[u]Day 16 Mid-Day
[/u]

Tailpin read the PMs as they came.   He kept up with Delcastle as he read but said nothing for a little while.  This wasn't just another player he was dealing with now.  It was his boss.  Decorum mattered and the boss's time was always in high demand.  It wouldn't do to waste it with chit-chat when there might be something valuable to say instead.

The conversation began with World Walkers' objectives and business model then moved into planned routes and marketing.  It seemed well thought out.  It also looked like the Guild might be likely to grow quickly once their value to the trapped community became more widely established.  They moved quickly from one topic to another.  Each was covered clearly but in no greater detail than necessary.  Then the topic became combat formations and, Tailpin supposed, job title.  It would seem that his job would be primarily acting as a forward scout for the guild with Delcastle himself, covering lots of ground and mapping it for the hunters who would follow after a good route was established.  The bulk of the conversation wound to a close with a caution regarding the variables of combat and the name of his immediate superior, Cinera.  

A feminine name and female pronouns with swordsman stated in the singular, that last raised an eyebrow for a second or two.  For a guild in Sword Art Online to form with only one person actually using a sword was definitely a little unusual.  Also, if she was involved in the rapid response portion of the formation then she was probably speed focused as well.  They didn't have a true heavy sword.  Still, that didn't mean that much at this level.  They could start having trouble with armored monsters later though.  Fast attacks had to be able to either damage or cripple in order to kite effectively.  This archer would need to spend some time with his 'immediate supervisor' sooner rather than later, ideally in combat.  With high speed battle, instinct was better than planning.  Plans couldn't keep up the pace.  He had to know that she trusted him and knew how he fought and he had to trust and know the same about her.  Still, time would teach all of that.  

The caution had more value to Tailpin as a mark of how much Delcastle valued his people.  As this was as real as death could make a world become, it was critical to understand whether or not the boss thought of his people as expendible.  Clearly, he did not.  Though, there was something in his manner that hinted to Tailpin that he had already tried to come to grips with the probability of losing at least a couple guildmates along the way.  It could simply be unavoidable as the risks of doing business increased.  Yet, Tailpin felt that such a tragedy would hit his new Guild Leader far too hard.  

If that did happen, then he would have to cover Delcastle in combat in case grief caused moments of weakness or slips in timing.  Those two things were almost guaranteed with a person grieving.  Tailpin knew that much from personal experience gained long before this game began.  They were part of healing and he would never hold them against someone.  All he would do is try to make sure that they didn't get anyone killed.  

The PMs didn't require too much thought.  They could be referred to later if he lost track of a detail or forgot part of the plan.  There were a couple things that did bear a little closer examination.

The list, for example, was both simple and deceptive.  In the end, almost all items within a game are designed to either increase the character's ability to survive or their ability to defeat enemies.  However, this list seemed to focus on the former.  Also, it wasn't just the completed items that were listed but the components required for players to craft them as well.  There were two such items that Tailpin had in abundance, though they were very low level.  If nothing else, they might be able to help out those who never gained the courage to leave the Town of Beginnings.  Still, it wasn't up to him to decide if they were valuable enough to make items from.

He had a boss now, and the business to consider.  If Delcastle had the connections and the business sense to really carry World Walkers forward through floor after floor of danger and profit then he would be the best person to find a use for the items that Tailpin had been holding on to.  He had amassed a large stockpile of two items, "Poisoned Flesh" and "Dirty Dog Hide".  He actually had a little over 900 of the hide and about 450 of the flesh.  If there was value there above what vendors offered then Delcastle should be able to find it.  Though it might not be easy.  Neither of these items actually seemed to drop from monsters.  Both of these items were the products of his Refining skill.  He had never seen either of them drop as is and he hadn't actually sold any yet.  In fact, it seemed unlikely that even the Information Brokers would know about them.

