Chapter 47: Wildfire

Time trickled by in a quietly deceptive way, much like water slipping through cupped hands. Before anyone noticed, two whole days had slipped into the past.

For the majority of Greyvale City’s residents, those days were just like any other,filled with everyday tasks, the hustle and bustle of markets, laughter, arguments, and the ceaseless demands of survival.

Yet for Pax, those two days were a turning point. They signified a dramatic shift in his life, from a wandering soul and an always-broke “jack of all trades” to becoming a powerful force for change throughout the city.

From sunrise to sunset and back again, Pax barely allowed himself a moment of rest. He raced from tavern to tavern, driven by an almost frenzied energy, spinning tales and embellishing rumors with a skill that would impress even the most veteran of storytellers.

He entered bustling cafes buzzing with morning conversations, inns alive with travelers sharing their adventures, steam-filled bathhouses filled with gossip, and even went into brothels where laughter danced with the aroma of perfume and the clinking of wine glasses, because juicy gossips spread there faster than ale.

He roamed through crowded markets, navigated narrow alleys thick with vendors, and settled beside groups of beggars huddling for warmth.

His voice filled every nook and cranny of Greyvale City, where words held significance and whispers soared. It didn’t matter whether someone was wealthy or poor, young or old; if they had ears, Pax had something to say and if they had voices to share, they would pass on his words.

At first, he was cautious, cautiously testing the waters by sprinkling bits of truth here and there: mentions of the Adventurer Guild, a new establishment, missions, improved efficiency, and Cassian Thaumas’ visit.

But soon he found his groove, once he saw how electric people’s reactions became when they heard anything about Cassian or topics like innovation and opportunity. Those who had felt powerless their entire lives began to sense a newfound world of possibilities that had once seemed out of reach.

By the end of the first day, rumors had solidified into one of the hottest conversations among the common folk. But Pax wasn’t satisfied, not just yet. He wanted it to grow bigger, brighter, and louder. So he pushed on.

He dropped by The Rusty Barrel, a tavern known for its wild crowds and brawls, and boldly declared amidst the smoky atmosphere that the Adventurer Guild was on its way to becoming a “haven for the helpless,” a place that would turn burdens into quests, regulated tasks that would reward brave souls while addressing the struggles of everyday families.

Then he slipped into The Velvet Stair brothel, where courtesans leaned in with captivating smiles, their eager interest made them perfect messengers for his mission.

There, he shared a slightly tweaked version, that even Cassian Thaumas preferred posting missions at this Guild over dispatching his own apprentices.

Within an hour, those courtesans were already passing the news to their patrons; by nightfall, the tipsy merchants were spreading the news into the streets.

By the second day, Pax had become a dynamic source of energy, moving through Greyvale City like a refreshing breeze with a singular mission.

In the lively Western Market, amid the cries of fishmongers and the spirited exchanges of customers haggling over prices, Pax enthusiastically captivated a crowd of curious women.

He declared that the Adventurer Guild was “a groundbreaking establishment set to change the way people work and survive.”

His serious tone painted a vivid picture of a future where everyday individuals wouldn’t need to plead for help or depend on the goodwill of nobles; they could simply head to the Adventurer Guild to commission missions.

His message resonated with blacksmiths wishing for better materials to forge weapons etc, herbalists struggling to obtain supplies from risky areas, mothers anxious about their children walking home alone at night, and small merchants who required escorts but couldn’t afford professional mercenaries.

Everyone had their own concerns and obstacles. The idea that these issues could be openly posted and addressed, with no need for pleading or risky connections, felt miraculous to them.

Even the beggars loitering at the city gate leaned in with interest when Pax approached them early that second morning.

He hinted that the Adventurer Guild might soon hire errand runners or laborers, suggesting fresh opportunities on the horizon.

No one cared too much about whether his claims were valid; what truly mattered was the glimmer of hope igniting in their weary eyes as they shared his words in hushed tones with passersby.

That small spark of optimism reached into the darker corners of society, long overshadowed by dust and despair.

As the day progressed, excitement began to build.

On the streets, conversations shifted away from mundane topics like the weather or market prices toward animated discussions about these intriguing new rumors.

Old men nursing cheap ale in alleyways debated the Guild’s chances of success, while young boys wielding sticks envisioned themselves as daring warriors on missions.

Women speculated about the kinds of tasks that might arise, retrieving lost items, dealing with pests, escorting goods, or foraging for rare herbs.

Merchants pondered the possibility that if the Adventurer Guild flourished, Greyvale City could soon attract outsiders in search of reliable services. Even the skeptics found themselves drawn into conversations about these captivating rumors.

By mid-morning on the second day, an unmistakable shift enveloped the atmosphere of Greyvale City.

