For some reason, this made Hammon chuckle. “I suppose I fit the definition of ‘unquantified.’ Well, thank you for the explanation, Guildmaster Maley. If it’s alright with you, I’ll go collect my bags and then return here.”
“Go, go,” she encouraged with a wave of the hand. “But Hammon? A word of advice.”
He paused partway out of his chair. “Yes?”
“The easiest way into the hearts of this guild is to bring them something tasty.”
He gave her a thankful nod. “I’ll find something suitable. How much should I bring?”
“As much as you can,” she answered seriously. “I have several bottomless pits that masquerade as humans.”
With a mock-bow, he promised, “I’ll do my best. Then, if you’ll excuse me, I should be back by this evening.”
“Alright. Send word if you need help.” She meant the words literally. No matter how unorthodox this situation might be, he was still a new member of her guild, and all the guild looked out for each other.
He seemed to understand her sincerity as his smile grew genuine before he gave her another quick bow and left as unassumingly as he’d come.
Before Hammon had completely left the Hall, Wolf came and sat across the table from her, snagging a strawberry and dipping it in the chocolate. The wooden chair and table creaked slightly under his weight as he leaned over the surface.
“Oy!” she protested. “I haven’t sufficiently tested that for poison!”
Knowing very well she was joking, he replied calmly, “You’re not dead yet. I’ll take my chances. Who was that?”
Pulling both bowls closer to her in a defensive manner, she said, “Our newest guild member.”
Wolf gave Hammon’s back a quick glance as he licked the chocolate off his thumb. “Don’t look like much of a fighter.”
“Scholar,” she corrected with a wry twist of the lips.
Her giant enforcer had the blankest expression she’d ever seen as he repeated, “Scholar.”
“He’s going to work in the guild—” might as well get that out in the open now “—but his main purpose in staying with us is to study the different cultures and figure out how to improve trade relations between them.”
“Hoooo.” He looked thoughtful, white-blond brows screwed upward slightly as he processed this.
“Be warned, he’ll probably ask you the most questions.” For rather obvious reasons. As far as Siobhan could tell, Wolf was the only Resken in this entire city, and his looks sometimes invited trouble. No one could mistake him for anything else, not with that giant, powerful frame, ice-blond hair and deep blue eyes. Despite his propensity to find trouble, she thanked the stars he chose to remain with her. Wolf had become the dearest friend and brother in arms she had, and if he ever did choose to leave, it would be like losing an arm.
“No doubt.” Wolf didn’t seem the mind the impending interrogation. “Why did you agree?”
“He said he’d do the books.”
Wolf chuckled as he reached for another strawberry. “Now it makes sense. What do we know about him?”
“Not enough,” she admitted, swatting at his reaching hand and missing. “But he had a good look in his eyes and he was respectful and willing to work, so I don’t think he’ll cause trouble.”
Wolf glanced up at her face for a moment as he reached for the last plump strawberry. “I’ll keep an eye on him anyway.”
She knew he would, no matter what she said. Wolf didn’t trust anyone the first six months they were in the guild. His caution had saved her hide more times than she cared to remember, so she didn’t argue with him. He’d come around eventually. “Will you stay out of my strawberries?!”
Laughing, he stuck his finger in the chocolate bowl before going on his merry way.
ӜӜӜ
Hammon came back well before dinner, arms weighed down by various bags. Siobhan saw his approach from the second story window, where she had been freshening up a room for him. Seeing that he was struggling to hang on to everything, she called down the stairs, “Someone go help Hammon!”
Even as she spoke, she hurried out the door and downstairs, intent on helping him herself if no one else had heard her. But as she hit the ground floor, she saw that Conli had beaten her there. Denney hovered nearby, eyes doing a toe-to-head sweep of Hammon before catching Siobhan’s eye and mouthing, That’s him?
Siobhan nodded confirmation as she strode around the table to the door.
“—take at least some of this from you,” Conli offered, already lifting a wicker basket