Edited By Cultivator

Daralon entered the guild’s door with a kick as he quickly went inside.

- “Zaaari! You son of a dog, I knew it would end this way!” He yelled.

Few adventurers looked at him confused. He paid them no attention and continued his march inside.

- “Umm, pardon me?” A little blond girl came out from inn section. “Do you have some business with Mister Zariel?” She asked.

- “Ah! Little El-y! How have you been? Not that I care or I am trying to be nice, I am just trying to get you leading me to Zari!”

- “Y…You know me?!” Ellana raised her brows.

- “Ah, yes, you were unconscious all that time, I helped Zari removing this ugly shit from you, feeling grateful? You should. You would never pay off this debt to me, but you can start doing so with telling me WHERE. ZARI. IS?!”

- “Ah! T…Thank you sir! You are mister ange. Zari friend then! It means you are a good person!” She cheered.

Daralon zoomed out for a moment.

- “Whaaaat?”

- “Mister Zariel is a great person! It means that you are too! It’s as simple as that!”

- “Oook, listen to me, ya little ungrateful bastard, you are going to take back your words, and you are going to do it now! I wasn’t working my ass for some brat to call me a , ya hear?!”

- “The-he-he! You are so humble! This is so sweet of you!”

The dark mage put his hand on his chest, as if his heart was hurting.

- “…I’M HAVING A STROKE WOMAN! I AM DARALON! THAT DARALON! The Devil’s Jester! The crazy mage! A Curse Speaker! How can you call someone like me a g…”

- “Ah! I know how much you did for me! Let me start repaying you with this!” She yelled and hugged mage. “The world would be a nicer place if everyone would show a bit of kindness to each another from time to time, don’t you think?!” She said lifting her head and looking him in the eyes.

With those pure, blue eyes.

The dark mage hissed, freed himself from embrace and jumped on the table.

- “KEEP HER AWAY FROM ME! How can you be SOOO pure?! It’s even more corrupted and twisted that I am!”

- “…I… I did something wrong? I am sorry if I offended you!”

- “BEGONE, YOU DEVIL!” The dark mage yelled from the table.

- “A…about Mister Zariel…” The blonde girl continued with a sad expression. “He didn’t yet come here. He had an argue with Miss Gisele few days ago and since then he did not return.”

Eventually, Daralon got off the table, so right now the furniture was separating him and blonde beast.

Weird. Zari didn’t return mostly because he still had a few things to do. Now, as these things are over he should get back to share news with rest of adventurers, in the end, he wanted to supply the guild with cheaper potions. Whatever, he would just wait for him in inn sipping beer or.

- “El, what was all this commotion about?” A man came after Elana from deeper parts of an inn.

His gaze fell upon Daralon and Daralon gazed upon him. And they both froze in place. It was like a meeting of a cat and a dog. Jason sensed the dark aura of Darlon, in same time dark mage sensed the holy aura of a photomancer.

They stood there gazing upon each other, their very presence offended each other. For a few moments, they were standing like that without any actions, until Daralon said.

- “I think there is only one thing we can do right now…” He said squinting his eyes.

- “I am afraid you are right…”

- “Ha, shivering on the mere thought of defeat, ain’t ya?” The dark mage teased.

- “No, I am shivering on the mere thought of gazing upon your defeated carcass.”

Shit was about to get real.

In same time – path to slums

- “Ay, what is going on?”

- “Du-nno!” She sang.

- “You do, you are far too cheerful for simple message delivering.”

- “He? Maybe I am just that happy because I could see you again, ya didn’t think about it this way, did ya?!”

- “No. I thought you were a better liar.”

- “Awww, you can see through me so easily! We know each other sooo good already, ain’t we? I think that...”

- “Aiele. What. Is going. On.”

- “Don’t look at me like that! You are oppressing me! This is making me hot! Ha-ha-ha!”

- “Aiele!”

- “I can’t tell! It’s a surprise party and… Dang it. I told already!”

- “What kind of…” But, she made a gesture of shutting her mouth with key and then throwing it away.

- “So? How are we going to talk through the rest of the way now, as your mouth are sealed?” I asked mostly to tease her.

