After everybody was cleaned, we headed back to Kataravonia. We had been unable to fully clean all of the armour, but had got the thick of it off, so they all looked reasonably presentable. We went back to the guild, got our reward, and shared it between all of us. Unfortunately, we didn’t get any extra for killing the rock wyrm. But the money for clearing out the nest was pretty good. Even after it was split between seven people.

  As soon as the money was divided, Agaroth grabbed his share and proudly announced that he was off to the whore house. Phoenix just rolled her eyes as he left.

  Afterwards, Asmodeus said that we would need to formally register Kiyui as part of our party. We were unsure of what class to put him under. He isn’t technically a summoner as Feiffer seems to be more of a pet, despite the strange glow that he has that denotes a level of mysticism. So we had to pick one of the mage categories. In the end we put him down as a support mage. His spells may not be common place round here but they were definitely more of the supportive nature than anything else.

  Tilda asked Kiyui where he was staying now that he was an adventurer. He said “I’m still staying at Madame Laurent’s. If I satisfy a few clients on an evening then I may keep my bed there rent free.” Chloe looked bewildered and pointed out “With the money you just earned you can easily afford a room somewhere.” Tilda joined in and said “Chloe is right. You don’t need to put yourself through that every night when you can afford not to.”

  Kiyui smiled sweetly and said “Its fine, honestly, if I spend my money on a room then I won’t be able to save up and buy a place of my own one day.” Chloe laughed and said “With our skills you won’t need to save up. We just need to kill a few huge ass monsters and you’ll have enough money to buy your own place… and a few whores of your own.” She proceeded to nudge Kiyui and laugh again.

  Asmodeus had been looking deep in thought throughout this exchange. He eventually said “No member of our party shall sully themselves in such a manner. You may stay with me until you have acquired enough to purchase your own accommodation.” Kiyui looked incredibly surprised by this generous gesture. He stood up, crossed his right foot in front of his left, put his hand on his heart, bowed, and said “You honour me sir, but honestly, I’ll be fine staying….”. Asmodeus interrupted him “nonsense, I shall make the arrangements.”

  Kiyui looked stunned and blurted out “Umm… then if there are any services you need of me during my stay then please do let me know.” Asmodeus smiled back at him and simply said “Arise Kiyui. There is no need for formality. All I ask is that you continue to assist us as you have done this day.”

  Kiyui looked up and smiled. I could tell from the look of hope in his eyes that he was not used to people giving him chances like this. Agaroth may speak to him like an utter arsehole, but bringing that boy along that day gave him such hope for the future. It was almost like Agaroth had actually done the right thing… which was an odd concept to get my head around.

  As Asmodeus finished filing the paperwork for Kiyui’s registration, the rest of us headed to Madame Laurent’s to get Kiyui’s stuff from his room. What we saw upon arriving bewildered me. Not just me actually.

  We saw Agaroth hand an incredibly large bag of coin over to Madame Laurent before putting his arm around a boy a bit older than me and waking off to a side room. Phoenix rolled her eyes and just said “Typical.” Chloe laughed while Tilda and I stood shocked. Kiyui obviously knew what was going on, but when asked he said “I am sworn to secrecy on this and may not speak further.”

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  Tilda turned and said “Despite the way he speaks to you, you are willing to keep his secrets?” Kiyui smiled politely and said “Please do not speak of what you have seen to him. Agaroth means no offense by the way he speaks. He may come across rude and vulgar, but he means well.” Phoenix walked past and said “I highly doubt that, but he is entitled to his secrets, now which room is yours?”

  Kiyui didn’t have much in the way of possessions. He had clearly saved up the money he earned from the prostitution to pay for his battledress and quarterstaff. His room was depressingly empty. I’m guessing this wasn’t the room he used for… umm… entertaining clients. It was so bare and only had a single bed in the corner with a chest at its foot. It didn’t match his personality at all.

  The only items he had were a few outfits that barely covered anything… I assume his prior work outfits, some oils and creams, a little box containing a necklace and a lyre.

  The necklace was interesting. It was a silver eagle’s claw holding a red sphere. I asked him why he didn’t wear it. He said it was precious to him and he didn’t want it to get damaged when adventuring. Tilda patted him on the back and told him “If it means a lot to you then keeping it with you will bring you strength. It cannot bring you courage if it is hidden away in a box.” She unclasped the necklace and put it around his neck.

  Kiyui grasped the pendant with his hand and looked like he was about to cry. He said “Thank you so much for everything you are doing for me. Even the words you say bring me such strength. You make me feel like I can do something major with my life. I will not let you down.” Tilda gave him a big hug while Phoenix said “Do not thank us yet… being our ally may get you killed. So be on your guard… understand.”

  Chloe picked up the box of Kiyui’s things and bumped past Phoenix on her way out of the room. As she left, she said “Don’t be so dramatic, the lot of ya. Let’s just get ya moved so we can start enjoying ourselves!” Tilda let go of Kiyui and stepped back. She looked into his eyes, smiled, and said “I can see in your eyes that you will never let us down. So, relax a little, ok.” Kiyui smiled back at her. The tears in his eyes had gone. The two of them looked so happy in that moment. Tilda has always been so good with people. Watching her bring smiles out of people was a wonderful sight to see.

  Asmodeus arrived and showed us the way to where he lived. He lived in a lovely little cottage on the outskirts of town. He even had some staff in his house… namely a cook and a maid. This was not his main house of course. He was from a wealthy family and his official house was actually all the way over in the noble’s ring of Vardan.

  He always said he preferred the little cottage because he felt close to the people. He said if you live in the noble’s quarter you lose touch with the reality of the normal world. To be specific he said “If you hide behind a wall so that you cannot see those in need, then eventually you will believe that those unfortunate souls are no longer in need. Or worse yet, you will cease to care.”

  Despite this being his “home among the people” it was still way bigger than anything any of the rest of us lived in. I say this… I have no idea where Phoenix lives. I did once consider following her to see what her home was like… but again… poking my nose into her secrets may lead to her poking into mine, so I thought best to let that mystery be.

  Asmodeus’ home was way bigger than my family farm house. Granted the farm had more actual land, but the farm house itself was smaller than this cottage. Kiyui’s little eyes were so wide as he walked in. He even said “Sir, I fear I am unworthy of staying in such a fine establishment.” Asmodeus responded “Nonsense, boy. In our party, we are all equal. What is mine is yours.” Kiyui looked as if he was about to cry again.

  Asmodeus guided us all into the kitchen and asked the maid to pour everyone a drink. He lifted his glass and said “A toast, to our indestructible party. Advancing forwards into the annals of time!”