Deacon brought his awareness back to his room. The warning message from his slate in the forefront of his mind. He could talk to Zageracks later, for now he wanted to get out of his room and get some fresh air. Grabbing some clothes and getting dressed was next. Deacon started with his pants and pulled his hoody over one of the shirts provided by Mentalba. It was then he noticed Typhus wasn’t among the people who came to his room when he woke up. He’d have to ask about that. Slipping his boots on, he took his first steps toward the door feeling a slight wave of vertigo. Deacon planted a palm against the wall to steady himself and shake out the cobwebs. He looked at his status bar and noticed his health was only at seventy five percent. That was odd. With all the potions they’ve been force feeding him, he assumed he was topped off.

After locking the door and facing the hallway he felt a little better. Emerging from the hall he looked down into the training area on the first floor noticing a hive of activity. There were people running back and forth everywhere. The modular dungeon training course has been collapsed in favor of tables and lines of people. Curious about what was going on he made his way downstairs. Not surprisingly Amanda showed up somewhere around the second floor sidling up to him.

“Morning.” Deacon said.

“It’s closer to noon but ok.” Amanda replied.

“Can I ask you something?” Deacon said grasping for the railing as another wave of vertigo hits.

“Of course.” Amanda said with concern on her face.

“Why do you keep hanging around me? I get I helped you out of a jam, but you don’t owe me anything. Be honest.” Deacon said looking into her eyes.

“Don’t be an arrogant prick. You are going to find Elder Ruby, and when you do, I’m going to be there to slit her throat. It wasn’t just the constant pain she forced into me while trying to override my mind. She would hurt me more when I would stab you but not open your arteries. It took my everything I had to fight against her commands. I even acquired a skill called Mental Fortitude. So I need you to get your house in order. Let me be perfectly clear, she will die by my hand.” Amanda said emphatically.

“Understood. Wow that got intense really quick.” Deacon said.

“I’ve had to say this more than once all week. I still don’t think the Ink Master believes me. She’s got it bad for you. I don’t see why; you are dumb and keep hurling yourself into increasingly ridiculous situations. Add to that you make just as many enemies as you do friends.” Amanda responds.

“Alright, I can’t take anymore honesty.” Deacon said raising his hands palms up in acquiescence.

“Where are we going today?” Amanda asks.

“We?” Deacon asks.

“Yes, we, Ralph and I have been officially grouped up with you. Jacob wants us to form a party.” Amanda says.

“Oh good. I think I’m going to need a lot more help. Is the priestess of Astrael here yet?” Deacon asked.

“Not that I know of, why?” Amanda asks in return.

“I’m not healing to full from the potions and my equilibrium is shot. I know what’s wrong with me, but I want a second opinion.” Deacon replies.

“What’s wrong with you?” Amanda asks flatly as they step into the cantina amongst the throngs of people.

“Since we are going to be a group, I might as well tell you. It’s going to sound crazy.” Deacon says grabbing some food and noticing a lot of people are wearing remarkably similar hoodies to his own in a variety of colors. Some have kangaroo pouches while others are outfitted with bandoleers.

“Crazy is part of knowing you apparently. Why do you keep staring at everyone?” Amanda asks.

“A lot of people are dressed like me. You notice that?” Deacon shoots back.

“I have noticed a change to adventurer fashion. Not my area of expertise.” Amanda says as she ushers him to a table. No sooner than they sit down does Ralph show up with Genevieve.

“It took forever to get in here. The Priestess as requested.” Ralph said as he plopped into a chair.

“My lord Deacon, its good to see you up and about.” Said Priestess Genevieve.

“My lord?” Amanda asked incredulously.

“I’m a Duke of New Mulvaria. Don’t worry about it.” Deacon dismissed with a wave.

“Hi Genevieve, would you be able to heal me? I seem to be having some trouble.” Deacon asked.

“Of course but I will tell you the same thing I told the others. Something is wrong inside you; the ladies healing won’t last forever.” Genevieve says as she begins chanting around Deacon. As her prayer finishes a black energy flares up from Deacon’s skin before subsiding.

