Ordinarily, on any other day, Erin would have been thrilled to have an inn full of guests. However, today just wasn\u2019t that kind of day. She was tired, upset, ashamed of herself, and currently understaffed. Erin rushed from table to table with drinks as Drassi, Ishkr, and Lyonette all did the same. She was relieved none of the adventurers from Pallass were hungry, but everyone wanted a drink. They were sitting about, Drakes mainly, but a good number of Gnolls, chatting while the team leaders gathered around a table with Ilvriss and the other bigwigs, discussing strategy.<\/p>\n
\u201cInnkeep! Firebreath Whiskey for us over here!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot for me! Rum if you have it!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you have any mild ales?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat about wine? Or\u2026a fruit juice?\u201d<\/p>\n
That last came from a feathered bird-woman. Erin nearly dropped her tray when she saw the Garuda. The adventurers of Pallass hailed from the southern part of Izril, which was, again, mainly inhabited by Drakes and Gnolls. But exceptions always existed.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got juice. What would you like?\u201d<\/p>\n
The Garuda brightened. She asked for Erin\u2019s menu, then chose some grape juice\u2014which was one of the few juices Erin had, really. Fruit juice was expensive! Especially because it had a shorter shelf life than alcohol. Ironically, you could get a keg of alcohol for less than some good old-fashioned apple juice. Apple cider<\/em> on the other hand\u2026Erin wondered if she could find a nice farm around here willing to sell her fruits for cheap. Didn\u2019t Ryoka say she\u2019d visited a farm once?<\/p>\n She was distracting herself. Erin went over to her bar and filled a mug with juice. Mrsha popped up, surprising her.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, Mrsha. Do you want a drink?\u201d<\/p>\n The little Gnoll shook her head. She took a mug and filled it with ale. Then she scampered over to a table and offered it to a surprised Drake. Erin watched Mrsha run back. She felt her heart squeeze.<\/p>\n \u201cYou are so responsible! Good job!\u201d<\/p>\n She patted Mrsha on the head and watched the Gnoll smile, then hurried back to the Garuda.<\/p>\n \u201cHere\u2019s your drink!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you. I\u2019d like to drink, but alcohol goes through me faster than normal. And it seems we\u2019ll be busy soon.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou mean with fighting? The Raskghar are gone.\u201d<\/p>\n The Garuda nodded. Her companions, Drakes with wings folded on their backs, blinked as Mrsha ran up with two mugs, slopping a bit over the sides. The Garuda sipped from her mug with her beak. She was strikingly brilliant\u2014her feathers were a beautiful spring green color with white and slightly pink feathers patterning down her arms and legs.<\/p>\n Her entire body was covered in feathers, and her clothing was minimal\u2014like the Gnolls, she wore only enough for modesty. She had a shortsword by her side and carried what looked like a bag of holding at her belt and nothing else. She wasn\u2019t even wearing armor like some of the Drakes who were practically clanking with metal.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s true, Miss. But the dungeon remains. And that\u2019s why we\u2019re here. My team thought about entering it, but that\u2019s not our usual forte so we held back. But duty is duty. Pardon me, I haven\u2019t introduced myself. Bevussa Slenderscale. I\u2019m with the Wings of Pallass.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh! The Gold-rank team? But you\u2019re\u2026and your name\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Erin frowned, confused. Bevussa smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m adopted. My people are known as Garuda. They live on Chandrar almost exclusively, but I was abandoned as a chick and taken in by Drakes living in Pallass. Hence the name.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin slapped her forehead.<\/p>\n \u201cThat makes sense! Sorry, I\u2019m a bit muddled. I was fighting off giant, angry Raskghar a few hours ago. I\u2019m so glad you\u2019re here. Your team are all Oldblood Drakes, aren\u2019t they?\u201d<\/p>\n She nodded at the others. The Drakes looked surprised that she knew the term for them. Bevussa smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cCorrect. We\u2019re a rare group. I got in because I can fly. The others are all Oldblood, as is our, uh, leader.\u201d<\/p>\n The Garuda nodded to the Drake who\u2019d first introduced her group. Erin peered over at the Drake as she stood with the other adventurer leaders at the front of the group. The captain of The Wings of Pallass was tall for a Drake and striking with her wings folded at her back. Erin saw the other adventurers from Pallass giving her some respectful space.<\/p>\n \u201cWow. That\u2019s cool. Sorry, I\u2019d love to chat more, but I have to keep waiting tables.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course, Miss\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n The young woman turned and grinned.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m Erin Solstice. This is my inn! Don\u2019t mind the mess! Or the blood. Or the Hobs. We have a sign!\u201d<\/p>\n She pointed at the prominent sign she\u2019d propped up next to the bar. It was the copy of the one some of the adventurers had stared at as they\u2019d entered the inn via Pallass. Bevussa eyed it.<\/p>\n \u201cHuh. This is one weird inn. What do you think?\u201d<\/p>\n She glanced at her teammates. The two Drakes stared at the Redfang Warriors who were doing their best not<\/em> to attract any attention as they hauled the Cave Goblin\u2014still tied to the chair\u2014to a far corner of the room. One of the Drakes with purple scales and a scar running down the left side of her neck leaned over.<\/p>\n \u201cWe were told by that Watch Captain that this inn is unusual, Captain. It even has Antinium<\/em> in it! Do you think all the inns in Liscor are like this? Or is this about the Antinium entering the dungeon?\u201d<\/p>\n Bevussa grimaced and glanced around. All the other adventurers were busy gossiping. She leaned forwards.<\/p>\n \u201cI told <\/em>you not to call me that! When we\u2019re in public, Issa\u2019s the Captain, got it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSorry.\u201d<\/p>\n Disgruntled, Bevussa leaned back in her chair and sipped from her drink. Probably every Gnoll in the room had heard her if they\u2019d been listening in, but it was only the Drakes she was concerned about. She glanced around and then frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy\u2019s that Antinium staring at me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The adventurers standing around the table were in rapid conference with the officials from Liscor. All of them were team captains, and almost all of them were Silver-rank or higher. A few were Gold-rank, and they intimidated Ceria. She felt squished<\/em> as she stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the Silver-ranks. Ceria also felt like a fraud as she looked around at the serious adventurers from Pallass.<\/p>\n Each one of them was an accredited leader of a Silver-rank team. Hell, even Pallass\u2019 bronze-rank adventurers looked like they knew how to fight. Maybe the Drakes had a different standard for adventurers because Ceria had never seen so many scars on a Bronze<\/em>-rank adventurer before. She shifted, stepped on someone\u2019s tail, and winced. It was packed! At least the discussion taking place wasn\u2019t that involved.<\/p>\n Halrac, Jelaqua, Ylawes, and four other Gold-rank Captains stood around the table. One of them, the huge Drake wearing plate armor who was the leader of the Flamewardens, spoke. His voice rasped, and every time he coughed, smoke or blue flames issued from his mouth. He had a lot<\/em> of space around him, despite the press of bodies.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re honored to help, Wall Lord. And we\u2019ve been apprised of Liscor\u2019s situation. Our teams have studied the recordings of the Face-Eater Moth attack, and we\u2019re aware of the annual flooding. Obviously.\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss nodded. The Wall Lord straightened in his chair, looking around importantly.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd I thank you on behalf of Liscor. As Wall Lord of Salazsar, I personally guarantee all of the bounties promised by the Adventurer\u2019s Guild will be met. Tell me, do you have a plan of attack?\u201d<\/p>\n Halrac, Jelaqua, and Ylawes all shifted, looking annoyed. But the Captain of the Flamewardens nodded decisively.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have a clear dynamic to how this dungeon must be conquered. If these\u2026Raskghar<\/em> are strongest at night, we adventurers must move by day. Our team will enter as soon as day breaks. Until then, we will prepare. I\u2019m told this inn isn\u2019t part of Liscor. Where might we seek lodgings inside the city?\u201d<\/p>\n The Wall Lord grimaced.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are a number of inns within the premises of Liscor. They are already quite full, but I personally reside at the Tailless Thief. I will speak with the innkeeper and see if any rooms can be made available. As for the other teams, they may have to seek lodgings with Celum if no more rooms can be found within Liscor.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCelum? <\/em>Isn\u2019t that a Human city a hundred miles north of here?\u201d<\/p>\n The other adventurers were astonished. Ilvriss nodded coolly.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is. But this inn is unique. The magic door that transported you all here from Pallass will also transport anyone from Liscor to Celum.\u201d<\/p>\n The adventurers stared at the door they\u2019d entered and murmured. Ceria felt a bit of pride\u2014even the Gold-ranks looked impressed. One of the Silver-rank Captains spoke up.<\/p>\n \u201cDoes the innkeeper have any rooms to let here?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSadly, I believe they\u2019re all occupied. By Goblins, no less.\u201d<\/p>\n Ilvriss sighed. He looked around at the adventurers.<\/p>\n \u201cI will remind you all that Liscor is allied<\/em> with the local Antinium Hive. Furthermore, this inn itself has proven itself\u2026useful, so the laws of Miss Solstice, the Human who owns it, are also to be respected. Aside from that, I am honored to see so many brave souls from Pallass arriving to assist Liscor in its hour of need. I personally wish you the best of luck in your expedition into the dungeon.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Wall Lord.\u201d<\/p>\n The Flamewarden\u2019s Captain inclined his head, and Ilvriss did the same. The Gold-rank adventurer looked at Jelaqua.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have a limited window of time before we commence the dungeon raid. Does the Adventurer\u2019s Guild have any guides or maps of the dungeon, Miss Selphid? Or can we buy the information from your team?\u201d<\/p>\n Jelaqua folded her arms, her tail tangling the legs of the Drakes standing beside her as it lashed.<\/p>\n \u201cBold, aren\u2019t you? I thought only the Silver-rank teams were crazy enough to go into a dungeon without prepping.\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake met her eyes levelly.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re ready to fight. And my team hardly intends to go in alone.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExactly. We\u2019ve discussed the issue amongst ourselves, and we\u2019ve elected to go in strong. We\u2019ll hit the rift the Raskghar came from. Not as one, but as a united front, yes?\u201d<\/p>\n Another Gold-rank adventurer spoke up. Jelaqua glanced at the Gnoll.<\/p>\n \u201cYour team too? I get that there\u2019s safety in numbers, but this dungeon isn\u2019t something to be underestimated! Fine, if it\u2019s three Gold-rank teams or something\u2026hells, how many are going in today?\u201d<\/p>\n The adventurers looked at each other. The Flamewarden\u2019s Captain bared his teeth and spat a bit of flame.<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Over a hundred adventurers in her inn. Maybe two hundred? No. Over a hundred. Erin tried to guesstimate the numbers as she ran figures in her head. Guesstimate was a word, wasn\u2019t it? It didn\u2019t sound like it should be one. It sounded\u2026fake.<\/p>\n And they were all going into the dungeon. All at once. Faced with that news, the other teams decided they\u2019d join in too. After all, there might not be safety in numbers all the time, but if an army of adventurers was going in to save the missing Gnolls, you didn\u2019t want to be the one team that stayed behind.<\/p>\n Erin\u2019s stomach hurt as she thought of the missing Gnolls. It hurt harder as she remembered the Raskghar attack. She pushed the feeling down as she waved her hands desperately, trying to attract the attention of the mob of adventurers as they headed for the door to Liscor. They\u2019d already left coins on the table for the drinks. Erin saw Lyonette sweeping them up and wondered how much they\u2019d made already.<\/p>\n \u201cExcuse me! Excuse me!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n They all looked at her. Erin smiled, feeling a bit of sweat run down her back.<\/p>\n \u201cUh. Hi. I\u2019m Erin Solstice. I run this inn. I, uh, hope you all go into the dungeon safe and sound.\u201d<\/p>\n They stared at her. Awkwardly, Erin fumbled with a jar of thick blue soup and held it up.<\/p>\n \u201cThe thing is\u2014I also sell stuff to adventurers. My inn is connected to an [Alchemist]\u2019s shop in Celum, and I sell other stuff! Like magic food. I have this soup that makes you warm\u2014uh, keeps you warm. It\u2019s magic. And I have another dish that makes your skin tougher! Come back and try it! I\u2019m selling it at a discount to anyone that needs it. [Guardsmen], adventurers\u2014anyone!\u201d<\/p>\n She looked at Zevara, who was waiting by the door with Relc and Klbkch. The Watch Captain eyed the blue soup and shuddered, but gave Erin a slight nod. The adventurers murmured, and some came over to try her Corusdeer soup. Erin had a feeling that no one would want that soup when they entered the dungeon, so she willingly gave out samples and answered questions about whether her food would conflict with other magical enchantments and how long it would last and so on.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s one way to do business. I wonder how many teams will buy from you. We\u2019ll be buying some of your Scale Soup before we go.\u201d<\/p>\n Jelaqua strolled over as the press of adventurers broke up around Erin. The [Innkeeper] stared into her mostly empty jar.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s called Scale Salad now, actually, Jelaqua. I finally figured out how to make it taste a little better. The soup still has all those crunchy bits in it, but the salad\u2019s\u2026well it\u2019s still got crunchy bits, but it tastes palatable. If crunchy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHey, whatever works. I can turn my taste buds off. And I think any adventurer would gargle rocks if it meant they\u2019d survive an arrow to the chest.