《And Dungeon Makes Three》


 Prologue

    Marty Delnegro hunched his shoulders and tried to make himself inconspicuous, a losing proposition due to his size. He was also trying to ignore his older brother Randy and his brother¡¯s inseparable pal Jasper. The two of them were chatting enthusiastically about the latest fantasy novel they had found online, something ridiculous about intelligent dungeons.


    The trio made an odd sight as they sat in the terminal waiting for the next bus. Marty ran his fingers over the packs of seeds in his jacket pocket even as he studied his tablet and used the local wifi link to research his latest interest. He had just found an interesting thesis and was chasing down everything he could find by the same author.


    Marty was jerked back into the real world by loud voices and some truly atrocious singing. Their bus had arrived and so had a dozen drunken idiots. Marty watched unhappily as the group of football supporters filed aboard the bus. ¡°Why don¡¯t we wait for the next bus?¡± he asked his brother worriedly.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be daft Marty, we¡¯d have to wait another hour. Just ignore them,¡± said Randy.Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    ¡°Yeah, we¡¯ll miss the game if we wait,¡± added Jasper.


    ¡°But you never watch the game Jasper,¡± whined Marty.


    ¡°But if I¡¯m not there, my dad will give me hell,¡± complained Jasper.


    ¡°C¡¯mon Marty, we can sit up front, those idiots have all gone to the back.¡±


    Marty rather reluctantly followed his brother onto the long distance bus and squeezed himself into one of the front seats. He leant his forehead against the window and watched as the bus made its way out of town. He ignored the inane babbling of Jasper and Randy and tried to ignore the noises coming from the back of the bus.


    He was looking down into the sheer drop down to the white water stream at the bottom of the canyon when the noise level rose abruptly as a fight broke out amongst the revellers. Three of the drunken young men came staggering down the isle of the bus even as the driver started slowing down.


    ¡°Break it up you idiots,¡± yelled the driver of the bus even as the fight barrelled into him.


    Marty watched in horror as the bus crashed through the railings and plunged down into the ravine. He heard the terrified screams of Jasper and his brother. The last thing he felt was frustration, he was not going to figure out that equation after all, that and irritation at his brother for not listening to him as usual.

 Chapter 1 – (Jasper)

    Jasper couldn¡¯t believe it. He was sure he was dead and yet, and yet here he was sitting in an uncomfortable plastic chair in front of a cheap looking pine desk. And to his right was his best bud and beyond Randy sat, or rather, perched Randy¡¯s big slob of a brother Marty.


    A harried looking middle-aged man with a mop of messy greying hair and a bushy tobacco stained beard materialized on the other side of the desk. The man eyed them with disapproval; he snapped his fingers and a lit cigarette appeared in his mouth. He puffed at it furiously and then blew out a stream of foul smelling smoke.


    ¡°Hey mister, you shouldn¡¯t smoke indoors. You know it¡¯s a filthy habit and the smoke is bad for you. Second hand smoke isn¡¯t healthy either,¡± Jasper.


    Randy snorted in amusement but the man just looked irritated. He drew in another lungful of smoke and exhaled a stream of smoke directly at Jasper. Jasper coughed.


    ¡°Typical,¡± said the man. ¡°You darned humans are all alike, first you introduce us to smoking, and now you preach about the evils of smoke. Why can¡¯t you darned mortals make up your bloody minds?¡±


    ¡°What do you mean, you humans, aren¡¯t you human?¡± asked Jasper.


    ¡°No!¡± snapped the man as he drew in another lungful of smoke. Looking at his much reduced cigarette he produced another from thin air, and lit it from the but of the first before it vanished back into thin air.


    After blowing a series of smoke rings while examining them the not human said: ¡°You three weren¡¯t due yet, the fact that you¡¯re here is extremely annoying. Two of you had things to do. Why were you on that bus anyway?¡±


    After glaring at them for a while longer and receiving no answers, he starting flipping through the pages of a big leather bound book that hadn¡¯t been there just a moment before. ¡°Well, I¡¯ll just have to make the best of it. There are always nonentities that can be guided. Our plans for your old world will be delayed by a few years. Hopefully that won¡¯t matter in the long run.


    ¡°Now about you three; lets see. Oh that¡¯s quite interesting. That might be something I can use.¡±


    Jasper shook his head and glared at the idiot on the other side of the desk. ¡°What are you on about? Let us go home.¡±Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    ¡°Home?¡± he laughed out loud. ¡°You¡¯re dead! There¡¯s no going home. So you idiots like fairy stories about adventure, magic and dungeons? Worlds ruled by the System? Good!¡± He grinned sadistically and snorted. ¡°GO! I hope you have fun! Not!¡± BWAHAHAHA!


    The world faded out and Jasper lost consciousness.


    * * *


    Jasper regained consciousness, he couldn¡¯t see or feel anything, and all he could hear was a vague humming. Then an emotionless mental voice that sort of reminded him of one of the more advanced computer generated voices murmured in his mind:


    ? So you are a fan of dungeon fiction... We can work with that... Mmm... Initializing dungeon core information download. ?


    ? Downloading: Time remaining eight hours, thirty minutes... ?


    ¡®Yes!¡¯ Exalted Jasper, ¡®I might be dead, and it wasn¡¯t a truck, but I¡¯m gonna be a dungeon. I¡¯ll be the greatest dungeon ever ¡¯cause I know how to make gunpowder and things. And no Ms Harlow to kick me out of chemistry for making stink bombs...¡¯


    Eight hours later a very bored Jasper perked up when the voice spoke again.


    ? What is your preferred dungeon companion type? ?


    ¡°Oh Wow, I get to choose... I want a sexy Imp like in the Dark Dungeon trilogies. Big tits with lots of sexy curves, she has to be beautiful.¡±


    ? Very well. Processing... ?


    Jasper felt himself being changed, a body was being formed for his soul to inhabit... ¡®Oh shit, NOOO! I thought I was going to be... NOOO! Not a girl Imp! NOOO! Oh you fucking bastard! I¡¯ll get you for this you filthy nicotine addict, even if it¡¯s the last thing I do....¡¯


    Even as he felt himself, or rather, herself being sent into the world Jasper could have sworn that she heard a sadistic laugh.


    ? (Randy) ?


    The words: ¡°GO! I hope you have fun! Not!¡± Echoed through Randy¡¯s mind as the sight of the irritated being in the improbable office faded into blackness. Randy felt a twinge of regret that he had helped Jasper bully his brother into taking the bus. He knew it was childish of him to resent his younger brother for his size but the big klutz didn¡¯t do anything with his advantages. He and Jasper could have used those inches for basketball. He knew Jasper¡¯s resentment was mostly down to jealousy but...


    Then he felt himself spinning round, he felt as if he was composed of water and he was swirling down a plughole.


    Then it hurt, he was being squeezed, and it was cold! Well colder, something rough was scraping across his fur. His eyes were stuck shut. Something was pushing him and there was food... His thoughts faded out... he knew he would wake when he was ready and able to be himself once again.


    Randy enjoyed a period of warmth and contentment as he tussled with his brothers and sisters for his mother¡¯s milk. They felt loved and when their eyes opened they still couldn¡¯t see much as their den was dark. But it didn¡¯t matter. They could smell their mother and each other. Somehow Randy adapted to accepting that the information supplied by his nose as more important than his eyes.

 Chapter 2 – (Marty)

    Marty was pissed. He stewed quietly in the darkness into which he had been thrust by that, that... Demon, angel or god or whatever he was. ¡®Damn Jasper, that son of a bitch has always caused problems. I could have forgiven him for getting us killed in that bus; after all, I hadn¡¯t expected anything except a truly unpleasant journey. But...¡¯


    But why had he antagonised that... That being, he could have tried to be conciliatory, but no, not Jasper the prima donna glory hound. And now he suspected he was not going to enjoy his next life. Magic! A world of magic... Primitive and uncomfortable, no Internet or computers... This was going to be hell.


    Then Marty felt as if was being stretched until he popped out of wherever he was. There was a brief spark of light before everything was dark once more.


    He nearly went mad; he was hit with a massive attack of claustrophobia. He clawed out desperate to gain some space. When he came to himself again, the claustrophobia had vanished despite the fact that he seemed to be floating in the middle of a small, roughly oval cavern. It was pitch black but he could perceive everything in the cavern down to the minutest detail.


    Marty realized he couldn¡¯t move, he felt detached, it seemed completely natural to be a glowing crystal ball in the middle of a cave. He felt full, and knew he had a reserve of limestone. ¡®What the hell am I? And why the hell am I so accepting of what has happened?¡¯


    An emotionless mental voice sort of answered him, ? Initializing new dungeon core Marty Delnegro. Downloading appropriate skills and knowledge pack. Initializing level locks. Time remaining nine hours, twenty-eight minutes and fifty-four seconds. ?


    Marty found himself incapable of doing much of anything as the countdown ticked away. He examined the download itself, his hacker instincts prickling, the stream was slow... but he was able to pick out some points. Marty learned.


    Ting ¨C ? Download complete. ?


    Ting ¨C ? Skill gained: Magic script. ?


    Ting ¨C ? Summoning dungeon companion. Time remaining fifty-two minutes five seconds. ?


    Once again Marty examined the process minutely, this time he picked up far more information.


    Ting ¨C ? Summoning complete. ?


    Ting ¨C ? Skill raised: Magic script. ?


    A swirl of energy that Marty now recognised as mana burst and left behind huge breasted woman. She almost looked deformed, and she had leathery bat like wings and a arrowhead tipped tail. Her face was very familiar and unwelcome.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    ? Jasper!??!?! ?


    The tiny woman flitted round his cave examining everything and ignoring him. Marty was not amused; this was his cave, his home!


    ¡°Is this all you¡¯ve done Marty? You need to dig out some more rooms. You should create some crypts and summon some zombies and skeletons.¡±


    ? What the hell are you Jasper? And I don¡¯t want to have to share my home with a lot of decaying corpses. ?


    The little woman, the new Jasper sniffed in contempt. ¡°I¡¯m a dungeon Imp. It¡¯s not what I wanted but at least this way I can move around. And you are my dungeon core.¡±


    ? I¡¯m not yours. I will never be yours. ?


    ¡°Tough, the System has selected you to be my dungeon and you will do what I tell you. You and your brother always have.¡±


    Marty snorted, ? You mean I always went along with Randy. I don¡¯t see him anywhere. ?


    ¡°Look I know better than you about what¡¯s going on. You¡¯re a dungeon core. You should start the dungeon setup process and choose darkness and undead. It¡¯ll be cool. You¡¯ll see.¡±


    ? Won¡¯t! ? huffed Marty. ? Why don¡¯t you get lost? Shoo! ?


    Jasper¡¯s face flushed with rage, ¡°Look you pathetic creep, create some rooms and open my dungeon to the surface.¡±


    ? Won¡¯t! ? snapped Marty again even as he multitasked and scanned the data dump he had been given. ? I¡¯m not ready to open up. I¡¯d be too vulnerable. These things take time. ?


    Jasper rammed his fists on his hips and glared. ¡°Very well, any dungeon would be better than you. Open up a passage and let me out.¡±


    ? I am not opening up to the outside until I¡¯m ready. Why don¡¯t you leave the way you arrived? ?


    ¡°Because I can¡¯t,¡± sneered Jasper. ¡°Now choose darkness and undead.¡±


    ? Feck off, I¡¯d rather have an anthill inside, with flowers and bees. Something nice. ?


    ¡°WHAT! ARE YOU INSANE! Bugs and flowers won¡¯t protect us. You need Zombies and things, then you can upgrade to liches and vampires.¡±


    Marty ignored the irate Imp and stated with as much confidence as he could call up: ? Companion rejected. Imps rejected. ?


    Ting ¨C ? Acknowledged ?


    And to Marty¡¯s great relief Jasper vanished in a puff of sulphurous smoke. ¡®Mmm... I need light and soil. I need a garden. I wonder, can I remember mom¡¯s garden, I spent enough weekends weeding it.¡¯


    Marty concentrated and felt something deep inside him, his, his, store... He examined the detached dimension he now seemed to be connected to. It was mostly empty but there was a mass of limestone with a few scraps of marble. Then there were three packs of seeds, the seeds that had been in his pocket. They seemed to be tagged with a rather half-hearted apology from the being that had cast him into this unwelcome existence. He focused on the pack that had the red rose seeds.


    As he concentrated he realized that he was learning all about roses, many of the seeds were dead, not too surprising considering how cheap the packets had been but... He knew he could recover them. He focused on the seed that ¨C that glowed the brightest. These roses would need sunlight and fertile soil... He reached out, and then felt as if all his vitality was leaving him in a rush. He blacked out.


    When he woke again, he examined the bright light that clung to the ceiling of his cave. It was absorbing some of the mana that swirled around it. Then he looked at the small rosebush that was growing in a small patch of soil under his floating orb. Marty could feel himself relaxing. As all the tension that he hadn¡¯t realized he had been feeling flowed out.

 Chapter 3 – (Jasper)

    Jasper found herself dragged back into the nothingness, she spent an endless moment in the dark cursing Marty. And then she found herself in a stone room, she barely had time to see a sleeping insect winged girl disappear as she dropped onto the moss bed the little fairy had been occupying.


    Jasper groaned as she rubbed her back. She looked round the gloomy damp room. It was half covered in a greyish moss. The moss was glowing, generating a dim light. Floating in the middle of the room was a purplish-red orb. Jasper rubbed her hands and smiled in what she hoped was a winning way.


    ¡°Hello, I¡¯m your dungeon Imp. How would you like to become an undead dungeon?¡±


    ? ... What ... undead ... ? ?


    Jasper grinned. Ah, this was more like it. This core was barely sapient. She would able to guide it as she pleased. She would have the best dungeon in the world. She¡¯d show that Marty. She¡¯d show everybody. Then she¡¯d have to find Randy. With Randy at her beck and call Marty would do whatever she wanted him to.


    ¡°Right, I¡¯m Jasper. What¡¯s your name? I can already tell we¡¯re gonna be great friends.¡±


    ? ... Name ... what is ... ? ?


    Jasper examined her dungeon core with some exasperation. She rubbed her aching back with her tail and looked down with disfavour at her overdeveloped breasts. How did women manage to do anything with things like this hanging off their chests all the time? And how come she was so accepting of her sex change. Jasper growled, ¡®I bet that obnoxious not human did something to my mind.¡¯


    She plastered another smile to her face, ¡°Look, why don¡¯t I call you Vlad? Vlad was a great and terrible man back where I came from. He was the terror of the Turks. Do you want your name to be Vlad?¡±


    ? ... I ... Dungeon Core ... what is ... Vlad? ?


    ¡°It would be your name, yes you are a dungeon core, but so are many others. Your name would be Vlad. You would be unique among dungeon cores Vlad.¡±


    ? Me ... Vlad. ?


    ¡°That¡¯s right Vlad buddy. Now can you find the companion bonding function, spell. Use it so we can proceed. We will be the greatest buddy.¡±


    ? Buddy ... what is ... this one Vlad ?This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    ¡°Buddy is like friend, only better. It¡¯s you and me against the universe. And we are gonna win. Right Vlad.¡±


    ? Vlad greatest ... good ... companion bond ... offered ?


    Jasper bounced up and down on her toes in excitement. ¡°Yes I accept.¡±


    Ting ¨C ? Done. I now pronounce you Dungeon and Imp. ?


    Ting ¨C ? Please select your two Affinities. ?


    ¡°We want undead,¡± blurted Jasper.


    Ting ¨C ? Does not exist ¨C did you mean Darkness or Death? ?


    ? ... Darkness ... ?


    ¡°Yeah that¡¯s right Vlad. Darkness it is,¡± interrupted Jasper before Vlad could repeat both options offered by the System. ¡°And Demonic would be good too...¡± she added.


    Ting ¨C ? Infernal? ?


    ? No ... Danger ... to Vlad. ?


    ¡°What do you mean Vlad?¡±


    ? Church ... Hunt. ?


    Jasper felt a bit disappointed, he could feel Vlad would not shift. ¡°Hmm, how ¡¯bout Fire? ?


    ? Fire ... Good ?


    Ting ¨C ? Darkness and Fire, done. Please select what guardians you wish, a list is available. ?


    Jasper grinned widely, ¡°Undead. Right Vlad.¡±


    ? Is ... good ?


    Ting ¨C ? Done. Dungeon core Vlad, Level 1, Primary affinity: Darkness, secondary affinity: Fire. Guardians: Undead. ?


    Jasper screeched her triumph and flew to hug Vlad. ¡°We¡¯re in business Vlad. We need a few rooms and some mobs and treasure. Then we can open and start our climb to fame and power.¡±


    ? More rooms ... good ?


    ¡°Lessee, we need at least three rooms beyond the core room. And at level one you¡¯re restricted to twenty mobs and one boss.¡± Jasper sighed, this was going to take forever.


    Two months later they had four fifteen meter by ten rooms in addition to the twenty meter by fifteen core room. The first two rooms had three skeletons each. The next two had three skeletons and two zombies each. The core room had four skeletons. Jasper had given up on having zombies in the core room as he found their smell stomach turning.


    They still lacked a boss monster but both of them were getting impatient. So they decided to open up. Vlad carved a set of stairs leading up to the surface and they opened their dungeon at the foot of a tall mountain facing a deserted valley.


    * * *


    Time passed and a miasma spread from the new cave. The local wildlife for the most part moved away from an area that was becoming increasingly barren.


    In the dungeon Vlad and Jasper selected one of their skeletons and infused it with darkness and fire. Their early attempts resulted in some spectacular explosions but finally they managed to create a skeleton that was shrouded in shadows and was capable of using a flame attack. The problem was the fact that when it prepared to use its breath attack its skull was wreathed in fire.


    Jasper suggested calling it Red. On being named ''Red'' it grew until it stood at two meters from bony feet to top of its fiery skull.


    * * *


    A month went by and still no one came. Vlad waited patiently. He was quite happy absorbing mana and looking at his walls. Jasper for her part was almost climbing the walls.


    ¡°Hey Vlad, we need to find out where we are. How about sending one of our mobs out to take a look?¡±


    ? Danger ... guardian not good ... out ?


    ¡°Mmm, how ¡¯bout we make something small. Maybe a rat... no how ¡¯bout a mouse?¡±


    ? Can do mouse. ?


    So Jasper hovered just inside the entrance of her dungeon as four small skeletal mice scurried out and headed off each one to one of the points of the compass.

 Chapter 4 – (Marty)

    Marty had turned his attention to his store of seeds. Thanks o them he now had some rosemary growing against one of the walls of his cave and a small bed of strawberries was flourishing against one of the other walls.


    He was startled when a sleeping fairy materialized in his cave. She seemed very young and she was lying on some obnoxious sickly looking grey moss. He absorbed it with distaste and examined it. It was just wrong, so he poked at it and compared it to his memories of mosses he had seen on Earth.


    He found it surprisingly easy to fix the moss. He grew a thick bed of healthy looking non-glowing green moss under his guest. He was happy with the success of his experiment, so he added some tiny white flowers to the moss.


    After assuring himself that his guest was simply sleeping he went back to examining his rosebush. Cautiously he attempted to create another. This time it was far easier and by the time his guest woke he had a nice set of flowerbeds with winding gravel paths winding between them. The largest flowerbed surrounded his core.


    Rosita woke and stretched. Her eyes flew open when her nose fetched her the scent of roses. She looked round in confusion at the strange cave. It was smaller than the room of the young dungeon core she had been assigned to nursemaid. This cave was brightly lit by a sunstone and it was full of rosebushes. She stared at the green glowing dungeon core.


    ? Hello, and welcome little one, ? it said.


    ¡°H¡ªHello, where am I. What happened?¡±


    ? I rejected the Imp the system assigned me. She was completely impossible. Not long after she vanished you appeared. My name is Martin Delnegro. You can call me Marty. ?


    Rosita¡¯s eyes opened wide in surprise. Then unable to resist she darted here and there exploring the cave and sniffing the flowers. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m so lucky, you are aware,¡± she said as she flitted around. ¡°Do you want to bond with me? I¡¯m Rosita. I love your roses, and the red berries are sooo yummy!¡±


    Marty could feel his heart melting at the little fairy¡¯s obvious admiration and delight with his cave.


    ? Maybe, I think so. I know I have to bond with a companion, and your name is a good omen. But I must warn you that I¡¯m in no hurry to open my dungeon. I want to be ready before allowing outsiders to find me... Actually I¡¯d rather never open but ... something tells me that isn¡¯t possible. ?This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    Rosita just smiled widely and nodded her head. ¡°Yes! Oh yes! Please.¡±


    ? So be it. ? Marty sighed to himself; he really didn¡¯t want to hurt this young fairy. ? How do we do this? ?


    Rosita¡¯s wings buzzed excitedly, ¡°Look inside your core, in your centre. You should find a, a dormant spell. You activate it by offering to bond with me, ... yes just like that. Yes I accept.¡±


    Ting ¨C ? Done. I now pronounce you Dungeon and Fairy. Congratulations. ?


    Ting ¨C ? Please confirm your two Affinities, Nature and Mind? ?


    Rosita did a quick loop in the air as she exclaimed, ¡°Oh Wow! Two affinities, YAY!¡±


    Marty chuckled at her antics before accepting Nature and Mind.


    Ting ¨C ? Please select what guardians you wish, a list is available. ?


    ? Normal creatures, you know animals and bugs, ? suggested Marty.


    Ting ¨C ? Done. Dungeon core Martin ¡°Marty¡± Delnegro, Level 1, Primary affinity: Nature, secondary affinity: Mind. Guardians: Beasts. ?


    * * *


    Marty worked slowly, he opened up a tunnel to the north and opened up another cavern-like room. He attached another sunstone to the roof, and filled it with flowers and bushes. Once he was satisfied he created two corridors, one heading east and the other west. Two more caverns were carved out and populated with plants. Then he headed south. Two months later he was well on his way to surrounding his core chamber with five other caverns, and he had carved out a carefully concealed apartment for Rosita.


    All the caves he had created to date contained assorted insects, and all of them had at least one nest of hornets. In the back of his core chamber he had two large beehives.


    The one other thing Marty did during this time was to feed a constant stream of mana to his first of his rose bushes. He enjoyed the way it flourished, growing up and around his core concealing it/him from sight. He noticed something growing in his rosebush. It almost looked like something was gathering up the greater part of the mana he had been feeding it and struggling to be born. Marty called this to Rosita¡¯s attention and she was fascinated.


    Marty and Rosita linked and fed the bush some of their combined mana. They soon stopped when they felt that the poor thing was more than full.


    Marty carved himself a new chamber to the south of his core chamber and linked it to the two caverns he had previously finished. He was feeling happier now six caverns surrounded his heart chamber. He sensed that he was coming to an end of the rooms he could create. So Marty settled down to plan and watch his fairy and his gardens.


    * * *


    Marty was glad to discover that the trap infested three dimensional maze he created to the south and west of his cluster of caverns did not count as a room. So he created another to the south and east of his caves.

 Chapter 5 – (Interludes)

    ? (Randy) ?


    Randy felt all his fur stand on end. He was scared, the skeleton was moving. He hid behind the bush and felt his tail rise and bush out. But somehow he didn¡¯t think his super defence would work against an ambulatory skeleton. At least it was a small one.


    A shadow moved against the ground, Randy recognised it as belonging to one of the small hawks that occasionally flew over. He was too big to worry about them now. The skeleton saw it too and it was scuttling straight towards him. Randy jumped and attacked in a blind panic.


    Ting ¨C ? You have defeated a level one skeletal mouse. 10 Exp. ?


    Then his mother was there and she was nosing him away from the foul thing. For the first time in his new life Randy was on the move as his mother herded him and his siblings south away from the increasingly deserted valley that was their birthplace.


    The family of skunks headed south across the valley and into the hills. Most creatures that saw them moved out of their way.


    Randy enjoyed himself as he learned to forage and hunt under the careful eye of his mother. He gained experience slowly and by the time they reached the outskirts of the forest in the hills he had reached level two. Additionally he had regained most of his memories though these were grafted over the instincts and experiences he had accumulated in his four months of living as a skunk.


    Randy was back. And wondering what he had done to deserve his lot.


    ? (Silvanna Ironhoof) ?


