“What the hell!” Deacon yelled. He tried to get up but with the slightest gesture left and right from the old man he found himself sliding back and forth along the ground. Sophie drew very concerned and stepped closer to Deacon to help him up when the old man spoke again.

“No. You leave him be.”

Deacon quickly took stock of his situation. This old man managed to down him with a gesture. He didn’t even realize his aura was still out. Was it paranoia that kept him on guard hoping for the slightest hint of trouble before it happens? He couldn’t go on like this looking over his shoulder for the rest of his life. Deacon needed to choose something other than fear and anger. He needed this man’s technique, he was actually mopping the floor with him.

“Do as he says.” Whispered Zageracks.

“Now you want to talk to me?” Deacon thought back.

“You are out classed in all the ways that matter. This one is worthy. Stand up, bow at the waist, and apologize. Use these exact words, Apologies to one as worthy as you. Really linger on worthy.” Zageracks said.

“Apologies to one as worthy as you.” Deacon said as he retracted his aura, stood, and bowed at the waist. Sophie shot him a concerned look but kept herself ready for anything. Her nerves were starting to fray at the edges. She had known this man for less than a day and had already been in two fights within the city limits. One right in the guild hall. Sophie may have to let this one go no matter how fascinating he was.

The old man relaxed his stance and put his hands behind his back. He looked Deacon up and down with apprehension. The rest of the market stalls were packing up noticing there was an altercation with the old man. He held up a hand at them to calm their nerves.

“It’s all right now. Go about your business. I will deal with this cotton head.” Said the old man.

“Can I straighten up now?” Deacon asked.

“I don’t know, can you?” asked the old man.

“I’ve heard this game before.,” Deacon stood up straight, “My name is Deacon. I am sorry I offended you.”

“The only thing you offended, Cotton head, is my senses. What school sent you? I will not go back no matter how many unripe fruit they throw at me. Your master must be ashamed of himself. Spraying your aura all over like a dog marking his territory. But you did apologize properly. Why did you use the word worthy specifically?” asked the old man.

“To be honest I’m not really sure.” Deacon said.

“Well, you’re no liar. I can tell that from your untamed aura. Now what school sent you?” asked the old man.

“No school. I’ve only heard about them in whispers and rumors.” Deacon replied.

“No School! Impossible. An aura that dense I could feel it from blocks away. I thought I was going to have to intervene in some school war nonsense. I’ll not have it in my district. Do you understand me?” asked the old man.

“Yes. Can we go now?” Deacon asked.

“Go where? If you have no school, you must have learned somewhere. Out with it.” He spoke.

“We are headed back to the Adventurer’s Guild Hall. Actually, I need to stop and pick up some alchemy components. So, two more stops.” Deacon replied.

“Alchemy? Deacon, Adventurer’s Guild, thick aura. This does not add up. Pan! Mind the stall, I have something else to do.” The old man yelled over his shoulder and a pre-teen girl pushed a stool up behind the stall and happily hopped onto it. “And you are an Adventurer as well young lady?” he asked.

“Yes sir, I’m Sophie.” She said wondering how she got wrapped up in the conversation.

“Where did you learn aura projection? Be thorough with your answer.” The old man asked Deacon.

“Well, I asked a friend named Molok for some alchemy training and he supplied me with two skill books. One for alchemy and one for meditation. I received the Apparitions Aura skill after absorbing the book.” Deacon said as all three of them began to walk down the road.

“Molok and his skill books. Of course, I should have known. That is why it’s so untamed. But getting to level seven in meditation must have taken you forever. How long ago was this? You are a monk correct? I couldn’t tell what your element was, but your aura was foul.” The old man asked.

“Wait, you’ve met Molok? You didn’t tell me that.” Sophie asked.

“Do you want a list of everyone I’ve ever met? That’s a crazy expectation. To answer your questions um…I didn’t catch your name.” Deacon said.

“People call me Old Pai. Now continue.” Said Pai.

“To answer your questions Old Pai. About three weeks ago and a Nether Monk.” Answered Deacon.

“You have just said two impossible things to me and yet I detect no lies. Why did you use the word worthy?” Old Pai asked as they crossed the road to another part of town.

