\u201cYou know, I could quit. Right now. I could quit my job, walk into grandmother\u2019s office and tell her to go eat her tail and walk out. Just like that. I could quit and do something else for the rest of my life.\u201d<\/p>\n
Selys Shivertail looked around the Adventurer\u2019s Guild. She glanced sideways at her coworker. Maviss, a Drake with pink and red scales, paused as she applied a little scale moisturizer to the scales around her eyes. She had a little makeup kit with her, with everything from paints to touch up off-color scales to moisturizing products and powders.<\/p>\n
Sometimes, Selys envied Humans with their hair and innumerable ways to color lips and change eyelashes and other bodily features. Then again, Drakes could paint their scales. But Selys had given up the makeup game. Now, looking at her friend, she was tempted to get back into it. It was usually expensive. But\u2026<\/p>\n
\u201cYou could do that, Selys. But I think Guildmistress Tekshia would rip off your head. Or run you through with one of her spears first. I don\u2019t think anyone\u2019s ever quit to her face. Most just hand in a letter. She\u2019s fired<\/em> people before to their faces of course\u2026think you\u2019d survive because you\u2019re her granddaughter?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo. She\u2019d probably kick my tail out and refuse to let me quit. But I could. Not that I\u2019m gonna.\u201d<\/p>\n Selys slumped on the counter, playing out the conversation in her head. She winced as the path took a predictable turn. Her grandmother, the infamous Tekshia, was very hard to argue with because if she started losing, she resorted to violence. And it had to be said she was still stronger than Selys in her old age, which didn\u2019t seem fair.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m just saying, Maviss. I could quit.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut what would we do without you? You\u2019re the only person who knows everything around here. Besides your grandmother of course. And if you think I\u2019m going to work with her at the front desk\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Maviss gestured around the Adventurer\u2019s Guild. Selys looked around from her desk. It wasn\u2019t too busy at the guild, hence their idle chatter. Sometimes, there was a huge line at the receptionists\u2019 desks, which were placed around a central beam in the middle of the room.<\/p>\n Other times, it was peaceful, like now. The few adventurers in the back of the room, sitting at the tables and chatting, were taking a break from their jobs. The rest were out, either doing nearby requests around Liscor or exploring the dungeon. But carefully. The huge drama of the Raskghar attacks, the dungeon exploration, and so on was over. It was peaceful. And Selys was a bit bored.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat would you even do with all your free time, Selys?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know. Go shopping. Party more often? Hang out with Erin and Mrsha?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOoh. That little cutie? I haven\u2019t seen her around.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLyonette\u2019s protective. But I could do that. Maybe visit Pallass? But I wouldn\u2019t be working, you know? I wouldn\u2019t have to deal with stinking adventurers or clean up blood or work late hours\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut you\u2019ve done that all your life. You told me just last week you like bossing adventurers around and working here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI said that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYup.\u201d<\/p>\n Maviss delicately applied some scented oil to her scales. Selys leaned back and nearly fell over; her stool had no back. She caught herself on the desk and sighed. It was true. She really didn\u2019t mind her job usually. Her coworker shot her a glance.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy are you saying this now? Because of all the money you have?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? Who told you how much money I have? I mean, er, well, it\u2019s just that I could<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n Selys scratched at her neck. Her tail curled up before she caught herself. Maviss rolled her eyes, and her tail waved back and forth a tad irritably.<\/p>\n \u201cCome on, Selys. Everyone knows you\u2019re loaded after inheriting your\u2026I mean, General\u2026you own the Heartflame Breastplate.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n For a second, both Drake\u2019s faces fell. It was still hard to say it. Zel Shivertail, Selys\u2019 uncle, was dead. And he\u2019d left the armor he\u2019d been wearing to her.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026Okay, I do have more money. So yeah, I could quit.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow much?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t say.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat<\/em> much? I heard you paid for a night at the Tailless Thief with Warsh and the others last night.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOnly because they didn\u2019t have enough on them. And I had money, so\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Selys rubbed her head as she remembered that night out. She regretted it, too. All she\u2019d woken up with was a sense that she\u2019d spent too much coin. But she couldn\u2019t even tell how much she\u2019d spent; the little trove of gold coins hadn\u2019t noticeably decreased in any quantifiable sense of the word. Maviss gave her a sidelong glance.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know what I\u2019d do?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cQuit my job, like you said. Take a trip to the Walled Cities. Spend like a month or two in each one, going to big parties, seeing all the sights\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat sounds like work.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re just saying that because you\u2019ve never travelled, Selys.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m a Liscorian, born and bred.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow would you know? You\u2019ve never been past the Blood Fields! Selys, there\u2019s a door to Pallass<\/em> in The Wandering Inn! And you know the innkeeper yourself! You could at least take a vacation.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell\u2026that might be nice. Maybe I\u2019ll talk to Grandma about it. I could probably get her to agree if I bought her a present. Or offered to pay for her<\/em> vacation.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNow there\u2019s a good use of money. Bribing your grandma.\u201d<\/p>\n Selys laughed. She shook her head. It really was something she had to think about sooner or later. At the very least, she had to find a place for all that gold. Or just get a bag of holding\u2026Selys noticed Maviss was busy writing something down now.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019re you working on?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, just filling out the details of that request the, uh, Horns of Hammerad accepted.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe Ashfire Bee one? Watch Captain Zevara put that up.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMhm. And they decided to go for it today. Wonder what took them so long.\u201d<\/p>\n Selys shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cAshfire Bees are no joke, Maviss.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTrue. Darn. I\u2019ve filled out the form, but\u2026what\u2019s the Ashfire Bee threat ranking? I think I need to add whether this was a natural-based threat for Liscor or a migrating one. Little help?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAshfire Bees are ranked as a Silver-rank threat. Check your monster encyclopedia. Lower left desk.\u201d<\/p>\n Selys pointed. Maviss ducked down and came up with a worn book. She flipped through it quickly.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo did the Horns go to take on the bees alone? That\u2019s dangerous, Maviss.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNah, the\u2026Human, half-Elf, and Dwarf team went with them. The\u2026Silver Swords. And the Halfseekers. They were going to watch, I think. But really? Three teams? Two Gold-<\/em>rank teams for an Ashfire Bee nest. Couldn\u2019t they just send one [Mage]? They\u2019re a Silver-rank threat, right?\u201d<\/p>\n She looked up. Selys shook her head as she borrowed some of Maviss\u2019 moisturizer.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s deceptive. We rank threats based on how dangerous monsters or animals are. Ashfire Bees are dangerous<\/em>, but they don\u2019t actually attack many people. One might sting you if you step on it or agitate the bee, but that\u2019s not a threat<\/em>. But hives? Hives are dangerous. You can prepare, and there are ways for a Silver-rank team to wipe them out\u2014if they prepare right. But if you\u2019re suddenly attacked by a thousand Ashfire Bees?\u201d<\/p>\n She raised her brows. Maviss shuddered.<\/p>\n \u201cPoint.\u201d<\/p>\n She dipped her quill in ink and scribbled quietly for a second. Selys leaned over.<\/p>\n \u201cMake a note of the Hive\u2019s size, will you? We\u2019ll add this to the monthly report to the other guilds. If there are other Ashfire Bee nests in the area, they should be careful. Although they are good for flowers.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, boss.\u201d<\/p>\n Silence took over for a moment. Maviss finished her work, stamped the signed document, and slipped it into a folder under the table. She leaned back in her chair, then looked over at Selys.<\/p>\n \u201cSo\u2026how rich are you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMm. Not saying.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA hundred gold pieces? No, wait, four hundred? You didn\u2019t sell the armor, but I saw Miss Ivirith wearing the armor. And Wall Lord Ilvriss.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDrop it, Maviss.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA thousand gold pieces, then. Two thousand? Four <\/em>thousand?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaviss\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCome on! I have to know! Six thousand. Eight? Ten\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf I had ten thousand gold pieces\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAha! So it\u2019s less. Okay, under ten thousand. Just wink if I\u2019m getting close. Eight? Six? Four? Come on, Selys. Two? Selys? Selys\u2026<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Outside of Liscor\u2019s walls, a mile or two away from the city, was a cave. It was a noisy cave, especially in the spring. Ashfire Bees flew in and out, bearing huge loads of pollen and nectar, food for their massive home, a hive in the back of the cave. The oversized bees were terrifying and fascinating.<\/p>\n On one hand, they were generally peaceful. They made honey. On the other hand, they were the size of your hands and a single sting would be a world of hurt. And disturb their hive? There were hundreds of Ashfire Bees in the hive. Even someone in armor would die within seconds of incurring their wrath. Which was why the three groups of adventurers waiting outside weren\u2019t sending a person<\/em> into the cave.<\/p>\n \u201cSee, I can appreciate this. This is a solid use of necromancy. Baleros has no problems with undead. Well, less problems. Here we have a problem, and instead of sending the Selphid, we send a Bone Horror.\u201d<\/p>\n Jelaqua Ivirith commented to Moore and Yvlon as they stood well behind the giant two-headed bear Bone Horror slowly lumbering towards the cave. It was a monstrosity of bone with a reinforced body and spiky protrusions that would allow it to gore anything it ran into or crushed. It was a monster worthy of a Silver-rank team, but it was on the side of the adventurers.<\/p>\n Pisces, standing next to Ceria and Falene, pointed, and the Bone Horror slowly entered the cave. The Ashfire Bees flying overhead buzzed down. A few landed on the Bone Horror, as if inspecting it. Then one tried to sting it.<\/p>\n \u201cAll going well so far. Can you see what it\u2019s doing?\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria watched as the Bone Horror entered the cave. Pisces nodded absently. Falene was wrinkling her nose as she watched the [Necromancer] at work. It was a surprise she\u2019d come here with Pisces, but she\u2019d insisted.<\/p>\n \u201cI have some sensory perception, yes, Ceria. I\u2019m moving it forwards slowly. The bees are, ah, beginning to try and dissuade my creation. But of course their stingers cannot harm it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust aim for the hive. Ceria and I will handle any stragglers after your Bone Horror has demolished the hive. Or if it somehow fails before destroying it. I intend to use [Frostdart Swarm]. What about you, Ceria?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEh. [Ice Wall], probably. I\u2019ll just freeze the bees solid. Seems like it\u2019d work best. I don\u2019t have that many spells against crowds anyways.\u201d<\/p>\n Falene sniffed. It was such an imitation of Pisces that both he and Ceria turned to look at her.<\/p>\n \u201cYou should expand your repertoire, Ceria. A [Mage] should have magics for every occasion, even if you have a forte.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d like to do that, but we need to buy spellbooks first. The one I have is higher-level than I\u2019m capable of at the moment. I\u2019m learning spells\u2014but slowly. Besides, I was kicked out of Wistram before I learned the good spells.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTrue. Which is why I suggest you stop referring to yourselves as Wistram graduates.\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces turned his head to glare at Falene.<\/p>\n \u201cWe were accredited by Cognita herself, Miss Skystrall. Which I\u2019m sure you\u2019ve heard about if you\u2019ve finally inquired into our pasts.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI only\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHey! Are you arguing or killing bees? We\u2019re not standing out here for fun! <\/em>Well, I am. But Moore\u2019s not!\u201d<\/p>\n A shout interrupted the start of another fight. The three [Mages] turned. Jelaqua was waving at them. Ksmvr, standing next to her, waved too.<\/p>\n \u201cHello, Captain Ceria, Comrade Pisces! Is our help needed?\u201d<\/p>\n Ksmvr\u2019s gesture took in the small crowd standing with them. Three teams had gathered at the Ashfire Bee cave. Jelaqua, Moore, Yvlon, Ksmvr, Ylawes, and<\/em> Dawil were all waiting. Seborn hadn\u2019t come, mainly because it was fairly overkill. The other adventurers were standing in the mud. Ceria waved back.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry! The bear\u2019s headed in! Give us a sec!\u201d<\/p>\n She got a wave in reply. Jelaqua turned back to keep talking with Yvlon. Dawil, Ylawes, and Moore were still chatting. Ksmvr was still waving with one arm, poised to spring into action. Ceria turned back to Falene.<\/p>\n \u201cLook, we were given the right to call ourselves graduates, Falene. I admit we\u2019re not high-level enough, but\u2014are you angry about our past?\u201d<\/p>\n She looked at Falene, a bit apprehensively. The half-Elf [Battlemage] paused.<\/p>\n \u201cI am not. I was not at Wistram, so I cannot comment about any\u2026incidents that may have occurred. But you two are still too inexperienced to be called full Wistram graduates. Which is a pity, because if you were, you could easily be a Gold-rank team by now. As it is, you lack the variety and power to reach Gold-rank. For now. But it could happen.\u201d<\/p>\n It was perhaps the nicest thing she\u2019d said in a long time. Ceria and Pisces both looked at her in surprise.<\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t take it to heart. I was merely remarking to Moore that it was a shame. You see, a proper [Mage] has spells for every occasion, so even a lower-level [Mage] who knows more spells could in theory beat a more powerful [Mage]. But in your case, both of you have such limited spell selections\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n She sighed, eyes flicking between the two. Ceria wondered if this was still a compliment or if it had slipped into an insult. Pisces sniffed.<\/p>\n \u201cI have a sufficient variety of spells given my [Mage] level, Miss Skystrall. However, my [Necromancer] spells are fairly extensive for my level. My Bone Horrors, for instance, are a strong accomplishment even for my level. Or would you call the ability to maintain two Bone Horrors at once a Silver-rank adventurer\u2019s level? It is beginning to tear into the hive, by the way. The bees are quite agitated.\u201d<\/p>\n It was true. The droning from the cave was getting a lot<\/em> louder. Falene paused. She eyed the cave.<\/p>\n \u201cI suppose it is more than most Silver-rank teams could commit to an engagement. But hubris is dangerous. There are some Silver-rank teams who are quite capable of taking down Bone Horrors with ease. And they are not Gold-rank teams for the same reason you are not yet; they lack experience or raw firepower or\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI get it. Thanks, Falene.\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria sighed. Falene shot her a glance, and Ceria tried to give her a smile. She knew Falene cared, in her way. But it was hard to talk to her. She turned to Pisces. This conversation would be easier\u2014if it had to happen\u2014after they were done standing in the muck and having a nice drink at Erin\u2019s inn. That was what Ceria and her team had been doing all the time of late. Drinking, eating, while the door slowly moved north to Invrisil. Did Ceria feel lazy for doing it? Yes. But she was enjoying herself. And besides, they were working. Even if this was just an easy\u2014<\/p>\n \u201cUh oh.\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces\u2019 voice made Ceria look up. His eyes were suddenly locked on the cave. He licked his lips.<\/p>\n \u201cAh. Er\u2014back up. Back\u2014oh dear.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPisces? Something wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Necromancer] didn\u2019t respond at first. The buzzing inside the cave had reached a crescendo. Ceria exchanged a glance with Falene.<\/p>\n \u201cPisces?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe, uh\u2014the Bone Horror began demolishing the hive. But\u2014oh no. The bees are covering the Bone Horror.