Lances and Daggers

2. The Guild and the Pauper

" 'Lance Ainsworth, 17 years old, a swordsman. Enlisted 7 years ago as an apprentice. Received 4 years of training before becoming a certified adventurer.' Do you want me to read the next line in your perfect profile?"

I laughed awkwardly.

I had returned empty-handed from the labyrinth. In the end, I couldn't find that thief again. I had searched everywhere and even asked around the inns, but no one had reported seeing "a blond girl in black."

"Rick, please stop."

"No, I'll read it: 'Current total debt: 10,000 Imperial Coins'!"

The words resonated through the room. And now I needed to face this unpleasant situation. I was sitting in a small office, the one I reported to every day, and the guild officer behind the desk was Rick Adalwin, my former teacher and a long-time friend. Despite our friendship, I didn't expect him to go easy on me.

"Rick, you didn't give me a chance to explain."

"You'll explain all day long, but it won't change a thing!"

I swallowed hard and felt my white collar tightening around my neck.

"You made a promise," Rick said. "I thought you were serious."

"I am serious! I will pay you up to the last coin, but you've got to hear me out first."

Nothing annoyed me more than these misunderstandings. Rick was a good guy, an experienced adventurer who had retired to support youngsters like me. But he would've been even better a person if he had given others a chance to speak.

"Fine, fine, I'll hear you out. Go ahead, Lance. Did a goblin steal your purse, or was it a mermaid this time? Oh, I know, it was a harpy! I haven't heard that one in ages."

"Well, I know I have a history of..."

"Coming up with excuses, yes, and running from debts, yes..."

"But this time, I'm innocent. I focused on my mission, collected the valuables, and headed back home. I played it safe and didn't mess around. But I met this girl on my way back..."

I told Rick everything, and he nodded after every single detail. It seemed that he finally understood my ordeal. I finished my tale, and a compassionate look appeared on his face. He placed his hand on his head, sliding his fingers through his brown hair. His dark eyes seemed almost teary.

He stood up, adjusted his guild uniform, and walked around the desk. Stopping next to me, he placed his hand on my shoulder and bent over. Would he offer a few words of consolation and tell me that I was off the hook?

"I don't believe a single word of what you said," he whispered into my ear and gave me a sharp look. Then he grabbed me and raised me in the air. Rick was nothing but strength, a mass of brawn and muscle. I knew he wouldn't be convinced, but I had to try. After all, I was telling the truth.

"Look at me, Lance. Some people are saying that you're waiting for the guild to shut down, that you want your debt canceled, that you're hiding your daily loot from us. Is this how you're thanking the guild for all that it's done for you?"

Rick said the few words that I didn't want to hear. My pride was injured, and my blood boiled, flushing my face bright red. He did more harm in these few seconds than the blond thief had done with her elaborate ruse.

"This place has been my home for years. The guild master took me in when I had nowhere to go. Do you think I'd take advantage of the guild's situation?"

Rick let me down, averted his eyes, and walked away. He stopped at a window that overlooked the busy street. The wagons and carriages were speeding by in the colors of sunset. Azuria, the city of the Sixth Labyrinth, was bustling with life, but the people seemed to be racing somewhere far away, somewhere the guild could never reach.