- “Mhmhp? Yh Myghy! Mhhmpym, mhymmmgh! Umg, ymhm-my-my, umy…”

She started talking with her mouth closed, making her mumble some impossible to understand gibberish. She never stopped. For next thirty minutes, I heard word “Mhmph” in all possible form and dialects. Actually, few times she required me to answer, as she finished her “Mhmph-ing” with a question mark.

In the end we moved into city under city, headquarters of Syndicate. Everything was looking weird. It was much calmer. The lower rank thugs vanished, for a moment I even suspected an ambush, but I quickly get rid of that idea. It was pointless, not now, not after such a great success.

As I was moving closer to Rogue’s room I noticed people in dark cloaks covering their whole body standing under walls. They looked like creepy version of royal knights guarding the throne room. After one moved past them they would hit the ground beneath them with their swords.

Five steps, and the figures on my sides gave their honors, another five steps another two thugs followed. Another one and another one.

- “Savor it, Zari.” Ay walking few steps behind me finally said. “Not many Syndicate members can attend this event. Even less are main guests.”

The last two thugs grabbed door and opened them before me, letting me in.

Rogue was there. Madam Godamn was there together with few others figures in the middle. The same hooded individuals where standing under walls of this room, like lifeless statues.

Finally, Rogue looked at me.

- “Zariel. Up until now you were merely working with us. You were helping us out, and we tried to help you. But, the time came, when the Syndicate can no longer exist without you, you became one of its foundation, a pillar that holds it in place, preventing it from collapsing. Then you moved even further than this. By your actions. You made your organization a legal one. The possibility it gives are limitless. Your achievements are worthy something more than praise. Syndicate, is a group of organization that works in shadow for common benefits, he help each other, we care for each other. We pay debts of each other. All this time, you were helping us like one of us. You proved to not be our friend. But, also a brother. It is time to repay you for your deeds. Brothers and sister, do you view this man, Zariel Whiteraven, as one of us?”

- “His actions benefited our society, lifted us from misery and pushed us into direction of regaining our former glory. Because of him, the name of the Syndicate is whispered again. I, Madamn Godamn, owner of the Pink Ether, see this man as my brother.”

- “He proved his cunningness multiple time, he himself move like a shade between his enemies, my daughter here – Aiele, can prove it, he is a man that pays his debts – for blood with blood, for fire with fire. I, Avikus from Assassin’s Guild, see this man as my brother.”

- “The coin needs to pass, from hands to hands, from merchant to merchant, from city to city. His action reopened long forgotten trade routes, once again there are people that wish to pay for goods that should never belong to them. The coin flows, and soon we will have yet another stable source of income. I, Maffia from the Thieves Guild, see this man as my brother.”

- “Information is POWER. Knowing yourself and the enemy can let you win every battle before it would even start. Where to strike? What to steal? When to hide? This information saved the lives of many of our children. Of my children. Because of him, once again we could spare a coin to make people talk, for nothing makes people more eager to talk than a handful of coins. I, Igor from the Spy Guild, see this man as my brother.”

- “Those who managed to arrive spoke their minds, and the rest of our brothers and sisters that couldn’t make it due to their obligations, assured me, via letters and communication crystals, that they share your opinion about this individual.” Rogue said once again.

- “All of us shared same opinion, Zariel, you are no longer just a friend. From now on, you are member of our family. Our brother. You are free to order every member of our organization, you will be taught to recognize them in the crowd, you will learn about location of our hideouts. You will be given free access to our wealth, which recently, because of you, increased nicely. From now on you are not just a helper ruling a company that was made together with us. You are Zariel, Master of the Apothecary Guild. Brother of the Syndicate. Be proud, my brother, and never lower your head to anyone. You are on pair with kings. With so called royal blood. But, what they got via succession, you earned with your own hands, sweat and blood. You came into darkness as a friend, you left as it child. Fret the night no longer, for you are its son. You are a shadow now.”

Hooded people once again raised their swords, before pointing them to the ground and kneeling.

- “We wear no crown, no rich robes and hold no scepter. We are clothed in respect of our people. Now, as tradition dictates, you will be gifted by your siblings.”

Godamn and Spymaster stepped out

- “The two of us frequently work together, when you would finally learn how to recognize our people, you will gain free access to every information we stored. From riches of nobles to steal to locations of people that either want you dead, or you may want dead. It’s humble gift, still, we know you would use it well.”