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo what? They can\u2019t hurt it, right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat was my assumption. And I thought the flames they emitted weren\u2019t hot enough to\u2014but it is very<\/em> hot, and I think the bone is\u2014the bone is cracking\u00ad\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria heard a snap<\/em> at the same time Pisces yelled<\/em>. She jumped. The cracking had come from the cave! Pisces stumbled back.<\/p>\n \u201cPisces?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey broke it! I just lost my connection! They burnt <\/em>my Bone Horror to pieces! And they\u2019re coming! Raise a barrier!\u201d<\/p>\n He pointed towards the cave. Ceria blinked. She raised her hand and looked at Falene.<\/p>\n \u201c[Ice Wall].\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c[Bone Wall]!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c[Force Barrier]. It\u2019s hardly an issue. They won\u2019t be able to\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The walls of bone and ice were rising out of the ground, sealing off the cave. They made it halfway up, Ceria\u2019s ice spell racing up faster than Pisces\u2019 bone magic, when there was a thrumming<\/em> sound. And then a few hundred bees blasted out of the cave.<\/p>\n A flaming, flying fireball of insects smashed<\/em> into the growing bone wall, blowing it to pieces. Ceria saw her ice wall melt in a second. The bees shot towards the entrance and stopped, ramming into something at the entrance. Falene\u2019s [Force Wall] bulged <\/em>but held. Falene staggered. And suddenly her expression had grown intense. Her eyes widened, and she raised her staff and planted it in the ground.<\/p>\n \u201cOh tree rot. My wall just\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRaise another! Now!\u201d<\/p>\n Falene shouted at her. Behind her, the other adventurers looked around and saw the bugs swarming at the entrance. Ceria tried.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, it\u2019s coming up! It should\u2014grass shit! They just melted it!\u201d<\/p>\n Her ice wall got hallway up before the heat melted straight through the wall. Ceria tried again, but her ice magic couldn\u2019t even get close to the bees.<\/p>\n \u201cPisces? How\u2019s that bone?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s cracking! They\u2019re too hot! We underestimated them! Back up!\u201d<\/p>\n He grabbed Falene, but the half-Elf shook him off. She had planted her staff in the ground.<\/p>\n \u201cIf I move, the [Force Barrier] will break. I\u2019m\u2014holding them\u2014Ylawes, Dawil!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHere!\u201d<\/p>\n The other adventurers raced up towards the cave. Ylawes stared at the bees, then at Ceria and Pisces.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Bone Horror\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey turned it to ash! They\u2019re a lot<\/em> hotter than I thought they were! We need to pull back!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou can\u2019t outrun bees! Aw, hell! Moore! Cover me in vines! I\u2019m going to get in there. You cover me while I knock as many down as I can. If I can get enough\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re with you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIndeed. Allow us to be sacrificial decoys while the [Mages] retreat. Then we shall retreat, assuming we are alive.\u201d<\/p>\n Yvlon lifted her sword. Ksmvr had already readied his Forceshield and shortsword. Ylawes looked at Jelaqua and held out a hand.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYlawes\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI meant Ksmvr. Yv, put your helmet on. Shield your face. Borrow Ksmvr\u2019s shield. Dawil?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHelmet on. Face covered. Just block the bees and our armor will hold. Got it?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Warriors] nodded. They were squaring up, facing the cave. Jelaqua cursed as she lifted her flail.<\/p>\n \u201cMoore! Thorns on all of us! Can you do a face covering? Ah, hells, hells\u2014I\u2019m just glad we have more bodies back at Erin\u2019s inn! Falene, let us get close! Can you set up some spells? Ceria? Pisces? We could use a trap or spell!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t do anything. I can only hold this barrier, and it\u2019s draining my mana too quickly to\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Falene was gasping. Ceria looked around, trying to figure out what she could do.<\/p>\n \u201cI can throw some ice magic, but they\u2019ll melt it! Hold on\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo time. I\u2019ll hit them with a lightning spell as they come out, but I don\u2019t know [Lightning Bolt]. Ceria, start running. I\u2019ll pick up Falene and [Flash Step] after you. Ksmvr. Run! Moore as well!\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces\u2019 face was tense. Ksmvr looked around as he handed his shield to Yvlon.<\/p>\n \u201cI believe it is time to run, friend Moore. We are useless and fragile. Friend Moore? Hello?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t keep holding it\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLet it go in ten seconds! Get ready!\u201d<\/p>\n Ylawes strode up towards the entrance. He\u2019d raised his shield in front of his face. Dawil took his left side, Yvlon his right. Jelaqua was already waiting. The Selphid turned back to face the others.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re going to come out in one mass. Cover your faces and maybe you won\u2019t get stung too bad. But we have to be bait. Get in there, kill that queen. Got it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI believe we might be in trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n Ksmvr was tugging on Moore\u2019s arm. Falene gasped.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRun!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces grabbed Falene and lifted her up in both arms with a grunt. The willowy half-Elf yelped, and her spell went out. The bees buzzed forwards as Ceria, already running backwards and shouting for the others to follow, fired an [Ice Spike] at the fireball. She watched it melt as the Ashfire Bees blasted forwards\u2014<\/p>\n \u201c[Earthen Spire].\u201d<\/p>\n A quiet voice interrupted the shouting. As Ceria ran past Moore, the half-Giant tapped his staff on the ground. A wall of stone shot up, a huge rocky stalactite four times as thick as Ceria or Pisces\u2019 spells. It shot up like lightning. Ceria, looking back over her shoulders, saw the bees flashing towards the cave\u2019s entrance for only a second before a crash<\/em> of sound and spray of rocks made the adventurers near the cave flinch back.<\/p>\n Ceria ducked as some rocks blasted out, but they were only fragments. She saw a few bees buzzing around the entrance, heard a dull buzzing from within, and then there was silence. She stared at the cave. The entrance was completely closed off by\u2026stone. Actual stone, not a temporary magical conjuration. The other adventurers looked around. Moore exhaled slowly. His plain walking staff raised, and he straightened his shoulders. He regarded his work, then looked around.<\/p>\n \u201cI think most of them avoided that. But the cave\u2019s sealed. I don\u2019t believe Ashfire Bees can dig, and the spire is solid stone. Is everyone alright?\u201d<\/p>\n The adventurers gaped at him. Falene, sweating heavily, kicked in Pisces\u2019 arms. He dropped her. The half-Elf floated before she could land in the muck and righted herself. She walked over to Moore, reached out, and held out a hand. He bent down and offered her an arm. Falene leaned on it. She wiped some sweat from her elegant locks and then looked at Ceria and Pisces. She pointed at Moore.<\/p>\n \u201cThat would be the difference between a Gold-rank [Mage] and you two.\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria stared at Moore and couldn\u2019t find any reason to disagree.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cOkay group, what did we do wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n The adventurers trooping back to Liscor on foot looked over. Jelaqua clapped her hands, smiling with her pale lips. It sounded lighthearted, but it was a serious question. Ceria hesitated. Ksmvr raised his hands, two of them at once.<\/p>\n \u201cIf I may, Captain Ivirith, I would venture to say that our teams took this assignment too lightly. We underestimated both the heat and offensive force of the Ashfire Bees, who were able to destroy Comrade Pisces\u2019 Bone Horror with ease.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRidiculous. I solidified the bone. That bear weighed over two hundred pounds without flesh! Even if it had been burnt in a bonfire, it wouldn\u2019t have expired half as quickly\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Ksmvr went on, ignoring Pisces for once.<\/p>\n \u201cMoreover, Miss Skystrall\u2019s spell, while effective, was flawed in that she was unable to use additional spells, which she no doubt possessed. And the Ashfire Bees were unable to be contained by either Comrade Pisces or Captain Ceria\u2019s magic alone.\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria winced. That was true. She\u2019d been about as useful as a shroom back there. Her [Ice Wall] spell, which was so powerful usually, had been as effective as a sneeze at stopping the Ashfire Bees when they were on fire. Jelaqua nodded at Ksmvr, grinning.<\/p>\n \u201cSounds about right. But don\u2019t be too hard on Ceria or Pisces, eh, Ksmvr? Us warriors couldn\u2019t do much more than act as meat shields. If I had brought a few high-grade alchemy potions, we could have done something. But we should have had another fallback. Good job Moore was testing out his new spell, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIndeed. His actions saved us much death and casualty.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah. Good job, big guy!\u201d<\/p>\n Jelaqua slapped Moore on the back. Ylawes nodded. Dawil nudged Moore\u2019s thigh. Ceria and Pisces also voiced their agreement. Moore blushed.<\/p>\n \u201cI was only relieved it worked.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWas that a new spell?\u201d<\/p>\n Yvlon glanced up at Moore. The half-Giant nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cI acquired it after the battle with the Redfang tribe. I\u2019d leveled up from the dungeon, but this was the first spell I earned. And it is\u2026rewarding.\u201d<\/p>\n A small smile spread across his broad face. Falene, walking by him, nodded as proudly as if she were a doting mother. Ceria glanced at Pisces. His eyebrows were raised. They began to whisper to each other as Liscor\u2019s gates came into view.<\/p>\n \u201cTree rot, I thought we were in trouble, Pisces.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI as well. That was a\u2026commendably powerful spell.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo kidding? That was strong!<\/em> Sealing caves aside, imagine being hit by that? He could wipe out our entire group in one shot! That\u2019s either Tier 3 or Tier 4. Well, a fireball\u2019s<\/em> Tier 3\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut that rock stays in place. Definitely Tier 4. It\u2019s earth manipulation. Quite powerful. You know, I had heard other [Mages] had different areas of strength, but I\u2019d forgotten how useful earth magic is with its permanence. It shapes the earth, whereas [Ice Magic] is quicker, but less malleable, less durable\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd it melts. Yeah. We suck.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIndeed. Hello, Captain Ceria, Comrade Pisces. I am reflecting on my worthlessness as well. I am very depressed.\u201d<\/p>\n Ksmvr popped up between Ceria and Pisces. They jumped. Yvlon walked forwards to join them, shaking her head.<\/p>\n \u201cWe made a bad call, Ksmvr. Don\u2019t beat yourself up over it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy remonstrations are purely mental agony, Yvlon.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t do that either. We\u2019re lucky we had the Silver Swords and Halfseekers to bail us out.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd don\u2019t you forget it! Aw, don\u2019t worry though. Live and learn! We got out of this alive! So I\u2019ll forget that none of us thought to make a backup plan either! Selphid\u2019s tits, I\u2019m not taking a contract on Ashfire Bees again!\u201d<\/p>\n Jelaqua laughed behind them. Dawil nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cStroke of fortune we were all here. We\u2019ve gotten complacent after the dungeon. But we learned our lesson, eh? Speaking of which, Jelaqua.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHm? What\u2019s that, Dawil?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou said Selphid\u2019s tits. That a common Balerosian expression?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEh, pretty much. Why?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I was wondering. Do Selphids have\u2014<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Ylawes coughed. He nudged Dawil hard, his face red.<\/p>\n \u201cDawil. That\u2019s not polite conversation.\u201d<\/p>\n Jelaqua grinned.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, I don\u2019t mind. And I could tell you the answer, but I could also show you. Anyone? Uh\u2026anyone?\u201d<\/p>\n The other adventurers laughed. Ceria shook off the moment of robes-soiling fear and filed the moment of trauma away for later reflection. She walked back into Liscor, listening to a convoluted description of Selphid anatomy until they got to the Adventurer\u2019s Guild.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Selys! We\u2019re back!\u201d<\/p>\n Jelaqua sang out as they pushed the door open. Selys was sitting at the desk, chatting with another Drake [Receptionist]. She looked up.<\/p>\n \u201cOh? You killed the Ashfire Bees, then?\u201d<\/p>\n Jelaqua looked back at Ceria. The half-Elf sighed. She\u2019d been the one to take the contract, so she had to explain.<\/p>\n \u201cSealed. Not destroyed. Uh, we\u2019re giving credit to the Halfseekers. You see\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n She gave Selys a truncated explanation of what had happened with Jelaqua throwing in little asides. Selys blinked, but she nodded at the end of Ceria\u2019s story.<\/p>\n \u201cSounds like you handled it. And sealed works as well as destroyed. The nest will starve itself out. I\u2019ll see about putting out a warning for no one to try and unseal the cave\u2014not that I\u2019d know why. Some paint will do that. Let me just write that down\u2026and your reward. To the Halfseekers, I guess.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAw, we don\u2019t need\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou sealed it, it\u2019s yours.\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria indicated Jelaqua should take the gold and silver coins. The Selphid demurred for another second, but then scooped up the coins.<\/p>\n \u201cI guess we won\u2019t argue over it. I sign for completion, right, Selys?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right. Normally we can\u2019t give you the money until we confirm the cave\u2019s sealed, but a Gold-rank team is trusted. And\u2026yes, that\u2019s all. Thanks!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh, perks of the job. Well, shall we head back to the inn?\u201d<\/p>\n Jelaqua grinned at the others. Ceria nodded. She looked around.<\/p>\n \u201cAre the other teams in the dungeon?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe\u2026Wings of Pallass are in. So are the Flamewardens. I haven\u2019t seen Gemhammer, and the Pride of Kelia is hunting some Shield Spiders.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGot it. Well, we\u2019ll head back to the inn. Everyone else coming? First round\u2019s on me.\u201d<\/p>\n Still a bit shamefaced, Ceria waved at the others. Jelaqua laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cYou mean, on us! Why not? We should relieve Griffon Hunt. They\u2019re dragging that door along. Selys, will you join us?\u201d<\/p>\n She looked at the Drake. Selys sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d love to. But I\u2019m still working. Tell Erin I might stop by tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf we see her. She\u2019s usually at Pallass. She likes it there. Says it\u2019s exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe does?\u201d<\/p>\n Selys rolled her eyes. The Drake sitting next to her jabbed her with a claw.<\/p>\n \u201cTold you. You should go with sometimes, Selys! With your\u2026four thousand gold pieces?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaviss!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria left the guild as the two [Receptionists] began bickering again. She walked towards the door to The Wandering Inn, talking with the other adventurers, arguing with Falene over which spells she had to learn, cheering up Pisces over his lost bones and destroyed Bone Horror, and checking the sun high in the sky and wondering if it was too early to drink. It felt like another day of peace after the travails of the past.<\/p>\n And like all things, it couldn\u2019t last.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The Wandering Inn was not a busy place anymore. It had been. Somehow, the inn, which had been rebuilt and operated only for a handful of months, had gone through a golden age, a dark age, and a Goblin age, not to mention the good old\u2026ages, when a skeleton had been waiting the tables and Erin\u2019s signature drink of choice was blue and slightly poisonous.<\/p>\n Well, those days were gone. All of them. And the days of Erin\u2019s full inn with audiences watching the Players of Celum on stage were gone. As were the Goblins. Now all that remained were adventurers and a handful of Drakes, Gnolls, and Humans from Liscor and Celum who trickled in and out, sometimes only to order a hamburger, pizza, cake, or another one of the unique foods Erin had pioneered.<\/p>\n The good days might come again. Already, there were [Actors] on the stage at the end of the room. A group of Drakes and Gnolls were lined up and reading lines from Hamlet.<\/em> Ceria didn\u2019t give it a second look. She did focus on the young woman talking to a dark-skinned Stitch-Girl, though.<\/p>\n \u201cErin! I know you\u2019re going to Pallass, but can I bother you for a second? I have this little<\/em> problem, and I could use some help!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m on vacation!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin was trying to get to the magical door that Ceria and the other adventurers had just come through. She was having trouble because Octavia was clinging to her waist. The [Alchemist] was speaking quickly and pointing at the adventurers.