Every neighborhood, rich or poor, had caught wind of the whispers. Vendors in the central square spoke quietly as they arranged their wares; laborers shared opinions while lugging heavy crates; drunken men slurred tales of Cassian

Thaumas praising this new guild; even innkeepers started asking travelers if they knew about this groundbreaking establishment.

The rumor had taken on a life of its own, transforming as all rumors do.

Some stories claimed that commoners could hire warriors for a fraction of the usual cost through the Adventurer Guild, while others suggested that joining would give warriors access to secret networks and rare resources or even lead to future power.

Some locals started calling the Adventurer Guild a “sanctuary for problem solvers” or “a new beacon rising in Greyvale.”

It quickly garnered attention and became a topic of interest, something everyone felt compelled to check out simply because it was the latest buzz in town.

As the sun dipped below the horizon on the second day, Pax finally let himself unwind. His feet ached, his voice was raspy, and his throat burned from all the talking, yet he felt exhilarated.

Perched on a small stone bridge with a view of the lively river running through the city, he watched boats glide by and caught snippets of conversations from those passing below. And there it was, his efforts, echoing through their discussions.

“is it true the Guild wrapped up Cassian Thaumas’ mission in thirty minutes?”

“I heard it’s a place where they solve missions quickly.”

“I might check it out tomorrow.”

“My neighbor said her cousin wants to post a task.”

A broad grin spread across his face, a sense of pride swelling in his chest so intensely it felt almost painful.

In just two days, with no money, title, power, or backing, he had stirred the city. He, Pax, a man who had bounced from job to job armed only with his tongue and persistence, had set an entire city buzzing.

And he realized this was just the beginning.

Greyvale City was undergoing a transformation. A subtle wave of excitement had coursed through its streets and into the hearts of its people.

A new establishment,small and humble in the Gryphon District, was now the talk of the town, all due to Pax taking Sage’s request and turning it into something remarkable.

The whispers had turned to murmurs, the murmurs had blossomed into conversation, and that conversation was brewing into a storm of anticipation.

By the end of the second night, as lanterns gleamed softly along fading streets and the city exhaled in peaceful calm, Pax made his way home with tired legs but a triumphant grin, knowing he had brought Sage’s vision to life.

Greyvale City was ready for change. People were gathering information.

And he Pax, hadn’t just open a door, he’d dismantled the dam. Tomorrow ongoing, the Gryphon District would know what a flood felt like.

———–

“Sigh…I hope that this doesn’t put into trouble.” Pax rubbed his nose as he looked at the sky as he thought. “But at least during these two days, nobody came after me, so I’m fine…for now.”

He lingered a moment longer on the stone bridge, letting the soothing sound of the river drown out the city’s clamor behind him.

He flexed his fingers, stiff from gesturing and massaged his jaw, sore from two days of of near constant talking.

The cool breeze caressed his face, and gradually, the adrenaline that had been pumping through him began to subside, replaced by a gentle stream of thoughts tugging at the edges of his mind.

Despite the confidence and excitement he’d felt over the past couple of days, there was one small, nagging worry that refused to fade—what if Cassian Thaumas caught wind of the rumors and took offense?

Pax hadn’t just reported the truth; he’d manipulated it, exaggerated it, and splashed it with bright colors. He’d almost transformed the man into the unofficial saint of the Adventurer Guild.

The mere thought that Cassian might stroll into the city square, fix his piercing alchemist gaze on Pax, and demand to know who was spreading such outrageous tales sent a shiver down his spine.

A man like Cassian could obliterate him with a single word, let alone a potion. Just imagining it made his knees feel weak.

As the sun sank below the horizon and the marketplace lights flickered to life, Pax exhaled a long, shaky breath. Nothing had happened…so far.

No robed alchemist had rushed through the streets in search of him, no guards had sent for him to answer questions, and there hadn’t been any suspicious looks directed his way during his errands.

The city had simply absorbed his words as if they were harmless gossip. With that realization washed over him, he felt an enormous wave of relief.

For now, he was safe. And even if trouble might eventually find him, one thing was clear, he couldn’t betray Sage.

Their connection wasn’t deep yet, barely even a true friendship, but Sage had shown him trust, treated him well, and spoken to him like a person rather than a mere tool.

Pax wasn’t someone who would stab a friend in the back, even when fear churned in his stomach. So, he decided to trust in his luck, rely on his own words to keep him safe, and believe that everything would somehow work out.

As he turned away from the bridge and made his way home, his steps felt lighter, and a small smile crept onto his face.

Perhaps, just perhaps, this was the beginning of a new Chapter in his life—not as a wanderer, but as someone who was valuable, someone who counted.

And for the first time in what felt like ages, Pax felt… hopeful.

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