"Supreme Magus Verhen!" A plump middle-aged man with a receding hairline jumped from his seat and ran to Lith. "The gods have answered our prayers. Thank you for coming here after receiving our plea for help."
"What plea?" Lith replied in confusion.
"You didn't receive it?" The village head was even more confused. "That's why that whoreson of Tarkith has yet to return! I bet he's spending the communication fee on beer and whores!"
"Village head, I'm Supreme Magus Lith Verhen and these are my friends." Lith waved at his companions and gave the man a slight nod. "Also, sending a message costs nothing unless you bribe one of the Mage Association's clerks.
"Yet no matter how much you pay, no one would disturb me or any powerful mage unless the Association is directly involved."
