The Ruby Magician

"Sign here, here, and here," Daniel said, pointing to the several papers in a stack he held.

Wyn sat at the wooden desk in the guild's office, questioning his decision to be the guild leader. There were far more administrative tasks to do running a guild. Despite Cedric offering to be the guild's administrator, there were simply some things that couldn't fully be done unless you were the leader. One of them was signing for additional staff, which was what Daniel had brought to Wyn's attention.

With both Cedric and Daniel working to organize the additional help for the guild, Wyn realized he didn't have to do the hard work. The two men found Mappers and Packers to use - several of whom were the ones used for the second tier raids just two days prior - as well as support staff who could clean and cook. That was also after signing off for the approval of other tasks, including forming contracts for Climbers who wanted to learn without joining the guild, possible recruitment contracts for those who stood out as strong guild candidates, agreements with the city's guild officials by means of Tower Master Aureus's personal recommendations, and loot trade deals for other guilds, individual Climbers, and even businesses.

It was more than just a busy time - it was all consuming. When his team wasn't climbing, Wyn was fielding questions and solving problems. It left little time for him to train though his mental energy was constantly being tested.

Thinking on it further, Wyn was more thankful that the pair took their duties so seriously. He knew it was a lot of mental and physical effort finding the people to hire, creating the contracts, and forming the deals in the first place, when all he had to do was sign for them after the fact. He trusted them fully, and they were putting in even more time to get those tasks completed so quickly. Daniel especially was running around and looking more lively than Wyn had ever seen him.

"Thank you, Wyn," Daniel said, after Wyn signed the last contract. He didn't miss Wyn's initial grumblings about the papers, and smirked when he was finished. "This will go a long way for the guild's efficiency. With us securing so many contracts so soon, we'll be at the level of other guilds who have been at this for months in just weeks!"

"I know, I know," Wyn said with a sigh. "I'm sorry if I don't seem grateful. It's not easy transitioning to climbing so much then needing to juggle responsibilities for an entire guild. I can see why Gregory and Caryn wanted a break from running things."

Daniel shrugged. "It does seem like having some trusted advisors do most of the work is more helpful so you can get back to climbing. Maybe I should renegotiate my pay to go along with some assistants for myself?" He chucked at his words while stroking his peppered, well-kept beard.

Wyn sat up in seat abruptly. "Daniel. That's a great idea! What would it cost?"

Daniel's chuckling stopped as he froze. "Wyn, I'm... partially kidding."

"But if it would get me and the team back to climbing more? I'm all for it!"

Daniel hesitated but looked at the ceiling thoughtfully. "Well, our guild isn't that large, though we will be doing a lot of alternative duties besides just managing Climbers since we'll be teaching Climbers. Organizing those lessons, coming up with curriculum to use, getting the word out to the rest of the city, facilitating the actual events… something like three assistants for myself?"

"Done." Wyn knew Daniel was being modest. With everything he said, he could likely use a team twice that size, even though the older Ruby Magician was likely going to do most of the work himself. "What kind of pay rates would be needed?"

"Outside of my normal stipend which is already too generous?"

Wyn shook his head. "A hundred crowns a month isn't too generous. Some noble advisors make twice that or more."

"But I'm not a noble's advisor!"

"Are you really trying to say we overpay you? Should we renegotiate that?"

Daniel's face reddened. He then cleared his throat. "I was thinking maybe along the lines of twenty five crowns per assistant? I won't need them full time, just on occasion."

"Write up a contract for you to have three assistants who will be paid at up to twenty five crowns a month for part time services at your discretion."

Daniel nodded. "I can do that."

"And another contract for yourself to accept tips if offered on top of a base pay rate of one hundred and twenty five crowns per month. You're right, Daniel, we aren't paying you enough."

Daniel paused, obviously flustered. He tried to speak but was clearly having trouble finding the words. "Wyn you… don't have to… well, how can we afford it?"

Wyn smirked. "After clearing the sixth and seventh floors, apparently the raids were a big success completing the secondary quest. We earned so much on the floor and for the floor's completion that everyone cleared the guild's first month quota and then nearly doubled it! It's just the end of the first week and we're already doing very well. The amount earned was nearly enough to secure payments for next month, too."

Daniel nearly dropped his papers. "I didn't realize it was that much!"