\u201d<\/p>\n Jelaqua smiled. The Selphid looked at the press of adventurers lined up to leave Erin\u2019s inn through either doorway and shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cDead gods, what a mess. I guess this is a good thing but\u2014damn it, I can\u2019t say I enjoy seeing this.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? All the other adventurers?\u201d<\/p>\n The Selphid nodded, looking miserable.<\/p>\n \u201cCompetition. I feel like a stomach ulcer for saying it, but it\u2019s true. All these other teams means we\u2019ve got a lot less of a chance of making it big on the dungeon. Saving the Gnolls would be great, but\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The Selphid shrugged. Erin nodded slowly. Jelaqua and her team\u2014and Griffon Hunt\u2014had invested a lot into this dungeon. They\u2019d worked tirelessly. It had to be hard seeing so many adventurers come in right when they felt like they were making progress.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t be. The people come first. And it\u2019s not like they\u2019re stealing anything.\u201d<\/p>\n Jelaqua smiled crookedly. Seborn came over, and Moore edged around all the Drakes.<\/p>\n \u201cLooks like we\u2019re entering the dungeon. How much of that foul soup do you have, Erin?<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI made it taste better! It\u2019s a salad now\u2014well, it looks like a salad if you squint. I\u2019ll have to make a lot<\/em> more today.\u201d<\/p>\n Moore rumbled as he bent down, looking serious.<\/p>\n \u201cJust be sure to take care of your inn first, Erin. I heard the Watch Captain speaking to Olesm and her [Guardsmen]. Liscor will be fortifying while the adventurers go in. You should do the same. We will be here tonight, but it would be better if you made some preparations. Especially for young Mrsha.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin nodded seriously.<\/p>\n \u201cI will, Moore. Don\u2019t worry. That\u2019s on the top of my list. That\u2019s why I\u2019m pitching to the adventurers, actually.\u201d<\/p>\n It was for the money. Of course, Erin appreciated money in any circumstances, but right now she was desperate for as much as she could get. The Halfseekers left her inn with the Horns and the rest of the adventurers. They wanted to talk more with the new adventurers, and most of them had agreed to meet up in the Adventurer\u2019s Guild after they found a place to stay. That news made Selys swear a blue streak and mutter about crowds as long as an ancestor\u2019s tail. She ran off after saying the briefest of goodbyes to Erin.<\/p>\n Suddenly, Erin\u2019s inn was empty. She stared around and saw Lyonette, Drassi, and Ishkr cleaning up with Mrsha dutifully helping. The Redfang Goblins were sitting in a corner with the little Cave Goblin, chattering amongst themselves, and Bird and Klbkch were talking to each other. Aside from that, everyone had gone.<\/p>\n Erin sighed and felt a bit of the mad energy leave her. She looked around and realized that the room was lighter. The sun was rising into the sky, and with it came light. Erin blinked at it and realized she hadn\u2019t slept since the Raskghar attack! She wobbled and sat down at a table.<\/p>\n Only now did she feel exhausted. Only now did she remember last night and let herself give into a bit of the guilt and fear that had been flooding her. Erin rested her forehead on her arm, suddenly too tired to move, but too worn down to sleep.<\/p>\n It was there that Rabbiteater found Erin. The Hob shuffled over, his water cloak swirling around his shoulders. The other Hobs were busy patting Headscratcher\u2019s muscles and pestering Numbtongue to play them music on the mostly broken guitar. But Rabbiteater had noticed Erin\u2019s slump and came over to check if she was dead. She was not, and when she saw the Hob come over, Erin sat up.<\/p>\n \u201cRabbiteater. Are you okay?\u201d<\/p>\n The Redfang Warrior nodded. Erin eyed him from head to toe. He looked okay. But she remembered him kneeling on the ground, covered in blood as the Raskghar attacked. She spoke softly.<\/p>\n \u201cI feel pretty useless.\u201d<\/p>\n Rabbiteater stared down at Erin. Rather predictably, he didn\u2019t say anything. He hesitated and then pulled up a chair next to Erin. She glanced up and saw his red eyes staring at her.<\/p>\n Goblins had pupils. It was just that their eyes looked uniformly red at a distance. However, Erin had stared at enough Goblins to know that the whites of their eyes were red, as were the cornea. The pupils, by contrast, were the darkest part of their eyes. She saw Rabbiteater\u2019s focus on her now. The Hob waited for Erin to speak.<\/p>\n \u201cYou saved me last night. You and the others. If you hadn\u2019t been there, the Raskghar would have killed me.\u201d<\/p>\n Rabbiteater didn\u2019t respond. Erin stared down at her hands.<\/p>\n \u201cYou saved me. I didn\u2019t do\u2026anything. I threw pots and pans and knives, and those Raskghar just blocked or ignored everything. I\u2019m sorry, Rabbiteater. If you hadn\u2019t blocked them, they would have gutted me in a moment. I was so scared I couldn\u2019t even use my aura on them.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin remembered trying. She remembered throwing her kitchen knife, watching it slice the Raskghar\u2019s arm, as useless as spit. She\u2019d thrown a frying pan at the Raskghar next, but it had done almost nothing. For the first time, Erin had been acutely aware of her weakness. She was an [Innkeeper]. Not a warrior. And the Hobs had nearly lost a fight against the Raskghar themselves. After a while, Erin went on.<\/p>\n \u201cI was so very glad to see everyone was okay. Even Ilvriss\u2019 jerk face. He is<\/em> a good leader, you know. He just happens to be racist, arrogant, and hate cake. But he does care about Liscor.\u201d<\/p>\n Rabbiteater nodded. Erin sighed and rubbed at her eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t believe how unprepared I was. I thought I could do something if I got attacked. But I keep relying on you guys. It\u2019s a class thing. But I should have done more to prepare. I hope you leveled from the fighting at least.\u201d<\/p>\n She looked up. Rabbiteater nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s good. Really. I haven\u2019t slept yet. But I don\u2019t think I will. As innkeeping goes, defending my inn doesn\u2019t seem like it earns me many levels. Anyways, I just wanted to say thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n Rabbiteater shrugged and smiled. That was the Redfang Warriors for you. They were casual\u2014no, modest about what they did. Erin sighed. Then she leaned over. She gave Rabbiteater a one-armed hug, and the Hobgoblin froze. Erin grinned.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re too shy, you know that? You and all the other Goblins.\u201d<\/p>\n Then she got down to business. Namely, the business of defending her inn. Erin\u2019s brows drew together sharply as she thought. The Raskghar would come back. Krshia had told everyone that. The full moon hadn\u2019t even been full yesterday. That meant there would be more nights of attacks. More fighting. Erin was determined that last night\u2019s desperate struggle wouldn\u2019t happen again.<\/p>\n She needed defenses. More defenses than just Bird, that was. It was funny. She\u2019d invested in an Antinium watch tower, Hobgoblin security, and she had two adventuring teams under her roof, but Erin hadn\u2019t yet done anything as simple as setting out some traps. Surely there were some she could buy or manufacture, right?<\/p>\n Erin thought about traps. She thought about boiling oil, pitfalls, giant walls of spikes that swung out, and then thought about how realistic any of that was.<\/p>\n \u201cMm. Nope. I don\u2019t have the budget for any of that. And I\u2019m on a time limit. What can I put out that\u2019ll really inconvenience a Raskghar coming my way?\u201d<\/p>\n Rabbiteater scratched his head.<\/p>\n \u201cNail? Sharp rock?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNails? I guess. That\u2019d really hurt, yeah. Sharp rocks\u2026caltrops, maybe? But who makes caltrops? Really? No, there\u2019s gotta be something\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Erin snapped her fingers together.<\/p>\n \u201cBear traps! Landmines? Nope. Bear traps. Uh\u2026attack runes? I don\u2019t think I\u2019ve got time to hire anyone for those. So bear traps. They have those in Liscor, right? Krshia knows a lot of [Hunters]. She\u2019s got<\/em> to have something like that in stock. Hey, Lyonette! I need you to go shopping for something!\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette looked up, her arms full of empty mugs. She came over as Erin found a piece of parchment and began to write an order on it.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s up, Erin?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI need you to buy something pronto. To defend the inn. Go to Krshia and see if she knows where they sell bear traps, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBear what?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBear traps. They have them here, don\u2019t they? Big, spiky things that go snap<\/em> when something steps on them?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin looked expectantly at Lyonette. The Human girl looked at Rabbiteater, and the Hobgoblin shrugged. Erin\u2019s face fell.<\/p>\n \u201cWait, they don\u2019t<\/em> have them?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe they do. What do they look like?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Innkeeper] frowned. She turned the bit of parchment over and fiddled with the stick of charcoal.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, they\u2019re like two steel jaws that close on anything that steps on them. I know it\u2019s really cruel to animals, but if I was hunting, like, giant Rock Crabs or something really evil\u2026like a Troll? I\u2019d use one of these. It looks\u2026like this. See?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin sketched out the bear trap on the parchment and held it up. Rabbiteater took the sketch Erin had made and looked at it dubiously. He tilted his head, frowned, and then turned the parchment upside down. That didn\u2019t help.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, it\u2019s not that<\/em> bad!\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette looked at the parchment and frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2026are those teeth? I have no idea how that thing works. The teeth come together? How?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWith a mechanism in the center! It\u2019s like\u2014okay, look. You have this thing here, and if you step on it, the trap closes. Over your foot. Or your hand, I guess. Any part of you that lands on the trap, really. Look\u2014does this make sense?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin grumbled as she snatched the parchment back from Rabbiteater. She made another sketch, and Rabbiteater began to see what she was talking about. Well, if she put it like that<\/em>, it was easy, wasn\u2019t it? Two spiky sides would close on anything that stepped on the little thing in the center. Unfortunately\u2014<\/p>\n He grunted and shook his head. Erin looked disappointed.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? Why not?\u201d<\/p>\n Rabbiteater pointed to the blueprints. He mimed the jaws of the bear trap closing on his foot and threw up his hands in surprise. Then he shrugged. Lyonette, who\u2019d been frowning at the trap, came to the same conclusion and put it more succinctly.<\/p>\n \u201cErin, that trap won\u2019t work. If someone steps in it, sure, it\u2019ll hurt<\/em>, but unless those blades are incredibly sharp, it won\u2019t do that much damage. I guess it\u2019d do some damage if it snapped really<\/em> hard, but most times, you\u2019ll just step on that and\u2026well, it might slow someone down.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin was incredulous.<\/p>\n \u201cOn a bear trap?<\/em> No way! Those jaws will snap shut, and you won\u2019t be able to open them!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure you can. You just pull the thing apart.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, you can\u2019t. See? It has these springs that\u2019ll hold the jaws closed\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSprings? You mean\u2026it jumps up or something?\u201d<\/p>\n And then Erin ran into a problem. She paused as both Lyonette and Rabbiteater looked at her without a hint of comprehension on their faces.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, not spring. Springs.<\/em> You know, the spiral things? Very flexible? Holds things together? Bouncy?\u201d<\/p>\n She didn\u2019t do a good job explaining what she meant. But it soon became clear that springs, or rather, the coiled version of springs that went in bed mattresses and so on, didn\u2019t exist in this world. At least to Lyonette and Rabbiteater\u2019s understanding.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve never seen one of those things before, Erin. You say this is a little metal coil all wrapped up, right? That sounds like very difficult work, even for a good [Blacksmith].\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re right. You\u2019re right.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Erin groaned as she thought about how hard making a small spring would be. There was no mass production in this world, after all! She tore up the bear trap blueprints in disgust.<\/p>\n \u201cGreat! So I can\u2019t defend this inn. Unless they make landmines here? How am I supposed to guard the inn this time?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, why not barricade the door?\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette looked towards the door. The Raskghar had smashed into the inn through the door last time, breaking the wooden latch on the door. Erin looked up.<\/p>\n \u201cWell yeah, I could do that. I could put a big honking bar across the door, and maybe the [Reinforced Structure] Skill would hold it, but what about my windows?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about them? We can barricade them too. There\u2019s already shutters on them.\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette nodded to the glass windows. Erin made a face.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, but the shutters are in the inside<\/em>. Which means that anyone smashing through\u2019s already broken the glass.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Princess] and Hob stared at Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cSo?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo, glass is expensive!<\/em> Do you know how much Klbkch charged me last time to fix all that? I don\u2019t want my windows broken in! Plus, those shutters aren\u2019t made to hold out angry Raskghar.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHm. Well, in that case\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette trailed off. Rabbiteater frowned at the windows. He pointed to the window and mimed hammering. Erin sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Rabbiteater. That\u2019s what we\u2019re saying. But it won\u2019t save the glass!