They took their turn hugging me in formal way and kissing my both cheeks.

Leader of thief stepped out

- “I heard you are looking for some ingredients and equipment for your factory. Look for marks – if you would ever noticed a symbol of night written into protection runes of the house, it means that the merchant in working with us. Show them this.” Maffia put a single coin into my hand.

A copper coin, but carved strangely, instead of usual gentle plant ornament it had a thorny rose on it.

- “… With this you may get access to goods that. They should not possess in eyes of law, as you would be also allowed to gain discounts. The merchant may ask you where did you found this coin, you are ought to answer that it was in your family for generations. This way he would know that you didn’t merely found it somewhere or stole it.”

This was one hell of a gift. Sometimes merchant guilds signed a contract that would force them into selling certain goods to only one buyer – this is what the Alchemists did – they were paying more to make sure that no one could get access to higher tier equipment. But, with this. Not only I will get what I want, but fairly cheaper! Ah, I almost feel worry for Miss Senator.

Avikus stepped out.

- “There isn’t anything I could give you, no object you wouldn’t already have or could use. No dagger will reward your efforts, nor poison – for those you can make by yourself. The only thing I can offer you, is one of my daughter. You already saw Aiele with action, she is one of best I have.” Wait! I don’t like where this is going! “… use her as yours. She will be your private blade. Your possession. Use her however you want…”

- “I am more than honored with this offer, but won’t she be needed more on services of the Syndicate?” I DON’T WANT HER! I DON’T WANT HER! I DON’T WAN…

- “Oh, but she will be. You are now a Syndicate. Keeping you safe is right now task far more important than anything else.”

Ay jumped on me from back giving me a hug, pushing her chest on my backs and rubbing her cheek on mine.

- “Oh come on! It will be such a fuuuun! I will behave! Promise! I can promise you a lot, for I am not going to keep my word anyway! Mmmm, being your possession, you getting naughty thoughts, are ya?! I will tell you a secret.” She got even closer and whispered right in my ear. “I don’t mind it!”

She giggled. With few quick movements, I escaped her grasp.

- “You have to forgive her and me. I didn’t train her in those aspects of loyalty, as it would harm her ingenuity”

- “I am ok. Ay, I am wondering how should I tell you something without offending you. So I will simply cut straight to the point...”

- “Fear not, Daddy, I know, you got a woman. Teasing you near her will be a bliss!”

… I think she was the one asking to be handed over as a gift… just so she could make scenes.

- “One, try something weird, and you will end dead in some back alley…”

- “And who would ya hire to kill me?” she teased. She was good at her job, and she knew it

- “Noone. I would do it myself.”

- “Aww! You are willing to show me that much attention!? Daddy, you are making me blush!”

- “Two, don’t you dare calling me daddy again.”

- “Why not? That’s how we are addressing our bosses! You heard papa Av... I mean uncle Avikus. He addressed me as a daughter a moment ago too! Now, come on, call me your daughter, I know you want it!”

A small bolt of fire appeared in my hand. I fired thrice, each of them was skillfully avoided by the nimble assassin. The last one - barely. Her hire caught some fire. She put it down with few quick pats.

- “Hey! Hair is a woman's treasure. Still, I can already see you will love working with me! Well, at least I love idea of working with you! I will be always somewhere nearby! Remember about it when you would be having your time with that fat dragon! On the other hand, maybe the idea of being watched will get you even more excited?! Daddy! You perv!”

- “AIELE! SHUT, THE FUCK, UP!” I lost my composure.

- “Ah, make daddy angry… very well, I deserve spanki… Hey! Where are you going!? HEY!?”

I headed toward exit. The ceremony was over. Normally I would be overjoyed. The possibilities that I just got where more than simply wonderful. After I calmed down a little I got irritated at myself. A mere crazy girl was enough to push me off balance. Will have to learn to ignore her presence. For now, I headed toward Guild. In the and I had some great news to share.

I got there in less than hour, I kicked the door open, said my greetings to Mike and moved into inn section. In the middle I saw a small crowd.

- “DRINK, DRINK, DRINK, DRINK…!” They were chanting like mad.

I got bit closer. Sitting at the table, facing each another Daralon and Jason were gulping glass after glass.

