Chapter 3.3

“What? Nahhhhh…” Soren chuckled again as he looked the other direction. Syr didn’t look convinced at all. “But, anyway, since this is about the kind of place you want to join, how about we stick to that topic? Let’s start with what it is you want to get done as a Freelancer anyway. Wanting to investigate Ascian ruins is one thing,”

“I mean I would simply be lying if I said that wasn’t my main motive for wanting to become a Freelancer,” Syr sighed, letting a hand come to rest on the table, her fingers starting to repeatedly tap across it. “However, while it’s a desire born out of my curiosity as a scholar, but… I also left the forests because I want to see more of our world as a whole. Perhaps it’s just a fault of my culture and all, as we Vanalfs are known for our bouts of wanderlust.”

“So, the Alfs I know here have said,” chuckled Tenzo. “It just seems natural to meet your people being out and about because they got too antsy staying in their fancy study halls and what not.”

“Call it a consequence of being long lived,” Syr chuckled. “When you have so much time on your hands, sometimes the urge to get out and spend a decade or two doing something new just strikes one… which really puts some things into perspective with us compared to others who don’t live quite as long.”

“Well, I’d at least advise not taking a few years to decide on this,” Soren mused, Syr sticking her tongue out at him. “I suppose the other thing to consider is how much action you wanna see. Invests spend about half their time helping research groups, since unlike us Mercs their jobs aren’t usually as high in the intensity. It does however mean we get to take pretty extensive trips. Like my last job: I was out in Vanira helping some eggheads from the College with some Drake tests. They needed somebody with good combat skills to make sure the things didn’t get too uppity.”

“Heh, and who better than one of the SSA’s esteemed Sword Saints?” Tenzo smirked at Soren, who proceeded to clear his throat. “But, as he said, the intensity you want to get involved in is certainly a factor. It’s not unusual for Freelancers from different guild types to join the same job, especially the more dangerous sorts that require a diversity of skills to manage, but those are admittedly not the most common sort… though they also resultingly pay quite well.”

“Hmm… so, occasional big action but steadier periods of research… or more chances to get out there and see more exotic things,” Syr shut her eyes as she started to think. And to the amusement of her two discussion partners, her ears started twitching as she descended deeper into her thoughts to parse through things.

Syr could, first off, see where the line between the two types blurred with one another. The initial impression still held true, but now it was clear the added complexities of actual Freelancer work meant that the on-paper statements were a bit blended together. Of anything that made far more sense than some strict divide in specialties. When it came to digging into the unknown, whether it was merely finding it to begin with or delving further into that find, it would require a lot more than being good in a fight or smart behind the desk.

So, it truly came down to a simple matter of her desires in the long term. And even then, she still wasn’t sure of any finer workings she simply couldn’t be told of since she still wasn’t a Freelancer herself.

But… the answers I’m looking for go a lot deeper than just a few sets of ruins to research over a long period of time, cracking an eye open, Syr glanced to Soren as he and Tenzo were holding their own inane banter while waiting for her to think things over. Those eyes of his… they’re just like his… and what Brother told me about that man… if these two have the same kinds of eyes, then maybe…

“Hagh… well I wasn’t expecting to have an easy time with this,” Syr let out a sigh, Soren and Tenzo chuckling. “I’m afraid I’m going to need a bit more time to settle on what type of Guild that fits my needs. I did pay for three days of board at the Amber Dawn anyway… and more if I need to.”

“Well, we’re not going to try and pressure you or anything,” Tenzo remarked. “It’s better for newcomers to take time with their decisions rather than rush in all bullheaded… that’s how people get killed in this line of work.”

“Not even gonna sugarcoat it, huh?” Syr tilted her head while Tenzo chuckled.

“Well, if we’re done here, I actually got some business to take of in another part of town,” Soren stood from his chair, adjusting his sword as he did so. “The old bull is gonna be up my ass if I don’t bring this puppy in for maintenance. Syr, if you wanna stick around with this fox and ask more questions about how these folks work, feel free. He’ll treat ya’ fairly.”

“Going to abandon the fair maiden now?” Tenzo snickered, Soren rolling his eyes.

“Trust me, the last thing this girl needs in a place like this is a bodyguard.”

“Well, I do hope you…” Syr trailed off as her ears flinched, the other two raising brows at her sudden reaction.

“Well now, isn’t this an eclectic duo to see?” a low yet chiming voice broke the sudden tension.

Greeting the trio – though seemingly unaware of Syr at the moment – was a male Alf. Standing tall but slim, wearing the elegant robes of a scholar in warm forest greens and browns with contrasting portions of white. The man’s golden hair, marked by several near-iridescent streaks, being kept in a clean, slicked back quaff, and like Syr had the pale skin of a person who spent most of his time indoors. And despite the Alf’s youthful expression, his eyes bore the wisdom of one far older than his appearance would let on.