\u201d<\/p>\n Rabbiteater shook his head. He put up his hand and mimed a window. Erin frowned as Rabbiteater stood on one side of the imaginary window and then walked around. He began hammering\u2026on the outside.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cOh! You mean, put on shutters on the outside! Rabbiteater, that\u2019s genius!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin sat up in delight. That would work! All she had to do was install big defensive shutters on the outside of her inn. She could close them if she knew something was going to hit her inn\u2014and then open them if it was all safe! Lyonette frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s a good idea, Rabbiteater. But putting shutters on the outside also means we can\u2019t open them to look around at something right next to the inn. And that\u2019s dangerous.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRight, right. Um\u2014okay, what about this? We put the shutters on the ground floor windows, but leave the second floor open? I\u2019m pretty sure my windows can\u2019t be broken by arrows. Unless, like, it\u2019s Halrac shooting them or something.\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette looked at Rabbiteater. The Hob scratched his head. Then both nodded. Erin clapped her hands.<\/p>\n \u201cAlright! That\u2019s phase one! Reinforce the inn! Lyonette, we\u2019ll need some good wood, more nails, and maybe another hammer from Krshia.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can pick those up. What\u2019s phase two for the inn?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUh\u2014let me think it over for a bit.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin stood up and paced about the inn. She was feeling a bit better now, and Rabbiteater and Lyonette both went outside to see how much wood the windows would need. Erin walked back and forth, trying to figure out what she could do. She discarded all of the impractical ideas or the things that\u2019d take too much time.<\/p>\n Really, when you got down to it, the only way to defend her inn was to have enough people inside of it with weapons ready in case something attacked. Erin could build traps in her inn, but it would be easier to have something disposable. So she discarded bear traps and thought about potions. By the time Lyonette came back, Erin had a second plan ready.<\/p>\n \u201cEssentially, I want a big box full of potions and alchemy\u2026grenades? Right here. And Bird gets some of his own in case he\u2019s attacked in his watchtower. And I want a lock on the door leading to the tower so he can get back in the inn if there\u2019s a lot of monsters, like the moths.\u201d<\/p>\n It was what she\u2019d already done, except that Erin was doubling down on supplies. She found her money bags and poured gold pieces onto the table.<\/p>\n \u201cWe need a bigger defense budget. We should have, like, four Tripvine Bags at all times. And those explosive potions! Octavia can\u2019t make them. I don\u2019t think she knows how. So\u2026we need to go grab some from a better [Alchemist] in the city.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s not going to like that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, she doesn\u2019t have to know. As for the door lock\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot a good idea.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy not? If Bird\u2019s in trouble\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA lock\u2019s too much to work with, Erin. And Bird will forget the key. Why not just make it a door bar?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat is a reasonable suggestion.\u201d<\/p>\n Both Erin and Lyonette looked up. Klbkch had walked over. He had stayed in the inn, mainly to explain to Bird exactly what a Garuda was and why he was not allowed to talk about shooting Bevussa or any of the Drakes with wings. Klbkch listened to the rest of Erin\u2019s ideas and nodded when she finished.<\/p>\n \u201cAll of these additions seem like practical, simple measures that may save your life. I could send a Worker to make the improvements today if you wish.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin waved a hand dismissively.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat, barricading windows and making a door bar? I could figure out how to do that myself with [Advanced Crafting]. Just give me a few bits of wood and, uh, maybe Rabbiteater can carve it a bit? I don\u2019t like splinters. Okay, and maybe<\/em> I could use some things from Krshia. Lyonette, can you see if she sells\u2026door bar handles? And get me some screws? You do know what screws are, right?\u201d<\/p>\n After Lyonette had gone, Erin turned to Klbkch. The Antinium was looking about the inn.<\/p>\n \u201cHey Klbkch. Are you okay?\u201d<\/p>\n He turned and nodded precisely at her.<\/p>\n \u201cI am well, Erin. Last night\u2019s fighting did not extend to the Hive, and I was only made aware of the attack after a Street Runner was sent to the Hive. I was not injured. I was, however, concerned about you and your inn. As was Pawn. And Belgrade. And Anand.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTell them I\u2019m alright, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI shall convey your words. However\u2026your preparations for tonight\u2019s defense are somewhat troubling.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not enough?\u201d<\/p>\n The Antinium paused as he looked around the inn.<\/p>\n \u201cGiven your budget and the time available, I would imagine that it is quite appropriate for any lesser crisis. But for a larger catastrophe, such as the invasion of the Face-Eater Moths?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin nodded seriously.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah. It probably would be like last time. Which we survived! But I could do more. I\u2019ve really been thinking about getting some enchanting done on my inn, actually. But none of the [Mages] I know have the ability to enchant things. I was going to see if anyone from Pallass could do it, but it\u2019s been so busy\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo [Enchanter] would be able to perform more than rudimentary wards by nightfall anyways. That is a decent long-term plan. May I offer you a short-term one?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin paused.<\/p>\n \u201cGo on.\u201d<\/p>\n Klbkch studied the inn, his head sweeping slowly down the long common room.<\/p>\n \u201cI assume you intend to put on a play tonight?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot tonight. I\u2019ll tell Wesle and the others. It\u2019s too dangerous to think about.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cVery wise. That will aid my suggestion as well. I would like to send a squad of Painted Soldiers to your inn. They would be led by Pawn. In addition, they would be accompanied by several Workers armed with bows.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWorkers?<\/em> Wait, you want to protect my inn with them? I\u2019ll accept of course! But do you want to be paid or\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n Klbkch shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cConsider it an act of friendship. And practicality. Your inn has aided Liscor\u2019s Hive in more ways than I can state, Erin. However, I would like to keep this arrangement secret. Very secret, in light of the current controversy surrounding Liscor\u2019s Hive. The fact that Workers are being armed is to be most secret of all.\u201d<\/p>\n He stared at Erin. She nodded slowly.<\/p>\n \u201cSo they\u2019ll stay here tonight?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd leave just after dawn. Watch Captain Zevara has already requested a group of Soldiers patrol through Liscor tonight as a precaution. Pawn\u2019s group will be part of that unit.\u201d<\/p>\n This all sounded dicey to Erin, but she wasn\u2019t in a position to refuse. Maybe Klbkch was just being cautious. Arming Workers. It didn\u2019t sound that bad to Erin, but then she remembered that Workers using bows had been part of the Antinium\u2019s strategy in the Antinium Wars.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, Klbkch. I accept. Thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere is no need for thanks. I will excuse myself. I have much work to do in Liscor.\u201d<\/p>\n Klbkch nodded to Erin. He strode through the door. She stared after him as he walked through the rainy streets. Sometimes, it felt like Klbkch was more of a stranger than when she had met him in the old days. She wished she could sit with him and Relc for a while over a plate of pasta. Then she shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I guess the Raskghar are really<\/em> going to get a surprise if they attack tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure I\u2019ll feel better.\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette came over. She hadn\u2019t quite been eavesdropping. Erin turned to her.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah. But the Antinium are just for now. I do want to make upgrading the inn a priority, Lyonette. Not just with structural stuff and enchantments. I\u2019d like some real guards, the kind that will be here all the time. I can\u2019t always hope there\u2019ll be adventurers or Goblins or Antinium in my inn.\u201d<\/p>\n The Human young woman eyed Erin warily.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat then? You don\u2019t mean something like Toren, do you?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin paused.<\/p>\n \u201cNo. I think\u2026no. Well, if Pisces\u2026no. Probably not. I was really thinking about Golems.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGolems?<\/em> How much do you think they cost, Erin?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUm\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n The two stared at each other. Erin laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just a thought! But really, Lyonette, I am a bit worried. We\u2019ll have Antinium here and I\u2019ll be staying the night, but the Raskghar could still do a lot of damage. And there is\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n She and Lyonette both looked at Mrsha. The Gnoll was playing with her ball, bouncing it against a wall and running about. Erin sighed worriedly.<\/p>\n \u201cI wouldn\u2019t risk her at all. Even if I\u2019m like, 99% safe I don\u2019t want to take a chance.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNeither do I. But your inn will be the most well-defended spot I can think of. What else could you do?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin paused. She frowned at Mrsha, and then looked to the magic door of her inn.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I can think of a way to make her just a bit<\/em> safer. So right after dinner, here\u2019s what we\u2019ll do\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n The Redfang Warriors did not feel good. It wasn\u2019t the aftermath of fighting the Raskghar that bothered them\u2014they actually felt over the moon about that, so to speak. Headscratcher\u2019s changing classes to a [Berserker] and Numbtongue\u2019s [Bard] class was the best news they\u2019d had in a long time.<\/p>\n No, it was seeing all those adventurers that made the Hobgoblins feel bad. There was something about a room full of hostile glances that didn\u2019t do much for the nerves, incredibly enough. More than one team from Pallass had looked like they\u2019d been ready to attack the Redfang Warriors right then and there. Of course, they\u2019d given the same look to the Antinium.<\/p>\n Shorthilt\u2019s stomach still felt bad, but it was restoring itself to something approaching normal as he squatted on the floor, staring at the Cave Goblin. She was still secured to the chair. There would be no sudden escape where she wriggled free\u2014the Redfangs knew how to tie a knot properly. When you tied an Eater Goat to a pole to lure Gargoyles, the last thing you wanted was an angry goat getting loose and munching your face off.<\/p>\n He was confident in his knot. Still, Shorthilt checked again just to be sure. His attention to detail and caution was why he was the group\u2019s best warrior with a sword. He nodded as he found the bindings secure, and then looked at the others. They stared back.<\/p>\n Grimly. Now that the adventurers were gone, now that the Raskghar had retreated, at least for the moment, the Redfang Goblins were faced with one last task. The problem of what to do with the Cave Goblin. She\u2019d gone very still with fear when the adventurers had arrived. She\u2019d been terrified the entire time, really. Now the little Cave Goblin sat on her chair, practically panting with fear as the Hobs deliberated what should be done about her.<\/p>\n The logical thing to do, as Badarrow pointed out, would be to toss the Cave Goblin in the water. Without untying her from the chair. After all, there were only two things that could really be done with the little Goblin. The Redfangs couldn\u2019t keep her here. She was the enemy! No matter how secure Shorthilt\u2019s knots were, even if they locked her in the basement, the Redfangs knew from experience how resourceful a desperate Goblin could be.<\/p>\n And a Goblin who escaped in the middle of the night could kill anyone with a knife in the back. No, that was far too dangerous. Goblins didn\u2019t keep prisoners, anyways. So that left letting her go or killing her. And letting her go was a stupid idea. So that left killing her.<\/p>\n It was the smart thing to do, but none of the Redfang Warriors wanted to do it. They were proud warriors! Just killing an enemy Goblin was\u2026well, it was wrong. They\u2019d kill another of their people if they had to, in battle, but not like this. After all, she was the enemy, but she was a Goblin. Like them!<\/p>\n Then again, the little Cave Goblin and her tribe were so not-<\/em>Goblin that the Redfangs really didn\u2019t know what to do. She and her tribe served the Raskghar! They obeyed a Chieftain who was not a Goblin\u2014they didn\u2019t even have any Hobs! They didn\u2019t even remember<\/em> Hobs!<\/p>\n It was pitiful. Pitiful and depressing and sad. However, the facts remained that the little Cave Goblin was an enemy in no small way. Letting her go would mean the other Goblins and perhaps the Raskghar would know too much. They owed Erin Solstice more than words could say. So the Redfangs were forcing themselves to come to a difficult decision.<\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t easy. But at last, even Headscratcher bowed his head. They picked up the little Goblin as she was tied to the chair. They wouldn\u2019t drown her\u2014that was cruel. Badarrow would shoot her instead. One arrow through the head was quicker. Badarrow\u2019s face was very blank as he strung his bow.<\/p>\n The Cave Goblin screamed and writhed as the Hobs picked her up. She\u2019d heard the entire discussion of course. The Redfangs hadn\u2019t bothered to hide what they were talking about. After all, what would be crueler than hiding the truth? They marched towards the door of the inn. They could toss her body in the lake afterwards. Better that than become one of Pisces\u2019 undead. If they could, they\u2019d probably dispose of the other Cave Goblins\u2019 bodies that way too.