The talk with Kierra and Angelique did not net anything new. The former was still interested in simply finding a job to maintain both of them. As for the latter, her only interest was studying. Angelique did not care much about what, just asking if I could help her find something. She particularly desired to obtain skills that in the future would prove helpful. A worthy endeavor, and one that I should support!

And while I explained to Kierra that working wasn't necessary, she remained adamant about the matter. So, in the end, I was forced to agree. Not that I could actually control any of them, right? I wish I could, as that would allow me to send them back. But I could not, and both of them remained under my responsibility.

***

With how had the Guild's personnel spent their day today, it was evident that no one cooked dinner at all. The girls' contract had also finished, so Reuben had not asked them to do it either. Although, I think that if Reuben did ask, neither Kierra nor Angelique would have refused.

In any case, he had not, and from what I recalled, there had been no other cooks in our caravan. Still, either because of the situation closure or everyone's uplifted mood, the kitchen personnel did provide us with a few things. Coupling that with our last supplies, the hands under Bruno's leadership managed to whip up a decent amount of snacks and light food.

Reuben also did not fail the expectations our caravan members had, as he sent a couple of beer barrels to the caravan's staff. And the close circle, which in this case consisted of Gris's boys, her, the girls, me, and Reuben himself, got a wide selection of beverages. Later I found that Zelindo had sent us some wine from his own. No wonder that the last couple of tankards Reuben served himself to Gris and me had been so good.

The four guards left us quickly, and the girls retired to sleep just after them. Thus, I ended up as Reuben's drinking partner. Gris was also present, but with everything resolved, she had returned to her vacant stare and had no interest in interaction.

Reuben did not speak much either, simply revealing his plans for making the trek back in a couple of days. And that he would be taking the Churg guards as an escort. It was part of their initial agreement, so it wasn't strange. I asked about the others, but he shrugged while saying, "The wagons are from Churg, and I will not make the travel back empty. So if someone wants to return, they will get a spot. If not, I am sure Zelindo has a few people around that he will not miss for a moon. And I do need a few more clean people in Churg."

"A moon?" It was the only interesting detail, so I asked while emptying another wine tankard. It was already the 6th, or maybe the 7th?

"The usual caravan route from Megvuroz reaches Drogzilg, and Churg's branch sends some cargo via it as well. Why not the people as well?"

***

A thing that I am also grateful to Sepyre for is the Apostle's [Absolute Health]. It allows me to get a sense of intoxication from alcohol, but I can snap out of it by choice. Plus, no hangovers! Something important in this world, as practically every meal, is accompanied by alcohol!

I woke up feeling extremely comfortable. Zahar's beds back in Churg had been good, but the ones in the VIP guest rooms of the Megvuroz's guild branch were even better. Feather mattresses and pillows, with silk (or something close to it) sheets!

Breakfast was quite simple, consisting of bread and cold meat, basically, the fast-food of this world. And while the not-drinking girls and I were cheerful, Gris and Reuben looked pretty worn out. Not surprising if we counted just how much we had drunk the last night.

And even less surprising was that Reuben assigned (dumped) the delivery on me.

I did not expect any trouble with that, and I was right. Probably, it took me the same time to walk from the lodgings to the warehouse, like the one it took me to formalize the delivery.

A pair of Zelindo's men were already there, and after quickly counting the crates, one of them gave me a note. And that's was all. I did find out later that counting and weighting the cargo was mandated. But with this being a delivery between branches, they skipped over the tedious process. On Zelindo's direct order thought, as, without it, they would have never dared.

***

Finishing with that, I exited the warehouse and found myself in the yard. It now showed the order and cleanliness it should, as people busily moved from building to building, each on their task. A couple of guards stood near the open gate, and it seemed that the events from the past night had never happened.

Or at least that was my impression until I saw a couple of heavily armored soldiers, each dressed in a padded vest covered by chainmail near the main office. They had closed sallet-type helmets, held spears in their hands, swords hung on their belts while a square steel shield hung on their backs. Things that were enough to grab my attention, and they got it. Their stats did not look very impressive, with their martial stats being just slightly over average. But, the title and the armored fist emblazoned on both shield and their pauldrons did warrant my full attention.

[Gauntlet of the Kingdom, Kingdom of Neverc].

So these are the royal law enforcers? But what are they doing here? The questions appeared in my mind, but the following events answered what looked to be an otherwise unanswerable couple of them.

Two similarly-looking and armored soldiers exited the office. They were identical to the pair outside, except for not carrying spears but holding chains. And both chains connected to some heavy-looking iron shackles locked around the wrists of a woman. It was no one else than Moss, the culprit I helped to find yesterday.

