Arc gives a confused look, raising an eyebrow and even laughs a little. "You are definitely a strange one Corti." He takes her hand and gives a small shake, "Not sure what kind of friend I'd be, but nice to meet you regardless."

The door opened just a crack, and an unfamiliar voice emerged from behind it. Judging by the small portion of the face she was able to see, Tarian concluded that the person behind the door must be another drow.

 »Who are ye, an’ whà d’ye want from ‘ems inside? »

Wilfred cut back in: “We can worry about logistics later, for now I want to show you a thing or two more for today.” With that, he led Thia towards a small niche towards the back third. Thia realised that the small cramped space with the old and worn footlocker, the flattened straw mat, the bandolier with flasks, potions and prepared packs hanging on an iron spike driven into the wall and the single leather-bound journal and a small stump of a candle was likely the entirety of Wilfred’s possessions.

He knelt on the straw might, lighting the candle and opening his notebook on an empty page. She looked at her, intensively, and said: “We hold no vows, but our own, we serve no masters, but the people. We treat indifferently, not according to wants, but according to needs.

I trust you have knowledge in alchemy. Can you explain to me the meaning of our symbol, and how it relates to what you know of us so far?”

Thia would nod intently, taking in the words Wilfred was sharing with her. When he asked her the meaning of their symbol, Thia would tap her nose as she pondered. Eventually she'd just think out loud "I interpret it as earth." She'd draw in the air with her finger an upside down triangle with a line through it. "And water." She'd draw another upside down triangle, mimicking it layered over the one she drew. "Which in turn would lead me to think of protection and healing... The ingredients to nurture and grow... maybe even balance..."

She'd continue adding in her thoughts with the groups name, "Veiled... masked... hidden or... anonymous. Valour... great courage... bravery... such as a warrior?" Thia would gather all those thoughts to sum it up, "Anonymous warriors of protection and healing....?" If Wilfred didn't waver his expression and kept Thia waiting too long for him to respond she'd start to fidget her fingers, scrunch her nose and wince a little. Hoping like heck she didn't make a complete fool of herself with her interpretation.

Ally? Enemy? Tarian fought the urge to reach for her sword. Either way, give them the truth, but only what’s necessary.

“Good afternoon. My name’s Tarian. I have an update for Mister Krull about a matter we discussed earlier. It’s something I’ll need to discuss with him directly. Is he available?”

Wilfred gave a chuckle. “That’s good Thia. Protection and change, life and growth. And the bravery of protection instead of destruction. But one aspect you missed. It’s the position of the symbols. Nothing ever changes and nothing can grow without perseverance. But over time, the smallest drop can erode stone. We have seen the death, destruction, and devastation that a war can bring. We have lived through nigh on a century of it, and though we are now in a state of ceasefire, the embers of war are still alight in the north. War, violence, greed, it is the rock. Our hope, and our will and devotion is the water. Through perseverance, we will change this world, until war and devastation are things of the past.”

With that, he reached into his bandolier, and after a short while, produced an old insignia of the Veiled Valour, as well as a needle and thread. “This is your first assignment, Thia. Welcome to the Veiled Valour!”

The door opened further, letting Tarian through. Inside, she saw four more drow, and the two Krulls. Sylvia looked up from her cup: “Saelvek managed to arrange for some protection for us. What is it?”

Brandt declines the offer, content to stand around and wait.

Krathgar looks at Brandt: “They could be a while, why don’t you step into the yard?”

"What's there in the yard?"

Thia would let out a sigh of relief hearing Wilfred's encouragement. She continued to listen intently to his words, nodding in agreement. When he produced the insignia she caught herself clapping her hands together in excitement before reaching for the items presented to her. She'd smile looking down at the insignia. Even the guild never gave her a crest.

"I better learn to sew!" she said half jokingly, chuckling a little nervously. Not much different than stitching right? She began holding it against her sleeve, positioning it where she'd imagine it'd be stitched.

