Smelling of unwashed ass and mildew, Dorcas practically skipped as the Arbiter and the two city guards escorted him to his punishment. The Arbiter didn’t pay him any attention, but the two city guards seemed to have woken up on the wrong side of the bed that day.

  “What in the Gods name are you so happy for boy? For all you know you’ll be scraping shit out of chamber pots for this contract.”

  Before he could get a word in, grumpy guards number two opened his yapper.

  “The boy is from Badway, can’t possibly be too bright is all Sam.”

  Throwing a quick look towards the Arbiter who led them towards the Adventurers Guildhall, the man didn’t spare a glance backwards, so Dorcas took that as an okay to tell these two idiots exactly how he felt.

  “I didn’t know I was dealing with two real academic sorts. Who knew the city guards needed university graduates to escort some poor orphan rat. Real quality gentlemen here.”

  “Oy you skinny little shit…”

  “Yes, I am sure being in the presence of someone as uncultured and lacking my two side teeth is unbearable for you lads.”

  The one missing his two side teeth went to lunge for his neck, hoping to give him a good strangle was stopped by the Arbiters clear voice.

  “That’s enough. You insulted him and he insulted you better. A swing and a miss, it happens to us all gentlemen. There will be no violence during this escort you see. I simply won’t tolerate it.”

  Gawain glared back at the guards briefly who very quickly got exactly what he was putting down and stepped back to their previous positions. Dorcas was about to turn around and give them the finger but one look from the Arbiter cowed him.

  It was silent for a short while before Gawain spoke.

  “Mister Mallorcas. I must admit I have been very interested in something about your case.”

  Dorcas met the Arbiters’ back with his eyes before quickly responding.

  “What would that be sir?”

  “How did you defeat the young Abyle? He has the class of Adept Swordsman and has had it for the better part of the year. His father has a similar class and has of course been drilling his son. Though your father was owner of a martial class you are not Awakened and was able to best him. The boy refused to give details and his little flower you plucked also seemed heavy tongued when I asked.”

  Dorcas was silent for a moment before snickering nastily.

  “That pansy has never had to fight someone who actually wants to take off his head. He thought he would power up some magic sword technique and I would just stand there and take it. The moment he pulled out that expensive lump of metal and it started glowing blue, I threw my spiced wine in his face. Kicked him in his nads and introduced him to my right elbow. Whenever one of those Awakened types start channeling their magic into their abilities, many of them get one track minded and never see it coming. Plus, I’m sure he has never taken a hit to his head before.”

  Arbiter Teklas silence frightened him for a moment but hearing the mans giddy chuckles eased the panic gripping his nads.

  “Yes, I see it now. Very good Dorcas. I am sure you were able to spot he was a pansy from a mile off. You knew your mark. I wonder though, would you have done the same if you were sober?”

  His response was quick as lightning.

  “No sir. I stay far away from fancy folk slumming it. And the gal wasn’t that pretty.”

  The guard named Sam tried to disguise his laugh as a cough but the Arbiter once again openly chuckled.

  “Another bit of advice boy. You were very lucky. That would not work on someone who was much more experienced, especially an Awakened. And soon you’ll become Awakened and understand why. Secondly, the moment you become Awakened and a licensed Adventurer to boot, dealing with fancy folk is something you will have to deal with. No if, ands or buts. So, whatever class you choose is fine but the skills and perks you pick will determine if you remain an Adventurer of if you end up a city guard like Samson and Thierry back there.”

  Dorcas turned to look at the two guards who both wore expressions of anger and shame. Interesting.

  “Sir, are you saying that the city guardsmen are just washed-up Adventurers?”

