"Get up!" I heard the command but my mind and body were both still embraced in the warmth of my bed and thus, I simply ignored it. Suddenly, I was awakened by a sharp pain in my right shoulder. Gah! "-2 Health." I jumped out of bed and immediately slammed my forehead with another. *WHAM* "-2 Health."

I opened my eyes and looked at the ground. I saw Kalistra on her behind massaging her forehead. "I thought you're faster than that," I taunted her and smirked.

The cat girl's eyes narrowed dangerously. "I was startled by you," she hissed.

I laughed at her feeble excuse. Paying her no mind, I closed my eyes and quickly healed my wound. "Minor heal SUCCESSFUL. +4 Health, +25 XP." I opened my eyes and looked at her again. "Should I heal your wound?" I offered.

"No need," she replied with a "Hmph!" She turned her head and jumped to her feet.

I noticed that Bila was still curled up on the floor; she was snoring slightly. I pointed at the other cat girl and said, "Why did you wake me before her? Shouldn't it be the other way around?" I grumbled aloud.

Kalistra's whiskers twitched. "I have several reasons. First and foremost, you are my Liege and you need to set the proper example for your followers. If you rise early, then they will feel compelled to get up just as early or else they may be left behind. Second, you are my pupil and maintaining a proper routine is critical for your training as a disciple of the Butterfly School of Swordsmanship. Bila belongs to a lesser school and she isn't my pupil. Thus, I don't feel compelled to hold Bila up to our higher standards," she explained her thinking in detail.

I opened the window and the light of dawn shone brightly into my guest room. I took a deep breath of the fresh morning air and looked at the brightening sky. I was still not accustomed to getting up at dawn but I couldn't fault Kalistra's logic. Of course, with Kalistra it's never that simple as I thought of another reason why she allowed the other cat girl to remain asleep. I turned around and said, "You're hoping that Bila will oversleep and miss breakfast."

The evil minx grinned at my accusation but kept silent.

Aha! I knew Kalistra had a nefarious angle as well and her silence confirmed it. I approached the still sleeping Bila and started petting her head. I scratched her ears and then her chin.

Bila started purring and eventually opened her eyes. "Good morning, milord," she smiled warmly. She could get used to this.

"It's time to get up," I said.

The tall cat girl obeyed. She stretched and then jumped to her feet with feline grace. Without warning, Bila grabbed my left arm and pulled me out of the room.

Kalistra hissed at me but followed. She wondered why I was allowing Bila to drag me around like a toy! There were boundaries to be maintained and Bila was doing her best to break them! Kalistra will need to remind the newcomer whenever they had a chance to talk in private.

When we stepped out into the hallway, Bila turned around and asked, "Should we awaken the others?"

"Yes, please," I answered.

The evil minx pounded loudly on the door to Bjoukia's room. The frustrated cat girl needed an outlet for her anger and took this opportunity to do so.

I immediately pulled her away from the door. "What are you doing?" I whispered. "You're going to wake all the guests!" I was reminded of the time when I started my training at her dojo. When we left one morning, Kalistra took immense pleasure in slamming the thick door shut and waking the entire neighborhood in the process. Clearly, the evil minx had a similar intention in mind!

Kalistra turned to face me. "If I lack the key to enter their room, how else will I wake them up?" she asked me calmly. What a silly human!

I facepalmed and shook my head. "Nevermind. Let's leave them alone. They'll wake up on their own schedule. Let's have breakfast before Iunicus shows up."

"Yes, milord," Bila intervened and grabbed my arm again. If I started arguing with Kalistra in the hallway, we will end up waking the guests anyway. Thus, she wanted to avoid that outcome. She pulled me down the stairs and we entered the lobby together.

"Good morning, Bernetta. Is the VIP room available?" I asked. While I should mingle with the patrons in the common room, I needed the privacy of the VIP room in case my companions wanted to discuss our upcoming plans further. Given the presence of the Jesters Group, I suspected that there may be a spy or two from this group sitting in the common room. Thus, I needed to take precautions.

"Good morning, Lord Mulligan," the tavern keeper bowed deeply to me. "Yes, the room is available for your use." She quickly left her post behind the reception desk and led the three of us to the VIP room. Once we took our seats, she asked us a question. "Should I ask my employees to awaken your companions?"

I shook my head. "I prefer to let them rest longer if possible. Whenever the hunter arrives, please ask him to talk to Bila," I added. "I wish to hire him to be our guide."

"Yes, milord," she bowed. "What would you like for breakfast?"

"Three simple oatmeals topped with fruits and honey tea please," I ordered.

