After I paid my dues and got my Adventurer badge, I went to get Fabia. I found her sitting with two middle aged adventurers. Well, I thought they were adventurers, but it turned out they were retired.

  Fabia introduced them “This is Rodof and Medirre. We grew up together.”

  “It’s good to meet you. I am Trevor of House Tierra.”

  “And it’s good to meet you as well” Rodof said. Medirre just nodded.

  Rodof was missing a hand and Medirre was missing his left eye. Which was why they were retired. They had both reached level 25, very respectable. Rodof had a Guardian class and Medirre was a Protector.

  I still had an hour before I needed to meet the Baron, so I sat down at their invitation. Fabia told me a couple of stories about growing up together. Rodof and Medirre kept correcting her about some her ‘facts’ and laughing about it.

  “So, what do you gentlemen do now?”

  “Unfortunately, there is not much work for retired adventurers missing a hand or an eye. We do whatever odd jobs come along. Mostly package delivery, but even then, many customers are afraid to entrust their packages to us. It keeps food on the table, but not much more than that.” Rodof replied.

  Fabia looked at me and said “Do you think we could find something for them to do at Covern House? They are good friends and very dependable. I know I haven’t worked for you for very long, but I would consider it a favor if we can find something.”

  Both Rodof and Medirre started to protest, saying Fabia shouldn’t put herself in that situation. They were more worried about her losing her position than them getting a job. They were very loyal to their friend. That was a good quality to have.

  I sat quiet for a minute. I was going to hire some guards to protect Covern House anyway. Since I couldn’t hire active adventurers, retired ones would do. These two would be a good start. I also knew I could heal both of them.

  “Okay, but not as a favor to you Fabia. I need guards for Covern House and you two will be a good start. I don’t expect trouble, but because of my expected clientele, I will need to provide the appearance of security in my office. I think you two will be very intimidating and keep away a lot of nuisance issues. The pay is room and board plus 3 silver a week. Your responsibilities will be to guard Covern House and its staff. If a staff member goes to the market, one of you will accompany them. Otherwise, you will prevent unauthorized visitors from getting in the house, and keep a presence in the office. I expect to hire two more guards, so if you have recommendations, tell Fabia. You will both work directly for Fabia and Gabriel. In the office what Fabia says goes, in the House what Gabriel says goes. Gabriel makes the schedule and coordinates with Fabia. If those terms are acceptable, you can begin today.”

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  Rodof looked hopeful at first, but when I went into the duties, he lost his hopefulness. “I can’t do the duties of a guard.” He said waving his missing hand around.

  I looked deep into his eyes. He wanted the job, but was afraid he couldn’t do it and Fabia would suffer because of it. “Don’t worry about that. Just tell me you are willing to give it your all. That is all I ask.”

  “Yes. I truly want the job, but I….”

  Interrupting, I said “Medirre, will you take the job?”

  Medirre nodded and said, “At least I can look intimidating.”

  “Consider yourself hired. Now, first order of business is that I will heal your hand Rodof, and your eye Medirre.

  Both of them looked at Fabia for confirmation that I could actually heal them. Word hadn’t travelled far about my abilities. Fabia smiled and nodded.

  “But the healing isn’t free. You will have to agree to work for a period of one year to pay for it. You will still get paid 3 silver a week, but you can’t leave for a year, just in case the Adventurer bug calls you. I need you to commit to working for a year. After that, you can stay or go back to adventuring. Are you okay with that?”

  Both hurriedly agreed, and in the dark corner of the Adventurer Guild’s common room, two crippled adventurers were healed and became whole once again. Not only of their obvious handicaps but of all their ailments. Two adventurers silently cried for the first time in years, tears falling down their face, as they realized their prayers were answered. Fabia joined in on the tears, grateful for her friends changed lives. I waited until they all regained composure.

  “Time for us to go. Please gather your things and come to Covern House as soon as possible. Gabriel will get you settled and fed. Work starts an hour after sunrise tomorrow.” I smiled as I got up. “Fabia, let’s go. Lots to do and little time to do it.”

  Rodof replied, “I will come with you. As your guards, we are responsible for you now. Medirre will gather our belongings and bring them to Covern House.” He adjusted his scabbard so that he could draw his sword with his new hand. Smiling every time he used his new hand.

  “Take you time. I have to post a job with the Guild.”

  I went to the job registration counter.

  “I would like to post a job please.” I said to the receptionist.

  “Great. Please write down the job description, the timeframe, and the reward amount”

  I wrote ‘Magic Caster with Magic Sight to assist in the learning of a new spell. Caster will come to Covern House and help me by attempting to learn a specific spell. The spell will be revealed after accepting the job’ as the description. Timeframe was one afternoon, and the pay 3 silver coins. Successful learning of spell will generate a bonus of 2 silver coins.” Hopefully, I wasn’t the only one with Magic Sight, and I would get a few applicants.

  I left the Adventurers guild feeling accomplished. I joined the Adventurers Guild becoming an active member, which took care of the assassin problem. Not something I had thought about doing before today, but being an Adventurers Guild member had it perks. I opened a job, which should result in someone else learning Minor Heal. Then, magical healing would spread throughout Forest Glen and possible Renovolt county. I found a solution to my guard problem. Hiring retired adventurers made perfect sense. Of course, I would need to be careful who got hired. They would need to be reliable and loyal people. I also added two new household members. It’s been a good outing. Everything was going great. I hope it stayed that way.