    Silvanna trotted at the head of her horde, scouts thrown out ahead and to the flanks and rear. She held her powerful composite bow ready. Like her fellow centaurs she had a twin-headed axe hanging from her withers.


    She turned to her grandson, ¡°How close are we Heraclios? What do your spirits tell you?¡±


    ¡°We are close chief, I believe it opened in the valley of the moon maid.¡±


    The horde swung towards the range of low hills that flanked the grassy plains. They headed towards a wide gap. They slowed to allow the scouts to check the way ahead before following them and entering the flat wide almost circular valley.


    They formed their twin lines with scouts on the flanks and to the rear and moved slowly until just short of the miasma that polluted the land around the new cave.


    ¡°Well grandma, it is a dungeon. And it has sent out some of its denizens or the miasma would still be contained. What do you want us to do?¡±


    ¡°Well Heraclios, we aren¡¯t built to venture into dungeons. We will set up a camp and send for some of the tillers of the soil. When we have a suitable garrison and fort here we will go and inform the pesky humans in Riverbend.


    ¡°We might as well sweep the vale of the Whitewater clean, as it is on our way,¡± decided Silvanna.Stolen story; please report.


    ¡°Grandma, are we going to warn the elves?¡±


    ¡°We have to Heraclios. We are bound by treaty. There is no hurry, I¡¯ll add a letter to Aldrya in the weekly packet.¡±


    * * *


    Two weeks later Silvanna looked back at the new fort that sat in the middle of the entrance to the valley. The dirtmen had arrived and proved as industrious as ever. A garrison of the reserves had settled in so she felt happy with taking her host with her. After one last look back the host cantered off.


    Silvanna purposely deviated their path to arrive at the start of the Whitewater river, she glanced at the place the river emerged from the hills and grinned.


    ¡°LET¡¯S HUNT,¡± she bellowed even as she gestured to the north.


    With a roar of approval the centaur host broke into a trot and followed the river to the north. By the time the host arrived at and forded the Blue, their trail was littered with burning fields and farms. The centaurs left nobody alive in the purge of their territory.


    Once over the Blue they headed northwest and moved fast. They arrived at Riverbend before news of their presence could beat them.


    ? (Vaspedian) ?


    Vaspedian grumbled to himself as he led the small delegation of townsfolk to speak with the arrogant centaurs. The arrival of a full host led by the Hero Silvanna Ironhoof had been sobering. Everyone in Riverbend had been worried at what their presence might mean. The demand to parlay with the Adventurer¡¯s Guild had relieved several of those that had been pressing the limits of the treaty.


    He had selected to head the Guild office in Riverbend precisely because it was a backwater. The arrival of over a thousand armed and armoured centaurs had underlined the fact that Riverbend was not as relaxing a backwater as he had hoped.


    The delegation crossed the treaty bridge and made their way to the waiting centaur host. Like all Heros, Silvanna Ironhoof did not look her age. They stopped as Vaspedian took a step forward and bowed.


    ¡°Guild master, as per our treaty, I hereby inform you of the discovery of a dungeon in the hills to the south.¡±


    Vaspedian had mixed feelings about this news. A new dungeon was always good news. But the hills to the south were deep in the territory of the centaur empire, and far too close to the elves for comfort.


    ¡°I thank you lady Hero. How do you propose to handle access? And will the Elven realm be represented?¡±


    ¡°Aldrya has been informed. She wishes it destroyed. But our treaty with you means the problem is yours. We have established fort bones near the dungeon. A dungeon town will be allowed as per our treaty. We will allow a branch of the treaty road. You will have a group ready to leave at dawn tomorrow. Make sure they are well mounted.¡±


    Vaspedian felt his stomach sink. The name of the fort was not reassuring. ¡°We will be ready.¡±


    Silvanna snapped out, ¡°Good.¡± Then the centaurs wheeled round and cantered away.


    Vaspedian looked round at his fellows and shrugged helplessly. They turned and headed back into their town.


    ? (Melissandra) ?


    Melissandra stared worriedly towards the northeast. Ever since the messenger bird had visited her with the news of an undead dungeon she had been having difficulty sleeping. It was only a little over forty kilometres away, and that was far too close.


    She sat amongst the roots of her old tree and absently crumbled the handful of dry dirt she was holding with her fingers. She looked worriedly at her daughter tree. Her daughter was so close to being born, fifty years or so. And now there was this nightmare hanging over them.


    Then she felt them. A warband was approaching from the south. Her lips twisted into a relieved smile. Hopefully they would eliminate the dangerous dungeon despite it being located well outside the forest. Queen Aldrya could be ruthless. Melissandra dared to hope.


    She rose to her feet and swept her long autumn coloured tresses over her shoulder. She peered hopefully towards the south. Her friend Yellowtooth lumbered from his den and came to stand beside her. The big dire-badger loomed over his friend.


    Soon the silver furred tree runners flowed past her and they were followed by the warriors of Goldeneye¡¯s warband.


    Goldeneye and his warband soon settled down near her tree. They set up camp near the depression at the foot of the cliff to her north. The tree runners moved around restlessly as was their wont.

 Chapter 6 – (Marty)

    After looking over his work to date, Marty relaxed and then he grew several new berries for Rosita. They chatted and consulted before Marty continued working on his dungeon.


    He opened up a further two new chambers, one each at the end of one of the mazes. He linked both to a new cave he created between the two. That meant that his heart chamber was now in the middle of two rings of caves and corridors.


    Marty found that he was starting to have problems with the build up of mana in his dungeon. Things got better when he created new structures as the mana had more room, but then it built up faster than ever because, not only was his dungeon larger, it was full of life. Marty was constitutionally unable not to fill all available spaces with plants, and not only plants.


    He was also filling his chambers with creatures. Most of the creatures he spawned were barely weaned, as that allowed him to create more of them.


    Then Marty attempted to burn mana by expanding his domain as far he could. He had a vain hope that the excess build up would occupy the extra area. He was however surprised to find a sizeable underground river running not too far above his dungeon.


    Two weeks later Marty was getting desperate. Rosita kept telling him that ready or not they were going to have to open. She was apologetic and admitted that she had been careless in encouraging him to fill every nook and cranny with plants and baby animals.


    So Marty set to work to create the last cavern he was allowed at his level. He carved a long twisting corridor that sloped downwards and ended facing west. There he created one of his largest caverns yet. The tunnel itself opened out near the roof. Then he cut another tunnel from this cavern up to the river.


    Marty had miscalculated. At first he didn¡¯t realize his mistake as the river poured down the new channel. He happily summoned a school of piranha into his new lake. Then he realized he was unable to close the other passage, and worse the river was eroding and enlarging it.


    So to avoid being flooded out Marty carved a new channel towards the cliff he sensed to his southwest. The water of his new lake quickly flooded into this new passage and the weight of water completed his work.


    = = O = =


    It was mid-morning when Melissandra and Goldeneye were alerted in the most spectacular way possible to the existence of a new dungeon. They had been discussing the intransigence of the centaurs and humans when with a stupendous crash a massive hole was blasted near the top of the cliffs to their north. A massive waterfall came crashing down into the hollow at the foot of the cliff. A new lake was quickly formed as the dryad and the elves of the warband stared in awed surprise.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    The diverted Witewater river soon filled the hollow and it began seeking a new path to the sea. A massive burst of nature aspected mana flooded out into the surrounding forest throwing Melissandra into a trance. She fed it into her tree rejuvenating it.


    The tree runners frolicked in the trees. One of their elders descended from the treetops and rooted near the shore of the new lake. Drinking in the plentiful mana the new Silverleaf tree grew rapidly.


    Goldeney realizing that he was the highest ranked elf capable of decision present quickly wrote a letter to his queen and a second to the officer in charge of the nearest garrison. He then organised a party to deliver them. He sent copies via two of his swiftest tree runners.


    = = O = =


    Marty¡¯s first feelings were of relief. The stuffed up feeling he had been suffering from was gone. Rosita was looking happier. His new entrance needed work. It itched at him; it was not fit for purpose.


    ? Hum, Rosita, what can I do about our entrance. It¡¯s kinda hard to get to, and I don¡¯t think many people can use it. ?


    ¡°What the? Let me see!¡± exclaimed Rosita. Then after a few minutes she started giggling, then laughing uncontrollably and rolling about on the floor clutching her stomach.


    ? It¡¯s not thatfunny, ? complained Marty.


    ¡°Oh ¨C oh ¨C Marty, not even a fish could use it. That river is flowing fast!¡± asserted Rosita as she wiped her eyes.


    ? Can I create another entrance? ?


    ¡°Not yet Marty. When you have five levels you can set up an alternate entry. You will have to see what you can do with this one.¡±


    Marty having learned about the power of water, set to work hardening the rock of the exit tunnel, then he enlarged it so the river no longer completely filled it. Having created a meter and a half headroom Marty next created a narrow rocky bank. The spray of the waterfall turned the footing treacherous.


    It was only after he was more or less satisfied with the work on his entrance that he realized that his piranha were missing. Puzzled he summoned another half dozen only to watch them being swept over his waterfall.


    ? Oops, um, Rosita I¡¯ve lost us some guardians. They kinda left the dungeon. ?


    ¡°WHAT! How did you do that?¡± asked a visibly agitated Rosita.


    ? You know, those toothy fish? Well they were swept out of the dungeon by the river. ?


    ¡°Well, lets hope they were killed by the fall, or that nobody noticed. There aren¡¯t many people who live in rivers. What do you think we should do about guards.¡±


    ? Anything I put in the lake has a good chance of being ejected from the dungeon. ?


    ¡°Well...¡± pondered Rosita. ¡°Let¡¯s declare the first room a safe room. They just have to be careful not to be swept out over the waterfall.¡±


    ? Oh boy! We have visitors. ?


    ¡°Oooo! Let¡¯s see.¡±


    Marty and Rosita watched as three small grey furred long armed, big-eyed humanoids made their way cautiously into their dungeon. They were armed with long slender whip-like clubs. They had obviously climbed the cliff, and now they ventured cautiously along the treacherous path Marty had provided.


    They arrived at the lake, chattered amongst themselves for a few minutes before withdrawing once again.

 Chapter 7 – (Jasper)

    Jasper was getting frustrated. It had been three weeks since the damn centaurs arrived and nobody had ventured into her dungeon. She and Vlad were ready for inspection. Their mobs weren¡¯t overly powerful and the traps frankly pitiful. She believed the rewards were good; they had lucked out as their skeletal mouse scouts had managed to steal a few coins from the labourers the centaurs had imported to build that fortress blocking the entrance to the valley.


    She was a bit worried that three of the mice had been destroyed during their scouting activities. But none of those had been anywhere near the plains or the fort. So she was hoping nobody was aware of their skeletal mice yet.


    Vlad made Jasper aware that one of their scouts was ready to return, but that it was stopped at the edge of the cleared area outside their dungeon entrance. Just close enough to be sensed by Vlad but not close enough to communicate.


    Jasper hovered near the entrance and looked out carefully. Last time she¡¯d been careless one of the damn centaur sentries had shot an arrow at her. Jasper was annoyed that an area of five hundred meters diameter outside the entrance was totally barren.


    She watched with rising hope as the ever present centaur guards trotted off. They were replaced by a handful of humans. Jasper watched as they set up a table and some chairs. After they spent half an hour chatting and occasionally looking at the entrance they split up into two groups. Five of them, three men and two women headed for the entrance of the dungeon while the others seemed st on setting up some kind of shelter over their table.


    Jasper fled into the depths of the dungeon and joined Vlad. They settled down ¨C rather nervously ¨C to await results.


    They watched as the group descended the stairs to the first room. The mage maintained a glowing light that floated over his head. They barely paused in the first chamber. The three skeletons didn¡¯t stand a chance.


    After the fight, while one of the warriors watched the other entrance to the room the rest picked up the loot and tossed it into a bag. They seemed unusually impressed with the rusty battered sword one of the skeletons had left behind.


    The mage spent a short period of time meditating, then he said, ¡°Darkness and Fire. A bit thin, but that¡¯s to be expected in a young dungeon. What about treasure?¡±


    ¡°Six coppers and a rusty iron short sword,¡± replied the guy with the bow who seemed to be in charge.


    ¡°Iron? That seems excessive, this place is going to become very popular.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s continue.¡±


    Jasper tried to make sense of the conversation even as the group advanced down the corridor, checked the short dead end and turned down the other option. The next room didn¡¯t give them any trouble. They easily spotted the two badly hidden skeletons and destroyed the lot without any problem. They collected the treasure and continued.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    By the time they reached the heart chamber both Jasper and Vlad were scared. The adventurers had just strolled through the dungeon with the greatest of ease. They visibly played with Red, attempting to learn all the tricks and abilities of their boss monster.


    Jasper hid in the shadows even as the mage examined Vlad. Their leader snorted in contempt. ¡°Is it as young as it looks Leo?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Frankly it should still be hibernating and growing. It woke early.¡±


    ¡°So, I hope you can understand me dungeon. If you want to be insanely generous drop one gold when your boss is defeated. Grow some darkness or fire aspected herbs for treasure. Copper is a pitiful reward. Iron is... is... Insanely generous. Iron is very rare, it is hard to work, but it can be easily enchanted. Three iron short swords is a generous reward for higher ranked adventurers like us. Tone down your rewards or you¡¯ll be swamped.¡±


    Jasper watched them leave, and noted that while they all had one or two items made of silver, iron or steel all the rest of their equipment or armour was made of bronze or leather.


    * * *


    ? They ... give Vlad ... much energy. ?


    ¡°Right! Can we respawn? And lets change the treasure. Reduce the chance of dropping a sword to ... um, one percent. Red we can make that ten percent maybe. Do we have gold or herbs?¡±


    ? Drop change ... yes ... gold no ... herbs no. ?


    ¡°Shit!¡± swore Jasper, ¡°Well lets throw in a few silver with Red instead.¡±


    ? (Vaspedian) ?


    Vaspedian scratched his leg, he was sure he had picked up a few fleas from the damned centaurs. They were all living out of tents for the time being. There was no way to know if the dungeon was going to be worth the investment of a town. The five hundred meter wide barren ring around its entrance was one count against it. Some undead like zombies had the chance of creating more of their own with their kills.


    Sending in the Raptors to do the evaluation was overkill, but they had been available, and willing.


    He looked up as Hainrick Sunlord led his Raptors up to his tent.


    ¡°That was fast Lord Hainrick. What do you recommend? What did you find?¡± asked Vespedian politely.


    ¡°Skeletons and Zombies,¡± replied Hainrick with a grimace of distaste, something Vaspedian understood in a follower of the Sun.


    ¡°Five rooms, ten monsters and one boss. A few coppers for treasure.¡± Hainrick hesitated for a few seconds before adding, ¡°And two rusty iron shortswords. No good as weapons but they are ... iron. I advised the core and any companion it might have not to be so generous. Maybe someone could seed it with a solar and some appropriate seeds. Its aspects are Darkness and Fire.¡±


    Vaspedian stood with his mouth open in surprise. ¡°Iron swords? Just how young is the thing?¡±


    ¡°Very. Leo believes it should have hibernated another couple of years gathering power before waking and creating its dungeon.¡±


    Vaspedian sat himself at his table and offered Hainrick refreshments before gathering some papers, ink and a pen and started writing. He looked up and said, ¡°This justifies a few permanent buildings despite the elves....¡±


    Vaspedian stopped talking and looked to the southeast with wide eyes. Hainrick jerked to his feet and turned in the same direction.


    ¡°By the Gods... Do you think...¡±


    ¡°Another new dungeon, and not too far away... Well Vaspedian I¡¯ll leave you to it, the Raptors have other places to be.¡±


    ¡°Yes well.... Please be careful, the elves are touchy... and not too happy with us at the moment.¡±

 Chapter 8 – (Marty)

    Time passed and Marty and Rosita entertained themselves watching the occasional group of tree runners explore their entrance tunnel and gaze curiously over the underground lake. They quickly realized that the presence of intelligent beings allowed Marty to integrate something into his core.


    ? Rosita, I feel as if I need to reorganise myself. My shell feels tight. ?


    ¡°Already!¡± squealed Rosita excitedly. ¡°You¡¯re ready to grow! Oh wow, better do it before any heavy-duty adventurers arrive. Call up your interface and evolve. It takes some time at first.¡±


    ? OK. Um, are you sure we¡¯re safe. That this is safe. ?


    ¡°Should be.¡± Rosita said worriedly, ¡°But not doing it is worse. Or so I was told. Um, good luck Marty, it¡¯ll be fine, you¡¯ll see.¡±


    Marty took one last look round his home, his self and looked inward. After a further hesitation he found himself instinctively driving the new energy his visitors had been giving off and merging it with his mana. His inborn mathematical abilities kicked in then. Something was sub-optimal with the weave he had started on. Seeking the correct fractals and equations he forced a change. Marty struggled and forced the merged energy into a new, more efficient format.


    Then things went haywire. The new format was far more conductive. Marty found himself fighting to master his new energy flows.


    Rosita watched apprehensively as Marty¡¯s glow dimmed as he entered a dormant state. The first integration was always the most dangerous for a core. She bit her lip until it bled when bright lights began flowing over his core and it developed dozens of tiny facets. This did not match her expectations, cores normally started out with somewhere between eight to twelve facets.


    After one day, Marty¡¯s core seemed to have finished changing, it had grown, but the growth was less than she had expected. However it was far clearer and it seemed far more balanced than it had been. The Mind aspect was far stronger than before. She sighed with relief, Marty seemed to have come out of it safely, and his core showed signs of waking. A balanced core was better, she knew that but it usually took many integrations for this to happen.


    Marty woke to find himself being hugged by an excited fairy. ¡°Oh Marty, I¡¯m so glad you¡¯re well, when your core started to gain all those facets I was worried. And look, our little rose sprite is waking.¡±


    ? The shape offered was sub-optimal. This shape is both stronger and conducts energy better. I think it might hold more too. ?


    Marty examined his first rose bush and would have smiled if he could. ? What a lovely little thorn maiden. Thorn you¡¯re beautiful. ?


    Thorn blinked her red flecked green eyes and grinned showing sharp thornlike teeth. ¡°Papa, mama,¡± she said.


    The next hour vanished as the three got to know one another. Thorn spread herself through the chamber¡¯s rose bushes and stirred several sisters to life. This caused Rosita and Marty to lose more time in wonder.


    * * *


    When Marty and Rosita returned their attention to their dungeon they found a working party of elves growing a small pier in the lake cavern. They had already grown a set of railings to make the path that ran along the river safer to use. Marty restrained his curiosity and turned his attention to expansion. It was time he created a second floor.The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    That night he flooded the pier and rails and took them over. He found their structure interesting. He started experimenting with this new and strangely cooperative tree in one of his new rooms.


    Marty had plenty of time for his new project as the elves proved to be meticulous and in no hurry. He particularly enjoyed watching the way they encouraged the pier to grow a couple of large rowboats complete with oars.


    Five humans spent some time watching the boats grow. They did not give Marty the impression of being particularly patient. But it seemed that they were obeying ¨C reluctantly ¨C the local elves.


    At the same time as the elves were growing a second pier, one that incorporated some stairs to facilitate use of the exit to the lake cavern.


    The first visitors to cross the lake were a trio of elves accompanied by four tree runners. They safely navigated the long twisty corridor to the first of the heavily overgrown caves. They barely penetrated it, they just stood there and admired the sight.


    ¡°Be aware that the Raptors, an advanced adventurer group have invoked several treaties to be the ones to evaluate you. I hope you have defences against fire. Adventurers are fond of fire, Humans and dwarves especially. Good luck tomorrow. Queen Aldrya has forbidden your destruction, but be careful nonetheless.¡±


    ? Fire ¨C why those motherless bastards, I¡¯ll give them fire. Hmmm, wonder if I have enough time? ? uttered Marty as he watched the elves leave. At the last moment he used his mastery of Mind and tried to reply. He targeted the woman who spoke the warning.


    ? Thank you for the warning. I currently have no answer for fire, but I have an idea. Thanks to you I might trap some of my chambers against fire users. ?


    Rivanna was chatting with her husband and son when Marty¡¯s statement blossomed in her mind. She froze causing her companions to stumble. She spun round and stared back down the passage. ¡°You¡¯re welcome... Erm, what¡¯s your name?¡±


    ? I¡¯m Marty, welcome to my Rose Dungeon. Rosita my Fairy companion and me are happy to welcome polite visitors. ?


    ¡°Thank you Marty. I mean it, be very careful tomorrow.¡± Rivanna stared at her son and hugged her husband. ¡°Aldrya must hear about this...¡±


    Marty and Rosita watched their visitors row across the lake and leave their dungeon. ? What should I do first Rosita? Lower our chamber and open the second level or set up smoke traps? ?


    ¡°Second level first,¡± decided Rosita. ¡°What do you mean about smoke traps?¡±


    ? Well there are some plants that give of poisonous smoke when they burn, and fire uses up oxygen. So if I design some way of sealing a cave in case of fire. Everyone caught in it will be simultaneously poisoned and asphyxiated. ?


    Rosita giggled, ¡°Do that. But first, finish our second level.¡±


    * * *


    If dungeons could be tired Marty would have been exhausted, his reserves were actually low. Rosita was curled up asleep in her apartment, Marty could hear her cute buzzing snores, admittedly only because he was the dungeon.


    Finally it was time, the human adventurers were rowing across the lake. They seemed surprised he had allowed the rowboats. Hadn¡¯t the idiots realized the cavern was a designated safe room? The elves had.


    They made their way up the twisting passage with consummate ease, quite thoroughly smashing the two traps it contained. That was just mean. Well that did it. When they smashed the second trap, he was peeved enough to react. He mustered his mind magic and broadcast to them.


    ? Intruders identified as hostile. Defences activated. ?


    ¡°Oh Marty no! You shouldn¡¯t have done that,¡± whispered Rosita apprehensively.


    Hainrick Sunlord stopped and looked up at the ceiling, ¡°Leo?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Um,¡± muttered Leo as he concentrated on gathering information. ¡°The aspects are Nature as is more than obvious and Mind. They are close to being balanced. That was the core, it is aware. No doubt about it this one delayed opening as long as it could.¡±


    ¡°And I¡¯ll lay odds the elves have already made contact with it, The way the crown¡¯s representative lady Rivanna warned us again today of the Queens interest in this dungeon,¡± said Hainrick.


    ? Oi! Stop insulting me. I¡¯m a him not an it! Why are you trespassing unwanted in my home if you¡¯re just going to insult me. ?

 Chapter 9 – (The Raptors)

    Hainrick jerked to his feet and turned to face the southeast when the wave of fresh feeling mana rolled over him.


    ¡°By the Gods... Do you think...¡± uttered guild master Vaspedian.


    ¡°Another new dungeon, and not too far away... Well Vaspedian I¡¯ll leave you to it, the Raptors have other places to be.¡±


    ¡°Yes well.... Please be careful, the elves are touchy... and not too happy with us at the moment.¡±


    Hainrick somewhat absently took his leave of Vaspedian, his business with this disappointing dungeon was done, though he wouldn¡¯t forget it. Any location that supplied iron was a treasure of sorts. He strode towards his groups camp even as he bellowed to the local workers to get their horses ready for travel.


    It didn¡¯t surprise him that his party was all getting ready for travel. They would all have felt the result of a delayed opening by a new dungeon. It must be a wary and possibly paranoid dungeon. He grinned in anticipation.


    Half an hour later the Raptors were moving towards the new dungeon, alternating trotting with walking they made good time. It came as no surprise to them that they were being shadowed by a sizable centaur patrol.


    They were well into the foothills after having crossed the valley of the moon maid in short order. That was when Daviinos the Mighty decided to investigate a bush that had caused one of the centaur scouts to shy away and gallop away at high speed.


    Daviinos kicked the bush even as he poked at it with his sword. Everyone downwind were reduced to gagging at the foul stench that enveloped and clung to Daviinos. The centaur who had fled and was now standing well upwind started laughing uproariously. Daviinos slashed away in a fury and blood flew.


    Hainrick noticed one young skunk herding two others from cover to cover. He was surprised as he realised it was choosing a route that would keep them hidden from the furious Daviinos. Then a larger skunk fled after the young ones. It narrowly avoided being skewered by a flung knife courtesy of Daviinos. Then the laughing centaur moved between them and the fleeing skunks, though Hainrick noted he maintained a safe distance from the animals.


