The bright morning sun hung almost overhead as Zenrom and Ashely made their way to Zenrom’s now father-in-law’s office, the occasional shade from the trees offering brief moments of coolness.

  “Why did your father call us?” Zenrom asked, swatting at a fly buzzing around his wife’s face.

  “I’m not sure, but it must be important if he wants both of us there.” Ashely leaned in and linked her arms through him.

  “I guess we’ll find out,” Zenrom said, feeling her pressed against his body. He wasn’t used to physical touch outside of combat, but it felt nice.

  Reaching the main manor, they went straight to Maliri’s office.

  “Master Maliri, you sent for us?” Zenrom said as they stepped inside.

  “Please, stop calling me that! You’re married to my daughter, you’re family!” Maliri said, tottering over to give Ashely a big hug.

  “Sorry… Father,” Zenrom corrected himself, though the word still felt strange. He’d worked for Maliri for years, and old habits were hard to break.

  “Now, now, sit, both of you. Bring the tea and cake! Sit. Sit.”

  Taking a seat, Zenrom nodded in thanks to a maid who appeared with a tray of food. “Just the tea for me. Thank you.”

  “Father, what is this about?” Ashely asked, smiling as she accepted her cake.

  “I’ve received a request from a potential client,” Maliri replied, taking both his cake and Zenrom’s.

  “A request?” Ashely said, taking a sip of her tea. “Oh, this tea is wonderful.”

  “Isn’t it? We just got it last week. It’s from the northern part of Silkbug. I think we can make a handsome profit if we sell it in Arioria,” Maliri said, handing a small pouch of dried tea leaves to his daughter. “As for the request, it's an escort job. To the Great Shrine.”

  Cautiously looking at the chair his father-in-law was sitting on, Zenrom took a sip of his tea, his eyebrows lifting. He didn’t know much about fine tea, but even he could tell this was high quality.

  “Aren’t escort requests usually handled by Hagen?” Zenrom asked, putting his teacup down.

  “Hagen is leading a caravan at the end of the month. So, he’s unable to,” Maliri said, taking the pouch back from his daughter and passing a piece of paper to her. “Besides, the client is asking for your team specifically. They’re willing to pay a high price.”

  “Two hundred gold coins?” Ashely uttered, her voice rising as she scanned the paper. “The client wants your team to escort her to the Great Shrine as soon as possible. No questions asked.”

  Returning the paper to her father, she looked over at Zenrom. “The amount they are offering is more than adequate. But that raises a question. Who is she running from?”

  “If she is fleeing to the Great Shrine, could she be running from an arranged marriage?” Zenrom said, taking another sip of his tea.

  “Maybe. But if they’ve asked for your team specifically, they’re expecting trouble.”

  “Debt collectors?”

  “They’re offering two hundred gold coins. I doubt it’s debt.”

  “So… assassins? If they’re heading to the Great Shrine, maybe members of Gera are after them.”

  “That’s possible,” Ashely mused, taking a bite of cake. “Whatever the reason, it’s dangerous.”

  “I agree it’s dangerous,” Zenrom said, the lines on his face deepening. “But we should take it. If we turn it down, it will look like we’ve taken a political side.”

  “I agree,” Maliri said, sitting straighter. “Our reputation is built on political neutrality and unwavering loyalty to our clients. If we accept your gold, we see the contract through, regardless of your politics or situation, as long as you don’t harm Vanura or us. If those terms are met and the pay is fair, we take the job. Our reputation demands it.”

  Ashely pursed her lips together, then nodded. “Something feels off, but I agree. When will you leave?”

  “As soon as possible,” Zenrom answered. “If they’re being pursued, it’s safer for everyone if we leave now. Where’s the client?”

  “She’s staying at the inn by the market,” Maliri replied. “I want you to take everyone from the Diamond Guard.”

  “Everyone?”

  “Yes. Go now.”

  Walking out of the office, Zenrom and Ashely quickly made their way to the training field, chatting with each other as they looked for the other members of the Diamond Guard. Reaching the field, Zenrom squinted before waving at Winks and San, who were sparring with each other.

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  “Hey, Boss! Lady Ashely,” San sang, walking over and wiping his sweaty face on his shirt. “Do you need anything?”

  “We have a job! An escort mission,” Zenrom informed him, bending down and picking up a towel. Tossing the towel to San, he continued. “We will escort our client to the Great Shine. Have everyone ready to go in one hour.”

  “Everybody?” San echoed in surprise, wiping his face. He offered the towel to Winks, who shook his head in refusal.

  “Yes, everyone,” Ashely said, her eyes wide as she watched San continue to offer the towel to Winks.

  “Will you be joining us, my Lady?” Winks asked, walking over to his stuff and picking up his towel.

  “I will not. I must help my father organize Hagan’s next mission.”

  “I see,” Winks said, turning to Zenrom. “I know where June and Reges are. I'll let them know. As for Shina and Cam, I haven't seen them since yesterday.”

  “I think I know where they are,” San loudly interrupted. “Shina is still sleeping. Last night, she got into a drinking competition with some merchant guards. She won, but she’s still in bed. As for Cam, he's at the blacksmiths, he’s asking old man Veston to take a look at his weapons.”

  Signing at Shina’s condition, Zenrom cleared his throat. “I want both of you to go collect them. Meet me at the front of the Marketplace Inn in an hour and a half.”

  “Got it, Boss.”

  Two hours later, Zenrom sat on his horse, waiting for his team. Next to him, Ashely and June were seated on the carriage that June had driven over.

