"So, what is it that you want, boy?" Richard sat across the table from Heron.
After getting into one of the visitation chambers, Marcus left Heron. "I will not be staying. I'll meet Richard outside. Good luck!" He exited and closed the door.
Richard and Heron were now face-to-face, and Heron felt the presence of authority coming from Richard's aura.
"I'd like to join your party, sir," Heron responded adamantly.
"And why would I allow you to join?" Richard asked, maintaining a strict tone.
"I have a goal, one that I can only reach with the help of a party like yours. I wish to visit Tiwaz."
"So, you want to use my party to achieve a personal goal. Marcus has surely gone too old. He is losing his sense of sanity, calling in a favor for this nonsense." Richard growled.
"Sir," Heron started to plead. "I will try to be of any use to you, and I will not abandon the party. I'm just hoping that if we find ourselves in a situation where Tiwaz is in proximity, that you will allow me to go there."
"Heron, was it? Listen, Heron, you don't want to join an adventuring party; you want to hire one. People who join these parties are either bold and stupid or running from worse things in their lives. Or they are villagers seeking citizenship and better pay than they earn in the villages. Bottom line is, there is no place for personal goals aside from monetary ones, understand?"
"I can't hire a party as I have no passport first. I'd just throw money away."
"Oh, you think you are rich enough to afford a party?" Richard laughed. "Listen, setting a quest locally is expensive enough, not to mention hiring a party that will guide you to a place two kingdoms away. You do realize we'd have to pass through the entire Tuska before we enter Scallia Republic, right?"
"So, what would you have me do?"
"Well, become a citizen and get a passport. It will take at least ten cycles to become eligible, but until then, work for a local party or be smart and find a nicer job and form a family. And if you are really in a hurry, you could try smugglers, but if they are undercover police, you'd be executed."
"Neither of those options is something I'd want. Becoming a citizen takes too long, and I don't want to commit a crime for smuggling. I want to earn my way."
"Well, then, sorry to say, but best of luck finding another party. There is no need for any further discussion."
"Wait!" Heron yelled, then, realizing he raised his tone, he lowered it immediately. "If I had something of value, something to trade in, could you make me a party member and organize a mission to Tiwaz?"
"You did not rule out the money the first time. What is it that you think you possess that you think is that valuable, boy?" Richard asked, eyeing Heron with curiosity.
"Well, I don't own anything, but maybe I could get a hold of it. My question is, would offering a soul crystal as payment be enough?"
Richard looked at Heron in silence. "Heron," Richard said, his voice reverberating. "How would a boy like you get his hands on such an item?"
"It doesn't matter how; what matters is if it is enough."
"Don't play around, boy. Having something like that is very dangerous, for both its nature and its value. If you had that sort of item, you'd be better off giving it to the church. They may even speed up your citizenship process."
"Would that be faster than joining a party and going to Tiwaz after?"
"No," Richard was getting annoyed. "But it doesn't matter. Having two of us trade such an item would get us both killed. You're stupid for even suggesting it."
"I didn't offer to trade it, I just asked if such an item would be enough to cover expenses?"
"Gah! You annoy me," Richard growled. "And the only reason we are still talking is because I owe Marcus. But the answer to your question is no."
"What? But someone told me these are really rare and high value."
"They were right. But they don't cover a party membership. That is something that you must earn, provided you can give me the information where I could look for such an item."
"That is fine with me. I wanted to earn my way into the party, fair and square." Heron responded with conviction. "So if I earn my right to join you, you'll get instructions on where I might have seen the crystal, as you put it."
"No, the price of taking the test must be included in the same deal. So, you will get the test, and if you fail, you will have to provide me with the information. That is not negotiable." Richard said it and crossed his hands.
"Can I have time to think about it?" Heron asked, his enthusiasm waning.
"Sure, but I want the answer by tomorrow. I'll be here at the same time. I expect the decision by then."
Heron exited the guild building and went back to the tavern. He was troubled by the dilemma Richard imposed. The crystal is too valuable to risk. But I may not get a second chance. How did Haran cross these countries? There were many questions in Heron's head.
When he arrived at the tavern, Emilia had already finished her shift, and Marcus was on duty.
"So, how did it go?" Marcus was eyeing Heron.
"Not great," Heron responded honestly. "They are asking me to give up on a valuable item for a chance to take the candidate test."
"How valuable is this item?"
"It is really valuable to me," Heron said, but as he said it, he pulled out the pendant to fool Marcus regarding what the item actually is.
"Well then, I wouldn't gamble something so precious. But again, you were pretty adamant you have to go to Tiwaz—so is the price not worth it? You need to figure this answer for yourself, Heron."
Heron grabbed his head with both of his arms and moped on the counter. "What is it so difficult to decide?" he complained.
"Why don't you think it over tonight. Also, for your rest, I remembered about the tea. You can take it upstairs with you after dinner."
Marcus put out the dishes for dinner in the evening, and Heron took the vegetable pie. He wasn't feeling hungry for anything more substantial, and he was anxious about deciding on Richard's offer.
Then he asked for the Valerian tea and went back to his room. He decided to take a shower to relax before going to sleep. As he finished showering, he was looking at the blower.
I don't know if I should use it. Last time I was spaced out, what if something worse happens? Maybe he should just let the water dry up from washing. No, it may take too long. This is faster, and I'll use the comb to fix my hair.
He picked up the blower and pressed the button.
-.. --- -. .----. - / .-.. . .- ...- . / -- . / to die.