    Their journey was delayed at the next stream. Daviinos spent long hours with soap, water and magic to clean himself and his gear.


    * * *


    They resumed their journey at dawn on the following day. After they had gone somewhat less than five kilometres Hainrick raised a hand to stop them. He pointed a little to the south of their route, to where one of the elven sentry trees was making its way to the head of a small trickle of a stream. They watched in silence as it rooted itself and pulsed stored mana. Saplings started growing all around it forming a small grove.


    Now that they had noticed the Raptors noted several other new groves.


    ¡°The elven forest is growing,¡± said Leo stating the obvious even as he turned and watched their centaur shadows galloping off the way they¡¯d come. ¡°It¡¯s been nearly a century since the elves have had the mana to expand their forests.¡±


    ¡°So... This is because of the new dungeon?¡± murmured Hainrick thoughtfully.


    ¡°I think so, I¡¯m not aware that anything else has changed,¡± replied Leo.


    Hainrick kicked his horse into motion once again and once again they headed towards their destination. Soon they entered the forest. They say many signs of renewal and accelerated new growth. They were well into the forest before they noticed the tree runners that were shadowing them from the trees.


    Then they noted some elves flitting amongst the trees but still nobody challenged them. The elves didn¡¯t bother to hide the magics wreathing between the elves, tree runners and trees.


    Hainrick stopped his band, then he raised his voice and said: ¡°We are here as representatives of the Guild of Adventurers and the Church of Sol Triumphant as per the Concord of Yelmhome. We are here to classify the new dungeon.¡±


    Silence.


    Hainrick tried again, ¡°Further the Treaty signed by your queen Aldrya almost three centuries ago in Dardelm specifically accepted the agreements of the Concord.¡±


    Silence ¨C then one of the tree runners showed himself and pointed in the direction they were going before fading back into the trees.


    Hainrick¡¯s lips thinned in displeasure but he led his party onwards. It was obvious when they arrived at their destination. The sight of several sentry trees ringing what was obviously going to be a new settlement met them. A handful of elves and one young dryad were growing elven house-trees while other trees were being encouraged to relocate.


    The banners of several warbands were visible. Many warriors were visibly tired. Hainrick shared a worried look with his companions. They could see that the elves had already made up their minds. They were going to keep this dungeon come what may.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    The Raptors were showed a small clearing near the top of the cliff that protected one side of the new settlement. Thankfully the location was sufficiently offset from the noisy waterfall that emerged about three-quarters of the way up the cliff. They duly set up their camp and waited to be contacted.


    Several other warbands straggled in over the next few hours; one of the last was escorting a group of dangerous looking nobles. It was only after the arrival of these nobles that the elves bothered to talk with Hainrick and his band. They were escorted to where the nobles were leaning on some railings that looked grown and peering down at the waterfall. Hainrick gathered his patience; this meeting was unlikely to be fruitful. The noise of the waterfall would make hearing anything difficult at best.


    The Lady looked over her shoulder at him, surprisingly he found her words easy to hear. ¡°Have you ever come across a dungeon with a more difficult entrance than this one?¡±


    ¡°What do you mean Lady?¡±


    The elf laughed, ¡°Why, only that if having the entrance of a dungeon high up a virtually unclimbable cliff wasn¡¯t enough, it also has a river and waterfall mostly blocking it. Then there¡¯s an underground lake that has to be crossed to reach the true entrance. And that is a good five meters above the surface of the lake.¡±


    Hainrick¡¯s mouth snapped shut as he stared at the elf, then he stepped up to the edge of the cliff and leaned over the living railings to examine the location from which the waterfall emerged. He was befuddled to realise that yes; that was the dungeon entrance.


    * * *


    The two weeks that followed were frustrating. The elves were in no hurry as they grew a path down to the waterfall. Then they spent several days growing railings, piers, boats and a staircase in the lake cave.


    Then there were the tortuous talks with the Rune Lady Rivanna. Hainrick did not often meet people as powerful as himself.


    ¡°Finally,¡± said Hainrick in relief as he led his party down the staircase that was clinging to the face of the cliff. They all had to bend over as they moved down the uneven, wet and slippery path that paralleled the fast flowing river. They were all very grateful for the railings the elves had grown.


    There were two rowboats tied to the pier. The adventurers looked approvingly at the bright sunstone clinging to the highest point of the cave.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t they grow a bridge? If the dungeon accepted boats surely it would have accepted a bridge. Dungeons want adventurers, don¡¯t they?¡±


    ¡°This one doesn¡¯t seem that keen Leo, it delayed opening, and its entrance is not welcoming,¡± grumbled Daviinos.


    They clambered into one of the big rowboats and made their way across the lake. Then they climbed the living stairs to the tunnel. The tunnel was long and twisting. The first trap they found was not set but they still smashed it. They did the same to the second one they found.


    ? Intruders identified as hostile. Defences activated. ? Announced a young sounding male voice in their minds.


    Hainrick stopped and gazed up at the ceiling, ¡°Leo?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Um,¡± muttered Leo as he too stopped even as he concentrated on gathering information. ¡°The aspects are Nature as is more than obvious and Mind. They are close to being balanced. That was the core, it is aware. No doubt about it, this one delayed opening as long as it could.¡±


    ¡°And I¡¯ll lay odds the elves have already made contact with it, The way the crown¡¯s representative lady Rivanna warned us again today of the Queens interest in this dungeon,¡± said Hainrick.


    ? Oi! Stop insulting me. I¡¯m a him not an it! Why are you trespassing unwanted in my home if you¡¯re just going to insult me? ?


    The Raptors looked at each other speculatively. ¡°Unusual,¡± murmured Leo.


    The tunnel had turned back on itself by the time they found a well-lit cavern. It ha a diameter of approximately thirty meters and was chock full of assorted plants.


    ¡°That¡¯s going to be a pig to get through, and it has far too many hiding places,¡± offered Daviinos.


    ¡°Most adventurers would use fire. So lets do that to see how the dungeon handles it,¡± said Hainrick while looking at Leo.


    Leo grimaced, ¡°This is so, so crude. But fine, I¡¯ll do it.¡± Leo faced the cave and cast his fire spray spell. A fan of fire settled onto the plants in the cavern. They smouldered fitfully. So Leo repeated his spell, and this time the now drier plants started to burn giving of great clouds of smoke.


    The Raptors watched carefully as smoke started to fill the cavern and spill out into the passageway. Once that happened they heard a thud behind them. About ten meters from the cave a slab of stone had dropped blocking the passage.


    ¡°We are being poisoned,¡± said Faldara Swifthands. ¡°The smoke contains a contact poison. Our filter spells are preventing it from being fully effective.¡±


    Hainrick turned and focused on destroying the stone barrier. ¡°We are in a sealed area with a fire. I suspect the poison is the least of our problems. Leo can you put the fire out?¡±


    * * *


    They withdrew to the entrance and rested while clearing their systems of the poison and cleaning up from the smoke. The next time they tried they found the cave restored and forced their way through. The hornets were unpleasant but not dangerous. The various brambles and vines kept animating and trying to bind and strangler them. They noted several young creatures fleeing.


    While at no point were they ever in danger again it took them over a day to reach the central chamber. Mostly thanks to having to map the two fiendishly complicated three-dimensional mazes. They were constantly attacked by overactive vegetation, swarms of hornets, yellowjackets and bees. All the other creatures that made their homes in the dungeon withdrew and fled before them.


    They barricaded the entrance to the central chamber and camped for the night at the head of the stairs.


    The second floor was much smaller and seemed unfinished. But it was basically more of the same. The Dungeon¡¯s heart chamber looked more like a formal garden and the boss was a variant of dryad they had not previously met before. The core was partially hidden by the large vigorous rose bush it was nestled in.


    The fight didn¡¯t last long, the rose dryad used all the rose bushes to fight and distract the adventurers before releasing the snakes, scorpions and insects.


    The Raptors examined the core, noting that it looked odd. It also seemed to be weakly shielded. Hainrick addressed it. ¡°What treasures do you offer? The challenge is significant but I only saw a few herbs worth gathering.¡±


    ? Fetch a herbalist next time. ?


    * * *


    It was a tired and bedraggled party that emerged from the dungeon. They found the elves uninterested in their report and frankly contemptuous of their warnings.

 The Priest Speaks (Creation Myth)

    Rurik Sunbright watched as the Bison Tribe¡¯s Storm Khan escorted the tribe¡¯s children to the Temple of Sol Triumphant in the Oasis of Clearwater Springs. He smiled as the youngsters tumbled off their mounts and straggled into the atrium of the temple. Many were already bowlegged like most of their fellow tribesmen.


    Farissa Blood-drinker grinned at him and herded the bison the children had arrived on towards the water ponds. Her bison eyed the priest suspiciously. Rurik recognised the signs from long experience with the nomads that roamed and fought over the plains. Farissa was riding her guardian beast, one of the mounts granted intelligence by the Beastlord.


    Rurik took his place in his comfortable chair and watched the familiar sight of the youngsters walking the walk of the chronically mounted. A true sign of the tribes people of the plains, and today he had a special guest. Trailing the sun haired child came a young bison, another one blessed by the Beastlord.


    Once the children had settled themselves on the benches Rurik began his tale. His lesson.


    ¡°Welcome children, sit and listen to the tale of our wondrous world of Salvadar.


    ¡°In the before time, before the birth of Time our great lord Sol Triumphant was born along with many other Sun Stars. The Eternal Ones scattered them far and wide across the heavens.


    ¡°Whether by accident or intent the Sun Stars drifted apart until they were unable to converse easily amongst themselves. Feeling lonely Sol Triumphant drew on his very self and cast these parts of himself into the void so that they would ever after dance around him.


    ¡°And so it was, the fiery children of Sol Triumphant burnt brightly in the heavens. But only for a time, for they were too small, their flames retreated into their centres.


    ¡°Mother Salvadar locked her treasures in her heart, she grew a solid shell to protect her fires. And just like Salvadar, so did the all the other children of the great Sol Triumphant.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    ¡°How long things rested thus, we cannot know for Time had not yet been born.¡±


    ¡°Father Rurik, when did the Stormlord take dominion of the skies?¡± asked a fiery haired urchin.


    Rurik smiled indulgently, ¡°Later, for he had not yet been born.


    ¡°Anyway to continue, the first gods were lonely, so they had children. Many gods were born, Time made himself known and with his arrival the formless time of the gods and creation came to an end.


    ¡°Time was resented by many of the gods that were for by his existence they were all forced to exist in a certain order. Thus were born the twins, the gods of Order and Law. The lady of Justice resented the god of Law. And also the formless god, the Chaos Lord came into being¡±


    Rurik paused his tale as his audience jeered and hissed their displeasure at the mention of the Demon God of Chaos. When the children calmed again he continued.


    ¡°The seeds of the Great War were sown. First the Chaos Lord spread his influence over the surface of Mother Salvador. The twins were stirred to oppose him-her and they reigned in the mortal creatures on the surface.


    ¡°The Chaos Lord then created the great earth bulls that lived under the skin of Mother Salvadar. The earth bulls gathered under the mountains and on the edges of the seas. And where they gathered the earth shook, and the skin of Mother Salvadar started to break.


    ¡°Then the Chaos Lord created the hideous Volcanoes, great beasts of molten rock, mightier than the dragons.


    ¡°The god of Order and Statis managed to slay the Earth Bulls and sealed up all the wounds they had inflicted on Mother Salvadar, he then rose into the skies and threw down and slew the mighty Volcanoes.


    ¡°By now the Great War of the Gods was raging furiously. The Twins stood for order and threw their power into preventing the ills of change. The Formless one as always sought change. Both led their alliances and gods fought. For many years gods died and were reborn, but in desperation the Twins raised the God of Death to prominence and the gods who were slain died for true.


    ¡°In desperation the Twins gave many promises regarding the mortal races and managed to raise one final grand alliance. They struck and managed to shatter the Formless one. Chaos was defeated and scattered to the far corners, but not before he crippled the Lord of Order, the Sleeping God.


    ¡°And since that day the earth under our feet has not shaken, there have been no Earth Bulls or mighty Volcanoes.


    ¡°Mortals who live in the places of the greatest battles are occasionally cursed by Chaos. They have to remain extra vigilant but the Gods have blessed them for the soil where the Volcanoes were slain is fertile and the hills yield rare metals.


    ¡°The rest of us have to make do with the bones of all the slain gods, for as all know...¡±


    ¡°The bones of the Gods are made of bronze...¡± chorused the children.

 Chapter 10 – (Jasper)

    Jasper was lurking in her favourite perch, she watched the outside world from the entrance of her dungeon. She was getting frustrated, everyone had been beating her undead. Even the centaur¡¯s serfs, the farmers, admittedly the latter refused to enter her heart chamber, but it was still frustrating.


    And now there was this argument taking place just outside her entrance. At first sight it looked ridiculous, but, the guards supplied by the adventurer¡¯s guild were taking it seriously. They actually seemed scared of the absurd little duck man.


    He was a feathered humanoid and just over one meter tall. Metallic green plumage covered what she could see of his head under the black painted helm. He had a large duck like bill and he wore open sandals on his webbed feet. He had arms, not wings and the feathers she could see on the rest of his body were a soft brown. His armour was either dyed or painted black depending on if it was leather or metal.


    He kept stating excitedly that he was a Sword of Armalor and as such it was his duty to eradicate the abomination that was undeath.


    Then to Jasper¡¯s shock the opening of the dungeon flowed and it sealed itself. After a frozen instant, Jasper fled back to the core room. She found Vlad¡¯s glow dimmed, and she came close to panicking until a piece of implanted knowledge surfaced in her mind. Vlad was experiencing his first Integration.


    Jasper bit her lip, she knew that this was a potentially danger point in a dungeon core¡¯s existence. But she couldn¡¯t fathom why it was happening now, this point usually occurred after the core had created something... And as far as she was aware, all they had done was summon established mobs and create a minimal dungeon.


    She settled down to wait.


    * * *


    Vlad was getting bored. All he was being asked to do was recreate the zombies and skeletons that were proving so very unsuccessful. And somehow he was starting to think, rather than just react. He felt himself approaching a threshold of sorts but ignored it.


    Currently he was poking at the little snail that had arrived in his dungeon in the bony chest cavity of one of his skeletal mouse scouts. He found the little scurries more interesting than his guardians.


    Rather absently he sought out the little creatures needs, then he went shopping in the dungeon store. A function he had recently stumbled on out of sheer boredom. Slowly and carefully Vlad installed a secret door in the wall behind his core, using it hide a short corridor. At the end of this corridor he carved out a large cave and apart from a dry strip near the entrance filled it with a marsh surrounding a dirty pond.


    He sent his scouts out to look for things suitable for his new cave. While he waited he filled the dry area with his moss and after absorbing the snail spawned a score of them in their new home.


    Then he experimented.


    Over the following weeks he was able to fill his playground with assorted vegetation. The snails meanwhile grew and grew, Vlad found they assimilated darkness with ease, and when sufficiently infused with darkness they were able to absorb fire. The failures tended to explode spectacularly, that and burn. He liked that and had managed to influence some of them to explode on death.


    And then it was time. Vlad felt all his attention dragged inward into the heart of his core. In a near panic he instinctively sealed his entrance. He found the reservoir of odd energy his visitors had been giving off and wove it to his mana. Vlad¡¯s glow dimmed and as he entered a dormant state, he selected the form that felt right to him and worked to achieve it. When Vlad woke again his core possessed ten facets.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    ? (Vaspedian) ?


    Vaspedian checked and double-checked his paperwork. He was mortally sick of this new posting in the ass end of nowhere. It didn¡¯t require a man of his standing and he was doing his best to find a replacement.


    He had received word the Raptors were on their way back from one of the centaur scouts. He grinned reflexively as he remembered the story the centaurs told of the valiant fight against the baby skunk. Pity everyone knew that one or it would make great blackmail material.


    The entrance flap of his pavilion tent was flung aside and Tarwin Silverbeak came storming in. Vaspedian rolled his eyes and fought to control his expression before looking at the irate duck. Honestly for such tiny humanoids ducks were incredibly touchy and easy to anger. It always surprised Vaspedian that they weren¡¯t rarer than they were.


    ¡°Yes lord Tarwind, what can I and the Adventurer¡¯s Guild do for you today?¡±


    ¡°You can open that abomination of a dungeon and allow me to exterminate it in the death god¡¯s name!¡±


    Vaspedian regarded the bristling death cultist and sighed. ¡°I only manage the dungeon. You need to seek permission from Silvanna Ironhoof. She is the representative of the Great Khan of the centaurs.¡±


    Tarwin stamped his feet in a fury, ¡°The bitch is in talks with the filthy Dark Trolls, the undead lovers... She¡¯ll never accede to good sense.¡±


    ¡°So you want me to defy a Hero so you can exterminate a minor dungeon? One that has provided several units of iron?¡± asked Vaspedian sarcastically even as he prepared himself to jump to his feet.


    The irate duck seemed to deflate, Tarwin even looked apologetic for a few seconds. ¡°Well no... But I hoped... You are a sensible man, you know the time will come when this dungeon will have to be destroyed.¡±


    They were interrupted by the pavilion¡¯s opening being once again flung open, this time by the Raptors. Hainrick strode in without a by your leave. He eyed Tarwin with disfavour. ¡°Guild Master, you will have to make the stinking elves listen. They have a dangerous dungeon that needs to be managed or culled.¡±


    ¡°Can¡¯t be worse than this pit of corruption,¡± interjected Tarwin.


    Vaspedian restrained himself, ¡°The elves have other resources, they have members of the Adventurer¡¯s Guild. They can bypass me. Besides, I have not been asked to check their dungeon.¡±


    ¡°The Rose dungeon is overfull of life and its entrance is combined by a major river and waterfall that help spread its influence. It needs to be restrained. The elven forest is growing. It has already gained one kilometre and has scattered groves covering a further five. It is a destabilising force. Change is bad.¡±


    ¡°Change happens. Just look at the Empire of the Blood Moon.¡±


    ¡°The Lunars are Chaos worshiping heretics,¡± half screamed Tarwin even as Hainrick nodded and said, ¡°True.¡±


    ¡°So you want to shove the elves into the Empire¡¯s arms?¡± asked Vaspedian.


    The Raptors and Tarwin exchanged looks and looked unhappily at Vaspedian. ¡°Look, the Rose dungeon is going to get stronger and it will help the elves spread their forest. Its challenges are fairly feeble but its traps are diabolical. It has a party killer on the first level. It merits being controlled or destroyed.¡±


    ¡°I take it the elves didn¡¯t agree with you?¡± asked Vaspedian.


    ¡°They didn¡¯t listen to us. They only allowed us to evaluate it due to existing treaties. I suspect they have an agreement with the dungeon and its companion fairy. They are the one who told us the dungeon¡¯s name,¡± explained Hainrick.


    Tarwin snorted contemptuously, ¡°These foothills were ceded to the elves by treaty. If the dungeon will allow them to spread their forest over them, then the only way to stop them would be through war. And the Centaurs are wary of the Dark Trolls and Rock Folk who live in the higher mountains.¡±


    ¡°Well if you are too blind to see the danger I will take our observations and warnings to the Master of the Guild. Maybe I can get nominated Guild Master of the elves'' new dungeon town.¡±


    Vaspedian shook his head slowly. ¡°And pigs might fly,¡± he offered.


    * * *


    Under the far corner of the pavilion, in a small half collapsed burrow a little skeletal mouse watched and listened.


    ? (Jasper) ?


    Jasper knew instantly when Vlad woke. ¡°Welcome back Vlad, ten facets! Congratulations. Does that mean you¡¯re ready to create our second level?¡±


    ? Yes Jasper. I can do that. I could use the skeletal knights. ?


    ¡°Cool! Hey you are speaking better. Good,¡± enthused Jasper.


    ? Um, why is your name Jasper? Shouldn¡¯t it be Jasmine or something like that? ?


    Jasper stiffened in indignation and her face grew flinty. ¡°My parents named me. I¡¯m Jasper regardless of anything else!¡±


    ? Fine. I was just curious Jasper. ?

 Chapter 11 – (Jasper)

    Jasper, still somewhat puffed up with indignation, glared at her partner¡¯s core. ¡°How come you managed to rank up so soon? I thought a dungeon core had to experiment on some denizens first. And we agreed not to fiddle with our mobs.¡±


    ? What about Red? And I fiddled with a snail that hitched a ride with one of the mouse spies. Hitched a ride? Do I have that right? ?


    ¡°Oh right. I¡¯d forgotten Red. ¡®Hitched a ride¡¯ is cool, all OK. Snails? Fair enough, why don¡¯t you try frogs,¡± joked Jasper as she broke out laughing.


    Vlad flickered slightly, showing his confusion and incomprehension but remained silent. He wasn¡¯t sure how to get the mice to catch a frog but he determined to do so. Maybe he could make them grow too.


    Jasper grinned as she thought to herself, ¡®Silly Vlad, snails... well if he must experiment just as well it¡¯s with something silly and useless. Keeps him out of my hair. Now for the second level.¡¯


    It took Jasper some time to sketch out what she thought they needed. Vlad for his part got to work starting with the spiral staircase under his current location that terminated in the centre of an hexagonal room. He added the five extra rooms Jasper wanted connected by corridors. But he threw in a swampy cave and made it look like he¡¯d accidentally found an existing cavern.


    Then while Jasper was investigating the ¡®discovery¡¯ he created a new secret door behind his core¡¯s location in his new core room and recreated his experimental cave. He¡¯d barely finished when Jasper flew in. She seemed irritated. Vlad sighed to himself and did his best to keep his thoughts calm.


    Then they got down to creating new guardians. This ended up being very like the first floor, only greater numbers and a handful of stronger skeletons sprinkled around. In keeping with their prevailing scheme Vlad bought two ghosts for the marshy cave.


    ¡°Use a skeleton to make our floor boss Vlad, and open up our dungeon. I want to see what¡¯s going on.¡±


    Vlad watched Jasper fly off towards the entrance and summoned up one of their skeleton knights. He regarded it and found it uninspiring. Grumping he summoned up a ghost. He pushed darkness and fire at both, destroying several attempts before succeeding. And still they were underwhelming.


    ? Hey Vlad. C¡¯mon, open up already! ?


    Vlad pushed his boss experiments away and reached out to open his dungeon. When he returned his attention to his core room he realized he¡¯d pushed his potential bosses together and that they were partially merged. Curious, he reached out and forced them together forcing them to complete their merge.


    He studied the result and noted that they could be upgraded again. So he added more darkness.


    ? Hey Jasper, look, what do you think. The skeleton is a bit more resilient and the wraithling is able to think and could learn a couple of minor spirit spells. And when the skeleton is destroyed the wraithling will emerge and fight its killers. ?


    ? Wraithling? What¡¯s a Wraithling? ?You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    ? Well it is no longer a ghost, and it is not a wraith yet. It¡¯s somewhere in between. ?


    ? Cool, it¡¯s a twofer. Looks good. Gotta go, got customers coming. ?


    ? I name you Twofer, guardian of the second floor. ?


    Vlad prepared to rest when he started to worry. He hurriedly created a snaking tunnel to connect his two laboratory caves and then sealed the passage and secret door that had linked his first cave to his first floor dungeon. He felt happier with only one secret door to hide.


    Not long after he had finished with his latest remodelling the first delvers to assault his new setup were in his core chamber. Twofer actually managed to wound a couple before they smashed his skull. But then wraithling Twofer emerged, and threw himself at one of the adventurers. On possessing the adventurer Twofer was able to backstab and kill one of the delvers. The ensuing brawl resulted in two more dead, another adventurer and the victim of the possession.


    Vlad made sure to drop two gold and an iron dagger. He watched as the two survivors dragged out the body of the adventurer who had been possessed. He absorbed the other two victims and used his new templates to supply all the skeletons and zombies on his second level with decent bronze swords, leather armour and shields.


    Jasper was beside herself with joy. She danced around and sang ¨C badly. ¡°Finally! Finally, we killed someone. We¡¯re on our way up now. Yay!¡±


    ? Twofer surprised them. They were a very low level group. Don¡¯t get your hopes up. And they might object to Twofer being able to possess his killers. ?