Tailpin's musing was cut short when he received a freshly minted guildwide message.  So, he wouldn't be going along the mapped forest route but would be preparing to head into that gorge to the east of town.  He hadn't gone on that side of town in two weeks, not since he mapped the immediate perimeter with Reaper and Emperor.  He knew that Reaper would be fine but he did have a little concern about Emperor.  Speed focused combat was sudden death.  You had to have the reactions for it, not just the stats.  Still, he had his own path to walk.  He would need to gather supplies before heading out that far.

Yet, it seemed that the keen eye of his Guild Leader had discerned a higher priority for this archer.  Yep, the bow was level five, an issue that he was already familiar with.  Tailpin was more pleased by the fact that Delcastle had a ready solution to that problem than he was likely to admit.  This boss seemed to be on top of things.  It was a good sign.

"Understood, I'll get it done."  He said simply.  But, he modified the trade before accepting his end, adding one of his Poisoned Flesh and a Dirty Dog Hide.  "Maybe you can find a use for these.  I've amassed a bit of a stockpile in the past two weeks."

With that done, Tailpin headed toward the market's eastern most area.  He kept his eyes open not only for a glaive but also for a stall that carried items that would mark the shopkeeper as a woodsman.  This Marco might not carry his weapon while running his business since a large shafted weapon would probably get in the way.  

There were a few stalls that visibly carried drop items that looked to be from forest creatures in the area near the eastern gate.  But, there was only one that showed crafted items based on those drops.  In fact, the reason why Delcastle sent him to this man to make the alternate deal was clear immediately.  

There was a set of crafted bows on display.  One was a shortbow, probably speed focused but it also looked lower level than what he had already.  One was a crossbow and looked to be a heavy one at that.  There were a few others in the range between them but a bow that looked to be composite with a stave almost long enough to be a longbow caught his eye and held it for a long moment.  That might well be close to his level.  It would definitely be an upgrade.

That was the last thing Tailpin contemplated before noticing that he had been standing there, staring, for several minutes while the shopkeeper attempted to get his attention.  Man, he was tired.  At least the job itself was a simple one.

"Sorry about that.  Are you Marco?" He asked.

"That's me." Marco replied affably enough, though he seemed a little intrigued.

"I'm here for World Walkers with a delivery of leather for you."  Tailpin continued, "But, Delcastle said to change the promised payment to a bow."

"Hmm?  You must be new to that guild, not that anybody could really be an old hand at this point." Marco pursed his lips for a moment while looking over the gear Tailpin was wearing. "I see, so he's moving you guys on from the forest then and wants you up to spec.  Alright, I have a bow that should suit you.  In fact, you've got a good eye."  He reached up onto his display and took down the composit bow.  "This is the one.  It should do nicely for you.  But, you should know that this bow is less expensive to me than the original deal.  Delcastle just did you a favor."

Tailpin smiled thinly as he opened the trade window and set up his end. "I had a feeling that he was.  I'll just have to make it worthwhile for him."

"You do that, he's good business." Marco said with a subtle note of warning as he finished his end of the trade.  "Thank him for the prompt delivery, would you?"

"Will do.  Thank you for your business." Tailpin finished with a good stage smile, bowed slightly, and walked away.

He waited until he was out of sight of the merchant to drop the smile, switch to his new bow, and test the draw.  It was closer to his strength limit but he should still be able to draw and fire quickly enough.  With the quality of the bow confirmed, he pulled up his menu and sent a PM to Delcastle.

[@Zelosse]

DELCASTLE, MISSION COMPLETE.  BOW IS SUITABLE.
CLIENT SENDS HIS THANKS FOR PROMPT DELIVERY.
GOING TO GATHER SUPPLIES FOR UPCOMING HUNT
PM IF ANY OTHER MISSIONS.

Tailpin headed to the area of the market with the greatest potion selection, yawning all the way.  He still had a lot of extra coin by this market's standard.  He actually had an idle thought about donating a chunk to the guild purse but decided against it.  It would be of more benefit to the guild if he simply equipped himself with some extras for other party members, just in case.  JIC supplies could save lots of lives.