Coleman frowned and glanced at Glenn. “I hardly think—”

“He’s perfect for such a task, sir!” Scott interrupted cheerily. “What better way to show Preceptor Fallowpeak you value his safety than to send famous Glenn Redwood to escort him to Wolfpine? The only Town Guard to receive an invitation from the Blazer’s Guild? The Town Guard who saved not just young Azalea Whitetalon, but Rank Four Blazer Jenny Ambersun? Think of the tremendous respect that shows your guest!”

“Respect.” Coleman stroked his chin as he stared at Glenn with narrowed eyes. “Yes, that is true. I’d all but forgotten about Town Guard Redwood’s former ... accomplishments.”

Mayor Coleman had already forgotten? It had only been three months!

“That’s completely understandable, sir,” Scott said cheerily. “You’ve had so much on your mind ensuring our town runs as it does, as a well-oiled and impressive piece of clockwork. You have so many bigger things to worry about than a few minor incidents in the lives of your Town Guards.”

Gods, Scott could play Mayor Coleman like a stringed instrument. Glenn really had to get better about that, yet manipulating the mayor felt both immoral and dangerous. He didn’t mind Scott doing it—he was grateful Scott was doing it—but he wasn’t sure he’d want to risk it himself.

“I suppose,” Coleman said, with a nod. “Fine. Redwood. Do you have plans?”

There was obvious danger in that question. “No sir, no plans.”

Would this Quest actually get him out of Wolfpine? He’d love getting out of Wolfpine. He sorely missed his daily hikes and walks through the zone where he’d grown up.

“The Quest is yours,” Coleman said. “I trust you were listening when I explained to Willowrose what I require of you, and what Preceptor Fallowpeak will require of you?”

Glenn thumped a hand to his armor. “I understand perfectly, sir.”

“Good,” Coleman said. “You’re dismissed. I’ll expect you packed and out of town before the hour is up.” Coleman turned and walked back into town. He didn’t even say goodbye.

Glenn looked to Scott. Scott looked to Glenn. Finally, Glenn spoke.

“Do you really have plans?”

“Gods no,” Scott said, with a chuckle. “I simply hate walking, and I love beds.”

Glenn felt a fresh chill. “You lied to the mayor?” So far as Liege Law was concerned, no Town Guard could lie to the mayor. They had to tell the absolute truth or risk Kya’s wrath.”

“Well, I do have plans!” Scott amended. “I plan to get drunk and visit The Scarlet Rose, where I will pass out in a soft bed with silken sheets with my face resting on a bare-chested Entertainer. So I didn’t lie to the mayor, really. Liege law forbids such foolishness.”

Glenn snorted. “You’re lucky he didn’t ask.”

“Our Luck remains 0, my naive protégé. It is Skill you heard in my words today.”

Glenn envied Scott’s confidence in running rings around Coleman. Scott often skated so dangerously close to defying Kya’s will that Glenn worried for him. Yet somehow, Scott always stayed just on the right side of the line. The man could walk a tightrope with the best Shadowers in Balarel.

“Well ... thank you,” Glenn said, and meant it. “Even if I have to listen to some pompous windbag from Lakebrooke talk about how great he is, a chance to get out of town is welcome.”

“I suspected it would be welcome, for you, a man who loves walking.” Scott clapped his armored hands. “Now get going, Redwood. You heard the mayor. You’re dismissed!”

Glenn waved gratefully and jogged away from the gates, already working out the timeline in his head. A few minutes to run home and perhaps ten minutes to pack. Another fifteen minutes to purchase a lunch and provisions in The Mead Beast, and then to the gates.

It was all doable in under an hour. He wouldn’t fail this new Quest. And as he ran, Glenn brought up his Status Sheet and did a quick check to ensure he did, indeed, have Mayor Coleman’s Quest.

Quests:

Level 10 (Town): “Escort Preceptor Fallowpeak to Wolfpine” (Town Guard) (Certified)

Would Glenn get any experience for this Quest? He couldn’t, of course, since his experience was Locked. Yet at least he’d get a day or more outside the city walls. That alone was worth a full Quest of experience right now. He longed to walk outside these walls again.

Naturally, when he entered his home—or Tania Redwood’s Enchanting shop—in full [God Armor], he gave his mother a bit of a shock. Tania practically leapt from behind her counter, and Glenn was shocked to see a [Commoner’s Sword] clutched tightly in her hand, one glowing faint red. Enchanted with [-Burn-] by her own hand, no doubt.

