At the end of the street was Valda’s school. Rhun knocked on the door lightly and took a step back. After a couple minutes the door swung open and a tiny woman with greying brown hair, pale skin, and angular eyes stood there. The woman inspected Rhunal for a moment with a stern expression on her face.

“You surely aren’t an Archmage yet, are you girl?”

“No Valda, I failed.” answered the she-orc.

“I saw you walking away from the battle covered in blood. So that sour old man finally let you free of your slave contract?”

“After my training was terminated, I told him that as a trained mage, I wasn’t going to remain a slave. I told him I could tear a hole in that house of his and escape at my leisure.” It was a slightly twisted version of the truth, but she wasn’t going to explain how she tried to punch him and got locked in a room.

“I’m sure he took that well.” Valda frowned.

“Not really, how long have you lived here? Do you ever see Carinus anymore?” Rhunal changed the subject with all the deftness of a charging bull.

Valda shrugged. “Not for a couple years. I’m far too busy with my work in this town. What are you and your large friend doing here?”

“I joined the Adventurer’s Guild in Greihold. Our quest took us nearby. We came here to find a place to stay for a while. I was hoping to get your help to talk to the mayor,” Rhunal explained.

"This town doesn’t even take care of its own." Valda scowled viciously. "My work is to train the unending flood of orphans in useful skills. Those the town can take in are given jobs when they come of age. Those that can’t get jobs have one of two terrible options, the Adventurer’s Guild or exile."

"How many are willing to join the Guild? And where do those who are exiled go? A guard told us that Greihold is not taking in any more people," Bron said.

"Ah, the big one speaks," Valda said.

"My name is Bron."

A barely concealed fury crossed her face. "Despite all the monsters in the wilderness, we humans are doing our best to create a new threat. A lawless clan of bandits has dug into the wilderness. Almost nobody joins the Guild anymore. The Adventurer’s Guild was always dangerous, but the lifestyle could be very profitable at times for the survivors. The city offered good payments on bounties, and the ruins scattered across the frontier often carried even greater treasures. Those former orphans kept the frontier safe.

“Young adventurers came equally from both men and women, so those that survived their travels would often marry and settle down on homesteads south of Refuge. There was good land there, but it took bold people to claim it. In time it was tamed by these hardy people. But over the last few years, it all broke down. Monsters swarmed into the vicinity of Refuge more numerous than before. Adventuring became a death sentence and an unprofitable one. With too many chimera to count, there wasn’t enough money to hunt them. The recruits refused to join the guild, choosing instead to form their own clans in the wilderness. This choice quickly led to banditry. I am now the last chance of the orphans in Refuge for a better life. It’s a dangerous life out here, so jobs become open from time to time.”

"You speak quite candidly about people dying," Bron observed.

"I’ve seen many people I know disappear. I hate that I am used to it. But I am." She sighed.

"The Guildmaster Kyvril disappeared today. We wanted to talk to him most of all. Most think he’s dead," Rhun said.

Valda shook her head. “Not that one. I don’t care what trouble he’s in. He’ll come back. He better, we need him. Without Kyvril, I don’t see the Adventurer’s Guild lasting another year.”

"Bron and I came here to join the Adventurer’s Guild. But I also came here to find a home here in town. We talked to the mayor, but she wasn’t willing to break with tradition and allow an orc permanent residence." Rhun said.

“Why don’t you go back to your people?” Valda asked.

"I grew up in a human city. I’m nothing like them. I don’t want that life," Rhun answered.

"Is it because they are polygamous? You don’t want to be a third wife to some trumped up chief?"

Rhunal made a sour face. "I’d rather not."

"You always were a little stuck-up." Valda said bluntly.

"It’s not just that. I don’t think they’d trust my magic either. I’d already be an outsider, add magic, and they’d probably drive me out, calling me the orc equivalent of a witch." Rhun explained.

“I don’t mean it as a criticism. It’s one of your best traits. The decision to take what you want for yourself is one many people don’t make. Most of us just accept whatever is in front of us and complain when we hate it.”

"I chose the path of the Adventurer’s Guild because it lets me out in the frontier to explore. After many years of failing magic, I’m making great strides. But Joveta isn’t willing to take a chance on me. Will you vouch for me? That’s what I came to ask."

"Do you promise not to throw…"

Rhunal threw up her hands in exasperation. "Gods! No I won’t throw any chairs at people! The way people tell that story I might as well have brained you with it.”

The hint of a smile was visible in Valda’s squinted eyes. “I know language was hard for you. Those tusks and that temper of yours didn’t make it easy. But it was a story that I loved to tell. My apologies, I didn’t expect to see you here. I will talk to Joveta for you. Beware, she doesn’t change her decisions often. Did you tell her you were a mage yet?”

"No, she was already suspicious about my speech. Telling her that I am a mage would just make things worse." Rhun said.

"It’s not the kind of thing you’ll be able to hide. Might as well come out and demonstrate it. I’ll give you a good opportunity."

"It is good of you to help," Bron said.

"Oh, I’m mostly helping out of vanity. Rhunal is my greatest success. The chair story got spread around a lot, because I told the story of the she-orc that I taught to speak. People took my word for it, but having never met her, it’s nothing more than a story. I’ll be asking you to meet a few people from time to time."

Rhun frowned. “I’m not your show pony. But… I don’t mind meeting people. I told Joveta otherwise, but I don’t like how they glare at me.”

Valda nodded. “It’s been a rough day for this town, but I think you have a natural way with people. It is a shame Carinus never let you out more. Alright, follow me. The longer we wait to talk to Valda, the more her mind will be made up.”