Forming A Party

"No, seriously, how old are you?" Daemon asked Lydia as they walked to a corner of the lobby

"17!" She exclaimed as she scowled, "I turn 18 next month!" 

"Quite young, huh?" Daemon said as he sat on a table, "What's a girl doing with the Darkmoon Sect? Now that I think about it, did they give you that sword?" 

Lydia sat in front of Daemon, "W-Who are you to talk?" She said, "I know all about you, you joined the guild when you were 14!" 

"Oh, did I?" Daemon said, "It was so long ago, I forgot." 

"Don't judge me because I'm young! We're not that far apart, like 7 or 6 years…." Lydia frowned,

"Besides, it is very rude to insult someone who's trying to help you!"

Daemon leaned back, "What's this job mean to you?"

Lydia looked down, "I….uh….well, truthfully, I just want the money…." She said flustered

"Well, if you're going for the cut, you ought to try around 3 high tier Jobs to match that money. No need to join me."

"But I want to!" She exclaimed, "Do you know how famous you are?"

Daemon shrugged, "Not really, I always figured its because of my good looking face." He said nonchalantly, "Only reason I don't wear a helm anymore is because of that incident….I don't talk about that."

"Its not that…" Lydia said, "You're a mighty warrior, unrivaled in the art of combat!"

"Don't believe everything you hear." Daemon said tilting his head, "Yea I'm strong…..but not Unrivaled….that's….quite a lonely fate."

"Regardless, I want that Job too, because of the pay and because of an opportunity to work with you!" Lydia said with a determined face

"Well congratulations! You're the first of my Party." Daemon said, "Now to find a Healer...an archer….and a mage…."

Daemon placed his hand on his chin. Part of him wanted to go around the lobby and ask people if they wished to join, but knowing the type of overzealous adventurers the Dragon's Fate had, he didn't want to bother. That and he doesn't like big crowds. He finds it barely tolerable to even be in the same bulding.

"Excuse me." A deep voice said

Daemon looked up to see a massive, tall, and extremely muscular blonde man with a thin scar across his face. He wore traditional Monk clothes and had his hands clapped together in a prayer gesture.

His dirty blonde hair was a sight to behold as the light shone off of it. His golden eyes glowed with a serenity and light that would make any maiden weak in the knees.

Lydia was finding it hard to even concentrate. First, she was in the presence of an already handsome and famous warrior, now this piece of work has suddenly arrived.

"Damn." Daemon whistled, "Who's this handsome piece of work?"

The Man bowed slightly, "Mister Daemon, I am Azael." He said, "A Bronze-Ranked Adventurer, I am new to the guild. It would be an honor to join your party. I spoke to the clerk, according to the Master, this Hightowers job could promote me to Gold-Rank."

Daemon eyed him up and down, scanning his body. He noticed that there were some scars on them, scars he would gain from fighting.

"Hm." He said, "How tall are you?"

"6'7. Sir." Azael said

"Your name is Azael? Isn't it the name of the Angel Squire from that famous song? Who wrote it…what was her name..?" Daemon said

"Morticia…one of the 9 Legendary Bards of Drahan." Azael said, "The Monks who raised me were huge fans of her. They named me after the song."

"You're a Monk? A fighting type, huh?" Daemon said, "Don't know if we need a monk….we do need a healer…"

"You're in luck." Azael said with a slight bow, "I am a healer. My masters taught me the ways of healing magic alongside the art of the fist."

"Cool." Daemon said, "You're from the Windsearing Temple? Out in the White Spine?"

"Yes, you know of them?" He asked

"Strange, I didn't see you when I went and help out Hoziel…." Daemon said, "Hm, you must've been away."

"I remember that incident. You fought off the band of Drow bandits that raided the Temple." He said, "You have my upmost gratitude. Its because of that, I wish to join you."

"You're legit." Daemon said, "The Monks of Windsearing Temple follow a strict hybrid code; Monk and Cleric. Quite odd….but definitely worth it."

"So…" Lydia finally spoke up, "He's joining?"

"Holy mother of Azael…" Daemon said before glancing at Azael briefly , "Not you, man, the Angel….Little girl! I forgot you were there! Speak up!"

"What?" Lydia said, "It's rude to speak while others are conversing!"

"So…am I in the party?" Azael asked

Daemon snapped his fingers, "Sit down, my friend, we're all in luck today!" He said with a smile,

"You're in!"

******************************

"Why are we here?" Lydia asked Daemon as she frowned, "There are plenty of adventurers in the guild!" 

They stood inside a blacksmith's shop where there was nothing but weapons and armor hanged all over the walls. Lydia and Azael stood behind Daemon who was leaning on the counter, waiting for the shop's owner.

Daemon rubbed his hair as he shrugged, "I don't want to deal with those people." He said, "Titus would point me to the appropriate members for my party." 

Azael nodded as he had his hands together in the same prayer gesture, "I see. I heard of Titus." He said, "He supplies adventurers with weapons armor for the right price." 

Daemon nodded, "Yes." He said, "He crafted my armor and sword back in the day. Was really expensive but worth it. Cost me several thousand coin and a Wyvern's head." 

"W-Wyvern?" Lydia asked, "You....gave him a head?" 

"Oh yea. I cut it off in front of him." Daemon said, "Literally. The Wyvern was in front of him and I chopped it off." 

Before Lydia could say anything else, despite her surprised expression, the door to the back opened and a large and rugged man walked in. He had long gray hair, a beard, and dark blue eyes. He was wiping his hands on a rag as he approached the counter. 

"Daemon." Titus said, "I received your message. What do you need?" 

Daemon dropped a coin purse on the counter, "Well first of all, I need some more Iron ingots...for....well, you know." Daemon said, "And there's extra information....well, I need two more members for my party." 

Titus looked past Daemon and at Lydia and Azael, "Party?" He said, "A-Am I dreaming? You? A Party?" 

Daemon waved him off, "Yea yea, shocking." He said, "Just tell me where I can find a mage and an archer." 

"Well, I'll be damned." Titus said with a smirk, "I never thought the day would come, you forming a party. Are these souls aware of what they're getting themselves into?" 

Daemon looked back at Lydia and Azael who merely looked at them. 

"What?" Lydia asked with a frown

Azael stayed quiet. 

"I don't know." Daemon responded, "Well, what do you got?" 

"An Archer? I'm assuming you don't want the clowns that spend their whole day in the lobby, getting drunk." As he leaned on the counter, Titus said, "And mages....well, a good mage is rare for the Guild, well, one that can handle you." 

Daemon nodded, "Yeah. All the high-tier mages are Platinum-Ranked adventurers on tightly locked Parties, they don't budge." He said

"Right." Titus said, "Well, go to the edge of the city for the mage, she's a Tiefling, so be careful. Like, seriously, be careful. She's the embodiment of sass." 

"Sass? I can handle sass." Daemon said with a smirk

"As for the Archer, there's an Elf Ranger that is looking for work over at the City Guard." Titus said, "But I know how you feel about Elves, Daemon." 

"Ah man...." Daemon said rolling his eyes, "Elves...the pinnacle of audacity." 

"I haven't seen an Elf in so long..." Lydia said

"I have. Some traders from Teo'varna would visit the temple when I was a kid." Azael chimed in

"Alright, Titus." Daemon said with a smile, "Thanks. I'll be back when I finish the Job and pay you handsomely for an upgrade on my armor." 

Titus nodded, "Take care, kid." He said with a slight smile, "And as for you two....one word of advice when traveling with Daemon." 

Lydia's eyes lit up, "Y-Yes?" She said

"Be patient and keep up with him." Titus said, 

"He can be a handful."