"I'm not sure which incidents you are referring to but I have been unfortunate enough to be in the wrong place at the wrong time a couple of times. In the situations I probably didn't think too much about what I was doing."

"But you did the right thing," says Tambor, looking at Guilliame with an air of appraisal. "Which is important in troubled times like these."

 Leaning forward, Tambor then says, "My understanding is that you are a recent graduate of the School of Occult Studies; is that correct?"

"Yes, that's right. I agree these are troubled times. I didn't report it but the other night I was attacked by a stirge."

Lord Tambor is taken by surprise at Guilliame's news. "What?" he exclaims. "A stirge? Here in the Scholar's Ward? There haven't been any seen this side of Palace Island in years, are your sure?"

"Yes I'm sure. There were 3 actually. One skewered me."

Show him the wound.

"Nasty," comments Tambor when Guilliame shows him the wound.

Lord Tambor is then quiet for a moment before he says, "Did you know that there are only three hands of city guards to watch over the whole of the Scholar's Ward? That is only fifteen guards to protect the area, both during the day and at night." From his tone of voice, Guilliame can tell Tambor feels strongly about this as he continues to speak. "I keep telling them that it is not enough, that more guards are needed—especially in such times as these. But they are too caught up in their politicking with the Temple it seems to bother..."

Getting to his feet, Tambor continues on vehemently. "So, I am taking matters into my own hands. I need civic-minded people—such as yourself—to help protect the Scholar's Ward as auxiliaries to the normal city guard. So, Master de Guilliame, are you interested in helping to protect your home?"

Then, before Guilliame gets a chance to respond, he adds, "You would, of course, be paid for your service—extra in your case, because of your being a magus. You would also act with my full authority. So, what do you say?"

"How much time would you regard as expected? I still have studies to further and a business to run and I don't want to promise time I can't commit."

"This is a new idea," says Tambor, clearly caught up with his enthusiasm. "My manservant and I tried doing nightly patrols by ourselves after that evening we met at that house invasion... But he was injured a couple of nights ago in an altercation and so I have been having a rethink as to the best way to go about helping the guard. I have since come to the decision that perhaps the best way for the auxiliaries to help is to simply man the guard station so that the guards can do more patrols. Four hours—from about the second candle of the night until about midnight—is something I would like to try for the auxiliaries... And, as more people sign up, the fewer nights each individual would have to do. So, what do you say?"

"I am tempted. What would the remuneration be?"

Lord Tambor thinks for a moment and then, after referring to a scroll he takes from a sideboard, says, "Normal guards are paid 2 Constantines a day and have shifts that last for 8 candles... They also get fed during their shift and their standard armour and weapons are provided. Guards who are magi are also provided with spell components for those spells deemed relevant to their job, and those who are not paying off their king's patronage get an extra 5 Lions per day."

After another pause during which he checks something in a ledger, he then adds, "If you could provide your own equipment and magical components and don't require having a meal, I could see my way clear to paying you 25 Lions per four hour shift... Which would also be free of any tax implications because you would be performing a public service."

"I'd like to be of assistance to the city. Let me try for a 10day and see how things go. I can't start tonight though. Is that alright?"

"That is good news," says Sheriff Tambor, coming around the table and offering his hand for Guilliame to shake. "And tomorrow night to start will be fine. I certainly do not expect you to work every night, but I will need you to let me know, in advance, what nights you will be available, for scheduling purposes... I hope you will be the first of many civic-minded people who join the auxiliaries."

"I have some time today. Perhaps I can spend some time being briefed on what I should do. Also can I get a dispensation to carry my broadsword around town?"

"Certainly," says Sheriff Tambor. "You cannot do the job without the necessary authority or equipment; I will write you one up now." He then sits down and writes out a long message on a clean piece of paper, which he then signs and adds his seal to.

"There you go, but be aware that this only counts for anything in this ward," he says, handing the dispensation to Guilliame. He then adds, "I am going to get some armbands made up, which I will get to you tomorrow or the next day. And, if you want to go to the Ward guard station and introduce yourself to the handleader there today, please feel free. I have mentioned this scheme to them, but I have also included in your note that you are a member of the auxiliary. Let me know if you have any trouble."

"Can you think of anything else?" he then asks, smiling and offering his hand again.

[OOC: I have added the dispensation to Guilliame's character sheet.]

"If I can think of anything else I'll come back and let you know. I hope I can contribute to the city's peace and prosperity."

"My door will always be open to you," says Sheriff Tambor turning Guilliame towards said door. "Come any time you like. However for the moment you will need to excuse me, the end of the month is always a busy time and I have a lot of work to get through before I can take my lunch."

The sheriff then walks Guilliame back to the front office where the clerk and the female guard who was outside the door when Guilliame arrived are talking over small cups of steaming caf; the office currently being empty. The sheriff introduces Guilliame to the clerk—Magus Brassman—and the guard—Handleader Ahman—and tells them of his membership of the auxiliaries. He then asks the clerk for a cup of caf for himself before he disappears back into his office.

"You are doing a good thing, Master de Marchant," says the handleader. "Would you like me to escort you to the guard station and show you around?"

"Yes, thank you for that. How long have you been in the guard?"

"Several years," replies the handleader casually before she drains her small cup and places it back on the bench in front of the clerk. "Now, if you will please follow me."

[OOC: If you want to say something to the clerk, let me know and we can step back to include it.]

She thanks the clerk for the caf and then leads Guilliame outside where a male guard has taken her place at the door. The two then make their way through the busy streets of the Scholar's Ward to the guard post, which lies on the main northern road half between the bridge to the main island and North Island. This is a part of the Ward a little bit away from Guilliame's family shop and the School of Occult Studies and is more concerned with light industry rather than shops and residences. 

When they reach the shop, Guilliame is introduced to Handleader Wallus, another woman. "So," says the stocky middle-aged Stemian, "What makes you think you can help us guards?"

"Sheriff Tambor asked me. I know a bit of magick. I'm going to bring my own sword."

Handleader Ahman, the one who escorted Guilliame here from the Sheriff's Offices just smiled at the other handleader's blunt question, and was clearly interested in hearing Guilliame's answer herself.

when Guilliame finishes justifying the sheriff choosing him, Handleader Wallus just nods and says, "So, military service, I am guessing. You paid off your king's patronage in the army, but that was probably a few years back, so your weapon skills might be a bit rusty. Am I right?"

Before Guilliame can say anything, she continues. "But I wouldn't worry about that. If you are a sorcerer, you could be very useful. Lots of that sort of stuff goes on around here and there are very few magi in the guard... Present company excepted," she finishes, with a nod to Handleader Ahman.

Handleader Ahman just smiles and then says, "Dora, can I leave Master de Marchant with you to show him the way of things? I should be getting back."

The shorter woman nods and Handleader Ahman heads off back they way she and Guilliame came, leaving Guilliame with Handleader Wallus.

The guard station is set up on the side of the main northern road and is simply a covered area with a table, chairs and a small drum with a smouldering fire in it. At one end, there is a walled-off cabin inside which Guilliame can see a desk and a chair. At the moment, as well as the handleader, there are two other guards at the station—a Stemian man and a Sorendenese woman—seated under cover with earthenware mugs of some hot beverage who are staring at Guilliame with curiosity.

"So, Master de Marchant," says Handleader Wallus. "I am Dora. This is Jack and Alicia. What do we call you?"