I wonder why the Gauntlet was taking her? Because it was related to the Viscount's order? Because the Guild was related to the Kingdom? Or something else? Still, honestly, I wasn't interested in finding the answer to that. Less involvement with all the powerhouses, corps, and other things, better keep to my route!

As the four left, along with the downcast and silent Moss, I made my way back towards the lodgings. Reuben had taken care of paying the caravan hands, drivers, and guards yesterday. But as for the girls and me, this morning, Reuben had said that we should gather close to midday to discuss it. Discuss? Was he going to bypass paying now that I was practically rich thanks to the Count?

***

But as I entered the reception room and saw Kierra's beaming face, I understood that such thoughts were a mistake. And it was confirmed when she saw me and almost jumped on me while holding six town coppers in her hands.

"Lindar! The Count liked our food and was sorry for involving us in the incident, so he asked Reuben to double our payment!" Hearing this, I first looked at Angelique, who also held a similar amount, and then to Reuben, who surprisingly did not look downcast. Did the Count remunerate you well, or what? I asked inwardly before nodding and patting the girl on her head.

"Good for you. For both of you!"

"Ahem, now Lindar. Although the Count decided to remunerate your efforts and your agreement to keep all that you know a secret, you still worked for the Guild as well. You also took over several things I did not ask you for initially, so here you go." Reuben cleared his throat and then spoke up, finishing by throwing me a small pouch.

"Umm, thanks?" I was a bit dumbfounded by what I saw in the pouch, and my words showed it. The agreed payment was of 21 coppers for the seven days. Even though it took a day longer, I did not expect to get more than 24 coins. But inside the pouch, there were fewer coins. But all of them were silver crowns!

"Your work amounts to 2 and a half silver crowns, but you also completed the deal in my stead and participated in combat. Thus you got a small percentage from the sale and the guard's salary, amounting to 25 silvers in total." Reuben half-smiled while explaining and made me feel I had misjudged the man. Assuming that the guards earned the same as an overseer and the deal should be somewhere around 200 gold coins, hmm. Did I get two wages and 1% from the sale? Not bad!

"It is unexpected, but still, thank you." Refusing money wasn't something I would do anyway, so I stored the purse while nodding in thanks.

"None needed. You proved to be far more useful than I expected." Reuben chuckled and waved his hand quickly, with his silver ring drawing almost a full circle. And then, he added another thing that immediately made me think that maybe I was mistaken about not attempting to work for the Guild, "You also defeated seven opponents. The spoils from all the enemies amounted to something around three gold coins, and so you will get a gold coin from Gris after she sells everything."

"Huh? And what about Azar? He also participated, and probably even more than me, didn't he?" It wasn't like I would refuse, but I wanted to know why I got such a bonus.

"Azar wasn't a member of the caravan, and he refused the spoils when Gris asked him. As for you, we did not ask, but you will take them, right?" Reuben looked at me as if daring me to refuse, so I nodded in acceptance right away.

"On a separate note, the 50 gold coins the Count asked the Guild to pay you on his behalf." Reuben took a pause, examining how did I react to hearing about that sum, and only continued as I motioned for him to do so, "You can receive them from Zelindo. He already knows."

***

Reuben left shortly after finishing with the money and officially terminating our work agreements. And while I was pretty happy to have obtained such an increase in my funds, the fact that we were now not a part of the Guild raised several questions.

Such as; Where to stay? Skip town or remain in Megvuroz? If it's the former, then where to go? And if we stayed, then what to do about the papers and permits?

And not to mention another one, about accepting the Count's offer of employment. He had placed Megvuroz as a deadline, and from what I knew, he was still in Tessaway Fortress. So if I wanted to accept, I had to make up my mind during today.

The only people that could help me decide were the girls, but regretfully I crashed on the same barrier of always. "Whatever you want to do. We will accompany you."

"C'mon, you both know that I have the same if not even less idea of what to do. If you want me to decide, it's fine, but provide some input. Please?" And while my words did not seem to work on Kierra, who was something akin to the image of a faithful follower that only agreed to what I said, they did work on Angelique.

"You mentioned that you want to work on some kind of invention, right?" She asked while sitting down on one of the couches in the room. And as I nodded, she continued, "Megvuroz is a big city with a lot of different things, so it is helpful for you. As for us, we can both find work, and I can try to enter as an apprentice to one of the guilds or shops. So..."

"Mmm, so staying here for a while. Good, but that leaves the questions of where and how. Any ideas?" I avoided saying they should forget about working, as I had already lost similar discussions (twice!).

