Thoroughly disgusted by his inability to keep his aura tight while moving, Deacon opted out of waiting until tomorrow to practice. He decided then and there to practice while doing everything. In the city his passive breathing technique kept him topped off on soul energy through out his time with Old Pai. If that persists, he should be able to run his errands and continue practicing. The only problem is it was like being ambidextrous. Moving and manipulating his aura to such a degree was taxing on his mind. For now he’d have to harden his resolve. There was work to do and at least one more money-making scheme to hatch.

Deacon went in search of Jacob. He needed to know about the available Guild quests, and he had to drop off the potions he made last night for Guild Points. Deacon stopped first at Jacob’s office and realized he wasn’t in there. Then he went down to the cantina realizing it was about lunch time. As he came into the doorway and his eyes searched over the gathered guild members, he noticed Jacob in the back at a table. Deacon began to make his way through the crowd of people transitioning from finishing meals to sitting down to eat them. When he was halfway through, he noticed a hush come over the room. Looking around he noticed all the patrons were looking out the window as Amanda was escorted by two large guild members out of the building and past the gates of the property. That’s when all the gathered people turned to stare at him. Since he inadvertently had the attention of the room, Deacon decided to use this to his advantage.

“Jacob, I’ve got those potions you wanted me to make. I can also teach others that are willing to learn.” Deacon yelled across the room. It immediately started a raucous cacophony of people who wanted guild made potions and people who wanted to learn alchemy to supplement their Guild Points. Deacon was mobbed by people rushing over to him to either offer to pay for his potions out right or ask him to teach them.

“Make a hole.”, bellowed Jacob, “Come with me you maniac.” He said grabbing Deacons arm to get him out of the mob and into the hallway.

“Boy they are enthusiastic about alchemy.” Deacon said.

“We haven’t had potions in six months and not every group has a healer. It gets even more complicated when The Tower has a lot of mages that just use alchemy for magic experiments. Most common folk can’t afford a potion and they would go directly to a magic healer anyway. That’s great if you can make it to one. Were you serious about teaching?” Jacob asked as they took a familiar corridor leading back to Jacobs office.

“Of course, I’m going to want to go out in this world. I won’t be here all the time. Ung.” Deacon said as he winced.

“What was that?” Jacob asked.

“Just training while we walk. Ignore it.” Deacon responded.

“Well now I’ll have to create a quest for those interested in learning. You’re sure about this? Right now you are a hot commodity once there are more people that know you become less special.” Jacob said.

“Not worried. I have a plan.” Deacon replied.

“I knew it. Out with it, I’ve heard about your deal with Mentalba. He came by here the other day to speak with The Teller. No one has ever done that. I’ve never seen him so happy or energetic. He’s like a new man.” Jacob mused.

“I wondered how business deals worked in this world. So the other day I asked The Teller, he suggested we make a bargain for the paper I was asking for, we both got a notification from our slates stating the bargain would be held up by The Fates. Some sort of cosmic bookkeeper. We then canceled the bargain. I then followed up with several more questions but it all boiled down to regular deals are maintained by this bookkeeper and creatures of a higher magnitude, like himself, maintain their own. I plan to create several bargains with those who wish to learn. A percentage of what they make from our dealings will transfer to me all managed by The Teller.” Deacon explained as he sat in the chair in front of Jacobs desk.

“So you intend to have them work for you?” Jacob asked.

“No they will work for themselves with the cost of my teaching coming from their earnings. The harder they work the more they will make. I will only receive a small portion…from everyone.” Deacon said.

“And they will have to agree to this as payment for you teaching them?” Jacob asked.

“If they want to learn from me yes.” Deacon said.

“And why should I allow this manipulation?” Jacob asked.

“First its not manipulation, its just good business. Second because I and I only can make these.” Deacon placed the Champions Endurance potion on the desk and slowly slid it over to Jacob.

“What is this muddy looking thing?”, Jacob asked as he lifted the vial up to his face, “You have to be kidding. Is this some kind of trick?”

“Nope, it’s a potion of my own design.” Deacon said.

“You could run for hours, fight for hours, and train for hours. Do you know what this would mean to war efforts or mixed into feed for horses?” Jacob asked.

“I have some idea. How much do you think its worth? I wanted to put it up as a quest reward. I have several quests I’d like to register as well.” Deacon said.

“This is easily worth a gold piece as is, but you aren’t considering what happens when you raise your alchemy level. No one will be able to afford these after you reach level five. That or the King himself will call you into the direct service of the crown. Do not mass produce these.” Jacob warned.

“My goal was only to offer them as quest rewards for now. Couldn’t we make them a Guild secret or something?” Deacon asked.

“Secrets like this get out the second someone uses it. What were these other quests you were talking about?” Jacob asked as he put the vial in his drawer.

Deacon began asking questions about the quest rules and particulars. It was eventually explained simply as a request is made and a reward is offered. He then asked about recurring quests and was told they don’t exist. Finally he convinced Jacob to re-issue his quests a week after they were completed. These quests will fill his ingredient requirements so he can keep making potions for the guild. He then accepted several pest control quests out in the flats at the base of the plateau. Apparently, the farmers have complaints. Jacob noted that most adventurers won’t bother with those.

New Quest- Pest Control- Several farmers have complaints about rodents in their fields. They have offered a silver piece bounty for every rodent slain. Reward Variable.

“You aren’t going to stay inside, are you?” Jacob asked.

“Wouldn’t be much of an adventurer if I did.” Deacon said as he closed the door behind him.

With all that settled he decided to go pick up his new threads and give Mentalba some free advertisement around town. Once outside he looked over the walls to see land stretching out for miles. He’d never really done site seeing back on Earth, so he decided to add it to his to do list. About five minutes away from the tailor he heard a ruckus behind him. There was a carriage coming down the road at high speed. In order to avoid being hit he stepped aside. Being sent into one world was more than enough for Deacon. The Carriage sped past only to be intercepted by another coming from a side street. The crash was unfortunate, but Deacon could tell this would be trouble he wanted nothing to do with. Then he heard what sounded like crying coming from the carriage.

“Help!” came a young female voice.

That was the straw that broke the camels back. Deacon looked up and down the road for these town guard he’s heard so much about. There was no one in sight. The driver of the carriage that crashed into the speeding one was unconscious on the road. It was now or never. He sprinted over to the overturned carriage; the horses were freaking out entangled in their harnesses. He hoped up on the carriage and pulled the door off with a grunt. Inside was a little girl and a man with a knife to her throat.

“Fuck me.” Deacon said.