System Break

The sun's morning rays burned the ocean's haze away and a tall lean man strode towards the luxury guild hall. His hair was dark with a little grey appearing above his ears and a single streak through his hair. His beard was trimmed neatly across his jawline and his nose was hawkish.

The ambassador was dressed in neat black trousers, white shirt, and an embroidered grey cloak over the top. He carried a satchel under one arm and knocked with his free hand.

A male Svartalfar answered the door and is state of undress raised one of the ambassador's eyebrows.

"Come," Nej said and indicated the man enter.

The common room was neat and well-furnished as expected of a luxury guild. There was enough room for twenty but only two were present.

"Go to the roof and fetch them Nej," Ailen said. He held out a hand and introduced himself. "Ailen."

The ambassador shook it. "I am Larkin, your ambassador. Are you the guild leader?"

"My sister is acting guild leader," Ailen said. "She's on the roof training. They'll be down shortly."

"Acting?" the ambassador queried.

"Yes, we decided to make her acting while our leader was away. Does it concern you; do we need to complete a roster or something?"

The ambassador nodded. "While its not law, it would be best if I had this information. It helps me service you and ensures no misunderstandings."

"Speaking of law. Is anyone not permitted to join our guild? I couldn't see anything in the charter."

"You read it?" Larkin looked him up and down then smiled. "Not many of the human ones took the time to read it."

"We're a bit different." Ailen said and indicated his body. 

Larkin nodded.

"Take a seat ambassador, they'll be here in a moment." Ailen peered up the stairs and took a seat opposite the ambassador.

"You see ambassador, we're from the forest up north."

"I guessed you didn't land in the port like the others."

"Does this mean we're treated differently?"

The ambassador smiled. "Sir, as long as you pay the Duke's levies - that's what matters. That and not being more trouble than you're worth."

"I certainly hope not," Sakaala said. Ailen looked up the stairs behind her. "They're not coming; I can handle this with your assistance brother. And Barrin is welcome."

The Dokkalfar appeared from the kitchen. "I have food."

"Do you want something to eat ambassador?"

He shook his head.

"Just you Barrin," Sakaala said and looked at the ambassador. "We don't eat much."

Larkin nodded. "Your staff will arrive this afternoon for an introduction. Ensure you fill the butler in with your requirements."

"We have staff?"

The ambassador nodded. "Cooks, cleaners and a butler to manage the household so you don't need to. It's part of the lease."

Sakaala leaned forward. "After the tournament we will be going back north."

Larkin pursed his lips and stroked his neat beard. "Hmm. You'll still have to pay your monthly dues. If you're not here it would be best to pay in advance."

Sakaala glanced at Ailen. "It's stupid that we pay to rent a luxury hall when we're not here. We'll take one of the cheaper guild halls next month."

"Wait," Larkin said. "Don't you plan on winning the tournament. Or coming in the top five guilds at least?"

"Sure," Ailen said.

"If you do there is no cost to the lease in Salastria. It's a gift from the Duke to clear his lands of monsters. And in the north - accommodation will be provided as well."

"So, this is something we can revisit after the tournament," Sakaala said. Her eyes narrowed. "You just said that the Duke wants monsters cleared from his lands around Salastria. What does the winner need to do in The Reach?"

The ambassador arched his fingers. "I'm not sure, they will be informed by the Salastrian Duke in due course."

"It sounds like a job, not a prize," Sakaala said.

The ambassador smiled. "It's both. It's a quest and the tournament is to find out who is worthy. The guilds relish the opportunity to move to better hunting grounds."

"Then they should just move," Sakaala said. The ambassador shifted in his chair uneasily.

"Back to the registration," Ailen said. "We want to register seven people for now. Can you help with that?"

"Sure, I'll take a scroll with the names when I leave." He looked at Barrin who was slurping some broth. "Is there a Dokkalfar in your guild?"

"Yes, but not Barrin," Sakaala said. "The Dokkalfar in our guild is an adventurer."

"A Dokkalfar adventurer? You are an unusual group."

Ailen stood. "I'll go write up the list of names." He took off up the stairs.

"I have a question," Sakaala said. "At the tournament what sort of healing is provided? I imagine many contestants will get injured."

The ambassador shifted in his chair. "The usual herbalists, healers and a large tent to take care of them. If anyone is severely injured the gatekeepers will take care of it."

"How?"

Larkin shrugged. "I do not know how they do things. They might take them back to their plane or send them into some limbo, I have no idea."

"What if someone is severely injured who isn't an adventurer?" Sakaala asked.

Larkin rubbed his chin. "It's an adventurer's tournament and for your guilds. We have warriors who would love to enter, but they were not permitted."

"But the rules don't preclude non adventurers from being in a guild yes?"

Larkin nodded.

"Then its possible and adventurer guild has competitors that are not adventurers."

Larkin's eyes widened. "This is true." Then he peered at Sakaala. "How many of your people will be in the tournament who are not adventurers?"

She smiled. "Only two or three. How many substitutes are we allowed?"

"It's in the rules. Anyone from your guild can substitute for an injured competitor." He shifted in his chair. "Thank you for bringing this loophole to my attention. We'll fix it before the tournament starts."

"You'll disqualify non adventurers?"

He shook his head. "Probably not but your guild will have to pay the expenses should the gatekeepers become involved at least. The duke could make any ruling though, it is not me who decides."

"Are there no other guilds with local people as members?"

He shook his head. "The regular folk are not skilled and the warriors who are would never submit to an adventurer as a leader. And their system of twenty-five members was not dictated by us, it came from the gatekeepers."

Ailen came down the stairs. "Yes, we have our own systems. It's interesting how they overlap with yours. I have the list." And he handed it to the ambassador.

"The tournament starts tomorrow. You have been allotted a place in the round of 32 and the two terms who were there are being made to combat in the qualifying round."

Sakaala glanced at Ailen.

"Do you have your five?" Larkin asked.

"Sure," Ailen said. "Five from that list will take the field."

"I have some information for you including the tournament field. Each guild has up to five teams, but most only entered three and a couple four. You are the only guild with one team and have been granted a first team seeding."

"Thank you," Sakaala said.

"Think nothing of it. It's the least we could do for our only luxury guild. Given this information I will see you first thing tomorrow at the latest with the Duke's ruling but if I can, I'll come back later today."

"What ruling?" Ailen asked.

"Non adventurers in the tournament."

"Shit,' he said.

"Do not worry. My guess is it will come down to a payment. The Duke will not want to upset you but will need to cover any unforeseen costs."

Sakaala leaned forward. "So, adventurer costs are covered but locals are not when in comes to the gatekeepers performing some sort of resurrection miracle?"

Larkin frowned. "That is my understanding, but I do not think it is this way. They may not be able to help locals. We are inherently different to adventurers."

"Meaning you're born and not made."

Larkin frowned. "I do not know - nor want to know - the details."