Over the next two weeks, the group concentrated on carrying out various missions. After all, it would have been weird if they started asking questions right after they got to town, so it was best to let some time pass. During this time each did their best to improve their relationship with the guildmaster; it wasn't too difficult, since they had to meet him several times to collect the money owed to him, and consequently often had the opportunity to talk a little. The dragons were always kind and accommodating, and the guildmaster seemed to appreciate that. Despite everything, however, he did not let his guard down: in fact, he knew that predators of the worst kind were hiding behind their calm attitude. Rhaegal, Corgorin and Serengal had already proved to him that they were not stupid, and indeed they knew how to circumvent him if necessary. As a result, the guildmaster kept a close watch on them.
At least, fortunately for him, the new adventurers no longer weighed heavily on the guild's finances after a few days. The sale of the basilisks and great basilisks had been a success and thus the guild was able to pay the agreed 8,000 gold coins. Even though the new group still completed at least one quest per day, the costs weren't that high anymore and the guild could easily pay for it. After all, the only really costly mission, which was to exterminate the Roschark gang, had already been completed. Now the adventurers had only to deal with the remnants, eliminating small affiliated gangs and common bandits, all tasks that were usually not worth more than 400 gold coins.
Even with such simple missions, however, the new adventurers had been able to make a lot of money. By now their fortune was more or less around 18,000 gold coins, enough to buy a small villa. Carrying out a single mission every day, they always returned in the evening having completed it: whether it was a gang of bandits or some dangerous animal or even rescuing a criminal escaping from prison, they always accomplished the task in a single day. Because of this, they had now come to be known throughout the city as the party 'One day'. They were true legends and everyone spoke of them with respect and gratitude for all they had done for Atharka.
Even the chief of the city guard had continued to watch them. Taking advantage of every opportunity, he went to meet them. Clearly, he wanted to discover the secret of these incredible adventurers. And of course, one day just what they expected happened: Garo sent a spy to follow them, hoping to get some information. Unfortunately for the poor man, even if the dragons couldn't rely on their overdeveloped senses they were still experts at moving unnoticed, and having foreseen that aspect they had taken careful countermeasures. The man had been beaten good and then Rhaegal had made him confess that he had been sent by Garo; once he got that information, he'd hauled him off to the city guard barracks, where he'd found Garo and raged at him, yelling at him in front of everyone, before storming off in a rage. Garo hadn't been able to blame him: after all, he too would have been indignant if someone had sent a spy to follow him. And surely his men, who had witnessed the whole scene, also felt the same way. By the evening the news would surely have spread throughout Atharka, and this caused significant damage to Garo's image since almost everyone in the city admired the party 'One day'. So he'd decided to plan ahead and he went to the adventurers' guild to apologize.
When he arrived, the adventuring party was not present. The only one he found was Serengal, busy collecting the money from their last mission. "Hello, Miss Neytirison" he greeted her.
"Oh, it's you" Serengal said, noticing him. "If you've come looking for my brother, he's probably letting off steam in some tavern at the moment. Efren, Sarah, Carlos and Corgorin have gone to calm him down… although I think it's more likely that my sister and her boyfriend will end up by getting drunk themselves"
"Oh… I see" Garo murmured. Apparently Rhaegal should have been really furious. "In that case I will take the opportunity to apologize to you first, Miss Serengal"
"Will you also apologize after my brother's behavior?"
"Well, he was right to be angry. Aren't you?"
"Of course I'm angry, but I'm aware that there are many ways to express anger. My brother has always been too impulsive. He shouldn't have embarrassed you in front of your men"
Garo smiled. He had always liked Serengal for that: she was very calm and pragmatic, and she was always poised. Even though she'd been offended, she could figure out how best to act. "You are too kind to say such things" he replied. "I have wronged you, and I am sorry. I shouldn't have..."
"We have done a lot for this city, and you have not trusted us" Serengal interrupted him, narrowing her eyes in a clear frown. "I know that you are responsible for the safety of this city, and I know that it is your duty to be suspicious of foreigners. When we arrived in this city, we all knew that surely you would keep an eye on us, and we were fine with that. But a spy...really? Not only did you have us followed, but you also attempted to steal our techniques and secrets. So I don't think an 'I'm sorry' will fix the situation. If you want to make up for it, try to do something better"
Garo swallowed, feeling a little guilty. Serengal's words hit him like arrows. That woman didn't freak out like her brother, but she knew how to express anger in a much more incisive and painful way. "I guess you're right" he said. "There is no correct way for me to apologize. I can only promise you that this situation will not happen again, and that none of you will ever be under suspicion again from me. I want to trust you"
Serengal studied him for a moment, then her face relaxed. "Well, that's a start" she said with the hint of a smile.
Garo relaxed too. It seemed that at least one member of the party 'One day' had accepted his apology. "Thank you for your understanding. You are truly a very generous woman"
"How many compliments in just a few sentences. Are you flirting with me, by any chance?" Serengal laughed winking her eyes.
