Chapter Text
Barclay was utterly screwed. He sat at a large round table in the Mountains guild house with the most important people in the Wilderlands, the High Keepers. They were discussing his proposal to become ambassador for the Elsewheres and it wasn’t going in his favor at all. The presentation he had worked on for the last year and all the other years spent building his reputation as a Guardian were failing him.
“He’s an extremely accomplished Guardian.” The High Keeper of the Woods spoke. Francis Rosewood was tall and always had their hair in a perfect light brown bob. They were a sweet person, Barclay got along with them although they hadn’t spoken much.
“Yes, but does that translate to diplomacy? He has no experience in such a role.” The High Keeper of the Desert. Dalia Al-Hilli had her long black hair down around her shoulders and almost always wore a mischievous smile. Again Barclay didn’t know her very well but they hadn’t really hit it off well in the past.
“He is quite young.” Muttered the High Keeper of the Jungle. Ambika Bashir was a small and quiet woman, her salt and pepper hair was up in a bun.
“He isn’t any younger than me.” Viola spoke up. “We studied under the same mentor and took the same lessons, his age is not a valid reason to dismiss him.” At least Barclay had someone on his side.
“I agree with the Grand Keeper, I think the more pressing matter is his past behavior around another member of the guild.” Said the High Keeper of the Sea. Sean Orum was a severe man, with scars on his arms and a big blonde beard. He was large and intimidating.
Barclay’s blood ran cold, he couldn’t believe this was being brought up. Barclay didn’t think of himself as an angry person but when it came to Yasha Robinovich it was a different story, that man got more insufferable every minute. They have had many public arguments and it seems everywhere Barclay goes Yasha is somehow always there to annoy him, including now.
“If I may,” Barclay chimed in in an attempt to defend himself, “those incidents do not reflect my character as a whole, it is only that specific person I have had any trouble with.”
“I understand but this does not excuse the fact that you can’t keep a level head when interacting with someone you disagree with.” Sean said. “How can we expect you to handle discussions with foreign leaders?”
“These are completely different things, my relationship with Yasha is complicated and goes back years-“
Dalia cut him off, “Yes, we know the story. I think what is concerning Sean, and I for that matter, is the fact that you cannot put your pride aside for even the most important of times.”
“What are you referring to?” Barclay questioned.
“Refusing a guild assignment because someone you don’t like would be accompanying you? Making a scene at an inaugural ball?”
“Both of those incidents were started by him!” Barclay was livid, why was he being blamed for Yasha’s issues.
“And you escalated them.” Sean retorted with a glare. “Very similar to how you are right now.”
“Okay, that is enough.” Viola said, grabbing the attention of the room. “Does anyone else have thoughts on High Keeper Sean and Dalia’s argument?”
“I think it’s a fair point.” Said Ambika.
“It is highly unprofessional.” Francis reluctantly agreed.
Most of the room murmured in agreement and Barclay felt his heart drop to the floor, this was it, he wasn’t going to be able to help the Elsewheres. Viola gave him a pitying look from across the table before she raised her hand.
“All in favor of Barclay Thorne's proposal, raise your hand.” Viola spoke.
Two hands out of six were in the air. Before they even finished the vote Barclay stood up from his chair.
“Please, there has to be something I can do!” He was getting desperate. “Give me one more chance.”
“I’m afraid it has already been-“ Viola started.
“I have a suggestion.” Zanna Rykova spoke for the first time in a while, all heads turned to her. “We could pair him up with Robinovich for 6 months, if he can go the whole time without incident I say we give him the position.”
Oh. This is not something he had in mind. The rest of the room contemplated this and Barclay started to get more and more anxious, the consensus was leaning toward Zanna’s plan.
“Well it seems we have come to an agreement.” Viola stated. “Barclay, do you accept this arrangement?”
“Is there really… nothing else I can do?” Barclay said in an attempt to delay the inevitable.
“Take the deal son.” Sean said in a serious voice. “It’s the best chance you have.”
Barclay squeezed his hands into fists and let out a sigh. “Fine.” He muttered, “Yes I accept.”
