The man in his fifties walked in covered in bandages and noticed a nearby table inside the adventurers guild that had people looking at him.
"Looks like everyone's already here." Garrick said.
Osric, William, Paul and Jayson all greeted their injured comrade.
"What did the doctor say yesterday?" Osric asked.
"I need to rest for a few days at least, but I should he good to go in a couple of days. You know how doctors exaggerate."
"Do as the doctors tell you. I haven't full recovered yet either, and Jayson needs to go on more missions before we can all move together anyway."
"Haha that's right. An old man like you should be careful of his health." William added.
"Shut up brat."
Osric's party continued talking about different topics, mostly about yesterday's happenings and House Greydell's response to everything today.
"Wow, I had no idea you all were directly involved in all those crazy rumours I've been hearing." Paul, the party's porter said.
The 26 year old look very shocked and out of place.
"Are you sure that you want me included in these discussions, Osric?"
"Yes. I trust you and it's better for everyone in our party to be in the know, even a porter like you."
"I agree." William said.
Jayson also nodded while Garrick remained quiet.
"Although that's only the case while we're still a small group of people I trust. In the future only my most reliable and trustworthy subordinates will be in the know about important matters."
Garrick smirked. "Sounds more like you."
Paul and William also chuckled and agreed.
Meanwhile Jayson gulped. 'Osric is so incredible. He really has much bigger ambitions than I can imagine.'
"So what's the plan now?" William asked.
"You continue to work with Richard. Garrick will focus on recovery like me. Paul will continue what he's been doing and help his wife while he has the time."
"What about me?" Jayson asked.
"Hm. Garrick, you said you want me to recruit Dustin right?"
"Yeah. He's not very talented in combat, but he shows promise. He has a good head on his shoulders."
"Alright. Jayson, since you're the same age and both lack experience, I want you to work together and go on easy E-Rank missions. Just don't neglect on the training with Franklin, even if he has less time right now."
"Yes sir! But I haven't met that Dustin guy before?"
"Garrick will introduce you two. And while you train with Franklin, Garrick will oversee Dustin's training. But he won't go with you two on missions because of his injuries."
"Alright, sounds good sir."
"Fine." Garrick added.
"Now, does everyone have time to go with me somewhere right now?" Osric asked them.
"Sure."
"Yes."
"Where to?"
"Yeah?"
"Just follow me."
Osric stood up and walked towards the entrance. They nothing more to do at the guild. Osric only shortly managed to run into Franklin earlier and found out that Klinger, the Stoneclaw thug they had imprisoned, was already handed over to the city guards.
Franklin was very busy with the guild's administrative work now that some things had changed.
—
After ten minutes of walking down the Ashbrook streets into Lowbrook, they arrived at their destination.
Paul immediately recognised it.
"The Blackmill orphanage?"
William was also surprised. He had heard about this place from Osric.
Garrick didn't know about it but quickly understood what this place was to Osric.
Jayson was just confused since he didn't know much about Osric's past.
"Why did you bring us here, Osric?" William asked.
"I just wanted to introduce you to two important people in my life who helped raise me. Paul already knows them of course. He grew up here with me, although slightly earlier than me."
"Yep. Didn't expect you to take everyone here though."
The sun was slowly setting, but some kids were still playing in the garden.
"Hm?"
"Who's that?"
"I think I saw that mister before."
"Yeah. That's the man that came all bloody and brought Sera and Tarin."
Osric felt awkward hearing that. He had almost forgotten about the two surviving farmer's kids he had saved and brought here.
'Well I did tell them not to get attached to me and expect me to visit.'
As the five of them walked through the wooden fence door, a woman in her forties walked out of the orphanage's building.
"Hm? Isn't that Osric?"
Florena ran towards him. "Osric!"
She quickly embraced him.
"I missed you. Are you doing okay? I heard many rumours about you on the streets."
The caretaker with a concerned expression but warm smile didn't want to ask about the people she heard that Osric had killed.