  “Indeed. Many young men and women Awaken, go to join the Guild, make awful decisions and end up with skills that will not see them further their career in the guild or if they are foolish enough to keep going after making those terrible decisions; they end up too injured to continue or with a reputation so bad no one will deal with them. Forcing them to consider other career paths. Samson has the C ranked Hunter class and would have made for an excellent scout and support fighter, but he invested his skill points into magic heavy skills early on without having the magic capacity to use them or the money to buy mana potions. Which means he burns out too quickly in a fight and most parties don’t need a member who can only scout averagely.”

  “Now wait a minute!”

  “Thierry has the class of Brawler. He thought he would do well as a tank and made an adventuring party with his childhood friends, Samson included, but tanks need to be able to withstand a lot of damage over a long period of time. Something a level 1 Brawler with cheap armor could not do. His party took a mission for Bile rats here in the city, a D ranked mission that should not have led to casualties but unlucky them a high C ranked mutant Bile rat was involved and turned his 2 other party members to mincemeat after batting him to the side. That day the Guild lost a Poisoner and Rogue.”

  Dorcas’s head whipped around to see the red faces of his guards. Both men looked humiliated and devastated. Dorcas would have never guessed the two louts had such a sordid history. He kinda felt bad for them. He also wondered why the Arbiter, who seemed kind, aired their dirty laundry so casually?

  “Oh, don’t feel bad boy. Damage is done. Their lives have been set. Besides, over the next two years at the Guild you would have been privy of all the losers and washouts stories from the more successful members. Everyone in this chapter knows of their little tragedy. All newbies are told the local horror stories of green Adventurers biting off more than they could chew and ending up as the city guards captain lap dogs. The reason I am telling you about their past now is because they are conveniently right here. My point, however, is that what you, at the very beginning of your journey, decide will lead to ruin or success. Don’t be overconfident and listen to your seniors, within reason of course.”

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  Dorcas nodded even though the Arbiter couldn’t see it. The rest of the walk to the Guildhall was as silent as a funeral. The Arbiter seemed satisfied that he got his point across, the two guards likely stewing in self-hate and resentment towards the Arbiter for putting their shame out in the open right in front of them and Dorcas lost in thought. He would be honest with himself and say that his initial thoughts were to choose skills that were flashy and powerful but his conversation with Gawain beat that idea to death. He did not want to end up rubbing shoulders with the likes of Captain Philos nor did he want to lose his two side teeth.

  Eventually they faced the entrance to the place he was contracted to be “punished” at for the next two years. Dorcas didn’t have a reason to ever hang around the Adventurers guild and he didn’t want to cause trouble with people who could possibly turn him to dust with a look but now that he had time to actually look, he could admit that the Adventurers headquarters was one of the nicest buildings in the city. Made from stone and iron, it looked impregnable and sleek. Not gaudy and expensive like the church or misplaced like the local lord’s manse which was rebuilt in the southern style and stood out like a sore thumb. The Arbiter turned to address his followers.

  “Samson and Thierry you are free to go about whatever duties that crook Philos has set you to. And because I realize that me using your past indiscretions so blatantly could be seen as impolite…”

  Dorcas held back a snort. Seen as impolite? More like incredibly rude. Or rubbing salt in an open wound or rubbing rat shit in an open sore. What a weird way to apologize.

  “I feel I should offer some recompense for any sour feelings. Just because you are failures as Adventurers doesn’t mean its okay to pull your skeletons out of the closet.”

  Oh. Okay, so not an apology.

  “Your Captain thinks that because he did the right thing in the end that his livelihood and position is safe. I shall be extremely clear. It is not. What he did was absolutely unacceptable and undermines the Crowns authority and unfortunately for him, he does not have the noble blood to protect him. I will be taking his head as soon as I drop this young man off. And that pedophilic sodomizer might be next. Due to the fact your boss will be relieved of the burden of his crooked head, there very well may be disruption in your pay until the local lord finds a suitable replacement. Hold tight to your coin because there is no guarantee that the Lord of this city will move with care for the city guard. My investigation means one of the Kings’ very own Royal Inquisitors will be taking a look at the Church and all that it has touched in the coming weeks. I hope for your sake that you have kept your noses clean.”