<\/p>\n \u201cLook, I don\u2019t want to bother you, but I talked with Krshia and, uh, she\u2019s busy so I was hoping you could get some of your adventurer friends to lend me a hand! There\u2019s a tiny <\/em>issue I have with my shop. Some\u2014some guards would be great!\u201d<\/p>\n She caught sight of the teams at the same time as Erin. Octavia brightened up and spoke even faster.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd look, we have three, no, four<\/em> famous teams right here! If I had them\u2014no, just one<\/em> adventurer standing guard in my shop or\u2014or helping me sort this business out, that would be great. Fantastic! And I\u2019m sure we could work out a deal? For some free\u2014I mean, a discount? A\u2026sizable discount?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Erin. We\u2019re back. Bees aren\u2019t a problem anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria waved at Erin and took a seat at one of the tables, not even commenting on the Octavia situation. The other adventurers looked equally unfazed. Erin pried Octavia off her.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Octavia. If you\u2019re having trouble, deal with it yourself. I\u2019m on vacation. Or ask one of the teams, but I don\u2019t think they\u2019re gonna say yes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut\u2014oh, Ceria! Jelaqua! Uh\u2026my best [Knight] customer! Can I\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNope.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m afraid I must decline.\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria, Jelaqua, and Ylawes instantly replied. They might not know Octavia, but one look was all they needed. Like Erin, Ceria had the feeling Octavia had some scheme in mind\u2014or she\u2019d gotten herself into trouble. She didn\u2019t want to be part of either scenario. She was slightly surprised Erin wasn\u2019t interested, but the girl had a slightly wary look on her face as she shooed Octavia back towards the door. She was tired of the drama too, Ceria supposed.<\/p>\n \u201cOut! No, no buts<\/em>. If it\u2019s life or death, you can ask for help. But it\u2019s not. Is it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, maybe<\/em>\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShoo.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Erin closed the door in Octavia\u2019s face after pushing her out. The [Alchemist] didn\u2019t want to go, but she didn\u2019t have a choice. Erin was pushing with more than just her hands. The door closed, Erin turned back to the others and gave them a smile.<\/p>\n \u201cSo? How was it? Did you freeze them all up? Or did Pisces\u2019 Bone Horror smash them? I asked you to bring back as many as you could, didn\u2019t I? Wait\u2014did he use zombies? In that case, no bees makes more sense.\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria shook her head, smiling ruefully.<\/p>\n \u201cWe nearly<\/em> got into a lot of trouble. Those damn bees\u2026if it hadn\u2019t been for Moore, we might have been cooked.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin sat down and listened to the story with wide eyes. Falene sighed as she accepted a cup of cold water from Ishkr.<\/p>\n \u201cI would have used lightning spells. That seems to be the most effective weapon against Ashfire Bees. We simply underestimated how resistant they were to ice magic as well as fire.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, it\u2019s sealed off now. And that was our only job, so we might head into Celum and see what they have for work. Liscor\u2019s a bit crowded.\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria cracked her fingers and sighed. Erin looked from her to the other Horns.<\/p>\n \u201cOh. You\u2019re going back to work?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re ready for it. And Celum won\u2019t have difficult jobs unless something out of the ordinary happens, Erin.\u201d<\/p>\n Yvlon smiled, rubbing at one of her arms. Erin saw Ylawes glancing at them and wondered if they were bothering Yvlon. She claimed she couldn\u2019t feel pain, but\u2014actually, she hadn\u2019t spoken about her arms of late, even to complain.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about you guys?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin turned to the Silver Swords and the Halfseekers. Jelaqua shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cWe just had breakfast, so I\u2019m not in the mood for any food. Maybe a drink? What did we do yesterday? Just gambled, I guess. We could go for a walk, right, Moore? Where\u2019s Seborn?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHere.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n Seborn spoke to Jelaqua\u2019s left. She nearly jumped out of the table. So did Ceria\u2014she hadn\u2019t seen Seborn until he\u2019d spoken.<\/p>\n \u201cDead gods, Seborn, don\u2019t do<\/em> that!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been drinking and watching the [Actors]. A walk or some dice would suit me, believe me.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve got some Go boards and chess boards. The Antinium haven\u2019t come by of late, so no one\u2019s using them\u2026I\u2019d stay if anyone wanted to play.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin smiled eagerly. Seborn looked up at her and then at Jelaqua.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you want to lose to Erin, be my guest. But I think I\u2019ll walk.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBeat you black and blue, did she? I\u2019ll walk. Ylawes?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFalene might play you, Erin. But I\u2019m no player of, er, those sorts of games. I might talk with Griffon Hunt. They were telling me about fighting Griffins, which I\u2019ve never done. Where are they at the moment? Through the doorway?\u201d<\/p>\n Ylawes looked at the door. Erin nodded and went over to it to adjust the dial.<\/p>\n \u201cYup. They went through this morning, and they\u2019re still there. You wanna go through?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPlease.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAlright. Octavia\u2019s in Celum, and the door\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Erin adjusted the dial with the mana stones and smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cHere we go. This is so convenient. Why didn\u2019t I\u2026? Okay. Hey, Halrac! Are you\u2014huh?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin pulled the door open. But a curious thing happened: the door didn\u2019t<\/em> reveal Griffon Hunt and their surroundings. It stayed empty, which meant Erin was just staring at the wall of her inn. She closed the door and frowned at it.<\/p>\n \u201cWeird. I haven\u2019t been to Pallass today and no one else\u2014hold on a sec.\u201d<\/p>\n She opened the door and closed it a few more times, but all it revealed was the dark wood wall. Erin blinked.<\/p>\n \u201cHuh? Uh\u2026Moore? Ceria? Pisces? Falene? I might need a bit of help here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n A doorway and over a hundred miles away, perhaps even further, a team of adventurers walked down one of the main roads between cities. It was heading north and currently passing up a slight incline, a gradient of a very long and short hill. There were three of them. There should have been four. Four had come south, but now only three remained. Two were sitting on a wagon pulled by a pair of horses, the last was walking. Halrac was talking to Revi and Typhenous though, so he stayed close, eyes scanning the traffic coming down the hill and head turning in every direction as he talked.<\/p>\n \u201cSo the news is accurate?\u201d<\/p>\n Typhenous, the old man sitting comfortably in the wagon on a cushion, looked mildly offended.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know me, Halrac. I have a network of sources which are very reliable. And I wouldn\u2019t give Revi uncertain information.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHm. It\u2019s worth the coin, Revi?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think so. Didn\u2019t you hear what I just said? I just read the King of Destruction\u2019s second proclamation before I heard about war being declared on Tiqr! That\u2019s huge!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Revi was sitting as well and scowling down at Halrac. The Stitch-Woman pulled at the threads on her hand irritably. The hand came off and turned to cloth; Revi fished out a needle and began to resew it back onto her arm in a way more to her liking. Typhenous coughed as he watched the process with mild fascination.<\/p>\n \u201cExplain it to me again, dear Revi. These, er, nations historically had their issues with Tiqr. And yes, Tiqr was potentially an ally of the King of Destruction. But what\u2019s stopping him from declaring war on all the nations involved?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNerrhavia? Illivere? Savere? Are you serious, Typhenous? Those are all heavy hitters, and even if Reim goes up against them, Nerrhavia might actually win, King of Destruction or not! Moreover, they\u2019re allied<\/em>, you see? If it was Nerrhavia vs Flos, they\u2019d be watching their backs because the other nations might take them apart. But this way, they could oppose Flos if<\/em> he declared war. Which he can\u2019t, because Tiqr\u2019s not part of his domain.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI see, I see. And if they declared for him?\u201d<\/p>\n Typhenous stroked his long beard rapidly as he thought out loud. Revi shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s he going to do? He\u2019ll be at war and<\/em> the other nations could tear Tiqr apart before you could get an army there, even with movement Skills. It\u2019s too far, and any force would be taken out. Nerrhavia\u2019s got chariots and a massive army; they can intercept anything Flos might do. Sure, there\u2019s Takhatres, but word is he\u2019s across the desert. So\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Halrac sighed. He glanced up at a passing bird overhead and stepped sideways as a rider came down the road. The rains had fallen this morning, and Halrac might have been splashed if he\u2019d stayed in the same spot. The rider passed by, and Halrac returned to his spot. He spoke up to Revi as she flexed her reattached hand.<\/p>\n \u201cChandrarian politics. Until it affects Izril, I don\u2019t care. The King of Destruction never made it past Zeres, anyways.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Summoner] poked her head over the side of the wagon to show Halrac one of her fingers, proving her hands were in good working condition.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t underestimate him! I keep telling you, if<\/em> he\u2019d gone solely against Izril rather than splitting his forces between Baleros and Izril\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, yes, Revi. I quite agree. His [Mage], Amerys, was able to lock down a Walled City practically by herself. But continental pride just goes so far. Besides, isn\u2019t your home nation at odds with Flos?\u201d<\/p>\n Typhenous soothed Revi. She huffed back into her seat.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m just saying, Chandrar deserves respect. At least we got that when Flos was rampaging all over. These days, all I hear are sand jokes. Anyways, my home nation is part of the Empire of Sands now. I have no idea what\u2019s happened back home, and honestly? I\u2019m not going to find out. At least not until\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n There was a door lying in the bed of the wagon. It had a gem embedded in the top, and it had been lying without any complaint until now. Suddenly, it opened, and Revi jumped as another room appeared on the floor of the wagon.<\/p>\n \u201cAha! <\/em>It worked! Hey, guys! Wanna snack?\u201d<\/p>\n Griffon Hunt looked down at a smiling face. Erin Solstice waved up at them from the ground, an odd perspective that did weird things to the mind if you stared long enough. Halrac hopped onto the back of the wagon.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re still moving, Erin.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know\u2026but you could take a break. Hey, is there a problem with the door on your end?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNope. And I could use a snack, Halrac. Or trade out with one of the teams.\u201d<\/p>\n Revi peered into the doorway. Halrac eyed Typhenous. The elderly [Mage] shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have been walking for a few hours. Or rather, you have. Let\u2019s just pull us over to the side.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFine.\u201d<\/p>\n Halrac let Revi move the wagon off the road. There weren\u2019t many people, but the few that were present were stunned to see Typhenous stand up and suddenly disappear.<\/em> Revi was next. Halrac climbed up into the wagon when he heard a voice from the other side.<\/p>\n \u201cHold on. Something\u2019s\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Suddenly, the door went blank. Halrac stared at the bed of the wagon. In her inn, Erin stared at the door.<\/p>\n \u201cHuh? It\u2019s out of juice. What happened? I thought you guys charged it up!\u201d<\/p>\n She turned to Ceria and Pisces, who\u2019d done the job to make up for their earlier failure. Pisces frowned and peered at the door.<\/p>\n \u201cWe did. If not all the way, then adequately for any number of trips. Maybe\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t talk, act. Typhenous, let\u2019s fill this up properly.\u201d<\/p>\n Revi scowled and put her hand on the door. So did Typhenous. The [Mage]\u2019s brows shot up.<\/p>\n \u201cThe door\u2019s drained.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? But it was only you two who\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The door came back to life, and an image of the road flickered into view again. Halrac was standing outside the door, scowling, his bow drawn, the arrow loose on the string. He glanced up sharply.<\/p>\n \u201cProblem?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, the door just ran out of mana. Don\u2019t worry, Halrac.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Scout] nodded and grunted.<\/p>\n \u201cThought something had happened. Can I come through?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYup. Uh, is the wagon okay?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt should be fine for a few minutes. We can keep the door open?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah. Just come through in case that happens again.\u201d<\/p>\n Halrac did. When he did, the door suddenly went dark. Erin made a disgusted sound. But Typhenous, who was peering at the door, came to the same conclusion that Pisces did.<\/p>\n \u201cAh. I see. The door is simply too distant, Erin.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPrecisely my thought. The door isn\u2019t malfunctioning, Miss Solstice. It\u2019s simply that we\u2019ve finally reached a distance too great for casual travel.\u201d<\/p>\n Typhenous straightened with a groan and massaged his back. Erin stared blankly at him, and then her eyes widened.<\/p>\n \u201cYou mean\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Jelaqua came over and peered at the door as the image of the other side reappeared once more.<\/p>\n \u201cWe passed Celum a long while ago. So we must be\u2026well, hells. If we\u2019re two hundred miles away, doesn\u2019t that mean each trip is like\u2026one half of Invrisil?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAssuredly. Even if it\u2019s only a third of the distance, that\u2019s a considerable distance. And the mana drain must be exponentially increasing.\u201d<\/p>\n Typhenous sighed as he rapped on the door with his staff. Pisces nodded. He sniffed.<\/p>\n \u201cI suppose this will inhibit travel somewhat. We can recharge the door, but it is taxing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAw. I guess we\u2019ll have to let only one team go through at a time. And only rotate you guys out once per day or something. That\u2019s a pain.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin peered at the door, looking miffed. She shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cI really need to see if this thing can be upgraded.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUnless you know an [Enchanter] on the level of Warmage Thresk\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWho? Anyways, let\u2019s have a snack while you guys decide who\u2019s going through. For like, a day, unless one of you lovely [Mages] wants to recharge the door? I\u2019ll give you free drinks.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin looked around hopefully, but she didn\u2019t have any takers. Ceria felt tired even from the few spells she\u2019d cast this morning after recharging the door once. The other [Mages] demurred as well. It was Halrac who stared at the door and the clear skies beyond and looked around slowly.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe it\u2019s time to go.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin blinked. She looked at Halrac. So did Revi and Typhenous. Revi raised her eyebrows.<\/p>\n \u201cGo, go? I mean, if you want to, Halrac. But couldn\u2019t we stay until Invrisil?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI heard one of our companions is working far west of there. We\u2019re close enough; it would save us a lot of travel to split around now. And if we\u2019re wasting mana\u2014perhaps it\u2019s time. We\u2019ve saved a lot of effort in travelling this far. What do you think? Typhenous?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe have been sedentary. I dislike to say goodbye so abruptly, but you have a point. I wouldn\u2019t be adverse to it.\u201d<\/p>\n Typhenous stroked his beard. He looked at Revi, and she nodded. Halrac turned to Erin. She looked at him, then his teammates and laughed nervously.<\/p>\n \u201cAha. Ha. But you don\u2019t mean that, right, Halrac? Right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI do. I think it\u2019s probably time. This is\u2026as good an excuse as any.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Scout] didn\u2019t quite meet Erin\u2019s eyes. But he was certain. Erin opened her mouth and closed it a few times.<\/p>\n \u201cBut\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat may be our cue as well.\u201d<\/p>\n The voice came from behind them. Erin turned. Ylawes was on his feet. The [Knight] looked towards the door.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re far enough north. We could begin looking for work at the first village we come across. And today\u2019s job reminded me. We have been staying here a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWithout profit.\u201d<\/p>\n Falene got up too. Dawil glanced at the two of them, then sighed and downed his mug. He got up.