Morning light seeped through the high windows of the Silver Phantom guild hall, painting the wood floor in long, golden streaks. James was halfway through a bowl of porridge when the knock came—three heavy, deliberate raps against the front doors.
Olivia, seated at the far end of the table, froze for just a moment before standing. "That's not a merchant's knock," she murmured. She motioned for James and Ilyanna to stay seated as she strode over and pulled the door open.
In stepped a tall, broad-shouldered man in a well-tailored coat of deep green, the silver crest of Iguro Town stitched over the left breast. His salt-and-pepper hair was neatly combed back, and his expression was the calm, unreadable kind politicians wore like armor.
"Mayor Valerio," Olivia said, her tone polite but wary.
"Olivia Verga," he replied with a nod, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. "And the rest of Silver Phantom, I presume?" His gaze swept the room, settling briefly on James and Ilyanna before moving toward the stairs. "I hear you have a new member as well."
"Darius is resting," Olivia said shortly. "What brings you here, Mayor?"
Valerio clasped his hands behind his back. "I'm here because of… troubling news. You've no doubt heard the rumors already, but let me be clear: there is now an active bounty on your guild."
James set down his spoon slowly. "A bounty? On all of us?"
"On the guild as an entity," Valerio said, turning his gaze to him. "And from what I've gathered, Isaac Arturo is behind it. The price is high enough to tempt both thieves and mercenaries alike. There will be no shortage of blades—or spells—aimed your way in the coming days."
Ilyanna's eyes narrowed. "So he's making it open season on us."
The mayor gave a faint nod. "Unfortunately, yes. Which makes your position even more precarious, given the goblin infestation still threatening the outskirts."
Olivia's jaw tightened. "We're already stretched thin. Between the goblins and Isaac's games—"
"Exactly why I'm here." Valerio stepped closer to the table, his voice dropping into something more private. "This town cannot afford to lose another active guild, no matter how young it is. I'll be frank: Silver Phantom is too small to deal with both threats alone. You need allies, and you need them quickly."
James leaned forward. "And you have someone in mind?"
The mayor's lips curved into the faintest of smiles. "Several someones. Iguro has three other guilds of notable strength—Red Scorpion, Black Claw, and the Iron Lantern. Individually, none are eager to risk their own resources without cause. But if approached discreetly, with the right words… you might secure support."
"Because if Isaac catches wind of what you're doing," Valerio said, "he'll sabotage it before you get the chance. He has contacts in every public forum. What I'm suggesting is a quiet series of visits. Go to each guild master in turn, speak in private, and secure their promise of aid before Isaac can react."
Olivia crossed her arms. "And if they say no?"
"Then you'll at least know where they stand—and who might turn on you when the bounty hunters come." Valerio's voice was steady, but there was weight behind it.
The room fell into a short silence. James exchanged a glance with Ilyanna, who seemed to be measuring the idea in her head.
"Do you think they'll help?" James asked at last.
Valerio's gaze softened, if only a little. "Lortel Gabutan of Red Scorpion respects strength, not age or reputation. Show him you can fight, and he'll listen. Mayara Agustin of Black Claw… is complicated. She doesn't give aid freely, but if you can convince her there's a greater danger to the town, she might consider it. As for Iron Lantern—its master, Branimir Cojocaru, owes me a favor. If I make the introduction, he'll hear you out."
Olivia exhaled through her nose, already weighing the logistics. "You're asking us to slip through the city with a bounty on our heads."
"I'm asking you to survive," the mayor countered, his voice firm. "If you fail to secure help, the bounty hunters will pick you apart before the goblins even get the chance."
From the stairs, the creak of a floorboard made them all glance up. Darius was standing halfway down, his eyes shadowed but attentive. "If we're doing this," he said, "then we move fast. Before word spreads further."
James saw the spark in his eyes—anger sharpened into purpose.
Valerio gave a single approving nod. "I'll draw up a map of the safest routes between the guild halls. You'll need to move separately in pairs. Less conspicuous." He glanced between them. "One last thing—do not engage with any bounty hunters unless you must. Every confrontation will draw more attention."
"Noted," Olivia said.
The mayor turned toward the door, but paused on the threshold. "You've been given more than your share of trouble for a guild only a few days old. If you survive this… you'll have earned your place in Iguro."
With that, he stepped out into the morning light, leaving the heavy door to swing shut behind him.
The room was quiet again until James finally spoke. "So. Which guild do we go to first?"
Olivia tapped her fingers against the table in thought. "Red Scorpion. Lortel may be blunt, but at least we'll know where we stand. I'll go with Darius—he'll respect the sight of a fighter."
"I'll go with James," Ilyanna said immediately. "If someone's watching the streets, I can get us around them."
James gave her a sideways glance. "You sure you don't just want to keep me from starting a fight?"
Her lips curved faintly. "That too."
Olivia allowed herself the smallest smirk. "Then it's settled. Keep your weapons ready but hidden. We leave within the hour."
As the others dispersed to prepare, James lingered by the window, watching the townsfolk move about their morning routines. Somewhere out there, people were already whispering their names with a price attached.
The bounty wasn't just a mark—it was an invitation for every opportunist in Iguro to come for them.
And now, they had to walk right into the lion's den and ask the lions for help.