<\/p>\n The little Cave Goblin wriggled desperately and shrieked as the Redfangs carried her. Her efforts made no difference to the Hobs. Unfortunately, the noise and commotion attracted a worse sort of problem. The worst person to be present in this moment, actually.<\/p>\n Erin Solstice turned her head as the Hobs marched past her with death in their faces. She stared at the Cave Goblin.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m an idiot. I nearly forgot about her! Hey, Headscratcher! Hold up!\u201d<\/p>\n The young woman intercepted the group of Goblins. She stared at the thrashing Cave Goblin with concern.<\/p>\n \u201cIs she alright?\u201d<\/p>\n The Hobs nodded. They looked at each other in silent anguish. Numbtongue signaled rapidly. Pretend.<\/em> Go along with her until they had a chance to go outside. The other Hobs nodded slightly. Erin didn\u2019t notice. They turned and put the Goblin on the ground. The Cave Goblin babbled wildly, but Erin couldn\u2019t understand. She bent.<\/p>\n \u201cHello. I\u2019m Erin. And you\u2019re the Goblin that attacked my inn. I\u2019m not angry about it. Well, I\u2019m sort of angry, but I\u2019m not going to hurt you. What\u2019s your name?\u201d<\/p>\n The Cave Goblin screamed for help and tried to indicate the Redfangs with her head. Erin looked at Headscratcher.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBathroom.\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue spoke the lie quietly. Erin nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cOh. Sorry. You\u2019re taking her out?\u201d<\/p>\n The Redfangs nodded. They picked the Cave Goblin up. The Cave Goblin shook her head wildly. Erin frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cHold up. Not bathroom? Can she understand me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue didn\u2019t have to lie there, but the Cave Goblin was doing everything in her power to tell Erin that something was wrong. The [Innkeeper] frowned at her wide eyes and rapid babble in Goblin.<\/p>\n \u201cShe seems upset. I guess you guys really scared her. Maybe put her down, okay? What\u2019s her name?\u201d<\/p>\n All the Redfangs froze. Her name? But Erin treated the question as if it were the most natural thing to ask. She looked expectantly at Numbtongue who knew from his questioning. The Hob visibly hesitated before answering.<\/p>\n \u201cPebblesnatch.\u201d<\/p>\n The other Hobs tried to forget the name as soon as they heard it. Erin smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cPebblesnatch? That\u2019s cute! Hey Pebblesnatch, we don\u2019t mean any harm. We\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n She extended her hand. Instantly, Pebblesnatch\u2019s head shot forwards and she bit.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWhoa!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The small Cave Goblin\u2019s teeth snapped together, narrowly missing Erin\u2019s fingers as she snatched her hand back. Badarrow growled in fury and cuffed Pebblesnatch, making her screech in pain. Instantly, Erin smacked him on the shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t do that!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin stared at the Cave Goblin. Pebblesnatch had abandoned hope. Now she was trying to bite, kicking wildly, determined to do some harm before the end. Erin looked at the Redfangs with a frown.<\/p>\n \u201cShe seems really upset. You haven\u2019t been hitting her, have you? I told you to be nice to her!\u201d<\/p>\n The Redfang Warriors stared at Erin. \u2018Nice\u2019 wasn\u2019t a word they\u2019d ever had to employ as warriors of Garen\u2019s tribe. Nor was it something they thought of as necessary when dealing with their own kind, especially enemy tribes. In this case, \u2018nice\u2019 had nearly lost Erin a finger. And nice wasn\u2019t about to happen later. They looked away.<\/p>\n \u201cBathroom.\u201d<\/p>\n Numbtongue spoke the word and the Hobs lifted Pebblesnatch. Instantly, she peed on them. Headscratcher and Rabbiteater shouted with disgust and nearly dropped the Cave Goblin. Erin leapt away.<\/p>\n \u201cAw, gross!<\/em> I\u2019m sorry I stopped you! Quick, take her out and dunk her in the water. I\u2019ll\u2014hey, Drassi!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? Why do I have to clean that up? Make Ishkr!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can smell it better than you can. You clean it up!\u201d<\/p>\n Now. The Redfangs left Erin and the two arguing employees and ran for the door. Pebblesnatch screamed. She screamed and screamed, with the truest terror in her voice as the Hobs tried not to listen. Then she started to cry. And Erin\u2019s head turned. She stared at the Cave Goblin\u2019s face, and suddenly picked up all the little clues\u2014the panic and fear, the tense body language of the Hobs\u2014and spoke.<\/p>\n \u201cWait.\u201d<\/p>\n The word sapped the momentum from the air. The Hobs slowed and turned. Erin stood up and walked over. She stared at Pebblesnatch who was sobbing in the chair. Then she looked at Headscratcher.<\/p>\n \u201cHeadscratcher, are you really going to take her to the bathroom?\u201d<\/p>\n The Hob avoided Erin\u2019s gaze. She narrowed her eyes and then her eyes widened.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you letting her go? No\u2014oh no. You can\u2019t!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n She reached for Pebblesnatch. Instantly, Headscratcher grabbed Erin. He pinned her arms in a bear hug and spoke.<\/p>\n \u201cGo!<\/strong><\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The Redfangs moved. Or rather, they tried to. The air was thick and heavy<\/em> and their footsteps dragged. Erin, who had been too afraid to use her aura on the Raskghar, kicked and struggled in Headscratcher\u2019s grasp, holding the Hobs in place with all of her might.<\/p>\n \u201cNo! No,<\/em> Headscratcher! There\u2019s a better way! Don\u2019t kill her! You can let her go!\u201d<\/p>\n They couldn\u2019t. The Hobs moved slowly, growling with the effort it took. Shorthilt saw Drassi and Ishkr, frozen with shock at the sudden commotion. Ishkr wavered and Shorthilt drew his sword. The Gnoll froze and backed up.<\/p>\n The Hobs ignored Drassi and Ishkr. Neither of them could stop the Redfangs. Nor could Erin, no matter how much she tried to stop them with her aura. They\u2019d do it quick. If she kicked them out\u2014the Goblins tried not to think about it. It was like the artifacts, like Rabbiteater\u2019s cloak. They had to do it and no one could stop them.<\/p>\n Do what you had to do. Pay the price later. That was what Garen Redfang had taught them.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t\u2014stop\u2014put me down! Headscratcher! Put me down!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin was struggling. But it was too late. Numbtongue thrust the door open. Rabbiteater and Shorthilt marched to the door. Badarrow pulled an arrow from his quiver and closed his eyes. Erin went still, helpless in Headscratcher\u2019s arms. She looked up into the Hob\u2019s glistening eyes. When she spoke it was very calmly, in a carrying voice that reached across the inn.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll regret it for the rest of your lives, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n All five Hobs stopped. It wasn\u2019t the aura that held them. Erin stared at Numbtongue\u2019s back. The rain was pouring in through the front of the inn, drenching the Hob.<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t want to do this. I know you don\u2019t. If you do it, you will regret it forever. Don\u2019t kill her. Put her down.\u201d<\/p>\n The Hobs wavered. They wanted to believe Erin. But letting Pebblesnatch go? Showing her mercy? All they could imagine was disaster. Erin spoke again, urgently.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s another way. Believe me. Give me ten minutes and I\u2019ll convince you. Ten minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n And because they really didn\u2019t want to, because they cared, because their souls told them to, the Redfang Warriors turned. Headscratcher put Erin down. He let go slowly. She turned to him. There was no reproach in her eyes. Just a deep sadness. That cut him harder than anger. Erin stared at Headscratcher, then at the other Redfang Warriors. None of them could meet her eyes. She took a deep breath, and then exhaled.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s play a game of chess.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n A strange gathering took place around one of Erin\u2019s tables. The young woman sat on one side, arranging a chess board and explaining to Headscratcher how the game worked as he sat on the other end of the table with the four other Redfangs around him. Drassi and Ishkr worked in the background, nervously glancing at the tableau every few seconds.<\/p>\n Pebblesnatch sat at a table close by, her head lolling. She was unconscious. The Cave Goblin had fainted, probably so she wouldn\u2019t feel anything. Erin glanced at her as she finished placing pieces.<\/p>\n \u201cYou understand? Well, if you don\u2019t, I\u2019ll teach you as we play. Your pieces are white, so you go first. Move a pawn. Or a knight, if you want.\u201d<\/p>\n Hesitantly, Headscratcher picked up a pawn and tried to remember all the confusing things Erin had said. He peered at the board and looked at his fellows for guidance. They stared at the board. At last, Badarrow pointed decisively. Headscratcher placed the pawn. Erin nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cPawn to F4. Bird\u2019s Opening. That\u2019s what it\u2019s called. Bird uses this opening all of the time. Because of the name.\u201d<\/p>\n She placed a pawn at E5. Erin smiled as Headscratcher blinked. Didn\u2019t she just give him her pawn? He stared suspiciously at Erin, suspecting a trap. He was right of course, but Erin gestured at him.<\/p>\n \u201cYour move. This is From\u2019s Gambit, by the way.\u201d<\/p>\n She waited patiently as the Hob stared at the other Goblins for help. They deliberated, and then the Hob took the pawn. Erin instantly moved another pawn up to D6, offering Headscratcher yet another target.<\/p>\n The game began. Each time Headscratcher moved a piece hesitantly, Erin would instantly move a chess piece with supreme confidence. It was unnerving. Within moments she\u2019d reversed Headscratcher\u2019s lead and begun tearing apart his chess pieces. The Redfang Warrior\u2019s playing grew slower and slower as he bent over the board, trying to find an escape from Erin\u2019s relentless assault. But that was the game. As she played, Erin spoke. Conversationally. Casually, as if she were having nothing more than a chat.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t worry about winning this game. Or losing it either. It\u2019s not about playing chess right now. I just use chess because it\u2019s what I know. In a sense, it\u2019s the only thing I know. I\u2019m an [Innkeeper], right, but that\u2019s only my class. Chess is what I\u2019m good at. People used to call me a prodigy\u2014which wasn\u2019t really true\u2014when I was a child. Well, a prodigy is only really good at chess. I\u2019m far better than I was back then. Because I practice.\u201d<\/p>\n She moved a piece. Headscratcher stared at her. He looked past Erin at Pebblesnatch. Erin went on, her voice pleasant.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s odd, being good at something most people don\u2019t care about. A lot of people say how stupid it is to be good at chess. Or how pointless it is to play a game every day for years, decades, to get good at the game. Sometimes I thought the same thing. But you know what? I like playing. There was a time when I got sick of it, but I came back because I love it. I like playing. I\u2019m good at it. There\u2019s something nice about being good at something. And here, in this world, I\u2019m probably the best player of chess. In the world.\u201d<\/p>\n It was such a casual thing to say. But unlike any other species or people in the world, the Redfangs took Erin at her word. They looked into her eyes and tensed up. The greatest chess player in the world sat in front of them. Erin laughed gently.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t worry. That doesn\u2019t give me any Skills. Or classes. Chess is a game to me. Just a game. And this is just a fun match. I\u2019m not trying to win repeatedly\u2014I have the magic chessboard for that.\u201d<\/p>\n She pointed at another chessboard, where the ghostly chess pieces sat, playing out a game that had taken place over the course of the week. Erin\u2019s mysterious chess partner had been busy of late. The Goblins stared at her. Erin waited until Headscratcher moved a piece, then cut to the chase.<\/p>\n \u201cSo. Why were you going to kill her? Because she tried to kill you?\u201d<\/p>\n She looked at Numbtongue. The Goblin hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause she is the enemy. She will tell the Raskghar what we do. What we are doing if she goes.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin nodded. It was a reasonable fear.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy not keep her here?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow long? Forever? Little Goblins are cunning. She will escape. Throat cut in middle of the night.\u201d<\/p>\n Another nod. Another logical response.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd letting her go? Not just outside, I mean. What if we went to Celum, took her outside the walls, and\u2026let her go there?\u201d<\/p>\n The Redfangs exchanged a glance then shook their heads. Numbtongue explained haltingly.<\/p>\n \u201cCan\u2019t let go. She will go back. Or die. A Goblin alone dies to monsters. To adventurers. It is one of the worst deaths. Slow, lonely death. Wandering death. Cruel death.\u201d<\/p>\n The other Hobs nodded as one. Erin looked at them. So. It was too dangerous to keep her, too risky or cruel to let her go. That was why they would kill her. It was practical, like the Goblins. It was also wrong. She sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay. I see what you were thinking. And I think you\u2019re wrong. Let me explain.\u201d<\/p>\n She reached for a pawn, took Headscratcher\u2019s bishop which she\u2019d cornered, and spoke absently.<\/p>\n \u201cHere\u2019s the problem, I think. You say that Pebblesnatch is the enemy. You say she\u2019s dangerous. If we let her go she\u2019ll turn on us. We can\u2019t keep her. So we need to kill her. And I say\u2014why do we have to do any of that? Why can\u2019t we help her?\u201d<\/p>\n She looked up expectantly. Numbtongue shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cHelp? Her? She is other tribe. Other tribe has many Goblins who will kill\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n He emphasized the word.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2014Us. Why help them? We can\u2019t<\/em> help them. Too many. Too far away. What point? Why help enemy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood question.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin rested her chin in her hands. She eyed the board.