The meeting was adjourned and while the group said their goodbyes the situation Barclay was in set in more and more, he had spent seven years of his life preparing everything for this moment. All the papers, meetings, sleepless nights, all for nothing if he couldn’t prove himself in the next six months. I mean, maybe he could do this, he’s a reasonable person. It was only six months right? He could do that, he just had to wait for mid summer. six months of Yasha… always around… and he couldn’t even tell him off. This was going to be a nightmare.
Before he left Viola flagged him down to have one last conversation.
“I’m really sorry Barclay, this is not the outcome I was expecting.” She said in an apologetic tone.
“It’s alright, I know you did everything you could.” Barclay sighed. “I’m just thankful I’m getting a chance at all, it was looking pretty bleak there for a minute.” He was telling the truth even if the second chance was his personal hell.
“I know this isn’t ideal for you,” Viola said, “but I know you can do this. I will help wherever I can, just don’t cause a scene and you are guaranteed the position.”
Easier said than done. Barclay gave her a light smile.
“I will be sending letters to you and Yasha detailing the arrangements, I will assign you to a mission and any commissions you take after that will be done together.” Viola said, speaking in her ‘Grand Keeper’ voice. “I recommend staying in the same place, it will be more convenient.”
“Sounds… great.” Barclay said through clenched teeth.
Barclay’s mood was not improved by the weather as it was pouring outside because of course it was. He took Root out of his mark for the first time in hours, he stretched and padded over to his keeper sensing his mood. Barclay hugged him. “I’ll be okay, bud.”
Before he took off running down the white marble steps of the guild house he noticed High Keeper Al-Hilli whispering with someone nearby, he hadn’t been staring for more than a few seconds when the second person noticed Barclay and his eyes grew wide. Dalia turned to Barclay quickly and waved before ushering the person she was talking with inside, this was a bit of a strange interaction to him but it wasn’t his business, he had bigger fish to fry.
————
The next three days were fairly boring all things considered but the dreaded day had unfortunately arrived, he was meeting Yasha in Vulpur as they were to investigate the theft of several medicines and elixirs from an apothecary shop. The dragon ride there was pleasant and while he waited Barclay pondered the case. It wasn’t a typical mission he would be sent on as these kinds of things usually got sorted out quickly, so he assumed there was something big going on. The stolen items must be important, maybe truth serum? He didn’t know. All of this was a distraction to not think about his impending doom, Yasha wasn’t something he willingly wanted to think about. Part of Barclay hoped that Yasha wouldn’t even show up and it would be his fault the plan fell through, but Barclay knew he would. Viola had mentioned that they would be paid double their usual salary for the next six months because of course Yasha would show up for some extra kritters, not a friend in need. Barclay huffed, the thought of this whole thing was pissing him off but he took a deep breath and tried to get his emotions under control, he was not going to be the reason this fails on the first day.
Being in the jungle improved his mood, it was truly gorgeous and it never got dull no matter how many times he’d been. The trees were as tall as mountains and the flowers in bloom came in every color of the rainbow, the smell of fresh rain and soil relaxed barclay. Vulpur was as lively as ever, people pushed by him in a rush and vendors on the sides of the street shouted about their great products and even better deals. The Jungle guild house was extravagant with a big central room full of archways and large open windows, statues of Jungle beasts were sprinkled around the place.
Barclay scanned the room in search of his ‘friend’ but couldn’t see him, he should be here already but it was just like him to- a voice behind him cut off his thought abruptly.
“Hello, partner.”
Barclay whipped around to see exactly who he thought. “Yasha.” He tried to say without scowling too much. “Don’t sneak up on me like that.”
“As warm as always.” Yasha said with a smirk.
“You don’t give me much reason to be.” Barclay narrowed his eyes.
“Oh please, I’m always warm.” Yasha rebuttaled, he leaned against one of the arches and crossed his arms.
Barclay rolled his eyes “Whatever.” He turned to leave the blonde behind and find another guild member to get more information on the case, Yasha followed of course.
“You might want to be a little nicer to me considering the circumstances.”
Barclay cringed, he was wondering how much Viola told Yasha about why they were being paired up out of the blue, and it seemed like she told him everything.
