Anarchic Book 1: City of Rivers

Chapter 6

Rose wasn't very familiar with other Mercenary Guild halls. But she knew enough to know that most weren't set-up like one of the rowdier taverns in the West End, or tamer ones in the Wedge.

The main hall consisted of two stories. The ground floor was open, filled with tables and benches. At this hour, the hall was packed with dozens of the guild's members. Some were celebrating a job well done, others enjoying a night of good food before heading out into danger come morning, and others still sat in weighted silence, honoring lost friends and comrades with toasts and soliloquies.

Against the far wall, flanked on either side by stairs leading up to the second floor, was a bar. A line of stools were filled with patrons, all being serviced by one overworked tender.

She dashed from one end to the other, effortlessly dancing between refilling drinks and calling out orders to the chef in the back. All without seeming to break a sweat, a bright smile painted across her face.

Rose walked up to the bar with Rus in tow, who seemed to once again be overwhelmed by the marvels of the big city.

The bartender found a brief lull in the action and took a breath. She glanced up and broke out in a wide grin as soon as she clapped eyes on Rose.

"Dear Rose, it is so good to see you, love." She said, her accent flowing and exotic. "And in the company of such a handsome young man, no less." She gave Rus a playful wink, which for the fifth time today, made him blush like a timid maiden.

"Tabby! This is Rus, he's looking to join the company" Rose said, bumping him with her shoulder.

Tabby wasn't actually her name, it was something longer and quite challenging for the Seleian tongue. So not long after arriving on these shores, she took the name Tabby. As anyone could tell from her warm, golden-brown complexion, Tabby and her real name were from the Warije Empire, far to the south-west beyond the gentle waves of the Embrace.

"Mmm, he does seem quite strapping." Tabby said, eyeing Rus up and down as one would a horse at market. "And the Aether flows about him so sharply, Primalist I take it? Direwolf of course with that gorgeous silver Harthen hair of yours." She tilted her head before continuing. "Eighteen, nearly nineteen winters. But the way it moves around you," She paused for a second, something clearly having caught her interest. "It almost seems like. . ." She trailed off in thought.

Rus's eyebrows jumped up in surprise.

Rose chuckled, this was a favorite trick of Tabby's. By the blessing of some foreign Channel, Tabby had the ability to see the physical Aether of others. She could tell much about a person from it and aside from parlor tricks, it had made her an indispensable medic for the company.

"He will be a good addition." Tabby finally finished. Rus let out a heavy sigh, apparently relieved for the good appraisal.

"Your father is still in his office, go introduce this nice young man," Tabby said, jabbing her thumb towards the second floor behind her.

The second floor was clearly more for business than the rowdy tavern on the lower floor. Along the walls were notice boards filled with postings from prospective clients. In lieu of the rough hewn slabs of wood down below, the upper level contained more elegant tables and chairs for meetings. A desk near the back was staffed by a secretary, currently engaged in a discussion with a dapper looking man.

The pair made their way past the desk and into the hallway that led deeper into the building. Rose stopped in front one of the first doors, a metal a plaque next to it read "Guild Leader: Mark Fulmin"

Rose gave two quick knocks.

"Come in." A deep, warm voice called from inside.

Rose opened the door and motioned for Rus to enter. The office was relatively modest. The walls were lined with framed newspapers, some depicting the exploits of the League. Many more showed the heroic deeds of Joan Fulmin, Maelstrom Knight. The back wall was covered floor to ceiling in bookshelves, some neat and organized, others were clearly more frequently pulled and shelved and were placed more haphazardly.