"Renting a house will be cheaper than paying an inn. And a place to stay coupled with work should allow us to get permits, correct?" As she explained in short bursts, I could not be sure if she was unsure herself or exasperated because of my lack of knowledge.

"Can't we ask someone for advice? Sister Gris is local. She could help, right?" Suddenly Kierra uttered while bobbing her head from side to side. Good, she is participating! And wait, since when do they call Gris a sister?! And actually, why sister and not something else?

"Mmm, good idea, Kierra. I will do so. Maybe she can give me some more insights on what I should do next." With Angelique agreeing to Kierra's idea with a nod, I decided that it was a good way as any. During breakfast, Gris appeared to be less expressionless than yesterday (a consequence of drinking so much yesterday?). She could be even back to normal by now, and if that's the case, she would definitively be of help.

***

Intending to look for Gris, I left the lodgings. But I was called by someone from behind before I took more than a few steps.

"Master Lindar!"

Master? That's a new one, and I do not recall such an earnest and young voice. I thought while turning around and finding myself face to face with Falko, the young and neatly trimmed guard from yesterday.

"Can I help you? And why master?"

"Head Zelindo is looking for you. And isn't master Lindar a mage?" Falko replied in order, even though the second answer was a question.

"Lead the way." I nodded. And as we began walking towards the main office decided to confirm another thing, "I am not a true mage, just an untrained one. But I wonder, who told you about it anyway?"

"Maester Reuben told Head Zelindo today while I was present." My questioning got him slightly confused, but he still answered.

"I see." I murmured while making an internal note to confirm with Zelindo about the matter. Azar had mentioned that rogue mages are frowned upon, and any mage not registered in the Mage Guild was one. Especially a self-learned one like me, even if my only spells were utility ones. It isn't strange thought. I could say that it's even logical, considering that someone like me could do severe damage if willing.

***

Zelindo's office was not only on the second floor of the main office, but it also looked like a place meant for receiving visitors. At least, that was what I thought after passing through a small hall with tables and chairs before entering the spacious and daylight-filled room. Something opposed to Sidharth's stuffy office in the basements of Bigradh's Guild.

Or maybe Zelindo has one like that as well? That seems possible, considering that this office is too clean and tidy for a workplace.

"Lindar, thank you for coming." The grey-haired man rose from the chair behind the desk and motioned me to a couple of leather sofas near a window. While I walked and took a seat, he dismissed Falko with a wave and then sat on the one facing it.

"How could not I?" I smiled while trying to understand why the man had asked for me. Granted, I helped a bit yesterday, but he already thanked me. And the Count's money issue was one that I would have to come to him myself. Thus indeed, why would he?

"I spoke with Reuben about you today, and he told me that you aren't planning on returning to Churg. Is that so?" Either feeling what I could be thinking or because he preferred to take a direct approach, Zelindo asked right as we were left alone.

"Maester Zelindo is right. I took Reuben's work offer to have a chance to enter the Kingdom and to travel in a group, part of the plan to find a city to live in for a while." I replied while wondering why he was interested in that. Reuben probably told him about it anyway, so there was no need to hide anything.

"And I take that you are now debating about staying in Megvuroz or looking further?" Zelindo immediately asked, slightly inclining his head and looking directly into my eyes.

"Maester is right."

"The talents you revealed yesterday, as well what Reuben told me, interested me. I can not ignore your connection with Zeln's Count Rien either. You would not happen to be searching for a job, would you?" Without turning his gaze aside even for a moment, Zelindo asked an unexpected question.

"Maester, I do not want to offend you, but why? I doubt that you need another porter or something and that you recruit them personally."

"A porter? The Ten forgive me! I am offering you to work for the Branch director, for me." Zelindo's arm made a dismissal motion in response to my words as he rebuked them.

"Then, the question of why surfaces with more strength." It was strange indeed, and I could not help but ask.

"As yesterday's incident proved, even the people that I have known for years and would never suspect can commit crimes. Reuben said that you are an untrained mage and that for what basic knowledge you lack, you possess other more advanced and rare. Something that you demonstrated yesterday." Zelindo began explaining, and it clicked for me.

It was the same that Reuben wanted, just on a different scale and manner. Someone from outside to keep an eye on things. But if Reuben took me more from lack of candidates than because he wanted, Zelindo had been told and saw enough as to consider I could be of use.

I stayed silent for a couple of minutes, showing that I was thinking about it. I was going to refuse, but I had to find a way to do it right. After all, if I planned to stay in Megvuroz, then Zelindo was definitively a person to be on good terms.

"Maester..." I started but was interrupted by Zelindo's hand wave.

