Pete Harrison sat in an armchair and studied the alphabet of Ark City intently. His pet behaved calmly and habitually. The little dracat again hid from prying eyes. Pete did not know how newborn kittens behave. His pet didn't want to run around the room? Fine. No need to draw too much attention to himself. There was a change in their relationship. Pete named his baby boy. He named him Trank. The magical beast helped the young man feel at ease. Tranquilization is good in some cases.
Learning literacy was easy and the young man was pleased with himself.
The end of the conversation with the experienced masters showed him the depth of his inattention. Pete had learned a good lesson.
The older woman had a right to be annoyed. The newcomer behaved like a barbarian. He checked in and got his first support from the Guild. And immediately he showed disrespect! There is an order to respect. You can cheat and insult a wanderer. Summoner Pete is a special case. He is under the protection of the Summoners Guild.
Master Gorr wanted to know the full story. He laughed and said Shine was a very good partner. One must appreciate the cunning and thriftiness of such a girlfriend.
"One vial of blood is worth four hundred silver coins. She did well, taking good advantage of the situation. Have faith in your luck, Pete. If Shine needs you, she'll find you. Spend your time well, start learning literacy!"
Pete followed the master's advice. He began to arrange his life in his new environment.
The Guild building was one floor. From the common room, a staircase led to the attic. In the attic, small rooms were arranged for needy summoners. Pete found an empty room, and he liked it. A few paces long and three paces wide. A place to spend the night and get some privacy. The room had a table, a bed, a chest, and a chair. On the table was the key to the room. The chest was empty. The bed was covered with a blanket, and in the headboard lay a pillow.
Trank showed curiosity. The kitten walked around the corners of the room and was pleased with his new home.
He did not linger in his room and returned to the common room. Pete sat down at the table in the corner of the room and began to familiarize himself with Ark's charter. Occasionally visitors came to the Guild. People had conversations with the masters on duty. Pete realized that the masters were engaged in important business. They were listening to the business propositions of the townsfolk.
Pete paid attention to their conversations. From these conversations, he made some conclusions about the wizarding world. This world reminded him most of the wizarding society in the Harry Potter story. There is a place where mages can meet to conduct business. Mages have homes and communication through fireplaces.
The city of Ark was the main place of residence. Mages had farms and residences outside the walls of the city. Communication through portals aided in the conduct of the household.
The environment outside the walls of the city was dangerous. This world was home to dangerous creatures and all manner of evil magical beings. Mysteriously, the magic of this world created powerful portals. Today Pete entered the portal, tomorrow a dangerous creature with a magical core would enter the portal. Many troubles were also caused by the enemies of Ark City.
It was a subject that worried the young man. The Wall made a strong impression on him. Getting to know the old soldier made him think.
Ark City had major enemies. They were mages from other cities. Enemies were constantly infiltrating the territory of the citizens of Ark City. The enemies behaved like robbers and bandits. Every resident of the city had an emergency portal! At any moment in case of danger, the mage could ask for help. The situation with old man Roy was an example. The old man saw the danger and quickly summoned a strong protector.
Pete listened to the conversations and shook his head. It was good to have a friend like Trank. Their connection helped him feel calm and not panic. Today the young man was learning literacy, tomorrow he would be able to read books on the history of the city. All will be well.
The young man was having thoughts about his past life. Pete was not happy and content with life. When he started university he gladly left his uncle's house. Any abnormal story begins abruptly and grips the newcomer with a quick turn of events. It's hard to find time to evaluate his behavior. Pete was first frightened of possible death, and then he got a little friend. It was the end of his past life. A new life in a new place began for the two creatures.
Every person is important to someone. Pete Harrison sat in a corner, memorizing the letters of the new world. The humble, quiet rookie caller didn't draw any attention to himself.
A new visitor entered the Guild. This visitor had a familiar voice. And Pete immediately recognized his acquaintance. Shine in all the splendor of her impudence and audacity!
The girl immediately indicated her intentions,
"I want to see the new summoner. I have business with him. Thank you for your concern. I can see him already. Pete! Lazy ass! Why are you sitting in the guild? How hard can it be to find old Roy's house? I'm waiting for you, I'm worried about the success of our quest, I'm ready to talk details. You're in breach of contract! Shame on you. You're acting like a savage!"
