The party ran on for three more hours, and Arwin did absolutely nothing for the entirety of them — though he did slip into the kitchen to steal a kiss from Lillia at one point, purely just because he could. Reya flopped down to join Arwin at this table as the night started to wind down. Her hair was frazzled and she looked exhausted, but there was a satisfied smile on her lips as she sank back in her chair. “The crowd is finally dying down,” Reya said, stretching her arms over her head with a yawn. She snagged Arwin’s drink off the table and peered into it before glancing up at him. “Can I?” “Thanks.” Reya took a long drag from it, then let out another satisfied sigh. “This is great.” “The drink? Or everything else?” “Yes,” Reya replied. She took another sip before setting the tankard back onto the table and letting her head loll back to stare up at the ceiling. “I feel so relieved. I think I could sleep for a day straight.” “I’ve done that a few times,” Arwin said with a wry smile. “I can recommend it. You wake up feeling pretty great.” “That’s only because you’re a nutter that blows through every single scrap of energy he’s got banging at a piece of metal.” Reya nodded, then set off into the darkness. Arwin watched her leave, then sank back into his chair. His body was exhausted and his mind wasn’t far behind. His entire being had been as taut as a string for far too long. They really needed a few weeks to rest — and this tournament potentially felt like it could fill that request. If we’re just sitting back and outfitting some people, that could be a good way for me to practice making weapons and armor while building up a name for the guild. I need to work on making items that aren’t so powerful that I get every guild in the Kingdom of Lian trying to kick my door in, so this could be a great way to do that. Suppose it depends on what this guild we’re waiting on is like. Guess we’ll just have to wait and see. Time wore on. The evening turned to night, and while the party died down, the tavern continued to bustle with a crowd. Every single table was full. Lillia had definitely turned up the sound-muting properties of her shadows. He could hear conversations, but he couldn’t make out a single word within them. Arwin sat at his table, somewhere between sleep and relaxation, as he waited the night out. As the hours stretched on, people started to leave the tavern and head home. He saw a few adventurers — including Wanda, the huge woman that had bought armor from them some time ago — head up the stairs toward the rooms. Looks like Lillia is selling some rooms for the night as well. Fantastic. She’s really doing great now. I’m happy for her. But of the guild that the Secret Eye had mentioned, there was no sign. It was already nearly midnight. Most of the tables around Arwin had vacated and the only people that remained spoke in hushed tones that barely made it through the cloak of shadows around them. He was just about to decide that the Secret Eye’s guild wasn’t going to show up when the door to the tavern creaked open. A man and a woman stepped inside. Arwin caught a quick glimpse of the two in the moonlight before the door closed behind them. The man was completely covered in bandages from toe to head. As if that wasn’t enough, he was completely bundled up as if there was a snowstorm outside. He wore thick, puffy clothes and had heavy boots and gloves on. It was impossible to tell what his actual body shape was under all the layers he’d buried himself under. His companion was one of the tallest women that Arwin had ever seen. She had the toned form of a dancer and wore flowing, translucent silks that did nothing to conceal the daggers strapped to her legs and arms. Bluish-green hair hung around her face like strands of seaweed. Her face was covered by a mask that ran down to her shoulders and connected with a shimmering silver cloak. Reya approached them, and there was a quick conversation that Arwin missed. Then the three of them started in his direction. Rodrick, who sat at a table behind Arwin, pulled a chair over to sit beside him. “Something tells me these are our friends,” Rodrick whispered as the two approached. “I think you might be right. We should probably get more chairs for this table, though. There are only three.” But, before Arwin could rise, Reya and the newcomers came to a stop at the edge of the table. The bandaged man pulled out one of the chairs nearby, then guided the woman into it with a single hand on her shoulder. He then pulled the last chair at the table out and looked to Reya. “No, it’s fine. You can sit,” Reya said. “Please. I insist,” the bandaged man said, his voice muffled by the wrappings covering his face. Not even his mouth had been spared from their grasp. “I will get another chair.” Reya hesitated, then accepted the man’s offer with an appreciative nod. The man snagged an extra chair, then sat down beside his companion. He cleared his throat as he scooted a little closer to the table. “You must be Ifrit, then? The Secret Eye told us to come find you.” Arwin nodded. “I am. We’ve been waiting.” “I deeply apologize,” the man said. “We were waylaid. My name is Elias. This is my sister, Maeve. We’re from Phoenix Circle. The Secret Eye sent us here to meet you a day ago. I apologize if we smell. We’ve been traveling all day.” A day ago? Then they told them to come here before we’d even accepted. I guess they were pretty damn confident we’d say yes to the tournament. “It’s a pleasure to meet you both,” Arwin said, reaching out to shake Elias’ hand. His initial impression of the man was fairly good. He seemed polite enough. They shook, and Arwin offered his hand to Maeve. She shook, and a flicker of surprise passed through Arwin. Her grip was one of someone who knew their own strength — and understood it was too great to utilize. She was intentionally holding back. “Likewise. And please forgive my sister. She would love to answer you, but she cannot speak.” “No need to apologize,” Arwin said, glancing to Maeve. “If you just give us a moment, the rest of my guild will gather as well so we can all hear you out.” “Of course. I cannot say how thrilled I am to be here. This opportunity… it means everything to me. To us,” Elias said, swallowing heavily. “We will do whatever it takes.” Is the tournament that important? Maybe their guild has a lot riding on it. It does seem like a slightly interesting move to send someone who can’t speak on a diplomatic job. Not that I’ve got an issue with it, but wouldn’t they want to send their most convincing people?