Chapter Eighty-five. Shepherd.

Chapter Eighty-five. Shepherd.

Bob sat down at a table and waved to one of the servers who was wiping down a table nearby.

She nodded and held up a finger to indicate she'd be back in a moment before giving the table a final swipe and heading towards the bar.

He took the opportunity to ease Monroe out of his inventory and onto the table.

Monroe raised his head gave him a chuff before curling into a purrball, his gentle rumbling serving to soothe Bob's nerves.

Bob rolled his shoulders and grimaced at the tension.

Having to worry about tier six people was too reminiscent of Earth.

The server returned and smiled at the sight and sound of Monroe.

"I was told we'd have a handsome kitty that would need feeding," she said happily as she reached down to rub Monroe's ruff, "but the description didn't do him justice," she cooed as Monroe shifted and used a paw to pull her hand down to rub his cheeks.

"He is the most handsome kitty in the world," Bob agreed as he reached out to stroke Monroe's head.

"And I bet you'll just love some freshly caught cod won't you?" the server said to Monroe, who carefully batted at her hands as if to indicate that yes, he would, in fact, love some nice fresh cod.

"I'm Shelly, by the way," the server introduced herself, "And who is this gorgeous boy?"

"That," Bob replied, "is my feline overlord, Monroe," he paused and then added, "and I'm Bob."

Shelly laughed as Monroe caught her hand in his paws and pulled it down to the table, where he rubbed his chin on the back of it.

"It's a pleasure to meet you both," she said, "I know just what to bring Monroe out, but how about you?"

"Mug of water and whatever is in the cauldron," Bob replied, "the cold and wind have me a bit chilled."

"Coming right out," Shelly said with a merry laugh as she disentangled her hand from Monroe's grip and headed towards the bar and the kitchen beyond.

Bob looked down at Monroe, who looked back at him innocently.

He sighed and buried his hands in Monroe's ruff, giving deep scritches that caused Monroe to turn up his purr motor and press his neck into Bob's hands, trying to make sure that no itchy spot was missed.

"You're a very handsome boy, yes you are," Bob murmured as he gave in to the desire to give Monroe a good, thorough petting.

Shelly returned a few minutes later with a mug of water and a bowl of stew for Bob, and a serving bowl filled with diced cod for Monroe, who graciously allowed her to deliver a few strokes as he daintily ate his meal.

"Just call if you need anything," Shelly said and headed over to another table where a group of Adventurers were laughing and joking their way through their own meals.

Bob turned his attention to his meal.

He was nearly finished a few minutes later when the girl from outside the Adventurers Guild approached his table and said, "Excuse me, may I join you?"

Bob looked at Monroe, who had already finished his meal and was sprawled across the table.

This, he decided, was entirely Monroe's fault.

With a small sigh, Bob nodded and gestured towards both a seat and towards Monroe, "This is Monroe, and yes, you may pet him," he said quietly.

"Thank you," she said primly as she took a seat, "my name is Nora, may I have yours?"

"Bob," he replied between bites of stew.

"You said that you have recently arrived in Harbordeep?" Nora asked.

Bob nodded as he continued to eat his meal.

"Might I assume that you've come here to push into tier six then?" Nora continued.

Bob nodded again, finishing his bowl and then draining his mug.

"Would you perhaps be interested in earning some crystals in exchange for Shepherding?" Nora asked.

Bob paused and looked at Nora, who hadn't yet offered any worship to Monroe.

"You want me to shepherd you?" Bob asked incredulously.

"Yes," Nora replied, "I don't have a path yet, and the Guild doesn't allow you to join until you do, and they won't allow me to delve into the Dungeon without a Guild member to Shepherd me."

"So you see," she continued, "I'm rather caught in a circle unless I can find an Adventurer to Shepherd me."

"You live here in Harbordeep, don't you?" Bob asked.

"I do," Nora said and was about to say more when Bob interrupted.

