The guild building was a let down. I was expecting some grandiose building made of marble stone and filled to the brim with people doing posted quests like the light novels I read.
It wasn't.
It was a shack filled with holes that needed a cleaning. Made of old oak planks and cedar roof tiles with a rickety door that swung on a single hinge. This was humble to say the least. Sam and I looked at each other skeptically before she approached the door slowly. The caustic creak of its single hinge made my scales want to stand on end from how creepy it sounded. What we found inside was depressing to say the least.
The roof had a hole in it with a bucket of nails and a hammer showing someone was going to be working on it. And the floors crackled and wobbled where Sam stepped. Some parts even had entire boards missing. Heck! The person at the counter was an ugly old dude in glasses and a robe with a huge beard. Not some cute chick! I felt cheated. Cheated I tell you! Even if a dilapidated building like this represents a business should have something to draw people in. (If they get past the outside appearance at least.)
Sam went forward (Being careful to avoid the holes in the floor) and spoke to the man at the counter. His grizzled appearance and singular eye surveyed us coldly. His other eye bore a pale scar and his beard was a dirty grey color. Yet despite his almost beggar-like appearance I could feel a ferocity in his gaze when he saw me sitting on Sam's shoulder.
" I'm here for an adventurers pass." The man opened his eye a little wider as his gaze flicked back to Sam's face. She looked at him for a time before repeating. "I'm here for-" He held up his hand and slowly pulled out a black stone obelisk from his robe. It was a foot tall and three inches wide. "I heard you the first time." He said cutting her off abruptly.
" Put a drop of blood in and see what comes out." He said in a reedy voice rather dismissively. I looked at the stone and could smell blood coming from the pointy top. Sam took her index finger and pricked it on the tip of the stone. A drop of blood fell on the obelisk and was quickly absorbed as red veins went through the stone like a beating heart. It was cool to watch. The stone turned an icy blue then red like lava. After that it turned back to it's black coloring. There was a whistling noise and dust seemed to get sucked into a slot on the bottom of the stone till I could see a something forming.
With a hissing ding the stone spat a card like object halfway out. Sam's eyes twinkled in excitement as she took it and looked at it.
"That card will record everything that you do over the next year till it needs to be renewed. So don't murder, steal, injure without sufficient cause, or commit any other crimes else they will be recorded on the card and you will be dealt with as sees fit.." He continued. " If you have a familiar or pet they too must be registered here." The man waved at me.
"I assume he's yours."
" I am." I said loudly. The man's eyes slightly bugged out as his head whipped around to look at me. I got on my back legs and reached for the obelisk. He picked up the stone and moved it.
" Not this one. Go to that one." He nodded over in the direction of the wall.
I got down off Sam and walked over to a large obsidian slab that was laying on the floor. It almost looked like a caveman's weighscale. And could hold a horse on it without a problem. I stepped into the middle of it and felt a slight stinging sensation on my feet.
"Ow!" I raised my feet a little like I was dancing some. I could put up with pain. Don't get me wrong. I just dont like to.
The slab turned a dark purple with red streaks through it similar to what happened with Sam. The colors started to move to a single point until two little lights came out. One entered the collar I was wearing. The other entered Sam's card.
/ Host has been put under Omniscient Watcher Protocol. Does not hinder or help host. System will leave it alone./
" Now he is also attached to your card and as such is under the same restrictions. Make sure to handle him well. " The man said as looked at me under his glasses. "Now. How can the guild help you?" He went over and sat in his rocking chair that I hadn't noticed before with his hands woven together.
" We wish for passage to The Western Country. We wish to be undetected and not have royalty looking for us. Is this possible Guild Master?"
My jaw smashed into the floor. " Guild Master! This Old man is the Guild Master!?!?!?!?!?!?!" I pointed at him as I spoke in shock. Sam and the old man ignored me and proceeded with business.
"Girl I do know a way for you to get to the western continent. But it is not very lady like and I do believe you are a noble. I see the Carnac brooch on your cloak. Lady Samantha." He bowed slightly. "If you wish to voyage to the western shores, you will need a boat. And I know a person who will be leaving in three days time. Meet them at the port by the ship called Dragon Lady. Tell them Vorst sent ya." He passed a small note to Sam and a wink at me which made me cringe e a bit.
With that business done we turned to go. As I passed through the door I once again heard the old man's voice.
"Dragon Youngling... Take care of your master. There's as many dangers on the waters as there are on the lands. It's best if you stay alert." I turned but the old man was sound asleep in his chair.
" Ignis! You coming!?" Sam called from outside. " Yes!" I shouted back. I quickly left the place with his words engraved in my mind. It wasn't long till the day of our departure arrived so we had to get some supplies for the trip. Sam had bought a small pack that was big enough to carry me in. ( Being the size of a small poodle helps a bit. ) I thought as I got in. The cloak within covered me some. "Time for our voyage."
Sam giggled a little as she pickup the bag and slung it on her shoulder.