<\/p>\n \u201cWhenever anyone says something like that\u2014we can\u2019t help them, or they\u2019re the enemy, or how hard it would be, it\u2019s sort of like a game of chess. That\u2019s my analogy. I like chess. We\u2019re all trying to get ahead, to survive. We\u2019re all playing chess, if you think of it like that. So everyone wants to protect themselves, their side. The king. See?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin pointed at her king, safely hidden behind her pawns. Headscratcher and the other Goblins eyed the white king on their side. It was being menaced from all angles by Erin\u2019s pieces. They found that ironically familiar. They nodded and Erin went on.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s how people play. Life, like chess. It\u2019s all about sides. Us. Them. Me. You. But here\u2019s the thing. Life isn\u2019t a game of chess. You say that Pebblesnatch is the enemy, Numbtongue? In that case, you\u2019re playing a game. Your side is the Redfangs, you, and my inn, I guess. And my side would be Pebblesnatch. And the Raskghar.\u201d<\/p>\n The Redfangs stared at Erin\u2019s side of the board. They eyed their disadvantaged position. Erin rolled her eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a metaphor. It\u2019s not representing how things actually are. Look, it\u2019s your side and her side. That\u2019s how you\u2019re playing. But I don\u2019t think that\u2019s a healthy way to look at things. It\u2019s too limiting. Sometimes I think we should do this.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin spun the chess board. Suddenly, her pieces were in check and Headscratcher\u2019s pieces were on the attack. The Hob blinked. He stared at Pebblesnatch, who\u2019d woken up and was trying to bite at the ropes tying her down. Erin smiled slightly.<\/p>\n \u201cWeird, isn\u2019t it? Now you\u2019re winning. Go on, move a piece.\u201d<\/p>\n She waited as Headscratcher did. Erin continued to play, reversing the board yet again.<\/p>\n \u201cThe thing about sides, Headscratcher, you guys, is that they\u2019re made up. Chess is a game. It\u2019s not real. But we pretend the sides are real. Just like we pretend there are sides in real life. What makes the Raskghar our enemy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re trying to kill us?\u201d<\/p>\n Ishkr blinked as Erin looked over.<\/p>\n \u201cRight. But are they trying to kill us because they\u2019re hungry? Are they just monsters? If they are, I guess we might have to fight. But what about the Cave Goblins? Are they<\/em> our enemy? Or are they being made to fight?\u201d<\/p>\n The Redfangs looked at Pebblesnatch. They tried to imagine any scenario where a group of Goblins would assault an inn full of adventurers or try to attack Liscor without being coerced. They were silent as Erin went on.<\/p>\n \u201cSides. Winners. Losers. It\u2019s all part of the gaming mentality. I win, so you lose. But life isn\u2019t like that. Why does Pebblesnatch have to die? Because she\u2019s the enemy? Why does she have to be the enemy? Can\u2019t we do something about her? That\u2019s checkmate, by the way.\u201d<\/p>\n She pointed. Headscratcher groaned as he saw she was right. Erin smiled and swept his pieces off the board, leaving only her black ones behind. She got up and found another of her chess boards and carried it over. The Goblins watched, confused, as she set up the board again, only this time with a twist. When Erin was done, she pointed to the chess board, ready for another game.<\/p>\n \u201cLife isn\u2019t a game of chess. But if it was, I think it would look a lot like this.\u201d<\/p>\n Headscratcher looked at the board. On his side were black chess pieces, lined up, ready for battle. On Erin\u2019s side were her chess pieces, set to their default position. They were also black. Erin stared at Headscratcher over the chess board.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay. If we play a game now, who wins? Who loses? And how can we tell? If I take a pawn off the board, who loses? Me? You? Or the pawn?\u201d<\/p>\n She picked up the pawn and showed it to Headscratcher. He looked at her. Erin smiled very gently.<\/p>\n \u201cHeadscratcher. This is what I think about living life like chess.\u201d<\/p>\n She reached for the chess board and lifted it up. Then she hurled the board across the inn. The chess pieces went flying, clattering off windows, the floor, the tables and chairs. The board cracked<\/em> as it struck a table. Erin stood up. The inn went silent as she glared at the Hobs.<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t have to kill. No one has to lose for you to win.<\/em> This world is not a game. Why can\u2019t we all<\/em> win? Forever? Why does Pebblesnatch have to die, Headscratcher?\u201d<\/p>\n He couldn\u2019t answer. He tried. But whenever he attempted to form the thought\u2014she\u2019s dangerous, or it might hurt us, or we can\u2019t keep her here forever\u2014it was somehow not good enough. Yes, all of these things were valid. But it wasn\u2019t enough for him to look at Pebblesnatch and agree to murder her in cold blood.<\/p>\n The Redfang Warriors didn\u2019t quite look at Erin as she stood in front of them. Erin looked from face to face, and then sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cBut you are right. It is a problem.\u201d<\/p>\n She stumped over to the chess board and began picking up pieces. Erin grimaced as she collected the black and white pieces.<\/p>\n \u201cWith that said, I really like chess. And board games in general. You know what? I should really find a game we can all play. Monopoly<\/em>, or maybe Risk.<\/em> Charades? I still have to teach Olesm how to play shogi. Or what about Ur? That game\u2019s fun too!\u201d<\/p>\n She inspected the cracked chess board and shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cI broke my board. Darn. But hey, it was worth it, right?\u201d<\/p>\n She glanced up at the Redfang Warriors. They watched her warily. Erin sighed and came back to the table.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was my lecture about sides. But you\u2019re right in that Pebblesnatch is dangerous. And it\u2019s probably not good to let her go. So here\u2019s a thought from a chess player. Why don\u2019t we stop playing chess and start playing another game? Why don\u2019t we stop treating this as a chess game and start playing shogi?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The Hobs stared at Erin. Now she\u2019d lost them. Erin gestured energetically as she began to talk with the enthusiasm of a board game fanatic.<\/p>\n \u201cYou see, shogi is this great game that originates from Japan. It\u2019s based on chess, but the rules vary in a lot of interesting ways. You can promote each piece in shogi like you do pawns in chess, but there\u2019s other things you can do. For instance, and here\u2019s the important bit\u2014you can play any piece you\u2019ve captured from your opponent on your side! Isn\u2019t that cool?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin looked from face to face and realized her audience wasn\u2019t following her. She sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cI knew I should have stuck to the chess analogy. Okay, look. Pebblesnatch doesn\u2019t have to die. Nor do the Goblins. They\u2019re your people. Why do we have to treat them like the enemy? The Raskghar are pretty evil so I\u2019ll agree to shooting them with arrows, but the Goblins? Are they innocent in all this? Or at least, victims? I want to know.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin began ticking off points on her fingers.<\/p>\n \u201cDo the Cave Goblins want to fight Liscor? How many are there? Could they run away? Would Pebblesnatch help us if we fed her? Gave her a healing potion, maybe? Could she warn us when the Raskghar are about to attack or\u2014or figure out exactly where they\u2019re camped for the night? Could she feed them false information?\u201d<\/p>\n The Goblins stared at Erin in amazement. They hadn\u2019t considered any of this. Ever. The idea of turning a Goblin against their own tribe, of using them like spies\u2026it was, well, unthinkable! Goblins didn\u2019t<\/em> do that. Even a Goblin from a poor tribe was loyal to their Chieftain. If the Chieftain was replaced, then they\u2019d see if they were loyal to the new Chieftain. If they weren\u2019t, they\u2019d leave. Betrayal was\u2026what kind of a Goblin would betray their tribe? Their family? But Erin was right. The Raskghar ruled the Cave Goblins. So theirs was the one tribe any Goblin would betray if it were possible. Erin smiled as the Hobs looked at each other.<\/p>\n \u201cExactly. Here\u2019s the thing. Everyone\u2019s still playing chess. Ilvriss thinks of Pebblesnatch as a pawn he\u2019s captured. So does Olesm and everyone else. A pawn from the other side. A danger until you remove it. And then it\u2019s gone. Like that. The enemy side is weaker. That\u2019s how they play. But like I said, chess isn\u2019t a game like life. Why can\u2019t I take a pawn, a person\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Erin picked up a white pawn and placed it on her side of the board.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2014And do this?\u201d<\/p>\n The Hobs stirred. They looked at Erin in amazement as they finally got the entirety of what she was saying. She winked at them.<\/p>\n \u201cStrategy. Not that I\u2019m a [Strategist]. But I\u2019m not always<\/em> dumb either. I\u2019m just better at making friends than I am at poking holes in people. Now, tell me. What\u2019s going to happen to poor Pebblesnatch?\u201d<\/p>\n The Cave Goblin looked up. She squirmed anxiously and Headscratcher looked at her. Really looked at her, without forcing himself to look away or rationalize her as the enemy. For the first time he saw how young she was. How hungry she looked. He stared at her arms and saw blood. Blood.<\/em> She\u2019d rubbed her skin off trying to escape. Her face was snotty and she looked terrified.<\/p>\n Headscratcher looked at Erin. He thought about what he\u2019d done and his face twisted. A child.<\/em> He\u2019d nearly killed\u2014he sank down as tears began to seep from his red eyes. He began to shake as the other Redfangs looked away. Erin came over and hugged him.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s okay. Come on. You didn\u2019t do it. It\u2019s okay.\u201d<\/p>\n The other Redfangs crowded around Headscratcher. He was too emotional. They slapped him on the back and pretended to laugh at him. But some of them had to turn to hurriedly wipe an eye or cough. Erin smiled and hugged them.<\/p>\n \u201cTry something else. They\u2019re your people, aren\u2019t they? It\u2019s okay. We can keep her here. If we can make her an ally\u2014it\u2019s not about food, it really isn\u2019t. I\u2019m happy to try. If we can save your people\u2019s lives, or help\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The Redfangs looked at Erin. Your people.<\/em> She really cared. That was what was amazing. She cared about them. As Goblins. It was so strange and wonderful and painful that they couldn\u2019t give words to it. They looked at her\u2014<\/p>\n And then someone blew her nose. Erin and the Redfang Goblins looked up. She saw Drassi and Ishkr staring at them. The Drake\u2019s eyes were running with tears and she was dabbing at them with Ishkr\u2019s handkerchief.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was so<\/em> beautiful!\u201d<\/p>\n The Gnoll coughed. Both he and Drassi had been listening in. Drassi began to babble as she came over, smiling wetly at the Hobs.<\/p>\n \u201cI totally look at you guys differently now! That chess thing made so much sense, Erin! Why do we have to kill the little Goblins? I mean, if they\u2019re attacking us, yeah, but if they\u2019re slaves?<\/em> To the Raskghar? And you\u2019re right, we can work together! Oh, Ancestors! We\u2019re all on the same team! Give me a hug!\u201d<\/p>\n She tried to embrace Badarrow, who fended her off. The Redfangs looked at each other, dry-eyed now. It wasn\u2019t that they didn\u2019t appreciate the Drake\u2019s sudden change of heart. It was just that they were having a moment with Erin. Drassi was nice\u2026but they didn\u2019t know her. The Drake tried to hug the Hobs as they shared a common thought and nodded at each other sourly. They agreed that Drassi had rather spoiled the moment.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Ceria had to remember that it was, in fact, late morning in Liscor. Despite all that had happened, the Raskghar attack had occurred in the middle of the night and all that had followed had taken place without the blessed relief of sleep. So it was day. Not that anyone could tell, really.<\/p>\n It was still raining. By this point, Ceria would have happily given half the money in her pouch for one day of sunlight. And that was because she had about eight silver pieces in her money pouch at the moment. Sunlight was cheap. But she was getting sick of the pouring rain, the slippery streets, and all the water where land should be.<\/p>\n \u201cNot that it matters where we\u2019re going.\u201d<\/p>\n She looked to Yvlon. The woman grunted as she rowed on one side of the boat across the lake. Yvlon looked up and brushed water out of her face as Ksmvr paused in his rowing so the boat wouldn\u2019t turn.<\/p>\n \u201cYou say that as if we don\u2019t have to swim down through the water to get<\/em> into the dungeon, Ceria. And you\u2019re not the one rowing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTouchy, aren\u2019t we?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t like being wet.\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria eyed Yvlon. Or rather, her arms.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you want to switch, me or Pisces could take over.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t volunteer me.\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces looked up from his position in the back of the boat. He was trying to shield his spellbook from the rain and read at the same time with a [Light] spell. Yvlon shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m fine. My arms feel good and Pisces says they won\u2019t break.\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria glanced over at the [Necromancer] for confirmation. Pisces looked up and nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cMost assuredly. Let Yvlon row, Ceria. I most certainly will not.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf you say so. In that case, hurry up you two. We\u2019re falling behind.\u201d<\/p>\n Yvlon splashed Ceria with her oar. She and Ksmvr dipped their paddles into the water and the boat caught up with the others. Dozens of boats, large and small, patchwork and well-made were making their way towards the rift leading into the dungeon. The adventurers were out in force. They\u2019d commandeered every vessel Liscor had and Ceria could see dozens of cloaked figures sitting miserably in boats.<\/p>\n Some groups didn\u2019t bother with covering themselves\u2014the brave ones sat stolidly in the rain, readying themselves for the fight. The higher-ranked groups didn\u2019t have any problems because their [Mages] protected their boats from the pouring rain. Ceria glanced at the Silver Swords, who were rowing at the head of the group, untouched by the droplets thanks to Falene, who was sitting calmly at the back of the boat and insulting Dawil.