"Quiet," replies Samuel, putting his broom back in the corner before continuing to speak. "Your grandmother has gone to the market to get supplies. But she tells me you are working with the guard tonight. Sounds exciting. I will be interested in hearing what happens."

"I could be sitting at the station for a few hours twiddling my thumbs. I hope so. But I'll let you know one way or the other."

Samuel nods agreement and then, pointing to a corner of the shop where a lot of dry herbs are kept, says, "I saw some evidence of mice in that corner earlier..." and after a moment's pause adds, "I have told them to leave, but you can never tell with mice what they will do."

Then, changing the subject, he asks, "Do you mind if I go now, Guilliame? I promised Granny that I would stay until she came back, but I have a ritual I need to practice... and your here now anyway."

OOC How close to usual closing time is it? Is there time to stay open longer and still get changed, make a packed dinner, go back to library and make it back to station in good time?

[OOC: It is about two candles until closing time (i.e., sunset) and Guilliame isn't expected at the station until the second candle after sunset. However, the normal closing time for the store is about the same time as Velma finishes work.]

Keep the shop open for a candle. 

OOC Is there an going home rush or is business spread across the day normally?

[OOC:

I will assume you let Samuel go, let me know if you wish otherwise.

In answer to your question: there is no rush hour as it were. The nature of the traffic in the street outside would certainly change depending on the time of day and there is a lot less traffic at night but Masterful Mixtures is not on a main thoroughfare so it wouldn't see any significant increase in people travelling through the Ward going to or from their employment.

Could you please take a look at Guilliame's character sheet and start thinking about what he will take with him for his stint at the guard post tonight. Once you have decided, let me know and I will move the rest into his 'Other Possessions' tab.

]

About half way through the next candle, Granny Naomi arrives home, a basket of groceries in one hand and what looks like a bundle of hessian in the other.

"Hello Guilliame," she says as he meets her at the door. "You are home early today. Are you getting ready for tonight?"

Equipment to take:

Wear leather armour

Longsword

Dagger

Waterskin

Coin purse with 1 Con and 5 Lions

Writ of dispensation

Iron wristband

2 torches, Tinderbox

Apple

Get dressed. Grab a sandwich/light meal.

Say goodbye to Naomi. Suggest that she bar the door and arrange a knock to be let back in. Head across to the library if there is enough time to get there, have 10 minutes and head back to station.

[OOC: I will also add to the list Guilliame's component pouch, which he needs for some of his magic. He should also probably keep his School medallion.

Also, his spellbook would be needed if he wanted to cast any of his rituals, but it is pretty precious so he might choose to leave it at home to keep it safe. Up to you.]

Granny fusses over Guilliame as he prepares for the night and also gives him a black armband with the Lion of Engle stitch onto it in yellow thread that she says was delivered earlier in the day by someone from the Sheriff's Office [OOC: See here for reference]. Also, before he leaves, Naomi gives him a small vial of stink of life saying she hope he doesn't need it. [OOC: See here for previous mention of stink of life and here for the mechanics.] Guilliame then takes his leave of her after arranging the special knock that he will use on his return.

Walking through the early evening streets, Guilliame quickly becomes aware that he is drawing attention to himself with his sword and armour. He sees people he is familiar with start in recognition and then step aside, a look of apprehension on their faces despite any smiles of reassurance and the presence of the armband.

Apart from these looks of apprehension, he reaches the entrance to the school without incident. Knocking on the door, he hears Bruxa start barking and the observation slide on the door is soon slid across to show the face of Eddard Maclan looking out.

"Guilliame!" says Eddard, a little surprised at Guilliame's armour and weapons. Then after a moment he adds, "What is the meaning of approaching the School armed like this?"

[OOC: Don't forget to let me know if you want Guilliame to be carrying his spellbook. If he is, then he will also definitely need to be carrying a bag of some sort to carry it, his apple, and his waterskin.]

Leave the spell book. 

"Sorry. I didn't mean to cause a stir. I am starting work at the guard's station tonight and wanted to say good evening to Velma. Perhaps you could pass on my best wishes to her when she leaves and I shall be off."

Guilliame sees Eddard close his eyes briefly and suspects he is now being looked upon with Mage Sight.

After a moment, Eddard seems satisfied with what he is seeing and smiles. "You can tell her yourself, if you want?" he says, opening the door. "I was just a little surprised to see you in armour and carrying a sword in the street. I know you are skilled at arms, but I am just so used to seeing you in normal town clothes."

Bruxa, who can now see Guilliame, also seems a little surprised at Guilliame's appearance and continues to bark uncertainly.

"What is this about working at the guard station?" asks Eddard. "Do you not earn enough from your shop?"

"The shop is doing OK but it's nice to top up the income a bit to cover for rainy days. I'll just say a quick hello to Velma and be off. Thanks."

See if Braxa will have a little pat on the way up to library.

After giving Guilliame a good sniffing, Bruxa is willing to be patted.

Saying goodbye to the dog and Eddard, Guilliame makes his way through the grounds of the School heading in the direction of the Library. As he does, he gets lots of curious stares from the people he passes, though the people he knows do give him an uncertain smile in welcome. 

Reaching the Library, he is met at the entrance by Velma, who has a look of appraisal on her face. "Well look at you," she says, smiling. "You look quite dashing and even a little dangerous with that sword."

"I looked a bit too dangerous for Eddard. I won't come back dressed like this in the future. Anyway wish me luck. Hopefully it will be a quiet night tonight."

"I hope so too," says Velma, after smiling at Guilliame's comment about Eddard. "But you certainly look like you are ready to take on just about anything..."

After pausing for a moment, she asked, "I do not suppose you would be available to accompany a lady home, would you?"

[FYI, Velma's finishes work at sundown, which is still a little ways away, and Guilliame isn't due to start at the guard post until the second candle after sundown.]

"I can certainly do that. We'll take a torch to keep the stirges away."

Velma smiles and then says, "Do not worry about them, I have seen none since that night... The rain must have made them bold."

She then adds, "If you do not mind waiting a moment, I will just check everything is okay and get my things."

With that, she turns away, leaving Guilliame at the entrance.

As he stands waiting, he sees Master Narim and Mistress Althea come into view on their way towards the Administration block.

[OOC: At the moment, they do not see Guilliame. Does he want to make his presence known to them?]

"Good evening."

Stepping forward from the Library entrance, Guilliame hails the two masters. The two see him and head in his direction, Master Narim, speaking as they approach.

"Guilliame?" queries Master Narim, a frown on his face. "Why the armour and sword? Has something happened in the Library?"

"No. All fine. I am off to help at the guard station this evening. I should have thought before wandering around fully armoured."