    ¡°Don¡¯t be such a glump Vlad. Let¡¯s celebrate.¡±


    * * *


    Their next visitor was the duck. He strode up to the entrance of their dungeon. Knelt in prayer for a good twenty minutes then he strode into their dungeon in the centre of a black haze that greatly weakened their guardians. About half their skeletons simply disintegrated.


    Jasper fled to the core room and hid in her cave up near the roof. The champion of Armalor, god of Death barely paused when confronted with Red, he banished the ghosts, destroyed the zombies and skeletons and arrived in Vlad¡¯s core room in little more time than if he had had no monsters to deal with. Twofer and his skeletal minions didn¡¯t last long. The Wraithling proved powerless against the divine aura that surrounded the duck.


    Tarwin struck a pose, sword raised, in front of the core and declaimed: ¡°I Tarwin Silverbeak Sword of Armalor am here to judge you. In the name of Armalor I strike all who glory in the perversion of Death.¡±


    A dark wave flowed out from the small duck that somehow dominated the room. It flowed over Vlad¡¯s core causing it to flicker slightly. When it swept over the hiding Jasper, Jasper cried out in shock and fear and vanished.


    Tarwin swung round and looked at the shadowed corner of the room that contained Jasper¡¯s hideout. He swung round again and glared at Vlad. He brought the sword down and tapped the core twice.


    ¡°Be more careful. Learn! Cease dishonouring the dead. Guide your companion. Choose a new path as soon as you may. Armalor showed me that you are not irredeemable. Yet! Your companion will be able to find her way back soon. I trust this will be a lesson to you both. Armalor will gather all in in the end. Be wary of his ire.¡±


    Vlad watched as the black dressed small duck strolled out of his domain. His head still ached from the ringing that those two taps had caused in his being.


    * * *


    Jasper woke feeling dreadful. Her eyes hurt, everything seemed flat and harsh, the very light was stabbing into her eyes. Several shades were shuffling around near her. She closed her eyes and crawled in the direction she had seen some shade before she had been forced to close her eyes.


    She collapsed and wept with exhaustion. She slept. When she woke again nothing had changed, except that she could feel her bond calling her. It seemed greatly weakened but it was there. She started crawling again as she followed it.


    Twice more she slept before she found a hole. Her link seemed to be keeping it open. She felt around the hole and finally she reached into it. Then she was falling.


    She slammed into an unyielding floor.


    ? Jasmine! Erm, Jasper you¡¯re back! Where have you been? It¡¯s been five weeks! Are you all right? ?

 Chapter 12 – (Randy & Marty)

    ? (Randy) ?


    They had been making their way steadily into the hills. The little family moved slowly enjoying the bounty offered by the new lands. Then came the day their mother urged them to hide.


    Randy found a shallow scrape of a hole in a field of high grass and watched the small party of mounted humans. They were a bit blurry but he figured that they looked like adventurers as depicted by some of his favourite games. Well except they were grimier than he had imagined and they didn¡¯t smell any too clean. He kept on being surprised by how much information his nose fed him.


    Randy froze. He had read somewhere that it was movement that drew the eye. He hoped that was true. ¡®Got to plan an escape route, I hope adventurers aren¡¯t as bloodthirsty in real life as in the games, I¡¯m too attached to my pelt to want to loose it. Uh oh!¡¯


    Randy watched worriedly as a centaur shied away from the bush where Crooknose was hiding. Seeing the centaur gallop away made Randy relax, but then one of the humans dismounted and went to investigate. It was one of the big ones and he had a sword in his hand. Randy held his breath in worry.


    The big thug kicked the bush where Crooknose was hiding even as he poked at it with his sword. Not unnaturally Crooknose let him have it. Randy winced, ¡®Oh no, Run Crooknose Run!¡¯ he thought desperately.


    The big bully did not appreciate Crooknose¡¯s gift, though the centaur sure found it funny. The big bully attacked Crooknose in a frenzy. Randy made use of this distraction and his brother¡¯s unwanted sacrifice to flee. He gathered up his sisters and herded them away using a slightly modified escape route. Randy was sure avoiding being seen by the bully was more important than avoiding the sight of the other humans.


    Their mother raced to join them and just managed to avoid a knife thrown by the murderer, but thanks to the laughing centaur who ran interference they managed to cross a low ridge and flee keeping out of sight of the humans.


    Their mother kept them moving casting frequent looks over her shoulder, Randy was soon panting, but he maintained a watch for danger and hiding places as he fled. When they finally stopped their mother spent a long time sniffing them and making sure her remaining kits were safe and unharmed.


    Randy was flabbergasted when he woke on the following day. He had gone to sleep in a hollow they had dug under a scraggly bush that had been growing in near solitary splendour on the hillside, and he woke in the middle of a thriving forest. But even stranger was the tree that was making its way towards the rising sun.


    The little family moved cautiously deeper into the forest before finding a hollow that satisfied their mother. She dug them a new home with a little overenthusiastic help from her kits. The forest offered plentiful forage with bugs, larvae, earthworms and grubs along with berries, roots, leaves, grasses and nuts. And there was something else, something in the air that made them all stronger, especially Randy.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    ? (Marty) ?


    Rosita slumped with relief when the Raptors left their home. ¡°Honestly Marty, you have to give adventurers rewards when they beat you ¨C consider it a bribe.¡±


    ? I don¡¯t see why I should give fire bugs anything, ? glumped Marty.


    ¡°Please Marty, adventurers can be petty and spiteful. Don¡¯t get us killed because you¡¯re pissed.¡±


    ? All I learned from this is that we need to nurture Thorn and add more traps. Have I told you about the one in the Temple of Doom? Could add that just before anyone arrives here. ?


    ¡°Um, don¡¯t go overboard Marty. We have to balance rewards to risks. And to our dungeon¡¯s levels. We only have two levels so far so, we can¡¯t be too deadly.¡±


    ? Don¡¯t see why, ? sulked Marty. ? And anyway I was thinking of allowing anyone access to the first three rooms. Err four if the lake cavern is counted. Surely that will help with the elves. ?


    Rosita dropped to the floor and, rather abruptly sat on a handy stone. She stared at Marty and licked her lips nervously. ¡°Do you mean you want to come to a ¨C a ¨C formal agreement ¨C with the elves?¡±


    ? Yes. I am close to being able to create a third floor. We can afford to give them the first level. In return I will want an alliance. It¡¯ll be tricky but... we need powerful defenders until we grow sufficiently strong. ?


    ¡°I¡¯ve never heard of a dungeon doing anything like this. It might get us into trouble. The guild won¡¯t like it.¡±


    ? Fuck the guild. We exist in the elven forest, and from the weak feedback I¡¯m getting from the river; we are good for this forest. ?


    ¡°What? The river? How?¡±


    ? It¡¯s faint. I can¡¯t do anything with it but I can get information. Also the Piranha have killed, and I got a scrap of life force from it. ?


    Rosita hugged her knees to her chest and looked scared. ¡°That¡¯s scary. The Guild would have kittens. I ¨C I think¡ª You¡¯re right, we should try to come to an agreement with the elves.¡±


    Marty examined his fairy, ? You¡¯re frightened aren¡¯t you Rosita? Why? Anything I can do to make you feel better? ?


    ¡°It is nothing Marty. It is done now, and we ¨C need ¨C a counterweight to the guild. I think, I think we need ¨C to ¨C tie our fortunes to the elves. But that is so dangerous.¡±


    ? Associate with, ally with. But not tie. We need some separation even if it is more ¨C expensive at first. I¡¯ll contact their first scout and ask to speak with a representative of their government. I will hint ¨C hell, I will state clearly I want nothing to do with the Guild. ?


    Rosita shuddered, but she nodded in reluctant agreement.


    ? But we still need to improve our defences, and see if we can set up a bug-out option. ?


    ¡°A What?¡±


    Marty watched the look of incomprehension on Rosita¡¯s face with amusement but decided against getting into another tail chasing explanation of Earth slang.


    ? (Lady Rivanna) ?


    Lady Rivanna put the elaborate scroll back on the table. She looked up at the new Queen¡¯s representative, ¡°This is unexpected Lord Fairview. A new County.¡±


    Fairview¡¯s lips twitched. ¡°Yes Countess, Lady of the Northern March. Now what did you want to communicate to the Queen?¡±


    ¡°The dungeon, Marty and Rosita, communicated with me. They want a formal treaty with our kingdom. They want nothing to do with the Adventurer¡¯s Guild.¡±


    Lord Fairview sat bolt upright. Rivanna could almost see his mind race with the implications.


    ¡°I checked the various treaties and¡ª There is nothing preventing such a treaty. But it has to be a treaty, and it has to be signed soon.¡±


    ¡°Or the Guild will put a stop to it¡ª Yes I see. It would be to our advantage if¡ª How much are they willing to cede?¡± enquired Fairview.


    ¡°I pushed. We can get full unfettered access to the first level. And after he grows, one level in every six. I suggest we ¨C ask for one in eight or less.¡±


    Fairview gazed into the distance as he thought. ¡°We have to inform Queen Aldrya. Will the Fairy be able to go and sign the treaty?¡±


    ¡°I doubt it. They are very young. That kind of freedom is ¨C uncommon at best.¡±

 Chapter 13 – (Interludes)

    ? (The Raptors) ?


    Hainrick led his party into Sunhame. They were all tired and dirty but Hainrick smiled for the sun was at its zenith. He took this as the good omen it was. They trotted through the streets relying on the citizens to get out of the way of their cavalcade.


    They dismounted in the outer courtyard and entrusted their horses to the temple servants. Then after glancing at the gilded central dome they strode into the temple proper. Hainrick and Leo led the way, as was their right. The temple acolytes and initiates bowed low when they entered, Hainrick didn¡¯t notice, though if they hadn¡¯t, he most certainly would have.


    Hainrick and Leo continued into the inner sanctum as their colleagues, being mere initiates of Sol Triumphant, made their way into the outer sanctum.


    Hainrick and Leo stopped in front of the central altar where they were bathed by the light of the sun. They made their devotions. Leo dropped to one knee and reached out to touch the altar. Hainrick stepped back in a show of respect as his friend sacrificed a tithe of his power to gain the use of another divine spell.


    Leo stood, a bit unsteadily at first. Then they turned and made their way to the Temple Lord¡¯s office.


    * * *


    ¡°My lord Heramakos, I have to report that a new dungeon is destabilizing the southern borders of the City States Federation and the Centaur Khanate. It is empowering the local Elven Forest Realm. It has to be controlled or eliminated to maintain the status quo.¡±


    Hermakos rubbed his bristly chin and narrowed his eyes in thought. ¡°Why are you here then Hainrick, surely it is a local matter. Why didn¡¯t you use your links with the guild?¡±


    Hainrick ground his teeth in irritation. ¡°The local elves refused to cooperate. They have the right to enforce a one year delay thanks to that irritating treaty we forced their queen to sign. And the centaurs have long wished to be rid of the mountains. This dungeon threatens to strengthen both realms. I believe we should force the guild to appoint either Leo or me to the post of guild master of the new dungeon town.¡±


    Hermakos smiled twistedly, ¡°So you can kill the thing promptly if it refuses or is unable to comply with direction.¡±


    ¡°Exactly,¡± agreed Hainrick.


    ¡°Very well, I¡¯ll order the guild master to attend me. You two go bathe, you stink of horse. Get back here in two hours so we can instruct the guild master on what he has to do.¡±


    ? (Lady Rivanna) ?


    Lady Rivanna stood at the head of her court and curtseyed deeply to Queen Aldrya. All around the forest folk gathered to watch their queen and her court. No one could remember the last time the queen had led a royal progression to this remote location of the kingdom.


    Once all the formalities had been dealt with Rivanna smiled with relief, ¡°I¡¯m so glad to see you cousin. Welcome to Whitewater Falls. Let me show you round.¡±


    ¡°Later Vanna, lets get this treaty squared away first. News of a royal progression to the borders spreads fast. I am expecting the centaurs soon. Their southern army is already gathering.¡±


    Rivanna looked momentarily worried but nodded understandingly. ¡°Very well cousin, please follow me, we have grown a pavilion near the top of the cliff. I¡¯ll send one of the runners to alert Marty and Rosita.¡±


    * * *


    Queen Aldrya smiled in appreciation of the pavilion and examined some climbing roses. She raised an eyebrow at Rivanna.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    ¡°Yes cousin, some of our tree runners collected shoots. They seem very fond of the roses, or maybe they like the thorn dryads.¡±


    ¡°Thorn dryads, Vanna?¡± asked Aldrya.


    Rivanna smiled, ¡°Yes, some of the dungeon¡¯s rose bushes have dryads. They are nowhere as powerful as a normal dryad, but they are dryads. Well, I suspect Thorn will one day rival our dryads. But then she is the dungeon¡¯s boss monster.¡±


    Aldrya chuckled and sat in the throne-like chair at the head of the table. She picked up one of the copies of the proposed treaty and perused it carefully. Once again she raised an eyebrow, ¡°One level in every nine, with extra rooms created when the level will support them. Are you sure this Marty is happy with this?¡±


    ¡°Yes. He asked us to allow him to keep the final room in each level ceded. I accepted. We could have got more but I thought it best not to go for the maximum they were willing to cede.¡±


    ¡°Wise of you Vanna. We want this cooperation to last centuries.¡±


    * * *


    After a short wait Rosita flew out of the dungeon and made her way to the pavilion. She landed on the table and bowed deeply to queen Aldrya. Then after a getting over an attack of shyness that the elves all thought very cute she read her copy of the proposed treaty.


    Then still blushing slightly she said, ¡°Your majesty, Lady Rivanna, this seems acceptable. I will be happy to sign it and set Marty¡¯s seal to it.¡±


    Queen Aldrya smiled and picked up a quill, dipping in ink she signed the copy in front of her and passed it across to Rosita. She then picked up the duplicate and signed it. Rosita used her ¨C much smaller ¨C quill to sign the treaties and stamped them with Marty¡¯s new seal and a touch of dungeon magic.


    The elves decided to use the occasion an excuse to throw a party and the celebrations went on until the early ours of the morning.


    ? (Vaspedian) ?


    Vaspedian watched as the centaur army arrived outside Fort Bones. He eyed the three banners uneasily. He had never seen three hosts combined before. The centaurs were making a show of force, one just short of war. He could see Silvanna Ironhoof¡¯s banner. One of the other banners also carried the Ironhoof family¡¯s heraldry, which meant her son the Storm Lord Faldane Ironhoof. The third he didn¡¯t know.


    They set up a fortified camp with the help of all the dirtmen present. Scouts were thrown out and two gallopers raced away into the grasslands. Vaspedian was feeling increasingly apprehensive; he suspected those messengers meant there were at least two more hosts close by. Vaspedian cursed as Silvanna galloped by with her grandson Heraclios by her side in the middle of her sworn hearthguard. They were advancing under a truce flag. Heading towards the elven forest and, unless he was mistaken, the new dungeon town.


    He hated being in the dark. Especially if whatever he didn¡¯t know was sufficient to gather over three thousand trained centaur cavalry.


    Vaspedian braced himself, ¡®Time to pay the commanding general of the host a visit. Hopefully I¡¯ll be able to learn something.¡¯


    * * *


    A few hours later Vaspedian was ensconced in the seedy local tavern. He was trying to suppress a grin as he cradled his mug of mediocre mead. ¡®A royal progression, wonder what that twisty queen of theirs is up to. I bet the council of stability is going to be sucking lemons. I¡¯ve got to get out of here sharpish. This area is going to be getting far to exciting to be safe.¡¯


    ? (Silvanna Ironhoof) ?


    Silvanna Ironhoof slowed to a trot as they made their way into the foothills. She snorted in approval as her sworn passed the first scattered groves. The elves were finally moving to claim the hills ceded them by treaty. She would be glad that she would no longer have the onerous task of sweeping the hills. Her folk preferred the wide rolling grasslands.


    They were met at the new frontier. After a few pleasantries the combined group proceeded at a more moderate pace.


    Silvanna was surprised by the royal progress the elves had undertaken. The new town of Whitewater Falls was considerably larger than she had expected. Elves usually took things slower.


    The protocol she had to endure as a visiting Hero and representative of the Centaur Khanate was, elaborate, prolonged and profoundly tedious. But in the end, just like everything it came to an end and she and her brother were invited to a feast in honour of the new treaty.


    Silvanna and Heraclios shared a smug look after seeing the treaty. It looked likely to stymie the temples'' council of stability. Silvanna considered things and after a whispered consultation with her grandson she approached Lady Rivanna.


    ¡°Might I suggest that you call on the dungeon¡¯s representative once again Rivanna, I propose signing that treaty as a witness on behalf of myself and my Khan.¡±


    Queen Aldrya barely restrained from rubbing her hands with glee at the news and Rosita was dragged out of her dungeon to face the crowds once again to witness the signing.


    Naturally there was another party and the centaurs proved once again that when it came to carousing and consuming alcohol there was nobody to beat them.

 Chapter 14 – (Vlad)

    Vlad watched as the small black dressed duck disappeared out of the entrance of his dungeon. He examined the desolation the champion of the death god had left and felt despair. Now what was he going to do? He needed to repopulate his dungeon and he was too scared to use undead.


    Trembling with apprehension he summoned his scouts and once they arrived he sealed his dungeon. He immediately realized he would be unable to maintain the seal for long. He just hoped he could use the delay. He felt bereft of ideas and desperately wanted his companion. She was always so confident.


    But it was not to be! He cast around to see what he had to work with. First he absorbed the frog his minions had fetched him. So not a frog, he had a toad. He liked the poison glands and long tongue. He thought he could do something with those. But that was for the future.


    He contemplated his snails. They looked bizarre with their dragon-like heads. He just knew he couldn¡¯t use them on the first level and that it was iffy on the second. They scared him.


    But having nothing else he slowly transformed his second level to look more like a series of caves, rather swampy caves at that. Then he spawned the first of his ¨C dragon-snails ¨C yes he liked that, the first Dragonsnail stood one and half meters tall at the shell and was three meters long from draconic snout to slime covered tail.


    Vlad examined his new guardian and noted it had a chaos gift, it secreted a corrosive poison ¨C or should that be venom, as it would work via touch. He decided to leave it as the solitary occupant of the room.


    The following three rooms each got one dragonsnail, the one in the second room; the largest room on the second level, had two heads and spat acid out to six meters. In fact they all had a different chaos gift, and, in a way that ran counter to logic all the gifts made the snails more dangerous than they should be.


    In the last room before his heart chamber he placed two dragonsnails. That left his heart chamber; he summoned two dragonsnails to guard him but felt something was lacking.


    He contemplated the barren first level. He had to do something and he had to open up. With extreme reluctance Vlad called up his tired and rather feeble skeletons and zombies. Vlad re-established Red as floor boss. With relief he opened up and sent out his scouts to find something, anything he could use to replace the current first level guardians.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    * * *


    It took Vlad just over a week of worrying before he decided to use one of his dragonsnails as the dungeon boss and to use it as the second floor boss. During that time he endured another visit from the damn duck and received another painful tap on his core.


    Vlad was heartened that the overpowered duck was the only one to make it to his heart room. The dragonsnails with their thick shells and thick skins were hard to defeat. They were slow, but persistent.


    The toads proved interesting but they were if anything even more powerful than the snails. Vlad was starting to despair. He really didn¡¯t fancy another visit from the death duck.


    By now Vlad had a large collection of insects, a baby lizard, a vole and a field mouse. None of this caught his fancy as a fast solution. So he decided to take a chance. His scouts had spotted a wandering goat and it was night. He instructed two of his skeletons and sent them out to gather in the straying goat.


    He was lucky, nobody was around and they were able to the chase the goat into the dungeon where his skeletons succeeded in killing it. The goat took three of the skeletons with it.


    A little experimenting allowed Vlad to modify his nanny goat monsters into becoming bipeds. He also gave them stubby short-fingered hands.


    It was with considerable relief that he replaced his skeletons and zombies with his new meter-and-a-half-tall nanny goat monsters. They were quite handy with the spears he supplied them. That left him with Red and his four scouts.


    He also managed to kill several adventurers, at least at first before they became warier and took to including a more experienced adventure as leaders or advisors in their groups.


    The death duck¡¯s third visit didn¡¯t result in a core ache but in the words, ¡°better, much better. Get rid of the rest soon.¡±


    Time passed and Vlad replaced his scouts with summoned field mice. They weren¡¯t as successful as they tended to get picked off by an annoyingly large variety of things that considered mice prime tucker.


    Things were going well and Vlad started to create his third floor. The caverns he was creating were large so that he could use his new cliff toads.


    And then Jasper popped out of thin air near the ceiling and dropped like a stone to the floor of the chamber. She landed with a loud thump and a cry of surprise and pain.


    ? Jasmine! Erm, Jasper you¡¯re back! Where have you been? It¡¯s been five weeks! Are you all right? ?


    Jasper looked up in horror at the huge two-headed dragonsnail that was Vlad¡¯s dungeon boss monster. It was six meters from snouts to tail and the shell towered over two meters from the floor.


    ? Meet Lassie, she¡¯s lots faster than the other dragonsnails and she breaths fire. Oh and she regenerates. Isn¡¯t it cool? ?


    Jasper just edged back from the ¨C to her ¨C revolting foul smelling sight.


    ? And our count as of this moment is eighteen adventurers killed, and only one party has got this far. Except for the damn death duck. ?

 Chapter 15 – (Whitewater Falls)

    ? (Silvanna Ironhoof) ?


    Silvanna watched as the queen departed from Whitewater Falls. She absently tapped the scroll case hanging at her waist. ¡®Now if we can drag the Dark Trolls into this we¡¯ll be set. Just have to wait until after the Festival of Life when everyone has to maintain a vegetarian diet for six days. Trolls have a very weird definition of vegetables and the elves understandably don¡¯t like being considered vegetables. Mind you the military alliance between Aldrya and me will make most of the statis lovers think twice, I don¡¯t really need the trolls. Much as I hate the idea I must send a delegation to the chaos loving Lunars. I¡¯ll lay odds they¡¯ll love this.¡¯


    Once the queen¡¯s party had disappeared into the woods heading deeper into her kingdom, Silvanna turned and went to make her adieus to the Warden of the Northern Marches. ¡®I¡¯ll send Rufus, that scamp is enough of a freethinker that he¡¯s better off as my ambassador to the chaos lovers. I sometimes suspect he¡¯s met a riddler. But he is Drinna¡¯s son and my great-grandson. Yes, that should work, he¡¯ll either learn to hate the Lunars and come back to us with his tail between his legs or he¡¯ll integrate and be as safe as any valued ambassador. I just hope Drinna will understand.¡¯


    With one final look round at the fast growing elven town Silvanna took her leave and headed homewards.


    ? (Lady Rivanna) ?


    Lady Rivanna was happy to see the last of her guests leave. It was always nerve wracking to play host to Heroes, with their vastly extended lives and excessive powers they tended to have a certain ¨C disassociation ¨C with the mortals they interacted with.


    She smiled to herself, well she had time to go and visit with their local dryad. Dryads were so much fun when their daughters emerged from their trees for first time. Completely distracted, all worry and ambition. Melissandra was no different, that and her distracted frustration on missing all those little, oh so important rituals with friends and acquaintances.


    Rivanna found Melissandra fussing over her daughter under the eyes of a handful of tree runners and two pixies. She almost tripped over the unconscious body of a goat-legged satyr. She grinned, looked like someone had walloped him over the head. Rivanna was surprised he was alive as she noted that Melissandra¡¯s daughter looked very like an elf maid that was barely into her teens.


    After an entertaining and relaxing visit Rivanna left to return to her duties. ¡°Leaf-bright, see that a subtle cordon is set around Melissandra¡¯s tree. While I don¡¯t want any dead satyrs if it can be avoided, feel free to tell your folk I¡¯d rather have a dead satyr than a raped child.¡±


    ¡°It shall be as you say my lady,¡± agreed the old runner.