<\/p>\n \u201cI suppose you\u2019re right for once, lad. It has been fun, but if we\u2019re all leaving, better to do it together.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWait, wait. You\u2019re not serious. Are you?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin looked from Ylawes to Halrac. The [Scout] still had trouble meeting her eyes, but Ylawes came over. The [Knight] held out a hand as he removed his gauntlet.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re truly grateful for your hospitality, Miss Erin. But my team and I came south to check on my sister. Since she no longer needs my help and she won\u2019t come to our estates\u2026I think this might be a proper opportunity to say goodbye as well.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut\u2026now? The door\u2019s just on the fritz. Don\u2019t mind it.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin kicked the door. She looked around. This was too sudden. And yet, it had been coming. And the third Gold-rank Captain who stood up confirmed it. Jelaqua had an odd smile on her face. Regretful, embarrassed. But she came to stand with Ylawes and Halrac.<\/p>\n \u201cI guess we\u2019ll do the same. Moore, Seborn? Guess we\u2019ve got to pack. Toss everything in your bag of holding and get ready to go.\u201d<\/p>\n Moore looked up. He was patting Mrsha\u2019s head. Seborn stood up. Erin turned around.<\/p>\n \u201cWait, wait, wait.<\/em> This is so fast!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut we have been thinking about it. We are going to Invrisil for a reason, Miss Solstice. But I think our paths will take us away from the City of Adventurers, at least for now.\u201d<\/p>\n Typhenous spoke gently. Erin looked at Jelaqua.<\/p>\n \u201cBut you guys are taking the door, right? You don\u2019t have to go. I mean, you\u2019re not<\/em> going. You can come back whenever! So it\u2019s just\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n The Selphid waved her hand gently as she shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cNah. Think about it. We\u2019d have to charge up your door to let all three of us go back and forth, and we need<\/em> to have a team watching that door, right? You wouldn\u2019t be able to go to Pallass if we did that, anyways. So\u2026we\u2019ll head out. You might see us once or twice before we get to Invrisil, but I think it\u2019s good to say goodbye. With the others. For solidarity.\u201d<\/p>\n She couldn\u2019t quite meet Erin\u2019s eyes either. The [Innkeeper] looked around again. The Horns were staring at the other teams in surprise. But it was mild. In her heart, Ceria couldn\u2019t be that shocked by the sudden decision. The Halfseekers, Griffon Hunt, the Silver Swords\u2026they were adventurers. Come to that, it was strange for Ceria to have stayed so long in Liscor. She didn\u2019t stand up, though. She couldn\u2019t do that to Erin.<\/p>\n The young woman was laughing a bit. But it faded away as she looked around.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re serious. But why not go tomorrow?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBetter today. We\u2019ll get our things.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh. Okay. Um\u2026but\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Erin blinked as Halrac reached out. He changed the mana stone on the door and walked through to Liscor. She stared at the Silver Swords as they went through.<\/p>\n \u201cBut\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s get our stuff. We\u2019re not gonna run off, but we have, uh, stuff to pack. Lots of little shiny rolling things. Boys?\u201d<\/p>\n Jelaqua headed up the stairs. Erin looked up as Moore got up. He gently put Mrsha on the floor and walked up the stairs. She faintly heard his voice and Jelaqua\u2019s as Mrsha ran up after him.<\/p>\n \u201cDoes it have to be so soon, Jelaqua?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHey. Do I look like I\u2019m smiling? It\u2019s just that if they\u2019re going\u2014you want to say goodbye later? It\u2019s already hard\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Someone opened a door, and the voices vanished. Erin looked around. The Horns were sitting in place. Lyonette and Ishkr blinked at her. And Erin panicked.<\/p>\n \u201cHold on. Hold on, cake!<\/em> Ishkr, do we have any cake? Anything?\u201d<\/p>\n She ran into the kitchen. Lyonette followed her in as Erin tore it apart, looking for cake or the ingredients for it. But she didn\u2019t have anything festive. She still couldn\u2019t keep ice cream without it melting.<\/p>\n And\u2014it felt like a moment before both teams were back. After all, they just had to pay and put everything they needed into a bag of holding. It took them minutes. The door opened, and Griffon Hunt and the Silver Swords walked back in. Jelaqua, Moore, and Seborn were already sitting in the common room.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, there\u2019s no cake or ice cream. But if you just hold on, I can make one. Give me an hour and I can whip something up! Or I can get Lasica and Rufelt to help me\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Erin came back out of the kitchen and looked from face to face. It was Jelaqua who cut her off gently. The Selphid gripped Erin\u2019s shoulder with a pale hand and smiled at her.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s fine, Erin. You\u2019ve done so much already. We don\u2019t need a party. Honestly, I\u2019d feel bad if you gave us one. We normally don\u2019t stay so long in one place.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut this is so sudden! This is a snap decision! You shouldn\u2019t make those! And you\u2019re springing it on me without giving me a day to process it! Can\u2019t you wait an hour? Can\u2019t you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The [Innkeeper]\u2019s voice faltered and broke. She looked around.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you have to go so quick?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The inn fell silent. The [Actors] on stage realized there was a real drama going on behind them and turned. The other patrons turned to stare. Perhaps this was why they\u2019d come to begin with. To see a moment. But this was no [Immortal Moment]. And it was going far too fast.<\/p>\n \u201cJust wait a day? Please? We can have a party.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin implored Jelaqua. The Selphid did hesitate. And she did smile. But she shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cI think we\u2019ve been doing that. Wait an hour and it becomes a day. Wait one day and it becomes a week. We got treasure from the dungeon, Erin. We did it. But we\u2019re tired. I\u2019m not going back in that dungeon. So\u2026it\u2019s time to go.\u201d<\/p>\n She looked around. Ylawes nodded. Halrac finally looked up. He met Erin\u2019s eye.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is. And it\u2019s easier this way. Which is why we\u2019re going. It\u2019s time to say our goodbyes.\u201d<\/p>\n It did feel too soon. It did feel abrupt. But as all three teams looked at each other, they knew it was time. Jelaqua had spoken the truth. You could put off going again and again. But you\u2019d never feel like it was the right time to go.<\/p>\n \u201cWell\u2014well, you have to wait one second! I\u2019m not letting you go empty-handed!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin looked around defiantly. She ran into the kitchen and rushed out. She shoved a small canteen into Halrac\u2019s hands.<\/p>\n \u201cHere. Faerie Flower drink. And for you guys, I\u2019m making a lunch basket. At least for Moore! And\u2014and Dawil can fill his water flask with that stupid lager and\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cErin.\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria stopped her. The young woman looked up as Ceria grabbed her by the arm. Ceria wanted to tell Erin to stop overreacting. That it was just a goodbye. That they\u2019d be back. But she couldn\u2019t, because as she looked into Erin\u2019s face, she saw the girl\u2019s eyes were overflowing.<\/p>\n She was crying. And when the adventurers saw that, they felt\u2026terrible. And they knew it was beyond time to go. Because she was an [Innkeeper]. And they were adventurers.<\/p>\n They could not stay forever.<\/em><\/p>\n There was no party. And it was a split decision. But there was a formality to it nonetheless. The teams went one at a time. The Silver Swords were first. Ylawes, wearing the silvery armor that still shone by virtue of polishing. Dawil stood next to him, taller than you\u2019d think a Dwarf could be, a hand on his hammer. Was he blinking too fast? Falene was dry-eyed as she held her staff. But she bent her head and nodded to Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a pleasure.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou helped my sister and I in countless ways, Erin. I cannot thank you enough for your hospitality.\u201d<\/p>\n The young woman sniffed and rubbed at her nose and eyes as she looked up at Ylawes.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought you were a jerk! And I know you\u2019re sort<\/em> of a jerk, Falene. Dawil is cool.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHah! Hear that?\u201d<\/p>\n The Dwarf nudged his companion. Falene almost smiled as she looked down at Erin. And then Ylawes knelt. As a [Knight] might to a [Princess]. He held Erin\u2019s hand for a second before he stood.<\/p>\n \u201cWe didn\u2019t converse often, it\u2019s true. And I think your\u2026Hobgoblin friends affected how we interacted. I do wish we could have spoken longer, Miss Solstice. But it isn\u2019t a farewell forever. The Silver Swords are always roaming. And if we ever pass by Invrisil or Liscor in the future\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n He drifted off. His eyes went back to Erin as he stepped back. Falene was next. She looked down awkwardly at Erin and sniffed.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a pleasure. At times. Your inn is quite fascinating, Miss Solstice. Even if we haven\u2019t spoken\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t mean you were a jerk, <\/em>jerk.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Erin snuffled. Falene tapped her cheek, and Erin\u2019s running nose and tears dried for a second. The half-Elf looked at Erin, looking uncomfortable. Then she nodded to herself and adopted a lecturing, familiar tone. But a caring one.<\/p>\n \u201cBe cautious of Wistram, Miss Solstice. I have no doubt they\u2019ll be interested in that door of yours. As will others. I suggest you refuse all offers and invest in some form of security. And if you should need a proper [Enchanter], try Hedault in Invrisil when your door is active. Inform him that Falene of the Silver Swords recommends you and he might be more inclined to entertain your requests. As for the rest, I can only bid you good luck and farewell. I am sure we will meet again. For what is time to half-Elves?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin snuffled. Falene yelped as an arm thrust her aside. Dawil took her place.<\/p>\n \u201cYou are terrible at goodbyes, Pointy. Which is my new name for you.\u201d<\/p>\n He turned to Erin, who was laughing in between her tears. She looked at him.<\/p>\n \u201cI met a Dwarf in Pallass! I was going to tell you all about him! His name is Pelt and\u2014do you have to go? Can\u2019t you talk sense into Ylawes and\u2026everyone?\u201d<\/p>\n The Dwarf smiled into his beard. He held Erin\u2019s hand, patting it gently.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d love to. But what do you do when they\u2019re speaking it? As for Dwarves\u2014I told you! We don\u2019t all know each other. But I do know that one. Watch out for him, lass. He got kicked out of our people\u2019s home for a big mistake. Not really his fault; he was only one of the smiths. There was this thing with the forge master, you see\u2014but that\u2019s his tale.\u201d<\/p>\n He took a breath and shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d stay if I could. You\u2019re generous, the inn\u2019s fun, and even if you don\u2019t sell enough good alcohols, I like it here. We\u2019ll be back. For what\u2019s time to a Dwarf? A lot, that\u2019s what! But I\u2019ll be sure to make the boy and Pointy drop by.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin gripped Dawil\u2019s hand. He eyed the knife in the little sheath at her side.<\/p>\n \u201cNice work. You keep yourself safe now, you hear?\u201d<\/p>\n He stepped back. Next came the Halfseekers. Jelaqua, wearing leather armor instead of an enchanted artifact, her skin pale and dead. But her eyes alive. Seborn, half-man, half crustacean, but more than the sum of his parts, nimble as a cat. Moore, stooping, eyes already filled with his own tears. Gentle and mighty.<\/p>\n Jelaqua wasn\u2019t crying. She was hiccupping, though.<\/p>\n \u201cI said I wouldn\u2019t cry. Seborn, you go first. I can\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n She turned away. And Erin realized the body she wore wasn\u2019t crying. But someone inside it was. Seborn went first.<\/p>\n \u201cI think we haven\u2019t spoken much either.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut you\u2019re cool<\/em>. Like sea-Batman.\u201d<\/p>\n The Drowned Man smiled. His crab hand opened and closed softly.<\/p>\n \u201cI have no idea what that means. But I seldom do with you. You\u2019ve been kind, Erin Solstice. That\u2019s a rarity for Drowned Folk. If we meet again, if you meet one of my kin, I hope you\u2019ll treat them just as well. Thank you. That\u2019s all I can say.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n He stepped back. Moore was next. A big tear fell from his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is always so hard. No\u2014this is uniquely hard. Miss Erin, your inn was the most comfortable place I\u2019ve stayed in years. And Mrsha, Lyonette\u2026if I could stay, I would. But I buried my friend here. And my companions are going. We have to start again. I\u2019m afraid\u2026but I will remember your kindness.\u201d<\/p>\n He bent, and Erin gave him a tight hug. Jelaqua was next. She was still hiccupping.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is\u2026this is so embarrassing.<\/em> Erin, I\u2014you\u2019re my favorite [Innkeeper]. I\u2019d stay. I would. But I\u2019ll get fat, and Moore will get way too attached, more than he is already. And where would we be? I\u2026this is hard. But we have to go. But we will come back. Promise.\u201d<\/p>\n She gripped Erin\u2019s arms. Then she hugged Erin. The Halfseekers joined the Silver Swords. And then only Griffon Hunt was left. They walked forwards. Halrac, his dour expression for once struggling to hide something. Revi, tugging on her strings, looking embarrassed and sad. And Typhenous, looking\u2026melancholy. Happy and old, as if he remembered his age suddenly. Halrac spoke abruptly.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was worth the trip. If Ulrien were here, he would have said so. I wish you could have talked longer with him, Erin. But it was worth it. Thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n He turned away. Erin tackled him from behind. She hugged him as the [Scout] froze. She only let go once she was done. He was blushing as she turned.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll miss you!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd we\u2019ll miss you. Despite everything. Somehow, this was fun.\u201d<\/p>\n Revi held out her hand. Erin took it. The Stitch-Woman surprised Erin by hugging her.<\/p>\n \u201cWho ever knew that a strange skeleton would lead us here? You stay safe. You\u2019re insane and crazy, and I hope your inn does well. We\u2019ll be back. And you just wait for us. We\u2019ll be properly famous, then.\u201d<\/p>\n She let go. Typhenous was last. He stroked his beard as he looked at Erin, at her inn.<\/p>\n \u201cAh, Miss Solstice. I don\u2019t know what to make of you. I don\u2019t know what to say of your inn. I owe you my apologies for my impositions. Thanks for all you\u2019ve done. I still owe you a debt. And I will repay it someday. But for now, we must away. And so I can only leave you with this.\u201d<\/p>\n He bent and gently hugged Erin. Then he stepped back.<\/p>\n There they were. Nine adventurers. Three teams. They looked at Erin, and she was overcome. So, to let her say something, and because they were left, all three teams said their farewells to the Horns of Hammerad.<\/p>\n Ceria, Pisces, Yvlon, and Ksmvr shook hands and exchanged hugs. Each of the adventurers had advice for them, each in their own way, stern and caring, abrupt and funny.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t be afraid to run away.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re not Gold-ranks yet. But you have potential. Keep practicing until you can properly call yourselves Wistram mages.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou did well.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cKeep advancing. Your team has done well. Take it slowly.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t let your Captain turn into someone like Pointy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBest of luck.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLuck, young Pisces. Miss Yvlon. Ksmvr. Ceria.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHey, you\u2019ll make it! Just watch out when Ksmvr goes places or he\u2019ll scare people. That goes for Pisces too.\u201d<\/p>\n Ylawes paused as he gripped Yvlon\u2019s hand gently. He looked at her arms and then into his sister\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve found a good team, haven\u2019t you, Yvlon?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI have.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen I will see you later. Visit Father and Mother when you can. Your sister would like to see you. But if I see them first\u2026I\u2019ll tell them you\u2019re well.\u201d<\/p>\n He turned. And the door was waiting. The adventurers slowly walked towards it. Moore was slowest, Falene fastest. The half-Giant had to bend down.<\/p>\n \u201cMrsha. \u201d<\/p>\n He\u2019d said goodbye with the others. But Mrsha didn\u2019t want to let go. She clung to Moore\u2019s leg, looking up at him pleadingly. The half-Giant looked so stricken, Lyonette had to help pry Mrsha off him. And then he had to say goodbye to her as the others gathered around the door. Moore bent down, and his face was completely wet. But he lifted something with one hand, concealing it as he spoke.<\/p>\n \u201cKeep practicing. You\u2019re quite surprising, little one. You\u2019ll be better than I ever could be. But remember, you aren\u2019t just a [Mage]. You\u2019re something more.