The sun brightly glared through the window slowly waking me from my slumber. Birds can be heard chirping and the smell of freshly made bread drafts up the stairwell. I groggily get up and stretch before going to the mirror to make sure I look presentable. My soft yellow fur and light orange mane look better than I expected for a morning but, I touch it up and make my look perfect anyway. I am meeting with my contractor today after all! After adjusting myself and feeling satisfied with my casually professional look I make my way down the stairs to the lobby.
I briefly consider wearing clothes because of the high reward offered by this contract. The pay is extraordinary and the bonus, should we get attacked, is eye-watering. I quickly abandon the idea because the Royal Guard hardly cares and, I hate clothing anyway.
I did not see the lobby too well last night when I came in. Honestly, I just rushed straight to bed once I paid for my stay. The light of day revealed a finely crafted interior that was neither square nor round. Every time I expected a sharp angle the wood seems to ease into a smooth shiny curve only a true master could create. The support beams were carved into long snaking dragon necks with the edges of the walls being lined with vines and flowers all delicately carved into the wood. Even the dining table was exceptional with various colored gems inlaid onto the top surface making it glisten in the light.
Not everything was extravagant though. The front desk was made of plain oak with little treatment and the floors were plain. The walls had subtle spiraling designs but nothing eye-catching. Just above the front desk is a sign naming my resting place "The Comfortable Clouds Inn". Just below the sign sits a delicate cream-colored pegasus mare. She smiles as soon as she realizes I enter the lobby.
"Good morning Comet, did you sleep well?" She smiles softly while she speaks. It was just business but, I can tell she cares about providing great service. She continues "I made sure to get fresh pillows made from the clouds for you. I also made breakfast. Feel free to help yourself." It dawns on me that the Inn gets its name from its signature cloud pillows and beds. Obviously that explains why she is a pegasus since she can easily gather clouds at a moment's notice.
I return the greeting in kind "Good morning ma'am." nodding my head in greeting as I speak "I slept just fine. Breakfast sounds great!" I take a seat at the table while observing its fine craftsmanship and, more importantly, the meal that lay upon it. The meal was of good quality. Blueberry bread, a bowl of oat cereal, and a pancake were all set down neatly. I eat as much as I can and, notice the particularly amazing texture and flavor of the bread.
Once I finish I leave waving to the kind mare who runs the Inn. She waves back with a glowing smile. I quickly made my way to the agreed-upon meeting place for me and my next contractor. As I walked through town, noting many stalls and shops were not even open yet, I search each building for the name I seek.
I am fairly skilled at locating places because I have done it for a few years now. My business has always traveled with me. Each time I take a contract I use the opportunity to network and arrange the next before the first is even complete. This allows me to run my modest business without employees, a home, or a building for my business. I just collect the bits and stay at a local Inn before moving on to the next big thing. It really is a liberating job and offers me the freedom to go where I please as long as I am clever enough to keep my contracts in line with my desires.
The building itself was a stark contrast to the Inn. For starters, this one was much larger and had a deeply aged appearance. The wood almost seemed to have lost its color to a lightish gray. Each plank had splinters sticking from it. The old sign over the doorway read "The Rusty Nail" and hung at a slight angle. I would not say it was an unsavory place but, it was not really someplace I would hang out in normally. My new employer had a rather rough taste too say the least.
I enter and the first thing I notice is how dark it is compared to the morning daylight outside. There are no windows and only a few glowing crystals to light the large room softly. The back held a bar with stools and the wall is lined with kegs and various fine liqueurs. The pony behind the bar seems fairly skilled as he mixes drinks for some of the more inebriated patrons.
A stallion donning guard armor calls out to me "Are you just going to stand there and gawk all day? Celestia has a schedule to keep you know." He motioned for me to come. Honestly, I was surprised he knew what I looked like but, I was perhaps the only patron not drunk or in the process of getting there which perhaps gave me away. I took a seat at his table and he slid me a cider before addressing me further. "Look, I know you have worked with us before but, I want to warn you that this job could be dangerous."
I looked at him with my usual businesslike manner "I am certain whatever hazards may come a Royal Guard should be able to handle. Besides the contract says you have a whole patrol." I made sure to emphasize my respect and expectation of the guard.
He gave me a deadpan look "As I am sure you already noticed I have no shortage of guards here. However, I need every pony I can get due to the sensitivity of the shipment. Firstly, this shipment is hazardous. The pony who made it said it can release a lot of energy with very little reason to. Secondly, it is new and valuable and, we must ship it through known bandit territory. An attack is very likely and, I hired you because I believe I need that extra guard. I have a gut feeling something is off about this mission." He took a long swig from his glass as he finished.
I try to gauge why he was testing me. I have worked contracts with the guard before. Every time bandits show up the guards make quick work out of them and only rarely cause permanent harm. They are good at what they do and perhaps I believe in them too a fault. I chose my response with uncanny confidence that only being guarded by a small army can give you. "So essentially you are telling me I might witness you fight a few bandits on the way. I hardly see an issue in that. You will smite them. We complete the job. I get my bits and, we all go home."
He glares at me for a long time. I can only assume he is gauging my resolve to see if I get cold hooves. I don't and he finishes his drink before addressing me in a friendlier manner for the first time. "I am Lieutenant Halberd. If you have any concerns on the job address it to me. Now before we leave I will make the final preparations for the cart and my troops. Feel free to finish your drink while you wait." He gestures toward the drink he purchased me.
I was never really a drinker but, it would be rude to refuse. I carefully sipped and the heady yet fruity flavor bombarded my senses. Lt. Halberd seemed satisfied and left. Shortly after, once I am sure he is gone I leave without finishing the drink.