Again Zack barely kept himself from startling, and again, he pushed back annoyance. That was twice he’d been snuck up today, which suggested his worries about another awkward supper with his mother had left him truly distracted. He glanced at Becka to find her dressed in a button-down white shirt with a fine belt, wearing a dark ankle-length dress that glittered in the light. Sequins, or something.

Zack eyed her up and down. “Did Glenn sent you?”

Becka’s brow furrowed. “Why would he send me anywhere?” Then she smiled like a woman who’d suddenly come across a great deal of coin. “Aww! Did you two have a little fight?”

Zack ignored her teasing. “My mother turned him into her mercenary.”

Becka mock-gasped, one hand to her lips. “My Glenn, worried about his friends?” She sat down beside him with her back against the wall. “What is the world coming to?”

Zack suppressed a sigh as he looked back to the town gates. Becka was right, he supposed. Glenn had simply been worried about Zack and his mother when he badgered Zack into supper with her, because that was what Glenn did. He worried about people.

They’d known each other since they were boys and Leveled together, both with and without Becka, for nearly a year. In all that time, Glenn had never once failed to earnestly throw himself at any problem anyone brought to his attention. He always did whatever he could to help anyone in trouble, even if he barely knew them.

Glenn really was obscenely good sometimes, and given Zack’s plans to join the Shadowers Guild, that had once worried him. What if his best friend decided he couldn’t accept Zack’s choice? Zack knew he’d be willing to lose a friend to follow his dream, but it would still hurt.

Yet Glenn had never once discouraged Zack from seeking out the Shadowers Guild. He’d said, quite firmly, that while the guild wasn’t the path he’d take, he knew Zack had to follow his own path. Moreover, he claimed to trust that Zack would never cross a line he couldn’t cross back from.

Sometimes, it was nice that someone had faith in him other than his mother. Sometimes, it was nice that Becka felt that way too.

“What about you?” Zack asked. “Waiting on Glenn? You two hunting?”

“I’m capped,” Becka said.

Zack whistled softly. “Just how much experience did you get for rescuing Azalea Whitetalon?”

“Enough,” Becka said evenly. “Besides, he needs to be on his own today. If everything goes well, this will be his last day in Grassea. Let him hunt.”

“Let him hunt,” Zack agreed. “So are you going to tell me why you’re here? I can guess all day.”

“I’m here to meet the Blazer’s Guild representative,” Becka said.

Zack barely kept a smile from his face. Hanging out with Becka just a bit longer would be the perfect way to scout the Blazer’s Guild representative without drawing suspicion. Every Shadower prayed for an increase in Luck every time they Leveled, as it remained the hardest attribute to increase, but his Luck, at least, was working well today.

“When are they due?” Zack asked casually.

“Just past eight. I’d hoped to be here earlier, but I needed to choose an outfit.”

“I noticed you went with less boob today,” Zack said.

Becka slugged him in the arm hard enough he noticed, but he didn’t miss her wry grin. “I hardly see how those would benefit me.”

“Why wouldn’t they? Everyone loves boobs.”

As Becka sighed patiently, Zack knew at once he’d earned a lecture. Worth it.

“If the representative is male, I hardly need them getting the mistaken impression I’m attempting to vamp my way into the Blazers,” Becka said calmly. “And if she’s female, I want to show her I’m serious about my membership. That requires dressing like I mean business.”

“Didn’t you do that in the square yesterday?”

“And not like I’m out for a night in the tavern.”

“Right, fair.”

“So again, my question,” Becka added. “Why are you surveilling the gates?”

Zack considering being coy about it, but he had no reason to be. “Kind of wanted to meet the Blazer Representative.” Becka would already suspect that by now anyway.

“So you’ll know who to avoid while you’re palming coins in the tavern?”

Zack grimaced and looked away, hoping to appear annoyed, but inwardly, he was smiling. Most of the time, Becka was entirely too insightful for Zack’s comfort. Yet this time, at least, she’d missed her mark ... right idea, but wrong target.

“It’s not often a Blazer rolls through town,” Zack said evenly. “I simply want to see if they’re all that.”

“To be fair, I do as well,” Becka said. Then, she thumped his arm again. “Oh look. Our vaunted mayor finally shows his face.”

Zack casually glanced in the direction at which Becka was now staring daggers. Mayor Coleman had indeed arrived in his finest waistcoat, and he had a poor Town Guard in tow. Judging from the shape of her [God Armor], she was a woman.

There were four male Town Guards in Wolfpine, and three women. While Zack didn’t know all their names, he did know this woman from the other two. She was easily the tallest of the three. Even [God Armor] wasn’t immune from the way all Adventurer armor changed to fit its wearer.

There were already two Town Guards on the gates, and Zack knew that Wolfpine’s garrison continued running light. Since Captain Graybreaker retired, Wolfpine had only had seven guards to stand shift on the gate—seven doing the work of eight. Eventually the Pantheon would select an eighth Town Guard, but they were taking their sweet time. Given the current gender imbalance in the Wolfpine barracks, gossip around town suggested the next Town Guard would almost certainly be a woman.

Inconsiderate was the kindest way to describe Mayor Coleman rousting some Town Guard out of bed after she’d done a shift last night. Still, Town Guards got paid a generous salary and got free room, board, and mead for their entire lives. Worse fates awaited many in Balarel.

“If Coleman’s here,” Becka said quietly, “the Blazers Guild rep will likely be here soon. Do be on your best behavior. If you manage to get yourself arrested, we’ve never met.”

The lightness of her tone assured him she was teasing. Still, Becka might be more right than she knew, especially if the Blazers Guild representative ever figured out he was helping out Anna and Alan Ironstar. Fortunately, Zack saw no way they could do that.

Becka rose and walked to stand by the gates. The mayor glanced at her and actually waved, but Becka’s eyes remained riveted on the empty Safe Road. Zack snickered quietly to himself as Mayor Coleman frowned and lowered his hand.

Now that Becka had the interest of a member of the Blazers Guild, Coleman no doubt wanted to ingratiate himself with her anew. It was clear to Zack Becka was having none of it, and it was also clear that made Coleman uncomfortable. Gods, the mayor was such a bore.

Coleman had just started walking toward Becka as if to hail her when he stopped and looked to the Safe Road—or rather, the figure who’d just crested the hill down the way. She approached on foot leading a single horse, but just the fact that she had a horse suggested she was an Adventurer of some import. Adventurers weren’t allowed to purchase horses until Level 10, and it was unlikely a visiting Townsfolk would be coming into town this early unannounced.

Finally, the figure—a woman—got close enough for Zack to make out details. When he verified she wore glistening [Moonlight Robes] and a white, blue, and yellow tabard—the colors of the Blazers—Zack knew his short wait had ended. Moreover, his advice to Anna and Alan had been on point. Mayor Coleman eagerly walked forward to join his Town Guards at the gate, keeping the third Town Guard he’d rousted out of bed in tow.

Zack rose and casually headed for the gate like he was simply off to go hunt Monsters. He’d pass right by the Blazers Guild representative and get a good look at her on his way out of town, all without a soul the wiser. Given how well he’d handled today’s business, even Xiva might be impressed.

For now, he’d simply settle for impressing Anna Ironstar.