- “You done yet, Priest?” Daralon asked having troubles keeping his head in vertical level.

- “Not even close!” Jason yelled. He wasn’t in any better condition.

- “Drinking without me? How could you?” I asked both of them. “Still, I think the two of you have enough.”

- “Inoff?! What da ya min by inoff?!” Jason had troubles talking. “Can't you zee ajm finizhing him. !?”

- “ZAAAARI!” Daralon yelled. He wanted to get up from the table, and in drunk affection hug me, yet his plan failed at its 1st step – he didn’t manage to get up. He fell under the table.

- “MUAHAHA !!!” Jason burst cheerfully. “Ju zar done for! Ju can’t iven get u…” he raised from the chair...

... and he shared Daralon’s fate.

- “Ok! The show is over! This little struggle is finished with a draw!” I yelled forcing two men back into chairs. “But don’t leave, I have some important news to share!”

As soon as I finished my tasks with two mages, I climbed on the table and yelled.

- “Adventurers! Mighty mages, sneaky rogues, powerful warriors… and you, Loki! Hear me out! Recently, you could obtain potions as part of your reward after finishing certain quests. Will pleasure I can finally admit, that those were my creation. I just returned from Senate meeting! They allowed me to legally create and sell potion, so soon I intend of making a small store here, inside guild, that would sell you potion for more than decent price!”

They indeed were enthusiastic

- “You sure? I mean, you have guild’s allowance to set in-door store? Or those are just your speculation?” One of the adventurers raised his hand.

- “It’s more than sure.” One, Jericho already was partaking in potion distribution, two, even if he wouldn’t, because I bought off his debts he pretty much belongs to me!

I wanted to say something more about his little store I am about to set, but as my voice was hearable, from higher floor the twins came out and rushed my direction.

- “BIG BROTHER!” They yelled as they kept running.

But after them, from same stairs, Gisele bolted. She was bigger and faster than twins, she easily moved past them continuing her charge.

- “ZAAARIIII!” She yelled almost with tears in eyes.

But it was not over. One more person came running from a higher floor.

- “BOOOSSSS! PYROX MISSSSEEEED YAAA!”

The Crazy Pyromancer using his fire magic to speed himself moved left twins behind, the last part he was running my direction head-to-head with Gisele, they were gazing upon each other angrily.

Yet in the end, Pyrox cast explosive spell which pushed him even more onward.

- “BOOOOOSSSS!” He yelled as he trashes on me, pushing me off the table. I landed on my backs. It hurt like bitch.

- “BOOOSS! IT WAS SO UN-HOT HERE WITHOUT YOU! DON’T LEAVE PYRO BEHI…”

And then Gisele landed on us.

I was pushed even deeper in the ground. A mighty hand grabbed fire mage by his collar and throw him across the room

- “HE IS MINE! OFF YOU GO, LEECH”

His weight was lift off me. I was grateful. For a moment. Before Gisele once again slammed herself into me.

I take back my words! I prefer Pyrox at this point!

But Pyrox did not give up, he raised once again and pounced at us. In same time Twins managed to get closer and joined us on the floor.

- “What is it?” Elana asked as she walked inside the inn. “Ah, Mister Zari is back! Oooh! A group hug! I wanna join!” She cheered as she got closer to our tangled group.

- “EL! NO!” I wanted to protest. The pressure on my body was already critical.

Yet to no avail. She took few steps to accelerate and jump into us. Her body pushed on body of twins, which pushed body of Pyrox, which pushed body of Gisele which pushed me.

I heard wooden floor snap under us.

…

No wait. It wasn’t floor. It was one of my rib bones!

- “BLONDE DEVIL! BLONDE DEVIL IS HERE!” I heard Daralon yell frightened. It was first time I heard him being afraid of anything.

- “WHAT IS GOING ON?!” Mrogul who entered the guild yelled from the doorstep.

- “A BRAWL!? WITHOUT ME!? I FEEL BETRAYED! NO TAVERN BRAWL CAN HAVE A PLACE WITHOUT IRON TUSK CLAN! FOR THE HOOORDE!”

I heard table being snapped, bottles being crushed, moans of people that were thrown across the room, as madness took over guild. Again.

Ah, guild was being as guild. It’s good to get back home.