28 Background Developments (1/2)
”What do you mean?” Asked Kier curiously.
After Daniel realized what he had just asked, he explained himself. ”I've explored the caverns underneath the canyons, I wasn't really aware of the time..”
Kier's eyebrows arched slightly ”Ah, that's what happened. Your party members said there were two beasts battling.. What happened to them?.. Well, to the other one at least”
”The two beasts were grabbing each other when the ground..” Daniel started to tell what had happened the day of their first hunt, of how the two beasts came out of a wall, how they battled fiercely and made the ground collapse, exposing the massive cage underneath it. ”I'm not too bad with throwing knives and using a sword.. plus, the scorpion was heavily injured.”
Kier was amazed by Daniel's survival ability, and after a minute, with a thoroughly impressed expression on his face, he said ”Well, if you want to sell the beast cores to the guild, I can pay for them.. But if you want to keep them, then go ahead. You didn't accept a mission for the hunt of rank 4 beasts anyway, so you have no obligations to hand them over”
At that moment, A robust looking woman appeared next to Daniel's table. In her hands, she held two plates filled with food.
”Can I ask you something?..” Kier asked to Daniel, as he rudely started to scarf food down his throat ”How did you manage to get the attention of both the previous Master-at-arms and the vice president of the Golden Cauldron?”
”Coincidence.” Said Daniel with his mouth still full. He then swallowed heavily and said ”I moved into the Master-at-arms building.. And about the vice leader of the Golden Cauldron.. I guess it's because I saved the mage from bandits.”
”HA! Talk about luck..” Exclaimed Kier, once again surprised. ”I'll let you eat in peace.. Come find me tomorrow morning and i'll give you your money. Also, i've been asked to send you back home..” Said Kier, right before getting up from his chair and walking out of the tavern.
The moment Kier left the tavern, the majority of the remaining hunters sprung up on their feet and approached Daniel. They occupied the free chairs or crowded around him.
”Hey kiddo, tell us about the battle between the beasts..”
”..How in the hell did you manage get out of that cave?”
”Wanna play those cores in a game of cards? Hehehe”
For the rest of the night, Daniel became the star of the base camp's tavern.
-----
The following day, Daniel woke up on a bed inside of his tent. He washed himself up and put on some fresh clothes. Then sat back on his bed and started to think about his situation..
”It's been almost ten days since i've been home, and i've made enough money for now.. I should go back.. Plus, I have points to spend.. I wonder if the old man would still want me as his student..” On Daniel's face a faint smile grew the moment he thought about how many skills a kingdom's Master-at-arms would have to teach.
With his first thoughts of greed still lingering in his mind, he walked towards Kier's office. Right outside of Kier's office, the beautiful girl that was laying naked on his bed the night prior, was now completely dressed. Her expression was a professional one.
”Dan Hiel?” She asked
”That's me.” Replied Daniel.
The woman got up from her chair and walked towards Kier's office. She then opened the door and made a gesture with her arm, inviting Daniel to enter.
Inside his office, Kier was sitting behind his desk. ”Dan! Come, sit down.” Said Keir.
Daniel entered the office and sat on a chair in front of Kier's desk. Once comfortable, he looked at Kier and asked ”Yesterday you said that you've been asked to send me back.. Was it a request from the old man or the vice leader of the Golden Cauldron?”
”Both actually..” Responded Kier. He then started to rummage inside his desk's drawer, until it took a small bag out of it. ”Here's your gold and the bounty for the rank 4 beasts. I've selected a few guards that can escort you back to Phyrri.”
Daniel was about to get up and leave, but before he could, a thought flashed through his mind. ”I have something to do here.. Do you know where I can find someone from the Silver Peak mining company?”
Kier's face turned awkward for a moment ”Actually, yes.. But you won't like it..”
”What do you mean?” Asked Daniel confusedly.
With a matter-of-fact tone, Kier answered immediately ”Remember the young master who wanted to kick you out of the tavern?..”
”Ah... Fuck.” Said Daniel dispiritedly.
Kier couldn't help but ask ”Why do you need to talk to someone from the Silver Peak Mining company?”
”I wanted to buy one of their slaves..” Daniel's voice grew more depressed by the word. His hand brushing against his forehead.
Kier started to write something on a piece of paper, and then handed it over to Daniel. ”Well, if you want to avoid the guy, go directly to their main base. This is their address within the Learned District.. But I doubt you'll be allowed in.” He said.
Daniel kept the piece of paper inside his new shirt and said ”Thank you, I owe you one.”
Kier smirked and said ”I'll collect that debt when one of your favors will be worth something hehe..”
-----
One hour later, Daniel had reached the base camp's border. Waiting for him, was a group of people. Amongst this group of people, was a familiar face.
Wearing his usual mimetic attire, and carrying his usual bunch of throwing spears, Garth sat quietly next to a tree, ignoring the rest of the chatting members of the group.
Most of the group's members were silver rank mercenaries, while the remaining few, had a gold badge hanging from their belts.
”So that fall didn't kill you.. I owe a few copper to the youngster with the weird nose..” Said Garth with a fake disappointed tone.