Celebration

The rest of the day went by mostly uneventfully. Mikax was in a sour mood because the army had packed up and left. He was hoping to finally get to do something besides train the 'children', as he liked to call all of them. They were not sure why since most of them were older than Mikax. They didn't understand that he really was close to 50 if time was tracked by days lived mentally and not physically.

Mikax did however get to have some fun when they lowered the cube to feed Zed. After changing his restraints to be only his feet and not his hands Lyra brought him food and drink. She had promised him more than once that it didn't have any special properties this time. Mikax only laughed because she said it so often even he thought Lyra was playing a prank on him.

Before they closed the cube Mikax had squatted down to look Zed in the eyes once again. "What does a dog say?"

Zed looked at the man before him with a complicated expression. He knew if he said he was a fox he was going to take a very painful nap. Yet, he couldn't bring himself to bark.

"I'm a f-" was all Zed could let out before his world had gone dark. This time however it wasn't on the side of his face or head like before. Mikax had punched him square on the nose. The people who hadn't seen this behavior before didn't know how to feel. Phup was certainly one of those who had mixed feelings, seeing as she was half fox as well. She did however understand Mikax did things his way.

That night The Misfit Toys had decided to throw a small celebration. They had openly defied the crown and Mikax hadn't lifted a finger. To all of the other members, this was a huge victory. The people of the town had mixed feelings on the topic, it was clear that the army left because of the strength the guild possessed. This was a good thing as long as the guild was willing to help the town, if they didn't then they may have just lost any protection the crown was willing to give. They hoped that it would be the former.

The guild hall was busier than ever on this particular evening. Drinks were flowing and food was being served. The members were celebrating becoming the strongest guild in the country. They doubted any organization would be able to stand up to them if the king and his armies wouldn't.

Mikax watched from the side of the room with a slight smile on his face. He had only been in Bedel for a little less than 2 months yet he could remember the night he was summoned felt extremely similar to this. His heart ached a little as he missed home and his brother. He hoped that he was okay and hadn't torn the world apart looking for him since he wasn't there.

This time things were different. No one was getting summoned to another world. The guild also was looking for him to lead the festivities, which he promptly declined. They insisted repeatedly until Mikax finally gave in and agreed to say a few words.

He looked around the room and raised his hands to get quiet, he wanted to make sure everyone heard him properly.

"Since you all want me to say a few things I will start with this." Mikax began to grin evilly and everyone felt a chill creep up their spine. "You are all dogs. Now, what do dogs say?"

Out of nowhere, a few men near the door started barking before running out the door. They had watched the scene earlier and had no interest in finding out what that had felt like. Once they had left the building Mikax began laughing hysterically,

"I'm just playing with you all. I'm proud of what our guild has accomplished. With more hard work you might be worth something!" Once he finished speaking a collective sigh could be heard. The guild members who had pestered him into speaking made a mental note to never do that again. He had scared them all witless and to top it off he called them worthless. Overall, not the motivational speech they were hoping for.

As the festivities had gotten underway again Mikax was approached by a man looking to be in his mid 40's. It was clear that the man was a laborer of some sort since he was in very good shape and his clothing was slightly stained and tattered, Mikax could also see callouses on his hands. The man seemed very nervous to be approaching Mikax and looked as if he had something very important he wanted to speak with him about.

"Sir, I don't mean to interrupt your evening but I just arrived from the southern end of the continent. Rumor was you needed blacksmiths but seeing your guild hall I fear that I'm too late. Did I miss my chance?" The man spoke softly yet clearly at the same time, worry was woven throughout his words.

Mikax decided to appraise the man. He seemed to have good character in his mannerisms and the way he spoke. He was level 55 and only a journeyman blacksmith, in perspective Braka was a master blacksmith and level 70. Once he had appraised him he noticed a young woman with two toddler-sized children watching from the entrance to the guild hall. Mikax guessed that they had gambled on coming here.

"Unfortunately you did miss the construction of the guild hall," Mikax told the man the truth, he wasn't one to sugarcoat things. "However, if you are looking for work we can discuss it in the morning. Talk to Orion behind the bar and tell him you need a room for the night and we have a meeting together in the morning." As he finished speaking the man's face lit up. He thanked Mikax over and over, bowing the entire time before running to the door to get his family before hurrying to the bar to find Orion.

The night had drug on and the majority of the people not associated with the guild had finally made their way home. When Lyra had gotten a break from her duties serving food and drinks she had approached Mikax with Phup on her heels.

"I think now is as good of a time as any, don't you Mikax?" Lyra said to him with a smile on her face.

"I'm certain I don't know what you are referring to."

Lyra didn't play along and put her hands on her hips and stared at him while tapping her foot.

"Fine. You need to take full responsibility though, I have my hands full enough." With that Mikax produced a guild contract as well as the special pen and ink.

"Thank you. Was that so hard?" Lyra smiled playfully at him as she took the items to the center table of the room.

To Mikax's surprise, she had Phup sit down at a chair with everything in front of her while she climbed onto the table herself.

"Gather around everyone! Today we welcome our first real member!" Lyra was shouting and waving her hands to get everyone's attention. "Some of you may know but last night this young lady came to us in desperate need of help, of course, we were happy to help. As you can see she is a beastkin, we here at The Misfit Toys do not have limits on what races can join. We expect you all to welcome and treat her like to treat the rest of us."

After giving her mini speech she stood next to Phup and explained how the process worked. Hesa made an appearance and reassured Phup that she would heal her cut so she didn't have to be afraid. Phup didn't hesitate after that and actually plunged the blade end of the pen into her hand. Everyone including Mikax was shocked, there was no need for such an incredible act of violence against herself. What was even more surprising was that the young fox barely even flinched, showing an incredible tolerance for pain. The pen stopped any blood from leaking out while Hesa hurriedly cast a healing spell.

Once she had done that Phup had come to a realization. She had no idea how to sign her name. She was taught orally what she needed to know and writing was not a necessity. She did what she could to fight back tears as the pen hovered over the page. A feminine hand reached over Phup's shoulder and covered her own. Slowly it brought the tip of the pen to paper before dragging out a messy version of Phup's name.

Once it was completed Phup turned toward her savior and would never have guessed it to be Hesa. She had served in the castle for a number of years and didn't have a bad impression of the former princess, but she never would have guessed that the roles would be reversed with her helping her with such a menial task.

"You are one of us now." Hesa leaned in and gave the young girl a hug. Lyra followed suit before Arlyne and Kydorzia had joined as well. The men of the group either shook her hand or patted her shoulder. Mikax was the only one who hadn't approached her yet. When Phup looked in his direction, all he gave her was a slight head nod. For her this was enough to know that he was willing to accept her as a real member of the guild.

Those present started the party all over again. Going well into the early hours of the morning. What none of them, including Mikax had known, was a man was present that would cause them a headache over the coming months. Nobody noticed as he slipped out the front door and disappeared into the night.