"I know what you will say, that you are honored, but you can not accept. So let's skip over niceties and tell me why directly. And drop the Maester title as well. It's not like you are part of the Guild or have to plead something with me." He spoke up calmly, but I noted a mix of curiosity and displeasure while he reclined back on the couch.

"Directly? Then with your permission, I will do so. In short, I do not want to commit myself to a who knows how long job. There are also the matters of my projects and that I am not alone." Well, if he wanted an honest answer, then he got it.

"Hmm, I see. But I don't comprehend the logic behind your reasons. You could commit yourself for a determined time and then leave if you don't like it. As for your projects, whatever that may mean, it's just a matter of managing your time well. I am not asking you to watch from first to first Ascolia, but investigate and look after everyone. And not alone? Reuben told me about the two girls you have with you, and I don't see how they can be a problem. If they want to work, I will give them work. If they don't, well, you not only have but would earn enough money to sustain them." Zelindo rebuked reason after reason in a cold and rational tone while looking somewhere over my shoulder.

I could not respond reasonably to that, but neither could I say that I did not see any reason to work for a couple of silvers, right?

"You ignored Megvuroz's laws as well. You need to have either property or work for an established business to live in the city. And although the Count provided you with funds, I doubt that you plan to spend between 10 and 15 gold coins on a house that you will be unable to sell for five years, right? Or will you go with the cheaper and easier option but allow the girls to live in the slums?" It could sound as if Zelindo was almost blackmailing me, but it wasn't so. He questioned in an even tone, and I knew he had not lied about anything of that.

"Haa, but what do you want from me?" If I did not like the answer, there was always the choice of jumping town. Or pleading Gris to calm the guy down, after all, Zelindo was her friend, wasn't he?

"Nothing much, just that you use your skills to investigate anything that looks suspicious. That includes people, documents, and deals. And not only in the Guild, but the entire city and region." He took a brief pause. Is he looking for a security chief akin to the corporative ones back on earth?

Zelindo waited for a few moments, allowing me to process what he said. Then he moved to the carrot (a sack of carrots even).

"I will provide you with the permits and one of the Guild-owned houses. The pay will be for any discovery you bring to me. Thus, you can manage your time however you want, except for the cases I ask you to look."

"So I take that I would be not an official member of the guild, right?" It was easy to understand, but I asked for a confirmation.

"Indeed." He nodded.

"And what about what I did yesterday? Or if I get involved in the Guild's deals? No one would believe that you allowed me to do so without being sure of my allegation anyway."

"Don't worry about that. There will be dozens of rumors floating about your allegations, the main of which will be that you are someone related to the main offices of the Guild. That you were sent here from Cadowden to observe and report on me, the city, and well, everything." It seems that Zelindo had already planned for everything. Was he so sure that I would accept?

"I see. And the girls?"

"Whatever they want to do. Both will be part of your household, so there will be no problems with the permits. As for work or anything else, I will help if needed." He shrugged as if he had prepared for that as well.

***

Zelindo had not only planned but already prepared everything. Because after I agreed, he moved towards his desk and retrieved two scrolls and a small box. The scrolls were permits for six full Mooncirles of stay in Megvuroz. One issued to me, and the other one to the members of my household.

The documents were pretty simple, with only the date, term of stay, address, and names. But while my permit looked exceptionally official, the girls' one was more like an addon. It did not have the emblem of the city or the three different seals as mine. And it also had an open space, as if to add more names.

"Your theory is accurate. This permit is for up to four members of a household. It's paid and sealed, so if by chance you decide to get someone from outside the city to work in the house or else, you can add them." Zelindo had confirmed my thoughts before I even asked.

And hell, he did know that I was going to agree! Paid and sealed permits don't randomly appear, and the date was today as well.

[Megvuroz on the 3rd day of full Ascolia, Rasu, 102nd year of the Sword.]

As for the box, it contained two items. A chain with several keys and a bronze badge with the coin and barrel of the Guild.

"Keys for the house and rooms, and an identity badge for when you need to investigate the Guild's warehouses or shipments. Your orders will be obeyed by the rank and file members as well. You will not have to use it here, but who knows if you have to go to the other Branches." Zelindo explained as he closed the box and passed it to me.

***

All of this was strange, but well, at least it solved my situation. Now let's just hope it will be less dangerous than traveling around with an incognito Count hidden inside a wagon.

Time to get back to the girls and tell them about the developments. Then take a look at the house.

And then... Well, let's say that Zelindo had not been kidding about having tasks that he would allocate me directly. Or that he was a man of action, as he had already assigned me one.

Visiting the fair and shopping for a couple of items from every stall related or controlled by the Guild, hmm. Well, at least it is something that appears harmless.