83. It Makes No Difference to the Ant

Crossing the Adventure Society grounds, Jason meets Phoebe Geller, who recruits him for a large expedition to hunt the Ustei sand barge threatening coin shipments. She will pass details to Humphrey. Jason then heads into the administration building, is directed by Albert, and waits with Beth Cavendish, discussing Rufus’s assessments and Mose Cavendish’s strengths.

Mose arrives to collect Beth, and Jason is ushered into a courtroom-like chamber before a three-person panel: Director Elspeth Arella, Vincent, and an elderly elf adjudicator. The adjudicator questions Jason’s performance on the recent escort contract. Jason candidly admits his “critically poor” conduct in provoking Thadwick Mercer, accepts full responsibility for the loss of teammates—including the healer—and notes the team still performed adequately in multiple combats.

Challenged on refusing to attack the Ustei directly, Jason argues the contract’s scope was delivery, not initiating battle against unknown odds. Asked about the Old City rat-clearing job, he clarifies his report—others, including a rat gorger, killed some rats—and asserts all were eliminated, declining to reveal the nature of his tracking ability.

When he mentions being urged to grow stronger by someone at the temple of Knowledge, the goddess’s aura briefly intrudes, startling the panel. Jason downplays the significance, comparing divine and institutional power from an ant’s perspective, and masks his nerves with humor.

After conferring, the panel calls Jason forward. Director Arella marks his badge with a second star. The adjudicator warns him to avoid repeats of the Thadwick incident, while Vincent grants access to one- and two-star jobs. Jason acknowledges the higher standard, joking that making a fool of himself is his habit.