\u201d<\/p>\n He offered her a flower, as white as Mrsha\u2019s fur, with a tiny pink center. The Gnoll clutched it in her paws, her eyes leaking tears. Moore stood. And the adventurers stood in front of the door. They turned.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2014I\u2014I don\u2019t know what to say! Someone say something good! What can I say?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin wept as she looked from face to face. She raised a fist and shook it weakly.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2014you\u2019re all jerks. Because you\u2019re too nice! You came in here, made friends with me, saved my life<\/em>. How dare you? How dare you do all that and just go without me being able to say how much I\u2019ll miss you? Why can\u2019t you stay?\u201d<\/p>\n And at least, that was a question they could answer. Ylawes stroked his chin. Falene sniffed and sighed. Dawil grinned. Jelaqua laughed and hiccupped. Moore bowed his head, smiling through his tears. Seborn laughed softly. Halrac blinked. Revi snorted and Typhenous stroked his beard. They answered as one.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause we\u2019re adventurers.\u201d<\/p>\n Then they turned and left. Erin called out to them. She didn\u2019t know what she said. She shouted their names, she shouted goodbyes. She shouted insults and jokes and knew she couldn\u2019t have stopped them.<\/p>\n They walked out the door, the [Mages] going last to charge it with magic. Falene was last to go, which was really a mistake because she marched through without a final backwards glance, having said her goodbyes.<\/p>\n Then they were gone. Erin burst into tears again. Mrsha howled, and there was sadness. But that was how it always was with goodbyes. The best ones hurt the most.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Nine adventurers appeared on a small road leading north. They walked up, out of a door parked against a stationary wagon. The horses and a few passersby got the fright of their lives, but the adventurers moved in silence. A few stayed on the wagon. One took the reins and steered the horses to the road. The rest walked. In silence, for quite a few minutes. In the end, perhaps predictably, Revi broke the silence.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was emotionally exhausting<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n The other adventurers glanced at her. Then they burst out laughing. And the silence, the reverie was broken. They laughed as if they\u2019d heard a fantastic joke. Then they walked or rode on, leaving the inn behind them. Revi grumbled to herself as she sat next to Typhenous.<\/p>\n \u201cErin is the most involved [Innkeeper] I\u2019ve ever met! I bet that\u2019s her class. [Emotional Innkeeper] or something.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, well. We\u2019ll be back. Besides, who starts crying over a single inn?\u201d<\/p>\n Jelaqua shook her head as she walked with Ylawes and Halrac. The other two captains looked at her. The Selphid grinned.<\/p>\n Three teams went north. The Halfseekers. The Silver Swords. Griffon Hunt. Neither Halrac nor Ylawes said it out loud, but it did feel like an ending. Even more than leaving Erin\u2019s inn, this was the last time they might meet in months or years. Perhaps forever. But they didn\u2019t say it. Jelaqua looked from captain to captain, then she put her hands behind her head.<\/p>\n \u201cDamn. It really feels like we\u2019re really not going to see each other for a long time when we walk around together like this, huh? Sort of ominous.\u201d<\/p>\n Halrac chuckled. He couldn\u2019t help it. Ylawes gave him a sideways glance and then smiled. They walked in silence for a bit, and then Halrac pulled something out of his belt pouches. It was a bit of parchment, worn and folded. He began checking it with a quill as he walked. With the other hand, he was investigating the contents of his bag of holding. Jelaqua eyed him.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019re you doing, Halrac? Making sure you didn\u2019t leave anything behind? Because I\u2019m sure Erin will flip if you come back so soon.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Scout] gave Jelaqua a long look. She just grinned at him.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m checking our income. We\u2019re finally making money. I\u2019m just doing a tally to make sure I know how much we have. I did a count a few days back, but I feel like I missed something.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh. We should do that too. Uh\u2014hey, Seborn! <\/em>How much money do we have?\u201d<\/p>\n The Drowned Man walking with Moore and patting the Half-Giant on the arm gave an eloquent shrug. Jelaqua sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cMoore\u2019s gonna cry about Mrsha for days. You were right, though, Halrac. Imagine waiting a day? Erin would get us in some epic party or have this big thing before we left\u2026you bastard.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Scout]\u2019s lips twitched again at that. What was wrong with him today? He might have taken a sip of Erin\u2019s last gift to him, that was what it was. He shook his head as he looked at the wagon.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll be back. A door in Invrisil means Erin\u2019s inn will have access to both north and south.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, but not until she can upgrade the door itself or find a way to generate\u2014how much did Moore say it was?\u2014a shipload of mana.\u201d<\/p>\n Ylawes chuckled this time. Jelaqua gave him a very pleased grin.<\/p>\n \u201cSo what\u2019s happening with your groups? We\u2019re on to new adventures. With the money we have, we need to rebuild our team. Maybe we\u2019ll come back, but Pallass\u2019 teams have that dungeon locked down. And frankly, it smelled like a huge trap to me.\u201d<\/p>\n Halrac and Ylawes both nodded. The [Knight] frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cI got that sense too while we were in the dungeon. Some of those traps were deadly. The horde monsters nearly took out Liscor. The Raskghar, on the other hand, were probably an unexpected threat from whomever built the dungeon. However, it was the inner city we never saw that perplexed me. I listened to that Minotaur, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat, Calruz?\u201d<\/p>\n Both Jelaqua and Halrac were surprised. The [Knight] nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cBriefly. I visited his prison to question him. I wanted to see if he truly was the monster he seemed to be.\u201d<\/p>\n Halrac\u2019s grip tightened on his quill.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe was uncomfortably sane at times. Sane, and then\u2014I think he truly did go mad. Or the dungeon had some hold on him. But he described the inner city to me. The\u2026things in there. The deceased guardian. I\u2019m not ashamed to say it made me uneasy. I can\u2019t fathom why that city exists.\u201d<\/p>\n Halrac paused in doing calculations to nod.<\/p>\n \u201cI agree with you, Ylawes. The Minotaur\u2019s description of the inner city makes me uneasy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy\u2019s that, Halrac?\u201d<\/p>\n Jelaqua gave the [Scout] a curious glance. They were both old adventurers, and Jelaqua was technically older than Halrac and more experienced, but he had seen more dungeons and was a [Scout]. The man paused before replying.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause a few hundred thousand Infested creatures\u2014even if they\u2019re as dangerous as Ghouls\u2014isn\u2019t a threat worthy of this place. Our team never met this\u2026Facestealer, but the Flesh Worm boss called Skinner wasn\u2019t worthy of this dungeon either. If Erin Solstice and some Antinium could do it in, even if it was her, it was too weak.\u201d<\/p>\n Ylawes and Jelaqua nodded slowly. The Selphid snapped her fingers.<\/p>\n \u201cTrue. Someone with the power to make a dungeon like that would have many boss-class monsters, not just three. And even those horde rooms felt basic.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo either there\u2019s some big trap that we haven\u2019t seen or those three boss monsters and this Mother of Graves are truly dangerous enough for the entire dungeon\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Ylawes rubbed at his chin. Halrac nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cOr it wasn\u2019t meant to be a dungeon, but a hiding place. Or\u2026someone raided most of it before we ever got there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow do you figure? We made out pretty rich, didn\u2019t w\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Jelaqua caught herself as she gestured at Halrac\u2019s bag of holding. Ylawes sighed, but he just shook his head. Halrac nodded as Jelaqua developed a cough.<\/p>\n \u201cWe did. But consider this: the first treasure hauls out of Chalence pulled nearly four million gold coin\u2019s worth of looted treasure in the first year. It turned the team that first cleared the dungeon into Named Adventurers. Six teams of the adventurers retired on the loot, and eighteen became minor landed nobility from that alone.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026Damn.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut that was Chalence. A legendary dungeon.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo? This dungeon wasn\u2019t as impressive, and perhaps it was a vengeance dungeon. But even so, there wasn\u2019t nearly enough treasure. It\u2019s very strange how little there was. And that inner city\u2014it could be the lion\u2019s share of treasure is in the center. In that hole Calruz found or it was never there to begin with. Either way, Jelaqua is right. It was dangerous. Let the other teams work on it carefully. I feel quitting was the best move.\u201d<\/p>\n Silently, the other two captains nodded. They walked on. After a while, Halrac made a small noise. Jelaqua glanced up.<\/p>\n \u201cSomething wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Scout] was checking his list. He glanced up and looked around.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, nothing. I think we\u2019re fine. I didn\u2019t realize we had so\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n He trailed off as he glanced at Ylawes. The [Knight] looked stoically ahead. Halrac stowed his list and walked on. Fifteen minutes later, he calmly turned his head and spoke to Jelaqua.<\/p>\n \u201cIs Typhenous still looking at me?\u201d<\/p>\n The Selphid\u2019s head nearly turned, and then she caught herself. She swatted at an imaginary fly and looked right.<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood.\u201d<\/p>\n Ylawes glanced sideways at Halrac. The [Scout]\u2019s face hadn\u2019t changed. But the way he\u2019d asked and said that\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cIs there an issue, Halrac?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. The numbers don\u2019t add up in my list. And I saw Typhenous glancing at me while I was doing my calculations.\u201d<\/p>\n Both Jelaqua and Ylawes inhaled sharply, but they never broke their measured stride. Jelaqua cursed under her breath, keeping a smile on her face.<\/p>\n \u201cDamn it all. If it\u2019s not one thing\u2026you want a hand?\u201d<\/p>\n Ylawes looked sick, but before he could offer, Halrac shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re misunderstanding the situation. Typhenous didn\u2019t steal. The opposite, actually. I\u2019m going to have a word with him.\u201d<\/p>\n He turned and walked back towards the wagon. Jelaqua and Ylawes heard him call out. Typhenous got up and hopped off the wagon. They slowed until they were at a distance. Jelaqua whistled.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, that\u2019s<\/em> a new one for me. What do you think happened?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI shouldn\u2019t speculate.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAw, spoilsport. Well, I\u2019m gonna talk with my team. I heard you were going to go soonest, right? Don\u2019t run off without letting us know!\u201d<\/p>\n Ylawes nodded. Jelaqua jogged around the wagon to Seborn and Moore. The half-Giant had stopped crying, but he was still red-eyed. Jelaqua grabbed both, Seborn by the shoulders, Moore by the small of the back.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, you two! Ready to be independent adventurers living on the road?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. And no.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re still going to Invrisil, aren\u2019t we?<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYup, Seborn. But we\u2019re free after that. Unless you have an idea? You were hinting about that before.\u201d<\/p>\n She glanced at the Drowned Man. Seborn was silent for a while.<\/p>\n \u201cI do have things to do.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLike what?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSecret. It\u2019s personal. I\u2019m not in trouble like Typhenous, if that\u2019s what you\u2019re asking.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut you don\u2019t want to say.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNope.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCome on, tell me. We\u2019ve been journeying together for ages. Why keep anything from us?\u201d<\/p>\n Jelaqua prodded Seborn. The Drowned Man gave her a reproving look.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd if I don\u2019t want to tell you? What will you do?<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n Jelaqua shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cThreaten you until you stab me and run off to become the most famous Goblin Chieftain this side of the continent?\u201d<\/p>\n Seborn chuckled. Moore didn\u2019t. He looked distressed.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s truly not funny, Jelaqua.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI thought it was.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExactly. And you know I\u2019m not gonna let this drop, Seborn. Lies and secrets tore our group apart once. It\u2019s not happening again.\u201d<\/p>\n The smile Jelaqua gave Seborn was friendly, but she tightened her grip on his arm. He looked at her and hesitated. But he still shook his head. Jelaqua sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cFine. You want to play coy? Then it\u2019s time to go back to the old ways. If a member of our team has secrets, we settle it. Moore? You know what to do.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Dawil and Falene joined Ylawes as he walked on the other side of the wagon. That left just Revi driving, much to her displeasure. The Dwarf and half-Elf looked quizzically at their leader.<\/p>\n \u201cSomething up with Typhenous, lad?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPerhaps. But it\u2019s their dispute. Let\u2019s leave them to it.\u201d<\/p>\n Falene nodded to the right.<\/p>\n \u201cI note another dispute on our right.\u201d<\/p>\n Ylawes looked over and nearly tripped. The Halfseekers were busy as well. Moore was holding Seborn by the ankles and shaking him vigorously. Seborn was swearing loudly, cursing as vulgarly as any [Sailor] as he wriggled, but the half-Giant wouldn\u2019t let go. Jelaqua danced around him, laughing.<\/p>\n \u201cTell us, Seborn! Don\u2019t make me get a feather! You know Erin would give one to me\u2014she\u2019d probably help out! And then you have to deal with Moore\u2019s tears and<\/em> me bothering you!\u201d<\/p>\n The Silver Swords watched as Seborn swore at Jelaqua in reply. Ylawes shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cThat is one unique team. Brave and honorable, though. In their own way.\u201d<\/p>\n Dawil nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cAye, it was a pleasure, wasn\u2019t it? And poor Erin. The girl\u2019s lost friends, and now we walked out on her.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt was inevitable. And this was better than a long ceremony.\u201d<\/p>\n Falene sniffed. Dawil eyed her.<\/p>\n \u201cYou still tetchy, Pointy?\u201d<\/p>\n She reached over and slapped him on the back of his helmet. After a second, Falene waved her stinging hand. Ylawes sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cIf it\u2019s about the gold\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat else<\/em> would I be angry about, Ylawes? I respect both teams. But the fact remains that they earned a small fortune and didn\u2019t elect to share it with our team. Let your sister have her windfall, very well. But what of the other two teams? Is there no honor among adventurers?\u201d<\/p>\n The half-Elf snapped at Ylawes. He blew out his cheeks tiredly.<\/p>\n \u201cFalene, what would you have me do? March up to them and demand a share? That\u2019s not honorable or fair. Or likely. We don\u2019t even know how they got it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe Goblins gave it to them.\u201d<\/p>\n Falene and Ylawes looked down at Dawil. The two Gold-rank adventurers stared as he walked along. Dawil eventually noticed and glanced up.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow do you know that, Dawil? None of the others would give me a straight answer.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNor I.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s because you asked them.<\/em> I asked him. Numbtongue.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026That worked?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Axe Champion] sighed gustily. He looked up at Ylawes and shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cHave you not noticed what those Goblins are like, lad? After all this time? Yes, it worked. I bought him two drinks\u2014which really was me giving Erin money since he doesn\u2019t pay for anything in her inn\u2014and apologized for Falene after that mana stone thing. Talked a bit with him about mana stones and how Dwarves use them, you know, for runes? I didn\u2019t even have to press him. I asked and he told me. They knew where the Raskghar\u2019s treasure was hidden. Turns out it was in a separate room from the rest that the Cave Goblins all knew about. So they brought it out.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust like that. And they gave it to the other teams? Not ours? Why?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cApparently, they thought it was fair. And they don\u2019t like our team. Seems they were<\/em> the Goblins in Esthelm we met.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe Goblins in\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStop gawping. Or did you not recognize them? I recognized that archer. And you were suspicious.\u201d<\/p>\n Ylawes had to admit that was true. He looked at the wagon and shook his head. Part of him wanted to sit down and\u2014but it was far too late for that. He felt a pang in his chest.