    * * *


    A week went by and Rivanna was getting heartily sick of the satyrs. They kept wining about how it was their right to court just born dryads. The fact that Allisandra emerged fifty years before she was due cut no ice with the sex-obsessed idiots. And now Dyrissus their de facto leader was in front of her complaining about the death of one of his more obnoxious perverts.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    ¡°Petal is barely sixty centimetres tall and slender. Witnesses heard her repeatedly saying no...¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s a dryad! Dryads don¡¯t mean no,¡± interrupted Dyrissus even as he puffed his chest up. ¡°Fractius was a satyr. He was only asserting his god given rights to all dryads.¡±


    Rivanna¡¯s eyes narrowed and her lips thinned with irritation. ¡°Petal is not a tree dryad. I¡¯ll lay odds the rose dryads don¡¯t subscribe to your delusions. Petal had every right to defend herself. As does Mellisandra in regards to herself and her daughter.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to appeal to the temple of Satiriapus. Then we¡¯ll see.¡±


    Rivanna watched the disgruntled satyr stomp off. She didn¡¯t see the few elves waiting for her judgement look at each other and melt away preferring to wait for a better occasion.


    * * *


    Rivanna was glad to learn that the satyrs had left Whitewater Falls at dawn. She knew that they¡¯d be back. And that they would probably be accompanied by a champion of their god. But she honestly didn¡¯t care. It was about time they were slapped down again. And if needed she could call on Marty and Rosita. They should learn what being subjects of Aldrya truly implied.


    Paperwork occupied her for a couple of hours then she was interrupted by her son; ¡°Morning mum, dad asked me to warn you that Forest Lord Baliceius Goldleaf was spotted by one of the tree runner patrols. He should be here soon. He is only accompanied by one companion.¡±


    ¡°Thanks dear. Will you see the reception room is ready please.¡±


    Alissor grinned, ¡°Dad¡¯s seeing to it mum.¡±


    * * *


    Baliceius Goldleaf and his brother Travasso strode into Rivanna¡¯s reception room and bowed respectfully. Baliceius grinned crookedly, ¡°Countess Rivanna, Lady of the Northern March, I salute you. I understand I am too late.¡±


    ¡°Possibly. But I believe the presence of the guild could still be useful. Not vital now, thanks be to the gods, but useful. Where¡¯s the rest of your party?¡±


    ¡°They are on their way back to Riverbend. They went to Refuge but...¡±


    ¡°Yes. Those animals don¡¯t know it yet but their days are numbered.¡±


    Baliceius¡¯ eyes widened in surprise, ¡°Is this dungeon that rich in mana that we can finally go against Refuge?¡±


    ¡°No, but it has given us a boost, and Silvanna Ironhoof is going to help us. She has five hosts, a full army. It will be a joint effort.¡±


    ¡°Good!¡±


    ? (Marty) ?


    Marty and Rosita were studying their plans for their new level. It had become urgent now that they had ceded their first level to the elves. Neither of them were happy with their second floor but needs must.


    Marty moved the two extensive mazes from his first level one each to the second and third floors. He replaced them with plain corridors.


    They worked together and soon had two smallish floors ready. Then they spent days setting up their challenges and selecting suitable guardian beasts.


    They emerged from their study when Petal came to them and Thorn, crying and distressed. Once Marty figured out what was going on he was furious. It took the combined efforts of Rosita and Thorn to calm him down. News of Rivanna¡¯s judgement also helped.


    Marty threw himself into expanding his dungeon, adding traps and adding a pair of wolverines to his third floor. Rosita was a bit worried but worked with Marty happily enough in bolstering their defences. They were both surprised by the boost they gained in having one floor basically empty of defenders.


    ? Next thing we need Rosita is information. I think I¡¯ll ask Briar if she¡¯s willing to go and talk with that elf girl Firomeena. ?


    ¡°Why her Marty? Firomeena I mean, Briar is an obvious choice.¡±


    ? She has several plant related magics. One of those spells tastes of... the divine? ?


    ¡°You mean she¡¯s a priestess? Why is that important?¡±


    ? I need to figure out how to protect my girls from those satyrs and their evil god, that¡¯s why. ?

 Chapter 16 – (Jasper)

    Jasper flew slowly through the chambers of her dungeon¡¯s second level. The walls were uneven and partially coated with dimly glowing grey moss. The floors were muddy and thanks to the addition of giant snail slime smelled unpleasantly. Gone were her straight walls with faux crypts, there wasn¡¯t one dusty cobweb to be seen. All the glorious atmosphere she had created was gone. And Vlad was adamant that he wasn¡¯t going to change things back.


    She was sulking. Jasper kept trying to think of some way of convincing Vlad to revert to what she just knew was the winning formula. Undead were the solution for a winning dungeon, she just knew it. And that duck champion proved it, why else would the little scary nuisance be so insistent that she had to give up on the undead theme.


    Jasper entered yet another muddy chamber and searched for the mob. ¡®Damn, they get everywhere,¡¯ she though disgustedly as she finally spotted it clinging to the cavern wall above the opening to the entrance tunnel. With a sniff of disgust Jasper flew on.


    Flying up the stairs Jasper emerged on the first floor and scrambled to hide when she heard the sounds of conflict. She watched as a bloody band of adventurers limped into the final room of her first floor. They bore blood-covered weapons and three of them bore bloodstained bandages. They spread out warily before advancing confidently on Red.


    Jasper watched glumly as Red telegraphed his intentions every time he intended to use his special fire breath attack by the flames that flickered around his skull. The adventurers switched to the defence every time this happened before reverting to the attack. Jasper watched as they looted Red¡¯s remains and picked over the room. They glanced at the stairs leading to the second level shrugged and headed out of the dungeon.


    Jasper¡¯s already thin lips thinned further as she fumed. This disrespect for her champion was unacceptable. ¡®I have to force Vlad to place some more skeletons here. Red is too vulnerable on his own. Vlad has to see that. If the duck accepts Red then a few more skeletons can¡¯t hurt.¡¯


    She blinked as a wave of mana spread out across the first level as Vlad recalled his guardians. Jasper watched as Red was reassembled. He looked so despondent somehow. Jasper became even more determined to find a way to help her undead minion.


    Jasper really didn¡¯t like the inhabitants of the first floor. She thought they were messy and untidy, and they smelled rank. She decided she didn¡¯t like goats. They were uncouth, they talked to one another, they disobeyed orders. They weren¡¯t undead!If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    She reached the entrance just in time to see another group enter warily. She fell back in front of the adventurers. Much against her will she had to admit that the goat people put up a good fight. Several of the adventurers were wounded and at least one would have died if it weren¡¯t for healing magic. To her surprise they turned back before reaching the end of the first level.


    Jasper watched the adventurer¡¯s withdraw. ¡®Huh, they are sending in weaker parties. They never used to turn round before completing the dungeon before. I wonder if Vlad¡¯s noticed that?¡¯


    She turned round and headed deeper into the dungeon. She spent some time commiserating with Red before heading down to the second level. As she went she kept plotting. She had to persuade Vlad to revert to undead, otherwise how was she going to get liches and vampires. She really wanted vampires, they were the princes of the undead after all.


    Distracted by her plotting Jasper was caught by surprise by Lassie. Lassie slithered up enthusiastically and covered Jasper with slobber as she licked Jasper with both her wet slimy tongues.


    ¡°EWW! Stop it!¡± squealed a horrified Jasper as she broke for the ceiling and dove into her private cave. Once there she sulked even as she jumped into her own private lava pool.


    ? You hurt Lassie¡¯s feelings Jasper. She¡¯s only being friendly. ?


    ¡°Well what would you do if she slobbered all over you?¡± screamed Jasper.


    ? She does, it¡¯s cute. I get her to give me a flame bath after to clean me up. I¡¯ve gained fire resistance. ?


    Jasper ignored Vlad and refused to emerge from her cave.


    * * *


    Much later when Jasper calmed down and finally emerged, cautiously, keeping an eye out for Lassie. Jasper flew down to perch next to Vlad.


    ¡°Look Vlad, Red needs help. He¡¯s getting depressed. You have to reconsider. We have to call up several skeletons to help him. It¡¯s only one room after all.¡±


    ? No! Or at least not until the death duck¡¯s left and gone to bother some other poor dungeon. ?


    ¡°But¡ª Vlad how are we going to get cool things like vampires unless we resume using undead?¡±


    ? Jasper, I DON¡¯T WANT TO DIE! If Tarwind, Sword of Armalor does not scare you fine, but he terrifies ME! As for Red I¡¯m planning to replace him with a plain dragonsnail. I believe we can get away with a powerful guardian if it is used in place of a floor boss. ?


    ¡°NO! Absolutely not! Red is the last. I don¡¯t want him replaced. Put another six skeletons in the room with him.¡±


    ? No I won¡¯t. Sorry, but no! ?


    ¡°What about if the duck sword leaves?¡±


    Vlad resisted the puppy eyes, quite easily, he just had to bring to mind Tarwind¡¯s face and those taps to his core. ? Maybe, ? he prevaricated hoping for some peace.


    ? Do you think we could divert him into looking into that Marty you keep cursing about? ?


    ¡°Marty? That idle useless bookworm? No chance, he was babbling about flowers and bugs when I decided to leave the useless creep.¡±


    ? Nature aligned is he? Like the dungeon the elves discovered and had the Raptors all concerned? ?


    ¡°No of course not. Marty couldn¡¯t be...¡± Jasper trailed off even as her face flushed with rage.

 Chapter 17– (Silvanna Ironhoof)

    Silvanna watched her great-grandson Rufus leave the over elaborate command tent. It felt good to upturn someone¡¯s expectations like that. Rufus¡¯s face had been a study when he realized she had made him her personal ambassador to the court of Amberdrake, emperor and consort of the Amber Moon.


    ¡®Yes indeed,¡¯ she thought, ¡®I really look forward to seeing how he fares. His weird friends and companions will make an excellent staff for my ambassador. Who also is the ambassador of the Khanate. The chaos lovers will love the chance of gaining us and Aldrya¡¯s elves as allies. I¡¯ll have to remember not to tell Aldrya.¡¯


    She remained impassive as Formax the Thunderer entered her tent. ¡°I have a tricky task for you old friend. I need you to go to the citadel of the Rock Folk. See if you can get King Sul the Hewer to agree to assign us a couple of his siege specialists. I¡¯ll be willing to accept an oath of fealty from, say, Soren the Reckless. As long as Soren has a few followers of his own. He¡¯ll need at least two to make it legal.¡±


    Formax rubbed his chin in thought. ¡°Mmm, and what can I offer the king?¡±


    ¡°I suspect getting Soren out of his realm will be the main inducement. But take along four small ingots of iron. Offer one to Soren¡¯s parents as a goodwill gesture and use the others as you see fit.¡±


    ¡°That might work. Do you want any gear from them?¡±


    ¡°That would be nice, but unnecessary.¡±


    ¡°Any other instructions?¡±


    ¡°No. Formax, you¡¯re the one who knows the Rock Folk, use your knowledge to get us what you can. I want Soren for his abilities. I won¡¯t need him for Refuge, but if we have to take Riverbend we will need his expertise with explosions.¡±


    Formax snickered, ¡°Yeah, the tale of him testing those grenadoes he invented in the tunnels was hilarious.¡±


    * * *


    Shortly after dawn, Silvanna led the three hosts she had encamped near Fort Bones past the entrance of the valley of the Moon Maid. The inhabitants of the new town had turned out to watch, Vaspedian and his small staff were present. The man looked unhappy and disapproving. They all knew she was headed for Refuge. Silvanna felt glee at the thought of the messengers that had been sent to Refuge from the unappealing gaggle of bandits and rogues that passed for adventurers.


    The army followed the south bank of the Blue River. It didn¡¯t take long for the army to move out of sight of the degenerates. Silvanna laughed out loud and was joined in her mirth by Heraclios and her close staff.


    ¡°Poor fools. You¡¯ve set them up wonderfully grandma. They honestly think we are going to demonstrate against the walls like usual. They don¡¯t suspect your agreements with the Warder of the Northern Marches and Queen Aldrya,¡± chuckled Heraclios.


    ¡°True, but we have to give most of the credit to Berlinus the Axe.¡±


    Heraclios looked thoughtful as he tried to work out what his grandmother meant. ¡°Why?¡± he asked at last.


    Silvanna shook her head sorrowfully, ¡°Heraclios ¨C Heraclios. Think! Who but the Khan of the Footsloggers had the knowledge needed to both find the desperate dirtmen of the other Clans and the clever ones from my lands and his legion. They were why the swine who infest the new town were led to believe what they do.¡±A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    ¡°Oh!¡± exclaimed Heraclios. ¡°And when we get the proof of their treachery...¡±


    Silvanna just grinned.


    * * *


    When the army passed the newly empty valley of the Whitewater Silvanna broke into song. ¡®Everything is falling into place. The elves were right, that river that is spilling out of the Rose Dungeon IS the Whitewater. Nice of them to divert that river, there will be fewer sweeps needed in future.¡¯


    Silvanna studied the Blue and was pleased at what she was seeing. The Blue was no longer formidable, and Refuge had always relied on the Blue to guard its north. The small loop that partially enclosed the town would be vulnerable. She sent a galloper to the Khan of the second host and shortly after watched with approval as a third of her army forded the blue and cantered off to the join the rest of her forces for the attack on Refuge¡¯s north shore.


    After the now forested hills to the south were left behind giving way to simple forests Silvanna drew her host to a halt. After a short wait elven warbands began straggling from the forest, they appeared in their bands surrounded as ever by crowds of runners. Much to Silvanna¡¯s displeasure there was very little order or discipline to be seen. Mixed amongst the multitude there came the mounted nobles in their living armour.


    Finally the Marcher Lady Rivanna emerged with her retinue. A litter slung between two mules was with them; it bore a large rose bush. Numerous pixies buzzed around it and the priestess that accompanied it.


    ¡°Hail lady Ironhoof. How is the Blue?¡±


    ¡°Low as we guessed Lady Rivanna. Will you accompany me across? We should be in place for the assault by mid-afternoon. Are you sure you don¡¯t want to wait for the morrow?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d love too, but I don¡¯t trust the slavers to not get word of our plans. They have bought some of our folk. Hopefully we will soon know who.¡± Rivanna the March Warden concluded with a chilling smile.


    Silvanna had a final word with her son Storm Lord Faldane Ironhoof, general of her third horde. She left him over half of her own horde and watched as he advanced towards the walls of Refuge. Hopefully he¡¯d maintain their attention when coupled with the other elven war host who were going to demonstrate from the forest. Only a fool discounted the elves mastery of magics.


    Then she turned and led her hearthguard and core units after Rivanna¡¯s elves. They forded the anaemic Blue and moved to join the rest of the true attack.


    * * *


    The combined host moved quietly under cover of the elves illusions until they reached the banks of the Blue. Silvanna looked across the muddy riverbed at the fortress town of Refuge. The timber stockade that lined the riverbank was broken in the middle by the piers and docks of the riverport. It would be a formidable obstacle for her centaurs but there were hardly any guards.


    The elves took the right and her footsloggers the left. It was time, Silvanna levelled her lance and released three of her bound air spirits, they formed themselves into twisters and shot towards the palisade to her front. The mini tornadoes sucked up river water as they crossed the Blue and then tore through the fortifications and went on to wreak havoc amongst the houses of the town as they fed on the lives of their victims.


    With a roar the footsloggers raced across the shallow river and poured into the town. They had been promised the sack and they were eager to enrich themselves. On the other flank the elven host streamed into the town through the holes opened in the palisades by their wood mages and the dryad they had fetched. They were wild for revenge and eager to release their brothers that had been enslaved by the slavers that made Refuge their home.


    For their part the townsfolk fought desperately when they realised they couldn¡¯t expect quarter. But assaulted from all sides and desperate to save their families that were suddenly in the front lines thanks to the attack across the river they were doomed.


    By nightfall Refuge was burning, the walls were being destroyed and the elves were preparing to claim the land up to the Blue for their forest.


    In a hastily raised tent Silvanna and her officers were perusing several letters and making plans for another purge.

 The Matriarch Speaks

    The rough-hewn cavern was smoky and ill lit. Three flickering, smoky torches burned in their holders while five youngster sat around a greasy table looking with disgust at the serving dish overflowing with turnips, cabbage and broccoli. In the rush covered floor several large beetles scavenged for scraps.


    The youngsters fell silent and froze when the hulking shape stepped into the cavern entrance. Raisa the Swiftkiller was large even from a female Dark Troll. She stood a shade over two meters tall and weighed almost two hundred kilos. Most of it muscles. She was, as always, carrying her massive enchanted lead great mace over her left shoulder. Her dark grey hide blended into the gloom of the room while her beady little eyes glittered in her grinning face. Her large nostrils flared as she sampled the air warily. Her mouth dropped open in amusement showing her jagged carnivore¡¯s teeth in her prominent muzzle.


    The four boys cringed and bowed low. The solitary girl stiffened her spine and with difficulty met her great aunt¡¯s eyes. Raisa snorted with amusement but nonetheless marked a potential future rival. She strode confidently into the cave killing one of the giant beetles that got in her way with a careless kick.


    As she took her place on the crude chair at the head of the table she said, ¡°I bid you a good Festival of Life. As is tradition you youngsters have a chance to ask you elders a question or two. And I will even answer them even if it means I will have to kill you for possessing forbidden knowledge.¡±


    Raisa closed her mouth and hid her grin even as she polished one of her two prominent tusks. ¡°So children, what do you wish to know on this first day of the Festival of Life?¡±


    Oceo braced himself, ¡°Why do we have to eat that?¡± he asked indicated the bowl sitting in the middle of the table with a look of disgust.


    ¡°Because the gods and tradition say that only vegetables may be eaten during the six days of the festival.¡±


    ¡°Yes but... Turnips! Why aren¡¯t we eating elf or runner like last year,¡± insisted Oceo,


    ¡°Because Councillor Drappad didn¡¯t foresee the loss of Refuge.¡±


    ¡°What is the story behind that?¡± asked Laor.


    ¡°Well now... How far back do you want me to go? Refuge was founded in the fifth year of the Matriarch Hessuna the Tyrant, so three hundred and two years ago. It was founded by a band of refugees fleeing the conquests of Feldane Redsword when he united the five clans and founded the Centaur Khanate.


    ¡°When they got to the River Silvanne they discovered the army of the City States Federation. The few who had riches bought their way into one of the cities as citizens. The others found that the Federation would take them in, but only as serfs, bound to the land. A situation worse than the one they fled.


    ¡°The elves rejected them too, quite rightly for not being elves. So they returned to where they had found a small rise that caused the River Blue to bend round it protecting it on three sides.


    ¡°They raided the elven forest for wood and built a palisade enclosing most of the rise and built their homes on land nominally claimed by the centaurs, The cultivated fields between the Blue, the Silvanne and the forest and fished in the river.


    ¡°For a hundred years or so they prospered and grew by welcoming other fugitives from the Federation and the Khanate. Then a city Lord sinned and got himself exiled from the Federation. He and his followers were chased relentlessly until they left the lands of the Federation. The council that governed Refuge agreed to take them in.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    ¡°That Lord¡¯s second son seized power in Refuge and started fortifying it. It was either under him or his son that Refuge started raiding its neighbours. That and they allowed the followers of Villitus the Assassin to settle and set up a temple.


    ¡°In the tenth year of the Matriarch Fissa Blooddrinker, fifty-two years ago, Ragheel the Great Troll settled in Refuge and set up his provisions emporium. Ragheel II had an exclusive contract with Councillor Drappad to supply us with elven vegetables, and the occasional horsetail.


    ¡°So last year the Khanate and Aldrya finally mustered up the forces and magic they needed to overcome the fortifications that for so long had protected Refuge.¡±


    By now the youngsters had overcome their shyness and were listening attentively. Raisa speared a turnip and dropped it into her mouth. ¡°Eat.¡±


    Reluctantly the youngsters did so. Then Mthr the youngest of them looked up and asked, ¡°What ranks do the outsiders have and do they follow the gods?¡±


    ¡°All right minded folk follow the gods, even the food like the elves and dwarves. Then you have the ones who worship the ancestors and spirits. Finally there are the heretics who deny the gods and worship magic itself.


    ¡°So, first, Those like us who worship the gods. They are divided in four tiers of power. The least are the unambitious who live day to day and acknowledge the gods. Then you have the initiates. These are the people who select one of the gods to worship and can sacrifice power to their chosen god for a one use of one of their gods chosen divine spells. Just like you will be when you reach fourteen years and become initiates of Kyareetor our lady of Darkness.¡±


    Raisa mostly filled a mug with a foul smelling brew then topped it off from a beaker of weak sulphuric acid. She downed the toxic mix with satisfaction before continuing with her explanation.


    ¡°Then you have Dark Lords and Ladies and the Dark Priests. The Champions and Priests. When a Lord or Priest sacrifices power for a spell he or she only needs to pray at a shrine or temple to regain the use of it.


    ¡°Oh, and there are almost as many terms for the position as there are gods. The technical term is Rune Lord and Rune Priest. But you will find Storm Lords and Storm Khans. Light Priests or Forest Priests. You will learn by experience.


    ¡°Then there are the very rare Heroes. Individuals who have defeated the three who spin, weave and snip the threads of our fates. Heroes are on the path to become gods and are unaging and undying. Oh don¡¯t get me wrong, they can be killed so aren¡¯t immortal but... It generally takes another hero or a god to defeat a Hero.


    ¡°And no, I am not a Hero, nor am I close to being one.¡±


    Raisa looked round at her attentive audience. ¡°Second, there are the ancestor worshipers or Shamans. A Shaman could be fairly considered to be roughly equal in power to a Rune Priest. Their apprentices are the equivalent of an initiate.


    ¡°And they are acceptable. You will find a very few Shamans amongst us Trolls.¡±


    Raisa grimaced, ¡°I know very little about the Heretics, they live far to the west. It is said that they deny the gods or that they claim that there is only one god. Don¡¯t trust them. Kill them.¡±


    Raisa refilled her mug and sipped.


    Silla glanced at the boys, but they avoided her eyes. Sighing softly in resignation at being once again nominated as group spokeswoman she asked. ¡°What about Riddlers?¡±


    Raisa shot her a quelling look. Silla froze and stared back. Raisa smiled very reluctantly even as she reached out and landed a thundering slap to the young girl¡¯s ear. Silla rose from the floor, and refusing to rub her sore ear, resumed her seat and resumed staring at the irritated matriarch.


    Raisa reluctantly acknowledged the girl¡¯s courage even if not her good sense.


    ¡°Riddlers are the spawn of chaos. They use their strange riddles to change the way sensible people think. Their riddles are somehow related to skills and abilities. And the better you are at something the more vulnerable you are. Thankfully Riddlers only know one or two of their obscene riddles.


    ¡°Someone who has intuited the answer to these riddles has a chance of having the way they think changed. They gain the ability to lie and hide their thoughts from the gods. And worse, they believe change is good!


    ¡°So when a Riddler is found everyone tries to kill him or her. It¡¯s a matter of survival. Of sanity.


    ¡°Most folk killed for being Riddlers are innocent. But it is better to kill the innocent than allow a Riddler to live. So don¡¯t for the love of our dark lady go round making up silly riddles if you don¡¯t want to end up dead. Now eat! Then go!¡±

 Chapter 18 – (Jasper and Randy)

    Jasper was sulking in the first level final room. Red was doing his inscrutable skeleton act and ignoring her. Not that Jasper noticed.


    Jasper heard another group of adventurers approaching, so she withdrew to her old cave. She watched Red¡¯s demise. These adventurers ventured down the stairs. Jasper sat back on her old stone couch and started plotting.


    She studied the dungeon creation interface. She selected the functions that existed to enable a companion to create a mini realm for him or herself. Jasper noted that the dungeon had veto power.


    ¡®If I guilt Vlad out he¡¯ll let me use enough energy to create a mini setup. Then when he¡¯s busy setting up his next level... Yes that should work. So first...¡¯


    * * *


    Vlad hadn¡¯t realized that his brain could hurt. He watched Jasper fly out of his heart room with relief. He had finally agreed to let her have an absurdly large slice of their energy for her projected home. Well it could only be a palace with that much energy. He had even agreed, albeit reluctantly, to allow her to summon some skeletal mice.


    However that huge tantrum his companion had thrown settled it. Red had to go.


