The next morning, the enticing smell of sausage forced Glenn to roll out of bed not long after sun up. He was still a bit tired, but [+Regrowth+] had once again eased all aches and pains from the prior day. Yet while he might not be in pain, he was hungry, and sausage would help with that.

After another hearty breakfast that strained his stomach (he still felt guilty about not eating more, given how much Hal had cooked) Glenn decided he’d best get started on his paperwork. He wasn’t sure if he had a shift on the gates today or not, since he was technically off today. Yet he’d skipped his shift yesterday. It would be best to check in with Joanne bright and early just in case.

Glenn had just finished breakfast and was in the process of donning some clean clothes when a heavy knock came at the door. Adventurers didn’t knock—they just barged in to ask questions and demand services—so this was obviously a knock from someone who lived in town.

A messenger from the mayor? Glenn heard voices from downstairs, both female, as he hurriedly finished dressing. He tromped down the stairs at a slightly less than casual pace and turned expecting to find a Town Guard sent by Coleman or, possibly, young Ethan Truegaze. Ethan often acted as the mayor’s messenger, a job Glenn had fortunately avoided back when he was common age.

Yet it was a woman who stood outside his door, and it took him a moment to recognize her. Rosalin, Preceptor Fallowpeak’s carriage driver. Her eyes met his and she gracefully inclined her head.

Tania turned and smile. “Ah, there you are! I informed Rosalin you were getting ready.”

Glenn hurried over. “Is everything okay? How is Renee?” He hoped she hadn’t suffered any lingering effects from whatever the Shrike had dosed her with.

“She’s fine, Mister Redwood, and thank you for asking,” Rosalin said. “I’m here on behalf of Preceptor Fallowpeak. He’d like to speak with you as soon as you have a free moment. We’re staying at The Mead Beast, so you need simply inquire with its proprietress when you have a moment.”

What could the master Alchemist want with him? Had he learned something else about the Shrike, or did he simply want to thank Glenn for his help? Either way, Glenn knew he had to check in with Joanne before doing anything. He didn’t want to screw up his Quest from the mayor.

“Thank you,” Glenn said. “I need to report to my garrison and find out if there’s anything undone regarding yesterday’s events, but I’ll meet with the Preceptor as soon as I have a free moment.”

Rosalin ruefully shook her head. “I’d never imagined you were still so young. I truly assumed you as much older, given all that happened yesterday.” Before Glenn could reply, she smiled brightly. “And I mean that in the best sense. The way you carry and handle yourself is everything I’d expect of a Town Guard. So ... I apologize if that sounded rude. I simply meant that you impressed me.”

Tania beamed proudly in Glenn’s direction, and Glenn suspected his father was smiling too. He, however, simply felt embarrassed by all the attention. The best thing to do would be to accept the compliment and move on. “Thank you.”

Rosalin inclined her head again, then looked to Tania. “Preceptor Fallowpeak is immensely grateful for Glenn’s help in rescuing his daughter. It’s no exaggeration to say it wouldn’t have happened without his efforts. Should either of you ever require a potion of any sort, please don’t hesitate to send a letter to Lakebrooke. We’ll have it dispatched to Wolfpine straightaway.”

“That’s lovely to hear,” Tania agreed. “And appreciated.”

“And with that, I’ll be off. Good day, everyone.” Rosalin took a step back, bowed casually, and strode off at an elegant pace.

Glenn wondered what Class Rosalin was. He’d never heard of a Townsfolk Class called “Carriage Driver.” Yet Rosalin wasn’t an Adventurer, was she? Perhaps those who became Preceptor Townsfolk were allowed to take attendants? That made the most sense, yet now, Glenn needed to find out.

“Right, I’m off too.” He was almost out the door when Tania pointed at her cheek.

Glenn sighed. “Really?”

“Don’t be cruel,” his mother said.

Glenn rolled his eyes, then leaned in and kissed his mother on the cheek. She smiled and straightened. At least no one had been around to see ... other than his father.

“Have a good day!” Hal called from behind him. “I’ll have a lunch ready too, so if you do have duty today, I’ll have someone run it to the gate.”

Glenn stepped outside and waved. “Thanks, Dad.”

