doran smacked his hand and glared at him, sending Orrin into a pout.

Although the thought crossed Liam’s mind that the scene could have been scripted out beforehand, it did not seem likely. He had seen greed before, and the young man had enough to outweigh tens of untrustworthy politicians.

“May I ask how you obtained these?” Doran asked while inspecting the merediem aqua crystal. Blue light shone on his face while he spoke.

“Got them underground, but thought they might attract too much attention,” Liam answered.

Briefly glancing at him, Doran replied, “You are correct in thinking so if you have more of them.”

“I do.”

“And this coin… I’ve never seen one like it, but it’s definitely pure gold. Quite fascinating.”

“You’re more honest than I expected,” Liam mentioned.

Sighing, Doran set down the crystal and replied, “Previous leaders definitely would have tried to rip you off, but it’s short-sighted unless you’re dealing with an ignorant noble still wet behind the ears.”

“Can’t deny that,” Liam said.

“So, how many do you need us to handle for you?”

“Perhaps a hundred of the crystals, a hundred thousand of those ancient coins, and the enchanted ring.”

Blinking and furrowing his brows, Doran leaned forward with a hand on his thigh and asked, “Did I hear that right?”

Even Orrin's jaw dropped.

“Yes. I expect you want some sort of transportation fee or something?” Liam inquired.

“Uh, yes. First, I have to ask… How did you end up with so many?” Doran asked.

“It’s a long story.”

“Would it be possible to tell us where you found the crystals?”

Squinting, Liam asked, “Isn’t information a product as well?”

Doran sighed and leaned back in his seat. “Well, that is true. Were they growing where you found them?”

“I guess,” Liam answered, puzzled by the question.

“How about this? You tell us where to find them, and we give you ten percent of the profits from mining them.”

“Is there a way to guarantee that?”

“A blood pact would be the best way,” Doran answered, setting a knife on the table. “Also, the materials you already have, I’ll give you seventy percent of what we earn from them, plus a small advance fund of three platinum.”

Placing a hand on his chin, Liam thought for a moment. Seventy percent of the profits could either go well or terrible, but it seemed fair. However, he initially arrived at this place expecting deception or fraud. For confirmation, he looked at Nora. She shrugged. Just by her expression, he could tell she had no idea how much any of the items he put forward would cost. Perhaps he should have shown them to her sooner.

Doran waited patiently with his hand folded over the table while his cousin fidgeted uncomfortably.

Finally, Liam said, “I suppose that will suffice as long as I can count on long-term support and partnership from you in the future.”

Nodding, Doran replied, “I can guarantee access to an information network we have throughout the Empire. If you ever needed basic assistance, you can come find me. Also, I have a question. How loyal are you to His Majesty?”

Puzzled by the sudden question, Liam scrunched his brows. Although he had no idea what the man wanted, he muttered, “His Majesty is His Majesty…”

“I see. That answer is enough to show me you don’t show allegiance to him. Just a precaution, you see.”

Deciding it would be in his best interest to avoid further conversation on the topic, Liam said, “In the future, I hope I can count on your support.”

“You can as long as I’m the leader of this branch,” Doran replied, the tone of his voice implying that support would not extend forever. Once again, the subtle implication was not lost on Liam. Continuing, the man asked, “While you are here, would you be interested in becoming a member?”

“I might be of the thief class,” Liam replied, “but I’m honestly not much of a thief.”

Nodding in understanding, Doran said, “We may be called a Thieves Guild, but stealing is not everything here. Perhaps you could consider it, even if only in name.”

“An honorary membership like Nora?” Liam asked, pointing at her.

“Yes. You won’t be required to do anything for us, but you will be notified of new passwords so that you can visit us from time to time whenever you wish to use our services in the future.”

“Sounds good.”

Eyes flashing with satisfaction, Doran looked at his cousin and said, “Orrin, please go write down Liam’s name in the books and get him the three platinum.”

“Fine,” the young man answered before hastily leaving.

Once Orrin was out of earshot, Doran muttered, “I’m supposed to train him to take over for me in case of retirement or mishap, but I’m sure an experienced man such as yourself could see what kind of person he is.”

Liam nodded.

“Anyway, it was a pleasure doing business with you, Liam,” Doran said, sticking out his right hand.