"Then why would you ask a complete stranger for assistance?" Bob asked irritably, "Surely you've friends, family, or even friends of the family who would be willing to assist you."

"Just sign at the bottom below my signature," Jakob said.

Bob read the document first.

It outlined a Shepherd's duties, which were simply to keep their charges whole while they delved the Dungeon.

He was able to negotiate his own rates but was forbidden from charging more than ten crystals per person, per hour. It was further stipulated that he was required to pay the guild five mana crystals per hour for each delve.

A Shepherd could be tasked by the Guild to Shepherd a group of no more than six, and a Shepherd was permitted a delay of up to one month before beginning the task.

If a Shepherd relocated to another city, they would need to inform the Guild a full day before doing so.

A Shepherd could choose to become inactive; however, they would need to give a one month notice of their intent to do so.

An agent would stand witness that the Shepherd had the capacity to keep their charges whole.

Bob reviewed the document again and, finding nothing nefarious, signed it.

Jakob rolled up the form and laid his hands over it, and it flashed a muted blue.

Tucking it away under his desk, Jakob retrieved a small pin from another drawer and handed it over to Bob.

It was Shepherd's crook overlaying a kite shield.

"You'll want to wear that for as long as your acting as a Shepherd," Jakob advised.

Bob shrugged and attached the pin to his cloak.

"Now that we've gotten that sorted out, when would you like to start Shepherding the anxious-looking young lady behind you?" Jakob asked with a smile.

Nora rushed up to the desk and said, "As soon as possible, if Bob doesn't mind."

"I've already eaten, as has the feline of mass consumption," Bob said wryly, "I don't have a problem with starting now, although I have to ask if you really intend to delve the Dungeon in that dress."

Nora blushed and replied, "I've only the clothes I'm wearing at the moment."

Bob winced, "You're going to want some armor, even if it is just basic leather," he said, "it'll not only save your skin, but it'll also keep that dress from being shredded."

Nora grimaced as she looked down at her dress.

"I saw no less than two armorers on my way up the boulevard," Bob said, "although I'm not sure how much a basic suit of armor will be, I can assure you the benefits will outweigh the costs."

Nora sighed, "I imagine they're closed at this point, or will be by the time I would arrive," she shook her head, "I'll have to go in the morning."

"Shall we meet here for breakfast?" Nora asked Bob.

"Sure," Bob said agreeably, "although short experience has taught me to look to Jakob when it comes to delving the Dungeon."

Jakob smiled and said, "Thank you, I don't believe we have anyone scheduled for the first floor tomorrow morning; give me a moment to check."

Pulling out yet another ledger, Jakob scanned the second page for a moment before looking up.

"You're clear from eight until noon if you'd like," Jakob said happily.

Bob looked to Nora, who nodded rapidly.

"We'll take it then," Bob said and pulled one hundred and twenty mana crystals out of his satchel.

"I'll expect those five mana crystals an hour, as well as the one hundred crystal fee," he warned Nora, "as I've just had to pay five an hour to the guild."

Nora nodded and smiled as she said, "Tomorrow morning then," and headed out the doors of the Adventurers Guild.

"That's very kind of you," Jakob said, "helping her like that."

Bob shrugged uneasily and replied, "It isn't like I'm not being paid, and I've little else to do anyway."

Jakob nodded, then paused as the door to the Tavern swung open, and Monroe padded out.

Monroe landed on Bob's shoulders with a leap, causing him to stagger as the big cat carefully maneuvered into place as the Makres clicked.

Bob braced himself on the counter and then reached up to rub Monroe's chin.

"I guess you got tired of waiting, eh?" Bob muttered to his buddy.

He felt a pair of eyes on him and looked over to see Zoey looking at Monroe hopefully.

With a sigh, Bob headed over to deliver his feline overlord to yet another penitent wishing to adore him.

A cat's servant's work is never done, he thought.