He shut the door and walked gratefully into a mostly empty Wolfpine. It was still early, and most Townsfolk had yet to open their shops. He’d always liked getting out this early, when the town remained quiet and peaceful. But mostly, he just enjoyed the walk.

As Glenn headed to the barracks, he realized he felt more content with his new life than he’d realized. Three months wasn't long in the grand scheme of things, but in that time he’d saved twelve different Adventurers at Wolfpine’s gates. More importantly, he’d just saved Preceptor Fallowpeak and his daughter from a terrible fate ... with the help of Zack and Natalie, of course.

Glenn remained glad no one got seriously hurt. Things could have gone much worse. And so long as ruthless people like the Shrike were out there, Glenn hoped there would always be Blazers and Town Guards to thwart their schemes and take them to prison. He would certainly do his part.

And Becka, off in Evolan, would certainly do hers.

Glenn would always miss Becka. He would miss her until the day she returned, but he would see her again in three years. Her absence didn’t pain him as it once had, because there was still the chance they could be together again. And even if they didn’t reunite as lovers ... they’d remain friends.

Yet when Glenn reached the town square, he found Mayor Coleman already present and in deep conversation with Preceptor Fallowpeak. Renee Fallowpeak was there as well, leaning against a wall reading a small tome. She looked bored.

Glenn resolved to sneak by quietly until Fallowpeak casually glanced his way. The man’s face lit up as he gesticulated wildly. “Town Guard Redwood! Please, come over here!”

Glenn froze. How had Preceptor Fallowpeak even recognized him out of armor? He hadn’t taken his helmet off at all yesterday.

Renee Fallowpeak looked up from her book, eyes wide. Then she set down her book, ran over, and unabashedly threw her arms around him. Glenn stood frozen as she hugged him tight. Fortunately, she soon stepped away and looked up at him with a newly determined gaze.

“I never got to thank you for saving me,” she said quietly. "Dad told me about some of it, and I figured out the rest from Natalie. The one blessing is I wasn’t awake for most of it, but I know this. Both my dad and I would have met the forever death if you hadn’t stopped the Shrike.”

“I was just doing my job,” Glenn assured her.

“Well, you’re very good at your job,” Renee said insistently. “So thank you. For all your help. For everything you did for us. And ... for saving my dad.” Her voice grew even softer on the last bit.

Given her forceful sincerity, Glenn couldn’t help but smile. “You’re welcome.”

“Now you better go talk to him,” Renee said, and stepped aside. “He’s been going on and on about rewarding you all morning, and it’s been soooo annoying.”

A reward? He hadn’t done any of this for a reward! Still, Glenn couldn’t pretend that he hadn’t heard the man. He walked over to the two of them with Renee walking beside him. Once Glenn arrived, Renee walked past him to stand at her father’s side.

Preceptor Fallowpeak stood beaming at him. To his side, Mayor Coleman watched with polite and obviously feigned interest. Given the mayor’s measured expression, Glenn hoped he hadn’t forgotten some important point of protocol the mayor would complain about later.

“Did Rosalin find you?” Fallowpeak asked hopefully. “She didn’t miss you, did she?”

“No, she found me,” Glenn assured the man. “I was going to report to my garrison commander before we spoke, but I’m happy to speak now. Or whenever’s most convenient.”

“The Preceptor was just telling me how integral you were to the rescue of his daughter,” Mayor Coleman said, in a polite tone that Glenn recognized as a very clear warning. “In fact, he’s insisting I award you a bonus for all the help you offered. Yet as I’ve been trying to explain, such a bonus would put a great strain on Wolfpine’s finances.”

“Nonsense!” Preceptor Fallowpeak declared proudly. “If that’s the case, I’ll simply pay this man’s bonus out of my own pocket!”

Glenn barely held back a wince. “Ah, thank you, sir. That’s incredibly generous. Yet—”

“Some might see that as a bribe,” Mayor Coleman said evenly. “Obviously we would never entertain such shameful rumors, but you know how people talk. I’d hate for your reputation to be sullied by gutter gossip.”

“Bugger rumors,” Fallowpeak said, obviously annoyed. “This man deserves a reward!”

