"Yeah," Lady Victoria said. "I just wish we could hang out more often. With our guild masters, though..."
"I don't know about your guild master, but mine wouldn't have a problem with it," Penelope said. "She's pretty welcoming."
Lady Victoria snarled. "That redhaired wench..."
Penelope was confused. "Did something happen between you and Shallista?"
Lady Victoria only grumbled in her response. Then, she suddenly started looking around.
Penelope looked around, too. "Is something wrong?"
Lady Victoria looked around a bit more. "I thought someone was watching us. I can't be too careless. If Lady Grizelda knew we were hanging out, it'd be the end of me."
Penelope frowned. "That is quite ashamed. Maybe we can openly be friends one day. I guess I'll head home now. I wouldn't want to get you in trouble. See you around."
*
Lady Victoria was almost at the inn. Thoughts of Penelope filled her head. If only she weren't a Sexy Warrior, Lady Grizelda wouldn't have a problem with them hanging out.
They hadn't known each other long, but she felt as if Penelope was her best friend. Her guildmates were decent, but her connection with Penelope felt more genuine. Maybe she could steal her from that redhaired wench and bring her into Lady Grizelda's fold.
That was unlikely. Simply by wearing sexy armor, Lady Grizelda would view her as tainted. She looked down at the bag in her hand, which held the sexy armor Penelope gave her. She could never find out what was in this bag.
When she entered the inn, she saw Lady Grizelda playing chess with another woman from her guild, Lady Milicent. It was strange because only strangers played chess with Lady Grizelda. Then again, Lady Milicent had recently been reading a book about chess strategies. Maybe she finally decided to give it a try.
Lady Grizelda looked up from her game. "Coming in late again?"
"Yes," she said. "The nights are beautiful around here. Can't let good weather go to waste." It wasn't a total lie. It really was beautiful out.
Lady Grizelda looked back at the chess board and made a move. "Is it true?"
"Is what true?"
"Lady Milicent says she saw you entering town with one of those whores."
Lady Victoria felt her butt clench.
Lady Milicent looked at her, disappointment on her face.
"I wondered why you were really going out so late, because you've never done things like that before," Lady Grizelda said. "And what's in that bag? You say it's candy, but it never seems to get any emptier and you never share. You know I like candy, you won't share, and you're not eating it. You aren't transporting something illegal for that whore, are you?"
She knew what she had to do. "I thank you for allowing me to travel with you. It seems like we must part ways, so I am resigning from the guild."
"Is it really that bad?" Lady Grizelda asked. "I'd be willing to forgive you if it really is candy and you share some with me."
She turned away. "I...can't. I've already decided to resign, so..."
Before she knew it, Lady Milicent hopped out of her chair, ran over, and got a grip on the bag. "What could possibly be in there?"
She and Lady Milicent had a tugging match with the bag until it ripped and the contents spilled out onto the floor. "No..."
"Huh?" Lady Milicent said as she looked down at it. Upon realizing what it was, she screamed and ran back to her seat. "S-sexy armor...keep it away from me..."
"How could you?" Lady Grizelda asked, heartbreak forming on her face. "You lied right to my face and said it was candy." After a brief silence, she asked the question Lady Victoria feared most. "Have you worn it yet?"
Lady Victoria looked at the ground and remained silent.
"How many times?"
Lady Victoria stayed silent.
"How many times have you worn that slutty armor?"
Lady Victoria gave no response.
Lady Grizelda drew her hand back and slapped her.
"I'm sorry..." Lady Victoria said sadly.
Lady Grizelda grumbled. "I'll except your resignation, but you have to do something to make up for your betrayal first."
"Anything, milady. After all, I would not have had the courage to even leave my hometown if I hadn't met you. Because of you, I've seen things I never could have seen and gone places I never would have gone. You broke me out of my shell and allowed me to reach heights I wouldn't have otherwise reached." Lady Victoria sighed. "So as long as it means you'll no longer view me in a bad light, I will do it, whatever it is."
Lady Grizelda put her hand on her shoulder. "That's what I like to hear."
*
Shallista was sitting in the guild hall when Wendy and Cordelia came wandering in. "Hey, you two. Just who I was looking for."
"Yes, Milady?" Wendy and Cordelia said at the same time.
"We just got a job and I immediately thought of you." She pointed to a sheet of paper on the table. "It's an escort mission. You're free to refuse, but because you have a history in escorting cargo, I thought I'd give you the first right of refusal."
Wendy and Cordelia looked at each other and lit up. "We got a job!" Wendy said.
"We're getting paid!" Cordelia said. They high-fived.
Shallista smiled. "I take it that means you'll accept it. The client wants to meet by the edge of the fields by sunset. He says he's willing to pay up to three people, so you can invite another to join you."
"Want to invite Penelope?" Wendy asked Cordelia.
"I'd love to, but this might be a chance to get to know one of the others," Cordelia said. "We haven't really gotten a chance to know anyone else. It'd be good to make another friend."
"What about Telsie?" Wendy said.
Cordelia shook her head. "Probably wants to go to her husband after work."
"Pilar?" Wendy suggested.
"Too much dancing."
"How about Natalie?" Wendy asked.
"The gay chick?" Cordelia said. "I don't think I want to have another woman drooling over me for days on end. No."
"Jelena?"
"She might steal some of the cargo," Cordelia said. "She is a thief, after all."
Wendy looked up, a frown on her face. "This is hard."
"Why don't we bring somebody to balance out our group?" Cordelia asked. "You're a healer, so you don't fight. I'm an archer, so I'm best suited for long range combat. Let's add a close-range fighter."
They both looked at each other and gasped. "Shallista!"
"I thought you were looking for a new friend," Shallista said. "As in someone you don't know very well. I mean, I'd be willing to go if you want, but I don't think I fit the criteria."
Then, Nicolotte entered, tugging at her outfit. "I'm still not quite used to wearing such scant clothing, milady. You sure I can't wear just a tiny bit more."
Wendy and Cordelia looked at her.
"Looks like you've found your third," Shallista said.
Nicolotte looked around at all of them. "Have I done something wrong?"
Wendy shook her head. "Not at all. Cordelia and I were just wondering if you'd be interested in taking a job with us. We'll be transporting some cargo. We'd love to have you."
"You sure you want me?" Nicolotte asked. "I figured you'd prefer Penelope."
"We're also trying to expand our circle of friends," Cordelia said. "We're already great friends with her, so we figured we'd reach out to someone else."
Nicolotte smiled. "Then I'd be glad to join you." She looked down at herself. "I think I'd like to buy a cloak first. I'd like just a little more coverage before going on a journey."
"Sure," Wendy said. "Maybe we all should buy cloaks, just in case it gets chilly while we're out."
As the three of them left, Shallista stretched and yawned. Another day of work awaited. She stood. "Off to the garden."
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