“Advice from a dragon.” Deacon said with a shrug not knowing what else to say.

Old Pai stopped dead in his tracks and looked into Deacon's eyes. He must not have liked what he saw because his face went white as a ghost. Not that anyone was looking but at the same time Deacon's guild mark started emitting a soft glow from the center of the star. Without any prompting Old Pai put his palm directly on Deacons chest making bodily contact for the first time. He drew his arm back quickly cradling it with his other hand.

“Why are you here? What is about to happen to Iron Mountain Plateau?” Asked Old Pai.

“I’m not sure what you mean. Can we not talk about this in the middle of the road while people are walking by and can overhear us? Some secrets I’d like to keep.” Deacon asked.

“Yes. Secrets. I will accompany you back to your guild. I need to speak with Jacob.” Old Pai said with a far away look in his eye.

“I guess do what you want old man.” Deacon said as Sophie pointed out the next stop on their shopping spree.

About an hour after that, the three of them were turning down the road that led back to the Guild when they noticed a group of twenty or so men standing outside the walls of the Guild. At the front of the pack was a man dressed all in white with cane. He was having an intense argument with Jacob who himself was backed by what looked like the whole guild. Someone tapped the man with the cane on the shoulder and as Deacon got closer, he recognized thug number four.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about Mr. Clean. Deacon is not here and he’s the only one that matches that description.” Jacob replied.

“It seems like you were not lying to me Jacob. Points for the Adventurer’s Guild. The perpetrator is casually sauntering his way home right now.” Said Mr. Clean gesturing with his cane down the road.

“Now don’t do something crazy. He is one of our newest members, I’m sure this is just some misunderstanding.” Jacob said edging his way out onto the road.

“Efimeo, attend me. Is that the man that attacked you and your friends?” asked Mr. Clean. The boy nodded and pointed at Deacon, “There you have it Jacob. Equivalent Exchange says justice must be served.”

“We haven’t heard his side of this yet. Why is this any different than our normal arbitration? Sounds like a scuffle to me. Both parties look fine.” Jacob pointed out.

“What’s happening?” Deacon asked. As soon as he reached the gathering two of the men behind Mr. Clean stalked their way toward him only to be stopped by Mr. Clean’s cane crossing their paths.

“Master Pai Mei, it is a lovely surprise to see you out this afternoon so far from your district. I trust our agreement is still iron clad and there have been no unwelcome incursions in your area?” asked Mr. Clean.

“All is well Guild Master Clean. Now clear out of here I have business in the Guild.” Said Old Pai.

“Unfortunately, I have some business with this Deacon I’d like to clear up before tonight’s work begins.” Replied Mr. Clean.

“Master Pai Mei, I would like to hire your truth telling abilities. This Shadow Novice is saying he was attacked by Deacon here. You may be just the right man to clear this up for us.” Jacob said.

“Speak boy. What happened?” said Old Pai.

“He showed up in an alley and attacked us.” Said Efimeo.

“That’s a lie, they tried to rob us and put a chloroform rag over Sophie’s face. She could have died.” Deacon yelled before getting whacked in the stomach by Old Pai. Mr. Clean’s eyes darted left and right at the mention of chloroform. He looked down at Efimeo’s pocket to see the rag was still partially visible.

“Is this true miss Sophie?” Mr. Clean asked.

“I came to on the ground with Deacon subduing three others. I webbed this little shit myself.” Sophie said.

“Truth.” Was all that Old Pai said.

“You did not mention their guild ink artist was part of this altercation novice.” Mr. Clean said before leaning into one of the men gesturing at Efimeo and then turning back to the conversation. “It appears I was misinformed Jacob. We will take appropriate action and I hope this incident does not affect our ongoing cooperation in these troubled times. Good day miss Sophie. Wonderful to see you again Master Pai Mei. Deacon.”

With that the man in white started down the road at the same time the two men that approached Deacon originally picked up Efimeo under each arm and followed Mr. Clean. The novice thief took one long hard look at Deacon and hurled a string of foul language his way.

“Oh yea, if I see you on the street, I’m slapping the shit out of you.” Deacon replied.