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is so weird. Have you ever seen a dungeon raid this large, Yvlon?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNever. I\u2019ve heard of them, though. It\u2019s amazing to be part of one.\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria nodded. This joint effort by all the adventuring teams was too large to call an expedition. It was what adventurers called a dungeon raid\u2014a true attack on the dungeon, as opposed to exploration or opportunistic treasure seeking. She was amazed to be part of it. And nervous. And worried.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m gonna say it when we get down there. Alright?\u201d<\/p>\n Yvlon nodded. Pisces looked up and Ksmvr raised his voice.<\/p>\n \u201cCaptain Ceria, do you believe the other adventuring teams will cooperate with your mission?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey should. It\u2019s uh, a courtesy among adventurers, right? Even if we are a Silver-rank team no one\u2019s heard of. I can\u2019t imagine they\u2019d refuse, unless adventurers are that<\/em> different in the south. Oh look, they\u2019re already going in. Looks like they\u2019re using\u2026ropes?\u201d<\/p>\n The adventurers were indeed casting ropes attached to weights down into the rift. The first team who went down, the Flamewardens, used the ropes as guides while they dropped into the water. They didn\u2019t even need to hold something to weigh them down\u2014their plate armor ensured they went down like anchors. Ksmvr sounded confused as more adventurers went down, some casting water breathing spells, others just holding their breaths.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought that leaving an exit route for monsters was considered amateur by Gold-rank teams, Captain Ceria. Why are they doing what Vuliel Drae was criticized for?\u201d<\/p>\n One of the teams, the Wings of Pallass, overheard Ksmvr. The Garuda, Bevussa, called out as she and her group checked their gear.<\/p>\n \u201cA dungeon raid\u2019s different, Antinium. No one wants to swim back up. And if we\u2019re all dead, well, Liscor\u2019s got a lot more to worry about than a few ropes. See you down there. Ancestors, I hate<\/em> swimming.\u201d<\/p>\n She leapt out of her boat. Ceria saw her flap her wings and gain a few feet of distance before she hit the water and disappeared. The other adventurers dove and Ceria looked at her team.<\/p>\n \u201cReady?\u201d<\/p>\n The others nodded. Yvlon took a few deep breaths, Pisces closed his spellbook and sighed about the water and Ksmvr\u2026froze. Ceria stared at him with concern.<\/p>\n \u201cKsmvr? Are you sure you want to do this?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am quite positive, Captain Ceria. I will not abandon the group. And I will be fine entering the\u2026liquid. I came here all this way of my own volition, did I not? I even helped with the rowing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTrue. And you have your Ring of Waterbreathing on?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Captain Ceria.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn that case, I\u2019m going to take your blindfold off.\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria reached for Ksmvr\u2019s blindfold. The Antinium was very still as she took off the blindfold she\u2019d tied over his eyes. When it was off he looked around at the water and started screaming.<\/p>\n \u201cAaaaaaah! Aaaaaaaaah! AAAAAAAAAAAAAH!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n He started flailing about in a panic. Ceria swore and the other teams looked around as Ksmvr screamed and tried to hit everything with his paddle.<\/p>\n \u201cKsmvr! Calm down! You told me you could handle this!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI thought I could! Water! Water everywhere!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCeria! Put the blindfold back on!\u201d<\/p>\n Yvlon grabbed Ksmvr and held him still. Unfortunately he had three arms and he managed to punch both Ceria and Pisces before they could put the blindfold back on. When Ceria finally managed to tie it around Ksmvr\u2019s eyes, he went still.<\/p>\n \u201cOh. I cannot see the water. I must be on dry land. I am on dry land. I am on dry land.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDamn it, Ksmvr.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am sorry, Captain Ceria. I am a disgrace. But please, toss me in the water!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAfter you just panicked? Not likely!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPlease! It will work if I cannot see the water.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut if you\u2019re in it\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI have never been in the water. It is a foreign experience to me since if I was ever in<\/em> the water, I would be dead. Thus, I will not panic. I think.\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria looked at her team. It wasn\u2019t like they could back out now. It was too important.<\/p>\n \u201cIf he panics, he has the ring on. We can bring him back. Somehow. Okay Ksmvr, brace yourself\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am braced. Please tell me before I enter the\u2026thing. I wish to prepare myself. When will you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Ksmvr screamed as Ceria pushed him overboard. Yvlon glanced at the half-Elf.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was a bit mean.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe hit me in the nose. Come on, let\u2019s go after him.\u201d<\/p>\n The Horns dove after Ksmvr. To Ceria\u2019s surprise, she saw Ksmvr wasn\u2019t flailing about at all. He was very still as she, Pisces, and Yvlon all sank down, holding Yvlon so they\u2019d fall faster. They fell into the dungeon, catching hold of the ropes and scaling down when the water met the dungeon.<\/p>\n It turned out that Ksmvr\u2019s lack of panic had been due to mind-numbing fear. He shook like a leaf when he was on dry land and curled up into a ball. Ceria shook her head. How were they going to get him back up?<\/p>\n A problem for another time. The adventurers were all gathering, and the area around the rift had been secured by the Gold-rank teams that had gone in first. Griffon Hunt was already checking one tunnel and some of the Gnolls were conferring with the [Veteran Scout].<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026No sign of the Raskghar. I would have thought we\u2019d be attacked soon after entering.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey must have known a counterattack was coming. Or they looked up and saw us all coming down. It makes sense they\u2019d hide until nightfall when they\u2019re smarter and stronger. Everyone down yet?\u201d<\/p>\n The leader of the Flamewardens looked around as the last of the adventurers dropped wetly onto the dungeon floor. One team forgot to grab the ropes and crashed<\/em> down onto another team. The ensuing screams of pain made Ceria wince.<\/p>\n \u201cStop making sound! And you idiots\u2014make another mistake like that and you can leave. This isn\u2019t a Bronze-rank mission. We\u2019re in hostile territory. Act like you\u2019ve got a brain.\u201d<\/p>\n One of the senior adventurers barked. Shamefaced, the two adventuring teams got up. The Gold-ranks outlined the raid plan to everyone as some of the teams began moving around the perimeter. Ceria had heard the plan already, but she listened intently.<\/p>\n \u201cOur plan is simple. We move in waves, in each direction. Gold-rank teams go first, Silver and Bronze-ranks behind. Each team chooses where they go and coordinates with the others. No one trails on each other\u2019s tails. If your team can\u2019t detect traps or you\u2019re not confident, find a team willing to work with you. Call out for help if you need it, but don\u2019t expect it. We\u2019re adventurers. Let\u2019s do our job.\u201d<\/p>\n That was it. It wasn\u2019t so much of a pep talk as a set of guidelines. In another way, this dungeon raid wasn\u2019t like the expedition that Ceria and Yvlon had been part of. There was no real leader\u2014it was a group effort of individual teams. The adventurers began dispersing, some calling out which way they were headed.<\/p>\n Now was the time. Ceria took a deep breath and shouted.<\/p>\n \u201cExcuse me! There\u2019s one more thing!\u201d<\/p>\n All the adventurers turned. Ceria turned beet red, and stammered.<\/p>\n \u201cI uh\u2014we\u2019re the Horns of Hammerad. We\u2019re looking for someone in the dungeon. A companion of ours was lost. Calruz. He\u2019s a Minotaur. He used to lead our group\u2014we think he might still be alive down here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA missing adventurer? We only heard about Gnolls. Did the Raskghar get him too?\u201d<\/p>\n One of the Drakes looked surprised. Ceria shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, he vanished a while ago. On another expedition in Liscor\u2019s crypt. But he might have arrived here.\u201d<\/p>\n The adventurers looked at each other dubiously. Ceria\u2019s heart pounded. One of the senior Drakes, an old yellow-scaled Drake with a greatsword, leaned on it and frowned at Ceria.<\/p>\n \u201cHow long has he been missing?\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria wavered.<\/p>\n \u201cMonths. But we never found his body! And there\u2019s a\u2026route from Liscor\u2019s crypts to the dungeon. He might have arrived down here! He was wounded when I last saw him, but I know he had a healing potion on him.\u201d<\/p>\n She felt her heart sinking with every word. The old Drake shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cMonths? If he\u2019s been gone that long, he\u2019s dead. Body\u2019s probably eaten by now or shambling around as a zombie. Give it up, rookie.\u201d<\/p>\n He turned away. Ceria stared as his team walked into the dungeon. The other adventurers began to move again too. Some looked sympathetic and promised to tell the Horns if they saw anything. But the rest just left. Ceria wanted to shrivel up into nothing and disappear.<\/p>\n \u201cYou tried.\u201d<\/p>\n Yvlon patted her shoulder. Ceria nodded miserably. Not only had the others thought she was delusional, she\u2019d given away the secret entrance from the crypt to the dungeon. What had she been thinking? Of course they\u2019d think she was mad. How many people swore their missing companion was still alive? Ceria had heard that sort of talk herself\u2014adventurers who\u2019d seen a friend dragged away by a Mothbear, swearing that he was alive days later and that they\u2019d go back and get him. She flushed and then saw familiar faces heading towards them.<\/p>\n \u201cHey Ceria, you\u2019re with us.\u201d<\/p>\n Jelaqua raised a hand as the Halfseekers strode towards their group. Griffon Hunt was right behind them and the Silver Swords were trailing in their wake. Revi scowled at the old Drake\u2019s team who was already disappearing down one of the corridors.<\/p>\n \u201cThat Drake\u2019s an ass. Talk about rude. Can you believe him?\u201d<\/p>\n Everyone gave Revi the fish eye. The Stitch-Woman blushed and tugged at the string around her neck.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? We all thought the same thing, but even I<\/em> didn\u2019t say it. At least they know now. And we\u2019re part of this raid. Hooray for us. We still doing this babysitting job?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTeaching job, Revi.\u201d<\/p>\n Typhenous interjected diplomatically. He nodded to the Silver Swords, none of whom looked happy.<\/p>\n \u201cWe shall take the Silver Swords, the Halfseekers, and the Horns of Hammerad. We\u2019ll impart our tactics and switch groups after a few hours. Is that reasonable?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPerfectly. Thank you for doing this.\u201d<\/p>\n The other adventurers nodded. Halrac jerked his head.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s get moving. We\u2019re falling behind.\u201d<\/p>\n The teams split up, the Silver Swords falling in with Griffon Hunt and the Halfseekers with the Horns of Hammerad. They headed down the right-most tunnel. Other groups had come that way, but they\u2019d marked where they were going with bits of chalk. Someone had also spattered bright alchemical paint on the ground around a trap on the floor which all the adventurers gave a wide berth.<\/p>\n When both groups came to another intersection, Halrac pointed to a tunnel that hadn\u2019t been claimed yet.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll take that one. Send a [Message] spell in three hours.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGot it. Let us know if you\u2019re in trouble and we\u2019ll come running.\u201d<\/p>\n Halrac nodded. He strode forwards and then put out an arm to block Ylawes from following on his heels. Revi audibly sighed and Jelaqua turned to the Horns of Hammerad. The Selphid gave them a big smile.<\/p>\n \u201cAlright, let\u2019s do this. We\u2019re not going to make this a habit, so if you have any questions, ask. Otherwise, watch and learn from the best. Which isn\u2019t me. Seborn?\u201d<\/p>\n The Drowned Man nodded. He moved forwards, pulling one of his enchanted daggers out.<\/p>\n \u201cKeep behind me. About ten paces. Stop when I tell you to stop. Try to follow in my footsteps. I\u2019ll check the entire corridor, but I might miss things.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n The other adventurers nodded seriously. Ceria saw Seborn move forwards cautiously, then stop. He squatted down to inspect a flagstone, stood up, and took another step. The Horns followed, waiting for anything to pop out. Monsters, a trap, something horrific\u2014they froze as Seborn paused again, this time to inspect a wall. He stared at it, then moved on. Five seconds later he stopped.<\/p>\n Dungeon diving, it turned out, was boring. At least, it was when you had someone competent leading you. The tension the Horns felt quickly became mild boredom as Seborn moved forwards at a snail\u2019s pace. However, they never quite relaxed. Ceria and Yvlon remembered all too well a similar encounter, and besides which, the dungeon was not exactly reassuring.<\/p>\n They could hear noises in the distance. Fighting. Shouts, and once, a thump<\/em> in the distance that was either an explosion or an incredibly powerful impact. The other adventurers were making progress. But the Halfseekers refused to be rushed. Indeed, they took a meandering pace down the corridor and even talked as they went.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? Keeping silent? Nah, that\u2019s only if we want the drop on monsters. And believe me, Moore\u2019s not capable of sneaking up on anything. If something\u2019s out there, it\u2019ll attack us. We just need to be ready if it does.\u201d<\/p>\n Jelaqua walked at the front of the group, a good pace ahead of the others. She had insisted on it, and no wonder. The Heartflame Armor wasn\u2019t active, but the magical artifact still shone with power in Ceria\u2019s gaze. Jelaqua had fended off over a dozen requests for other teams to buy out the lease contract on the armor from her when they\u2019d seen her wearing it.