Guild Recruits

After his noble Etiquette class, Will walked with Grace and Sarah to the Guardian Guild floor atop the pagoda. As they approached the floor, they heard voices chattering, shouting, and laughing. Will thought to the last time he heard this much noise, the Guild Wars.

As the trio walked onto the guild floor, Will was surprised to see a crowd of activity. The guild was bustling with guild members speaking with recruits. A large table of appetizers and drinks sat next to the stairwell.

Will watched as the guild members gave potential recruits a tour of the guild, introduced other guild members, and Marshall Rolf explained the guild's mission. This was Will's first time witnessing this phenomenon.

Last year, Will toured the guild on the first weekend, not the first day of class. Smiling cadets came and left, with drinks and desserts in their hands.

First-year students buzzed around like bees sampling different flowers, meeting as many people as they could. Will was awed for a moment, he never knew this event happened on campus. It reminded him of his college days when Fraternities and Sororities held Rush Week. Guild members inspecting potential recruits, and potential recruits evaluating different guilds.

As the largest guild, naturally, the Guardian Guild attracted the most recruits. Looking around Will saw the other commanders speaking to groups of students. The infantry commander was surrounded by the most recruits, followed by signal, intelligence, and engineering.

Will looked toward the Quartermaster Command Office, thankfully, no one patiently waited over there for him. Thanking his lucky stars, Will motioned to Sarah and Grace to follow him to their office.

Today, was Will's first time back in the guild since last semester. Will could make out the closed-door, darken room from across the room. Where other command offices were open and had momentos, Will's office was closed and uninviting.

Looking over his right shoulders, he asked Grace, "Did you know about this? Should we have prepared something for these recruits?"

"Oh, we thought you knew already knew about this and chose not to do anything," Grace responded.

"Would you like us to prepare something?" Sarah asked.

"No, that's not necessary now. But as my Deputy Commanders it's your responsibility to make sure I'm aware of these things," Will said.

Even if he was aware, Will probably would still not have asked Sarah or Chloe to get there early to prepare a snacks of momentous for the recruits.

Both women nodded in affirmation. Will, Grace, and Sarah weaved their way through the crowd to an office, with a large sign above the door that read 'Quartermaster Command Post.' Will had just opened the door when he heard, " Hey everyone, William's here!"

At first, Will thought he missed heard. Why would someone shout his name out loud? But, soon a throng of recruits and guild members made there to Will.

Surprised by the masses gathering in front of him, Will had a stupid look of surprise plastered onto his face.

Seeing Will's look of surprise, a third-year man stepped forward and addresses the recruits. "This is the famous Sir. William vont Ballard, owner of the Silver Phoenix establishments, patron of the Church of Gaia, disciple to Grandmaster Thaddeus, ranked first among second-year cadets, ranked second at the Mage Academy, hero of beast wave in Death Valley, and our guild's quartermaster," the third year finished introducing Will.

Hearing the introduction, the recruits clapped and waited in anticipation for Will's response. But before Will could even put two words together one recruit shouted a question. That one question led to a flood of others.

"How do I get a master like you?"

How did you become a first-year commander?

Is it true you're going to be a baronet?

How did you think of all those businesses on your own?

"My father says you're going to sell shares, what's a share?"

"Are you engaged?"

"What does a quartermaster do?"

"I heard you're building a new business, what is going to be?

"I heard you treat commoners nicely and respect them, why?"

The questions flooded Will like the Yangtze River during the monsoon. Raising his hands, Will gathered a response.

"My master noticed me because I read at the library every day. As you all know Grandmaster Thaddeus is the Master Librarian. We both share a love of learning. That is to say, don't look for a master, if you are destined your master will find you.

Marshall Rolf nominated me for Quartermaster based on my older brother's recommendation and merchant profession.

Yes, his majesty the king has promoted me to a baronet. This fall break, I travel to the capital for the peerage ceremony.

The ideas for my business came from my love of games. It if is your wish to own a business, I recommend you start a business for which you have an affinity.

A share is a portion or percent of a company. If you purchase a share of my company, you become a part-owner.

I am not engaged.

Quartermasters are responsible for the guild's logistics and supplies.

I will unveil my new business at the auction.

