"I don't feel comfortable charging you," said the cleric, stepping up next to Bob.

"No, this is how you make your living. How much is the service?" demanded Bob.

"Neutralizing the poison is 280 gold pieces," said the cleric, looking uncomfortable.

"Fine, I can pay that."

"But the problem is that your father has suffered from the effects of the poison. He needs a restoration spell cast on him. The poison has basically cooked your father's brain. He will never be able to function the same way he did before he was poisoned."

"What kind of poison was it?" asked Bob, looking horrified.

"A dangerous one. I would rather not say in the present company, but know that this isn't something that someone just picked up off the streets. A dedicated a.s.sa.s.sin would be the only one with poison like this."

"How much would the restoration spell cost?" asked Bob, suddenly very tired.

"Another 380 gold pieces," sighed the cleric, looking miserable. "You are a good man, but if people found out I cast these spells for free, I would be hounded by everyone to cast them for them, and that doesn't include what my own order will do to me."

"No, it's fine. I will pay for that as well. Please help my father."

The cleric nodded and turned to cast the second spell. The confusion in his father's eyes cleared almost immediately, and he sat up from where he had been laying in the bed upstairs.

"Where am I?" Hector asked, as Bob handed the cleric a pouch of money.

"You are in my bed," said Bob. "When you got here, you collapsed from a nasty poison."

His dad looked down for a moment, then looked at his hand, where he had cut it that morning. There was a faint line on his palm where he had cut himself.

"When I pressed my cut to your s.h.i.+rt, it must have gotten the poison then. The dagger you were stabbed with must have had that poison on it. Whatever you do, don't tell anyone what you have!" his father growled at him, before throwing the covers off and shoving his feet into his boots.

"Are you alright?" asked Bob, shaken from the realization that the man who had tried to kill him that morning was not just a servant but a professional a.s.sa.s.sin.

"Clark overstepped his bounds a long time ago. There is no way I am going to sit by and watch him try and kill my son like this."

"He's been doing a lot more than just that!" exclaimed Bob, telling his dad about everything he had found out Clark had been doing. The longer he talked, the more angry his father got.

"This is unforgiveable. That man's head is going to roll, n.o.ble or not. Leave it to me, son. I have contacts all over the place."

"Were you able to figure out the problem with the permits?" asked Bob, hoping that he could get a magical permit still.

"Not for now. I have it being worked on, but it won't be a quick thing. Clark has his claws in so many things, you can't cut one string without causing a cascade of other things to fail. It's a good thing you found out about it so soon. It gives me time to get it straightened out. If Clark thinks he can be smart and keep getting away with this, he's got a thing or two to learn."

Bob followed his dad down the stairs.

"Leo, Zach, watch my boy. There's an a.s.sa.s.sin out for him. I'll double your pay if you keep him safe until the a.s.sa.s.sin is dealt with. It may only be a few days, though."

"That's alright, sir," said Leo. "We don't mind the work."

"You pay better for less action, than going to the dungeon and possibly getting killed would," added Zach.

After his father had left, Bob couldn't help but sink to the floor next to the fireplace. He was so tired, he struggled to keep his eyes open.

"Best get up to your bed, sir," said Vivian with a wry smile. "It wouldn't do for you to catch a cold on the floor here. Besides, you have a very busy day tomorrow."

Bob looked at her for a moment, trying to summon the strength to stand back up. He had almost lost his father this evening, and now that the excitement was over, he was too exhausted to move.

"Come on," said Leo, grabbing his arm and gently pulling him to his feet. "Off to bed with you. My brother and I will take turns keeping you safe."

As soon as his head hit the pillow, he was out. He didn't even remember climbing the stairs to the bed. If an a.s.sa.s.sin had come for him at that moment, Bob would have been oblivious.

The next morning, Trudy woke him with a huge cinnamon roll.

"The baker who dropped off the bread this morning, said he made too many," she trilled happily.

Bob sat up and took the roll, noting that it was covered in a sweet sticky glaze. Taking a bite gave him the kickstart he needed after his late night, to get out of bed. By the time he got downstairs, he saw that Liam was already working in the soup kitchen, Trudy had the kids out running their rounds, and Vivian was manning the front counter. Several adventurers were swarming over the mission board, where it looked like several new missions had been added early that morning.

