Shallista was in the guild hall, enjoying a cold mug of water. Others were there as well. Akiko and Vilka were sitting at the bar, conversing. Hilde and Neeka were off the clock, covered up in full wizard robes, headed out.
Lupe came in and plopped down next to her. "Audrixia can train with the best of them. I can't keep up with her."
"Of course," Shallista said. "Very few people can keep up with a wizard knight. Audrixia is a fine example of what it takes to be one. I'm lucky I was able to get her." She put her feet up on the table and leaned back in her chair. "Fencers are particularly skilled as well. I'm glad to have you aboard."
"And I'm glad that I'm wanted," Lupe said. "I promise to do my best, regardless of the job."
Wendy, Cordelia, and Penelope came in, each wearing a large bag on her back. "We have the posters," Wendy said. "I made a job request poster and a recruitment poster, so we shouldn't have trouble get jobs or members. All we have to do is post them up around town."
Hilde and Neeka turned around. "Do you need us? We can change back into our armor and join you."
Shallista shook her head. "I won't hear of it. You girls go and enjoy the rest of your evening. Both of you being young wizards, I'm sure you have much you want to share with each other."
"O-okay, if you're sure," Hilde said. She and Neeka finally left.
Shallista put her feet back on the ground and hopped out of her seat. "Well, let's get those posters up, ladies. Audrixia's in charge until I get back."
Vilka stood. "Those three are looking kinda flimsy. I'll help. Let me have one of those bags."
Wendy, Cordelia, and Penelope rushed over. "Please, take mine," Cordelia said.
"What?" Wendy said. "No fair. I'm a healer, not a fighter. I'm not built to carry heavy bags like this. She should take mine."
"No, she should take mine," Penelope said.
"But you're in better shape than we are," Wendy said.
"I need to give my muscles a break after all that farming I did earlier," Penelope said.
Shallista took Cordelia's bag.
Wendy quickly shoved hers into Vilka's chest.
"Dammit," Penelope complained.
"Do you need my assistance, milady," Akiko asked.
"No," Shallista said. "Me, Wendy, Penelope, Cordelia, and Vilka should be enough. You can gather intel if you want."
"And me?" Lupe asked.
"You just sit somewhere and look pretty," Shallista said. "You've earned a break."
*
After a few hours, Shallista and the others reassembled in the town center. "Okay, ladies, how did we do?"
"Vilka and I still have a few, but not too many," Wendy said.
"We still have half of ours because Penelope was moving too slow," Cordelia said.
"My back hurts and my legs are on fire," Penelope said.
Satisfied, Shallista nodded. "Okay, put all the posters in one bag and give them to me. I'll finish up. The rest of you can go home."
Collapsing, Penelope said, "Thank the heavens."
"Are you sure?" Wendy asked. "I can help out if you need me."
"You all look exhausted and it's my job as leader to make sure all my ladies are taken care of," Shallista said. "Take a load off."
Penelope shot to her feet. "If you're staying out, I can still go." Then, she dropped to her knees and grabbed her calf. "Ow! Leg cramp..."
A woman came over with a crumpled piece of paper and flung it at Shallista. "Go away, Sexy Whore-iors! You're not wanted here!"
Shallista caught the paper, then looked around at all the men staring and drooling. "I think you're in the minority."
The woman huffed. "They're just perverts and you're nothing more than a bunch of whores."
Penelope worked her way to her feet. "Hey, lay off."
"And you should be ashamed of yourself," the woman scolded. "You were so against them before. Now look at you, wearing such an embarrassing outfit." She walked over and raised her hand as if threatening to slap Penelope.
Shallista stepped in the way and grabbed her arm. "Don't even attempt it."
The woman tried to yank her arm away, but couldn't get lose.
Shallista tightened her grip. "As the leader of the Sexy Warriors, I have to protect my ladies. If you raise a hand to one of them, you're going to have to deal with me. Is that understood?"
The woman dropped to her knees. "Argh...let go, you ogre!"
"Is that understood?" Shallista repeated.
"Oww! I get it," the woman said.
Shallista let her go and faced her group. "Okay, head home, ladies. I'll finish with the posters."
The woman grumbled and stood, massaging her wrist. "This isn't over. I'll make you pay if it's the last thing I do."
Shallista looked back over her shoulder. "Feel free to try."
The woman simply grumbled and walked away.
"Oh no, we've just made an enemy," Wendy said to Shallista. "What do we do?"
Shallista smiled. "She isn't the first and she won't be the last. We'll win her over, just like we will from now on." She uncrumpled the paper and saw it was one of the posters they had just put up. "I'll make her wear sexy armor."
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