Chapter 129: 115. Vice Master’s Privilege

Omen: 11, 12

“Remember,” Adam said, addressing his party.” If Sir Harvey is threatened, we cannot draw our blades to assist him. If he goes around telling people how terrible we are for assisting him, it will hurt our reputation.”

Adam, still annoyed by the Noble, was stubbornly clinging to his guns. 

“Adam,” Jurot said, placing a hand on the Half Elf’s shoulder. “We still need to help him.”

“Even if you are our leader, we cannot abandon our duty to escort the High Alchemist,” Kitool said.

“It is our way,” Jaygak said, placing a hand on his shoulder. “We Iyrmen have to work this way, otherwise they will lose faith in us.” Jaygak threw a glance to Sir Dorian. “Though it seems some people have forgotten our ways.”

Adam grumbled quietly, annoyed that the Iyrmen were so principled.

‘Damn it! Why did you guys have to be so cool?’

“If it’s like that, then I’ll make sure to protect you guys whilst you’re defending him,” Adam declared. 

“Okay,” Jurot said, nodding his head. It would have been awkward if Adam had tried to force them out of their escorting.

“So you’ll escort him even if he doesn’t pay?” Adam asked.

“Yes.”

“Damn,” Adam said, patting Jurot on his back. “You guys are so manly! Iyrmanly!”

The group continued, making their way back towards the main road, with White’s Grace following behind them. 

It had taken a few days before they walked along the hills of Jaghi. A small fort greeted them, a walled area the size of a small village. The walls continued along for miles along the hilly area.

The Soldiers were heavily armed in their chain mail, with spears and shortswords, though their spear tips were carved out of some dull gold gem. Each soldier was roughly of the same height and build, and seemed near identical from the outside, save for one who wore a cloak of bright yellow rather than the dusky tan the rest wore.  

“What is your business in Jagai?” the brightly yellowed cloaked Soldier asked, his eyes scanning the party.

“We are here on business from Red Oak,” Sir Harvey said as Sir Merrick handed over the identification. 

One Soldier confirmed the identification as another nodded their head towards the Iyrmen.

“There’s quite a number of you,” the Soldier said. “Keeping safe on the road?”

“It is a dangerous time we live in,” Sir Harvey said. “Even as Nobles, we have to be careful. In fact, it wasn’t long ago we were threatened by some despicable creatures.“

“There was a White Dragon which had harassed us,” Vice Master Paul said, his voice clear and firm.

“Yes, there was a White Dragon too,” Sir Harvey said, smiling slightly. 

“Which I slew,” Adam said, crossing his arms proudly. “Well, I had the last hit.”

“Dangerous business,” the Soldiers said, their gaze firmly on the Copper Rank in puthral plate mail. “Especially for a Copper Rank.”

“Well, I had the duty to protect the High Alchemist and I take that very seriously,” Adam said. “Can’t have a White Dragon threatening the charge I swore to protect, even if it eventually got me into trouble.”

“White Dragons are quite ferocious, but you seem healthy enough,” the Soldier said.

“You should have heard how much it cried,” Adam said, chuckling. “Though I’ve gotten used to be around sore losers.”

The Knights threw him a glare, but Adam ignored it. After all, he wasn’t going to allow Sir Harvey quip freely to the Soldiers without at least getting in a shot back.

“That will be two gold a head,” the Soldier said.

“Two gold a head?” Adam said. 

“Is there an issue?”

“No, no,” Adam said, reaching into the Party Fund and then his own funds. 

Gems: (6) Obsidian -> (5) Obsidian

“You can keep the change,” Adam said.

“You have paid for us?” Aizaban asked.

“Yeah, you and the Vice Master, since you’re on my dime, penny,” Adam corrected, feeling a sickness fill him when his Britishness slipped away for a moment.

Vice Master Paul motioned his head to the Soldier, who followed the man away, listening intently. 

Once the Vice Master returned, the Soldiers allowed the group inside. Adam noted that White’s Grace was not charged on the way inside.

They were led inside to some quarters where they could eat and sleep in peace, though White’s Grace and Paul were taken elsewhere. 