"Bob, Primrose said she got two more babies this morning, and was wondering if you knew anyone who had a milk goat? The farmers who were bringing milk to the market haven't been around for a week or so, and she can't afford milk from a cow. Said it was too hard on the babies' stomachs anyhow," said Max, looking up at him with her bright blue eyes.

"I'll see what I can do," said Bob as she nodded and rushed off. He had slept in apparently.

"Hey, Bob!" called Sam, coming in the door and seeing him. "We're about ready to take down this eastern wall and open things up. Want to check everything out before we do?"

"Sure," he said, following Sam outside with Leo and Zach on his heels. They weren't about to let anyone get close to him.

The entire eastern section was done. As he followed Sam into the eastern door, he saw that they had even added the upstairs floor already. There was an extension to the counter he had on the other side, and shelves sat, waiting to be loaded down with goods.

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"I was going to cut a hole here, to put in the fireplace to warm both sides, and take out the wall behind the counter, like we had talked about before. I think I could probably fit another set of shelves where the wall was, if you want?"

"This is amazing. Are you going to get the beds finished before you start the dining hall and kitchen?" asked Bob.

"Sure, if you want. That shouldn't be hard."

"Thanks, Sam. Let me know if you need anything else."

"Alright."

Bob made his way back into the store, and sat back to watch as things started taking shape. The adventurers came and went all morning, as Sam's men worked on getting the fireplace installed and the wall taken down. By the time they were done, there was still a wall separating the two areas, so now the n.o.ble servants could come in by way of the eastern door, without worrying about rubbing shoulders with the poor people.

Right about midday, Charlie showed up with his son in tow. They had cleaned up a lot, and cut their hair, but their clothes were still tattered rags.

"Good day, Master Bob," beamed Charlie.

His son bobbed his head, but said nothing, grinning widely.

"Let's go for a walk, and discuss what you need," said Bob.

"Yes, sir," said Charlie, stepping back to let Bob move past him. Leo and Zach were right there, just behind him.

No sooner had Bob stepped outside into the street, then he spied someone he never thought he would ever see this far west. His aunt Georgianna was making her way purposefully towards him and his shop. She didn't look to recognize him as she stepped past him and into the store. Bob raised an eyebrow as a sudden evil urge overtook him.

"On second thought, why don't you and your son enjoy some soup. I have something I need to attend to first," he said, nodding to them and handing them a copper each, to pay for the soup.

"Yes, sir, thank you!" said Charlie, taking the coins and leading his son over to get into line.

Bob would have escorted them to the front of the line and gotten the soup himself, but his aunt intrigued him. Stepping back inside, he moved over to the mission board and hid behind some of the adventurers while watching his aunt out of the corner of his eye.

"Vivian! You will tell me right this instant where he is! I swear I will take you out of this nonsense and get you a proper husband, but I need to know where Robert is."

"I don't know where he is, mother. He stepped out not to long ago, and hasn't returned yet."

She fought to keep a straight face as Bob was standing right there. Trudy came into the room, from the back, summoned by the strange words.

"Is there a problem?" she asked, looking Georgianna up and down.

"My nephew has unfairly been placed into servitude working for his father. I intend to take him back home and see to it that he gets a proper education and is settled down with a wife." Her voice rose until the last word ended with a shriek.

"Ma'am, we just work here. I don't know anything about what you speak of. Are you here to purchase something for your nephew? We have many fine items that would make wonderful wedding gifts."

Bob fought to keep himself from grinning. Everyone in the shop was watching the scene play out, and the only one who didn't know he was there was Georgianna herself.

"I'm not here to buy…" she started, when one of the adventurer men stepped forward with an evil glint in his eyes.

"You should get him a good sword. No boy can get married without a good sword. I know they sell them here, because I sold him two last week!"

Another stepped forward, to join in the fun, before she could respond, "Oh, no! You need to get him a bow and some arrows. They're really well made!"

"Why not both? The woman looks to be able to afford them?" added yet another.

Before anyone else could say or do anything, she turned and left in a huff, her cheeks bright red. The moment the door shut; they all broke out laughing.

"Not bad, living in servitude if I do say so myself," quipped Bob, causing the laughter to start back up again. He imagined she could hear it following her all the way down the road.