Settling In

Godfrey stopped walking and looked at his guests.

"Any more specific questions you would like to ask?" he turns to Zeke.

There are a few that he could think of at the moment so he proceeded to ask them.

"Can I take multiple request at once?"

"You can. Just take all the posters of request on the board that you would like to do and show them to the receptionist so they can take note of it."

"Will there be some sort of ranking system between quests?"

"Yes. We actually filter out which quests will be best for you and leave the menial quests to the low rank guild members."

"Final question, can we fail a request?

"No, not exactly. If you 'fail' a request let's say. We will be assigning that quest for a guild member according to their rank, but if it's a high threat task then we might have to forfeit the request."

"That will be all thank you."

"Alright, then thank you for taking the time to visit the guild, young master I wish you good luck in your future endeavors in life," he bows one final time then leaves.

"Sir!" Dirk salutes Godfrey as he leaves.

"Let's go boss" the both of you left the premises.

"Okay, boss we're done with the list, let's go back to the town square."

"Well that's all the places that we are required to stop by." Dirk said, "wanna look for fun places now?" he asked Zeke with an excited glint on his cerulean eyes. Oh! I know, come on." He took Zeke's hand and they both ran through the crowds of people.

After all the running, they finally arrived at a clearing that was located a little bit out of town. It is an open area of the forest with endless greenery brimming with different kinds of plants and flowers both exotic and known. The light from the setting sun illuminates the surroundings of the place giving it an enchanting ambience.

The two of them were panting as they both try catch their breaths.

"Haaaaaaah," Dirk says out of breath, "isn't it just beautiful in here?" He looked at Zeke smiling. Then realizing the fact that he's still holding Zeke's hand he suddenly he immediately removed his, unintentionally giving it too much force. "S-sorry," he muttered as he averts his gaze away from Zeke. His golden fur turning bright red from embarrassment.

"It's okay," Zeke reply lightly scratching his nape.

Dirk regained his composure then began to talk.

"This here is my comfort place boss, and I wanted for you to see it." He smiled at Zeke.

"I always go here whenever I feel down or whenever I wanna feel at ease. I also train here every now and then but especially when feeling a bit angry. I guess what I'm trying to say or show you is how happy and grateful I am now that you've finally arrived, boss. You gave me a dream, gave my life a purpose and I hope that you will have a wonderful time here." His childish grin is so captivating and bright that Zeke finds himself blushing and averting his eyes a bit.

Dirk's demeanor is so earnest that it makes Zeke feel like they've known each other their whole lives. Zeke suddenly hears a soft thumping sound which surprised him but looked to see that it is only his tail wagging. How adorable.

After looking silently at the sunset for some time, he finally turned to look at Zeke. You almost flinch from his solemn gaze.

"Welcome to Loneharv, Zeke" he said while grinning unabashedly.

By the time when Zeke arrived at entrance of the homestead, the sun has fully set. It only took about half an hour of walking to get here. Zeke actually couldn't see the whole farm from here because of the darkness. The farm lacks lighting, and the only place that has some source of light is the house standing in the middle of the farm.

"Well, here we are. I know you can't see the whole beautiful view of the farm at night, but I promise tomorrow, the view of the entirety of the farm in broad daylight will take your breath away."

Zeke and Dirk started to walk towards the house. The building is a two story house made out of hardwood that has two windows from both floors which emits light from the inside. Zeke tried to take a glance inside while they walk, but saw that it was covered in curtains.

"Okay, now I'm sure the Mayor already told you the details about me and the other three guys that are going to be living with you right?"

Zeke nods in response. Still processing the idea of instantly having four assistant with him, but then again he is going to be doing dangerous work so he needs every guidance and help he can get.

"Well just be, um, prepared when you meet them. The three of them are quite, how should I put it, unique! Yes that's the word." He says with a satisfied grin, "you'll see what I'm talking about," Dirk then started knocking on the door.

"Hey! Wulf? Mag? Are you guys still up? Can you open the door. I've brought our boss!" he shouts while banging on the door.

You hear loud unhurried footsteps coming towards the door, when it finally opened there stands a huge towering bull-like man with scanning jet black eyes. His face looks unreadable but you can see the traces of excitement and joy from it. He has two uneven horns that protrudes from his forehead. He's also not wearing anything but joggers so you can see the full view of his majestic chiseled body which is covered in very short hazel brown fur. When you locked eyes with him he immediately fall on his knees with a grace of a knight and lowered his head.

"It is an honor to finally be able meet you, farmer of legend" he said in a loyal and revering tone.

"Um, th-this is Magnus boss, one of your farmhands," Dirk said with an embarrassed laugh.

"Magnus, who is it? And why are you kneeling at the door?" said a husky voice inside, along with the sound of lazy footsteps moving towards the opened door.

