Sharp

The first team back was not the one with the leader, Ndifor. They settled down and had a bite to eat while they waited. They seemed to be a close-knit team, and they had the Celestine Healer, Stomper and Razor guy. I wondered how the Celestine had got involved with them.

“Come, join us, Theo!” Stomper girl said. I went over and was introduced around. Stomper Girl was Stacy, and she seemed to lead the group. The razor guy was Roy, and the Celestine healer was Alfred, or Al for short. Then there was Akar, Pepi and Saben. They went by the group name Foot in Mouth. Stacy was the foot, and her partner and co-leader, Saben, was the mouth. I am sure there is a story there. They had been together for almost a decade. Al was the most recent member to join, and that was during the last Monster surge.

Kit and Tony joined us as well, and we shared small talk. This was a very profitable contract in terms of the loot they collected. That would be divided between us all, and I would get a share of the finders fee.

The other team arrived, and the portal appeared on time. Kit created hers, and we went through to Akok. Kit and Tony would fly back to Nkang, where they were based.

We arrived at one of the Akok Adventure Society's marshalling yards. The Adventure Society was large, somewhere between Stillwater and Vitesse, so I expected the city would be the same. The smells were new. There was a lot of spice in the air. I suspect there will be some nice spicy food. It was hot and muggy, even for this late in the afternoon.

We entered the nearest building, and it immediately cooled down. I spotted the cooling rituals keeping the place at an even temperature. Ndifor went to hand in the completed contract, and I had to go and present my ID as I was not previously recorded here.

“This is an Iron-rank ID,” The elderly Leonid said when I handed it over, “You are clearly bronze.”

“I recently ranked up, and this is the first Adventure Society I have managed to get to.”

He looked at me suspiciously. It was suspicious.

“I would also like to make a statement with a senior official about an assault on a member,” I continued.

“Very well, I will make an appointment, and they can also address the irregularity of the badge.” He went away for a minute and came back saying, The Deputy Director will see you first thing tomorrow. Report back here.”

“Very well. I would also like to book a room for tonight. Private, please.”

He looked at me suspiciously, “There are many good inns nearby, which are much more comfortable. The Guild has limited space and is usually reserved for visiting officials.”

“I am aware of that. Nonetheless, I would like to book a room.”

“I will see if there is one available. Most officials prefer the inns as well. Please be aware we do require payment upfront, and I won’t be able to pay out on this contract until the irregularity of your badge is sorted.”

I was flush with Bronze rank coins from both the Smelly A’s and the Ants, so payment was not a problem. The rooms were nice but not luxurious. There was a communal washroom. I ignored it, locked the door and raised my arch. I went in and found peace. I meditated for a while and swam in my pool.

I slept there with Kai’s snuggled in, although the new chitin was interesting. The chitin was warm from the body heat of the Kai, but it was hard. Ardisia stood guard over the arch.

In the morning, I wrote the messages I wanted to send and went downstairs. There was a different Leonid at the desk.

“I would like these to go out in the next mail portal, please. These to Vitesse and this to Stillwater.”

“I have never heard of Stillwater, but that is not my problem. The mail portal to Vitesse is this morning.”

“Just send the Stilwater one to Vitesse. They know where Stillwater is.”

The lady nodded. I went through the barroom and ordered a small breakfast. I had already had my Feast.

I knocked on the door of the Deputy Director’s office. The plaque said Deputy Director Kinfe. The door opened, and I was suddenly staring directly at an enormous pair of breasts. They stepped back, and the Deputy Director said, “Come in.”

Kinfe was an enormous Leonid, and my eyes were level with her enormous breasts. She had a scar, which was unusual. She was also wearing typical Leonid adventure attire, which meant a pair of shorts and some belts. The belt across her breast was a bit wider than the others, but not by much. She had light tan fur. She was letting enough of her aura be visible to politely announce her Gold Rank.

Kinfe walked to the desk and sat down. “How can I help you?”

I followed and shut the door. I put my ID on the desk. “There are a couple of things. I need an updated ID, and the reason it has not been updated is quite a tale. I have found out recently that there is a bounty on me from the Temple of the Dark Moon.”

I was watching her reaction carefully when I mentioned the bounty. This would determine what my options were with the adventure society here. She scowled in displeasure when she heard the Temple of the Dark Moon. I don’t think it was fake, but I didn’t have a lot of options.

“You had better start at the beginning,” she said.