She believed he would have a good reason for doing so and that maybe it was a traumatic experience for him.
"You know that you can always talk to me right?"
"Haha, yes Florena. Thanks, but I'm doing fine."
She then looked around Osric and straightened up. "So who are your friends? Oh wait, is that Paul?"
"Haha, hello Florena. You haven't aged a day!"
Florena also hugged him tightly. "How come even you never come to see us? I heard you got married. Tell me everything!"
Osric cleared his throat.
"Let's take this inside."
Florena jumped up. "Oh yes, of course. Please follow me everyone. Let's do introductions with Greta present. She'll also be so happy to see you two kids."
Osric and Paul walked alongside Florena with smiles on their faces, which definitely wasn't common for Osric.
The others walking behind had different reactions. Jayson was extremely nervous as he stared at Osric's back.
William was also nervous to have been brought to such an important place to Osric. But the stares of all the kids made him more nervous. He just waved at them all.
"Hahaha, look at that goofy big guy!"
"Woah look at the scary old man!"
"Who is that handsome cool guy?"
"I think they are adventurers."
"Yeah, they have weapons."
"Woahh!"
"Cool!"
Garrick just chuckled.
'Cute kids.'
They all quickly arrived at Mother Greta's office that doubled as her bedroom. She was surprised to see such a large group enter together with Florena.
But she was more surprised to see Osric and Paul.
"Well, well. What brings you boys here? And didn't you say you would start visiting us, Osric?"
"Ugh, sorry Mother Greta. I was busy with work."
"Hmph. Well what are you two waiting for? Come give me a hug."
Florena chuckled to the side.
Paul and Osric hugged Greta tightly with love, as the other three party members awkwardly stood at the back.
The orphanage director in her 70s didn't hold on to them long.
"Alright. What brings you here? And why did you bring a bunch of armed guys here. Especially that handsome buff one." She was referring to Garrick.
"I hope you didn't scare the kids."
"Hehe, don't worry Greta. The kids were all excited to see adventurers walk in here."
"Hmph. I hope they don't get any funny ideas."
"So why did you bring them Osric and Paul?"
"I came here for two reasons today. First was to introduce my party and comrades to the people who raised me."
Garrick, William and Jayson introduced themselves and answered some of Greta's awkward and direct questions for a while.
But both Greta and Florena were happy to see Osric finally making friends.
"So what's the second reason?" Greta asked Osric.
"I'm making decent money now. I brought some with me to help the orphanage out. I will try to give you some money every month if I can."
Florena was about to refuse because of guilt but Greta spoke first. "Alright. We can definitely use it. How much are you thinking?"
'Ugh, Greta please.' Florena thought.
Osric took out a pouch filled with silver coins.
"10 silver for now. But I have a condition."
'Wow. That's a lot.' Florena thought.
'How can he give a condition in such a situation?' William asked himself.
"What is it?"
"Fire Hawise and Mabel. Those disgusting hags deserve much worse for how they treated me and some others. You need to hire better caretakers. I know you had no choice because of the difficult circumstances, but things need to change."
Osric looked extremely serious and had certain intensity to him.
"You're right Osric. But I can only do that if you can guarantee a monthly support of at least four silver to hire better caretakers."
"Done."
Greta and Florena both looked surprised.
Had Osric already succeeded that much as an adventurer in such a short time?
"Are you sure? That isn't a small amount of money."
"Yes. And let's fire them right this second and let me escort them out, so they don't cause trouble." Osric said with determination.
'Poor Osric. Having to endure such bad treatment from those horrible women who should've set an example. It's our fault for being so lacking.' Greta and Florena both thought.
Osric's party members didn't get involved and just observed.
They all walked outside together, as Greta called for the two caretakers to meet them outside in the garden and entrance.
'The first part of my revenge is beginning.'
Osric was ready for what had to be done.
And firing them wouldn't be the end for him.