"No one wants to go through it again, and I don't blame them, but the reward was worth suffering the one time."

"Wow. Wendy will be delighted to hear that news!"

Wyn smiled. It was a joyous occasion to see Daniel so giddy, and it was something happening more frequently. He hoped it would stay that way for a long time. As long as they kept doing well with the guild, he had a feeling it would, too.

But his own doubts still gnawed at him at the back of his mind. Would Dawn's Light follow the Twilight Blades and be ruined? They were led by veteran Climbers who were respected and trusted. Being one of the top guilds in the city, others trusted their opinions and looked up to them. But they still failed.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

"Wyn?" Daniel asked. "You're in your head, again. Is something the matter?"

Wyn didn't hesitate to let Daniel know how he was feeling about being the guild's leader. He had grown accustomed to sharing with Daniel over the months, and felt more comfortable with him than anyone else. His time at war wasn't necessarily pleasant, but learning to talk it out rather than bottle it up helped him both process it and feel better after. It was a pleasant experience that left him feeling more himself, and he felt closer to Daniel all the while.

Daniel simply nodded and smiled while asking simple, leading questions that helped guide Wyn, and shared some of his own stories when he was an active Climber. Stories of both success and failures. It helped Wyn see not everyone was perfect, and trying to be perfect meant he was going to set himself to fail.

"If you lead these Climbers the way you've been leading your team, and share your own successes and failures with them, they'll see you as a true leader. It will both humanize you and make them trust you more. Wouldn't you have done the same with your own commanders while getting instructions at war?"

Wyn shook his head in disbelief. Of course Daniel was right. If he trusted himself, there was a stronger chance the rest of Dawn's Light would trust him, too.

"Yes, of course," Wyn said. "Thank you, Daniel. I honestly don't know what I would have done without you and your counsel."

Daniel smiled, his face blushing. "Wyn, I feel the same way about you. And now look at us."

Wyn laughed. It felt good to laugh.

"But seriously, Wyn, I still need these papers signed."

Wyn balled up a piece of paper and threw it at his mentor.

*****

"Gods, Arabelle, what are you doing in there?" Roscoe asked, lifting another crate with a grunt.

Arabelle grinned as she picked up an identical crate beside the merchant, lifting it with ease. "Oh, you know. This and that."

Benedict laughed as he leaned against the stack of crates on the back of a wagon. The cup he was drinking from nearly spilled, and he spatt his water beside him.

"Spoken like a true merchant already," Roscoe said with a smirk. "You smart ass."

"But with the strength of a true Climber," Bartholomew added, loading their third and final crate. He pointed to Arabelle. "Don't piss her off, now, Roscoe!"

Arabelle nudged Roscoe in the side playfully. Ever since agreeing to supply them with gemstones and items, the pair treated her more like a friendly family member. At first they were far too cautious with her, as though she was some helpless woman who was lost and weak.

Well, the more she thought about it, that's exactly how she was when they first met. Though time and experience proved otherwise.

"I never want to piss her off," Roscoe said, patting one of the crates. "Look at all this supply! Just over one month and a week and she's already filled her two month quota of items and gems. At this rate you're going to suck Alistair dry!"

Arabelle grinned. "At this rate we may need to find another buyer."

Roscoe glanced at Bartholomew, who just shrugged. Arabelle didn't miss the exchange. Or that Benedict was carefully trying to avoid her gaze.

"What am I missing here?" Arabelle asked.

Benedict smiled and put an arm around her. "Don't you worry, dear. You only need to worry about keeping yourself safe from all those dreadful undead this season. I can't even imagine how horrifying it is to be fighting them all day!"

"Undead, ehh?" Bartholomew asked. "That's a tough season. At least you have some divine magic to help!"

"Why is it tough?" Arabelle asked, taking the bait. "They're easier to kill than normal monsters. We've managed through the seventh floor already, and Wyn and his team just cleared the eighth. They said it was gods-awful, but they still did it! And it's only been a week and a half into the season!"

"Undead are fickle monsters," Roscoe said. "Or at least they were when we climbed. They may be easier, but Alistair made up for that with having the floors harder. Haven't you noticed that?"

Arabelle slowly nodded. She did notice that but attributed it to the season just being harder. Knowing it was because the monsters were easier was… well, it actually didn't really matter. The overall climb was still about the same, just that the monsters themselves were easier to kill.