“Vice Master Paul is no longer here to save you,” Sir Harvey warned, “so be careful, boy.”

“I’m not the one who was saved by his presence, but I’m sure you view it differently,” Adam said, stripping out his armour casually. “My bets are still on the Iyrmen.”

Adam kept his die close by, as well as his Lightsear, just in case. 

Omen: 3, 6

Huge, imposing walls blanketed the entire town, hiding it from sight. The walls were easily as tall as those in the Iyr. There were several large watchtowers around semi circled wall, each which caused pain to any neck which craned up to look at them. 

Adam whistled. “Damn,” he whispered. “The walls of the other towns don’t compare. This place might be as safe as the Iyr.”

“No place is as safe as the Iyr,” Jurot said, firmly. 

“It’s all about the feeling,” Adam said. “I’ll feel safe in these walls. Though, you do have a point, since there are only a handful of Iyrmen inside Jaghi.”

As they approached the gates, the Guards, who also wore chain mail, though their helmets were open faced, where they held tattoos across their faces. They also wielded large shields, pentagonal, though the bottom was extended and tapered slightly. 

There was another gate fee, though this time it was a silver coin per head, which Adam dealt with by dipping into the Party Funds. 

‘These guys are double dipping,’ he thought. 

“I thought it was a copper for a Copper Rank?” Adam asked.

“Jaghi does not ask for money on their patrols, instead they charge a gate fee at the fort, which pays for lodgings and food, and then a silver per head on entry, which the Adventurer’s Guild accepts.”

“I see,” Adam said. “Do they charge a gold for Gold Rank Adventurers?”

“No,” Paul said, “but Gold Rank Adventurers are still expected to hand over a gold coin. By the time you reach Gold Rank, you should be able to afford it.”

“I guess,” Adam said as they entered the town.

It was the smallest town that they had been in so far, though Adam noted just how many people went to and fro from the side of the mountains, and how many windows had been set within them. 

The people who moved about wore long cloaks, and considering how high up they were, it was pretty obvious why. Even though it was summer, this town was shaded by the mountainous walls, which protected them until the sun was high, where they were probably boiled for an hour, before it passed by. 

The Adventurer’s Guild was set part way into the mountain, though looked like every other Adventurer’s Guild Adam had seen, save for the lack of unique materials towards the front. 

Upon seeing the Vice Master, the Guild Worker at the front flashed a smile, a young man in his mid twenties. 

Paul made a motion with his hand, and the Guild Worker’s smile quickly faded, before nodding his head and pressing something behind the counter. 

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Paul led Adam and the others to an area around back where they could sit comfortably. It was a fairly large room which allowed ten people to relax in peace, with a handful of snacks set aside for them to enjoy. 

“How long until Sir Harvey gets here?” Adam asked. 

Sir Harvey had gone to speak with the Nobility, which had caused Adam to worry slightly.

‘Chances are, Jaghi is going to be wary of me.’

“An hour or two,” Paul said, estimating. 

“Can I go bathe?” Adam asked. “We’ve been on the road for so long…”

Paul rolled his eyes, allowing Adam to bathe before he returned, wearing his spare clothing and the blanket he had washed during his bath, having dried it with his Tricks. 

A woman appeared with some tea and snacks, taking a seat opposite the party and Iyrmen. She was roughly forty years old, lean, and wore the guild attire of a fairly simple tunic and pants, which were near blood red. She carried at her side a studded club, the studs made of the dull gold gem.

“Aren’t you going to introduce us?” she asked, smiling at Paul.

“Vice Master Sarah, of the Jaghi Branch,” Paul said.

“So many Vice Masters, and I’ve yet to meet a Master,” Adam said. “Though, who does more work than the Vice Masters?” 

“Don’t try to butter me up,” Sarah said, still smiling. “I’ll remain neutral.”

“What a shame,” Adam said, leaning back as he waited for the High Alchemist to arrive. “I’m just naturally charismatic.”

“Is that why the High Alchemist seems to hate your guys?” Sarah asked.

“No,” Adam said, smiling wider, “it’s because he’s a Noble and I’m just a dirty little Adventurer.”

Sir Harvey eventually arrived, with Sir Merrick and Sir Dorian beside him. 