I treat everyone fairly because everyone is a customer.

Now, if you excuse me I have work to do," Will said dissuading any more questions.

"Move along, then" shouted Marshall Rolf dispersing the crowd away from Will.

"It seems you're a popular guy?" Laugh Marshall Rolf. "They'll learn to give you some space."

Will received Marshall Rolf's words with a respectful bow. He entered the office with Grace and Sarah in tow. Marshall Rolf followed them and closed the door.

Will looked at the three desks and forgot how small the office was. Grace and Sarah's desk nearly touched the walls. There was only a slim passage between the desk, and the three of them squeezed through the gap.

Sarah's desk was empty, but Grace's desk had a small pile of requests. On Will's desk sat the Quartermaster's ledger, and a small pile of letters from merchants. Will and Grace flipped through the mail seeing if there was anything urgent.

Before Will, Sarah, and Grace could get started on any work, they realized that Marshall Rolf was still in the room. Apologizing to him, they sat down to receive his news.

After a few seconds of waiting, Marshall Rolf breathed in and said, "War is coming, I think you all know that much. Cadets will be sent to the front lines to gain combat experience. Once again, I'll need you to prepare caravans for the entire academy. Like last year, the headmaster and guilds, will help offset the cost."

Will nodded his head in accepting the job.

Seeing Will's acceptance, the marshal continued, "For this mission, you'll need to coordinate with Colonel vont Harris, the Military Field Quartermaster. Here's a letter from Colonel vont Harris. Starting right now you report to him on all things relating to your quartermaster duties.

In addition to helping the academy, you will be the military's Quartermaster stationed in Guidon. That means you'll also need to help in arranging supplies from Guidon to Death Valley. Ten years ago, during the last war, the military's Quartermaster was a captain.

I tell you that to understand the significance of the position. You will not be promoted to captain. However, you will be promoted to second-lieutenant with the rest of the third-year cadets.

Third-year students attend a special month-long class that explains the military rank responsibility and expectations. Make the Guardian's proud and work hard," Marshall Rolf finished.

After speaking, Marshall Rolf handed Will a yellow military letter with a waxed noble seal of a shield and helmet. After handing over the letter, Marshall Rolf excused himself and left the office.

"Wait!" Will shouted, stopping Marshall Rolf in his tracks. "I'll need a bigger office," Will said.

"I'll arrange it," the Marshall before leaving and welcoming recruits.

Will asked because he, Grace, and Sarah realized the amount of work would increase exponentially.

As Grace and Sarah sat down to work, Will opened the letter and read,

"Salutations Sir. William vont Ballard,

No doubt Marshall Rolf informed you of the situation. I enjoyed hearing about your exploits in Death Valley.

Sadly, the position of quartermaster is not held in the high esteem it deserves. How can the infantry, signal, and intelligence fight, if their food and supplies are not coordinated? While the post is not as glamorous as Infantry Commander, it's just as important. Your exploits this spring exemplified that, and it warmed my heart to hear people talking about the importance of a good quartermaster.

My long years as Field Quartermaster has taught me much, and I'd like to pass that wisdom on to you. The following is a list of supplies the various lieutenants, captains, and colonels have asked for, please arrange to send them to me. You also have access to a military budget line of credit. Below is the number you may give to merchants when purchasing military supplies.

You may also charge a service fee for your connections. This was approved by the King and General-Commander. When Marshall Rolf reported your fee to the military, I realized how ingenious and cheeky you are. I got a good chuckle out reading his report. Like a good merchant, you can squeeze coin from two rocks. But now that you work for the military, you will earn 50, and your deputies 35 silver coins a week.

Warm Regards,

Reynold vont Harris, Colonel"

Putting down the letter, Will's first thought was the amount of coin he would earn from his middle-man fees. Now that the king and General-Commander approved surely no one in the military would object.

Turning to Sarah, Will asked her to prepare all the contracts and supplies they used for this spring's march to Death Valley. He also handed her a list of items the military requested.

As this list of goods needed was quite long,

Will could tell this year his quartermaster duties would feel more like a second job, than a side hustle. This work required Will to extend his existing contracts with some and create new contracts with others.

From his first day of classes, till now Will could tell this year he'd be much busier.