  Oh. Okay. Yeah. Definitely not an apology. Dorcas looked at the two guards who seemed purple with fear and decided that yes, he felt bad for the two.

  “Don’t try to skip town either. There are high ranked Adventurers keeping an eye on the gates. If they see you two fleeing like bats out of hell, your insides may very well likely become your outs. You are dismissed.”

  Dorcas watched the two men, no geldings, walk stiffly in the direction of the guard’s tower. Turning slowly back round, Dorcas had to ask the ever-polite Arbiter a question.

  “You don’t think they’re gonna tell the Captain sir?”

  “From what I gathered of your cities guard, not on their lives they won’t. But I’ve hoped for brains from stupider beast. Now come, destiny awaits.”

  xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

  The inside of the guildhall was just as busy as Dorcas expected it to be. One part bar and inn, one part storefront, a large reception desk straight ahead of the entrance doors and the sidewall was just mission boards. Nobody paid any attention to him and his savior, all probably entirely too busy with their own business and while Gawain cut an interesting figure, he wasn’t particularly eye catching. In no ways a hideous beast but every man and women here were armored, muscled and tall. Dorcas laughed to himself, he looked like a servant and not a potential adventuring bad ass.

  “We will be meeting with this chapters Guild Master to form this contract and Awaken you, Dorcas. If you have any questions, ask them now.”

  Gawain led him away from the entrance doors off to the side where they wouldn’t be in anyone’s way.

  “What if I don’t get a combat class?”

  “A good question from a clever boy. The Guild is not made up of people who only punch, slash or blow things up Dorcas. There are those that work strictly in administrative roles, those who work in Guild run shops and other businesses and those who work strictly support roles where no fighting is done.”

  “Like Porters.”

  “Yes exactly. A thankless job but necessary for large expeditions where lots of loot is expected. If you awaken and have no combat ready classes available to you, the Guild will find somewhere to work you for the contracted two years.”

  “So, it’s entirely possible I will be scraping shit from chamber pots?”

  The Arbiters rueful laugh made him sigh.

  “Don’t go blowing wind boy. It is unlikely you’ll get a class low enough to be a muckraker. But even if you were to be so unlucky to get a class as basic as Farmer or Laborer, would you rather be clearing chamber pots in the city of your birth with a warm bed and meals to look forward to or chopping massive pine trees in the north or swinging a pick that weighs as much as you in a cramped unregulated mine south of here? Don’t forget what could have been simply because you avoided it by pure happenstance.”

  “Sir I don’t want you thinking I am not grateful. It’s just… when I was younger, I would dream about getting my fathers class and making him proud. Becoming a right terror with a spear, slaying goblins and showing every bandit from here to Nivya what for.”

  Gawain nodded his head in understanding and spoke in his concise polite manner.

  “Yes, but you are no longer a little boy. A boy still by my own standards but a man in the eyes of the Kings law. Dreaming must be a nostalgic pass time because your life may be in real peril. Is that the only question you have?”

  “No sir. The contract, I can’t read and can barely right my own name so…”

  “So, you are wondering if you are signing a slave contract or something that will suck your soul from your toes if you sneeze wrong?”

  “M-my toes sir…”

  “Have I not done right by you Mister Mallorcas? I believe I have, and I have read the contract thoroughly. Your freedom is guaranteed after two years and your soul safe.”

  Dorcas gave his savior a searching look and decided to trust him. His short sixteen years alive has made him jaded and unwilling to trust most people or things but if he was to trust someone wholeheartedly, it would be Gawain. Dorcas has decided that Gawain Teklas was a good man, and good men do good.

  Giving a short nod to the Arbiter the man smiled brightly and then started to lead him pass everyone to the great staircase behind the receptionist desk. Up they went to his future and Dorcas felt good about it. He could do this.