<\/p>\n \u201cStill. I suppose that explains it. And Falene, if the Goblins gave it to them, that was their choice. So\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m <\/em>not dropping it! You\u2019re holding back because of your [Knight] class, but I demand a vote! Dawil! Are you with me or not?\u201d<\/p>\n Falene growled at the Dwarf and Human. She stomped along, her ears twitching violently. It was the most worked up either had seen her. Ylawes blew out his cheeks exasperatedly. But Dawil took a level tone, which was surprising given how often he needled Falene. But his tone was serious.<\/p>\n \u201cFalene. It\u2019s fair. And before you turn on me, let me explain.\u201d<\/p>\n He held up a hand as Falene whirled on him. Dawil waited until she was listening and then pointed at the teams. At Halrac and Typhenous, who\u2019d rejoined Revi on the cart. At the Halfseekers, who\u2019d given up on making Seborn talk.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, we fought as much as they did. Yes, we didn\u2019t get any coin. But it is fair. It\u2019s their reward for going in first. For being the ones who went in and died. All of them buried teammates here. Ulrien. Ceria\u2019s team. Yvlon\u2019s team. The other Silver-ranks. Even the Halfseekers buried their old companion, traitor though he was. You want a vote, Falene? I say drop it.\u201d<\/p>\n The half-Elf turned to Dawil. He held her gaze, and Ylawes, watching them, saw a flash between them. Dwarf and half-Elf. For all they got on each other\u2019s nerves, they shared a bond. That hint of timelessness. That age that sometimes left him feeling like a boy, as when they\u2019d first met. At last, Falene\u2019s shoulders sagged. Dawil smiled. He patted Falene on the arm and looked at Ylawes.<\/p>\n \u201cSo. Liscor was a bit of a gauntlet at times. Fun at others. But what do you say, lad? Another adventure?\u201d<\/p>\n Ylawes smiled. He looked at the blue sky ahead of them. And he remembered the death and chaos and\u2026pain that had haunted Liscor. Something, a knot in his chest, loosened. Underneath the clear sky and the sun, he held out a hand. Dawil placed his palm over it.<\/p>\n \u201cAnother adventure. It would be my honor, friends.\u201d<\/p>\n Both looked at Falene. The half-Elf hesitated, but then she nodded regally. She laid her delicate palm over the two of theirs.<\/p>\n \u201cVery well. I suppose someone has to be the adult here.\u201d<\/p>\n Dawil laughed, and Ylawes had to smile. Falene gave them an arch look, but then relented and smiled as well. Ylawes looked around.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s a village that way. I think we\u2019ll pass through it. Make our goodbyes then.\u201d<\/p>\n And so they did. There was no long farewell as there had been with Erin. No tears either. But all three teams exchanged handshakes, or a gentle hug between Moore and Falene, much to the half-Giant\u2019s surprise.<\/p>\n \u201cYou were a stick in the mud. But a good one, and you were a sight during the Face-Eater Moth attack. It was fun adventuring with your team too. Good luck, you guys.\u201d<\/p>\n Jelaqua squeezed Ylawes\u2019 hand as she met his eyes and he looked into her dead ones. Ylawes wanted to tell Jelaqua she was the first Selphid he\u2019d truly met and that he had more respect for her people after meeting her. But one look told him she knew that.<\/p>\n \u201cAn honor, Miss Ivirith.\u201d<\/p>\n She grinned at him and turned to shake Dawil\u2019s hand. Then Ylawes took Halrac\u2019s hand. The [Scout] didn\u2019t smile. But he nodded, one adventurer to another.<\/p>\n \u201cBest of luck, Ylawes. If we meet again, let\u2019s share a drink.\u201d<\/p>\n That was a proper adventuring goodbye. No fancy oaths. Just a promise to drink together if they survived. And it was enough. Coming from Halrac, it meant a lot.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t be a stranger!\u201d<\/p>\n Jelaqua called out as the Silver Swords stopped in the village the road was leading them past. Falene waved at Moore.<\/p>\n \u201cFarewell.\u201d<\/p>\n Moore\u2019s eyes were a bit misty. But there weren\u2019t any tears as he waved goodbye to Falene. The other two teams went onwards. But the Silver Swords walked into the village. And the villagers stopped to stare.<\/p>\n Of course they stared. One team of adventurers as peculiar as the Halfseekers was a sight to see, much less three<\/em> Gold-rank teams at once. And here was a [Knight], standing in their village! Was he on a quest? On some dire errand? Ylawes walked into the square and raised his voice.<\/p>\n \u201cGood people of Ambault. I am Ylawes of the Silver Swords. My team will be passing through this area today. If anyone has a request, a need, seek us out now or on the road.\u201d<\/p>\n They stirred at that. The Silver Swords.<\/em> Back around Liscor, Ylawes\u2019 team was only a name. But further north, it was a story. One of the villagers hurried forwards.<\/p>\n \u201cSir. Are you the<\/em> Ylawes who liberated the town of Ryhm from those Trolls two years back?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat was us, sir. Have you a problem?\u201d<\/p>\n Ylawes shook the man\u2019s hand firmly. The villager sucked in his breath.<\/p>\n \u201cNot me. But my sister\u2014she lives closer to the High Passes. South and west of here. Further along the mountain range than the entrance, so she thought she was safe. But after Lord Tyrion\u2019s army passed through and those Goblins\u2014there was trouble. Eater Goats. And then, following them, Gargoyles. Sir, she and her village haven\u2019t enough gold to hire proper Silver-ranks for the job, much less Gold. A bounty\u2019s been out for the past two weeks, but no one\u2019s taken it. If you could think about\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course.\u201d<\/p>\n The man blinked. Ylawes had replied with the speed of someone utterly set in his course\u2014or someone not thinking at all. He stared up at Ylawes, but the [Knight]\u2019s eyes were firm.<\/p>\n \u201cIf there are Gargoyles, we\u2019ll take care of them. The Adventurer\u2019s Guild has a bounty on their heads. Your sister doesn\u2019t need to worry about the price. Let me know where her village is and we\u2019ll head there directly. We may need to purchase horses.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2014I could lend you some. Or sell you them if need be. You could bring them to my sister\u2019s\u2014she lives near Orefell. Thank you, Sir Ylawes!\u201d<\/p>\n The man grasped his hand. Ylawes shook it a second time.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s your name, sir?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAmbriel, sir. Bless you. You just showed up. And my sister\u2019s village is in dire need. They lost eight folks already, and the Gargoyles have eaten half a flock\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n A crowd was gathering. People were listening in, not even hiding the fact. Neither Ylawes nor Ambriel kept their voices down either. The [Knight] asked a few questions and turned.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will be there as soon as we can. Falene? Horses. Mister Ambriel will lend us some, but we need saddles. Dawil?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPotions. Aye, lad. I\u2019m on it. Hey, is there a [Herbalist] around here? A [Healer] or [Alchemist]? Damn, we should have stocked up more on Octavia\u2019s stuff. But I have three potions, and\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n The two adventurers hurried off. Ylawes turned. The [Knight] looked at Ambriel. The man was still blinking at him. It was a familiar sight to Ylawes.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you don\u2019t need a fee besides the bounty the Adventurer\u2019s Guild set? You\u2019ll go straight off?\u201d<\/p>\n He looked at Ylawes, as if he couldn\u2019t believe it. The [Knight] smiled. He shook his head, amused.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course. Where else would we be?\u201d<\/p>\n There was something so pure, so childlike and honest about his expression that some of the villagers had to look away. Falene came back with the horses, and Dawil with some cheap potions a few minutes later. Ylawes mounted up and pointed.<\/p>\n \u201cSilver Swords\u2014forwards!\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The second parting was less dramatic. It came at a fork in the road. Halrac had seen the sign, so he asked Revi to stop the wagon. She hopped down, and the [Scout] pointed.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll go too. This road takes us west of Invrisil, which is where we\u2019re headed to begin with. We might see each other again. If we do\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n He held out a hand awkwardly. Jelaqua took it.<\/p>\n \u201cA drink. Don\u2019t be strangers, you lot. It was a pleasure to work with each other, truly.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a pleasure, Moore.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI haven\u2019t apologized for hitting you when we first met, have I?\u201d<\/p>\n The half-Giant shook Typhenous\u2019 hand. Seborn nodded to Revi.<\/p>\n \u201cBest of journeys.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd to you. Uh\u2014we don\u2019t really know each other.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut we are pals, aren\u2019t we?\u201d<\/p>\n Jelaqua laughed. Halrac smiled. Griffon Hunt watched as Seborn clambered up and began to drive the wagon away as Jelaqua and Moore walked together next to it. Then they turned and began heading west and north.<\/p>\n \u201cDamn. Now I feel terrible saying that to Seborn. I liked him. I just\u2026didn\u2019t speak to him enough.\u201d<\/p>\n Revi muttered at her hand. Typhenous smiled. He glanced twice at Halrac\u2019s back before speaking softly to Revi.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure he had nothing but goodwill, Revi. And, ah, we\u2019ve had enough goodbyes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTrue. I\u2019m exhausted.\u201d<\/p>\n Revi yawned and stretched. She lowered her arms and looked between Typhenous and Halrac. Neither man said anything. Revi scowled. Then she glanced over her shoulder, the way they\u2019d come.<\/p>\n \u201cDid you see the Silver Swords? Just walked into a village and asked if anyone needed help, like the old days. Didn\u2019t ask about money\u2014not that anyone in that village looked like they could pay. Think they\u2019ll sort out those Gargoyles?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo doubt. Ylawes promised, and the Silver Swords don\u2019t go back on their word.\u201d<\/p>\n Halrac grunted. Revi eyed him.<\/p>\n \u201cSo how do they make ends meet? Taking a few lucrative jobs every now and then? They had good gear, but if they\u2019re spending as much on potions as they make from killing monsters\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019d be surprised how many old grandmothers will pull out a family heirloom or remember an old dungeon or buried treasure when a handsome [Knight] rides in and cuts off a monster\u2019s head without asking for a reward. It\u2019s a viable tactic.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo why don\u2019t we do it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause not all grandmothers have artifacts under their beds, Revi.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh.\u201d<\/p>\n The [Summoner] walked along in silence. Then she threw up her arms.<\/p>\n \u201cAlright, spill it!<\/em> What were you two talking about? And don\u2019t lie or I\u2019m summoning a Shield Spider and loosing it on both of you!\u201d<\/p>\n She glared at Typhenous and Halrac. The old [Mage] looked down. Halrac turned his head. His glare was back in full force.<\/p>\n \u201cTyphenous added gold to our bag of holding.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe added nearly seven thousand gold pieces.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSeven tho\u2014<\/em>how?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Scout] clenched one hand into a fist.<\/p>\n \u201cHe wouldn\u2019t say. Typhenous?\u201d<\/p>\n The old man looked up and met the [Scout]\u2019s eyes. Typhenous shook his head slowly.<\/p>\n \u201cAh, Halrac. If you have to ask, you know. I have contacts. I have a past.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you used those contacts and that past. If you did half the things I\u2019m imagining, give me a reason I shouldn\u2019t shoot you here and now.\u201d<\/p>\n Revi paled. Halrac had a hand on his quiver. And she knew he could nock and loose and arrow faster than she or Typhenous could move. The [Mage] kept Halrac\u2019s gaze.<\/p>\n \u201cI told you. I did nothing to harm any of our team or our friends. And I will swear that on a truth spell.\u201d<\/p>\n Halrac\u2019s white-knuckled grip loosened only slightly.<\/p>\n \u201cYou will. And you will tell me everything you did, or I will kick you out of this team and more.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course. But I didn\u2019t want to speak of it with Miss Falene eavesdropping. Wistram [Mages] have the habit. And some things aren\u2019t\u2026wise to speak of in the open.\u201d<\/p>\n Both Halrac and Revi looked around. But there was no one to listen. Still, they understood the warning. Typhenous shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cYou may not be pleased, Halrac. I will admit, at first my actions were simply\u2026selfish. But later on, I did try and use them to help Miss Solstice. And I did this for the team. All the gold I was given is in our bag of holding. As it should be.\u201d<\/p>\n Halrac\u2019s grip was still tight on his bow. But he eventually nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s no help for it. Telling the others would have been a mistake. But mark me\u2014we will have a discussion. Ulrien told you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know. But that is who I am, Halrac. And I have a greater debt to the team than anyone else. I was the one who brought us low.\u201d<\/p>\n Typhenous leaned on his staff. His voice, confident before, became weaker. Pleading. Revi looked at him with concern. Halrac turned forwards again. His voice was cold.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re a team member. The mistakes the team made aren\u2019t any one person\u2019s fault. Ulrien and I both approved.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd I cast the spell.\u201d<\/p>\n Typhenous\u2019 voice rasped painfully. There was nothing more to say after that. Revi walked between the two, silent. After a long time, perhaps thirty minutes as they passed through the outer part of a forest, walked along a river and past\u2026well, a few homes, not even a village of scattered, isolated folk, Halrac spoke.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re going to square some of those debts. We settled\u2026our obligations outside of our team. But we didn\u2019t have enough for the others.\u201d<\/p>\n Neither Typhenous nor Revi spoke. The [Summoner] scuffed along the ground.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s why we\u2019re going this way, huh? Fine. How much are we giving each?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEighteen thousand gold pieces.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEighteen thousand?<\/em> But they didn\u2019t spend\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEighteen thousand. Six thousand per teammate. It squares us for what they lost. The hit to their reputations. It\u2019s not a debt. Ulrien would have called it a point of integrity.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDamn. And we just earned this much. We earned it and\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Revi couldn\u2019t help it. A few tears of frustration welled up in her eyes. Typhenous patted her gently on the back. And he looked more pained than before. Furiously, Revi dashed the tears aside.<\/p>\n \u201cFine. But if they want to come back, we\u2019ll\u2014they\u2019ll\u2014fine.<\/em> But this is it, you hear? Once this is over, we\u2019re done. We\u2019re going to make Griffon Hunt as good as it used to be.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAgreed.\u201d<\/p>\n Halrac and Typhenous both nodded. Revi calmed down. She walked with them, her team. So few from when she\u2019d joined a few years back. But they were a team. Joined by tragedy and error. Held together by guilt and integrity.<\/p>\n \u201cSo we just go visit\u2014who? Cassielle? Elm? Briganda?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cElm. He\u2019s apparently hunting solo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFine. Fine. And then\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Revi broke off. Someone had spotted them on the road. The narrower, winding trail they were following was passing near a cottage. And a woman and two children were hurrying out towards them. Halrac looked up.<\/p>\n \u201cExcuse me! Sir\u2014sir, are you a [Hunter], by chance?\u201d<\/p>\n The woman called out anxiously. The children, a girl and a boy, hid behind her anxiously. And the woman was afraid too. You would be, of travellers on the road. Halrac stepped forwards, and the small family stopped a ways away from him.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m a [Scout], Miss. An adventurer. We\u2019re Griffon Hunt. A Gold-rank team.\u201d<\/p>\n The woman looked visibly relieved to hear that. One of the children, the boy, poked his head around her to stare at the adventurers. Revi waved, and he disappeared. The little girl peeked out around the other side. She couldn\u2019t be more than six.<\/p>\n \u201cCan we help you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2014I\u2019m afraid we couldn\u2019t afford it. I was hoping you were a [Hunter], sir. You see, my husband was struck by a Corusdeer. He\u2019s healing, but his bones have yet to mend even with the potions. The [Healer] says he\u2019ll be at least a week more in bed before he can walk, and we live off of hunting. Our winter stocks are nearly over, and if we could just get a buck or some birds\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n She looked helplessly at Halrac. The [Scout] glanced back at Revi. She was avoiding looking at the children as she muttered.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re adventurers.\u201d<\/p>\n She expected Typhenous to cut in, or Halrac, but the old man was subdued. And to her shock, Halrac nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re adventurers. Our fees aren\u2019t cheap, Miss. If you want hunting, it will be expensive.\u201d<\/p>\n The woman sagged. She opened her mouth, and Revi nearly popped her jaw, about to curse Halrac out. She thought he was the one who\u2014but Halrac was quicker. He drew an arrow from the quiver and looked up. Before either Revi or the woman could blink, he notched the arrow and shot nearly straight up.