We finish moving crates, mostly in silence. That gives me a chance to listen a little more closely at the various intersections and branching points of the tunnels, to get a feeling for where they might lead. I'm not entirely certain yet, but I think that at least one has to cross over into the inner city under the wall. I just don't know where it comes out. Overall this little exercise earns me some more progress for my [Perception] and [Streetwise] skills. There are not level up notifications yet, but that is only a matter of time as far as I'm concerned.

I receive a handful of pennies for my trouble. It's not much, especially considering that I crossed the streets hauling heavy crates several times, but I won't complain. I got to learn of a nice secret as well after all. That too is a reward of sorts.

With a purse that actually feels heavy for a change, even if it's only full of bronze pennies, I take my leave from Wiktor and Sylwia, leaving the two to their own devices. I, for my part, make another quick trip over the wall, progressing my [Climbing] skill a little.

I don't run across the rooftops though as my destination is the guildhall of the adventurers' guild. I feel like sleeping in an actual bed. Am I getting soft? Well, maybe just a little. It's practical too though, as I can accept a new request first thing in the morning like this. Or at least almost first thing in the morning. After a bath and breakfast. Alright, maybe I'm enjoying those simple comforts, but who wouldn't? I may not exactly be human even if I appear to be, but I certainly am no animal! Beds and baths have all been invented for good reasons!

Thus I make my way through the streets, taking a little time along the way to take in the sights, even if there aren't that many, as night is fast approaching. I arrive at the guildhall of the adventurers' guild just in time to avoid potential trouble with the night watch too.

It's not that I expect them to treat people like the guard does, but they certainly have questions for people they come across out on the street. Especially ones walking without a light of their own. These men and women do take their job seriously.

The single guild official still on duty at the counter greets me with a nod as I slip inside.

"Evening. If you want a bed in the dormitory you'll have to make do with whatever is still free. You are a little late today."

I grimace briefly, but only sigh in the end. It's to be expected after all. And besides the beds in the dormitory aren't bad in general. It really shouldn't matter, as long as at least one is still free.

My first destination isn't the dormitory though but the bath. There I wash up real quick. I don't want to slip into bed still all sweaty after all. A quick wash later I slip into the dormitory with most of my gear over my arm. I look around in the dark and make my way to one of the few beds not already occupied. Moving on the very tips of my toes, intent not to make a single unnecessary sound in a room full of adventurers is apparently good enough to earn me a little more progress for my [Stealth] skill.

For a moment I lie there, pondering if I should meditate a little first, but I decide against it. In the end I simply let sleep claim me.

The next morning comes all too soon and with the other adventurers around there is no way I can sleep in either. At least the morning comes with a welcome notification.

[*Ding!* You slept pretty well! Health increased by 0! Mana increased by 8!]

Oh yes! It's a very welcome notification. It expresses what I can feel overall too. Despite being a little on the short side, this has to be my best night of sleep around here so far. Comfortable beds. They exist for a reason.

I get out of bed, stretch and quickly get ready for the day too. After a quick bath I'm back at the board with the requests. I blink in surprise. There are noticeably more papers pinned to it than the last time I checked. I decide to express my worries without addressing anyone directly.

"Huh? What's up with that?"

An unfamiliar young wizard standing next to me, checking quests just as I am, glances over, one eyebrow raised.

"What's up with what?"

I gesture at the board in general.

"The number of requests. It seems work is piling up."

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He nods in understanding.

"One of the more active groups apparently left Riverrun a little while ago. So, yes, work piles up. At least until someone else steps up to take care of it. It'll even out eventually."

Rami, Núira and Aila leaving makes that much of a difference? Well, color me surprised. I probably really shouldn't be though. Never mind. The wizard is right. In the end this just means that there is a little more work for everyone else. In fact I should take advantage of this, before anyone else steps up to do so.

I stop dead in my tracks, as I come across one of the new requests. Not just physically either. I blink in surprise and grab the papers pinned to the board, carefully taking them down, to look them over in greater detail.

The wizard, whose name I still don't know, risks a glance from the side too.

"Oh? You sure you want to do that? I mean, you look like you know how to use that sword of yours, but being the sparring partner for a noble brat usually involves getting beaten to some degree. Never mind the possibility that their teacher might use you as a teaching aid."