Telling that to the three men made them all laugh.

"You really are a one-of-a-kind," Roscoe said, winking.

Arabelle smiled and started walking back inside to the Silver Step. Then she abruptly paused. "Hang on. What was that look you exchanged when I asked about another buyer?"

"Damn," Bartholomew muttered. "So close."

Roscoe sighed. "Can't get one over on her, can we?"

"I told you," Benedict said with a charming smirk. "She's far more perceptive than you give her credit for."

"Gods, something is wrong, isn't it?" Arabelle asked.

Roscoe tilted his head side to side as he leaned against the wagon. "Well, yes and no. Mariah is an excellent partner, so before you wonder about her everything is solid there. She's already made the first payment for the first shipment of gems and she even gave a hint about possibly expanding it. Based on how easily you're able to find gems, I'd say that's an easy possibility to accomplish."

"You're getting off track, Roscoe. What is the 'no' part?"

Roscoe paused. "We might have… lost a couple of contacts who buy magical items from us."

Arabelle covered her face with her hands. That wasn't just bad news. That was horrible news. The contract for the gems was a valuable one, but losing buyers for magical items was far worse. It was the majority of her dealings as a budding merchant.

"Oh, don't lose hope, dear," Benedict said. "The deal you made with me with your guild will help some of that! I'm getting more customers than I ever have, and have already had some interested, young Climbers asking about your training!"

"That's right," Bartholomew said. "Back when we climbed, partnerships with the local shops were all that we had! That's still a solid connection, and can take some of the items we were going to sell, anyway."

Arabelle sighed. She knew they were right, and knowing Climbers were interested in the training services was a good thing. It would help bring more people to Dawn's Light to train and give Benedict more selling opportunities. But it still hurt that they lost some business.

"Trust me, Arabelle," Roscoe said, "this is part of being a merchant. You lose some connections then find others. You'll see."

"I guess," Arabelle said with a sigh. "It still doesn't make it sting any less."

"No it does not. But you learn to take the stings with the salves. That's part of doing business."

"I believe you. I wouldn't doubt you, now."

Benedict hugged her from the side. "That's a very positive outlook, Arabelle. Does that mean you'll also listen to my advice and take some breaks? You and your brother can't push yourselves as hard as you have been. It's just not right."

Arabelle smiled. It felt good to know she was being looked after. But then her smile turned devious. "Have you ever known me to take some breaks?"

Roscoe and Bartholomew laughed. Benedict had a look of shock on his face.

"Don't laugh!" Benedict said with mock hurt on his face. "I had to force her to leave the shop some days because she wouldn't stop!"

That only made Roscoe and Bartholomew laugh harder.

"I actually have been thinking of taking a sort of extended break soon," Arabelle said once the men started to calm down. "Like… maybe joining you on your caravan for a little bit of time?"

Roscoe nodded, stroking his face as though he had a large beard and was some kind of wise old man. "Hmm. That might not be a bad idea, especially if you want to make some more connections. Would your guild and team be alright with it?"

"My brother is the guild leader. I'm sure I can convince him to grant me some time away."

"Wyn is a reasonable one," Benedict added.

"You'll need to have some trusted allies with you, too," Bartholomew said, taking another drink from his cup. "Being on the road won't work with just you. Not too far from the city where your magic fades, at least."

Arabelle thought about that. He had a point. It could be a good experience for her team to go together, though most of them wouldn't like the travel. They climbed well enough together, but what would a week or longer on the road look like with them?

Then her cheeks flushed as she thought about the person she actually wanted to go along with her. Would he say yes? How would he react to her asking? How would she even go about asking him?

Benedict perked up and stared intently at Arabelle. "Dear. Are you thinking of someone in particular?"

Arabelle felt even more heat rise to her cheeks. Benedict was like a hunter locking onto prey, and she knew it. Worse, she just gave herself away. Again.

Benedict shooed away Roscoe and Bartholomew who both tried to ask more questions. Instead, the shop owner hurried her inside his shop. "Run, dear, while you can! Those two are worse than me!"

Arabelle silently thanked the man as she walked through the Silver Step. She needed to flag down a cart to take her back to the Dawn's Light guild house to meet with her team, and it was the best time to leave.

But first she needed time to think. Just why had thinking of Adam brought up such an emotion?