<\/p>\n The children dove behind their mother. She looked up. And screamed as a hawk fell out of the skies, an arrow buried in its breast. Halrac calmly watched as it fell. The bird didn\u2019t strike the ground, though. It stopped close to the ground. Revi looked over and saw Typhenous had pointed his staff at it. Halrac walked over. He grabbed the bird as it levitated up and walked over to the woman. He yanked the arrow out and showed it to her.<\/p>\n \u201cThese are expensive. Steel. I buy only the best. So here\u2019s my price. Four copper coins per arrow if one breaks or fractures. I\u2019ll hunt for two hours. Deal?\u201d<\/p>\n The woman looked at him. She looked down at the hawk. Her eyes welled up with tears.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, thank you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Halrac backed up as she tried to thank him. He gave the two kids a piercing glance as the mother wept, and Revi saw the flicker of embarrassment, swiftly hidden. She covered a smile herself. When Halrac had brusquely walked off back towards the forest they\u2019d passed, Revi walked after him.<\/p>\n Typhenous had stayed to check on the house and the injured husband and because his legs were hurting. Halrac walked along, quietly, eyes scanning the distance for anything larger than a squirrel. And when he saw it, he drew an arrow back and loosed it. Revi hummed until he turned to glare at her.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSoftie.\u201d<\/p>\n Halrac glared, but Revi just smiled. He turned his back on her and aimed and shot.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019d you hit?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDigger Badger. Good eating, but they smell.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t suppose you told that woman you have [Reinforced Arrows], did you?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Scout]\u2019s shoulders tensed as if he might snap at Revi. But he just walked towards the indeed smelly badger and retrieved his arrow, checking it for cracks.<\/p>\n \u201cHunter and trapper families live hand-to-mouth. It\u2019s hard after winter. The husband must have been desperate if he was hunting Corusdeer. They\u2019re dangerous. If he pushes it or if the family has another accident\u2014you need coin and food.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOr levels.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe might be young. She\u2019s not old. Besides, high-levels are hard to get.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not arguing. And I\u2019m not telling you we should hurry up, see? But you seem to know a lot about this. Were your parents\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n Halrac paused. He slung the badger up, and Revi saw him feed it into his bag of holding, head-first.<\/p>\n \u201cNo. But I knew enough families who were like that. I grew up close to here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n Revi had never really asked about Halrac\u2019s past before. She knew some of the basics, like his time as a [Soldier]. But Halrac hadn\u2019t talked much, and their group had been professional, for all they were a good team. He nodded slowly.<\/p>\n \u201cEver heard of a village called Riverfarm?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNope. That\u2019s your home?\u201d<\/p>\n Halrac shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m from the village next to it. Windrest. But Riverfarm\u2019s the only one people even remotely hear about. There used to be a Troll living around those parts. Anyways, that\u2019s near enough to Invrisil. Near enough to where Elm\u2019s working too. We might stop by.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHome and old friends. Sounds like fun.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know it\u2019s not paying work\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not complaining.<\/em> And believe me, I will when I\u2019ve had enough. Let\u2019s square it with Elm, like you said. But what\u2019s after that, Halrac?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Scout] paused. He looked around, arrow drawn. But he didn\u2019t immediately set out for new quarry. He spoke softly.<\/p>\n \u201cWe already have something. I didn\u2019t discuss it with Jelaqua. But she was there. And so were a lot of others. I don\u2019t know about them, but what that Antinium said. Klbkch the Slayer. Do you remember?\u201d<\/p>\n Revi had to think for only a second. Then her eyes widened.<\/p>\n \u201cChristmas party. I thought it was only something that Drake was making up. Or Erin.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe doesn\u2019t lie. And have you noticed? Odd things happen around her. Many, many\u2026Typhenous told me he\u2019s noticed something. Which is why I didn\u2019t put an arrow in his belly. One of the reasons. So she\u2019s probably wrong. Wyverns roost in the High Passes. Even fire-breathing variants. But have you ever known a Wyvern to abandon its prey?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I have not. And Erin\u2019s not exactly fast at running. One of those or a Griffon would get her after twenty feet.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExactly.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo\u2026but could it be true?\u201d<\/p>\n Revi looked at Halrac. The [Scout] closed his eyes. Then he opened them and whirled. The rabbit was quick, but the arrow quicker. He walked after it.<\/p>\n \u201cFirst, we settle things up north. Then we investigate rumors of\u2026Dragons. Carefully.\u201d<\/p>\n Revi nodded. She followed Halrac as he retrieved his arrow. And her blood was humming. Debts and guilt. Clues and mysteries. But she felt better now, on the road. It was time to settle the past. As she heard Halrac walking softly through the forest, she saw his gaze and felt the same feeling.<\/p>\n Griffon Hunt was going back to work.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201c[Flame Spray]! [Lightning Orb]! [Steel Arrows]! [Sticky Webs]! [Jet Spray]\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The spells crackled from Falene\u2019s staff, as fast as she could chant. The flames and orb of lightning burst across one Gargoyle\u2019s face, forcing the huge creature made of living rock to rear back as the spells struck its sensitive eyes. Arrows bounced off another Gargoyle\u2019s face, and webs held another. Falene\u2019s jet of water came just in time; they blasted a group of stone shards one of the Gargoyles hurled at Dawil\u2019s back. The Dwarf roared.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t bother with the Tier 2 spells, Pointy! Hit them with something big or get lost!\u201d<\/p>\n He swung his hammer and intercepted a Gargoyle\u2019s claw as it swung at his body. The creature screamed as Dawil\u2019s swing crushed the shell of the Gargoyle\u2019s body and orange-red blood spurted out. The Gargoyle recoiled, but another was coming at Dawil, spitting more shards. The Dwarf covered his face with one hand and felt the impacts strike his steel armor.<\/p>\n \u201cGah! Elder\u2019s balls, that hurts!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n There were six Gargoyles, two aiming at him, one at Ylawes, and three heading towards Falene. The half-Elf was backing up, and she had a barrier deployed, but the Gargoyles were huge<\/em>, as tall as small trees and as big as\u2014Dawil was too busy hammering the Gargoyle\u2019s knees to make a comparison. It was strong, but his armor was thick and he was even stronger. The trouble was, the Gargoyle was huge, and even if he broke its legs, it could still spit stones.<\/p>\n \u201cFalene! They\u2019re charging you!\u201d<\/p>\n The Dwarf roared. Falene raised her staff, and a [Lightning Bolt] struck one Gargoyle in the chest and then the other. But the third rammed into her barrier, and the half-Elf rolled back as the [Force Wall] spell exploded. Dawil swore.<\/p>\n \u201cYlawes!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The [Knight] was dueling his Gargoyle, swearing as he tried to shield his horse. He was dismounted\u2014the first Gargoyle had knocked him from the saddle. They\u2019d been far closer to Orefell than the adventurers had expected. They\u2019d been ambushed by the damn things on the road. Even so, they could win if Falene\u2014<\/p>\n The Gargoyle was charging her. Dawil swore. Heedless of the Gargoyle trying to batter him with his claws, he turned. His hand went to his side, to a little axe on his belt. He yanked it out. The Gargoyle\u2019s back was open. Dawil lifted the small hatchet, felt it balance perfectly, and roared.<\/p>\n \u201c[Champion\u2019s Throw]!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The axe flew. Falene, raising her staff dizzily, saw the Gargoyle scream and buckle. The axe spun through the skin on its back, through part of its spine, and stopped\u2014halfway out of its chest. It toppled over as Dawil turned, roaring, and bashed another Gargoyle in the knee.<\/p>\n \u201cYlawes!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The [Knight] was finally pushing back his Gargoyle. He let the horse behind him run and slashed at the Gargoyle\u2019s arm, drawing blood with his enchanted sword. He struck his shield as the Gargoyle punched with all of its might and its fist rebounded off his gleaming shield.<\/p>\n \u201cSilver Swords advance! [Challenge of the Knight]!\u201d<\/p>\n Four of the Gargoyles focused on him. Dawil hammered on his until a trio of [Lightning Bolts] hit his Gargoyle in the same spot, one after another. The third blew the Gargoyle\u2019s head off. He looked back. Falene was angry<\/em>. And the Gargoyles, already bleeding and realizing that Ylawes had barely taken more than a few blows, began to flee.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter them!\u201d<\/p>\n Dawil roared, and Falene brought down two more, one with webs on the wings, the other with more lightning bolts. Dawil and Ylawes finished off the grounded one; the other two leapt away. They couldn\u2019t really fly; they were far too heavy. But they could glide, and their wings gave them jumping power.<\/p>\n \u201cDamn. I never thought they\u2019d be hunting the roads. That was close.\u201d<\/p>\n Panting, the Dwarf struck the third Gargoyle on the head, making sure its brains were well and truly mushed. Then he stumbled back to the Gargoyle he\u2019d killed with the axe. Heedless of the gore, he bent down and retrieved the axe, taking care not to touch the edge, even with his metal-plated fingers.<\/p>\n \u201cFalene, are you alright?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFine, Ylawes. My spell took the blow; it was just the blowback that struck me. My head\u2019s ringing, but I\u2019m well.\u201d<\/p>\n Ylawes nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll have to track them down. I\u2019m sorry I missed the ambush.\u201d<\/p>\n Dawil straightened, wiping the axe on the grass.<\/p>\n \u201cNot your fault, lad. They looked like stones to me too. Cunning bastards. At least we don\u2019t have to look for them.\u201d<\/p>\n He walked back to the other two. Falene cleared her throat.<\/p>\n \u201cDawil. Thank you for saving me with the axe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo problem, Pointy.\u201d<\/p>\n Her eye twitched, but she let it slide. Dawil was feeling a bit frantic himself after that engagement, so he took a steadying breath. As he surveyed the three downed Gargoyles, Falene indicated his axe. She knew he had it of course, but this was one of the first times he\u2019d used it in combat.<\/p>\n \u201cYou never used that Skill. Not once in all the time we were fighting in the dungeon or battling the moths.\u201d<\/p>\n She looked pointedly at the downed Gargoyle. Dawil shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s my final resort, Pointy. I would have lost it in the dungeon or against so many moths. If they\u2019d truly cornered us, maybe. But only then. Besides, I can\u2019t lose this axe. It was a gift. And there\u2019s no replacement for it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt looks\u2026impressive. May I see it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll cut your fingers off. Believe me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs it enchanted, Dawil?\u201d<\/p>\n Ylawes had come back with one of the horses\u2019 rein\u2019s in his hand. Dawil shook his head. He showed them the axe, letting them note the delicate metalwork with pride, but he didn\u2019t let them touch it. He meant what he said about the edge.<\/p>\n \u201cJust metal, Ylawes. Falene. Just metal. But forged by a master.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBy who? Someone like that Dwarf, Pelt? The one Erin mentioned to you?\u201d<\/p>\n Dawil snorted.<\/p>\n \u201cHah. He\u2019s not fit to polish the hammers of the smith that made this. And I\u2019m not losing this, no matter what. I just wish I didn\u2019t have this damn [Axe Champion] class. Why couldn\u2019t it have been a hammer<\/em> throwing competition?\u201d<\/p>\n He sighed and indicated the warhammer that was his weapon of choice. Ylawes nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cI always thought it was odd. Still, you saved Falene with that. Thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust lucky I was here. Dead gods, but that\u2019s twice now we\u2019ve come close to death today<\/em>. Ashfire Bees and Gargoyles. We can\u2019t underestimate our enemies so much.\u201d<\/p>\n Falene and Ylawes nodded. The half-Elf eyed one of the dead Gargoyles with distaste.<\/p>\n \u201cTrue. However, it proves a point again. The Horns could not have taken on the Gargoyles if ambushed. Perhaps if they prepared\u2026but six is a considerable threat.\u201d<\/p>\n Dawil nodded. He imagined a new Gold-rank team might well have lost some people\u2014or been wiped out depending on their composition. He grunted as he imagined how the Horns would have fared.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re young. The Horns. But they can grow into their abilities. That Pisces brat is already fairly good. And if your sister gets some powerful Skills, Ylawes\u2026remember what it was like, being on the cusp of Gold-rank?\u201d<\/p>\n Ylawes nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cIs that why you were talking with Ceria and Pisces, Falene? You think they can make the transition?\u201d<\/p>\n The half-Elf sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cIf they were properly Wistram trained\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n It was actually Ylawes<\/em> who sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, dead gods, Falene. Don\u2019t go on about it again. Yes, they\u2019re not fully-certified. So what? What did they do that was so heinous? Pisces is a [Necromancer], but he\u2019s not nearly as\u2026foul as the two I\u2019ve met.\u201d<\/p>\n Falene shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cI never asked. I can be discreet, Ylawes. I just thought it was a shame. If they had<\/em> completed their training, they would already be Gold-rank. If they both left in their third-year, they must have been very gifted. But I don\u2019t know why. My\u2026contacts in Wistram refused to say unless I did them some favors, including naming exactly where Pisces was at this moment.\u201d<\/p>\n Ylawes and Dawil looked up. They were busy cutting off the heads of the Gargoyles to turn in. Dawil grunted.<\/p>\n \u201cSo what do you know?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCeria Springwalker. Pisces, no last name given. Both students expelled in their third year. At the same time, several of the senior [Mages] in Wistram challenged the higher levels of the academy and\u2026failed. As for the reason Pisces and Ceria left, I understand there was an incident that involved the deaths of more [Mages] and students, but not what.\u201d<\/p>\n Falene pursed her lips. Ylawes frowned, but neither he nor Dawil could think of anything more to ask. Eventually, Falene pointed at Dawil\u2019s axe.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere did you get that? You told me you won your class in a drunken competition, but you neglected to mention the significance of the axe.\u201d<\/p>\n Dawil paused in stuffing the last Gargoyle head into his bag of holding. He looked from Ylawes to Falene. And a small smile passed his lips. He straightened as Ylawes led the skittish horses back to him. The [Knight] indicated the clear trail the Gargoyles had left. Dawil mounted up and spoke conversationally.<\/p>\n \u201cDidn\u2019t I tell you this story once? Ah, well, it\u2019ll make a nice walking tale while we track down the rest of these Gargoyles. Let\u2019s go. I\u2019ll lead. Pointy, you stay back in case we get ambushed. Those damn things love to spit rock shards. Now, you remember me speaking of home? Well, there was this competition, see. Dwarves love competitions. Only, this one was special because of the prize. This axe. I don\u2019t know how it got involved, but someone mentioned that this hatchet had been specially forged as a prize, and every Dwarf in the entire damn city wanted to win it.\u201d<\/p>\n The other two adventurers gently kicked their horses into motion. They followed Dawil as he led them after the Gargoyles. There would be another fight soon. But the Dwarf spoke conversationally, calming their nerves, keeping them steady. Falene peered at Dawil.<\/p>\n \u201cYour entire city? Isn\u2019t that almost the entire population of Dwarves in Terandria?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAye. We have one settlement, although we\u2019re spread out. But yes, you could say at least half the Dwarven race was competing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you won it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou see this axe? Want me to shove it up your nose for a better look?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou<\/em> won that competition.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a grand story! Let me finish it before you ask! And yes, I thought I had no chance as well. Which is why me and some of my mates joined the competition sloshed<\/em> as it were. I\u2019d drunk\u2026eh, well, I don\u2019t know how much. But somehow, I kept winning. Even too unsteady to walk a straight line, I hit every target straight on. Even when I was up against Dwarves with [Unerring Throw] and we were doing trick shots and curved throws, it was like my arm was magic. I hit targets blindfolded. I hit them when I couldn\u2019t even see them! There was this target that was over a hundred feet away, and I was sure I couldn\u2019t even throw<\/em> an axe that far. But\u2014and you\u2019ll never believe this\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Dawil kept one eye on his companion\u2019s faces, the other ahead of him, watching for odd boulders. Soon there would be Gargoyles, and then they\u2019d have to bring them to the village. If they were lucky, they\u2019d get something out of it. If not? Well, they\u2019d get some money for the heads, and they could check in at every village and town they passed towards the next Adventurer\u2019s Guild. There was always someone in need of help. And wasn\u2019t it worth helping folk if you could? A simple logic for a simple Dwarf. And a simpler half-Elf and Human.