Seth reached behind his back and produced a pair of glistening silver handcuffs. They looked like those one would place on a child. “Small, I know. They’re like Adventurer gear, and resize themselves to fit the wrists of whoever you put them on. These are [Lawgiver Cuffs], and they’re impossible for anyone but a Town Guard to remove. Once on, they prevent all use of Skills and nullify Blessings. So if someone proves truly unruly, slap these on their wrists and march them to a cell.”

Glenn stared at the silver handcuffs in awe. He’d heard about them, of course, but never seen them in person. A Preceptor Alchemist and Preceptor Blacksmith had to work in concert to craft these cuffs, and they required a Key Item found only in the Six Hells. Naturally, they remained rare.

“If someone breaks the law, you take them a cell,” Seth said. “And if someone resists arrest, you pin them, cuff them, and then carry them to a cell. No Adventurer weapon can pierce [God Armor].”

“Really?” Glenn asked. “No weapon in Balarel?”

“No weapon I’ve ever heard of,” Seth said, with a shrug. “That’s not to say there isn’t one out there, but I doubt you’ll run into it in Grassea.”

Glenn couldn’t help but ask. “What if someone steals our armor?”

Seth snickered quietly. “You mean like the so-called Shadower’s Guild?”

“Among others,” Glenn agreed.

Seth walked past him toward the stairs down. “They can’t wear it. No one can wear our armor unless the Gods choose them as a Town Guard. Just like Townsfolk can’t wear Adventurer gear, Adventurers can’t wear God Armor. So there’s no reason to steal it and risk the Gods’ wrath.”

Glenn nodded as they descended to the first floor. It seemed the Pantheon had designed a solid system, so far as the rules of the Town Guard were concerned. His new duties weren’t horribly complex. He simply wore indestructible armor and could defy the Pantheon’s Law of Consent at will, so long as he witnessed someone breaking the law. This was a perfectly normal way to start his day.

“Oh, and one last thing,” Seth said. “While you’re on duty, don’t remove your helmet unless you’re in the garrison or in a room by yourself, like when you take lunch. It’s not just that we all look young. Being armored menaces is part of our image. We are protectors, but the best way to keep the peace is to ensure everyone is too intimidated to start a fight in the first place.”

“Makes sense,” Glenn agreed amiably. “If no one’s brave enough to test us, no one gets hurt.”

“Well said. Each of us does this job differently, so I’m not going to tell you what to do beyond ensuring you understand your duties and the rules. You’ll be partnered with Scott for your first few years. He was the youngest of us, before you, and the youngest always trains the new guard.”

“Must be nice not to be the youngest,” Glenn said.

“Absolutely. Scott was just thrilled you were chosen. Finally, he’ll get to order someone else around for a change.”

Glenn hoped Scott wouldn’t be a lousy boss. In their few interactions before now, Scott had certainly seemed nice enough. So everything would probably be fine.

A knock sounded at the door to the garrison. Seth glanced in that general direction. “That’ll be Ziva. Go meet her. She’ll take you to her shop and measure you for your uniform. Once she has what she needs, return here and I’ll help you into your armor for your first shift. Scott’s already on the gate.”

Glenn frowned. “He’s alone?” He already felt like he was letting his new Party down.

“Linda’s with him,” Seth said. “She volunteered to stand in for you on her day off until you were ready to take your shift, but don’t keep her waiting. Linda doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”

“Understood,” Glenn said, and walked to the door. “And Seth … thanks.”

“For what?”

“You’re really good at explaining things.” Glenn grabbed the door handle, but didn’t open it. “I’ll admit I’m still wrapping my head around all this. Yet I know I can do this job, thanks to how supportive all of you have been. It’s nice to know there’s people who have my back.”

“And we always will,” Seth agreed evenly. “You’re one of us now. Get going, Redwood.”

Glenn smiled as he looked to the door. “Yes sir.”

He opened the door and stepped out to find Ziva Willowbraid waiting, a brilliant and welcoming smile on her face. He didn’t know her well, but she looked absolutely thrilled to see him. Glenn wondered how much experience a Tailor got for creating a uniform for a Town Guard.

Given how rarely such uniforms were needed, Glenn imagined it might be an awful lot.

A moment after leading him inside her Tailoring shop, which was empty of all customers, Ziva stepped into the back. Headless wooden dummies covered in cloth sat behind the counter, and several of Ziva’s lovely, colorful dresses hung on display. Ziva was a Level 16 Tailor, and advancing fast.

Yet it was Erika Willowbraid, Ziva’s now trial age daughter, who emerged from the back room. That surprised Glenn. He’d seen Erika around town from time to time, of course, and they’d been friends when they were young. She’d always been asking him to teach her to wrestle.

Yet this was the first time he’d been in her mother’s shop, and the first time they’d had occasion to speak in some time. Since he’d spent the past two years out Adventuring or spending time with Becka, Glenn hadn’t really spent time with anyone outside of his family and Zack.

