I could tell we neared Paul's location, his presence always bringing in a large crowd as a small mass of citizens stood around the entrance of a quaint house eagerly trying to glimpse in through the windows. "Well, I guess he's in there." Anna pointed.
"Seems so, shall we knock?" I questioned.
"Even if we tried, they'd probably won't answer anyway and we would need to push our way through the crowd." Anna laughed.
"What should we do then?" I questioned.
"To be honest he's probably sensed us arriving long ago so we just need to wait for him." Anna smiled making me think why he never came to help even though he should have been able to sense us.....
"So we just sit and wait?" I questioned.
"Hmm, let us look for someplace quiet, that way he doesn't bring the crowd with him," Anna suggested.
"Good idea" I replied following Anna down a small alleyway between some houses it was surprisingly clean for being in the lower district.
As predicted a few minutes later a red portal opened out and out stepped Paul. "Emilia!" He smiled giving me a quick hug quickly sending me back to the old days when we used to go to school together.
"Hey..." I replied hugging I'm back a little, surprised that he hugged me.
"And Anna the Guard bells, nothing dangerous? I hope." He questioned.
"Small incident nothing to worry about." Anna smiled.
"Great, I got a little worried when I heard the bell's thought it might have been something serious attack again." He smiled, "So Emilia what brings you here? Not bunking classes are we?" He questioned with a raised eyebrow with a hint of humour in his voice.
"There was a request for Daisy to help today, Grace and I also came to help." I smiled.
"Oh?" He looked at me curiously.
"Long story I'll explain letter, what about you how did the meeting go?" I questioned eagerly waiting for his answer.
"Just agreeing to compensate everyone who lost something, also set up temporary residence for half the lower district, and bring in supplies and manpower to help rebuild the city." Paul sighed.
"How are you gonna achieve such a feat?" I questioned a little shocked at how absurd it all sounded and how nonchalant he was.
"Well that's to come later, right now I have more important matters to deal with." He smiled.
"So Paul what are you doing?" Anna questioned.
"I need to visit each family that lost a loved one in the conflict," Paul answered.
"To reimburse them for their loss?" I questioned.
"Not only that, I wanted to apologize for not being able to save their loved ones who bravely and valiantly fought till their very last breath to save us and the city," Paul explained with a deep hurt look in his eyes.
"Anything we can do to help?" I questioned seeing the hurt in his eyes making my eyes begin to well up with tears.
"Actually there is something you can do to help." He smiled.
"We can?" Anna questioned a little unconvinced.
"Yes... I have a diplomatic mission for the both of you." He smiled.
"Diplomatic?" I asked a little confused.
"Yes, I have a meeting with some mountain Dwarves they should be arriving soon, I need both of you to arrange a deal for their building and manpower to rebuild the city." He answered.
"Why Dwarves?" I chuckled a little.
"Dwarves are amongst the greatest architects and builders, not only that they are more resilient to the cold then we are. I'm also trying to forge a stronger alliance between the Dwarves and the humans here." He smiled.
"So we bring them to you?" I questioned.
"Nah, I have too many families to visit. I need you both to negotiate a price and agreement for them to come over and help rebuild the city." He explained.
"Are you sure that's such a good idea?" Anna questioned.
"As long as either one of you isn't an Elf," He chuckled.
"What do we have or what should we offer for their cooperation?" I questioned.
"Whatever is needed," He smiled.
"Yeah but... what's the going rate of labour and stuff?" I began to question.
"Don't worry about that just get it sorted for me." He smiled and disappeared quickly into a red portal, "Sorry but I must rush of I've got a lot of families to visit before the day is over." He shouted before it closed behind him.
I stood there totally gobsmacked at the speed of his exit, "Well looks like we have a job to do." Anna smiled.
"Wait the idiot didn't even tell us when or where we should be meeting them! Is he always like that? rushing off and things." I yelled in anger realizing we're in a pickle.
"A few times, it only happens when he has a lot on his plate. Come let's head to a local bar in the lower district." Anna smiled and began to walk.
"Why?" I questioned.
"Dwarves don't care much for niceties and things, plus their usual first stop is always alcohol, the cheaper the better." Anna chuckled.
"So have you been with Paul in any previous negotiations?" I questioned making our way through the city.
"I have been a silent witness of a few." She smiled.
"What are they like?" I questioned hoping that they aren't shady, intense or life-threatening.
"He's always happy to help but he's very firm, he'll never accept getting the short end of the stick," She answered.
"Really?" I answered back finding it a little unbelievable, the gentle kind and conflict avoiding person I once knew would have just accepted anything as long as they were happy.
"Don't be so worried, in most cases the deals are pretty simple to negotiate." Anna smiled.
"What do you mean?" I questioned.
"Well, it's not every day you get to deal with the Black Dragon Slayer and his associates." Anna smiled.
"So normally ask for your skills?" I questioned.
"Yup, exactly." Anna winked.
"What sort of deals get arranged?" I questioned.
"Kill beasts, giants, dealing with a criminal syndicate. The list goes on." Anna answered.
"What is sort of price do you guys normally demand?" I questioned curiously
"Hmmm, easily a few hundred platinum for a standard escort to standing guard for a week." She answered.
"Jeez, your prices are no joke," I gasped in shock.
"Of course, our name alone will scare off even the biggest of scumbag syndicates or even take down the most fearsome of beasts and monsters." She smiled extremely proud of their status.
"Quick question, how sure are you these Dwarves would even recognize us. They certainly won't recognize me." I questioned.
"Hmm come to think of it they might not recognize me either, being the newest and quietest member..." She replied a little surprised.
One by one we made our way to different establishments asking the bartender or any other patrons if they've seen a band of Dwarves anywhere. Eventually, we got pointed to a direction that sounded promising that was closer to the side of the lower district that got devastated.
"This looks like the place," Anna pointed at an inn with a set of five magnificent mountain Rams were tied to posts, they were extremely fluffy, thick with fur ranging from brown in colour to a dirty white. Each had it's own saddle to ride on and a small satchel to hold supplies, with a thick metallic helmet I'd assume to protect its head. A young boy came into view. His whole body shaking involuntarily from the cold trying to lug a barrel filled with water to fill a trough for the rams to drink from.
"Woah!!! Dwarves ride Rams?!" I questioned in both shock and excitement.
"Well, mountain Dwarves normal do, Rams handle the rocky and uneven terrain better than a horse and are more resilient to the bitter climate," Anna smiled. "Hey, kid!" She shouted pulling his attention and flicked a platinum coin to him. "Buy yourself something warm." She smiled and entered the inn pushing open the double doors, warmth and song and laughter radiated out the opening as a jolly well lit bar stood in front of us.
"I guess this is where people laugh and drink to escape the bitter climate," I said walking in following Anna.