Thadan stepped inside the Patchwork Post. His steps were loud, produced by his boots hitting the worn wooden floorboards. As he walked into the establishment, he was thankful for the building’s haphazard modifications over the years to accommodate different species, because now he got to ?s?c?a?m? approach them for his own interests.

  A trio of dwarven warriors huddled near the main quest board, their leather armor creaking as they debated the merits of various postings. Perfect targets. Thadan adjusted his posture, adopting the easy confidence that had served him well in countless negotiations, and approached.

  “Gentlemen,” he began, reaching into his satchel. “Might I interest you in—”

  “No.” The lead dwarf didn’t even look up from the board.

  “You haven’t heard my offer.”

  “Don’t need to.” The dwarf’s beard twitched with barely contained amusement. “Whatever you’re selling, we’ve got our own.”

  Thadan revealed one of their transformed mimics—currently masquerading as an elegant brass lantern with leaf patterns that seemed to shift in the light. “Even never-extinguishing lanterns? Guaranteed to burn for weeks without refueling?”

  Now the dwarves did turn, their expressions full with skepticism and barely concealed mirth. The leader—distinguished by an impressive braided beard adorned with bronze rings—actually chuckled.

  “Never-extinguishing, eh?” He stroked his beard thoughtfully. “And I suppose it also grants wishes and brews ale?”

  “As a matter of fact—”

  “Save it for the tourists, lad.” The dwarf waved him off, turning back to the quest board. “We’ve seen every scam from here to the Deepmark. At least make up something believable next time.”

  The dismissal stung, but Thadan had faced worse. He retreated strategically, positioning himself near Ms. Thornberry’s desk where he could observe the flow of potential customers. The clerk herself sat at her elevated platform, methodically stamping documents while somehow maintaining an air of both complete focus and total awareness of her surroundings.

  Two human rangers entered, their leather armor still muddy from recent travels. Thadan started to move toward them, but their quick glance and quicker exit suggested they’d already been warned about the “lantern salesman.” Word traveled fast in adventuring circles, especially when it came to potential scams.

  Not a scam, he wanted to protest. Just... creatively reimagined merchandise.

  A group of young mages proved equally unreceptive, though at least they were polite about it. Their leader, a half-elf with more scrolls than sense, actually took the time to explain why perpetual light sources were theoretically impossible according to the latest thaumaturgical research. Thadan let him ramble, noting several points that would help refine their sales pitch.

  The morning wore on. Thadan watched as adventurers came and went, each group following the same basic pattern—check the board, register with Ms. Thornberry, gather supplies, head out. Occasionally, someone would post a new quest, adding to the colorful tapestry of parchment that dominated the hall’s far wall.

  He’d just about decided to try his luck at one of the other guild halls when Ms. Thornberry’s voice appeared out of nowhere.

  “Still peddling those mysterious lanterns?” She didn’t look up from her stamping, but her tone carried a hint of amusement. “Or have you finally decided to return to honest work?”

  “This is honest work,” Thadan protested, approaching her desk. That damn scent of ink and sealing wax grew stronger. “I’m providing a valuable service to the adventuring community.”

  “Mmhmm.” She set aside her stamp, after a long pause meeting his gaze with those sharp amber eyes. “And I suppose next you’ll tell me the sewers clean themselves?”

  “That was different.” Thadan fought back a grimace at the memory. “You said it would be an easy job.”

  “It was easy.” Ms. Thornberry’s weathered features crinkled with suppressed mirth. “Just messy. And you did get paid.”

  “After three days of scrubbing magical residue off tunnel walls!” The smell had lingered for weeks, no matter how many cleaning charms Brakar had tried. “Some of those stains were older than I am. Even older than you.”

  “Builds character.” She shuffled through a stack of papers, pulling out several with practiced efficiency. “Speaking of building character, I’ve got some nice, simple quests here. Perfect for getting back into the swing of things.”

  “I’m retired.”

  “You’re twenty-five.”

  “Professionally retired,” he amended. “The lantern business is my future now.”

  Ms. Thornberry’s expression suggested exactly what she thought of that future, but before she could respond, movement near the quest board caught both their attention. The quest board’s weathered surface had drawn a small crowd, centered around a merfolk woman whose opalescent skin shifted between deep blues and teals as she studied the postings intently.

  “A magic lantern that never goes out?” she said loudly, her silver-white hair getting all the attention as she turned away with a sharp laugh that drew several glances. “Please. I’ve seen better scams in the copper mines.”

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  Perfect, Thadan thought. Shadowpriests always need reliable light sources.

  He approached with his best merchant’s smile, already reaching for their most impressive sample. The lantern’s brass surface caught the light perfectly, its leaf patterns creating subtle moving shadows.

  She took two steps, then froze. Her skin lightened to a pale blue. “Wait. Thadan? Thadan Brightsteel?”

  “Heard of me?” he asked, though he already knew where this was going.

  “Professor Brightsteel’s shadow-light manipulation theories are required reading at the Academy. His positioning techniques revolutionized small-unit tactics.” Her webbed hands made simple, deliberate movements. “Though I never expected to find his son here, of all places, selling...”

  “Questionable merchandise?”

  “Precisely.”

  “Trust me, neither did he.”

  “Such potential, such legacy—” Her skin darkened as she paced a tight circle. “To think, a Brightsteel reduced to... Do you have any idea how many students would kill for your inherited understanding of tactical theory?”