<\/p>\n The Selphid never glanced over her shoulder despite the magical protection, though. Her flail was ready in her hands and she stayed alert to Seborn\u2019s movements despite her chatty tone. She addressed Ceria in a soothing tone, trying to assuage the half-Elf\u2019s voiced concerns.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t worry. We\u2019ve done this before. We\u2019ve done this a lot of times. Not like the Silver Swords. You said our formation is similar, though?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s sort of what the Silver Swords did. Except that they didn\u2019t have a [Rogue]. They put Ylawes in front and had Falene cast [Detect Magic].\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot the same at all.\u201d<\/p>\n Moore, the normally quiet half-Giant shook his head disapprovingly. He tapped his staff as he walked next to Yvlon. Moore\u2019s face was serious as he flicked an eye towards Ceria.<\/p>\n \u201cA [Rogue] matters. We may be less disciplined than other groups, but we know our strengths and weaknesses. Seborn is our guide. Without his Skills we would never risk this sort of thing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut you\u2019re not worried about an ambush?\u201d<\/p>\n The half-Giant smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cAs Jelaqua said, I cannot hide. And our strategy this time is based around being attacked. Jelaqua wears the Heartflame Breastplate. With it we can take battles we wouldn\u2019t wish for otherwise.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh. Of course.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s nice to be invincible. Don\u2019t worry, we\u2019d be quieter if I didn\u2019t have this on. But the Halfseekers have always been the door-kicking type of team. We just do it practically. I can\u2019t imagine walking forwards without Seborn being there to explode first if there\u2019s a trap.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria glanced forwards.<\/p>\n \u201cSo this is all good? We haven\u2019t made much progress.\u201d<\/p>\n Indeed, the Halfseekers had barely progressed compared to what Ceria had expected of other teams. Jelaqua nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cCan\u2019t rush Seborn. We take things slow. Don\u2019t worry if we don\u2019t find anything\u2014we can\u2019t<\/em> rush things. Relax, Ceria. Breathe. In. Out. In. Out. The other adventurers can go in hot. We\u2019ll hang back and take things at our pace. That\u2019s one of the reasons why we got here first. Racing isn\u2019t something the Halfseekers do. Again, because of Moore.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m faster than you are, Jelaqua. Long legs means quicker running.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHah! As if. I could outsprint you any day of the week without pushing my body past its limits.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd I could outrun the two of you any day of the week. And swim laps around you two in my sleep.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n The Halfseekers laughed. Ceria winced as the noise echoed, and glanced at her team. Pisces walked along, looking equally wary and bored. Ksmvr looked raptly focused, paying attention to all of the conversation as if it were the font of all adventuring knowledge. Yvlon caught Ceria\u2019s eye and grimaced.<\/p>\n To change the subject, Ceria brought up something that had confused her.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s with the four teams that stayed behind, Jelaqua? Are they going in later?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNah. You saw them, right? They were loaded up with boards and nails and mortar ingredients and stuff. They\u2019ll fortify the entrance, give us a place to fall back to. It\u2019ll help the next time teams go in and they\u2019ll be paid for guarding our backs. Everyone\u2019ll chip in a little bit. It\u2019s a courtesy sort of thing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t know that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, it\u2019s a dungeon thing. It\u2019s like how we got paid a bit for sharing our map of the dungeon. If the adventurers went through the main entrance, they\u2019d pay us and Griffon Hunt a courtesy fee for untrapping everything. Most teams. Gold-rank teams would. They don\u2019t have to, but it\u2019s etiquette. Don\u2019t worry, you\u2019ll hear all about it if you don\u2019t follow custom. In fact, that\u2019s how we learned about the courtesy fee. It was eight years back, right when\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The adventurers were passing by a section of wall that curved leftwards. Ahead of them, Seborn raised his head and shouted a warning. The Drowned Man leapt back and the wall evaporated<\/em> and a horde of Children, the monsters shaped like the offspring of the races they preyed upon, poured out of the gap.<\/p>\n They looked like very young Humans and Drakes. But that was only from afar. Up close their skin or scales was too pale. Their faces were twisted, and their teeth and claws were sharp. They screamed as the adventurers turned. Ceria raised her wand. Instantly, Jelaqua charged forwards, flail blurring.<\/p>\n \u201cBehind us, Horns!\u201d<\/p>\n She swung her flail and crushed the head of the first Child. Moore raised his staff and swung<\/em>, not bothering with a spell. Three of the monsters went flying as Seborn appeared behind another and stabbed it through the chest with both daggers. The Horns attacked at the same time. Ceria raised an ice wall, shouting for Yvlon and Ksmvr to guard them.<\/p>\n The Antinium and Human woman guarded Ceria and Pisces. This time Yvlon had activated her Forceshield and she deftly blocked a leaping Child with the shimmering shield of energy. She swung and the creature screamed as she slashed it across the chest. Ksmvr cut left and right, warding off the monsters around him.<\/p>\n \u201cPisces! Undead!\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces was already on it. From his bag of holding he poured bones on the ground which sprang up to form three skeletal Raskghar. They surged forwards and Pisces drew his rapier. He took a position behind Yvlon and Ksmvr, throwing fire as Ceria blasted with [Ice Spike] spells.<\/p>\n They\u2019d practiced this formation. It was a defensive tactic that allowed Ceria and Pisces to cast spells from the back with the ice walls holding off the monsters from flanking them while Yvlon and Ksmvr fought on the front. It was a good strategy for creating a choke point to funnel the Children through, and Pisces\u2019 undead could wreak havoc. It would have worked fine too\u2014except for the Halfseekers.<\/p>\n They had no strategy. At least, not one that involved them taking up positions. Jelaqua spun through the monsters, her flail flashing left and right. She ignored the teeth and claws that fruitlessly struck her blazing form. Behind her, Moore laid about left and right with his staff, only occasionally throwing a shower of thorns or tangling his opponents with a sudden flurry of vines that would burst from the ground. And darting from shadow to shadow was Seborn, watching Moore and Jelaqua\u2019s back, striking and vanishing as quickly as he came.<\/p>\n They got in the way and attracted all of the attention. The Horns found themselves unable to help out for fear of hitting the Halfseekers, and the Children only paid them sparing attention, focusing more on the engaged Halfseekers than the defensive Horns. In the end it didn\u2019t matter. The Children, for all their numbers, were no match for even one of the adventuring teams and soon lay dead. The Halfseekers walked about, finishing off anything that moved. Jelaqua grinned as she wiped blood from one cheek.<\/p>\n \u201cGood fight! Looks like you held together well, Horns! Nice formation.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah. Thanks. We, uh, tried to help but you were everywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t worry about it. That\u2019s how we roll! Formations only work if there\u2019s more than three people in your team. But the Halfseekers never really did any of that even when there were twice as many of us! Hey Moore, you got any cuts?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA few. Nothing bad. I didn\u2019t have time to put my thorn armor spell up.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI keep telling you to do that first! Hey, nice undead. I forgot Pisces could do that. Good job you didn\u2019t let the other adventurers see them, huh? Drakes really hate [Necromancers]. Alright, let\u2019s collect the bounty parts and move on. Seborn, there wouldn\u2019t happen to be any treasure in that secret wall, would there?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGuess again.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFigures.\u201d<\/p>\n Jelaqua laughed and followed Seborn. The Horns stared after her as the Selphid waved an arm, encouraging them to catch up. Slowly, they moved on.<\/p>\n In the end, they didn\u2019t run into any other monsters. Seborn followed the corridor down to an intersection, took the left passage, ran into a team of Gnolls and turned around. By the time they went down the right corridor and found a particularly troublesome trap that Seborn didn\u2019t want to cross, three hours had passed. The entire time Jelaqua, Moore, and Seborn had been talking. They gave up on the trap and began heading back to the meeting place with Griffon Hunt and the Silver Swords, still chatting.<\/p>\n \u201cSo? Thoughts on how we\u2019re doing so far?\u201d<\/p>\n Jelaqua turned to Ceria as they were close to their destination. The half-Elf hesitated. She bit her lip, but she couldn\u2019t lie.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was uh, instructive, Jelaqua. Really. But\u2026I don\u2019t think our teams work together particularly well.\u201d<\/p>\n She glanced back at the other Horns and got two nods in reply. Yvlon looked a bit embarrassed. Pisces just rubbed one ear and shook his head. Ksmvr looked confused. He probably hadn\u2019t minded any of it. Ceria winced.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not your team! It\u2019s just\u2026your style. You\u2019re so laid back.\u201d<\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t like the Silver Swords who were practically foolhardy. The Halfseekers were cautious, but they were also casual. Ceria couldn\u2019t relax like they did and she chafed with impatience every time Seborn double-checked something just to be sure. She looked down at her feet.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry. We really appreciated working with you.\u201d<\/p>\n Jelaqua smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, what\u2019re you sorry for? It\u2019s not like your team did anything wrong. Don\u2019t worry about us not working together one hundred percent. Teams working together is tricky. It\u2019s like a marriage between strangers\u2014you never know what you\u2019ll get. We\u2019ll switch with Griffon Hunt and see how you do. After all, you don\u2019t need<\/em> us to dungeon. But now you\u2019ve seen us work\u2014do you understand what your team needs?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah. A [Rogue].\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHah! Not our charm and wit?\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria grinned in relief. Of course the Halfseekers wouldn\u2019t take offense.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll do fine without that, thanks.\u201d<\/p>\n Jelaqua was laughing when they spotted Griffon Hunt and the Silver Swords. Instantly, Ceria knew there\u2019d been friction. The two teams stood apart and Halrac looked even sourer than usual. He wasn\u2019t the only one\u2014Revi looked grumpy as usual, but even Typhenous looked put out. As for the Silver Swords\u2014well, Dawil was stroking his beard and wincing as Falene spoke sharply to Ylawes.<\/p>\n \u201cLooks like they didn\u2019t have much fun either. Ooh, this might not be fun, Moore.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhen is it ever with half-Elves? I can\u2019t stand them.\u201d<\/p>\n The half-Giant winked as Ceria and the others gaped at him. It took the Horns a second to realize that was a joke. Moore kept doing that. He\u2019d make very sly jokes that no one would pick up on. He also had a very deadpan way of telling them. Jelaqua raised a hand as the Gold-rank teams spotted them.<\/p>\n \u201cHoi there! Ready to switch?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNever been happier! Let\u2019s get this over with. We\u2019re burning daylight and the other teams are making progress! One group even found a small treasure chest!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n The other adventurers were stunned. Revi smirked.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah. It was filled with gold and little emeralds and already open. Wonderful\u2014except for the rune on the bottom. When the team captain started scooping up the money, the rune exploded and it flew up like shrapnel. Don\u2019t worry, he\u2019s alive. But he has a chunk of gold lodged in his cheek.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNasty. But that\u2019s what you get when you don\u2019t watch it. Okay, Silver Swords, let\u2019s go for a walk. Horns? It\u2019s been a pleasure.\u201d<\/p>\n Jelaqua waved at the others and pointed back the way they\u2019d come. The Silver Swords trooped after them, looking put out. Ceria wondered if they\u2019d enjoy the Halfseeker\u2019s company. Probably not. She looked apprehensively at Griffon Hunt. Revi sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay. Looks like we\u2019re with you. Wonderful. At least we can tell you all to shut up and follow our orders without backchat. Or are we going to have another problem?\u201d<\/p>\n The Horns exchanged a look. Yvlon shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cNot from us.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot if the orders make sense.\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces met Revi\u2019s glare with raised eyebrows. The Stitch-Woman looked at Halrac.<\/p>\n \u201cYou want to do this?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Scout] nodded. He appraised the Horns, then spoke up tersely.<\/p>\n \u201cIf we\u2019re moving together, you need to follow our way of doing things. We keep silent. Nothing above a whisper, and only then when necessary. Speak only when we stop. I move fifteen paces ahead. Watch for my hand signals. If you spot anything, tell us to stop and everyone will stop.<\/em> If there\u2019s an ambush, we all fall backwards while Revi summons support and Typhenous buys time. What are your defensive spells and positions?\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria blinked. She looked at her team and then stammered to answer.<\/p>\n \u201cWe uh, put up an [Ice Wall] first and Yvlon and Ksmvr take the front. Pisces summons undead and then we just\u2026attack. I cast spells with him and he uses his rapier if need be. We try to stay together and not get separated.\u201d<\/p>\n Griffon Hunt considered this. Typhenous stroked his beard thoughtfully.