the knights inquiry

As Zain left the guild building, he headed across the street to the Empty Keg. As he walked through the door and approached the desk to ask for Sophia, she came down as if expecting him already. Her smile was soft and warm as she saw him.

"Oh, you did come after your meeting." She spoke as though this was a shock to her.

"I did say I would." Zain spoke half casual half business with a polite smile on his face. "Would you prefer if we sat, or would you rather walk?"

"Well, if you don't mind, can we wait here for a bit and possibly have something to eat as we wait for my companion to come down?" Sophia asked with wide eyes almost expectingly.

"I don't see a problem with that, I missed breakfast due to my meeting and it's about noon as it stands now." Were Zain's words as he started looking around for somewhere to sit.

Zain saw a corner table and motioned, and they both started walking towards it. As they sat down, the bar maid came up to them and asked what they would be having. Zain's order was whatever their special is with an ale and Sophia's order was just meat and potatoes with water. After the bar maid scurried off to get the orders Zain looked around cautiously.

"I wouldn't trust much of the city water, they usually used what has been pumped into the well system." Zain spoke quietly so as not to be overheard or offend anyone.

"It'll be fine I normally perform purification magic on any water I order while holding the cup." Sophia spoke softly back and gave a small wink to Zain as she did.

A few moments after their small conversation seemed to have concluded, the bar maid came back with both of their orders. As they ate, they had small conversations about the weather and where they are from. Surprisingly, Zain was a lot more interesting to her than most of the others she had met. He didn't grow up knowing the knight's order so never had much of an interest in it. Sophia, having grown up in the midst of the Knight's order, knew that they stretched through most of the kingdom to keep the peace and ensure the safety of the people.

Upon finishing their meal Zain paid and started towards the door. Sophia followed behind as she was looking over her shoulder then another female in armor that had been recently shined. She followed behind close enough to keep track but not seen as part of the group. They soon arrived at Zain's forge and alchemy shop, and he unlocked it. They entered and not long after the other woman came in. Zain then brought forth a chair in front of the other two chairs.

"Alright Sophia," Zain started the conversation a bit awkwardly. "What exactly did you need to discuss with me today?"

"Well, it wasn't exactly me who wanted to talk today after what you said yesterday." Sophia started softly, "But general Stargrave wanted to speak on the matter." She gently gestured to the lady clad in armor sitting beside her."

"Yes, I am General Stella Stargrave. I wanted to talk more about the offer my subordinate offered." She started off with Zain listening intently. "I would like to view some more of your wears before making a firm recommendation on your behalf along with your skills and other items which could be of use or interest to the knights order."

Zain then motioned for the ladies to follow him as he headed back into his main storage area. He opened the door to the still cooling forge and apothecary he showed off a lot of his armory which he had been crafting on. There were spears and swords and custom ballista ammunition which he was still working on that caught their attention for artillery purposes. Zain then showed them around his alchemical works and started listing off all the credible sources the apprenticed under. He then also showed them the way he entwined both of these professions between appearance changes on his weapons to more practical uses that it could include.

After their conversation concluded, Zain showed the two lady knights to the door and said, "I will not be available over the next few weeks due to some business that came up with the guild. If there is any news, please wait for about three or four weeks before trying to contact me again for safety."

As if in unison they both replied "Alight." And walked down the street to their place of staying. Not knowing what was to come for any of them yet.