“Listen, I’m sorry.” Barclay sighed “let’s just try to get through this as smoothly as possible.”
Yasha scoffed. “Wow, an apology. I’m impressed.” He jabbed in a sarcastic tone of voice. He was not trying to make this go smoothly.
“Oh, you're one to talk,” Barclay snapped back. Yasha was a difficult person to understand and Barclay tried for a long time but there came a point where he realized that you can’t help someone who doesn’t want it.
Yasha just ‘tsks’ in response and crosses his arms. Barclay was about to reply by saying he always avoids conversations like this but before he can Yasha quickly grabs his arm and pulls him back.
Barclay shakes off Yasha’s firm grip “What the hell?!” Barclay exclaimed.
“You were about to run into the pillar.” Yasha said with a shrug. Barclay looked ahead of himself and sure enough one of the supports for the building was right there.
“Ugh, that wouldn’t have happened if you weren’t so annoying.”
“Careful, you might lose that nice cushy job opportunity.”
“Cushy? I-“ Barclay was again interrupted by a familiar voice.
“Barclay?”
Barclay was surprised to see Tadg standing there even though he knew he had been living here with Hasu for a while, he was a welcome sight anyway.
“Tadg!” Barclay ran over to his former fellow apprentice. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Why are you talking to him?” Tadg glared at Yasha with more disdain for him than even Barclay could manage.
“We are on a mission together…” Barclay laughed nervously, “For the next six months.”
Tadg’s eyes widened at this and finally turned to look at Barclay. “You can’t be serious.”
“Oh, he’s very serious.” Yasha had finally made his way over to them.
Tadg gave him a disgusted glance but continued to talk to Barclay. “Why would you go along with this? Ask Viola for a replacement.”
“Ouch.” Yasha said bluntly.
“I can’t exactly do that.” Barclay sighs.
“Of course you can, you are literally Barclay Thorne.” Tadg huffed. Barclay wished it was that simple, that he could just do what he wanted because he saved the Wilderlands from impending doom or whatever. But he had to be held to the same standard as everyone else, or rather an even higher standard because, the boy who could defeat Audrian Keyes must be perfect right?
“It was his choice.” Yasha said nonchalantly. “He needs me.”
This got Tadg’s attention. “Yeah, no way I’m believing that.” He walked up to the blonde and jabbed his finger against his chest “No one needs a liar like you around.”
Yasha wasn’t phased, he stared up at the taller man, eyes burning with rage. Barclay pushed them apart before something disastrous happened.
“That’s enough, I can’t have you two causing a scene.” Barclay was losing faith in getting that job rapidly. “Yasha is telling the truth, I do technically need him for something.”
“What could possibly be so important you need to do it with him.” Tadg groaned.
“I promise I’ll fill you in later but right now we have to be colleagues okay?” Barclay begged, he just wanted to get started on this mission so he had something else to focus on. “Do you have any information on the recent theft at ‘Saunter Tree Serums’? I’m assuming something big happened otherwise they wouldn’t have sent both of us.”
Tadg hesitated slightly, still confused by the whole situation but finally relented. “You are correct, it’s a very large store that also doubles as a lab. Allegedly the items that were stolen were some new experimental elixirs not yet approved for the public, the owners claim the theft shouldn’t have been possible as the only people who knew about the product were them, and some apothecary alumni who they were hoping would approve it for sale.”
“Interesting…” Barclay pondered. “Do you happen to know what the elixirs were for?”
Tadg crossed his arms. “No, the owners haven’t revealed it to anyone not working on the case.”
“It’s possible it’s an employee.” Yasha wondered out loud, “Or even one of the owners themselves…”
Tadg rolled his eyes “They’d have no reason to do that and then report it.”
Yasha shrugged. “I guess we’ll see.”
“Thank you for the information Tadg, we’d better get going.” Barclay interjected, he didn’t want them to get into a fight again.
“Yeah, whatever.” Tadg said.
Barclay gave him a quick hug that was somewhat returned and whispered to him before he left, “I’ll meet up with you and Hasu later and tell you everything, promise.”
Tadg responded with a curt nod and Barclay reluctantly headed off to the crime scene with his unbearable companion.