“Master Rhodri!” Tenzo remarked, the elder Alf giving an amused grin. “What’s bringing you out of the office right now?”

“I was simply heading out to meet up with a few of the other Guild Masters, the usual business,” Rhodri’s deep trill had a relaxing effect to it, his manner of speech bringing to mind a friendly grandfather. “And it’s a pleasure to see you gracing our Hall today, Sir Ragnvald. What brings you here?”

“Just showing a newcomer from Vanira around,” Soren gestured to Syr. “About to head off to Bellows Street before the old bull calls me up.”

“Ahaha, ah yes. Sir Emberstone is quite the type, especially if it involves his prize creations,” Rhodri chuckled as Soren groaned. “Now as for this… oh.”

Rhodri paused as he laid eyes on Syr, the younger Alf giving a polite bow of her head.

“Hello there,” Syr began, “My name is Syr Fleyldis. I’m a graduate of the College. Looking to join the Freelancers for… I suppose a mix of scholarly reasons and my own wanderlust.”

“Ahh, a College graduate,” if Rhodri’s pause had been for any reason, whatever it was passed without much further notice. “Then do allow me to apologize for my brief surprise. I seem to have mistaken you for someone else, how foolish of me. Age seems to be getting to me. I am the Guild Master of this Hall, Rhodri la Zirconius, a pleasure to meet you, Lady Fleyldis.”

“Please, the honor’s mine,” Syr chuckled, though one could catch a brief crack in her voice. “It’s not every day one gets to meet a former member of the Council of Tempests such as yourself! I was unaware you’d left Vanira to become the Master of a Freelancer guild.”

“Ahaha, admittedly I had only taken up this position within the last twenty years. The former Master was a close associate of mine and the Hall’s proprietor, and he retired to settle down. It has made for quite the experience, compared to my old days on the Council,” Rhodri then looked to Tenzo and Soren. “So, I assume then Lady Fleyldis here was being given the typical go around of a newcomer, yes? Has she settled on what kind of Guild she plans to join?”

“Still figuring that out,” Syr admitted. “I’d like to give it a bit more time. Plus, I’m still eager to see more of the city. Even though I’m sure I’ll have ample time once I do decide.”

“She’s gonna be a boon for whatever place she does join,” Soren chuckled, leaning on the table. “Wasn’t even here a day and she helped me deal with an escape Armaros Drake that got smuggled out of the Forests. College grads ain’t ones to mess with.”

“Well, as a fellow graduate myself, I can assure you the Sorcerer’s College has more than earned it’s fame,” Rhodri mused. “And while the choice is of course up to you, Lady Fleyldis, a part of me does hope you decide to join us in the Silver Scale. I assure you that despite the… let us say familiar air you may find, we’re not quite like the College despite our association with them.”

“I’ll be sure to keep it in mind,” Syr then stood, adjusting her skirt and jacket. “Soren, I’d actually like to see this district you’ll be heading too. I do need to see if I can’t find a place that could maintain my staff as well. I assume it’ll be necessary.”

“… not a bad thought actually,” Soren put a hand to his chin. “I’d actually bet old Dómhall knows someone who’s good for spell catalysts. Alright, sounds good. Let’s get going! See you around Tenzo! And hey, Master Rhodri, if you get a job needing an extra Merc, you know who to call!”

“I’ll be sure to keep you in mind,” Rhodri gave a wave as Soren and Syr departed, also catching the Alf giving a brief glance backwards before she hurried after her escort. “Quite an interesting pair…”

“Uh… Master Rhodri?” Tenzo spoke up. “You realized something about that little miss, didn’t you?”

“Ahaha, please, if someone noticed something, I’d assume it was you. Tell me, what impression did you get from her?”

“Well… it was different of course, still getting used to the kinds of energies Alfs give off. But… I’d also say I found something about her aura familiar. Like… an aura that reminds me of one of the Mikos of my homeland.”

“I see… I suppose that only makes sense.”

“Master?”

“Let’s leave it be for now. We’d only be getting in the way of something if we dug too much,” Rhodri held a finger to his lips. “Let’s let the little miss go about things as she wishes, yes? I’d hate to spoil her fun.”

“So, you do know something!”

“Let’s say I do, and it gives me a vested interest in seeing that girl prosper here,” Rhodri’s tone was a bit playful, but also clearly saying he wasn’t about to say more than that.

Knowing he wasn’t going to get anything else, Tenzo elected to also leave the table, heading off towards the bulletin board and greeting a few of the others standing near it.

As Rhodri turned to make his own leave, the man let out a chuckle as he stepped out, able to spot Soren and Syr still departing from the street on the upper paths.

“Good luck… Priestess of the Winds.”