I left Peko with a brief rundown at the bottom of the stairs, Iron Vanguard, paperwork, contract notarization, Mimi at the front desk if she was around, which was all Peko needed to hear before giving me a single nod and turning toward the staff section with Nom-Nom and the Vanguard in tow like the most terrifying PTA delegation in recorded history.
Then I went upstairs.
The noise from the bar below dropped off within the first few steps, the thick timber of the staircase and the floor above doing the work of a sound barrier.
By the time I reached the top landing, the guild hall might as well have been a different building.
The lighting up here came from enchanted lamps in wall sconces that put out a warm amber rather than the brighter utility light downstairs, even the tables here looked heavier, and the chairs had cushions.
There were maybe five parties up here.
