Chapter 84

Quentin shot Wil a subtle look, her eyes darting from Anwir to him. Understanding her meaning, he smiled before proceeding to explain.

“We met Archibald during the third test. It was fortunate that we did, I don’t believe I would be standing here without him.” Wil praised, and the flamboyant Bard puffed up like a peacock, practically oozing pride.

Before Anwir could open his mouth to speak, he was cut off by a snort of disgust from the older woman standing at the end of the group.

Wearing expensive mage robes, and holding a long, wooden staff with a large blue sapphire on the top, even Quentin could recognize her as a high-ranking expert. Slightly tanned, her beautiful face was creased in a frown as she looked with distaste at the bard.

“From where I was standing, my apprentice was quite capable of fending for himself without your assistance, Archibald.” Amora said, shaking her head.

“Apprentice?” Quentin asked, lifting an eyebrow at the term.

“Everyone, this is my mentor, Amora. She has agreed to provide me guidance while I’m here.” Wil explained, giving a small bow to the senior adventurer.

“I am pleased to make your acquaintance. Wil has told me much about you.” Amora greeted them with a slight nod of her head. As a high-ranking member of the Guild of Adventurers, low ranking foreigners were significantly lower on the social hierarchy than herself.

“Mentor? What exactly does that entail?” Quentin asked, after her own introductions and greetings were out of the way.

“Guild members may choose to pay special care and attention to talented new recruits. I will be providing advice and assistance to Wil, helping him select the proper quests and answering any questions he may have.” Amora explained.

“I may be in the Guild now, but I’m still not a local of Lund. Having Amora’s help will make my transition here smoother. Especially with Questing, there are details about the locations that only someone who has traveled there may know.” Wil added.

“And what does she get out of this deal, Wil?” Quentin whispered, sidling close to him, and giving the older woman a wary look.

“She’s doing this out of the kindness of her heart, Annabelle.” Wil replied, rolling his eyes as Quentin let out a derisive snort.

“There’s no such thing.”

“Oh really? And what about everything I do for you?” Wil teased, withdrawing a small, wooden token from within his armor. Emblazoned on the front was an Adventurer Guild crest.

“You’ve got a license?!” Quentin yelled, leaping forward, and trying to snatch it out of his hands.

“Tut tut.” Wil chided, holding the token out of reach. Ignoring the looks she was getting, Quentin clawed at Wil’s arm, desperate to reach it.

“You can thank Amora for it. She’s the only reason you’ve been approved. In return, you agree to give her, and the guild, a small percentage of the profits.” Wil explained, turning to look at his mentor.

Quentin hissed like a scalded cat, leaping backwards.

“Not happening!”

“Then no token. It’s part of the deal, Annabelle. The Guild will even help you secure a warehouse and provide guards. You can get the details at the branch, but it’s a solid deal.” Wil told her, holding out the token to her. Staring at it warily, Wil could see her calculating the profits and loss in her mind, before tentatively reaching out and taking the wooden token.

“Fine.” Quentin grumbled, although a smile came on her face as she stared at the small object clutched in her hands.

“She means, ‘Thank you Wil and Amora, I appreciate everything you’ve done for me.’” Wil explained to Amora, shaking his head at his friend.

“Yes. Thank you.” Quentin grudgingly replied, tucking the token into her pocket. Withdrawing a note from her other pocket, she handed it to Wil.

“Here, this is for you. The Mercantile Association of Illyria has a partnership with some of the banks in Lund. Take this promissory note to any of them and you’ll be entitled to your share of the profits as well.”

Wil looked at the folded note, his eyes widening as he took in the amount. It was enough for him to survive on for years, even if he didn’t quest at all. He smiled at Annabelle, stepping forward and giving her a brief hug.

“There’ll be more after our return trip. Have you cleared it with the Guild to return with us? We should be here for a few weeks to set up the business, but we’ll need to return before the winter storms.” Quentin asked.

“About that…” Wil replied, looking guilty for a moment, before turning to another young woman beside him. She had been quiet the entire time, waiting for the reunion to end. Looking at Wil, she smiled at his friends, before stepping forward to introduce herself.

“Hello, I’m Astrid!” The beautiful, silver haired woman spoke. Wil’s friends had noticed her, of course, but she had been slightly obscured by Amora, blocking their full view of her. Once she stepped forward, Bell and Garman in particular, were shocked. She was already stunning, but after spending months on a boat, she was the most gorgeous woman they had ever seen.

“Everyone, this is my friend, Astrid. We met during the Third trial.” Wil explained, before Astrid cut him off.

“He saved my life.” Astrid said simply, showing a look of gratitude at Wil.

“Of course, he did.” Mara muttered, giving Wil a wink that Astrid couldn’t see.

“She’s actually the reason I can’t come back with you. I’ve been tasked with bringing Astrid back to Ur. Her father is the lord there, and her mother has requested the Guild bring her back. But don’t worry, Anwir has agreed to take my place on the Drake.” Wil clarified.

The bard nodded, giving Quentin another wide smile, his white teeth shining in the sunlight. From the side, Mara let out a loud groan, her eyes pleading with Wil to change his mind. He could only give her a helpless shrug.

“Not the worry, my dear. When Wil told me of your plight, I knew that my time in Lund was over for now. Rest assured, I will see you safely to Illyria and back! On my honor!” Anwir proclaimed, flinging his arms wide and declaring it to the heavens. The effect was lessened by Mara making vomiting noises to the side.

Wil grinned at the effect the bard was having. He still didn’t know how much of Anwir was an act, and how much was just him. But regardless, he put his life on the line against Desire, and Wil trusted him to see the Drake safely back to Illyria.

“Enough! I haven’t been on a boat for months to stand around chatting like washerwomen at the creek.” Garman roared, pushing past the others, and stomping down the dock, heading straight for the row of inns, taverns, and the seedier sections of the port.

Wil shot the others a look and Bell answered the unspoken question. With a sigh, Bell walked past Wil, giving the younger man a pat on the shoulder.

“It’s good to see that your safe lad, but don’t stand between a man and his needs. I’ll go make sure that the Port is still standing tomorrow, no telling what damage that mad bastard is going to do. I’ll see you at the tavern later. I want to hear about that ‘Trial’.” Bell said, before disappearing through the crowd.

“Yeah, it’s wonderful to see you and all, Wil, but can we please get the hell off this dock and find a place to drink? Preferably without running into any elves this time?” Mara pleaded, before dragging Martin and Quentin down the dock.

“We still need to find a warehouse…and office space!” Quentin tried to appeal to reason, but her stir-crazy companions weren’t having any of it.

With a put-upon sigh, and a shrug to Astrid and Amora, Wil waved for them to follow as the group headed to the nearest tavern.

After the Trials, and the ordeal at the Center Spring and the Midnight Desert, he was actually looking forward to an evening at the tavern. Checking to make sure he had plenty of potions for the inevitable hang over, he followed the others into town.