Franklin raised an eyebrow.
"An idea?"
Osric nodded.
"First, I think we should put Samuel and Klinger into the holding cells downstairs."
Samuel immediately looked alarmed.
"The cells?"
Klinger looked even less pleased.
Franklin however understood the reasoning instantly.
The Adventurers' Guild basement wasn't just used for storage.
Several secured rooms existed beneath the guild hall for dangerous prisoners, sensitive materials and other matters that weren't meant to be seen by the public.
It was one of the safest locations in Ashbrook outside the castle itself.
"Continue," Franklin said.
Osric glanced toward Samuel.
"If we leave him walking around freely, he might warn someone."
Samuel immediately shook his head.
"I wouldn't—"
"You might."
Osric didn't sound angry.
That somehow made it worse.
"You've already proven that your loyalty changes depending on what's best for you."
Samuel closed his mouth.
He couldn't even argue.
Osric then looked toward Klinger.
"And this one obviously can't be trusted either."
Klinger clicked his tongue.
Franklin leaned back slightly.
"Fair enough."
He turned toward the door.
A moment later, two trusted guild employees entered.
"Take both of them downstairs."
Neither Samuel nor Klinger resisted.
A few minutes later, the office door closed once again.
Now only Franklin, Osric, Garrick, William, Richard and Dustin remained inside.
The room became noticeably quieter.
Franklin folded his hands together.
"Alright."
His eyes settled on Osric.
"What was the actual idea?"
"No wait. Before you elaborate-"
"Richard and Dustin. You two were dragged into this mess without warning. Unless you want to keep being involved and help us, I suggest you leave." Franklin said.
Neither of them answered right away.
Osric however tried to hide his disappointment. 'Why did he have to say something? I was hoping to get them dragged into this to create a deeper bond and make recruitment easier.'
'I already had Richard as a target because of what William reported, but after hearing about Dustin from Garrick's report before, he might become useful too, even if he lacks skill and experience for now.'
Osric was surprised when he first saw Dustin together with them when they all arrived before. He immediately remembered him though.
'It wasn't too long ago when William and I met him. I was nice to him just in case it could benefit me later on. I had a good impression on him because he was actually training unlike other adventurers.'
'I didn't think about him again though, because he wasn't really worth my attention.'
'Who could've predicted that he would get involved with us like this?'
Everyone was waiting for Richard and Dustin's answers.
'What should I do? I want to help them, but I'm scared that they'll ask me to fight people.' Dustin thought.
Before he could finish his thoughts-
"I'm out." Richard said.
He didn't even wait for their response. Richard just nodded at Franklin and left the office.
'I can't afford to get involved in politics that have nothing to do with me.'
The door closed and everyone turned back to Dustin.
'I knew Richard would answer like that.' William thought.
'What a shame.' Both Osric and Garrick thought.
Franklin didn't care and just hoped that Dustin would do the same.
'He looks scared. Unlike Jayson who's the same age, this kid doesn't look like a fighter. It would he smart to stay out of trouble.'
"I will stay if that's okay."
"Huh?"
No one expected that—
Except for Garrick.
"Haha. I knew I was right about you kid."
'Though I doubt Osric's idea will have him included in anything dangerous.' He thought.
"Are you sure?" Franklin asked the small and nervous looking 18 year old.
"Yes sir. I wish to be of help like the others were for me."
"Alright then. Osric, tell us your idea."
"Sure."
Osric looked at Franklin.
"I think Reginald is the real problem."
Franklin nodded.
"That much is obvious."
"The Stoneclaw Gang only acted because he wanted them to."
Osric continued.
"If Stoneclaw disappears tomorrow, another group could eventually take their place."
"What matters is making sure Reginald can no longer target us."
Franklin leaned back slightly.
"And how exactly do you propose doing that?"
Osric didn't answer immediately.
"I don't know yet."
That surprised everyone in the room.
Even Franklin raised an eyebrow.
"But I know one thing."
"What's that?" Garrick asked.
"We gain nothing from revenge."
The old mercenary remained quiet.
Osric continued.
"If we kill Reginald, House Greydell becomes our enemy."
"If we attack him directly, we become criminals."
"What we need is a way to make him stop being a threat."
Franklin slowly nodded.
The logic was difficult to argue against.
Unfortunately—
"I agree with your goal," Franklin said.
"But if you're suggesting assassinating a noble heir and making it look like an accident, forget it."
"I won't risk the guild on something like that."
Osric shook his head.
"I wasn't."
That answer relieved several people in the room.
Even William looked slightly more relaxed.
"Good," Franklin said.
"Because that's where I draw the line."
Before anyone could continue—
Three rapid knocks sounded from outside the office.
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
Franklin frowned.
"Come in."
The door opened immediately.
One of the guild's runners hurried inside.
The young man looked exhausted.
"Guild Leader."
Franklin immediately noticed the urgency.
"What happened?"
The runner swallowed.
"We just received reports from Lowbrook."
The room became still.
"Go on."
"There is fighting inside the Stoneclaw Gang."
Everyone's expressions changed.
The runner continued.
"Large-scale fighting."
"Multiple groups are involved."
"We don't know exact numbers yet, but witnesses report dozens of armed men attacking each other."
Garrick frowned.
"A gang war?"
The runner shook his head.
"No."
"It appears to be internal."
"According to our informants, Stoneclaw is splitting apart."
The office fell silent.
Franklin slowly stood from his chair.
Now this was no longer just an assassination attempt.
Something much bigger was happening.