The girl came to the table toward the end of her accusatory speech. She looked at the young man with disapproval. Now she found herself in foreign territory. Old Roy had fallen into the tenacious clutches of the healer. The old soldier did not want to let the war go from his mind. He led an abnormal life. The museum was his refuge and allowed him to cherish his memories of his times of strength and success. Old friends respected his right to personal problems. Shine was willing to admit that the wanderer was in the right place at the right time. He was a source of change. Shine liked that change. She loved old Roy. The girl was ready to pay attention to the fate of the new citizen. She quickly pieced together a few facts and realized there was a new conscript in town. Shine planned how she would conduct a conversation with the young man. But the bastard had hidden in the Guild!
And now it was time for a showdown. She sat down in the chair next to the young man. She liked the reaction of the masters. No one interfered, no one accused her of disorderly conduct.
"I have no contract with you. I have heard your opinion of my abilities and possible involvement in your affairs. Thank you for your support, the role of loader and trap baiter is certainly a kind assignment for a novice." Pete responded to the charges.
He closed the book and put it on the table. He needed money and connections. But he didn't want to risk his life. Now he had responsibilities. Now he wasn't alone.
"You are not fit for more important jobs," the girl said.
"You misunderstand my new position, Shine. I am a summoner. I have a pet. I have a responsibility. I have to take care of my friend. Think of my words. I am ready to do business with you. I'm willing to listen to your serious offer."
Shine was ready for this turn in the conversation. The life of an adventurer is simple and full of bright events. You have to react quickly to new circumstances. You have to be attentive and willing to change your demeanor.
The girl showed no condescension and her voice became quieter but took on new notes. Her tone was condescending,
"I repeat, you are not fit for important jobs. I'm doing you a favor, Pete. I need a loader. You're no longer fit to be bait for traps. And that fact makes me very unhappy. You let me down so badly, I was counting on you."
Pete didn't expect such insolence. He suddenly realized that his calm and confidence had been shattered. The young man mechanically reached out and stroked his pet. Dracat was sitting on his lap.
The girl, of course, noticed his reaction and took another swipe at the newcomer,
"How rude! To summon a pet while talking to a girl. Do you see me as an enemy? Am I acting like the enemy of the city? What do you allow yourself? I am a decent girl!"
Loud laughter erupted from the masters' table. Pete realized that a couple of seasoned colleagues were watching the meeting closely. With surprise, he discovered a change in his mind.
Pete Harrison didn't know how to behave with girls. He avoided intimacy! He had not learned how to conduct himself intimately with girls. Now he got the accusation in his face. And that accusation made sense. Perhaps he had broken the rules and traditions of behavior.
The young man realized with surprise that the girl's behavior didn't bother him. He looks at her as an actress. The girl plays the role of an insulted innocent with talent. Bravo!
"I didn't summon a pet. My baby is always with me. If that's a problem for you, then our conversation is over."
Shine smiled the cold smile of a predator.
"You're a lucky man, savage. You've met a great helper in your time of need. Good for you. Good response. Your pet isn't the problem. Let's get back to serious. A hundred gold pieces are good pay for a loader's job. You're staying behind. You're out of danger. You carry the load and help carry out the loot. Ten hours of your time. a hundred gold as a reward. What's your answer?"
"A hundred gold coins? You'll get at least a thousand coins! And you want the whole loot. I don't agree. I want three hundred gold coins," the summoner quickly began to haggle.
"Don't even think of haggling with me, savage. Do you know how much an emergency portal costs? Do you know how much money I spent on preparations? You don't know anything about city business. A hundred gold pieces and lunch are on me. Make ten deals like that. Contribute to the Guild and you can start risking your own life."
Pete took the juice goblet and took a sip. She was right. Who needed him? Their acquaintance is the beginning of a fruitful relationship. She has experience and protection in case of extreme danger. The summoner performs the role of a loader! It may not be the best start to a career. He needs to behave modestly. But he won't let himself be fooled!
"I want to clarify one moment. You said about the emergency portal. Then we could be in trouble. I want to compensate if a threat happens."
Shine looked away and thought this wanderer was doing the right thing. A summoner is a special case. Like all mages, she didn't like summoners. Most summoners always hid behind the backs of their pets. And when attacking, the summoner used the strength and skill of the pet. The summoner himself is a cunning dealmaker and nothing more. This savage grows into a competent and proper summoner. Shine squinted her eyes. She knows a few summoners, and all of them are unreliable and greedy. They are all unreliable and greedy cowards. She could use the appreciation of this newcomer. She nodded her head and agreed,
"The world is a dangerous place. You are right and you will be compensated in case of danger. Any disagreements will be resolved by the masters of our guilds."
She held out her hand to the young man. They sealed the pact with a handshake. Shine stood up and gave one last jab,
"I await your lazy ass tomorrow morning at the crossroads. Outside the Guild building. Don't bother visiting my house."