Where had she kept that sword hidden? He hadn’t known his mother even owned a sword.

“What’s happened?” Tania demanded.

As he realized his mother must think some terrible event had brought him here, Glenn felt just awful. “Oh, Gods, I’m sorry.” They were alone in their home, and he was technically off duty, so he wasn’t bound by Kya’s will. “I just have a Quest. From Coleman. To go escort some Alchemist down from Lakebrooke as a Town Guard. There’s nothing bad happening.”

Tania breathed and lowered her sword. “That’s certainly good to know. I haven’t had a heart attack like that in ages. Are you really that anxious for your inheritance?”

Glenn winced inside his helmet. “I’m so sorry.”

Tania simply sighed. “Get packing. Your poor mother will be fine, eventually.”

“Thank you,” Glenn said, and hurriedly trumped upstairs.

“And you look very intimidating, dear!” Tania called up. “Truly a terror from the Gods.”

Glenn sighed as he walked into his room and set aside his helmet. His mother was going to tease him about this for weeks. He found his old [Traveler’s Pack] and packed quickly and efficiently. He began by folding and packing his second uniform, which he had purchased from Ziva Willowbraid. Only the first uniform had been free, yet having a second meant he had to wash it much less often.

Next he packed his old bedroll, worn but still soft enough, and the only small pillow that would fit. He also packed flint and steel, since he’d want a fire, and his old cooking kit so he could catch a meal near the Safe Road. He next found his old [Skinning Knife], still in its sheathe.

He was very much looking forward to hunting again, though he wondered if he could even brain a tribbit with his [Guardian Mace] without utterly disintegrating it. Probably not. Yet after rummaging through his closet, Glenn found an old friend waiting.

The [Bronze Training Sword] he’d used every day as he Leveled to 5 was still in good condition, as was its sheathe. He’d missed his old friend. He slid the sheathe on over his armor then shrugged on the pack. Everything inside weighed nothing at all.

He was just so much stronger now.

Glenn did one last quick mental check to make sure he wasn’t forgetting anything, yet he had all he needed. He headed downstairs, waved to his mother, and hurried out to acquire a packed lunch from Sadie Wintershade, who, shockingly enough, already had one waiting. A ham and cheese roll, along with two full canteens of cool water Sadie assured him he could borrow as long as he needed them.

Scott must have forwarded news of Glenn’s Quest to Seth, who forwarded it to his wife. The Town Guard really was a great Party to have at one’s back. Glenn hurried to the town gates to find Martin Frosthide on duty, evidently chosen by Joanne to take his place.

“I owe you!” Glenn called gratefully to Martin, as soon as he was certain no one was around. “Let me know when you need me to take your shift.”

Martin snorted as Glenn walked past. “I appreciate the offer, but it’s fine. I had nothing to do today. Just don’t make the mayor unhappy. Nobody likes an unhappy mayor.”

“And don’t flirt with the Preceptor’s lovely daughter!” Scott called after him, as Glenn left. “He’s rather protective of her, and also, she’s common age. So best behavior!”

Glenn shook his head as he hurried down the Safe Road. Like he would do something as unprofessional as flirt. Scott’s teasing was annoying sometimes, but he was still a good partner.

Once Glenn was a good distance from Wolfpine’s walls, he belatedly slowed his rapid pace. He had plenty of time to reach the end of the Safe Road, where it entered the single pass through the impassible cliffs that surrounded his home zone of Grassea. He didn’t need to rush. He should actually enjoy his walk, given this might be the last chance he had to go on a walk for months.

Preceptor Fallowpeak’s caravan wouldn’t be arriving until first light tomorrow. Yet it did make sense to set out now and make camp rather than trekking through the night. That would ensure Glenn was well-rested when the sun rose, in a perfect position to greet this traveling Alchemy master.

What business could Mayor Coleman have with Preceptor Fallowpeak? If Glenn had to hazard a guess, it involved some agreement involving Grassea’s rich fields of Alchemy materials, yet what would a man like the Preceptor want with starter crafting materials? Perhaps he was training an apprentice.

No matter. It was none of Glenn’s concern, and he was walking, outside town, on the Safe Road, as he hadn’t been able to do since he completed the Ceremony of the Path. This was just lovely.