I turned to leave the freshly-made pills to bake in front of the forge, and almost dropped them as I saw half a dozen adventurers! When did they get there?!

  "Whoa! What can I help you all with?" I asked, setting the tray of pills down carefully. Narrowly avoiding dropping them once was more than enough.

  As for the adventurers, they were clustered in a group of three, a pair and an individual who was engrossed peering at the equipment around the edge of the room. Taffy was keeping a firm eye on them all with ears pinned back.

  The youngest, and by far the least experienced looking of the group of three, waved a hand dismissively from within the folds of his long-sleeved robes, "Worry not, we are simply here to avail of the heat. There is plenty of room so feel free to carry about your business and pay us no mind."

  I glanced around at the valuable equipment scattered around, the vial of poison not yet put away after processing the sap and most importantly Taffy's disturbed state.

  "I'm afraid if you have no business here you need to leave. That goes for all – DON'T TOUCH THAT!"

  I wasn't sure if my shout or Taffy's low growl did the trick, but the individual jerked back before he touched the current prototype for Ha-Na's armour, currently held in place only by pins.

  "You, out, now!" I pointed from him to the exit.

  "But, but, I-"

  "Now."

  Something in my countenance must have convinced him as he trailed forlornly out. Which was just as well as the young adventurer who first spoke was practically spluttering with rage.

  "Well, I never, such rudeness. Do you even know who I am? You should leave and count yourself fortunate I'm in a forgiving mood." The petulant folding of his arms did nothing to make me take him seriously, though I did note his robe was a fine weave and - given the prickle of my appraisal - possibly enchanted.

  His teammates, whose equipment was well cared for but showed the telltale scuffs of actual use, seemed to have a better idea how this encounter was about to go. The scarred woman stepping forward and softly suggesting, "Young Master, perhaps on this occasion a more benevolent approach may be prudent. This workshop is where he makes his livelihood, and he is in the guildmaster's employ." She looked to me, her gentle measured tone taking on a probing quality, "I'm sure in the spirit of harmony among the clans, there would be room in such a large space for all of us?"

  Before I could really consider the potential politics of it all, the Young Master declared,

  "He should have thought of that before he attempted to evict us, and on such an unpleasant day no less. A servant of the guildmaster should understand the order of things, lest he bring shame upon her. I will not seek punishment for his disrespect, so his actions will neither tarnish guildmaster or guild on this occasion, but I shall not further tolerate his presence."

  It had been a long day, and I was pretty well done with dealing with people at this point.

  "The order of things is this, you're in my workshop and you need to leave. I won't ask again." I turned to the other pair as he attempted to process my latest outrage. "Now, you two, what business have you here?"

  The man of the pair, who was bare-chested and apparently oiled, took the lead, "We'll keep out of your way and stay quiet." He was stroking the stubble on his chiselled jaw as he spoke and flexing his chest. "I know you might not normally let people stay in here, but surely you could make an exception for us? Just until the weather clears?"

  Did he just bat his eyelashes at me?

  "No. Please leave."

  His companion rushed forward, hastily searching through her bag. "Wait, wait, we need your help with - "

  "You had your chance. Come back tomorrow if you have work you actually need."

  That seemed to be enough for the pair to cut their losses. I did overhear some muttered discussion as they left over whether the man having a 'proper beard' would have made a difference, but the uppity young adventurer had resumed his diatribe and I decided it was time to stop ignoring him.

  "-and when the guildmaster hears of this disrespect she'll have your job."

  I sighed. "Enough!" There was a blessed moment of silence. "Am I to take it then that you will not peacefully remove yourselves from my workshop?"

  The two bodyguards – for at that point I'd realised it surely must be what they were – glanced at each other and grimaced, but stood resolute by their Young Master. The Young Master himself inhaled to begin berating me once more, when the sound of pounding feet reached our ears. A soldier burst in. I'd been expecting Kete given Taffy's agitation, but this worked too I supposed.

  "Vaul, your presence is urgently requested by the dungeon entrance."

  Today just kept throwing me surprises.

  "Soldier, arrest this man! He has disrespected me and in so doing has disrespected the Tian branch of the Duan Clan."

  Everyone stared at the Young Master before our gazes moved back to the soldier, who clearly hadn't been expecting this complication. I could see him thinking quickly before settling on a time-honoured solution.