<\/p>\n Dawil smiled, and the Silver Swords rode off. On another adventure.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cAnd like that, we\u2019re alone.\u201d<\/p>\n Jelaqua looked back wistfully the way they\u2019d come. Moments ago, they\u2019d been walking with Griffon Hunt and the Silver Swords, or so it had seemed. This morning, she\u2019d woken up in Erin\u2019s inn. In Liscor. And now they were so far north and they wouldn\u2019t go back to The Wandering Inn. At least, not for a while. And even when they did open the door, it would just be to say goodbye.<\/p>\n \u201cWe could visit tonight. To say hello.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n Seborn had been ready for Moore\u2019s suggestion, and he shot it down at once. The half-Giant looked hurt. Jelaqua sighed, but sympathetically.<\/p>\n \u201cWe said goodbye so we could make a clean break, Moore. Either we stopped and did some weird stuff where two of us had to guard the door at night while the other one stayed at the inn\u2014or we say goodbye now. You can\u2019t go back, even if Mrsha misses you. I<\/em> miss her. And Erin. And those nice beds!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cErin cooked food enough for me. Proper food. And she gave me a proper bed, even though she had to bully that [Carpenter] in Celum to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n Moore looked wistfully at the wagon. Jelaqua sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s spoiled us. The next [Innkeeper] we meet is going to be unpleasant. Sideways looks, questions about rotting\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOvercharging us.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSleeping in the stables. Tip offs to the local watch\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n The Halfseekers sighed. They looked at the door in silence. Jelaqua shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cWe know good sorts in Invrisil. And there\u2019s that great [Innkeeper] up north. You know? Hey, I wonder if we can introduce Erin to her someday. You know? She\u2019s over Level 50 and Erin\u2019s\u2026what?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAt least Level 30.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? No. You think so?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe has a preservation Skill, Jelaqua. And the mana in her inn can fuel the magic door. That\u2019s more mana than I have. She has to be Level 30. At least.\u201d<\/p>\n Jelaqua whistled.<\/p>\n \u201cWell then, we met a good person to watch, boys. And we will see her again. Soon, she\u2019ll have a door to Invrisil, and if she ever manages to improve it\u2026sky\u2019s the limit. But for today, I\u2019m afraid we\u2019re sleeping on the ground or in a barn unless we find a nice town with a friendly [Innkeeper].\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI hate the spring. Too many bugs like my skin.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey like seafood, Seborn. Stop complaining. Moore\u2019s way bigger than you are.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t like the bugs either. You <\/em>don\u2019t feel the bites, Jelaqua.\u201d<\/p>\n The two gave Jelaqua a reproachful look. She scowled at them.<\/p>\n \u201cHey! You think I have it easy? Try fighting off ticks, worms, and everything else that thinks I\u2019m food! Little bastards think they can get this body? It\u2019s claimed!\u201d<\/p>\n She slapped her chest. The Halfseekers followed the wagon in silence for a bit, Seborn driving it down the road lit by a sinking sun. At last, Moore spoke up.<\/p>\n \u201cSometimes I don\u2019t know why we don\u2019t retire. Or I do, at any rate. I could live for\u2026years off of what we earned. If I took a few minor jobs now and then. Jelaqua, Seborn, you might even retire.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, but I don\u2019t want to. And this is enough for us to live modestly, Moore, but it won\u2019t pay for more than a few artifacts. I don\u2019t want to quit. Not now. Not when we\u2019ve finally settled things with Garen.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExactly. And I have things to do.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhich would be\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n The [Rogue] didn\u2019t reply. Jelaqua sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, if you promise you won\u2019t split right away, we can upgrade our gear and maybe see about finding some new teammates. There must be someone willing to work with us. Even if they\u2019re only Silver-rank. We can carry them until they\u2019re higher-level. Unless you\u2019re serious about retiring, Moore?\u201d<\/p>\n She glanced up anxiously at the half-Giant. He shook his head immediately.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d be willing to do that. I\u2019m not retiring right away. I just hate\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n He waved his hand, indicating bugs in general. Jelaqua nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll see if they have some [Healers] with bug repelling incense or potions or something in the next village. Looks like there\u2019s one up ahead. See it?\u201d<\/p>\n The other two nodded. They quickened their pace to beat the night. Jelaqua sighed. She did want to keep going. But sometimes it did seem like the road ahead was long.<\/p>\n \u201cWe spent a long time chasing Garen\u2019s shadow. A long time, lads. What will we do now? Find work? Gain money?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRebuild. You said it yourself.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n Seborn looked over. Jelaqua blinked at him. The Drowned Man gestured at her and Moore.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll find more teammates. Start from there. The Halfseekers were never at full strength. If we get three more teammates, or even two, we can take on proper requests. I won\u2019t leave. Take me to First Landing and I can settle some things with my old crew. A matter of honor among\u2026[Pirates].<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n Jelaqua whistled. Moore blinked. Seborn rarely brought up his past.<\/p>\n \u201cYou have a death match or something? Because if you do, all you had to do was\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t owe them. They owe <\/strong>me<\/strong><\/em>. And I\u2019m going to let them know I want to collect.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow much are we talking here?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWait and see. Happy?<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cVery.\u201d<\/p>\n Jelaqua grinned to herself. Now there was a surprise from one of her teammates she could learn to like. The wagon trundled forwards, and the town came into view. It was one of those nothing-settlements, at least in Jelaqua\u2019s eye. The road north even passed directly through the village; it had probably grown up as a way station over the years. There were people in the streets, and Jelaqua sighed as she noticed some heads turning in the distance.<\/p>\n \u201cAlright, see any [Healer] signs? Inns?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo. And no.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAw, come on.<\/em> This is a village! It has to have\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSee those burnt buildings?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026Ah. Well, that looks like trouble. Damn. [Bandits]? The Bloodfeast Raiders hit another place?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf they had, this village would be ash. Accident, [Bandits], it doesn\u2019t matter. We\u2019re not sleeping here. And they\u2019re giving us the look.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n The Halfseekers fell silent. Seborn didn\u2019t need to elaborate. Some of the villagers had spotted Moore at a distance and then Seborn and Jelaqua. She was hard to identify, but a Drowned Man and a half-Giant sent some of the villagers scuttling into their houses. Jelaqua raised her voice and shouted ahead before anyone could grab a weapon. Or form a mob.<\/p>\n \u201cHoi! We\u2019re the Halfseekers! Gold-rank adventurers, passing through! Don\u2019t mind us!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n That gave the villagers pause. They didn\u2019t exactly come rushing out to welcome the trio, but they didn\u2019t run either as the wagon trundled into the village outskirts. They knew the Halfseekers, just like people knew the Silver Swords. They stared. Gawked. Pointed. Whispered.<\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t pleasant. Jelaqua saw Moore hunching his shoulders in a way he never had in Erin\u2019s inn. She\u2019d almost forgotten that, or the look on Seborn\u2019s face.<\/p>\n \u201cSteady, boys. Let\u2019s just keep going. With luck, we can get to a town before night. If not\u2014that camp\u2019s looking better than ever.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAgreed. Moore can make us a shelter.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n The half-Giant nodded silently. The Halfseekers quickened their pace. They saw Humans watching them. Fear and disgust and\u2014some children rushed around a house.<\/p>\n \u201cLook! I said I saw them! I said it was a Giant and a\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The boy excitedly leading them on froze when he saw the Halfseekers looking at him. The children fell silent, but then they began talking amongst themselves, pointing without trying to hide the fact. Jelaqua hoped one of them wouldn\u2019t come up and ask a question. Or\u2026do something else.<\/p>\n Contrary to popular belief, and in her experience, children weren\u2019t innocent. They could be just as unpleasant as their parents, because they learned quickly by example. She turned her head, feeling sour. Maybe visiting Erin\u2019s inn wouldn\u2019t be so bad. But they\u2019d said goodbye. Maybe retiring wasn\u2019t such a stupid idea. Jelaqua had always thought she\u2019d go back to Baleros if she retired, if the Wasting didn\u2019t claim her. But now she imagined staying in Liscor. If\u2014<\/p>\n The village had become a crowd. A gathering of faces. In their way, the Halfseekers were more popular than the Silver Swords could ever be. Jelaqua wasn\u2019t worried\u2014so long as the crowd didn\u2019t turn into a mob. It could happen. Sometimes it only took a word. But then she saw something. A break in the uniform faces of a single species.<\/p>\n There they were. Perched by a tree, the older one sitting up in the branches, his tail curled around his seat. The other was standing by the tree, her fur ruffled, a farm worker\u2019s trousers on her lower half, but her upper body free of clothing but for a breast band. Furry. Jelaqua nudged Seborn.<\/p>\n \u201cLook. Two kids.\u201d<\/p>\n A Gnoll and a Drake. There was nothing odd about that. Nothing odd, except that they were children, living in a Human town over a hundred miles north of Liscor. They stood together, of the village but apart, not with the other children though they were of age. Just a Gnoll and a Drake, perhaps thirteen and eleven. Seborn saw and nudged Moore. The half-Giant was less covert, but all three Halfseekers slowed their pace and stared at the two watchers.<\/p>\n \u201cFellow travellers? It\u2019s rare, but [Merchants] do go north sometimes. Through the Blood Fields in the spring, though\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo way. Look at them. See how they\u2019re dressed? They\u2019re not travellers. Some Human must have adopted them.\u201d<\/p>\n Yes. That was it. Jelaqua wasn\u2019t much of a reader, much less a [Reader], but she could read the two like a book.<\/p>\n Look.<\/em> See how they stand alone. How the Drake has a discolored patch of scales. A bruise from fighting? And look at the other children who stop to gawk at the Gold-rank team and point. Humans. Think on it.<\/p>\n \u201cWar orphans, perhaps.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe. From one of the annual wars? Or one of those skirmishes? Maybe orphans from the Second Antinium War? The Drakes did send some forces north.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCould be any of those things. Maybe slavers? They\u2019re outlawed in many Drake cities, but they still come through.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n Moore shook his head. He looked at the children sadly.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s a story there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s always a story. Keep walking, Moore.\u201d<\/p>\n He did. But he, Jelaqua, and Seborn all felt it. A sense of\u2026<\/p>\n Kinship. And they felt the eyes of the two on them. The two children stood together, outcasts. Even if they were loved. They were different. By fang and scale, by fur and tail. It wasn\u2019t something the three Halfseekers needed to speak aloud. It was, after all, a common story. You could see it everywhere you went, no matter how old you grew, no matter which continent you visited. There were always those who were different.<\/p>\n That was their difference. Griffon Hunt, who left quietly, were adventurers to their core. They traded in favors and gold and they had their pride, but they weren\u2019t like the Silver Swords. That group rushed from danger to danger, fighting for causes, without pay, without pause. They were champions, an old sort of adventurer the world still needed. But the Halfseekers? They were different.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Moore. You know [Earthen Spire] now, right? Did you learn any other spells? Any fancy ones?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA few. But I\u2019ll use a small spell if you don\u2019t mind.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFair enough. What about you, Seborn?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can juggle. Good enough?<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe not. Village is nervous. Bared blades or even sheathed ones might spook them. Let Moore do his thing.\u201d<\/p>\n The half-Giant nodded. He stopped walking for a second and then, gently, tapped the ground. He spoke no spell. But suddenly, where his staff had touched the dirt path, a flower bloomed.<\/p>\n There was a gasp from the villagers. Drawing back for a second. But the flower was simply beautiful. It was light blue, vibrant. It was also magical, transitory. It bloomed upwards for a second and then began to wilt almost at once. But as Moore began to walk again, another flower bloomed, and another. A trail followed his staff, and the people watched as the half-Giant continued onwards.<\/p>\n So did the children. It was just a tiny bit of magic. Just a spark. But it was enough. It put a name to them. It gave their words credence.<\/p>\n Halfseekers<\/em>. And as Jelaqua, Seborn, and Moore passed by the tree, passed by the two children whose stories they didn\u2019t know, they moved. Jelaqua was first. She thrust her hand high in the air, making a fist. Seborn did the same. Moore lifted his hand into the air while his other held the staff.<\/p>\n They did not stop. They did not pause to fight or ask what story the two children had. They had no time, and perhaps, no power.<\/p>\n They were just adventurers.<\/p>\n But the little Drake and Gnoll stared at them as they passed. And they looked up, at a half-Giant whose staff left a trail of swiftly blooming and wilting flowers in his wake. A grinning Selphid, who twirled her flail. At a Drowned Man, who walked with shadows even under the setting sun. And they saw the three adventurers looking back at them.<\/p>\n The other townsfolk stared, perplexed by the three Gold-rank adventurers\u2019 raised hands. It was almost a silly sight. But that was because it was not for them. But the children saw. They saw the three pairs of eyes looking back at them. And their hearts lifted. Without having to say it, they understood what the Halfseekers wanted to say.<\/p>\n We see you<\/em>. We know your story. We see you.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cLads!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n At the edge of the village Jelaqua stopped. She bellowed up at Seborn, riding the wagon, at Moore, his staff training flowers. The villagers jumped. The sound cut through the air and almost silent gathering. It was loud, as loud as Jelaqua could shout. She raised her flail over her head and screamed.<\/p>\n \u201cWho are we? What\u2019s our name? What\u2019s our purpose?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHalfseekers!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Moore and Seborn both shouted the word. It was a small sound in the skies. But they shouted it a second time. Jelaqua shouted it with them. And then they kept walking. And Jelaqua knew two pairs of eyes were fixed on their backs, even as they walked into the night.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s why I keep going.\u201d<\/p>\n Neither Moore nor Seborn replied. But they were both smiling slightly. Jelaqua did remember. Liscor was wonderful. But it wasn\u2019t where the Halfseeker\u2019s true purpose lay.<\/p>\n It was in villages like this. Towns. Cities. Anywhere you wanted. That was where they were.<\/p>\n Outcasts. That fact wouldn\u2019t change, no matter what you did. You could try, you could fight it, you could earn respect or be chased away. But it wouldn\u2019t change who you were and who they were. And a child, a lonely soul could do little but exist with that knowledge in their chests.<\/p>\n But there they<\/em> were. Adventurers. Names you heard stories about. Jelaqua Ivirith. Seborn Sailwinds. Moore of Raithland.<\/p>\n Heroes. Not to the many, but the few. To the two children who watched them pass through their town without a word. To the half-Elf living far from home, the Drowned Girl living in a port city, the Scorchling listening to stories around the hearth. They could not fight their battles. But they could exist and shout their names across the world.<\/p>\n Jelaqua leapt up onto the side of the wagon. She clung to it and pointed ahead, never once looking back. Moore, walking next to her, raised his staff, and Jelaqua raised her fist again. She laughed as she looked north, past a setting sun.<\/p>\n \u201cOnwards. To another adventure. We\u2019ll get to Invrisil and\u2026damn, I forgot to grab all my bodies out of Erin\u2019s inn. I guess when we reach Invrisil, we can pop in one last time. Eh, it feels weird after that goodbye, though.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c