"I will return soon," Bernetta promised and left.

Once the tavern keeper was gone, Kalistra smacked me lightly on my arm. "Couldn't you order a bigger breakfast? The Leadership Council is paying for our meals," she reminded me.

I looked at her innocently. "I'm a humble member of the Church of Britannia. We are expected to eat like commoners when we break our fast," I replied.

"Humble my paw," the cat girl grumbled under her breath. Unlike back in Bristol, there was no restriction from serving meat for breakfast. Furthermore, we could have ordered seafood related dishes such as fish soup instead. Unfortunately, she could not ask for a higher quality serving of food than what her Liege ordered because it would implicitly suggest that Kalistra thought she deserved better food than her own Liege. Even if I was okay with that, Bernetta would be left with a negative opinion of Kalistra and this she could not permit or else her dojo would lose face. Thus, Kalistra resigned herself to eating a lousy breakfast. She suspected that this was payback for the way she woke me up this morning.

When the oatmeals finally arrived, the cat girl ate her meal slowly. Yuck! It took all her self-restraint to avoid making a face at the horrible tasting food. The oatmeal tasted like cardboard. She overcame this ordeal only by promising herself that we will return to The Trade Wind for lunch before leaving the city. At that time, she will NOT hesitate to order several plates of fish even if I give her dirty looks!

I glanced at my teacher furtively as I ate the oatmeal. I realized that something was bothering her but I wasn't quite sure what. Did Kalistra have a tummy ache? Was she still bothered by the way Bila was fawning over me? Or perhaps, it was simply that time of the month . . . In which case, I wouldn't be able to help her at all.

While we ate, Bernetta returned to our VIP room. Following her was Iunicus.

"Good morning!" I offered him a friendly wave. "Have you broken your fast yet? If not, please join us!" I invited.

Iunicus sneered openly. "Sorry, I have no interest in peasant food."

"This is what the clergy of the Church, including the Archbishop of Bristol, eats for breakfast," I explained. "Yes, I could have asked Bernetta to serve something more hearty and fulfilling. Especially since the Magic Guild is footing the bill. However, this simple meal serves as a reminder that I am a servant of the people, just like you." I smiled politely.

The white mage flinched at the implicit insult but couldn't muster a proper comeback. The remark was incredibly insightful and an instant reminder of why Iunicus had to be careful around Brother Mulligan. It was true that the Magic Guild derived its power from the commoners, who could easily ask the Church to return and provide governance over Southampton. The common folk chose to put their faith in the Magic Guild and Iunicus could not suggest that the mages were better than the commoners that they served. Even if Iunicus personally felt this way. Especially not when Bernetta was there as a witness to their conversation!

Iunicus cleared his throat. There was only one proper way to respond: that was to change the topic! "Brother Mulligan, Delkon is personally awaiting your arrival. Please hurry," he requested politely. Inwardly, the white mage prayed that I will take the hint and drop the conversation altogether.

I looked down at my half-finished bowl of oatmeal. I looked up at him. "In that case, I mustn't keep the Councilor waiting." I rose from my seat and followed Iunicus out of the VIP room.

Kalistra grinned. She was SAVED from eating the lousy oatmeal! She looked at Bila and said, "Remember your orders from our Liege. You are to hire the hunter to guide us outside Southampton."

"Yes, I remember," Bila nodded.

"We'll be back soon," the cat girl said and quickly left the room.

***

As we walked along the quiet streets, Kalistra started doing cartwheels.

"Why are you so happy?" I asked. The last time the cat girl did cartwheels was when we finally exited the Ph'laen Ruins and Jasla had to leave our party.

"I'm always happy," she replied nonchalantly.

"Uh-huh," I commented. Despite extra training from her papa, Kalistra was never able to hide her emotions. She was honest in that sense. "Are you having issues with Bila?" I hazarded a guess.

At the mention of the troublesome cat girl, Kalistra's mood immediately soured and she stopped her cartwheeling. "It makes no difference," she answered diplomatically.

"Look, I understand that she may not be disciplined enough for you, but your dojo has fairly high standards which not many people could meet," I pointed out.

"And I should be lowering myself to their standards? Is that it?" she retorted in anger.

"Not at all. But here's the thing: I'm your Liege and I set the objectives for our missions. As long as Bila can help me achieve my goals, it makes no difference whether or not she meets your personal approval," I stated clearly.

Kalistra's eyes flashed with anger. But she could not refute what I said. After all, I was, indeed, the one in charge and she was subservient to me rather than the other way around. Therefore, the onus was on her to find a way to work with my chosen companions. No matter how much Kalistra was personally irritated by their scandalous and outrageous behavior. "Yes, my Liege," she grumbled and bowed. Deciding that our conversation was over, she stepped behind me and stayed behind me for the rest of the trek to the mage tower.