Yet Erika had grown up. She was now five months past sixteen, chosen as Townsfolk, and as tall as her mother. She had a slender frame and wore a frilly white top and red dress that looked as fancy as any dress he’d ever seen. Tailors, of course, created the most colorful clothes.

Erika had blond hair that bounced on her shoulders, a cute nose, and eyes that were the lightest shade of blue. She smiled as she walked over carrying a length of light brown measuring rope. “Do I know you? I feel like we’ve met somewhere before.”

Glenn feigned confusion. “Maybe? You’re taller than I remember.”

Erika smiled and stopped before him. “Shirt off, please.”

That gave Glenn pause. “You need me to take my shirt off?”

“If you’d like accurate measurements,” Erika said evenly.

“Oh, right!” That made sense. Glenn easily shrugged off his shirt and set it on the counter.

As Erika eyed him up and down, her painted lips pursed. “You were this sculpted before the Gods gave you five free Levels, right? I must not have been paying attention.”

Glenn grinned at her old, familiar teasing. He and Erika been close friends in their youth, before she got busy with other people and he started Adventuring with Zack and Becka. “I’m fairly sure.”

“Well, turn to face the door, spread your arms out like you’re trying to hold apart two burly, arguing ruffians, and look ahead,” Erika said. “This won’t take long, provided you don’t wriggle.”

Glenn did as instructed. It was funny that Erika suggested he pose himself like he was trying to stop a fight. He doubted she used that suggestion with all of her clients.

“You aren’t ticklish, are you?” Erika asked, close to his ear.

“Nope,” Glenn lied.

Erika was efficient with her rope, leaning close and wrapping it around first his chest, then his arms, and finally his waist and thighs. Glenn held as still as possible despite Erika’s obvious attempts to make him laugh or twitch, as she “accidentally” brushed him with her fingers as she took his measurements. She remained just as mischievous as when they’d been kids.

Yet the perfume was new. She smelled like strawberries. She smelled nice, but as she finished her measurements, Glenn decided not to mention that. He didn’t want to make her uncomfortable or make her think he was trying to wrap her up. She was simply doing her job.

Finally, Erika unwrapped her rope, stepped back, and lightly tapped him on the shoulder. “You didn’t squirm at all. That’s refreshing. I’ve gotten less accurate measurements from training dummies.”

Glenn turned to smile at her. “Thanks, I think?” He was a tiny bit chilly in her shop, which reminded him he was still shirtless.

Erika smiled back. She brushed a bit of hair from her forehead, idly twisting it around one finger and then letting it drop. “That’s all we need for now, though it may take a day or two for Mother to finish your official uniform. A Town Guard uniform is no small task.”

Glenn nodded gratefully. “What do you I owe you?”

After a moment, Erika’s smirk grew into the one Glenn remembered from childhood. “Really?”

“No one told me how much this would cost.”

Erika rolled her eyes. “Gods, you are adorable. No wonder Coldbreaker was so quick to snatch you up. You’re so cute when you get flustered.”

Glenn now felt a bit self-conscious at her teasing. He knew Erika was just joking around, but still, given Becka had left just this morning, Erika joking about being interested in him felt a bit coarse. Still ... she was probably just trying to cheer him up.

“Your uniform is paid for by the town coffers,” Erika said. “You really need to stop worrying about crescents. You’re set for life. They told you that, right?”

“Oh,” Glenn said, and pushed down a sudden flush. “Yes, I suppose they did.”

Erika patted him on the chest with an open palm. She was probably trying to reassure him. “You’re going to make an excellent Town Guard, so long as you can handle some gentle teasing now and then. The Adventurers passing through will be so much worse.”

Glenn laughed, relieved things weren’t going to get awkward. “I suppose so.”

She smiled wider, warm hand still resting on his chest. What was she waiting on?

“Can I put my shirt back on now?” he asked.

“I suppose.” Erika reached for his shirt, then handed it to him.

Glenn gratefully shrugged on his shirt. As he did so, Glenn realized he was still staring at Erika, who was looking more and more amused. He quickly glanced at the painting behind her: a forest with a deer. It was gorgeous, with vivid colors, and had no doubt cost quite a few crescents.

“Well, I need to get going.” He forced his eyes back to hers, not wanting her to think him rude. “They’re expecting me at the barracks and then the gate.”

Erika smiled warmly. “I’ll stop by later and wave. Have a good first day.”

“You too,” Glenn said, backing up. He turned and fumble with the door handle.

What was wrong with the stupid handle? He’d never been this awkward with a door handle. Finally, he stepped back out underneath the sun of Wolfpine and breathed a sigh of relief.

Outside, he grimaced as he replayed what he’d said. You too? It wasn’t Erika’s first day at her shop. She must think he’d grown into an idiot.

Still ... it was his first day as a Town Guard, and Becka had left at the crack of dawn. It was fine to be disoriented. It would all pass soon enough.

“Well that was vicariously embarrassing,” Zack said, from directly behind him. “You too?”