  “Where are they?” Zenrom asked no one in particular, his patience running thin. “They should have been here by now.”

  “Shina was really drunk last night,” June laughed, leaning back against the carriage and hiding his head in the shadow of a nearby building. “I don’t think she can get ready anytime soon.”

  Grumbling under his breath, Zenrom dismounted, double—and then triple-checking his belongings and saddle.

  “They’ll be here soon, Zen. You don't have to be so wound up,” Ashely said with a small smile, watching him fuss with his belongings.

  Almost on cue, the rest of the Diamond Guards arrived, Reges leading the way, Cam at the rear, keeping a careful eye on Shina to make sure she didn’t fall from her horse.

  “You took your sweet time!” Zenrom barked, a frown creasing his face. She looks worse than I’d hoped, he thought. Shina was slumped on her horse like a lifeless rag, her body lying flat. Did they strap her to her horse?

  “Sorry, Boss. It took longer than expected to get everyone ready,” San said, rubbing the back of his head in embarrassment.

  “No matter, I’ll get the client,” Zenrom said, a slight headache clouding his mind. “The rest of you wait here.” He handed the reins of his horse to Ashely, who had climbed down from the carriage, and walked towards the inn. “I’ll be back in a moment.”

  The inside of the inn was crowded but clean, with small stools and chairs surrounding large tables that seemed to be randomly placed around. A stone fireplace lit up the room with an orange glow. Behind a well-worn bar carved out of a single massive tree stood the innkeeper, an old bear-like man, his massive gray beard hiding everything but his nose, cheeks, and eyes. Catching the innkeeper’s attention, Zenrom made his way to him.

  “Hey Fenric, I’m looking for a lady who hired us,” he explained, waving off the pitcher of water the innkeeper offered.

  Nodding at Zenrom’s refusal, Fenric put the water pitcher aside, returning to his work. “She’s upstairs, second room to the left,” he grunted.

  Knowing the man’s reputation for disliking small talk, Zenrom quickly muttered a thanks before snaking his way to the back of the inn, dodging tables and customers alike as he reached the staircase.

  The staircase leading to the second floor was narrow, spiraling upwards, the old oak wood having a slight scent that reminded Zenrom of vinegar. I wonder if they use vinegar to clean the stairs, he momentarily wondered, the thought instantly vanishing.

  Not wanting to keep the client waiting, he took the stairs two at a time, reaching the second floor in a matter of seconds, his heart rate elevated marginally from the sudden movement. Glancing around for the room Fenric had mentioned, he stepped up to it and rapped smartly on the hardwood with his knuckles.

  “Excuse me! We are from Maliri. We are here to escort you to the Great Shrine,” he said.

  Waiting there silently for a couple of seconds, Zenrom raised his hand to knock again before stopping, his keen ears picking up the shuffling of feet on the other side of the door. The door creaked open. A tall woman, her face covered by a veil, stared back at him.

  Judging by what he could see of her face, Zenrom guessed she was still in her twenties or early thirties. She knows how to fight, he thought, noticing her well-toned arms and calloused hands. And not just a little—she’s well-trained. Only someone seasoned ends up with hands like that.

  “You must be our client. I am called Zenrom,” he introduced himself, dropping his chin a couple of degrees in a brief nod. “I am the leader of the Diamond Guards.”

  “It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Zenrom. You can call me Lia,” the lady replied, the slight rasp in her voice making Zenrom wonder if she had recently been ill. “The only luggage I have is that chest, the one against the wall,” she continued, gesturing towards a medium-sized wooden trunk in her room. “If you’d be so kind.”

  “Allow me,” Zenrom said with a small smile.

  The chest was lighter than he had expected, the wooden chest almost leaping into his arms as he drew in a minuscule amount of Aether. He quickly let the energy dissipate from his body and turned to look at Lia. “If you’ll follow me,” he said, gesturing with a tilt of his head.

  Leading her out of the room, Zenrom began his descent down the narrow staircase, the staircase causing him more trouble than he had expected. Grunting as he was forced to hold the chest at an awkward angle, he cursed to himself once or twice before reaching the ground floor. Breathing a sigh of relief, he collected himself. Thank the goddess I didn’t hit the walls, the thought.

  Freed from the cramped stairwell, he maneuvered easily through the inn, patrons stepping aside willingly as he approached. Grunting a quick thanks to a young man who held the door for him, Zenrom stepped outside, glancing in the direction the carriage was waiting.

  “This way, Lady Lia,” he said, marching over and placing her chest on the back of the carriage. He dusts off his hands. Turning to the Diamond Guards, he raised his voice.

  “This here is Miss Lia. We’ll be escorting her to the Great Shrine. I expect everyone to be on their best behavior and conduct themselves professionally at all times.”

  The last line was said directly to Shina, who was now sitting slouched in her saddle, her head buried in her horse's mane.

  “Miss Lia, please enter the carriage. We’ll depart as soon as you are settled.”

  Without sparing a glance at the guards, Lia stepped inside and closed the door behind her without saying a word.

  Zenrom lifted his eyebrows at Ashely, who had been watching quietly, her eyes narrowing in thought.

  “She’s not one for small talk, is she?” she finally said, walking over to him. “She’s definitely hiding something. I want you to stay on your guard,” she whispered, patting his chest before hugging him.

  “I will,” he answered before swinging up onto his horse. With a final wave to his wife, he nudged his horse into motion, leading his team out of the town.