Chapter 38: The quest was fine, we swear!

 Vincent: Archer, hero hopeful. Is the spokesman for the day. 

"And you thought it was a good idea to make one of the most ravenous types of fish out there, into a giant?" Guild master Warren asks, and I do my best to stare into his eyes. 

"Not only did we think we needed the workout," I lie through my teeth, with the most blinding smile I have ever given. "But we also brought all the pies in here, for the entire guild to have a feast with." 

"Tell me, did you, by any chance, managed to pollute the river?" The guild master asks. I look at Atha. He clears his throat, and gives his report. 

"All the fish in the river grew. They also didn't change their living habits, sir," Atha says, and I smile. That, at least, is the truth. 

"How many people know about that little detail?" The guild master asks. We all share a look. 

"No one, yet," Augustine says. Warren smiles from ear to ear. 

"Good because I am buying that river," he says, and we all blink. "I will use the fish inside, to breed super species of fish. They will sell for a pretty copper on the markets. I expect to see you all doing your fair share of fishing quests."

I wilt at that. How am I ever going to become a hero, if I am known doer of fishing quests? 

"Boy, do you have something to say?" The guild master stares directly into my eyes. I nod. 

"I would like to be an Archer Hero," I say, and he sighs. 

"Look, the only hero you will ever be, is an anti-hero. I send the lot of you to a river clearing mission, and you come back with news of mutants," I am just about to protest, when the guild master holds up his hand. "Ok, ok. I guess I shouldn't look down on your dreams. How about this: there are golems in the community stables. Ones made of dung." 

"Are there any pixies animating them?" Augustine asks. He is an expert on all things platoon 23, and knows all the old legends.

 It just so happens, that there were pixies that used to terrorize the community stables of Huergaz with dung golems. That is, until Florifel the Snarky got them as her party's, the Budding Lilies, battle companions. She is a mage hero now. One of the legendary ones. To think, she did a quest like this one, once.  

"We'll take it," I say, as my party, bar Allan, shake their heads as one. 

"You could have asked us about our opinions, first," Augustine snaps. I look at him pleadingly. 

"Think, our battle companions might be waiting for us in that stable," I say to him. 

"The only thing that is waiting for us there is animated dung," Dean says with a snort. 

"Be that as it may, we need the money," I protest. At least, I need the money. 

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"You can cash in on my next order for the bakery on Fawn Street, provided you help," Tine says. I can see that his imp brain is already making plans to have me locked in the kitchen for hours. 

For him, that is almost like sex. Just what did I get myself into, with a lover like him?

But, darn, he is one competent Song weaver. He really saved us from the piranhas, back there. 

Still…

"I don't want to be a kitchen helper; I want to be a hero!" I snap, and he takes a step back. The guild master clears his throat. "Sorry for the outburst, guild master." 

"No harm done," he says, and then holds up a mission scroll. Ah, the old mission scroll tradition. Yes, we can have then sent to us through files, but the adventurer's guilds still use scrolls. It is to keep the adventuring spirit alive, or some other reason along those lines. 

"We'll take it," I say again, and take the scroll. 

All five of us leave the tent, which is located in the crater of the old guild house. 

"There better be something nice in the stables," Augustine murmurs. I pretend not to have heard him, and lead the way to it. When the stable hand closes the door behind us, I make a sign for a group huddle. There are dung golems mixing around, but they don't seem to be able to see us. 

"Ok, we can make whatever is animating the golems clean after them. We need to find the creature, though. Having a battle companion will catapult us in rank," I say, as Augustine snorts. 

"So, we can be C for Calamities?" He asks. I frown at him. 

 "If you want, wait outside. That way, you will show me what I mean to you," I hiss at him. His eyes soften, and he looks down at his feet. 

"What if whatever is haunting the stable doesn't want to become our battle companion?" Allan asks. 

Atha makes a cutting motion across his throat, as Dean nods. 

"We will keep our business clean," the incubus looks around, and scrunches his nose up at the mess that is all around us. "It is good that I have a water affinity. This place needs a washing. It needed it yesterday." 

I place my hand in the middle, and then eye each of them expectantly. I am glad to note that Tine places his hand over mine first. Furthermore, I also note the apology in his eyes. I nod at him, as Atha places his hand over Tines. Dean nods towards the pile at Allan, who gets the hint, and places his hand. 

I watch as Dean first pets Allan's hand, and then twines his fingers through with our healer's. I am happy for them. We should all love each other. It is just that, it is strange to know that there is a favored wife in the harem. All of us have soft feelings for Allan. I think I speak for everyone, when I say that they only grew, when he told us his secret.  

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