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Zinia and Mei sat in a dimly lit room in the Guildhall, the hum of activity from the main hall barely audible now. Across from them, Guildmaster Darius leaned back in his chair, an amused smile playing on his lips as he studied Zinia. His imposing frame and commanding presence filled the room, but Zinia held her ground, her arms crossed and her expression cold.

"You've heard the name Valeborne before, haven't you?" Zinia began, her voice cutting through the silence.

Darius nodded, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I have. The Valeborne family has quite the reputation among those who know... important things."

Zinia's eyes flickered with suspicion. "Important things? Care to elaborate?"

Darius's smirk deepened. "The Valeborne family's messengers are known for carrying information of great value, and it's no secret that there's a letter—one tied to you—that certain... authorities are interested in. Word travels fast among those in high positions, and it seems this letter has become the object of many people's desires."

Zinia's heart skipped a beat, but her face remained impassive. The knowledge of the letter was supposed to be a closely guarded secret, known only to a select few. That Darius knew about it—and that others in high places did too—was unsettling. "And what makes you so well-informed?" Zinia asked, her tone icy.

Darius chuckled. "I make it my business to know things, especially when those things concern powerful families like yours. It's my job to keep this Guild—and this country—safe from... unwanted surprises."

Zinia's fists clenched, her irritation growing. "So, what is it you want from us, Guildmaster? Clearly, you're not just offering us passports out of the kindness of your heart."

Darius leaned forward, his gaze intense. "You're sharp. I like that." He paused, letting the silence stretch just long enough to be uncomfortable. "Here's the deal. You'll get your IDs and eventually, your passports—but you'll have to work for them. For the next month, you'll act as mercenaries, doing jobs for the Guild. Prove your worth, and your paperwork will be ready when the time is up."

Zinia's jaw tightened, her patience wearing thin. "Mercenaries?" She bit back her initial response, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on her. "You want us to waste our time doing your dirty work while we have far more important matters to deal with?"

Darius shrugged. "Think of it as earning your keep. Nothing comes for free in this world especially in times of war. Besides, you'll find that working with the Guild has its... advantages. Information flows through here like water, and you never know what you might pick up during your time with us. Valuable information, perhaps."

Zinia stared at him, her mind racing. This man was clearly no fool. He knew they had little choice, and he was using that leverage to his advantage. "You seem awfully confident that we'll agree to this."

Darius's smile never wavered. "Oh, I'm sure you will. I've seen your type before—driven, powerful, but always playing by the rules of the game. This is just another step in that game. Play it right, and you'll get what you need. Resist, and... well, let's just say things might get a little more difficult for you."

Zinia exhaled slowly, trying to keep her anger in check. He was using them, and she hated it. But the reality was that they needed those passports, and quickly. Without them, they couldn't continue their journey or complete their mission. She glanced at Mei, who sat quietly beside her, his expression unreadable as always. If he had any thoughts on the matter, he wasn't showing them.

"Fine," Zinia said through gritted teeth. "We'll do your jobs. But don't mistake this for loyalty. The moment we have what we need, we're gone."

Darius raised an eyebrow, amused. "I wouldn't expect anything less."

He reached into a drawer and pulled out two small metal tokens, sliding them across the desk. "These will serve as your temporary IDs. Present them at any Guild office, and you'll be given your assignments. Once the month is up, you'll get your real passports—assuming you survive, of course."

Zinia snatched the tokens from the desk, her eyes blazing with frustration. "We'll survive."

Darius chuckled again, clearly entertained by her fiery demeanor. "I have no doubt you will."

Rising from her seat, Zinia motioned for Mei to follow her. He stood without a word, his calm presence a stark contrast to Zinia's barely contained anger. As they walked toward the door, Darius's voice called after them.

"One more thing," he said, leaning back in his chair. "Try not to stir up too much trouble. This country is a place of order. I wouldn't want to have to deal with... unnecessary chaos."

Zinia paused, her hand on the door handle. She didn't turn around, but her voice was sharp when she responded. "We're not the ones you should be worried about."

With that, she pushed open the door, and the two of them stepped out into the bustling Guildhall.

Zinia's irritation simmered as they made their way through the crowded streets of the Fortress Country. She didn't speak, her mind churning over the Guildmaster's words. This wasn't just a simple stop on their journey—it was a trap. A test. And they would have to navigate it carefully if they wanted to get what they needed and move on.

Mei, as always, remained silent. His eyes scanned their surroundings, but his thoughts were a mystery, locked away behind his stoic expression.

Zinia sighed. One month. One month of being used as pawns in the Guild's game. But she would endure it. She had to. There was no other choice.