“Now that tempers are temperate,” Paul said, “we will discuss the matter in order to come to an amicable solution. Vice Master Sarah will confirm the resolution once it’s been dealt.”

“I’ll do more than that,” she said. “I have heard the situation and want to make sure everything is above board. The High Alchemist ordered an escort through the Adventurer’s Guild, and during so, brought along more Knights, which is perfectly acceptable, but then tried to cut Fate’s Golden from their reward after having led the High Alchemist for weeks?”

“I would have hoped for a neutral observer,” Sir Harvey said.

“We’ll get to Adam’s law breaking in a moment,” she said. “Is it true?”

“True enough, though missing context,” Sir Harvey said.

“I’m sure, but I have heard of it through the Vice Master of your Adventurer’s Guild Branch.” She stared at him for a moment to see if he’d speak up, but since he remained silent, she continued. “Adam, is it true you were happy to take the blame on yourself and were eager to leave the escorting to the rest of your party.”

“Yes,” Adam said.

She brought out a small journal and wrote something within it, taking a minute to write down her thoughts. 

“Is it true you spoke ill of Nobles?”

“In some sense, I’m sure,” Adam replied, simply. “They shouldn’t have taken shots at me if they couldn’t accept it in return.”

Sarah stared at him. “I had been informed of the situation by the Vice Master, so I hope you will keep your answers to either a yes or no.”

“Yes ma’am, sorry,” Adam said, shrinking.

“Upon Vice Master Paul’s assistance, we will leave the matter simply as this. The sum of five hundred gold will be paid to Fate’s Golden for their assistance thus far. The reason for the dissolution of the party will be due to the High Alchemist’s insistence on hiring local individuals of North Aldland for their knowledge.”

“Will it count as a mark against Fate’s Golden?” Adam asked.

“We will consider the quest complete,” Sarah said.

“Well, damn, that sounds good to me,” Adam said. “If Sir Harvey is fine with is, then we can leave it at that.”

“I would accept, as long as I get an apology for his untoward behaviour towards myself and Sir Dorian,” Sir Harvey said.

Paul closed his eyes, filling with stress.

“Sure,” Adam said. “I’d be more than happy to apologise to him.”

Paul sighed in relief. 

“Once the pair of them lick my boot,” Adam said, crossing one leg over the other, motioning towards his boot.  

Paul reached up to rub his forehead. 

“Well?” Adam said, staring at the two Nobles whose faces were red.

“You!” Sir Harvey pointed angrily as Sir Dorian reached for his sword.

Sarah placed her morning star against the Knight’s knee, raising her brow, daring him to draw his sword.

“This is ridiculous,” Sir Harvey said. “Even the Guild needs to obey the laws.”

“We follow the laws of the land, but you must follow our rules too,” she said. 

“I, and the rest of Fate’s Golden, will refuse to work with any Nobles, especially those from Red Oak,” Adam said, glaring at Paul.

“That is a difficult request to make,” Paul said.

“I don’t care how difficult it is,” Adam said. “You made me waste all this time in order to help someone, and after doing a fantastic job, I mean I sent a White Dragon to good ol’ Lord Sozain, and all I had were complaints.”

“Even so, there are great opportunities for you that come exclusively from Nobles.”

Adam looked behind himself, but then returned his gaze to Paul. “Oh, excuse me, did it looked like I gave a shit? I don’t care. I will give no Noble from Red Oak access to any of my special abilities,” he said, keeping his eyes focused on the Vice Master’s. 

Paul stared at Adam, whose eyes were twitching slightly. “Understood.”

“Let’s be clear, I was ready to bury the situation up to this point, but it was Sir Harvey here who decided against it.”

“You dare to spin this against me?” Sir Harvey snarled.

“Asking for an apology after starting random bullshit? You still need to tell me where you get your Moonlight Leaf, or whatever it is you smoke, because it seems like a lot of fun to be able to think backwards.”

“You-“

Vice Master Sarah slammed her morning star on the table between them, destroying the table, and everything laid atop it. 

“I think we’re done here,” she said. 

 

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He really shouldn't have pushed it. 

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