When we finally arrived at the Magic Guild, I was very surprised to find Delkon standing in front of the automatic doors.

"Good morning," the blue mage greeted us. The Councilor turned toward Iunicus. "I will take them inside."

"Yes, Councilor." The white mage accepted his dismiss and entered the building. He was relieved to leave these troublesome guests behind.

Once the man was gone, Delkon turned his attention back to us. "I'm going to take you to my apartment. Only I have access. Hence, the need for me to take you there personally," he explained. "Please come inside," he invited us and walked through the doorway.

When we stepped into the hallway, Delkon offered me his left hand. I held it and my bodyguard held my other hand.

The Councilor held a blue crystal in his right hand and said, "Aedis!"

The world turned into a kaleidoscope as we teleported. A moment later, we arrived at Delkon's private apartment. It was spacious with a living room, a bedroom, a private study and even a working bathroom!

"Nice place!" I remarked with envy.

"Thank you," he chuckled. Our host pointed at the luxurious sofa in the living room and said, "Please make yourself comfortable." He took a seat directly across from us; there was a coffee table in between us. Once we were seated, he started talking. "I'm glad you agreed to meet with me privately, Brother Mulligan. I take it that delicate matters may be discussed in the presence of your companion?"

"Yes," I nodded without hesitation.

Delkon's hand reached into an invisible pocket. He pulled out a sack and placed it on the table. "This is a small reward for your role in protecting the dock from the flames. There are 1,000 gold coins inside."

The greedy cat girl grabbed the sack and parked it next to her on the sofa. She leaned her back against it and started purring.

The host smiled with amusement at her antics. "Last night, I spoke directly with the guildmaster of the Bristol branch. I was convinced that you may be able to help us with a delicate situation."

"The Jesters Group?" I interrupted.

Delkon was surprised but quickly recovered. "Have they approached you already?" he asked in a neutral tone of voice.

I nodded. "We dropped by the guild library after dinner last night. As we were traveling back to The Trade Wind, a necromancer who called himself the 'Black Jester' appeared and surrounded us with an undead horde to block our path. He expressed dismay at my interference with their plans. And he warned me not to return to Southampton once I leave this city," I revealed. "Also, the undead horde included a bunch of Skeletal Knights among the zombies."

"Why do you think he approached you in this manner?" the Councilor asked carefully. He was concerned about the knights because they required a Fourth-Tier spell to summon and only one knight could be summoned per spell at a fairly hefty cost in mana; this meant the necromancer was a true specialist in the Black Arts rather than some dilettante.

"He was trying to intimidate us by showing off his strength. More importantly, he truly does believe that I screwed up their plans. The Jesters Group may or may not be conspiring with the Zorxilixian slaver, and I tend to believe they aren't, but they saw this as an opportunity to sow doubt on the Magic Guild and our ability to protect the citizens of Southampton. I think they wish to drive sentiments against the guild and present the Group as an alternative group to govern the city," I explained.

"What do you plan to do in light of this warning from the Jesters Group?" he asked calmly.

"If they won't hesitate to raise an undead horde, then it seems to me that the Jesters Group is evil. And I cannot ignore their presence in Southampton without incurring the wrath of the Gods of the Law and Order. The Jesters truly miscalculated in this regard. Additionally, I am a member of the Magic Guild. I cannot ignore this situation when my guildmates need me."

"I thank you for your help." Delkon bowed deeply to me.

I held up my hand. "In return for my assistance in dealing with the Jesters Group, I ask for a few favors: First, that you assign a battle mage to assist me. Second, a magic scroll for a Fifth-Tier spell of my choosing. Third, a guide who is familiar with the mountains beyond Southampton. Lastly, when I am ready to journey to London, you will arrange for a Gate spell to send me to the guild branch located in that city."

"That is acceptable," the Councilor nodded.

"Negotiation SUCCESSFUL. Level 4, +250 XP." I smiled back. I rose up from my seat. "May I use your bath? It's been a while since I took one."

"Of course. You and your bodyguard are free to use my facilities."

Kalistra and I traded glances and we immediately raced to the bathroom! Unfortunately, she got there first because of her superhuman speed. Her tail dangled happily as she stepped inside. "No peeking!" she warned me and slammed the door shut.

Delkon laughed. "I thought she would let you take a bath first," he commented.

"Me, too," I sighed aloud, earning another laugh at my expense.