    And so it was, after the next time Red was defeated Vlad summoned a Dragonsnail to take his place. Vlad didn¡¯t even bother to check its abilities, nor did he name it. He just withdrew back to his core and focused his attention in expanding the series of caves that would come to constitute his third floor.


    * * *


    Jasper tightened her lips when the snail replaced Red. ¡®Never mind Red, you¡¯ll soon be back. And better than ever.¡¯


    Starting at the back of her cave she started by creating a crypt, right out of on of her favourite movies. Two biers with cracked stone coffins. She added three skeletal mice and ¨C with a distinct shudder ¨C several web spinning spiders.


    Somehow she was feeling better. She checked her reserves, and after noting that Vlad was busy and concentrating on something, she siphoned off some more energy. Grinning gleefully she bounced on her toes.


    Next she created a short corridor lined with shelves, which she crammed with aged looking skulls. She scattered several more spiders around. After another check of her reserves, she created a repeat of her first crypt. Feeling tired she curled up in one of the coffins and went to sleep.


    * * *


    Vlad was surprised at how fast he was running out of energy and mana. He only had four caverns in their third level. But they were huge and jagged with lots of hiding places and high walls. Just as well considering the Toads. He had summoned five. He placed two of them in the final cavern of the series; and a solitary toad in each of the other caverns. To help them he added a Dragonsnail to each cavern.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    After a bit of thought he filled the floors of his caves with an eclectic collection of mushrooms and toadstools. He encouraged these to grow to the height of a man.


    Seeing as he had to wait to refill his reserves he inspected his toads. He was surprised to see that they had been designated Cliff Toads by the System. Either they weren¡¯t unique to him, more than probable considering how easily the system had enabled him to evolve his toads, or there was something he didn¡¯t know. Something he was sure was the case regardless.


    The Cliff toads were potentially gigantic. He noted they would keep growing all their lives. They had a gray and pebbled-looking hide that looked like it would blend well with the cavern walls. Their sucker-tipped feet would enable to hang onto the walls with ease and their long muscular tongues would allow them to grab up any adventurer that came into range.


    Then they could easily jump thirty meters. Vlad realized he might have to enlarge his caverns further. And somehow it looked like they could swallow prey nearly as large as they themselves were.


    ? (Randy) ?


    Randy bristled as he placed himself between his sister Sleektail and the two grey furred Tree Runners. They didn¡¯t seem impressed as they circled around smoothly manipulating their flexible clubs. Behind the two was a third that looked ¨C older. That one was loosely holding what looked like a boomerang with two beady little eyes.


    Sleektail was panting with pain. Randy didn¡¯t think she was badly hurt, it had been a glancing hit that had earned the runner that inflicted it mockery from his companions.


    Randy was getting desperate. He couldn¡¯t defend against all three. He could see that they wanted him to attempt to spray one so the other could kill him. So far he had been able to bluff both into keeping their distance. Worryingly the elder one was grinning in appreciation and mocking the younger ones.


    Randy could guess that would not end well. He had experience of Jocks; he had been one after all. All that mockery would do was spur them on.


    Finally, out of desperation, Randy used his small knowledge of elven. He had been cautiously spying on the elves in their tree town for a couple of months now.


    ¡°Please hurt not us. We go. Hurt you not we.¡±


    The tree runners froze momentarily and darted back. They inspected him carefully for a moment before fading back into the trees.


    Randy almost couldn¡¯t believe it. He nuzzled Sleektail and licked her wound while she whimpered. It was a struggle but he managed to help Sleektail back to their den where their frantic mother took over the nursing. Randy went out and returned with a bundled burdock leaf full of ripe berries for his sister.


    Later, when he was lying curled up ready to sleep he wondered what was happening to him. He couldn¡¯t remember the last time he had helped his brother and now here he was helping a skunk. ¡®Funny, I guess I did grow up with her. Skunk me did anyway and she is my sister. Why didn¡¯t I feel like that with Marty... Oh gosh! I did when I was a kid, before I took up with Jasper. Then Marty seemed like such a little kid... Just annoying. And yet...¡¯


    Randy¡¯s thoughts trailed off as he fell asleep.


    * * *


    High in the trees the three Runners had noted the young skunks doings and marked the location of the small family¡¯s den. Quietly they faded back into the trees and went to report.


    It was not everyday that a creature blessed by the beastlord was found. And they knew from experience that such blessings tended to run in families. There were always many looking for a suitable familiar.

 Chapter 19 – (Whitewater Falls)

    ? (Lady Rivanna) ?


    Lady Rivanna led her retinue into her capital. The town of Whitewater Falls was bedecked with flowers and ribbons. She waved to her people and maintained a gracious smile. Her heart was slightly sore for those who hadn¡¯t returned. Her casualties had fallen hardest on the Tree Runners, their reckless disregard for their own lives meant they were always at the forefront of every assault.


    The procession continued through the town growing as the citizens joined in. The procession wound its way to the end of the cliff and turned heading for Clearwater Lake. It finally stopped near the shore of the lake, near to where two Silverleaf trees grew.


    Those present bowed their heads in prayer as the Tree Runners helped those of their number who had been crippled or wounded unto death to locations of their choosing. As two Forest Priests directed the abundant mana, the wounded Tree Runners put down roots and changed entering the next stage of their lives.


    Even as the new trees grew, on one of the original trees, a large bark covered growth shivered and split, releasing a new Tree Runner, who quickly dropped to the ground and edged his way to join the largest grouping of Runners present.


    Lady Rivanna in her persona of Forest Lord led the ceremony welcoming the new trees.


    Then everyone bowed their heads again as the gravediggers prepared the final resting places for the fallen warriors amongst the grove of sixteen Silverleaf and eight Ironbark trees and saplings.


    Finally, with the setting sun, the elves meandered their way back to town. They were accompanied by many of the runners, but most of these disappeared into the forest.


    * * *


    Rivanna savoured the last of the new strawberries even as she placed the delicate crystal bowl back on the tray together with the remains of her breakfast. She shoved the tray to the corner of her desk and returned to her paperwork, determined to catch up with the backlog caused by the recent campaign.


    All too soon it was time for the morning¡¯s audience. She picked up her coronet and jammed it on her head even as she headed for her audience chamber. She didn¡¯t notice her guards falling in behind her.


    She swept through the doors and made her way to the Warden¡¯s throne and took her place. She gestured to her major domo and the audiences started. Most of appellants were fairly standard and easy to deal with. Then she noticed three Runners waiting uneasily for their turn. Rivanna wondered what they wanted. It was very unusual to see one of them in her court as anything but casual visitors or guards.


    Finally it was their turn, Rivanna noted that the elder held a live weapon. The boomerang¡¯s eyes watched everything with what she thought was best described as alert boredom. The two younger ones huddled behind their elder fidgeting nervously.


    The elder Runner bowed his head in respect. ¡°My lady. We are here to announce the discovery of a young skunk blessed by the Beastlord.¡±


    Rivanna smiled outwardly even as she winced internally. ¡®There is going to be infighting to sieze this skunk,¡¯ she thought. ¡®I¡¯ll have to gather the hopeful and hope someone jumps out as worthy of the honour. A living boomerang, so that has to be... um... Iron... Ironlea... no, Ironthorn.¡¯


    ¡°Thank you Ironthorn, what else can you tell us about this skunk? And I think we will keep his location secret for now.¡±


    ¡°He is young and valiant. He can speak elvish badly and with a terrible accent. He still lives with his dam and two siblings. One at least is a sister, and he risked all trying to defend her.¡±The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    ¡°Very well Ironthorn. Please arrange a discrete guard detail for them while I gather up those who are seeking a familiar. It will not take long, I promise.¡±


    Ironthorn inclined his head again and turned and trotted out of audience chamber followed by the two youngsters that looked to him.


    * * *


    Rivanna looked through the hidden window into the room. It was empty except for a number of spindly looking upholstered chairs. And one tattered eared scarred tomcat curled up on the one nearest the small fire burning in the brick built fireplace.


    ¡°Well cuz, I do hope Slasher will be all right. I don¡¯t know many of the candidates, they arrived from the capital while we were on campaign. You know how Aldrya and her officials are about sending the...¡±


    ¡°The self-centred, self-important and idiots,¡± said the male standing near Rivanna in a low rumble of a voice.


    Rivanna was betrayed into a laugh she hastily disguised as a cough. ¡°Well yes cuz. But really, it doesn¡¯t do to refer to the scions of our nobility as such.¡±


    ¡°True though. Don¡¯t worry Vanna, Slasher is tough and nasty,¡± added Rivanna¡¯s cousin.


    They watched as several young elves filtered into the room. They started taking their places, avoiding the battle-scarred Slasher. The last two to arrive looked to be siblings. The girl entered first followed by her brother. They seemed to be having a low voiced disagreement. The girl looked round the room in disdain and eyed the cat with apprehension. The boy rolled his eyes before smiling slightly. He moved quietly towards Slasher and proffered a finger.


    ¡°Well that¡¯s surprising Vanna. I vote for the youngster.¡±


    ¡°You would. Just because Slasher tolerates him is no reason to pick him. Besides he shouldn¡¯t be here, I suspect his sister dragged him along.¡±


    ¡°Well then she erred. Slasher tells me he knows how to scratch an ear to perfection. Isn¡¯t he the one who petitioned the crown to revert the title of his duties to the one in use two centuries ago?¡±


    ¡°Speaker to Others. Yes he is, and Aldrya was delighted, most of the nobles of the court weren¡¯t. She detested Speaker to Animals.¡±


    Rivanna raised a finger to her lips and activated the eavesdropping spell built into the window.


    * * *


    ¡°... ugh, a skunk... not for me.¡±


    ¡°Not a problem. Just remove the scent glands...¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s stupid!¡±


    ¡°Oh shut it... I don¡¯t know why you¡¯re here anyway. You have a job of sorts.¡±


    Careful not disturb Slasher, the young elf looked up at his hostile audience. He elevated his nose and looked down it with an icy, contemptuous demeanour. ¡°Three reasons,¡± he drawled slowly. ¡°And that doesn¡¯t even count common decency, which you lot conspicuously lack.¡±


    He was subjected to several hostile remarks.


    ¡°One: What intelligent being is going to not resent being mutilated just for the convenience of his master or mistress.¡±


    ¡°Absurd ... it¡¯s just an animal ... who cares what an animal thinks.¡±


    * * *


    ¡°Well Vanna, that young lady is out for ever as far as I¡¯m concerned.¡±


    ¡°I tend to agree cuz. But her family is rich and powerful.¡±


    * * *


    ¡°Two: It will be your Familiar. What point is there in having a familiar if you can¡¯t trust it? You have to be friends.¡±


    ¡°Stupid... The bonds will force it to obey. Better not to get attached as you will probably have to expend it at some point.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s right.¡±


    ¡°Who cares what happens to a skunk anyway? They stink.¡±


    ¡°Three: Oh what¡¯s the point. Look you idiots; the skunk we are discussing was blessed by the Beastlord. I for one would rather not annoy a God.¡±


    * * *


    Rivanna moved to the door and opened it. She entered the room with Berthold the Cunning in tow. The youngsters stopped talking even if about half continued to glare at the youth who was now scratching Slasher under the chin. All that could be heard for a couple of seconds was Slasher¡¯s rusty sounding purr.


    ? (Refuge - The Raptors) ?


    Hainrick sat his horse at the head of his party. His face was frozen in disbelief. To their front lay the tree covered ruins of Refuge. The Blue River was low, about a third the size it should be.


    Refuge and its fields were gone replaced by the elven forest. Hainrick swung his leg over the back of his horse and dismounted. ¡°We will camp here. We have to investigate. It is imperative we learn what happened to the local Guild office and officials.¡±


    ¡°The elves happened. They will be dead. What can you expect when most of the quests involved plundering the forest of treasures and catching its inhabitants,¡± asked Faldara Swifthands.


    Hainrick cast her a quelling glare. ¡°This proves the point. That dungeon is a force for change. It must be purged.¡±


    ¡°It could be said to be justice boss. This place was evil. The damn assassins had an office here and they often suckle at the tit of the chaos lords.¡±


    ¡°Shut it Faldara. Hainrick is correct. Change on this magnitude is unsettling,¡± insisted Leo.


    The Raptors hobbled their mounts and set up camp. Leaving one of their number to guard their camp the others crossed the Blue and explored the ruins.

 Chapter 20 – (Jasper)

    Jasper was hugging her legs to her chest as she stared out into the darkness of this, her final room. She had been shocked when the system allowed her to create this vault beneath her two room first, second and third levels.


    The small dungeon imp fumed and plotted. ¡®How has Vlad managed it? Four levels ¨C that doesn¡¯t compute. How could he have gained two more levels without my help? Hah! I knew it. The adventurers, they are sending in weaker adventurers. That has to be the explanation. Now I need to populate my annex dungeon, and open it up to show Vlad where he¡¯s being going wrong.¡¯


    ? Jasper! What are those things, those, those satyrs? WHAT are they DOING with my goat girls? ?


    Jasper stirred, waking from her contemplative mood. The outrage and shock in Vlad¡¯s mental voice stirred her curiosity. She stretched and took to the air and flew through her small masterpiece.


    Wriggling through the tiny entrance at the back of her old home cave Jasper emerged into the first level of the dungeon proper. She flew cautiously, keeping near the ceiling and to the shadows.


    ? NO! What kind of animals are these things, ? half shrieked Vlad in shocked disgust and outrage. ? I WILL kill you all, you... you... you... perverts! ?


    ? Jasper, how can I send something to help my poor goat girls? ?


    ? Um, how about wandering monsters? ? offered Jasper in an offhand way.


    And all too soon Jasper was flying through the empty second chamber of their dungeon. She could hear a strangely enticing piping coming from the first chamber. The first music she had heard since her rebirth.


    Jasper flew slowly making use of all the cover she knew about. The music was becoming ¨C entrancing. Then she was perched on a small shadowy ledge, looking into the first room. She found it difficult to believe her eyes. A satyr that seemed to have the legs and tail of a horse was dancing a hip-jerking dance while playing his panpipes. His friends two with goat legs and one with horse legs were having a full blown orgy with the mobs from the first two rooms.


    Jasper felt her eyes bugging out. And yet that music was digging away at her inhibitions.


    ? Wandering monsters? ¨C Wandering guardians? ¨C Wow! ¨C That should work... What do I need? ¨C Ah! Yes... Yes I confirm. JASPER! What are you DOING? ?


    Jasper edged forward, captivated by the droning sound of the pipes not even noticing one of the satyrs strangling his partner as he came.


    ? You filthy things ¨C I¡¯ll give you what you deserve ¨C how dare you say my goat girls are inferior ¨C Just you wait ¨C let¡¯s see how you like my dragonsnails ¨C My special dragonsnail! ?


    Jasper blinked and hesitated ¨C the male boy that still resided somewhere in her was screaming in horror, and Vlad¡¯s fuming was also helping distract her from her growing enthrallment to the satyr¡¯s music.


    Down in the chamber, the orgy continued. Three of the goat girls lay dead. Jasper ¨C still screaming internally ¨C was flying around near the ceiling. The musician was upping his efforts as he eyed the dungeon imp with a leer. Then a mid-sized dragonsnail slithered into the chamber. In a shrill falsetto it piped, ¡°Fear not ¨C For I am here to avenge you.¡±A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    He was ignored, the satyr with the panpipe was leering up at Jasper while the other three were busy. The dragonsnail hesitated, and then he shot out a long thin shoot that hit the piper before it detached itself from the dragonsnail. The shoot melted into the satyr. The dragonsnail observed the result of his efforts before targeting another satyr. This one convulsed and shrieked when he looked up and saw the intruder.


    The dragonsnail reached down and bit yet another of the satyrs removing his head and shoulder. The dragonsnail tossed his head up and swallowed the morsel he had bitten off. The shrieking satyr fled. The piper lowered his panpipes and stared at his dead friend in horror.


    The last celebrant looked up and froze. Just the wrong reaction as the gaping head of the dragonsnail darted towards him. The piper screamed and fled as the last of his friends lost his head to the dragonsnail.


    Jasper fluttered to the ground and sat rather abruptly as her legs refused to support her. The goat girls dragged themselves to their feet ¨C well hooves ¨C and looked around in a dazed fashion. Vlad urged them deeper into his dungeon, urging them to head for his core chamber so he could keep them safe. The Dragonsnail remained and finished off his repast of satyr. Then it too headed deeper into the dungeon.


    Jasper limped after the dragonsnail. Then she took to the air and landed on its shell. ¡°Hey you slimy horror. Thanks I guess. I herby name you Draco Mal... Yeah Draco Mal.¡±


    Draco Mal shivered and, for a brief instant was enveloped in a green glowing cloud. He raised his head and swung it to look at Jasper. His head darted towards Jasper and he gave her a loving slimy wet tongue kiss.


    Jasper was nearly knocked of her perch. ¡°EEWWW!¡± She exclaimed even as she took to the air and streaked towards her lava bath. ¡°I hate your snails Vlad!¡± she screamed.


    ? Why? They are good guardians. And they¡¯ll work deeper in our dungeon if we place several in a room. Oh, what do you think we should do about our goat girls? Two of them are pregnant thanks to those perverts. ?


    ¡°I don¡¯t care. Abort them.¡±


    ? Oh ¨C sorry I hadn¡¯t realized you were so upset. I¡¯ll ask you later when you¡¯ve had a bath and calmed down. ?


    ¡°I¡¯m not upset! You wouldn¡¯t have this problem if we still had undead. And why didn¡¯t you tell me about Ghouls?¡±


    ? You never asked. You just told me what you wanted. ?


    ¡°Umph! And why did you let those rapists escape?¡±


    ? They didn¡¯t. The dart thing is the dragonsnails, um, male organ. They are going to give birth to lots of dragonsnails. And the little ones will eat their way out. Um. ?


    ¡°Umpth!¡±


    Then Vlad sighed quietly and respawned his first level. ¡®I¡¯ll have to get hold of a male goat to have something to defend the girls.¡¯


    ? (The Raptors) ?


    Hainrick reigned in his horse and stared grim faced at the row of bodies dangling from the rough gallows that had been erected facing the adventurer¡¯s guild. In pride of place was his friend and co-religionist Bracos SunHigh. He dismounted and threw the reins to one of the young grooms that was standing close to the guild buiding.


    Hainrick strode into the guild building and headed through the door to the private offices ignoring the two clerks behind the reception desk. He barged into the guild master¡¯s office and chased out the two satyrs he found therein.


    ¡°What is going on here Vaspedian? Who dared kill Bracos and why hasn¡¯t his body been removed for burial?¡±


    Vaspedian looked up at his unwelcome visitor. ¡°They all sent letters to Refuge reporting the fact that the centaurs were making another attempt on the city. Silvanna Ironhoof arrived back from the destruction of Refuge and hauled them all out and after questioning them under truth sense. Well she had them hung. Two she had pulled apart by four horses. You¡¯ll find the bits hanging over the gates we still don¡¯t need.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s ridiculous Vaspedian. There is no crime in reporting on the activities of enemies to one¡¯s friends.¡±


    ¡°Silvanna disagrees. So do the elves, and Silvanna had several standing as witnesses.¡±


    Hainrick worked his mouth and glared. ¡°And what were those filthy goat men doing here?¡±


    Vaspedian grinned. ¡°They were complaining that the dungeon has instituted wandering monsters and that one of them spoiled their fun. And that prevented them from ensuring that they wouldn¡¯t have any dungeon born spawn.¡±


    Hainrick barked a laugh before storming out.

 Chapter 21 – (Marty)

    Marty was happy with things. He and Rosita had managed to finish filling out their second and third levels. And now they were working on their fourth. He had managed to win his argument with a, as yet, still nervous and apprehensive Rosita.


    The ponds and water gardens were coming along nicely. He had been far more careful with his water supply. The pipes were stronger and small. Then too he had set them to collect water from near the surface of his lake on the first level. And to reassure Rosita he had worked out a method of blocking the intake.


    And then he had two caves with rice paddies. The cucumbers and melons were doing great. And somehow he had opened up a hidden branch for guardians. He had Kappa!


    Marty had fun creating underwater ruins and caves for his new guardians. His new caverns were filled with pools and lakes, meandering streams with airy bridges and shady tree lined paths. He couldn¡¯t resist adding several red foxes into the mix.


    As Marty relaxed after a couple of days of intense effort he became aware that his companion was amused with him.


    ? What? ?


    ¡°Oh nothing.¡± Rosita giggled, ¡°Only look at our dungeon, go on look.¡±


    Marty examined their dungeon and was unable to see anything funny, so once again he asked, ? What? ?


    ¡°Our, or rather the elves first level is all neat and cultivated, growing all sorts of things. Right? Even those creepy mandrakes.¡±


    ? Yes. So? ?


    ¡°Then the second and third levels are completely overgrown. Everyone who wants to get through has to cut their own path. I still think you should open up some trails.¡±


    ? Hmmm, possibly. I¡¯ll do it later. ?


    ¡°And then you have these oh so formal water gardens with wide open vistas and close cropped lawns. Don¡¯t you find the contrast funny?¡±


    ? Oh! ? And both of them laughed together.


    * * *


    The following day Marty and Rosita watched as a party of Runners with an elven healer as support challenged their dungeon.


    Several times the Runner¡¯s recklessness nearly cost them dearly. If it wasn¡¯t for their healer they would have left a couple of their number behind.


    They froze when they finally reached the fourth floor. They gazed around suspiciously before starting their exploration. They lost two runners to the kappa at the first bridge, more due to surprise than anything else. After that, knowing what to expect they forged their way to Marty¡¯s new heart room where they exchanged greetings with Thorn before withdrawing with a few gems, melons, cucumbers and the body of a kappa.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    Rosita and Marty briefly discussed the run and made plans to improve their defences. Then rather abruptly Marty changed the discussion.


    ? Rosita, one of the dead Runners... Well I have been feeding the body a bit of mana. I think it is... no he feels like a very complex seed. Should I let him finish dying or should I plant him? ?


    ¡°What? I... Why not... We have overheard the elves discuss the burial ceremony after they returned. Briar told us... Yes do it. What about the other one?¡±


    ? The other one is dead... But I could revitalize him... But his brain has stopped working... I don¡¯t know what that would mean. I can keep him on the cusp of... sprouting. Maybe we should ask the elves about him? ?


    At Rosita¡¯s suggestion Marty created a new cave and added a few local trees along with some of his beloved roses. Then he planted the runner and encouraged him to grow. Some hours later he admired the ironbark sapling that was growing amongst the other trees.


    Marty turned his attention to Rosita who had just returned from her errand to the first floor of their dungeon.


    ? Do you think we should offer to move this cavern to the first floor¡¯ ?


    ¡°Only if they ask Marty. It would cost us a lot of mana that we have better use for.¡±


    ? (Lady Rivanna) ?


    Rivanna sipped her tea as she examined Firomeena over the rim of her cup. The farmer girl was clearly uncomfortable in her reception room. Rivanna hid her smile.


    ¡°There is no need to be uneasy Firomeena, you are a forest priest after all, an elf maid of consequence.¡±


    Firomeena stirred and gave the impression of a deer in the headlights. Rivanna sternly restrained her smile. ¡°So what are your recommendations regarding this latest surprise. I have sent for the eldest of the Tree Runners. But I would like to know your thoughts.¡±


    Firomeena licked her lips nervously, ¡°I believe they mean well. The one who was killed but sprouted. Well that has happened before. They are either left to grow where they fell, or more rarely transplanted. Transplanting an Ironbark or Silverleaf is tricky and very risky. The other... I¡ªI don¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°Thank you dear, and now let me tell you something. We recently held a meeting for those seeking a familiar. And...¡±


    Firomeena heard the tale with wide eyes. ¡°Bardion, the Speaker to Others! But he¡¯s... He¡¯s... But if that is what happened then he is the only one who deserves a chance,¡± she exclaimed incredulously. ¡°I¡ªI have to re think...¡±


    Rivanna was unable to suppress her smile, ¡°He surprised me too. Could I impose on you to help with the skunks? You know how the Beastlord¡¯s blessings often fall on the same family.¡±


    Firomeena looked torn, then she straightened. ¡°Can I ask Briar for help too.¡±


    ¡°Yes of course you can. How is our little thorn maiden taking to the outside world?¡±


    ¡°Like a fish to water my lady.¡±


    * * *


    Rivanna watched Firomeena leave and put aside her cup. She rose to welcome the current elder of the local Tree Runners. To her surprise it was Ironthorn.


