Friends in the World of Sword and Magic

«The main thing is don’t think that I called you just for this.» – He smiled, although too artificially, it is clear that very soon we can stop being friends. I will go to the army, he will go to college, and our paths will diverge forever. Although this is normal, it’s like this for everyone, childhood passes and adulthood begins.

– Of course friend, this will be our great adventure. «I said joyfully, I need to at least have some fun with him one last time, I’ll have at least something to remember in my old age, when I’m thirty.»

The guild was a large three-story building made of mountain stone with a large sign «Guild of Heroes» with a coat of arms in the form of a unicorn. The inside of the building reminded me of the old-time inns in my city, except for the wall with task signs and the reception desk. At the guild we were met by rude warriors standing near the board who announced that when they saw my friend they parted to give us the way, apparently they respect him here, but they looked at me like I was trash, I didn’t like it. A more pleasant crowd was sitting at tables with various dishes. Ladies of different races in light armor cast languid glances at Petka and me. Mages buried in ancient scrolls and their young students bringing them drinks and books. They hope to become like these decrepit old men, they are fools.

– My favorite hero is back. – Emma, a very cheerful elf with blue hair, a green sundress and a small blue hat, shouted from the reception desk.

– Emma is my curator in this guild. – Petka introduced her to me. The girl was already hanging on his shoulder and kissing him on the cheek, so cute.

Then, she gave us kvass to drink, asked a lot about his adventures, even kissed my friend lightly on the lips when she received a sign with the completed task. True to her work. Having learned that I also needed a card, she went with us to Mr. Chao on the third floor. Knocking on the black wooden door, we entered his place (there is actually a reverent attitude towards aliens from another world, I liked it). A thin figure stood at the window dressed in a blue robe, holding a staff in an almost withered hand.

– Young people, sit down, make yourself at home. Emma thank you for your hard work, you can go. «She smiled at us and left, and we sat down on the spacious sofa. The owner of the room sat down in the chair opposite us. – Lightning-fast Peter, as you promised, brought a friend, Victor, I believe. «After I nodded, he continued. He apparently knew about his friend’s problems with money. – We three are guests in this world. We have several rules that you, Victor, must remember and we will not have problems with you. First, don’t tell anyone about our world except aliens like us, with the exception of wives and children who can keep this secret to themselves. Here we catch such aliens from another world and call them «Wanderers.» They give us a reward of a thousand gold pieces, magicians and sorcerers from all over the Hundreds kill our people for potions and amulets, because for an unprecedented reason we have more of it than the inhabitants of this world. Second, don’t tell or share the knowledge and technologies of our world; they’ll figure out how to live without us. It is not for us to interfere with their natural history. We can place the emergence of a revival like the grandfather of you-know-who. – He looked askance at Petka, who only smiled sweetly at him, apparently he was used to this, he had listened to this more than once. – Thirdly, do not kill civilians and aliens like you and me, unless they attacked you themselves or challenged you to a duel, robbers and demons are allowed, you can also kill in a war if you want to participate in it. There are no more than eight wives and concubines each. «He narrowed his eyes and for some reason looked not at me, but at Petya, although in theory the lecture was for me. Chao also knew about this dream of my friend about a big harem, and I trembled. – Leave the young ladies for others. With children under eighteen, no, no. It doesn’t matter that in this world the age of majority is fifteen, it doesn’t concern me, we follow the laws of our world. There was only one before you, but we quickly handed him over to the police of our world, so look at me. The rules are clear – after my nod, he continued. – Let’s see your rank, young man, put your finger on this plate. – I obeyed – So very interesting, your level is one hundred and thirty-five, the highest I have seen among people here. And the monster conqueror specialization means you can tame all sorts of creatures, that’s cool. What name should you write as a hero?

– Victor Conqueror of heights and hearts. This is what our maid Virgil advised me to do. I have no reason to disagree with her; I myself would have come up with something worse. For example, Victor the Flame or Victor the Sharp. but this is even better.

– Ha-ha, young man, you made the old man laugh, well, I’ll write as you ask. I also hope that Lightning Peter told you about the three thousand gold in your guild account.» He looked at my friend’s burning eyes, how much he needs money now. «The country gives this money so that you urchins don’t take money on the street and break into the palace.» We aliens with super abilities cannot be stopped, no one except ourselves. We have a type of trade union here. We look out for each other. If there are already two of you, maybe create your own clan. It has a number of advantages; you will be able to take on gold rank tasks right away. Otherwise, for now you are Victor only of iron rank. I also won’t be surprised that ladies will soon join such active guys. – The head of the guild smiled strangely and winked. – Also, in hotels and brothels you won’t have to pay full price for your low rank. – He smiled slyly, why does he think so badly of me, maybe Petka was talking about me. That’s a friend, although I’m still a walker. – The rank is shared among everyone who is in it. What do you think Mr. Peter?

– Good idea, Guildmaster Mr. Chao. We will call our clan «Fire Lions».

– Just like in the camp.

– Yes, Victor. Although it didn’t help us then and we lost to the girls, he winked. – That summer we lost to them, having received passionate kisses from them on purpose, well, I received them, I don’t know about my friend. He didn’t talk much about it, maybe he was embarrassed about something, this was the only topic that embarrassed him at that time.

I smiled remembering the summer camp, even my soul became warmer from these memories. But the sadness from failed love and the healed wounds from Alejandro’s torture again reminded of themselves. How can I get rid of these memories, just cause pain to myself and those who love me, although this is not right, it is the only way out for me.

– It’s a beautiful name, let’s write it down like that. That’s all for my guys. But if you have questions or business, come. Although just to chat too. It can be very boring here alone.

We left the guildmaster’s office to see Emma. She was waiting for us with my new gold nameplate.