Livia brought Sten and Oscar to speak with the [Arborist] they hoped to recruit for cultivating their own kauri seed. She was a young woman, only a couple of years older than them, who was already above level 10 and worked at the largest industry in Salcret.

If there was one other reason their town was all the way out here, more than a week from any other human settlement even at the speed of high level folk, it was the quality of timber to be found. The orchard’s hill had more concentrated energies, but it was the land all over this area that grew trees a couple tiers above what could be found around Dormata.

It made for a thriving forestry industry and a busy population of [Arborists]. None were so well-traveled as Brunner, nor as high level. That was the challenge, convincing a young [Arborist] to leave a teacher like Brunner.

The lumber trade was in fact more important than ever with the decline in quality apple drink they had suffered with the passing of Bertrud. There was no replacing a [Druid] of that quality, one of the founders. Even with the decline in energies the [System] provided if you were above a certain age and had stopped leveling, you still had your Spells, you just needed to borrow a little more from the surroundings. She had been a pillar of the community, and not least their economy. But damn it if I’m not gonna try, I won’t level without a challenge.

The work at the mill was tough, even with Skills. They had managed to find their target right as she left the mess hall, not without some planning. People were always easier to convince on a full stomach.

“So, in short, maybe you would be losing Brunner and have to leave your home. But instead you will get the chance to work with Roldy, on a new Kauri seed potentially, imagine the levels?” The woman, who went by Billie, appeared unfazed so far, with her ax on her shoulder and sweat gleaming off her collarbones.

Oscar stopped being distracted and piped up. “Roldy is my brother Harold, from the Hare’s Retreat, you know?” Luckily that sparked recognition. “Oh yeah, Harold, how’s he doing?” Oscar realized he risked getting sidetracked. “He’s good, we were the first to join the [Guild] so if you were to move with us to the other side of Dormata we’d be working together, on building something from the very scratchings.” She nodded at this and seemed to consider. The next look of dismay could have been indicating any number of things. Having to leave Brunner or her family, having to travel so far and to a possible shithole. Livia decided to change her tact.

“We won’t be building more than a day or two out from Dormata you know, so, plenty of access to the capital. They have a great deal of Class schools there, attracting the talent from all around, every handsome face in the…” Livia’s Skill suddenly shouted at her. “... world, and every beauty too.” Billie perked up at this. If they lack ambition you go for the groin, yes!

“You know what, I’ll think about it. I’ll have to talk to Brunner and see what he thinks about your chances, but I’ll let you guys know before spring is here.”

They really could not have asked for more than that, not without blowing their wad at the first prospect. Livia and Oscar both bowed out gracefully, Sten had mostly been there in case she wanted to ask a new member anything but it hadn’t come up so he had been leaning against the wall in a static exercise he enjoyed. He got up now and followed them out.

“Oh hey it’s Sten, what are you doing around here, you gonna work?” It was Sten’s older sister. The one Sten had predicted was pregnant back in the day, in fact. “Just an errand, I’m training these guys now.” Lovi was not actually an [Arborist], her [Pugilist] Class had just given her so many physical Skills over the years that she had no problem keeping up with the grunt work at the lumber mill.

Unfortunately Billie was there and decided to sound off. “They’re just recruiting for a [Guild] moving to Dormata this spring,”

Lovi turned her head with a glare at this. “Oh, you going with them Sten? I had not heard word of this.” Meaning father has not heard word. “No, I am not, just training them. Ensuring they arrive safely. I will see you at home.”

They were walking off before she had a chance to respond, Livia and Oscar had been moving along already as soon as they realized who was talking to him. Luckily Sten had not spoken in the meeting, so Billie could not tell his sister much about him specifically.

It still did not bode well.