Grabbing the man’s outstretched hand, Liam firmly shook it and said, “Likewise.”

“Before you go,” Doran said, “I thought I would mention you seem like an adventurous person. Perhaps one that likes to play with wolves?”

Eyes sharpening on the man, Liam clenched the man’s hand and asked, “What of it?”

“Perhaps you would like some accompaniment next time you go out and about? I could use a vacation.”

“So you’ve been watching me?”

“We watch everyone, Liam. This is only an example of what you can have access to through us.”

“I don’t like being followed…” Liam muttered, though the prospect of a powerful spy network certainly appealed to him.

“Who does?” Doran asked. “Seriously, though, I’d like to meet these Woolf friends of yours, if you don’t mind.”

“They aren’t exactly fond of people,” Liam replied. There was no use in hiding the fact from this man. However, he had to wonder how much the man actually knew about him.

“I would assume so. However, no one under my employ will harm them.”

“Is that going to be part of the blood pact thing you mentioned?”

“No, but I’ve got to do something to have you trust my word rather than just the words of magic.”

This guy is rather shrewd, even if he is a bit rough around the edges… Liam thought. Sighing, he released the man’s hand and said, “So do we do this blood pact now?”

“Yes,” Doran answered, picking up the knife. He proceeded to press the blade against his palm and sliced open the flesh of his hand. Upon closer inspection, Liam noticed a scar there, indicating the man had done this on multiple occasions. Doran flipped the knife around and handed it over handle first. “Now you.”

Brow raised, Liam took the knife and stared at it. Fresh blood dripped from the metal. That’s a good way to spread disease, Liam thought. Hoping the magic would prevent any possibility of disease, he also pressed the blade against his palm and performed the same action.

Nothing happened.

Staring at his own hand, Liam only saw a slight break in his skin no worse than a papercut. Blinking in confusion, he looked at Doran, who was staring wide-eyed at Liam’s hand.

“The blade is no masterwork, but to think it can’t easily cut your skin…” Doran muttered.

“Is it a problem if I use my own blade?” Liam asked.

In response, Doran shook his head.

Unsheathing Bloodeater, Liam prepared to cut his palm. When he pressed the metal against his skin, it instantly sliced through the surface like a knife through warm butter. Not only that, but the black metal absorbed a few drops of his blood, surprising all three people at the table.

“That sword… nevermind, I’ll ask later,” Doran muttered. “Now, your hand.”

Once again, the two shook hands across the table and Doran said, “I declare, upon the lifeblood flowing from our veins, that all deals made at this table between Liam and Doran shall be upheld at the stake of my own life.”

“That’s fairly extreme…” Liam muttered.

All conversation stopped as though the world stood still. Their blood that had dripped onto the table rose into the air like an upside-down waterfall. The individual droplets combined until they formed seven red rings that spun around their hands. Each ring began to glow bright red and increased in brightness into a final flash of red light. Afterward, each ring of blood evaporated into nothingness. Doran released the handshake first. When Liam looked at his hand, he saw that the wound had already become a scar.

“With that, it’s settled,” Doran said, crossing his arms as he leaned back in his seat. “So, where’d you get a darksteel blade?”

“Before that,” Liam replied, “you put your own life at risk.”

“Yeah, and my subordinates all think I’m crazy for doing so, but I’m still here and have more allies than any leader before me. So far it has yet to cause me trouble.”

“I see…”

“So, your sword?” Doran asked.

“Found it in the same place as the coins,” Liam answered.

“Not much of an answer, but I guess it works. You’re a very strange man, you know that?”

“So I’ve been told…” Liam muttered, briefly glancing at Nora. She averted her gaze and ‘innocently’ observed their surroundings. “Anyway, if that’s settled, I have a few other things to do today.”

“Do you mind if I hang on to these?” Doran asked, pointing at the items on the table.

“No problem,” Liam answered while rising from his seat.

“Orrin should be waiting to give you the three platinum at the entrance,” Doran mentioned.

“Thanks. I’ll be back later with the crystals and coins.”

“We can pick them up,” Doran offered.

“I’ll just assume you know where I live…”

“Absolutely. Also, I was serious about meeting those Woolf friends of yours.”

“Of course you were.”