So I did. Her scowl got worse. I skipped over some details but hit all the highlights.

“This is a huge fucking problem,” she said when I was done. “Assuming what you have said is true, and I will be checking, bounties are legal here, and you are a wanted Leonid.”

“Bounties are not legal in Vitesse, and I was illegally kidnapped.”

“But you are not in Vitesse.”

“Can I get a portal to Vitesse? I can pay.”

“Not easily. Portals outside the country are restricted, and portal users are monitored. Customs Inspectors are required to be present at incoming portals. It doesn't stop illegal trafficking, but the Adventure Society has to comply with the law. Before I do anything, I need to check your story.”

“The Remore Academy will be able to verify the Vitesse end,” I said.

“It will need to go by protected Adventure Society Pouch, but I will get something to them.”

I had a sinking feeling. “Why, by protected pouch?”

She looked at me, “All portals have Customs inspectors, including mail portals. Did you send messages in your own name?”

I nodded.

“Shit. They will have a copy of the bounties. They will know you are here and will request you be handed over for questioning.”

“Can we stop that?”

“Probably getting late, and I only have your word for all of this. For all I know, you may be a mass murderer, and the bounty is legitimate.”

“Can I at least get my ID upgraded?”

“Absolutely. The condemned must have the correct ID.”

I couldn’t tell if she was serious or if it was gallows humour. However, she pulled out a plaque with a ritual circle on it, placed my token on it as well as a new bronze token and injected her mana. After a couple of seconds, the iron rank token broke down into sand, and she passed me the new token, saying, “Push a bit of your mana into that.”

I complied, and just like that, I was a Bronze rank adventurer.

“While you are doing your checks, I need to collect on this contract. I assume portals internal to the kingdom are not restricted.” She shook her head. “So if I wanted to get a portal to the capital to clear my name, where could I do that?”

“Portal reservations are in the office next to the contracts return desk,” she replied, knowing full well that I was not going to go to the capital.

“Thank you for your help, Deputy Director. I will leave you to make your checks.” I left the office as she pulled out some writing equipment. Even if she only made the most basic inquiries in Vitesse, that would let them know where I was. She seemed a competent and thorough woman.

I went to the desk and collected my coin as I was going to need every penny, and it would leave a paper trail. I went through to the portal office. There was a map of the kingdom on the wall, and I noted the three southernmost towns in the kingdom with Adventure Society offices.

“Hi, is the portal mage to the southern kingdom available?” I showed my ID. “I need to head to the Venomflats ASAP.”

“There is an additional fee for unscheduled portals due to the inefficient use and cooldown required.”

“That is fine.”

She told me the amount, and I paid. I definitely need e the coins. She noted it against my ID token, and I was directed to a marshalling yard. The mage would come when they were available. “Probably about an hour or so.”

That was a nerve-wracking wait. I was jumping every time someone walked past, and a group of adventures had me thinking they were here to take me away, but they were just going out on contract.

It was an hour and a half when a female Leonid with dark colouring like me came in. “One to the Venomflats?”

“Possibly me, but I was supposed to go to Bitter Creek.”

She frowned, “I don’t know Bitter Creek. Are you sure? They don’t often get it wrong. I will need to get another mage.”

“I am sure. Instead of getting another mage, tell me how close you can get me.”

“I have been to Obsidian Wood.”

“That sounds great,” I said, having no idea where Obsidian Wood was.

“I will need to update the paperwork.”

“That sounds like a lot of work. How about we leave the paperwork as the Venomflats and say, that is where I went.” I handed her some coins.

“That sounds like trouble to me,” she replied, and I added some more coins. “I hope you have venom antidote,” she said, opening a portal.

I stepped through, hoping she sent me to the right place. The big sign on the wall of the receiving room said Obsidian Wood. That miss direction would not last if the mage was interrogated so I needed to leave, but I needed some more equipment first. Bronze rank equipment.

Obsidian Wood was a lot smaller than Akok, a small city about the size of Ironwood. I used my token to get through to the trade hall. I would need to sell some Ant materials to buy supplies. I really wish I could have done this in Akok; there would have been a better selection and better prices.

The Adventure Society in Obsidian Wood was more mixed than in Akok. About half the people there were Leonids and a mix of other races. The general level was also bronze, so I wouldn’t stand out as much. I should be in a mid-bronze zone magically.

I took a deep breath and approached a trader who looked like he had maps for sale.