  “I’m guessing you’re one of them?”

  “Some of us do value responsibility and proper application of knowledge.” Her fingers drummed against her thigh. “My team is preparing for an Orichalcum-rank challenge. We could use someone with your background.”

  “I’m retired.”

  “Clearly.” She pulled out a small leather notebook, her skin cycling through shades of teal. “Though I do wonder what your father would think of this... career change.”

  “Good luck with your quest.”

  Her pen scratched against the paper as she walked away, muttering about wasted potential.

  Before Thadan could process the encounter, a new voice made its way through the increasingly awkward moment.

  “Excuse me.” The words came out like gravel through honey—deep, rough, but somehow sweet. “But did you say never-extinguishing lanterns?”

  Thadan turned to find himself facing an orange-skinned orc in priest’s robes. The unusual citrus coloring marked him as someone who’d spent significant time channeling holy magic, the divine energy literally staining his flesh over years of exposure. Despite his imposing size, his posture suggested someone more comfortable with paperwork than combat.

  “Yes!” Thadan seized the opportunity to escape Rytha’s knowing smirk. “Designed to operate for weeks without requiring refueling. Perfect for extended underground work.”

  The orc’s expression brightened, which on his citrus-tinted features created an almost luminous effect. “Wonderful! I’ve got cave inspection duty this month—got stuck with it after showing up late to the assignment meeting.” He grimaced. “Need to certify them as properly monster-inhabited for tax purposes, but they’re full of Inverse Bats.”

  “Inverse... Bats?” Thadan had never heard of such creatures, which given his extensive bestiary knowledge, was something of an achievement.

  “Nasty things.” The orc made a gesture that somehow conveyed both professional disapproval and personal disgust. “All their bones and organs are on the outside. They hunt by extending their ribcages to trap prey.” He shuddered, which on his massive frame looked like a small earthquake. “Anyway, a reliable light source would save me significant mana. Can’t keep casting illumination spells while documenting everything.”

  Behind them, Rytha made a small noise. It was amusement, although Thadan thought it was disdain. Before finally departing, her notebook was still open as she made additional notes. Thadan deliberately ignored her exit, focusing instead on what might be their first actual customer.

  “How long is the inspection process?” he asked, already calculating rental rates in his head.

  “Several days at least.” The orc pulled out a thick sheaf of official forms. “Have to document every chamber, note all signs of habitation, verify proper monster density ratios...” He sighed. “Bureaucracy, you know?”

  Thadan did know, though usually from the other side of such proceedings. “We can definitely help with that. Our lanterns are specifically designed for extended use in hostile environments.”

  The orc’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “And the cost?”

  “Very reasonable.” Thadan named a figure that made the orc’s eyebrows rise slightly. “But consider the savings in magical energy, not to mention the convenience of reliable illumination in possibly hazardous conditions.”

  “True...” The orc thumbed through his forms again, perhaps mentally comparing costs. “And you said they’re guaranteed for several weeks?”

  “Absolutely.” Thadan carefully didn’t mention exactly how they maintained that guarantee. Some details were better left to the fine print. “We even provide a special feeding solution to maintain optimal performance.”

  “Feeding solution?”

  “Proprietary blend of magical nutrients,” Thadan explained smoothly. “Helps maintain the enchantment’s stability.”

  The orc considered this, scrunching in concentration. After a short grunt, he nodded. “Alright, you’ve convinced me. Better than trying to maintain light spells while writing down ribcage measurements anyway.”

  “Excellent choice!” Thadan produced their rental agreement with practiced flourish. “Now, regarding payment terms...”

  As they worked through the contract details, Thadan caught Ms. Thornberry watching from her desk, her expression unreadable. She’d known his father too, he remembered suddenly. Had probably processed hundreds of quest registrations for the great Thadan Brightsteel over the years.

  Let her watch, he thought defiantly. This is my path now.

  The orc’s massive finger carefully traced each line of the contract, his priestly training evident in his methodical review. Thadan used the time to examine their first customer more closely, identifying anything to enhance their marketing strategy. The careful way he handled paperwork despite his size, the slight magical residue that clung to his robes, the professional dignity that seemed at odds with his current task—all valuable information for targeting similar clients.

  “One question,” the orc said finally, tapping a particular clause. “This bit about ‘maintaining appropriate feeding schedules’—seems unusually specific for a simple lantern rental.”

  “Quality control,” Thadan replied smoothly. “The enchantment requires regular maintenance to prevent degradation. Nothing to worry about.”

  The orc made a thoughtful sound but signed anyway, his signature surprisingly delicate for hands that could probably crush stone. As Thadan processed the payment, he caught fragments of conversation from nearby adventurers—something about the Sweetwater Cistern being reopened for maintenance contracts.

  Not my problem anymore, he reminded himself firmly. We’re legitimate businessmen now.

  The orc accepted the brass lantern carefully, testing its weight and balance with professional attention to detail.

  “Interesting craftsmanship,” he murmured, studying the patterns. “Almost seems alive...”

  “Just a trick of the light,” Thadan assured him quickly. “Now, about that feeding schedule, perhaps we should discuss the details at my shop? It’s just down Merchant’s End.”

  Thadan led the way to his shop, eager to get the contract signed before the orc could change his mind about renting a suspiciously lifelike lantern.