Mayor Coleman’s gaze traveled to Glenn, eyes slitted. It was obvious he expected Glenn to handle this, and equally obvious that he would pay Glenn a bonus if Preceptor Fallowpeak insisted. And then, he would dock Glenn’s pay or raise a tax on his parents.

Glenn focused on his would-be benefactor. “Preceptor Fallowpeak, I can’t tell you how grateful I am for your kind offer. Yet I must politely refuse a reward. I cannot accept your money for simply doing my duty, and we are a small town. If I did accept a bonus, I’d be impacting the pay of my fellow guards. I can’t do that to the people I trust and work alongside.”

Fallowpeak frowned, visibly bewildered. “Then ... how can I thank you? I’ve already compensated Miss Runefall and Mister Richbrand for their help. And that Shadower boy, Zack.”

Zack had accepted a bonus? Gods. Glenn hoped Zack hadn’t emptied the man’s coin purse. He hesitated, then dared to rest a hand gently on the Preceptor’s shoulder. This seemed fine.

“Knowing you and your daughter are safe is all the thanks I need,” Glenn said calmly, as he looked between the Preceptor and Renee, who smiled at him again. “Kya gave me a duty to protect you, and Mayor Coleman gave me a Quest to protect you. I’m pleased I was able to do both, and your gratitude is enough for me.” He released the Preceptor’s shoulder.

Coleman’s studious nod was all the acknowledgement Glenn needed to know that, at least for now, he’d averted any consequences for him or his family. As nice as a bonus would be, he didn’t really need it. Well, not all that much. It would be nice to start saving for his own house.

Fallowpeak stared doubtfully at Glenn. “If you’re sure.”

Glenn nodded and stepped back. Then, he looked to Mayor Coleman. “Would you like me to turn in my Quest now, sir, or do you have business?”

Mayor Coleman pulled out a small piece of Scribe parchment. “Best handle that now. The Preceptor and I will be quite busy with discussions today.”

Coleman recited the standard summary of Glenn’s Quest with far more gusto and vigor than he had when Glenn and Becka saved Azalea Whitetalon, likely for the benefit of Preceptor Fallowpeak and his daughter. Glenn swore that he’d completed it, and the formality was ended.

Glenn felt no rush of experience. He felt no pleasure. He’d gained no experience from his latest set of accomplishments. Turning in the Quest was simply a formality.

Yet as Renee walked back to her wall, Glenn didn’t miss the way her father stared after her with warm, grateful eyes. It was the same love Glenn knew his parents held for him. As Renee glanced back at her father to find him smiling, she rolled her eyes and went back to her book.

Just that small exchange raised a lump in Glenn’s throat as the faces of all the young Adventurers he’d saved since he became a Town Guard passed through his mind. Each of them had loving families as well. Every last one of those Adventurers could have met the forever death without Glenn’s intervention, leaving their families grief-stricken and bereft.

All his life, Glenn had looked beyond Wolfpine. He’d dreamed of living out the stories of his childhood heroes, of throwing himself into grand battles and zone-trotting adventures as he gained Levels and clawed his way up the ladder created by the Gods. And all the while, there’d been this.

The strength to protect his people. Standing at the gates every day to make sure one less family lost their son or daughter to the Monsters of Balarel. Every day before he turned sixteen he’d chased Levels and experience and power for reasons that now seemed both selfish and unimportant.

If the Gods, three months ago, had given him an actual choice between leaving with Becka to follow his dream or saving all these people, Glenn now realized he’d choose Town Guard every time. The warm smile on Preceptor Fallowpeak’s face as he glanced at the daughter was more important than any rush of experience. Becka wasn’t gone. He hadn’t lost her. And Glenn could accept setting aside his own dreams for a few years if it meant one less person suffered the loss of a loved one.

This was power he could use for good. The power to ensure someone like Preceptor Fallowpeak came home to his smiling daughter. The power to save those who couldn’t save themselves.

Now chatting amiably, Preceptor Fallowpeak soon turned back to Mayor Coleman. The two of them soon engaged in conversation once more, walking leisurely toward the mayor’s mansion. Renee hopped up and followed them, but not without one last smile and wave Glenn’s way.

Glenn waved back, smiling, and hurried to the barracks.