“If you reject my offer you will be turned over to the Empire to become a slave to the crown. I honestly don’t know what they would do with you, or how you would be treated. You may be treated well and enjoy a luxurious life. Or, you might be worked harder than a criminal slave crafting weapons of war. You might just be a tool to be thrown away for some political intrigue. Given the current state of things I think it would be somewhere in the middle.”

The crystal remained clear.

“But, if you become a wage slave for the AG your rights and freedoms would be guaranteed, as per the contract.” Mr. Kubo transitioned to sales mode. “Work weeks are five eight hour days, plus overtime as needed. If your work is current you can switch to ten hour days and use the extra day off for research. We occasionally fund research and offer bonuses for any information that furthers our knowledge and the survival of adventurers.

Speaking of that, you will get access and pay equivalent with your rank. For an Enchanter I would say a rank G2 S6 would be generous. You can qualify for annual pay increases and promotions.

“G2 S6?” questioned Tim blankly.

“Two gold and six silver. How do you not know that?”

“I told you I was taken from my home. I really don’t know anything of this area.”

“Regardless, it is a considerable sum. With such a salary you’ll have no problem finding a good wife. If things were different you could probably retire after your first term. Additionally, it is traditional to offer a sign on bonus to anyone ranked silver or higher. Five percent of the value of the term, for you that would be one platinum five gold and six silver. You’d be a rich man overnight.”

“Term?”

“Contracts term after either five or ten years. In your case it would be a ten year. After that you can choose to renew your service to the AG or move on. Although, you may never be able to safely leave service. The Empire will soon be aware of your existence after the ruckus you made downstairs. Agents of the crown may already be on their way.”

Mr. Kubo paused in contemplation.

“I am actually hesitant to offer you employment, Mr. Nelson. Myself, and the guild as a whole, will face the emperor’s wrath on your behalf. He couldn’t do anything overt without angering the guild and all the people it supports, but he would certainly act behind the scenes to make things more difficult for us.” The age showed on Mr. Kubo’s face. “This is your last chance to ask questions. Is there anything you wish to know?”

“Why the bounty for Enchanters? Why me?”

“I don’t know about your land, but here an Enchanter is only born once every three or four generations. Enchanters are, without question, the stuff of legends. In antiquity this basin was formed when an Enchanter rained down fire from the heavens and split the land. I’m sure the Empire has designs on you to do something similar to the demon lands.”

“Oh,” said Tim quietly. Tim fought to process all the information. He didn’t want to go fight with the empire. He had already had his fill of bloodshed in his short time in this world. The promise of safety and stability latched onto his heart. And best of all he could put his efforts into finding a way back home. But he needed to get down to specifics. He really had no idea the value of their currency. Although crystal didn’t react when the guild master said he would be rich. Pushing finances aside he continued the conversation.

“What about housing, where would I stay?”

“Good question, you could buy a house, or you could rent a room at the guild barracks. There is a cafeteria on the first floor of each barracks that you can buy meal tickets for. It’s not always the best tasting food, but tickets are cheap; usually two or three pennies depending. You’d also get discounts at the guild store and two uniforms to start.”

“Hold on for a moment, I want to check something.” Tim pulled up the calculator on his phone absent mindedly.

“So my pay is equivalent to about 1800 meals a month?” he said after some quick math.

“T,that’s about right.” The guild master eyes budged at the strange glowing device in Tim’s hand.

“What is that?”

“It is a multipurpose communication tool from my home. I can also use it for things like calculations.”

“Really?” The guild master slid the truth crystal back across the desk to Tim.

“It is a multipurpose communication tool.” Tim repeated with his hand on the crystal. “However, the communication part only works with similar tools. And my friends downstairs want to know what’s happening. Please allow me a moment to reply.”

“Can you make those?”

“I wouldn’t know where to begin. And without a massive infrastructure to support them, it’s practically useless. What sorts of things am I allowed to research?” Tim asked without looking up from the screen.

“Anything really; from new spells to the sex life of the magma gnat. You’d have gold level access to the library, spell archive and research laboratory. But if you want grant money it must pass approval first.”

“Mr. Kubo, I think you already know my decision. I am absolutely unwilling to venture off into the hands of the Empire and be used as some weapon. But know I am also fully vested in finding a way back home. I must return within three years.

“Therefore, if we are to work together I have the following conditions: I want a one week grace period to acclimate before I start. The guild is not to try to manipulate or harm me though interfering with my friends. A guarantee of employment for these same friends, if they require. And most importantly, no one in the guild is to seize, or arrange for the seizure of my personal belongings. Ever.”

Tim watched Mr. Kubo’s white eyebrow twitch at the last demand. As an afterthought it occurred that he might be forced to turn over his precious phone to these luddites. And it looked like Mr. Kubo was indeed thinking along those lines too.

“If you don’t want to agree to those conditions, my friends downstairs are willing to attempt a rescue. They are fairly certain they could do it too.”

The crystal stayed clear.

Mr. Kubo sighed again. “Very well, we can have those conditions amended into the contract. Although I would like to see that device, if you are willing.”

“If we stay on good terms, it shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Very well, I will have the contract and money prepared. We will do the signing tomorrow before lunch.”

“Then I look forward to a long and healthy relationship.”

They both rose and shook hands.

“Rin, could you escort Mr. Nelson to the secure guest lodging for the night?”

Tim followed Rin down to the second level, and dropped off his weapons at a guard station before being shown his room. It was small, but comfortable, and reminded Tim of his time in the campus quads. The windows were lined with thick iron bars and the heavy door locked on the outside.

“Do you think my friends could visit for a bit?” “I’ll see what I can do.”

A few minutes later and McKenzie was bent over inspecting a large ceramic bowl on the ground. Her golden hair swept dangerously close.

“So, this is a chamber pot?”

“Apparently so.”

“What about splash back? And how do you wipe?”

“I don’t see any tissue or cloth ‘round here,” interjected Randal.

“Maybe everyone walks around with crusty butt. Oh, that’s why they’re so cranky!”

“Mac, you’re sick in the head.” Tim laughed. But it did bring a point to his mind. He really didn’t know how day to day life worked here.

After a dinner Randal and McKenzie said their goodbyes. They had settled on a plan to meet up every weekend, if possible. They’d share information and focus on finding a way back.

He picked his phone up from the windowsill where it was charging. A few new messages from the others. Hayata was doing better. Yuma was going to train at the temple. Genzo got into an argument and punched someone. Everyone else registered successfully as adventurers and was now out drinking. Yvonne was gone, and now his friends were too.

Tim curled up in bed and reluctantly put out the lights.

“Will I make it back in time?” he quietly asked the darkness.