    ¡°Welcome Ironthorn. Should I be congratulating you on becoming The Elder of your folk?¡±


    Ironthorn managed to look embarrassed. ¡°No my lady, the post is... fluid. The most senior who happens to be near when needed automatically becomes the elder.¡±


    Rivanna grinned at the explanation. Then she explained Marty¡¯s dilemma with the dead runner.


    Ironthorn looked up at the ceiling and rubbed his chin. Finally he looked down and at Rivanna. ¡°It¡¯s not unknown. Usually we impose on a dryad to force the brain dead tree to release the young runners as soon as they can eat. Even before they can walk or climb. The young ones need to be taught, just like one of your young as the tree has no memories to impart.¡±


    ¡°So what do you think we should we do?¡±


    ¡°I will go and explain to the dungeon. And maybe one of his rose dryads will help raise them. If not, regretfully, it would be best if he didn¡¯t become a tree.¡±


    Rivanna nodded thoughtfully. ¡°Another thing Ironthorn. I have had word from Silvanna. The sun worshipers are returning intent on making trouble. Make sure your patrols are aware. We can¡¯t afford to be surprised by them.¡±

 Chapter 22 – (Jasper)

    Jasper had returned to her little annex. Once there she worked on her mental barriers. She knew that her ideas were the best, and Vlad would understand. But she had to keep him in the dark at first. And now for the tricky part; calling up the undead.


    * * *


    Vlad created a smallish cave giving onto one of his experimental caverns. He settled the surviving goat girls in this cave and produced several items to make them comfortable. He hoped the two mothers to be would be all right. He felt slightly guilty at anticipating that their offspring might prove useful.


    Vlad was feeling uneasy. He had the feeling that something was wrong. That some nebulous disaster was looming. After a moment of self doubt he shook himself and made plans to send out a raid to catch a billy-goat from one of the local herds.


    His mice indicated that the adventurers were rather lax when it came to maintaining a night watch on his dungeon. So he felt ready to proceed when his mice told him that the watch was particularly lax and when one of the herds was to hand.


    The time came two nights later and heart in mouth Vlad launched his raid. Four of his goat girls snuck out and headed for the herd. Vlad just worried himself sick while the girls were out.


    Not quite two hours later they got back. They were leading a whiskery elderly goat, and one was carrying a badly wounded unconscious dog. Vlad was so relieved that he rewarded his raiders and had the captives killed so that he could absorb them and learn their patterns.


    ¡®Odd.¡¯ Thought Vlad, ¡®I wonder where all that energy and mana went. I could swear I had a lot more of both when I launched the raid. I didn¡¯t loose mana or energy when I sent the skeletons on the raid that netted me the nanny goat.¡¯


    * * *


    Jasper could barely contain her glee. Vlad had been so worried about nothing that she had been able to plunder their stores of mana and energy. She had been able to summon Red of the fiery skull and six skeletons. Then she had still had enough appropriated mana to summon Twofer and two ghouls.


    Jasper hugged herself with glee. ¡®Now we shall see. Vlad will have to admit I¡¯m right.¡¯


    She waited impatiently for Vlad to turn his attention elsewhere. He seemed preoccupied with those stupid goat girls the Satyrs molested. As far as she was concerned that was all to the good as it allowed her more freedom to do her thing. She quietly opened up her annex and waited for the latest party to arrive.


    Jasper grinned, ¡®Oh good, it¡¯s one of the weaker parties. They already have three wounded.¡¯


    The adventurers entered the first level¡¯s final room hesitantly. They recoiled at the sight of the dragonsnail. Then one of them noticed the new entrance and they decided to delay the encounter with the dragonsnail and filed their way into Jasper¡¯s annex.


    Jasper was almost tearing her hair out in frustration. The group had gone through her skeletons and Red as they weren¡¯t there. At least they had recoiled from the ghouls and decided to leave. She used the rest of her appropriated mana to recall her destroyed skeletons and Red. She racked her brains trying to see where she had gone wrong. Maybe she needed to add a few more ghouls to the mix.


    ? JASPER WHAT HAVE YOU DONE? Are you trying to get us killed? ?


    ? Don¡¯t be silly Vlad. Calm down. I¡¯m trying to think here. ?


    ? Get rid of those undead Jasper. Please. For both our sakes. ?This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    Jasper blinked and grinned with glee. ¡®Yes! Vlad can¡¯t affect my home space!¡¯


    ? Look Vlad, stop worrying. I just know the answer is undead. It¡¯s gotta be! I just don¡¯t have the balance right yet. ?


    ? Please Jasper. I¡¯m begging, for me, for my goat girls, and their babies to be, and yes... for you too. Please, please dismiss your undead. ?


    ? No. How can get the balance right if I get rid of them. You¡¯re worrying for nothing. ?


    * * *


    Vlad scrambled for some way out. He had tried, but there was something that preventing him from influencing or even inspecting an area designated as his companion¡¯s apartment or annex. He cursed the fact that he had agreed to this, but in the beginning he had been very trusting. He felt as if he was growing up, at lightning speed.


    The only thing he could conceive off was forming a fifth level. That would allow him an alternate exit. If he could add it in the maternity cave then maybe the goat girls might survive.


    He set himself feverishly to work. Three small empty rooms sufficed to fulfil the legalities of a fifth floor. Then he created a carefully constructed and reinforced tunnel opening in the hills behind his dungeon.


    Happy that nothing had happened yet he used the new goat to create a guardian for the girls. Nothing difficult, just a goat with system enhanced strength and size. He added two to the maternity cave and sent several of the goat girls from his first level to join them.


    Just after dawn the next day Vlad watched glumly as the duck champion strove into his first level gladius in hand. While the guardians in the first room tried to delay Tarwin Silverbeak Vlad urged Draco Mal to the second chamber while he ordered all the other goat girls to flee to join the others.


    He watched with pride as seven of them decided to remain behind to buy time for their sisters.


    Vlad gathered all his mana and energy. He was aware that this would hurt and possibly leave him unconscious, but he had to try to preserve the seven. He gave them cores and named them.


    The last thing he heard as he dropped into a near coma was:


    ? VLAD! What are you doing! Don¡¯t be selfish! Don¡¯t you know what will happen to me if you kill yourself? ?


    ? (Tarwin Silverbeak, Sword of Armalor) ?


    Tarwin had spoken to the group of adventurers who reported that the dungeon had relapsed into abomination. He had prayed for patience and now, just after dawn he strode into the dungeon.


    The five goat women in the first room fought with cunning. The avoided closing and attacked from several directions at the same time. But they lacked skill, and compared to him, they were slow. Still it had taken him longer to defeat them than he would have expected.


    In the second cave he found the wandering dragonsnail. Him he was able to kill quickly. Then the other rooms were empty, showing signs of a hasty exit.


    In the last room he found seven goat women and one dragonsnail. The fight was invigorating even if sadly one sided. Still these goat women were as cunning as the first lot and it took time.


    Then he faced the new entranceway. He stepped through and immediately noted a subtle difference. Tarwin cocked his head to one side and considered for a moment. Then he moved forward into the halls of abomination.


    He found both the undead champions and several ghouls. And in the final room he sensed the accursed imp.


    Tarwin raised his sword even as he cast a pitiless gaze at the location where Jasper was hiding. Once again Tarwin declaimed: ¡°I Tarwin Silverbeak Sword of Armalor am here to judge you. In the name of Armalor I strike all who glory in the perversion of Death.¡±


    A dark wave flowed out and when it swept over the cowering Jasper, she wailed ¡°Not agaaaiiinnn,¡± in shock and fear, even as she vanished.


    * * *


    Tarwin returned to the main dungeon and proceeded methodically to clear it. He inspected the empty fifth level before returning to the fourth and Vlad. He examined the floating red purple orb thoughtfully. It was dormant, and seemed to be almost devoid of mana and life energy.


    Tarwin bowed his head and prayed for guidance. He was granted a vision, and he witnessed the highlights of the last few days.


    Tarwin gazed thoughtfully at Vlad and weighed up the possibilities. ¡°Great Armalor, aid me serve justice with mercy as this being deserves. I can not kill a being who has tried to be selfless and true to his creations. But I can not allow this cess pit to continue.¡±


    A dark light flashed in the room and Vlad¡¯s core floated away towards the far wall.


    ?? Tarwin ¨C Sever the link. ??


    Tarwin¡¯s gladius lashed out freeing Vlad. Then Tarwin felt a wrench in the core of his being and dropped to his knees. He watched, stunned, as a secret door opened and then closed and was permanently sealed after Vlad''s core passed through. A duplicate empty core materialized and Tarwin saw the link reform.


    ?? Now break the false core. ??


    Tarwin clambered to his feet and hit the false core with the pommel of his sword. It broke into three uneven pieces and fell to the floor.

 Chapter 23 – (Vlad & Jasper)

    ? (Vlad) ?


    Vlad was feeling weak, very weak. He understood that he was currently dormant and recovering from mana exhaustion. So why was he thinking; and who was that huge bearded human in archaic looking armour. And why and how was he looking at him.


    ?? So little dungeon core, my champion says that despite everything you have shown honour. Tarwin has asked me to judge you. So. I see, on the whole I approve but one thing won¡¯t do. I¡¯ll fix it. Brace yourself little core for this is going to hurt. ??


    Vlad was gathering himself when something tore at him, it felt like someone had taken a knife to him and cut away a bloody chunk.


    ?? I¡¯ll just dump that abomination into the decoy. Sorry youngster, let me goose that lazy System to replace what I removed ¨C Huh! Not sure I like that! Be very careful youngster, for now some will be able to tell that I have touched you. Sleep now ¨C recover and grow strong. ??


    As Vlad retreated into unconsciousness he felt the lack. Where he had had a near instinctive knowledge of all things undead, there was now the power of mutation. He knew that he would have an easier time of inducing change in his creatures. But he had little or no control on what paths the change would take.


    * * *


    Vlad woke slowly, he found himself floating in the middle of one of his hidden caverns. The caverns he had hidden from Jasper so he could experiment with the few creatures he had captured and absorbed.


    He could feel a nagging ache where his bond to Jasper had been. He mourned the loss of his exasperating and difficult companion. They had been growing increasingly distant but despite her wrong-headed ideas he still missed her. Then he realized that he was surrounded by worried goat girls and things started to look up.


    He searched within and found himself lacking. His options, when it came to guardians were extremely limited. But he would manage. His dungeon consisted of his two experimental caverns and the goat girls maternity cave. And the long tunnel that led to the entrance in the hills.


    And his mice. His little spies were hiding in his old dungeon. He could feel their joy when he touched their minds. So all his dungeon was there, only something was blocking him. It was very frustrating. He decided to wait. And after all dungeons were by their nature patient.


    ? (Jasper) ?


    Jasper woke feeling dreadful. Just like the last time this had happened her eyes hurt, everything hurt. The world looked flat and harsh, the harsh light stabbed into her eyes. Several shades were shuffling around near her. She could almost swear they were mocking her. Having learned from her last visit she cast around for her bond to Vlad. Eventually she found it, like the previous time it was very weak.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    Jasper closed her eyes and crawled slowly, all the time she followed the trace of her bond. She collapsed and wept with exhaustion. She slept. When she woke she resumed following her bond.


    Twice more she slept before she found the hole. Just like last time her link seemed to be keeping it open. She felt around the hole and she reached into it. Then she was falling.


    She slammed into an unyielding floor, groaning she rolled over and sat up.


    ¡°Vlad! Where the hell are you.¡± Jasper looked around in surprise at the empty cavern. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    Jasper rubbed her aching eyes and head and looked around more carefully. She was unable to feel the dungeon. Then she spotted the broken crystal. Her bond was clinging to the biggest piece.


    ¡°Vlad? You stupid bastard. What have you done? What am I supposed to do now? Fucking Duck from hell.¡±


    She pouted, then she examined her bond. She found Vlad¡¯s undead ¡®files¡¯ sitting at the end of her bond. She explored them. Her access was not fluid but everything seemed to be there. Jasper grinned with delight.


    ¡°This could work. My undead without that wet drip. But they are all greyed out, even Red. And Twofer is there too. I wonder.¡±


    Jasper dragged herself to her feet and went to examine the other pieces of what she assumed were Vlad¡¯s corpse. Her grin grew and she danced a few steps in glee.


    ¡®It¡¯ll be a bit harder to gather mana and energy but the mechanics are all there. Now I just need to get away from that filthy duck and I¡¯ll be set.¡¯


    Jasper flew to her little cave and glanced regretfully at the solidified remains of her lava pool. She collected the sheets from her bed and flew back down. Carefully she wrapped up the pieces of the broken Core and found she was able to carry it. She flew towards the entrance of the dungeon. There she waited for night before flying out.


    ¡®Hmm, wonder if I could find Randy. Having a loyal sidekick that doesn¡¯t argue could be useful when I set up my new dungeon.¡¯


    ? (Vlad) ?


    Vlad watched and listened in shock and sorrow to Jasper through the eyes and ears of one of his mice. He felt betrayed and only the presence of the goat girls kept him from throwing a fit. He became aware that he was being restrained and controlled. By the god of death, Armalor.


    He was able to see Jasper leave. He even heard her talking to herself making plans. He resented Armalor for crushing any delusions he might have been holding regarding Jasper. But it still hurt.


    ? Hey you! Yes you the floating rock, make me a nice fireplace so I can take my ease on a rug looking at the flames. And do you have a bowl of cream? ?


    Vlad snapped out of his fugue and checked out his home. He spotted a half grown ginger tomcat regarding him with interest.


    ? Did you speak? ?


    ? Who else could it have been. Can you see any one else around? The ladies have clever fingers but the poor things have to talk! ?


    Vlad felt amusement, and a certain gratitude for having his thoughts diverted from Jasper. He created an elaborate fireplace and then a thick rug in front of it. Vlad contemplated the fireplace and used his fire affinity to conjure a flame in it. The cat gave him an approving look and turned round twice on the rug before settling down.


    ? (Vaspedian) ?


    Vaspedian examined the dungeon. It was dormant, almost dead. But Tarwin was correct it was not dead, at least not yet. It was distinctly unnerving to realise Tarwin was close enough to the God of the Dead that he would listen to him.


    Now all he could do was wait and hope. And his feelings were distinctly mixed as he really did not want to be here in the ass end of nowhere. Even less did he want to be at was shaping to be the location that could see two powerful alliances clash.


    And the Elves had a hero as did the centaurs. That was the most terrifying part of this whole mess.

 Chapter 24 – (Marty)

    ? (Marty) ?


    Rosita was inspecting one of the new Ironbark trees in the cavern next to their heart room. With her were Thorn and Petal. The two rose dryads were adamant that despite the short time since Marty had encouraged the tree to grow it was ready.


    Rosita looked at the two serious looking little dryads. ¡°Should we get a runner here to witness the birth?¡±


    The two dryads exchanged a look and shrugged.


    Rosita chuckled, ¡°No idea, right?¡±


    Both dryads shook their heads solemnly.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go ask. There are a couple currently on the elven level. Wait a bit and then I¡¯ll get Marty to help persuade her to release her child. I shouldn¡¯t be gone more than half an hour.¡± And with that Rosita flew out of the cavern and made her way to the first level.


    Rosita found one runner helping an elven gardener with a bed of strawberry plants. Both were indulging in the sweet berries as they worked.


    ¡°Hello, I have a question for you.¡±


    The two beings caught by surprise jumped and whirled round, the elf holding a hand over his heart.


    ¡°Um, hello. What do you want to know?¡± asked the elf.


    ¡°I assume you know about the ironbark that grew from the dead runner. Well, Thorn and Petal are sure that the first of its children has reached the stage it should be born.¡±


    The two grinned with open joy.


    ¡°That is good news,¡± said the runner. ¡°What was your question?¡±


    Rosita smiled back. ¡°Well we, Marty and me, wondered if we should ask other runners ¨C or elves ¨C to be present for the birth?¡±


    ¡°It is not necessary, but if you would allow it we, the both of us, would like to be present,¡± said the elf while the runner nodded vigorously.


    * * *


    In the end all the elves and runners who had been present on the first level made their way down to the Rose Dungeon¡¯s fourth level. They witnessed in silence as the small bulge above the first set of branches of the ironbark tree reluctantly split releasing the very young runner into the outstretched arms of Petal.


    The newborn runner stumbled around on all fours as it looked around in wonder. The impromptu gathering quickly devolved into a party as the youngster crawled around making friends and getting showered with gifts, many quite inappropriate.


    Many hours later the guests made their way out of the dungeon by ones and twos with smiles on their faces. Marty watched them go with relief.


    * * *


    ? Rosita we are going to have to make arrangements for the next arrivals. I had a hell of a time not freaking out with all those visitors in the runner grove¡¯s cavern. It is too close to ¨C well ¨C me. ?The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    Rosita lounged on a moss-covered rock. ¡°Hmm?¡±


    ? OK I know ¨C theoretically ¨C that they didn¡¯t want to harm me, but my instincts were screaming at me. We, I have to remodel. ?


    ¡°I think I understand,¡± said Rosita. ¡°Should we just ban them, or not tell them next time?¡±


    ? No. We can¡¯t let them think we are wary of their intentions. But we are ready to start our fifth level. That should allow us to set up things so that... Well that a visit to the trees won¡¯t put them on our doorstep. ?


    ? (Randy) ?


    Randy watched suspiciously as the sharp eared woman crouched behind a small bush near their den. With her was a tiny girl woman wearing some rose-based perfume. And she had small green leaves growing among her hair.


    They seemed to be very interested in his mother who was at that moment eating one of the outsized worms that lived in these woods. Randy froze in indecision. The pointy-eared woman stowed herself and started to talk softly. Her words were ¨C soothing, calming.


    She approached his mother slowly. And all the while his mother just watched her. Randy felt that something was not right ¨C but he couldn¡¯t move. She emptied a small bag in front of his mother before stroking his mother between the ears and retreating again slowly.


    Randy could have sworn he could smell blackberries and strawberries. Whatever it really was his mother was gobbling down the offering.


    * * *


    Over the next weeks the two reappeared often, sometimes accompanied by the small grey furred humanoids. Always the two women bought treats and gave pats and scratches. Randy could see his mother and sisters accept their presence, they even started to anticipate their appearance.


    And to his growing alarm, Randy was starting to realize that he too was coming under their spell. Finally Randy screwed up his courage. He carefully followed them when they left, hoping to find out more about them, and hoping to find out what they really wanted.


    He was careful. Very careful, but the ladies escort of tree runners that kept to the tops of the trees watched him every step of the way.


    Randy wasn¡¯t surprised when they returned to the growing tree town. He was however frustrated as he watched them disappear into the town. After watching for a time he turned and returned to the forest and his families den.


    He considered several plans, but they all floundered on the fact that he didn¡¯t want to be on his own, and even more, he didn¡¯t want to abandon his mother and sisters. And they were very happy where they were, there was lots of food and no predators had approached for some considerable time.


    ? (Ariabaat, Speaker to Others) ?


    Ariabaat pushed another scroll to join the pile of similar documents on the side of the table he was using in the new library at the Warden¡¯s palace. He picked up one of the new raspberries from a bowl at his elbow and popped it into his mouth.


    After mumbling to himself he pulled the slate he was using and erased a phrase and two runes. Then he started scribbling madly. When he finished he examined his work carefully and seemed satisfied.


    Ariabaat removed one of the specially prepared and imbued sheets of parchment and started to inscribe the ritual he had come up with. He worked quickly but carefully, showing to anyone who might have been watching of his expertise in the field.


    Once finished he sanded the document to dry the ink and cast a brief preservation spell.


    Speaker to Others slowly ate his bowl of dungeon gathered delicacies as he studied his work. Satisfied he gathered up the documents and tomes he had been studying and using for references. He carefully returned everything to its own place before leaving the library with the scroll he had just created.


    * * *


    Ariabaat watched with bated breath as lord Frostmane and Slasher perused his scroll carefully. Finally after what seemed like several hours lord Frostmane looked up. ¡°Interesting. This ritual should work, we will have to test it but I see no problems. Nor does Slasher. However, I have to ask, are you sure you want to use this? It contains no compulsions.¡±


    ¡°Yes my lord. I still don¡¯t understand why I should be considered for this honour and I feel I don¡¯t need a familiar.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be modest kid. Out of all the entitled brats in the choosing, you were the only one who regarded the skunk as his own being, deserving of consideration. So elf up son, you¡¯re it.¡±


    Ariabaat felt a surge of resentment at being called a kid, but he was easily able to contain himself. Lord Frostmane was after all over a century older than him.


    ¡°Well Ariabaat, leave this with us, and I¡¯ll send for you when it¡¯s time for you to meet the young skunk.¡±


    Ariabaat left and made his way to the Rose Dungeon. There was a cavern there that he found soothing, and he needed to calm down and relax.

 Chapter 25 – (Jasper & Vlad)

    ? (Jasper) ?


    Jasper was glad that she had good night vision; it enabled her to fly south without problems. She had decided to use the trees of the forest as cover. The broken core was heavier than she liked, but she dared not relinquish it.


    Finally, after what seemed for ever she reached the hills and the forest. She flew with supreme unconcern between the trees. She ignored the rustling of one of the trees she passed, thinking nothing of it.


    So it came as a huge shock to her when a sharp tipped stick flashed past her head, missing her by scant centimetres. It was accompanied by a barked, ¡°Leave our woods, spawn of hell.¡±


    Jasper shot to the side and made as if to hide behind a tree. ¡°Why!¡± she screamed, "I just want to pass through.¡±


    ¡°Hellspawn are not welcome. Leave or die.¡±


    Reluctantly she turned round and headed out. Then sure she had left them behind she changed her path and headed back at an angle.


    When one of the sharp tipped sticks punched through the membrane of her left wing, she screamed, more in surprise than in pain, and spat out a fireball. The fireball not surprisingly, impacted a tree and set it on fire even as she dropped to the ground.


    Looking up in terror, Jasper saw several huge ¨C for her ¨C armed ape-men jumping through the branches in her direction. She grabbed her core to her ample breasts and flew as hard as she could until she managed to leave the forest.


    Once clear of the forest she collapsed to the ground and sobbed with a mixture of fear and relief. Two hours later her wing was healed, leaving only a faint scar. All thanks to her species¡¯ regeneration ability. So once again she took to the air. This time heading northeast, to where she could vaguely sense something on the horizon. Or maybe it was over the horizon, but it was calling.


    She hid in a bush during the day. Then she flew all night. She was also involved in a rather messy melee with some giant fanged bats. Her saving grace was the fact that she was faster, for the bats were far more acrobatic.


    She spent the day in a deserted animal den. The next night found her approaching what she thought was an extinct volcano. It seemed to be half collapsed, as if it had been damaged by an earthquake sometime far in the past.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    She landed on a large smooth rock to better examine the sight. Something told her that there might be caves ¨C lava tubes ¨C she could use in that broken mountain.


    She was grinning and making plans when the ¡®rock¡¯ she was standing on opened its wing cases, spread its wings and took off depositing her on her well-padded derriere.


    ¡°Ow!¡± said Jasper while rubbing her bruised bottom. ¡°Why is the whole world out to get me?¡± she asked herself just before taking to the air once again. She hunted around until she found some caves. She avoided the occupied ones and finally entered a small tube of a passage in a black cliff. It was about three meters from the ground, and that suited her.


    She made her way down a series of interlocking tube-like tunnels. She settled for a largish depression where two of the tunnels had come together. She placed the pieces of her core on a small uneven shelf and studied them. Surrendering to tiredness she went to sleep.


    ? (Vlad) ?


    It was on the day following the day that Jasper had left, that Vlad regained control his dungeon. And with that he gained the jitters. He had an empty dungeon. It was wide open.


    He started summoning his guardians and giving them treasures. He moved his core back home and slowly relaxed. He felt better, less on edge but there was still that bittersweet lack. That empty link, it was not so much that he missed Jasper, especially how she had been acting lately. But he had known her all his life. Her reaction on seeing the broken core had hurt.