<\/p>\n \u201cA good strategy. But prone to danger in case of ambush. It relies heavily on Ceria\u2019s [Ice Wall] spell, although they do have three good melee fighters. Halrac, I suggest changing our positions. If Miss Byres follows with me in front while we place Ksmvr and Pisces in the rear, we\u2019ll safeguard our two most vulnerable members\u2014Revi and Ceria in the middle. Your thoughts?\u201d<\/p>\n Revi grunted.<\/p>\n \u201cI like the walling idea. Typhenous usually opens with [Sticky Webs], so if he casts it at anything running at us, Ceria has time to put them up. But how strong are the walls? We might want more space for my summons and Pisces\u2019 undead. Or do you always send them forwards?\u201d<\/p>\n To the great surprise of the Horns of Hammerad, the first twenty minutes of their time with Griffon Hunt wasn\u2019t actual exploration, but rather changing and implementing their strategy moving forwards. When they did move at last, everyone knew exactly what they were doing. Halrac took point, and the group followed him in dead silence. They didn\u2019t just rely on him either. As [Mages], Ceria and Pisces were both tasked with watching for the slightest magical glimmers that would indicate any kind of hidden spell or passage. Meanwhile, Ceria and Yvlon alternately watched forwards and back to avoid being crept up on, despite the fact that other adventurers had already secured the passages before them.<\/p>\n It was tense, working with Griffon Hunt. But of all the teams they moved fastest. Halrac pushed relentlessly forwards. Once he\u2019d heard about Pisces\u2019 Raskghar, he\u2019d actually insisted on having two of them move in front of him. That way he could scout for traps and also have a decoy in case of an ambush or a trap he failed to spot. He was constantly signaling Pisces to move or stop his undead.<\/p>\n Ceria found herself constantly on edge and watchful. Not once did she or her team have the luxury of relaxing. Griffon Hunt would push down a corridor, reach an intersection, stop, and only take breaks once they were sure it was safe. They encountered no monsters and avoided each of the traps successfully\u2014Typhenous wondered if all the adventuring and fighting was scaring away most of the monsters\u2014but despite that, at the end of their three hours, the Horns found themselves walking backwards, still in formation, but chatting fairly amiably with Griffon Hunt.<\/p>\n Of all the teams, Ceria thought that Griffon Hunt\u2019s style matched theirs best. The Gold-rank adventurers seemed to agree, because even Halrac and Revi were willing to talk on the way back, albeit quietly with Halrac watching their backs.<\/p>\n \u201cWe thought you\u2019d be a disaster like the Silver Swords. Sand in my stitches, I\u2019ve never met anyone as full of herself as Falene. Is that \u2018wise half-Elf\u2019 thing she does an act? And does your brother not know the meaning of stealth, Yvlon?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe never was good at it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe took offense when we told him to dirty his armor. Dead gods. Only the Dwarf seemed to have a head on his shoulders and he kept trying to make Halrac laugh at his jokes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot a good team for dungeons.\u201d<\/p>\n Halrac grunted. He stared at Ksmvr, who had a shortbow out. The Antinium nodded a few times. Then he looked at Halrac.<\/p>\n \u201cPlease tell me, Captain Halrac. Why do you think we have not found any monsters yet? Or Raskghar?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Scout] considered the question.<\/p>\n \u201cThey probably pulled back. Monsters and Raskghar. It means this dungeon\u2019s sentient. Or there\u2019s a controlling force.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou think so?\u201d<\/p>\n The Horns looked at Halrac, concerned. Revi nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Silver-rank teams were attacked within seconds of entering the dungeon. There\u2019s no way those furry things wouldn\u2019t have spotted us coming down. And it doesn\u2019t take an idiot to run from a hundred adventurers. The real mystery is why the regular monsters are gone too. That\u2019s\u2026not normal. We\u2019ll see if the other teams had the same experience, but I don\u2019t like it. Especially since we covered a good amount of distance. How big is this dungeon anyways?\u201d<\/p>\n No one had an answer. And as the two teams met other adventurers they found that the actual number of encounters with monsters had been strangely low. Halrac grunted as he conferred with Nailren.<\/p>\n \u201cSo you have not seen any track of the Raskghar either, Captain Halrac? Nothing specific that might lead us to their den?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNothing. There are crisscrossing fur trails all over the dungeon, but I can\u2019t tell the difference between Raskghar fur and Gnoll fur. What about your team?\u201d<\/p>\n Nailren growled and the Gnolls behind him shifted. Their ears were lowered and they looked slightly ashamed.<\/p>\n \u201cWe cannot smell our people. The Raskghar have\u2026marked all the tunnels. The smell is overpowering. Too, they have rubbed blood on the walls to hide where they have gone. Gnoll blood. We followed one trail but we were wary of traps. And when we went too far\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n He hesitated.<\/p>\n \u201cWe sensed eyes on us and retreated. It is not brave, but we have marked the tunnel. We will go back next time, yes?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNothing wrong in doing that. Can you mark the route you took? We\u2019ll add it to the map of the other adventurers\u2019 routes.\u201d<\/p>\n Griffon Hunt studied the map they\u2019d made afterwards. Ceria looked anxiously at the lines showing a dizzying labyrinth spreading out from the entrance via the rift. If all the other teams had gone their own route, they\u2019d have a more complete picture. But from the looks of things, they were only covering a fraction of the dungeon so far.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you sure we shouldn\u2019t investigate the spot that Kelia\u2019s Pride found now, Halrac?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Scout] shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cNot enough time. We\u2019re already in the evening and we agreed to meet in half an hour.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut the missing Gnolls\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Revi interrupted.<\/p>\n \u201cAmateurs. We don\u2019t rush. If the Raskghar are setting up ambushes and hiding, we move slow. Carefully. Creating a proper<\/em> map of every trap and tunnel in the immediate area is the first thing we should do. This first raid means we\u2019ve found a bunch of traps and know where to go. We\u2019ll try again tomorrow. But we can\u2019t run about and risk getting stuck in the dungeon by nightfall.\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria knew that was true. But her conscience plucked at her.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about the Gnolls, though?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re already dead.\u201d<\/p>\n Halrac\u2019s flat voice made her stop. Revi shrugged apologetically.<\/p>\n \u201cHe doesn\u2019t mean that. It\u2019s more like that\u2019s what we\u2019re assuming. Look, Ceria. We can\u2019t afford to be reckless. Not our team. I know the other Gold-rank teams would do it. The Halfseekers have a soft spot for those in need. The Silver Swords are\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIdiots.\u201d<\/p>\n Halrac frowned. Revi sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cSee? I\u2019m not always the rude one. We\u2019ve got to go back.\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria knew that was true. Reluctantly she followed Griffon Hunt back. As usual, Halrac led the way. But since they were in familiar territory he let the group follow closer on his heels. And for the first time she noticed him doing something to the wall at each intersection he passed.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s Halrac writing?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdventurer sign. Marks that we explored this place already. And the way the exit is. For your Minotaur friend, if we find him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFor Calruz?\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria was astonished. Revi raised an eyebrow.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course. It\u2019s not much, but if he\u2019s any sense he\u2019ll notice the markings. Minotaurs are great with mazes, right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUm. That\u2019s a stereotype. But he does know his way around trail signs. You think he\u2019ll spot them?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s better than nothing. What would you do?\u201d<\/p>\n The half-Elf hesitated. Revi narrowed her eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat was<\/em> your plan, exactly? Wander about shouting his name?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a little more intricate than that\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n The Stitch-Girl rolled her eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure.\u201d<\/p>\n She stopped at the intersection as Halrac moved on and pointed. Ceria stared at the faint lines on the wall. Halrac had written in a glowing white paint that was probably hard to remove. The Stitch-Girl nodded to it.<\/p>\n \u201cHere. We\u2019ve been leaving these at every intersection. Your friend might see them, might not. But he\u2019ll trust it more if you leave him something he can identify. Tomorrow you can do it at each corridor you pass down. But for now\u2026do you have a symbol, or some code he\u2019ll recognize?\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria thought for a long while. At last, she took a small vial that Revi offered her and dipped her finger into the glowing liquid. She scrawled something on the wall. Revi blinked.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s <\/em>your secret message?\u201d<\/p>\n The half-Elf blushed.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s all I could think of, okay? We don\u2019t have a sign\u2026but he\u2019d see this and know it was me. Definitely.\u201d<\/p>\n For the first time, Revi chortled. She waved at Typhenous and Halrac.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, look at this.\u201d<\/p>\n The other two came over, and Pisces, Yvlon, and Ksmvr crowded around to see. Typhenous chuckled, and Halrac actually smiled for a brief second before scowling. Pisces sniggered, and Yvlon laughed. Predictably, Ksmvr didn\u2019t get the joke.<\/p>\n And then they were done. Griffon Hunt reached the entrance to the dungeon and stared up at the teams going up through the water. Bevussa and the Wings of Pallass were overseeing the leaving adventurers as the rear-guard. Halrac and Ceria went to hear what the Garuda was talking about.<\/p>\n \u201cLooks like almost everyone got back. How many teams are still unaccounted for?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFour.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd the casualties?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThree.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThree?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOne stepped on a trap, and two more got killed by an ambush from the dungeon. Silver-ranks. Both from Gekla Raiders. Poor bastards ran into a group of Crypt Lords leading undead and called the alarm too late.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDamn. What happened to the team going in front of them?\u201d<\/p>\n The adventurers conferred and waited for the last of the teams to come back, which they all did. By the time they left the sun was setting. The Horns were one of the last groups to go, mainly because Yvlon was worried about holding her breath all the way up to the surface and Ksmvr kept making excuses why he didn\u2019t need to go up just yet. In the end, the Horns got one of the adventuring teams on the surface to haul Ksmvr up after tying the Antinium to a rope and they made it to the surface.<\/p>\n The dungeon remained. It was silent, disturbed and upset by the sudden incursion into its depths. It was also hauntingly empty. The corridors lacked life. The monsters roaming about had vanished in the face of the adventurers. Very few things were brave enough to stir until the ropes had been hauled up, and the last invader gone. Only then did things move and the flow of the dungeon changed.<\/p>\n It was in that brief window before the denizens of the dungeon returned that a figure walked down the corridors so recently filled with adventuring teams. It moved slowly, warily, pausing at each trap that had been so clearly identified by the adventuring teams. It proceeded down one corridor, and then stopped as it spotted something on the wall.<\/p>\n A bit of glowing paint. At first it looked like just an odd symbol, but the figure spotted a crusted patch next to it. An old adventurer\u2019s trick. The dirt rubbed away, revealing\u2026an arrow. It pointed to the dungeon entrance. But that wasn\u2019t all. Someone had left another message below it. A personal one.<\/p>\n The marking wasn\u2019t a word, or a symbol, or anything so elegant. It was a drawing, in fact. A drawing of a cow. It was crude, but the cow had udders, spots, and a pair of oversized horns. It was\u2026a joke. An old picture that only one of the original Horns of Hammerad would know. Something Ceria had used to make fun of her team\u2019s leader until he snapped and roared at her that cows were not<\/em> like Minotaurs.<\/p>\n A bit of the past flaked away on the stranger\u2019s fingers. It\u2014he\u2014sniffed the marking. Then the figure bent and searched the ground. A hair had fallen while the illustrator had worked. It was mixed with a bit of the alchemical paint. The figure picked up the strand of hair and inspected it. He lifted it into the air and his eyes widened. Calruz spoke one ragged word.<\/p>\n \u201cCeria.\u201d<\/p>\n He stared at the marking and touched it with one broad hand. His scarred fingers ran over the silly drawing of the cow. Then he turned and walked back into the dungeon, leaving the marker behind. Into the darkness. And the dungeon stirred. Enveloping him. Waiting for nightfall.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Previous Chapter<\/a> Next Chapter<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Ordinarily, on any other day, Erin would have been thrilled to have an inn full of guests. However, today just wasn\u2019t that kind of day. She was tired, upset, ashamed of herself, and currently understaffed. Erin rushed from table to table with drinks as Drassi, Ishkr, and Lyonette all did the same. She was relieved […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":52856846,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_searchwp_excluded":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"patreon-level":0,"patreon_level":0,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[11693085,349],"tags":[],"twi_volume":[11693134],"twi_collection":[],"class_list":["post-5103","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-volume-5","category-writing"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
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