  Offering a quick salute, slamming fist over heart, towards the Young Master, "Honoured member of the Duan clan, my orders currently require me to bring this man before my superior, who also hails from your clan. Might I request that you accompany us so he may ensure honour is satisfied?"

  "Gladly. It's good to see the disciple of the Empire's forces is resolute even on its fringes."

  I saw the soldier hide a grimace. I knew the fort nearby protected the Empire from the wilds beyond where monsters roamed. I could only imagine the guard here was more hardened than those who lived a comfortable life in the heart of the Empire. The Young Master just wouldn't shut up, but I tuned him out again as I quickly banked the forge. The pills would just have to bake in the lesser heat, I wasn't about to risk burning down my workshop. With cooler coals smothering the flame and a ladleful of water distributed round the edge, I turned to Taffy.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  "Want to come with or stay here?"

  A short bark as he jumped to my side was enough of an answer.

  One of the bodyguards slapped a hand over the young master's mouth, holding it in a vice-like grip. I hadn't been listening to the Young Master's ranting but that caught my attention. As did the bodyguard's explanation.

  "Sorry my Lord, but your father's orders were to keep you alive. I believe that hound is the bonded companion of a particularly dangerous individual. Should he feel it slighted, I'm ashamed to admit we could do nothing to prevent your death."

  "Let's go. And yeah, today's not a good day to piss Kete off."

  I didn't wait for their reply, setting off with the solider at a brisk trot. Taffy loped along beside us, easily able to keep up. Tail wagging.

  Windbreaks had been placed around the covered area where items were evaluated and the emperor's tax collected. There was a constant creaking as gusts howled back and forth, carrying the torrential rain through the gaps between them. Both soldiers and the large group of sandblasted adventurers were having to project just to be heard. I spied the blackened breastplate and long-sleeved robes of the quartermaster leading discussions long before I could make out his words. His frustrated look relaxed as he spotted us.

  "Vaul, thank you for coming. Your insight would be appreciated on a few items."

  "Happy to help if I can. What am I looking at?"

  The large tables bore an array of corpses, samples and artifacts. That they weren't blowing away was evidence that the windbreaks were doing their job, though plenty of people were keeping a nervous eye, or (more prudently in my opinion) restraining hand to the items just in case. A huge sandy crate on the adventurers' side roused the interest of my appraisal skill and was filled near to the brim with other loot. While there was a much smaller sled beside it, I was tantalised with the mystery of how, even such a large group, had retrieved such a haul. Yet, I was also undeniably curious about the new materials. Unfortunately, distraction arrived.

  "Sir!" The soldier beside me saluted with hand over heart and near bellowed to be heard over the wind. "When I was requesting craftsman Vaul's presence, an individual claiming to be from House Tian cited the craftsman had caused insult and should be detained. I requested they bring the matter here to verify the claim and-"

  "Verify the claim! You would doubt my word?!" The Young Master gasped incredulously from behind me. "Uncle this-"

  "Enough!" The Quartermaster's brows tightened, appearing distinctly unamused. "Yes nephew, a good soldier does not believe every claim without verification and passes matters to their superior where appropriate."

  I couldn't help but feel he was tactfully leaving out that it sucked being the superior receiving those issues when he had so much to do already, but that was perhaps more telling of my mood than his. Regardless, the guy looked tired. I noted the adventurers were edging away from the conflict and despite their own fatigue, seemed curious to see how this played out. One of them even started nibbling from a small bag of nuts.

  "Very well then Uncle. I demand that-"

  The quartermaster cut him off, "Before you risk bringing further shame to our family name, think very carefully about what you would demand of me."

  A fierce howl of wind cut off any further remark, though the nut toting adventurer took the opportunity to nudge his neighbours and proffer the bag.

  "Now then, Tian Huang, do you believe you suffered sufficient insult to invoke family and clan and seek remedy through the might of the imperial military for the stability of the Empire?" The quatermaster's face was stony as he intoned the words with all the gravitas of law and tradition.

  "I do."

  He sounded, less petulant, less whiney, more official - but he still said it. Though the quartermaster's expression didn't change, I could feel the weight of resignation sink into it with those two simple words.

  "Very well then, state your complaint."

