Chapter Four Hundred and Thirty-Nine - Planning Ahead

Chapter Four Hundred and Thirty-Nine - Planning Ahead

Chapter Four Hundred and Thirty-Nine - Planning Ahead

Thank you again, I said to Mathilde as we exited her little office.

The grenoil lady nodded her head. Its my job.

I was nodding when I noticed Amaryllis turning with a frown. No its not, she said. The Exploration Guilds purpose is surveying, cartography, dungeon-delving, exploration assistance, and -- on rare occasions -- diplomacy. I dont see how interfering in international politics is the purview of the Explorations Guild.

Mathilde raised one brow. Really? There might have been a time, once, when the guild tried to keep itself fully separate from politics, and some guild masters still believe that it is in the guilds best interest to avoid that kind of machination, but I was never one of those.

It puts the guild at risk, Amaryllis said.

Everything we do is political. Even trying to avoid politics is a political action. If were going to be involved no matter what, then I want it to be on our own terms. Thats why I make our agenda as clear as possible. We dont interfere with relations between countries where we can avoid it, but we openly share what we discover, encourage our members to grow stronger, and help in maintaining the peace and stability of the regions we operate in.

And what about the guild members who dont agree? Amaryllis questioned, a hint of challenge in her eyes.

Mathilde gave Amaryllis an incredulous look. Do you think I get to choose what someone like Abraham Bristlecone agrees with? He might be the most egregious example in the guild, but hes not the only powerful member. When you have this many people who are this strong, you dont get to decide what they agree or dont agree with. You just act as well as you can and hope for the best.

Amaryllis weighed her words for a while before responding. Well, I suppose that makes sense. In any case, I shouldnt protest the help too much. It would be nice to catch Rainnewt and his accomplices before they can get this next scheme off.

Well do what we can, Mathilde said. And as long as we give it our all, well be able to live with the consequences. She paused by the entrance back into the... actually, I didnt know what to call the room where Abraham and the other older members of the guild hung out? A lounge? A bar? It had a bit of everything going on. I appreciate you bringing this to my attention, and that youd trust me with this. What will you be doing next?

Amaryllis glanced my way .I think well collect our companions from Abrahams clutches, then... Ill sic Broccoli here on Cholondee. The dragon ostensibly controls the citys underworld. Theyd be some of the first people Id reach out to if I was going something as foolish as what Rainnewt is doing. If her people have the time and energy to spy on Booksie, then I imagine theyll have the same to search for troublemakers.

Mathilde nodded. That seems reasonable. Ill leave you to it, then.

Thank you, Amaryllis said.

Well see you around? I asked Mathilde. I think well be in Port Royal for a little while!

Of course, Mathilde said with a nod.

We slipped back into the maybe-lounge and found Abraham back with Awen and Calamity. They were both holding onto some papers. Hi! I said as I bounced over to their side. Did it go well?

Ah, yes? Awen said, though she didnt sound all that certain. She raised the paper she was holding, and I got a glance at it. It looked very official, with the Exploration Guilds compass rose stamped onto it and everything.

Looks like the guild is taking their new member registration more seriously, Amaryllis said from my side.

Awen nodded along. They took a lot of information. Im not a member though. I need to participate in a mission certified by the guild. Um, a training mission? Then Ill get my pin.

Same here, Calamity said. Guess it doesnt matter what kind of skills youve got, they still want to make sure you fit in, or something like that.

That much made sense. Do you know when that training exercise will take place? I asked.

Theres one starting tomorrow, Awen said. I didnt say yes, though. I dont know if it would be smart to leave the Beaver for a whole day.

I rubbed my chin, then shrugged. Depends on the mission, I guess. Where is it?

We passed by a group of younger grenoil, dressed in little suits with little caps on, sweeping the streets clean with long-handled brooms. They looked like the grenoil mafia people I remembered.

The headquarters of the group Cholondee had taken over stood as a sharp contrast. It was nestled in between the grungy lanes of the Slumways. A small mansion made of stone, old and elegant and authoritative, with a decently-sized plot of land next to it.

There had been a fountain in the centre once, I recalled, but now it was gone and a lot of the space was paved over with gravel.

A fence ran around the exterior, but it was opened up at one end, the entrance flanked by a pair of large stone dragons guarded by a pair of toughs.

Hello, I said with a wave to the guards. Is this still the headquarters of the gang Cholondee took over?

The guards glanced at each other, then one of them spoke. You any of zese? he asked as he turned to point to a plaque fixed to the fence.

Yeah, if youre on zat list, youre not getting in, the second guard said.

ABSOLUTELY NO:

Adventurers

Assassins

Conmen

Conwomen

Conpeople

Dragon Slayers

Ministry of Trade Representatives

Rival Gangsters

Solicitors

Um, nope, we arent any of those, I responded with a chuckle, scanning the extensive list. It seemed like Cholondee had her share of unwanted visitors. Were actually friends of Cholondee. We just wanted to see if Cholondee was here and talk with her.

The two guards looked at each other and seemed to communicate silently for a moment. Alright, the first one said, but you'll be leaving your weapons here. If she's in, you can meet with her. If not, you're leaving immediately.

Amaryllis nodded in agreement. Understood.

The guards had us deposit our weapons into a sturdy-looking chest by the gate. Once we were disarmed, they allowed us to proceed through the gates.

The interior of the compound was neat and orderly. A few grenoil, who I assumed were members of the gang, lounged about, though they straightened up and watched us as we walked through. They didn't seem hostile, just curious.

I could see why they werent nervous. There was a massive pile of pillows off to one side, an absolute mountain of them. lounging on top, resting on her side with her tummy bulging out a little, was Cholondee.

***