Garo knew the woman was only joking, it was obvious. He couldn't help but chuckle too at the prospect. Well, technically Serengal was very beautiful, and he was sure that many men would have did everything to win her heart, but Garo wasn't interested in her in that sense. "No, I would never dare. Your brother is already angry with me, if he found out that I flirted with his sister he would definitely punch me" he joked in turn.
"Nah, don't worry. My brother doesn't care who I go out with, as long as I'm happy" Serengal laughed again, then her gaze became very soft. "You are a good man, Mr. Ormal. I will put in a good word for you with my brother. Don't worry, he may be impulsive but he's not a rancorous man. I'm sure he will understand and forgive you"
Garo was happy at those words. Serengal's magnetic gaze made them even sweeter, as if reconciliation with Rhaegal was now certain. "Thank you"
"Don't thank me. I'm still a little angry with you" Serengal said. "But I understand you just made a mistake. After all, with the war going on I guess you've had a lot of stress lately, and even now that it's over you'll be busy..."
Garo nodded. Serengal was right on point. "Yeah, it was pretty difficult. With all the weird things that happened during the war, it's hard not to be on the defensive all the time"
"Yeah, I guess so" Serengal said, then her gaze turned interested. "What kind of weird stuff happened, by the way?"
Garo was surprised by the question, since many of the strange things were public knowledge, but then remembered that she and her family had been isolated from the rest of the world for a while, so it was understandable that they didn't know anything. "This war has been crazy" he explained. "At first it seemed like we were winning quickly, and then the conflict dragged on. Then a hydra was released near the border, and that same hydra was then turned into a calamity. And then a dragon appeared at the suddenly and killed it..."
"A dragon!?" Serengal's eyes widened. "There's a dragon around here!?"
Garo realized that his words could be misunderstood. "No, no! He's not around here anymore, they captured him. You don't have to worry"
"Captured? Has anyone captured a dragon?" Serengal looked amazed. Garo couldn't blame her. Dragons were always portrayed in any story as nearly invincible monsters, which wasn't far from reality. It was natural that she was appalled. "Well, he's not an adult dragon. Yeah, well, one of those big beasts with wings and who can use spells that we can only dream of. He was just a baby dragon. They captured him and brought him to the capital. Now he's a gladiator of the arena"
"A gladiator from the arena? In the capital?" Serengal seemed more and more interested. Probably, Garo reflected, she must be very curious to see a live dragon. "How come nobody talks about it?"
"The news hasn't reached this city on the border of the kingdom yet. While that dragon is quite famous, he's currently known more in the central cities" Garo explained. "I and a few others know of his existence through the army information channel, but ordinary people have no such means. Until the news hits here by word of mouth no one else will know. But still, probably you'll hear about him within a few months"
"I see. A real dragon… quite incredible" Serengal murmured, and it seemed she was talking more to herself by now. "Well, I've wasted enough of your time. I'll go find my brother and bring him your apologies. You go back to your duties. I'm sure as soon as my brother calms down, I'll be able to persuade him to come to your house to reconcile with you"
"Thank you. And sorry again for the offense you had to suffer" Garo said before saying goodbye politely and leaving. He had been lucky to meet her: he was sure that this woman would be able to persuade Rhaegal to cancel any enmity between them, and thus avoid the spread of rumors about a possible conflict between the head of the city guard and the head of the party of Atharka's most famous and admired adventurers.
If he had turned even once, however, he would have noticed a very curious detail. Serengal's expression was no longer calm and sweet as always: on the contrary, an evil grin had formed on her face and her eyes shone with a sinister light. Everything had gone as planned.
Of course, none of what had happened had been accidental. It was all part of the dragons' plan. Rhaegal would never have been impulsive enough to rage like that at Garo just for a spy, and he certainly wouldn't have gone drunk in anger. And even if that happened, surely Serengal wouldn't bother collecting the money the guild owed her, but would run to find her brother to help him. Everything had been done with a specific purpose.
The dragons had foreseen that sooner or later Garo would put a spy on their trail, and that was exactly what they wanted. By ridding the city of Roschark's gang and completing one quest every day, they had gained enormous fame. Many saw them as heroes, so if the chief of the city guard had antagonized them, many would have been displeased. The damage to Garo's image would have been very hard to bear, and if he hadn't been careful he could have created chaos in the city. That was why Rhaegal had been so furious in a place where he knew for certain that many would see and hear him, and spread the word. That way Garo, who despite being a proud man had his priorities clear, would surely come to apologize.
By then, the second part of the plan had begun. Rhaegal hadn't gone to get drunk: he and the others had simply gone into hiding. Without knowing where they were, Garo would go to the place where he was most likely to find them: the guild. There Serengal had been able to meet him alone. Humans opened up more easily when they felt guilty and faced with a person who showed them understanding, and Serengal had modeled her character on that description. It had been easy for Serengal to turn Garo's curt apology into friendly conversation; once she had done that, she had 'accidentally' blamed Garo's actions on the stress of the war, and so he had mentioned strange events, and she 'accidentally' wanted to know more...
"Thank you very much for your help, Mr. Ormal" Serengal whispered without losing her triumphant grin. "I finally know where my brother is!"