  The Guild master was just as intimidating as he imagined. Big, burly and one thousand percent capable of breaking him in half like chalk. He had the usual coloring for locals native to the southern most parts of their kingdom, but the man was a titan. Dorcas thought the Arbiter was quite tall compared to his 5’8ft frame; a respectable 6’1ft, but this Guild master was way over 7 feet tall and at least 300lbs of murder muscles.

  Gawain walked calmly into the giants lair with a genial smile and pep in his step while he walked cautiously behind him. The Guild master stood behind his desk chair and watched uninterestedly as the Arbiter made his way to one of the very comfy looking seats. Gawain sat down with a small sigh, and he was soon to follow in the opposite chair. Before his ass hit the cushion the Guild master intoned calmly, “No.” Dorcas shot up like the bailiff was behind him, stiff cock in hand and looked at the Guild master quite afraid.

  Gawain belly laughed and the Guild master just smiled ruefully.

  “I’m sorry sir. What did I do wrong?”

  Inside he sang a song passed down from all of his ancestors. It went something like ‘DONTKILLMEDONTKILLMEDONTKILLME!’

  “Calm yourself young Dorcas. You broke no law, unwritten or not. You simply smell like the insides of an ogre’s ass and I don’t want that on my cushions.”

  Gawain continued chuckling but Dorcas didn’t find any of this shit funny. Instead of showing his discomfort, he just smiled and nodded. He wouldn’t get twisted into an unrecognizable ball of bone and flesh. No fucking thank you.

  “Young Dorcas, it is my hope that Gawain has informed you of the basics?”

  “Yes sir. I will be contracted to the guild for the next two years working in whatever capacity my class and skills allows. And the guild will Awaken me.”

  The Guild master looked at him and then at Gawain. Gawain gave a sorry little smile and chirped; “My goodness Asla, I didn’t have the time to bring out the Adventurer encyclopedia.”

  Dorcas smartly remained quiet.

  “Dorcas. Say fare thee well to our friend the Arbiter who has business to handle and we’ll get you better informed and then sign the contract.”

  Dutifully turning on his heel he said, “Fare thee well sir.”

  The Arbiter, biting back a smile and obviously in a great mood gave a short nod, stood and made his way to the door.

  Before turning the doorknob and leaving forever, as heroes are want to do, he turned to face him and said, “Good luck Dorcas Alaric Mallorcas.” Out he went. To go chop off a head.

  Turning back to a still cool, calm and collect Guild master, or Asla, Dorcas waited for instruction. The man gave a short nod.

  “Frome what Gawain has told me; you are not informed on many things…”

  ‘Damn! Did he just call me stupid?”

  “And since you are lacking in that department, I will start with the very basics.”

  ‘Oh. Yeah. I was just called stupid.’

  “Hold any questions for the end and if it is deemed too important for you to wait to ask so you can understand, simply raise one finger. Gawain claimed you were a clever if traditionally uneducated lad not lacking in bravery and some martial skill. Prove him right. Today marks not just the beginning of your contractual punishment, but the rest of your life. Listen well and follow the rules given to you and you may find yourself living a long one. You will leave this office Awakened and a conditional member of the Adventurers Guild of the Kingdom of Ceba. Frome this point on the only thing you have to fear is not the King or his nobles. Nor the local guard captain or the bailiff. You shouldn’t even fear me. No. Fear only failure. Because when an Adventurer fails, death follows.”

  Dorcas stood open mouthed for a moment too long as the man who seemed to be made from Orichalcum stared with a poise bred from years of beating the odds or beating the shit out of who or whatever was in his way. It took too long for him to realize that Asla wanted him to speak. And honestly, he was afraid to speak. But he had just skirted death and he would be a fool to not try and take this new life and make something of it. If it requires speaking, he will speak. Lifting his head and puffing out his chest, he spoke truth to power and shook the very foundations of the Guildhall.

  “Uh… yes sir. I’ll do my best.”