Eight hours later, the doors to the library opened, Pen, Gideon and Hamish emerged. It was the first time real fresh air had got to the room since Pen had set up shop in there in winter. One of the guards on the door was visibly uncomfortable with the musky air pouring out.

'It's amazing how quickly you get used to it.' Gideon said, off hand to the guard.

Hamish turned to other guard. 'There's about two dozen crates around the main table, they need taking to secure storage. Go let Maroh know.'

'Yes Councillor.' The Half-Orc guard nodded and turned to leave. 'Oh!' She quickly whipped back to face the three. 'Almost forgot, Mr Tealeaf's quarters have been arranged, top floor, room three.'

'Cheers.' Gideon nodded to the guard before she left. 'Will need that, I'm cream-crackered after that.'

'I think I'm gonna grab a nightcap before I hit the hay.' Hamish led the three down the hallway, he turned to Gideon. 'You fancy one?'

'I think I can muster a swift one.' He replied, stretching out his arms over his head.

'Can I come for one?' Pen asked turning to them both.

'You need to go to take a shower.' Hamish replied without skipping a beat.

Pen looked down at his dishevelled robes. 'I see your point.' He turned on his heel. 'I shall retire to my room, by way of the wash room.' He marched back down the hallway.

Gideon shook his head. 'Nice to see some things never change.'

Hamish laughed. 'He's a fucking head case.'

They went down a few sets of stairs and arrived in the Rest's bar in the basement. They noticed a Gnomish guard had followed them to make sure there was no attempt to start a fight with one or two of the founders. They sat down at the end of one of the long tables, Gideon beckoned over the guard that was tailing them. The guard pretended to ignore him, however Gideon pointed directly at her. 'Hey you, guard that's been following us.' She put her finger to her lips and gave a silent shush.

Gideon furrowed his brow. 'Don't shush me, get over here.'

The Gnome walked over to the table. 'What is it Mr Tealeaf?'

'Can you get us drinks?' Gideon asked.

The Gnome was taken aback. 'I'm a guard, not a waitress.'

Hamish put his hand on the guard's shoulder. 'Look, erm...'

'Stacy.' The guard said.

'Look Stace, we've been keeping ourselves alive for like ages.' Hamish assured her. 'We'll be fine, let your guard down.' She closed her eyes, dropped her shoulders, she let out a long sigh and opened her eyes, her relaxed smile radiant.

'Great, now get us two Dragon Island Iced Teas.' Hamish motioned his arm towards the bar.

'Yes Counsellor L'Asino' Stacy sighed as she walked over to the bar.

'See you still have that silver tongue.' Gideon commented.

'It helps on the council.' Hamish commented idly. 'This place has changed a lot.' He said looking around.

'Yeah, there was like only a couple of stools of by the bar.'

'Could you even call it a bar?'

'Well the shield on two bits of wood.' Gideon reminisced. 'This place meant a lot to us back then.'

'How's Harlie?' Hamish asked.

'She's doing just fine, she's taken to retirement a lot better that I have, that's for sure.' Gideon smiled. 'I'm glad we broke the rule against dating within the group. Think that worked out great for us both.'

'For you yes, others not so much.' Hamish nodded, thinking about how he'd seen group after group fall apart after a bad break up. 'Did we make a mistake?' he asked.

'Honestly, I haven't thought about it that much.' Gideon met his eyes and paused. 'That was ages back.'

'Yet we were so close.'

'Like Brothers.'

Hamish chuckled. 'More than brothers.' Looking at Gideon, staring straight back at him.

'We were young.' Gideon shrugged, closing his eyes for a moment then looking down to the table.

Hamish smiled faintly. 'How has it been thirty years Gid?'

'You joined the council and I ran this place.' Gideon said bluntly. 'You liberated your country, I settled down with Harlie. Then thirty years has flown by.' Gideon stared ahead. 'Do you have anyone Hamish?' he asked.

'I have,' He lightly tapped his fingers on the oak table, thinking for the correct term. 'An arrangement with Lady Applebloom.' Hamish finished.

'And besides her.' Gideon leaned forward.

Hamish paused, thinking carefully. 'Occasionally there's others.'

'I'm happy if you're happy.' Gideon admitted. 'Besides I didn't see any harm in it.'

They both shared a chuckle before falling into a comfortable silence.

'Do you know why I used to love stealing Hamish?' Gideon asked.

Hamish shook his head. 'I don't think you've ever told me.'

He smiled. 'Cause you saw something you wanted and, without complication, you just took it.'

Hamish nodded. 'If only everything was that simple.'

'Two dragon island iced teas.' Stacy plopped down the glasses in the middle of the table. 'Need me for anything else?'

'Get yourself one and join us.' Gideon insisted.

'I'm on duty.' Stacy reminded them.

'I founded this entire organisation and I command that you join us for a drink.' Gideon demanded.

Stacy sighed again. 'Alright fine, but if I get canned for this.'

'You can have a job with the garrison of the Grand Olorian Council. I know one of the Councillors that can get you an in.' Hamish pointed at himself. 'Me.'

The three drank their drinks and shared a couple of stories of close calls and mishaps from their careers. Gideon was a little light headed, old age and a short body doesn't make for the best tolerance for alcohol, however he did make it up to his quarters with relative ease. Sleep found him a not a moment after his head hit the pillow. Hamish and Stacy made quick work of taking off his shoes before leaving him in his peaceful slumber.