“Ok that’s not good, my health bar only rose to ninety percent.” Deacon says.

“This is what I meant. I have been praying all week for an answer, but the lady has not…Deacon, you must seek the wind, your time grows short, delay your trip.” Came the voice of Astrael speaking through Genevieve mid-sentence. Just like last time her eyes lit up with holy light while she spoke only to be returned once the message was received.

Genevieve had tears in her eyes at the sheer joy of her ladies touch. Deacon stood up holding her in the crowded cafeteria while everyone around them just stared slack jawed. Amanda stood up shooing away on lookers while Ralph sat there with a terrified look on his face.

“Did a deity just speak to you out loud?” Ralph asked.

“It’s not a big deal, she never gives it to me straight, finish your food. We need to see an old man about my trivial problem.” Deacon said.

They finished up their food and bid farewell to Genevieve. Surprisingly, several people that were in the cantina followed her back to the temple asking her questions about Astrael. As Deacon started toward the exit, he realized he should check in with The Teller and probably make some potions before he leaves. Making his way toward The Teller he noticed a line wrapping around a bend in the hallway. Skirting passed the line he could see it was leading to the counter. Just as he decided to give up and head toward the alchemy lab, he saw a familiar green hat bobbing up and down behind the cage. Upon closer inspection, Finley was waving him closer. Making his way down the hallway he could see that Finley had shrunk to a smaller size. His beard hair was just shy of auburn and his clothes were modeled after a green variation of Deacons suits. He was one hundred percent similar to an Earth Leprechaun.

“Finley, you are looking well. I hope I’m not cutting in line.” Deacon asked getting scowls from everyone in earshot.

“No not at all. They are mostly here for you anyway. A backlog of people wanting to be paid for your quests since the invasion. I wanted to thank ye personally. I haven’t been this potent in a hundred years.” Said the Teller.

“Ok what’s going on here? You are obviously a Leprechaun. Are you going to steal my money?” Deacon said half serious.

“No, I’m a bound Fae. In order to stay on this plane I made a deal with the original founder of the guild. Our love for gold has been exaggerated over the years. Now I think you should see your balance before you go out into the world. You’ve managed to rack up quite the hefty sum.” Finely said as he slid a piece of paper over to Deacon. Deacon’s eyes almost bugged out of his head when he saw the amount. He remembered he was worth about twenty thousand gold last he checked. The amount on the paper was over one hundred and forty-three thousand. He’d been paying out on a lot of fetch quests he set up with Jacob. The expectation was that would balance out the deposits from Mentalba and the cut from potions. He didn’t have anything else brewing right now.

“Are you sure? How has so much been made?” Deacon asked waving off someone in line yelling to hurry up.

“Good question, the kingdom subsidized the guild for the healing provided and any expenditures of potions we distributed. You have a contract that pays out a percentage of those gains. Also Mentalba had to open another shop. He can’t make your garments fast enough. He left you a note as well. Might I recommend some investing opportunities?” Finley asked.

“I’m all ears.” Deacon said.

“Try to get rights to buy land. That will give you some generational wealth that isn’t just stored with me. As I’ve grown in power from your help, several other guild members have opened accounts. We will be converting a portion of their guild points into coin for a fee. If they had other places to invest, they coin collectively…” Finley trailed off in thought.

“I see what you’re getting at. I’ll find out how much land I can buy in Mulvaria. Maybe discuss with Jacob about a guild outpost. Thanks for the heads up.” Deacon said.

“We can now also fund expeditions, loans, and property management. Just in case you need something else.” Finley said as he handed Deacon a pouch.

“What’s this?” Deacon asked.

“Just a little seed money. I just need you to use it on your travels. It helps me gauge market values.” Said Finley.

“Sure, should I deduct this from my total.” He asked.

“No, I know you are good for it.” Finley said with a half grin.

“Ok, I’ve got to go, thanks again.” Deacon said.

“No Deacon, thank you.” Said the Teller turning back to the agitated people in line.