  "This dwarf refused to acknowledge my status, and though I permitted him to continue with his work in my presence, had the audacity to order me to vacate a well-heated room in this weather."

  The irony of making this complaint to soldiers who had likely been working outside all day, albeit under cover, was apparently lost on him. While the quartermaster's expression remained steady, I could see in his eyes each word landed like a blow. When he spoke, it was with controlled calm.

  "This well-heated room. It wouldn't have happened to be his workshop, within the guild, perchance?"

  "Yes, I believe it was. I did not wish to affect his attempts to be industrious to the guild, hence why I initially permitted him to continue his work."

  "You may not have been aware, but not all areas of the guild are freely accessible, even to members." The quartermaster attempted to throw his nephew a lifeline.

  Of course he didn't take it.

  "Yes, Yes, but surely to a member of the clans, in extreme circumstances such as this storm, exceptions must be made."

  "Were you deathly ill of chill when you entered?" The mixture of hope and extreme doubt from his professional facade was rough to listen to.

  "No, but the other rooms were quite overcrowded. Unfitting with one with a status such as-"

  "Nephew!" Waves of rage were figuratively pouring off the quartermaster now, but his stony face remained resolute.

  "Wait, wait!" Panic, as finally it was sinking in that he may have messed up. "He threatened violence against me! Your soldier arrived just afterwards."

  The rage shifted focus to me, "Is this true?"

  Despite my heart rate increasing, fear and threat mixing with impatience and anger that made something in my blood sing for gory satisfaction, I kept my words measured and steady.

  "I believe, he is referring to when I asked, after they refused to leave the third time, if I should assume they had no intention of leaving of their own volition."

  "He said peacefully rather than own volition," one of the bodyguards offered.

  I shrugged, keeping careful rein on the emotions swirling inside, "Same intent. It seemed clear at that point the only way to get them to leave would be to have them removed."

  "See he threatened-"

  "I'm a damn craftsman!" I snapped. My patience with the idiot was done. "Do you really think I was itching to pick a fight with a group of combatants? No. I was going to ask one of my colleagues to drag you out of there, or maybe just post a quest. There are certainly more than enough adventurers hanging around itching for somethin' to do. Now all due respect, I am tired of bein' berated and treated like I need te beg fer permission te use me own workshop! If I see you in there again consider yer guild membership revoked." I was puffing with rage by the end, not thinking through what I was saying. But given Bartan's arrangement and the guildmaster's words at the last meeting I don't think I overstepped.

  "You don't have the authority to-"

  The bodyguard's hand slammed over the Young Master's mouth.

  "Actually, I'm fairly sure he does, though that would be an internal guild matter." The quartermaster commented, before dropping into a deep bow that earned gasps from our audience. "I am deeply sorry for the inconvenience a member of my family has caused you Master Vaul and for the slander of your good name." There were also some sharp intakes of breath at the term master, though I was slightly distracted by the garbled mumbling coming from the young master.

  The heartfelt apology, even if it hadn't been from the person who should really be giving it, cut much of the wind from the sails of my anger. I just didn't want to be bothered by that idiot or his bodyguards again, and it looked like I was getting my wish.

  "You have no need to apologise, I appreciate you carrying out your duty with diligence and impartiality."

  "Thank you for your kind words Vaul." He rose from his bow and turned to his nephew's bodyguard. "You couldn't have done that earlier?"

  She looked distinctly uncomfortable, "My apologies, I was unaware of Master Vaul's status and position within the guild."

  I reached down and stroked Taffy who remained loyally by my side, giving the idiot the stink eye. "Actually, she did." No reason a loyal bodyguard should suffer because of a bad boss, "I'm not sure quite what he was going to say, but given the context I can roughly guess the subject." I gave a significant glance towards Taffy and when I looked back up the quartermaster was pale, his composure finally broken.

  "Tell me you weren't... No! Don't say anything, to anyone. You've done enough damage this day..."

  As the quartermaster's focus turned fully to his nephew, I decided it was time to move on and distract the peanut gallery.

  "I believe you all had some items for me to evaluate?"

  The Royal Academy of Magical Baking, a great new cosy fantasy story on RR. If you want my in depth thoughts on the story you can check it out :)

  Patreon. Any support is very much appreciated!