Chapter 61: Forming a Party

He turned to leave.

"Mr. Halden."

He stopped.

She was watching him. Her expression was thoughtful. Interested.

"I’m Sera, by the way. Sera Vane." She tilted her head. "If you ever need anything—anything at all—feel free to ask for me."

She smiled. Slow. Knowing.

"I’m always happy to help."

Emeric nodded.

"I’ll keep that in mind."

"Your E-rank. It may have been an error."

He didn’t respond.

"The results from your initial evaluation were... incomplete. The machine malfunctioned. I remember the report." She paused. "It’s possible your true rank is higher."

She let that hang in the air.

"I’d recommend a re-evaluation. When you meet with the Guild Master."

Emeric nodded slowly.

"I’ll consider it."

He left.

Sera watched him go. Her smile didn’t fade.

"Interesting," she murmured to herself.

Then she returned to her paperwork.

The pawn shop was three streets over.

A narrow storefront with dusty windows and a bell above the door that chimed as he entered.

The owner was a small man. Hunched. Sharp-eyed. He looked up from his ledger.

"Buying or selling?"

"Selling."

Emeric reached into his coat. Pulled out the items he had taken from the C-rank party.

Two daggers. A pair of rings. A small amulet. A pouch of minor gemstones. The short sword Beeran had carried.

The owner’s eyes widened.

He picked up the short sword first, turned it over. Whistled.

"C-rank steel. Good condition. Where did you get this?"

"Does it matter?"

The owner looked at him. Studied his face then shrugged.

"Fair enough."

He examined each item. Made notes. Muttered to himself.

Finally, he set everything down.

"Two thousand gold. Take it or leave it."

Emeric considered. It was a fair price. Maybe even generous.

"Done."

The owner counted out the coins, handed them to him and Emeric pocketed them.

"Pleasure doing business."

Emeric nodded. Left.

---

Outside, the sun was beginning its slow descent.

He had gold. He had guild credits. He had a meeting with the Guild Master looming.

And he had questions.

The flier. The one that wasn’t supposed to exist. Who had put it there? And why?

He didn’t have answers.

Not yet.

He started walking home.

---

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

[FUNDS ACQUIRED — GUILD CREDITS: 32,400]

[FUNDS ACQUIRED — GOLD: 2,000]

[CURRENT BALANCE — GUILD CREDITS: 32,400 | GOLD: 2,000]

[SYSTEM NOTE: YOUR REPUTATION IS GROWING. THE GUILD IS WATCHING. THE GUILD MASTER AWAITS.]

He dismissed the notification.

He missed his wife.

---

The Vessel Guild was quieter than the last time.

It was midday and most Vessels were out on rifts or recovering from morning dives. Only a handful of people milled about the hall, checking bulletin boards, nursing drinks, comparing notes.

Emeric crossed to the reception desk.

Sera was there.

She looked up as he approached. Her smile widened. She leaned forward slightly, resting her elbows on the counter, and the movement exposing her chests as usual. Emeric rolled his eyes inwardly.

"Back so soon?" she said. "I must have made an impression."

"I’m here to check on something."

"Of course you are." She tilted her head. "What can I do for you, Mr. Halden?"

"I posted a recruitment notice. Wondering if anyone responded."

Sera’s expression changed from the flirty look to something closer to amused.

"No one has asked for you."

Emeric nodded. He had expected as much.

But then Sera spoke again.

"However."

She reached under the counter and pulled out a folder. It was thin, displaying a few sheet of parchment inside.

"I took the liberty of finding some odd balls for you."

Emeric raised an eyebrow.

"Odd balls?"

"Vessels who are looking for a party. They’re not the best. Not the most experienced. But they’re willing. And they’re available." She slid the folder across the counter. "I also added a note. You cleared a rift all by yourself. That’s more than most of these people have done. So you should have no problem being in the front lines."

Emeric took the folder and opened it.

Four names.

He looked up at Sera.

"Why are you helping me?"

Sera let a small sarcastic smile cross her face. It was knowing.

"Because you’re interesting. And I like interesting people."

She leaned back in her chair.

"Also, because you owe me a favor now. And I intend to collect."

Emeric studied her for a moment, then he nodded his thanks.

"Fair enough."

He turned and walked away and he could feel her eyes on him as he went.

He found them in a tavern near the Guild as the meeting point stated.

The Drunken Boar. A modest establishment with wooden tables and low ceilings. The smell of ale and roasted meat filled the air, a fire place burning low to brighten up the place, along with several strategic placed candles. Guess they did not have runic power.

The whole city ran on them. They called it electricity. But from what Bjorn had explained and him not listening, it was basically similar to lightning that was converted into brightness.

He really didn’t get the gist of it. But from what he had seen growing up. Only nobles could afford these luxuries.

He looked around the tavern and noticed a group of four seating at a table near the back. That had to be them right?

Emeric approached.

They looked up as he arrived.

The first was a man. Broad-shouldered. Weathered face. He looked like he had seen a few fights. He looked like the leader.

Beside him sat a younger man. Younger by a decade, at least. He had the same eyes. The same jaw. Maybe a brother?

Across from them sat a woman with messy auburn curls. Some streaked back in a bun. She carried a staff and he had to guess she was the healer.

And then there was the fourth.

She was tall. Elegant with dark hair that fell in waves past her shoulders.Her eeys seemed very intelligent. She was dressed in travelling clothes that somehow managed to be both practical and provocative.

She smiled as Emeric approached.

"Mr. Halden," Collin said, standing. "Sera told us to expect you."

"Collin, I presume."

"That’s right. This is my brother, Maynard. Our healer, Mira. And Clarisse."

Emeric nodded to each of them. Maynard gave a small wave. Mira inclined her head. Clarisse’s smile widened.

"Please," Collin said, gesturing to an empty chair. "Sit."

Emeric sat.

They talked for an hour.