I raise an eyebrow at his words, but don't reply. Instead I focus on the paperwork some more. The wizard picks a quest of his own soon enough and leaves, which suits me just fine.

The quest I picked up is about serving as a training partner for the young lord in his sword training. The papers bear the city's seal, which means this is official. The pay is pretty good too. Two silver shillings for a day of work? I'm not opposed to that kind of deal. At least for me this kind of money is worth a little suffering, some sweat and maybe even a few bruises. I might even be able to earn a few more level ups for my combat skills too.

What's a little troublesome is the paperwork in between the job description on the cover and the reward mentioned at the very end. Good gods and goddesses! It reads like a lawyer, or rather advocate in this world, wrote the thing. There are so many side clauses, mostly relating to limiting my employer's liabilities. A few are essentially non-disclosure clauses too.

And of course it's all written in flowery language that makes my eyebrow twitch. This, probably, more than anything else is the reason why no one else has picked it up so far. It makes me hesitate a little too. I can even feel my [Syld] language skill improve a little as I work my way through the document. Damn, if this is what it takes to improve language skills then maybe I'm better off at my current level.

Then another thought strikes me. They way this is all worded makes it incredibly unlikely that any other adventurer will pick it up. Never mind that the number of fighters specializing in the use of swords, especially lighter ones like mine, is rather limited too. And I mentioned to Justyna to reach out to me here or at the thieves' guild's tavern. Could it be? Is this a subtle way to get in contact with me? I have to admit it's not impossible and there is only one way to find out for sure.

With a long suffering sigh I go through the rest of the contract offered here. Although I have essentially already made up my mind, it's only after I'm done that I take it over to the counter to check the quest out with the appropriate guild official.

It's the scarred old veteran again. Her eyebrow rises a little too, as she takes note of what I come bearing. It doesn't stop her from chuckling though.

"Are you sure about that one? You'll be working with Lady Izolda in all likelihood. She has a bit of a reputation, you know?"

I nod and hand her both the papers and my guild tag for processing.

"I'm aware and I have taken note that there is a contract penalty of a shilling should I chicken out and leave early."

She nods as she enters my details and those of the request into her ledger.

"Good. I hope you can afford to pay that penalty. The guild only extends credit to adventurers that have been with us for a little longer. You'd have to work it off, if you don't have the coin."

I grimace a little but nod again.

"I have the coin should it be necessary."

I don't mention that I really hope that it won't be necessary, but we both know that anyway. Finally she returns the papers and my tag.

"Well, I wish you the best of luck! Report to the guards at the keep's main gate with the papers and your tag. They'll take care of the rest and point you in the right direction. And don't worry, those are knights or at least squires of the lord's own banner, not those hoodlums from the city guard."

With one last nod and a cheerful wave I'm off. I don't have to go far. The keep is essentially just across the central town square. This of course has the disadvantage that I don't have a lot of time to compose myself. Well, it shouldn't be an issue. It's not like I'm using a pretense to get in. I'm on official business!

Turns out that I'm not exactly the only one either. Early in the morning all kinds of deliveries are made as well and, as this is a very functional keep, there are no side or back entrances for servants and the like. Everyone has to go through the front gate with its portcullis. More importantly though, everyone is checked thoroughly by the knights and their squires on guard duty there.

I make sure to have both the papers and my adventurer guild tag ready as I join the line of people waiting for admission. Well, at least I don't have to carry heavy baskets with food or freshly laundered sheets and the likes.

Still, having to wait in line is wearing on my patience a little, even as my opinion of these guards improves. They don't do anything by half measures. I can't help but wonder if there is a reason for that. Have there been attempts at the lord's life? Or that of his heir?

Finally it's my turn. It's one of the squires who accepts my quest paperwork. He looks at it and my tag, before handing both back. He inspects the contents of my pack too. Even after that he isn't done though.

"You are new around here, aren't you? I'll have to use an identification skill on you."

I just shrug and a moment later I can feel the familiar tingle. It's not as bad as what I'm used to from the city guard, but still far from pleasant. My [Shrouded Soul] skill improves a little too.

The squire's eyes widen a little, but I guess what is revealed to him matches what he expects. He clears his throat, clearly embarrassed.

"I'll show you to the fencing hall and get Lady Izolda for you. You can wear your weapons on your belt, but please keep your hands off the hilts. And for the love of all good gods and goddesses, keep your hands to yourself."

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