I strode down the ramp to the mages guilds chilly basement. There were a handful of people in the large common room and I found Ranis sitting across a table from a tall High elf woman. As soon as Ranis saw me, she excused herself from the table and beckoned me to the room where Ajira had tended my injuries the other day. The room was occupied by a fine robed imperial girl and Ajira herself. Ranis shot a look at the Imperial, who quickly left. Ajira, looking up from her book, moved to follow suit.

Ranis held up a finger and waggled it at Ajira. "Not you darling. You stay." Ajira sank back into her seat, ears lowered in submission. Ranis daintily perched on a spare stool and addressed us both. "Han-lu, I have two jobs I'd like to offer you if you feel up to it. There is a cavern called Punabi a few miles to the east where I have a research team operating. They've been quite independent since they set up shop and only send me occasional updates. However, they don't seem to respond to my return letters. The sorceress in charge incurred a debt previous to leaving and refuses to acknowledge that it is due. You are to collect 2000 drakes from her."

Ranis stopped and looked me over as if evaluating me. "You mentioned you had experience in this sort of thing, correct?" I answered with a simple nod. "So if you were unable to recover a debt like this in the past, what would be your secondary course of action?"

I put on my business face and explained, "Usually it doesn't come to that, but my…" I paused to consider my wording. "My former employers were not to be taken lightly. On the rare occasion I couldn't collect, I made the debtor an example."

Ranis nodded, satisfied with my answer. "No need to elaborate. Do as you see fit. The sorceress is a Dunmer named Manwe."

I caught a slight movement from Ajira, who pursed her lips with discontent. She didn't approve of how strict Ranis was being. Or perhaps it was how far I was willing to go that bothered her. Still, she lacked the confidence to protest out loud. I couldn't help but wonder why Ranis asked her to stay.

The dark elf continued, "The second job is nearby the first in a tower called Sulipund. There is a wizard there named Llaler Bareloth. He is not a member of our guild. I want you to solve that." She pulled a sheaf of paper from her robe. "Get him to sign this document at any cost. If he refuses, kill him. I can't afford to compete with Telvanni wizards anymore."

Ajira made a slight growling noise before she could stifle it, but I looked to Ranis. "Telvanni you say?" Ajira glanced between us, her tail involuntarily lashing with interest. I remembered her warning me not to tell Ranis that my mother had been Telvanni.

"Yes," Ranis responded. "Great house Telvanni is a powerful political group here. If I can muscle in on some of their magic studies and brightest members, the guild will have a much greater advantage on this island. Can you do this?"

Honestly, I was nervous about leaving town for the wilderness. Highwaymen and animals didn't used to scare me, but in the shape I was in and having no knowledge of the surrounding area, I gave pause before answering. Then again, I thought, she didn't give me a deadline. I'll have time to take it slow if need be. I accepted with a nod.

"Perfect." She turned her head toward Ajira, "As for this alchemist shut in, it would seem that some of our members feel no need to assist with matters related to the guild and are perfectly content to sit with their nose in a book all day."

Ajira wisely made no reply as Ranis continued ranting. "As it is, you need to study the local flora and fungi for your advancement report. Maybe if I send you with Han-lu, you might pick up a useful skill, or maybe just a better attitude. Either way, I don't want to see you back here until Han-lu returns. Is that alright with you Han-lu?"

I had to stop myself from sounding too eager. Bringing a mage and healer just sounded like a good idea, whether Ajira liked it or not. "Of course guildmaster," I replied graciously.

"I'm glad to hear it." She handed me the contract for Llaler along with an oilcloth map of Vvardenfell with the locations on it. At a glance, I realized it would be more than a one day journey. "Is there anything else you need from me?"

I thought for a moment. "Um, is there a book of rules for mages guild members?" It was always helpful if you could find some violation or stipulation to manipulate.

"Yes," Ranis stood. "I'll get you a copy of the mages guild charter. In fact, you should leave it with Llaler once he's signed."

She left the room and I was alone with Ajira. The cat stared at me with distaste. "When you protected this one from the council club, Ajira thought you were a good one."

I shrugged. "I'm good to my friends. Everyone else is expendable." I moved to follow Ranis and let Ajira prepare for the trip.

"Han-lu does not have many friends, does he," she called after me?

I paused like I'd been punched in the gut. I'd never had many friends, but I was alone now more than ever. The fighters guild members were friendly, but something about them put me off. I wasn't like them. I couldn't be trusted the way they trusted me. Strangely enough, I felt more comfortable around Ajira who was currently eying me with suspicion. I managed a grin. "Just you I suppose."