Corti grins in response, “I certainly am, at that. And surprises are perfectly fine with me.” She looks out at the yard, “Now, we’d be happy to have you here as long as you’d like to stay, I’m sure some folks’d be happy to deal you into a card game, but if you have something important to do I wouldn’t want to keep you. I’m sure you’re quite a busy person.”

"As it happens I'm in the middle of negotiating with the foreman and leader of this strike, a Mr. Krull, to hopefully reach a compromise that meets both parties, reasonable expectations. I am expecting to meet with him at some point either today or tomorrow." He glances at the yard as well, "On that note, I suppose I'll be out of your hair. While I'm sure you wouldn't mind my presence, there are many people who would." He gives Corti a small smile, and a small nod of the head, "May you have a wonderful day."

The half-orc gave a chuckle at Brandt’s question: “They say there are old mercs and bold mercs. No need for the suspicion, we have card games and boxes to sit on if nothing else. Plus, should someone want to start trouble, we’d rather have you on our side of the fence, or at least that gun of yours.”

Turning his head towards Corti, he adds: “Though, by the looks of it, she’s done talking with the guy. Guess they’re free to talk with you now.”

Alexis squeezed Thia’s shoulder. “Well done This, welcome to our organisation. Wilfred and I have other duties to tend to now, but you can come and go as you please. I’d suggest bringing some of your thibgs here if you want, and otherwise Wilfred and I will meet you tomorrow for our rounds. We’ll have to check on the boy to make sure he’s not gotten any worse.”

“Oh, I, uh,” Tarian bowed her head. “Mister Saelvek, Missus Sylvia, I need to apologize. I wrote the letter and fully intended to send it, but it seems the postage is more than I can afford right now. I… haven’t sent any letters home since I arrived in Duskrock, so… I… I didn’t know.”

I feel like such a yokel.

Tarian pulled the letter from her bag and held it out in both hands. “If you still want to go there, you might need to deliver the letter on your own. I don’t know when I’d have enough to spare to send it myself, so it might not make it there before you do. I should probably tell you my father’s the sheriff,” she nodded to Saelvek, then to Sylvia, “and my mother’s the doctor. As long as you remember what I told you they used to call me, they’ll help you.”

Tarian’s arms, letter still in hand, dropped halfway. “Of course, if you’re undecided, I can hold onto the letter for now, and you can leave a message for me either with the Hermit’s Bushel in the Souk, or the Golden Gear in the Forge. I can always try to send it some other time.” Tarian reoffered the letter.

“Thank you” Thia would smile and nod at the pair. “I’ll be sure to touch base tomorrow to finish the rounds.” She’d bow her head to the pair. If there was nothing more to be addressed, Thia would take her leave to allow Wilfred and Alexis to finish their tasks.

A little stroll through the forge maybe? I could check in with the warforged unit and her workers on my way back home.(dorm room). 

Sylvia took the letter with her uninjured hand. “Thanks, a letter of introduction will help us just as well, and this way it’ll be there when we need it. I don’t know, how long Mr Cannith needs for his prosthetic, but when we see him again, we can plan further. In the meantime, thanks again for the service you have done us. And when we reach your parents we’ll be sure to let them know how you helped us. Is there anything else you would like us to transmit to them?”

Thia enjoyed the quiet walk through the city, just to process her thoughts. Walking through the Outer Ward, the Eastern Fields and now back to the Forge, she couldn’t help but think how necessary her new found organisation was. She barely passed a corner without seeing a veteran, or a homeless refugee struggling to get by. On several street corners and down the crooked alleyways she saw children who were orphaned by the war. The task they had set themselves was monumental, but it was also necessary.

After a while, she reached the factories. As she approached them however, she saw the mercenary bodyguard of Mr Sparks waiting at the factory gates, and Corti was nowhere to be seen.

Thia would approach the mercenary (Brandt) quietly and poke at his shoulder from behind, chancing to catch him off guard. “Hi again!”