You saw a wolf-like lumen wearing a black shirt and boxer shorts over his pristine, white colored fur covered body. He has garnet colored eyes which immediately widened as soon as his eyes met Zeke's. His long ears twitched and he almost lost his grip on the mug that he was holding from his mild shock.

"The farmer...." he murmurs momentarily then quickly composed himself and asked Magnus to stand.

"Come in, both of you," the new guy says without another word and gestures for Zeke and Dirk to come inside the house.

The inside of the house looks ordinary but has a certain warmth to it. It has two couches on the middle of the living room with a decent sized television hanging on the wall. It still lacks some decorations which maybe can be changed in the near future. There's also a staircase that leads up to the second floor, and what looks like the kitchen is just beyond the living room. The then man lead Zeke and the rest to the living room and asked you to sit.

After getting situated and cozily seated on the couch, Dirk began to speak.

"Well, aren't you gonna introduce yourself?" Dirk asks, "and where is Hawke?"

As soon as he spoke this name, another man comes down from the stairs. The three of you looked at him in unison.

"What's with ruckus?" the man asked, sounding irritated.

He started walking towards the group and Zeke got a good look of him. He looks like an eagle-like lumen donning a prominent dark coloration of feathers. His gold colored eyes looked intense and intimidating even thought he's wearing pajamas.

"So, you're the legendary farmer huh?" he looks at Zeke with analyzing eyes, "you seem... unimpressive, ordinary, not what I expected really."

"Hawke really? You finally meet the farmer and that's what you're gonna say?" Dirk said slightly irked.

"Ah, pardon my manners, I shall.... try reducing the snarky remarks." he said unbothered.

"But, alas, we shall reconvene this discussion tomorrow, we all need our sleep, yes? Oh and it is so wonderful that you've, we can finally start exploring." He said curtly as he smoothly left the group and went back upstairs.

"Well, um, that's Hawke for you. Haha.." Dirk said trying to lighten up the mood, "Anyways, guys? Introductions?"

"Let me start."

"As Dirk already told you, I am Magnus, I came from the long line of knights that always serves the farmer of legend as their shield," he said succinctly, "I also came from another world called 'Metere' it's the world that my people, the bovinekind resides. It is a ancient tradition of the royal family, my family, to send a prince or princess to assist the farmer on his or her endeavors. That is why I came into this world and participated on the competition."

Zeke's mouth gaped at this information, a prince?! "A prince?! Here living at a dainty looking house?"

"Well anything else?" Dirk asked while the other man sitting across from Dirk is still looking at you, arms crossed.

"That's about it, nothing else important comes to mind," Magnus said, "if you'll permit my question what is your name master?"

It is a bit weird to be asked so formally about a name but Zeke responded. "My name's Zeke, it is nice to meet you Magnus." Zeke give him a quick smile.

He nodded in response.

"Is there anything else you wish to inquire about myself, master?" Magnus asks.

"So, about what you said earlier, are you really the prince of your world?"

"Ah, yes. I am the third and last legitimate son of the King Magul of Metere, although ever since childhood I was put through various rigorous training and was squired to a knight, so I really didn't experience the lavish life of a prince, unlike my elder siblings" he explained.

"Do you have any personal goal at being my farmhand?"

"I cannot tell you yet," he said with restraint and little bit of….anger? Zeke decided to drop the topic.

"Okay I think that's every-"

"Ahem. Thank you Magnus, it's my turn now to introduce myself," said the other man before Zeke could finish his sentence.

"I am Wulfric, and I'm from... nowhere," he said coolly while casually sipping on his mug, "I came here to do my job as your farmhand and that is all you need to know about me."

Zeke's shocked by the unfriendliness of his tone. Even though he felt that he isn't going to be Dirk-friendly level but still. "Ugh as if Hawke isn't enough, now this guy too." Zeke thought to himself.

"Well, pleasure to meet you as well, Wulfric" he replied and somehow a yawn escapes from his mouth.

Zeke was so distracted from all the things that happened he just noticed how tired he is.

"Well, it looks like the boss is ready to hit the hay," Wulfric says, "like Hawke said, let's just continue our discussion for tomorrow when everyone is here, because we need to figure out how we shall perform as a group and set some ground rules, we also need to be up early tomorrow so why don't you show him his room Dirk?"

Dirk nodded and gestured Zeke to follow him.

"So, how are the boys boss?" he asked.

"Wulfric might seem like such a hard-ass, but he's actually the one who took the responsibility of being our leader before you came, so just give him a chance boss," he smiled, "I don't know about Hawke though, we never really got along with each other, but we try to be civil about it."

"He just always seems so... distant, so….above us, you know? even when he is talking to us," he continued, "anyhow, this is going to be your room boss!"

They both stop at the end of the corridor, in front of an oaken door.

"Well, see ya tomorrow and have a good sleep!" Dirk says as he starts going downstairs again.

Zeke yawned again before going inside the room. He went straight to bed and fell asleep.