    ? Hey you! What¡¯s your name anyway? Look you should do something for your goat girls. ?


    Vlad regarded the pushy half grown ginger cat. ? What do you suggest? And it¡¯s Vlad. ?


    ? They could do with a few low walls in their caves, and ledges on the walls. With some way for the poor disabled things to climb up. Give them the chance to ambush the boors that keep invading their rooms. How about some cream? ?


    Vlad examined the cat and summoned up a saucer of cream. He then examined the caves of the goat girls. He started to create a maze of small walls and the suggested ledges with hand and footholds to help his guardians to climb.


    ? Any other bright ideas cat? ?


    The cat looked up from his bowl of cream and licked his nose. ? Hang some rocks from the ceilings. Make sure they are hard to see, and give the girls a way to make them drop. ?


    Vlad watched the cat return his attention to the bowl of cream while he thought about the idea. Then he installed at least one boulder in each cave and informed the goat girls about them.


    Vlad watched the next few runs with interest. Then he examined the little curled up puddle of fur sleeping in front of his very own private fireplace.


    ? (Vaspedian) ?


    Vaspedian listened to the reports. He breathed a sigh of relief, he still had a dungeon, even if seemed to be getting more cunning. And no sign of any undead on the first two levels. That annex had vanished too.


    He got up and stretched before strolling to the entrance of the dungeon. He noted with interest that grass was starting to grow in formerly barren patch that used to surround the entrance of the dungeon.


    Hopefully the damn duck would stop bothering him and move on to pastures new. Unfortunately that still left the uptight sun lover. He turned and made his way back to his office. It was time to write another letter asking to be transferred.

 Chapter 26 – (Whitewater Falls)

    ? (The Raptors) ?


    Hainrick led his party warily into Whitewater Falls. The trip through the new elven forest had been hair raising. They had been spotted even before entering. And during the entire trip they had been shadowed by an unknown number of elves and runners. The Raptors were not used to being unable to spot their enemies. And they one and all knew the elves considered them at the very least, potential enemies.


    Whitewater Falls had grown since their last visit. Yet it hadn¡¯t grown as much as most dungeon towns. It lacked the raw bustle they expected of such places, and there were very few people present that looked to be adventurers.


    The town was still ringed by sentry trees, and in places trees were still being encouraged to relocate by dryads, supported by runners and elves. Half of the dryads had flowers in their hair and were of a type previously unknown to Hainrick.


    The town¡¯s two inns, the Grapes of Wrath and the Golden Bough were not truly welcoming. The Raptors moved on to the local chapter of the Adventurer¡¯s Guild. Even that was not what they were accustomed to. It was yet another ¡®building¡¯ put together from a collection of living trees and specialised plants. They found it ¨C uncomfortable.


    At least the reception room had the familiar bar and reception. The quest board was present, even if it was rather small and had a paucity of quests posted. Unsurprisingly Daviinos and Luminos the Brawler headed for the bar while Faldara went to peruse the quest board.


    Hainrick¡¯s lips narrowed in displeasure as he looked round the room. He nodded to Leo and they made their way to the reception counter and the sole clerk manning it. He looked to be some halfer. Hainrick stared at the clerk for a few moments. The half elf looked back nervously and scratched his neck nervously.


    ¡°How may I help you sirs?¡± asked the clerk.


    ¡°I wish to speak with whomever is in charge of this ¨C place,¡± sneered Hainrick haughtily. He had not failed to note the habitual gesture of someone who had worn a slave collar.


    The half elf ducked his head and scuttled away with a, ¡°Just a moment sir.¡±


    Leo sighed, ¡°You should be more accommodating Hainrick. No need to scare the youngster like that.¡±


    ¡°The halfer was a slave Leo, and only recently freed at that.¡±


    ¡°So,¡± queried Leo.


    ¡°Slaves should accept the lot the gods gave them,¡± snapped Hainrick. ¡°They should not seek to change their lot.¡±This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Leo shook his head, ¡°Some change is inevitable Hainrick. Let it go. Should not a man gain grey hairs and wrinkles as he ages?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not the same,¡± Hainrick said irritably.


    ¡°Hainrick, you have to dissemble if we are to achieve our goals here.¡±


    ? (Lady Rivanna) ?


    Rivanna sipped her tea as she examined Firomeena. The young forest priest was slowly gaining in confidence, but the na?ve and somewhat timid farmer girl was still present. On the whole Rivanna was pleased. The girl had promise.


    ¡°Well Firomeena, our first challenge has arrived sooner than we had hoped.¡±


    Firomeena¡¯s eyes opened wide in surprise, ¡°What challenge my lady?¡±


    ¡°The fight to keep the Rose Dungeon. The fanatics of the Council of Stability have managed to send us one of their principal agents,¡± explained Rivanna.


    Firomeena looked horrified.


    ¡°I need you to warn all our workers and guests on the first level of the Rose Dungeon that they might be attacked. The Raptors might be unable, or simply unwilling to understand our current agreements with Marty.


    ¡°Secondly, I want you to get in touch with Rosita and Marty and arrange a way for us to reinforce him if the Raptors loose control, and try to kill him, them.¡±


    Firomeena snapped her mouth shut. ¡°I ¨C I¡¯ll see to it at once my lady.¡±


    ¡°Good. Let them know that I¡¯ve gathered a couple of warbands to aid them. And see if you can figure out how to get those reinforcements down to the core chamber as fast as possible.


    ¡°And I¡¯ve sent word to Queen Aldrya too.


    ¡°The treaty of Whitewater Falls means we have the responsibility to provide aid. Please remind them of that. They helped us against Refuge by sending Briar after all.¡±


    ? (Marty) ?


    Marty was becoming very alarmed. He had noticed the priestess Firomeena moving through the first level of his dungeon talking with everyone. Out of curiosity he had listened in, and her message was chilling.


    ? Rosita, listen to this. What should we do? Should we offer some help? ?


    Rosita stretched as she woke, and then looked to Marty¡¯s core with bleary eyes. It took her a few moments to take in what Marty was trying to tell her. Then when she was able to pay attention to what was happening on the first level, she also grew alarmed.


    They were discussing how best to help, given that as it was on the first level, they really didn¡¯t have the ability to use too much force. They still had the bees but... the whole place was so open now.


    It was then that they realised that Firomeena was in the end room of the first level, and that she wanted to talk with them. So, after providing her with an escort they watched her traverse their dungeon and join them in their heart room.


    * * *


    After Firomeena had passed on Lady Rivanna¡¯s warning, reassurances and suggestions, Marty tried to think of something that could reassure Rosita, and himself.


    ? I didn¡¯t want to do this yet as it will restrict me to some degree. But now I have five levels I can create an alternate entrance. It will be one I can seal. So I propose opening a tunnel to the base of the cliff. One that opens out in the Ironbark tree¡¯s chamber. Then if needed I can enlarge Rosita¡¯s access and there will be a way for the reinforcements to arrive quickly. ?


    ¡°Are you sure Marty,¡± asked Rosita.


    ? I don¡¯t like it Rosita. It goes against my Dungeon instincts, but I have to trust the treaty with the queen. But I will want someone to brief me on everything that is known about the Raptors, and of each and every member of that band. Including rumours, most especially rumours. Hopefully there will be something I can use. ?

 Chapter 27 – (The Raptors)

    ? (The Raptors) ?


    Hainrick cast Leo a disgusted look.


    ¡°Yes, yes I know Hainrick. You want everything at once. Patience, we have the bare bones of a plan. Now mind yourself, here comes that turncoat Baliceius Goldleaf.¡±


    Baliceius Goldleaf strode through the door at the back of the room, the one that led to the private offices of the Guild. He regarded Leo and Hainrick with a conspicuous lack of expression.


    ¡°Hainrick. Leo, welcome to Whitewater Falls. Are you planning to explore our dungeon? I would have thought it rather simple for men of your talents. And lacking in treasures capable of satisfying you.¡±


    ¡°I am here as the designated Guild Master of this branch of the guild,¡± snapped Hainrick.


    Baliceius smiled slightly and looked down his nose at Hainrick. ¡°Really? By what right? I assure you I am the Guild Master here. Not you.¡±


    ¡°I was duly appointed by the leader of the Adventurer¡¯s Guild in Sunhame, and confirmed in my post by Lord Heramakos, the Hierarch of the Church of our lord Sol Triumphant,¡± boasted Hainrich.


    ¡°None of that means anything here,¡± sneered Baliceius. ¡°Thanks to the treaty of Whitewater Falls the Rose Dungeon in the persons of Marty and Rosita have renounced any links with the Adventurer¡¯s Guild. As is laid out in the Treaty of Dardelm. Clauses 8 ii, iii and iv.¡±


    Baliceius watched the fuming Hainrick with malicious amusement. Then he rubbed salt in his wounds. ¡°Marty and Rosita are subjects of Aldrya, and their fief consists of the Rose Dungeon.¡±


    * * *


    A week went by and the Raptors were occupying a set of rooms at the guild. Baliceius had been unable to deny them their rights as guild members. They had done a couple of very half-hearted delves. More for the purpose of reconnaissance than anything else.


    Now they were gathered in a glade not far from town. Heirrich waited until Leo had cast a wall of silence before he started talking.


    ¡°I think we have to make the elves lose confidence in the dungeon. I was thinking we could slaughter the ones present on the first level. I wouldn¡¯t be too difficult to make it look like the dungeon ran amok.¡±


    Leo rubbed his chin thoughtfully. ¡°They are not likely to accept our unsupported word.¡±


    ¡°Why not? I am a Sun Lord, you are a Sun Priest and Faldara is a Storm Khan,¡± Hainrick pointed out oblivious to the suspicion they were regarded by the elves.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    Leo opened and then closed his mouth as he tried to find a way to explain the facts of the local situation to their leader.


    Faldara suppressed a grin at the frustration on Leo¡¯s face, even as she decided to utilize Hainricks prejudices. ¡°Because we are not elves. You know how the elves are Hainrick.¡±


    ¡°Humph... You might well be right Faldara. I know I would be suspicious of anything an elf tried to tell me,¡± agreed Hainrick reluctantly.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t we recruit the Satyrs, I¡¯ve heard they are not happy with the dungeon. And that Lady Rivanna denied them what they see as their god given right,¡± suggested Daviinos.


    ¡°That should work... I think,¡± agreed Leo.


    Faldara glared at Daviinos and Leo. ¡°I refuse to have anything to do with those filthy Lechers.¡±


    Hainrick looked at her. ¡°Very well. Faldara I will entrust you deliver our report to Lord Heramakos. You know the situation and are senior enough. Explain things to him and get things moving at that end. We may need backup to extract us from here if things go south.¡±


    Faldara didn¡¯t look happy, but she bowed her head in acquiescence.


    * * *


    Two days later after watching Faldara ride out the remaining members of the Raptors were once more gathered in the glade. They were rather desultorily passing around a wineskin as they waited.


    Finally someone hailed them from out of the wood and two satyrs joined them.


    The one in the lead grinned broadly, ¡°Good morning. You wanted to see us. Yes? Me, I am Dyrissus, a Celebrant of Satiriapus and this is Froticus, the brother of Fracticus.¡±


    Hainrich smiled to himself and thought. ¡®Good, let us see if these fools go for it. If they don¡¯t, no one will miss them.¡¯


    ¡°Welcome,¡± said Leo as he passed the wineskin to Dyrissus. He watched as Dyrissus took a long pull at the wineskin before Froticus snatched it from him.


    ¡°The Council of Stability wished the Rose Dungeon to be tamed or destroyed. I believe that it can not be tamed. What say you?¡± asked Hainrich.


    Dyrissus ceased trying to regain the wineskin. His eyes narrowed to slits, and his grin became nasty. ¡°Sounds ¡¯bout right. Uppity dungeon it be. Why need you us?¡±


    ¡°Well, it would be nice to have some local confirmation of our report. When we find all the elves on the first level have been killed by the dungeon...¡±


    Froticus choked on the wine while Dyrissus sweated in fear. ¡®Have to agree... Or they bastads kill us. Think Dyrissus think!¡¯


    Dyrissus licked suddenly dry lips. ¡°Well, dungeon killed Fracticus and Froticus wants revenge. If dungeon rogue goes. Needs killing.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right Dyrissus. So we can count on you. You will accompany us on our delve. The one where we will find the elves dead,¡± ordered Hainrich. ¡°Needless to say you will be richly rewarded... Gold... Beautiful slave girls...¡±


    Not giving the Satyrs time to change their minds, or rather a chance to make their escape, the Raptors gathered up their gear and prepared for their mission. They plied the apprehensive Satyrs with wine and led the way through the town and to the dungeon¡¯s entrance.


    They registered their intent at the desk at the top of the stairs, and descended to the entrance. They made their way through the slippery, damp entrance tunnel and boarded one of the rowing boats to cross the lake.


    Dyrissus looked up at the flint-like expression on Hainrick¡¯s face. ¡°You will protect us, right. You need us alive, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± snapped Hainrich contemptuously. ¡°Now shut up. The least said the better.¡±


    When they reached the other side of the lake Hainrich climed the stairs to the entrance. Daviinos drew his sword and poked the reluctant Dyrissus in the ass. ¡°Go on. Climb. You¡¯re not in any danger. Not like the tree huggers,¡± and he grinned.


    ¡°Shut up you idiot,¡± snapped Leo. ¡°Remember where you are.¡±

 Chapter 28 – (Whitewater Falls)

    ? (Faldara Swifthands) ?


    Faldara Swifthands looked back at the elven settlement of Whitewater Falls. Faldara found it impossible to see the sprawling elven settlements as cities or towns. She whispered a soft prayer wishing her comrades well and the satyrs ill. Then she looked forwards and kicked her horse into a canter and concentrated on not getting swept of its back by an errant branch.


    Riding easily, she made good time and was soon leaving the forest. Once out of the woods she increased her vigilance and headed for the nearby dungeon town where she hoped to pick up a couple of extra horses.


    She slowed to a trot as she passed the lines that showed where the village walls would go in the future and dropped her steed at the best livery stable of the dungeon ¡®town¡¯. She passed over a gold ensuring the best treatment and a bit of magic to ensure her mount was in the best condition. Then she went to talk with the stable master.


    ¡°Morning lady, what can I do for ye?¡±


    Faldara examined the young man dubiously, eliciting an amused grin. ¡°Yes lady, I¡¯m kinda young, but you won¡¯t find a better stable master in this burg.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s only one other stable master in this settlement, and he¡¯s a drunk,¡± Faldara pointed out.


    The young man¡¯s grin widened, ¡°See, I¡¯m the best.¡±


    ¡°I need two good horses for my string. I intend to ride relay.¡±


    The young man winced, ¡°I¡¯ve got a few prospects. But none have been trained in relay riding. Much as I hate to send custom his way, you best bet is Crowbait. Old Stew hasn¡¯t had him long enough to spoil him yet. Might need some care though.¡±


    ? (Marty) ?


    Marty had been examining his nests of evolved army ants. The ants themselves had been a great disappointment to him. He had remembered some old movies with all but unstoppable army ants and it had annoyed him that the real things were a mere shadow of their Hollywood selves.


    So he had crossed them with the vicious bastard ants that had bitten him when they had visited their mother¡¯s college friend in Arizona. Then he had grown them to double their size. They still trailed their Hollywood alter egos but they should do.


    Then the four male members of the Raptors entered his dungeon with two satyrs in tow. Marty came alert and alerted his dungeon. All his defenders understood that this was a war for their very existence.


    On the first level his pixies alerted the elves and fled into the depths where their efforts would be truly useful in helping to control the vegetation and animals. The bee-hives buzzed as the workers prepared themselves to repel invaders. The army ants came awake and swarmed to entrance of their spawning points.


    Confirmation came when the Raptors were halfway across the lake. One of the satyrs looked apprehensively at Hainrich and said, ¡°You will protect us, right. You need us alive, right?¡± while Hainrich replied; ¡°Yes. Now shut up. The least said the better.¡±


    Further confirmation came when Hainrich climbed to the entrance tunnel and Daviinos poked one of the clearly apprehensive satyrs in the ass with his sword and told him: ¡°Go on. Climb. You¡¯re not in any danger. Not like the tree huggers.¡± At which Leo ordered him to shut up.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    Marty sent an alert to Lady Rivanna via the Runner she had supplied her. Marty was glad he had accepted necessity and created the alternate entrance. He suspected it would also work as an escape tunnel.


    ¡°Two of the elves didn¡¯t believe us. They remain on the first level along with five runners,¡± observed Rosita. ¡°The rest are descending to our second level now.¡±


    ? (The Raptors) ?


    Hainrich led the way into the first big cavern. He sneered at the neat cultivated plots, and as they had planned, he headed towards the exit to the left. With him went Luminos the Brawler escorting Froticus the satyr. Leo and Daviinos the Mighty took the other exit with Dyrissus.


    In the second chamber they found a solitary tree runner and Hainrich approached the creature with a smile. ¡°Good morning. Can you tell me...¡± then once he was close enough he slashed out with his sword and severed his head from his shoulders. ¡°... if you will die for the good of the world? You will good. Your god will welcome you with open arms for your glorious sacrifice.¡±


    After a quick look around Hainrich led the way into the next passage and they marched on in silence. They arrived at the point the passages rejoined each other to find Leo and his party waiting for them. With a quiet nod they slipped into the passage heading north and soon came to another empty chamber with two exits. Hainrich and Leo shared a look.


    They again split up and proceeded in their separate ways. This time it was Leo¡¯s group that found somebody. Leo bowed his head to the elven gardener and approached her. ¡°Is the entrance to the actual dungeon far?¡± he asked.


    Lianna looked up at the human sun priest in surprise, everyone knew the answer to that question. Then she screamed as Leo¡¯s sword stabbed through her stomach into her heart. ¡°Your sacrifice won¡¯t be in vain. May the blessings of the Sunlord go with you,¡± he murmured.


    ¡°Lianna!¡± screamed a voice. Leo and Daviinos looked in the direction of the scream and they saw a horrified looking muddy elf standing in other opening of the chamber they were in. Leo watched the elf with interest. ¡°Daviinos, restrain the satyr, then lets go,¡± ordered Leo.


    The elf seeing Leo heading his way, bloody sword in hand; turned and fled deeper into the dungeon. Daviinos jerked and looked at Dyrissus who was heading for the dead elf while unfastening his trousers.


    Daviinos snarled and grabbed the satyr, pushing towards the exit of the chamber. ¡°Idiot. How can we blame this on the dungeon if you rape the corpse? Damn you, you sex obsessed satyr. Move you I¡¯ll skewer you myself.¡±


    ? (Marty) ?


    Marty and Rosita watched, horrified as the Raptors rampaged through their first level. Then Marty breathed a ¨C figurative ¨C breath of relief as the last elf and two runners left the first level. He released his two nests of evolved army ants. One horde spilled into the chamber that Leo and his merry band were just entering, while the second hurried up behind them, eager to catch up.


    They watched as the adventurers at first ignored the ants. Then Leo got swarmed and they changed their attitudes.


    ¡°The damn things have potent venom,¡± half screamed Leo even as he summoned up fire to cover himself. Daviinos removed his cloak and started flailing around with it even as he did his best to stamp on the ants, that were trying to climb on him.


    Dyrissus watched wide-eyed while backing away. Then an ant bit him and he turned and fled. Unfortunately for him he fled straight into the second army while still in the confines of the passage. The ants hardly delayed before continuing on their way leaving a stripped skeleton behind themselves.


    * * *


    Hainrich and Luminos hearing the sounds of combat arrived behind the first horde of ants and they soon found themselves in a desperate fight to extract their comrades from amongst the greatly diminished horde of ants. It was only when the second horde fresh from eating Dyrissus started to spill into the chamber that they fell back.


    Marty watched his ants grimly. They had done well, even if not as well as he hoped. He watched as the other satyr took the opportunity to flee. Marty vowed he¡¯d get round to him in time. Or maybe not. The other satyr¡¯s fate had turned his non-existent stomach. But he still had one more trick to play on the first floor.


    ? Cue the parrot. Polly you¡¯re on. ?

 Chapter 29 – (Rose Dungeon)

    ? (The Raptors) ?


    For the first time Hainrich had doubts as to whether they would be able to kill this blasphemous dungeon. The ants from hell had been an unwelcome surprise; they had faced ants before, but every dungeon he had found them in before, went in for the giant variety.


    His lips thinned as Leo filled the chamber they had just left with the sun''s flames. They hadn¡¯t passed the first level and already Leo had had to use two of his god given divine spells.


    ¡°Hey skunk boy ¨C who¡¯s a stinky boy ¨C beaten by a baby ¨C prima donna baby ¨C Daviinos you stink.¡± The harsh voice came from behind them.


    Daviinos was hurting, he hadn¡¯t got round to healing his wounds yet, and the ants¡¯ venom itched as well as hurt. And now some bastard was mocking him with a variant of the centaurs¡¯ mocking ditty. Daviinos lost his temper, spun round and charged into the dungeon¡¯s first floor end chamber.


    Hainrich spun around and tried to grab his friend. He failed and watched grimly as Daviinos disappeared into a pit trap. He stepped into the room, scanning for monsters. All he saw was a drab looking grey bird, a parrot. Annoyed he snapped off a magic missile at the bird. The parrot squawked in surprise as the missile severed one of its feet and most of its tail feathers.


    Hainrich looked down into the pit at his friend. Daviinos was dead. Impaled on several spikes at the bottom of the pit. Blood pooled around him.


    ¡°Poor Polly,¡± squawked the parrot as she flew unevenly towards the stairs heading to the second floor, trailing blood the whole way.


    ? (Marty) ?


    Marty watched anxiously as Polly made her lopsided escape. He felt like cheering when she disappeared down the stairs.


    ¡°I don¡¯t believe it,¡± murmured Rosita. ¡°We got one of the Raptors on the first level.¡±


    ? Well it won¡¯t happen again. The System is complaining that the ants are too powerful for the first level. We have taken a whopping experience penalty. Mind you, we¡¯re still in the black thanks to Daviinos. ?


    ¡°Are we still going to use the last swarm on the second level?¡± asked Rosita.


    ? No! Damn the System! Sorry Rosita, I¡¯ll be using them on the fourth level. I think we can get away with that. Just. ?


    ¡°I¡¯m surprised that silly song worked. Was there anything else in those stories we listened to about the Raptors that could prove useful.¡±


    ? Daviinos was a bully. I met more than a few in my past life. You learn what can set them off. Look, they¡¯re headed down... ?


    ¡°Are you sure we should let them through the second level easily,¡± worried Rosita.


    ? Yes. We¡¯ll stick to the plan. I¡¯ve pulled the better guardians down. Hopefully they¡¯ll let their guard down. Think we¡¯ve shot our bolt. ?


    ? (The Raptors) ?


    It was a sobered group of adventurers that headed down the stairs. Hainrich was in the lead as usual. ¡°We don¡¯t have much time. That Sun forsaken satyr will spill the beans.¡±


    ¡°So we press on... And hope there are no more ant swarms,¡± agreed Leo.Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    The second level of the Rose Dungeon proved easy, though it was nerve wracking. All the chambers were filled to the brim with vegetation, traversed by winding trails. It was tailor made for ambushes, and the small carnivores that attacked them managed to hit them far more than should have been the case. However the various monsters proved unable to defeat the Raptors'' armour.


    The hornets failed to defeat the magical shields erected by Leo, though they did force him to use more mana than he would have wished.


    The level guardian was a wolverine. This was contrary to reports. The creature was unable to prevail even when supported by two wolves.


    Once they had finished collecting the loot, the Raptors ventured down the stairs to the third level.


    ? (Marty) ?


    Marty watched as Hainrich waded into the overgrown chamber as he emerged from the stairs. Leo followed only to be attacked by several snakes. Soon both Hainrich and Leo were concentrating on killing the numerous snakes. They advanced without great difficulty making room for Luminos the Brawler.


    As Luminos stepped into the chamber, concentrating on the fight in front of him, a bobcat pounced from its creeper covered ledge above the entrance from the stairs. It landed on Luminos¡¯ shoulders and promptly deployed its claws and teeth.


    The Raptors won the fight but at the cost of Luminos¡¯ right eye. Hainrich watched grimly as Leo healed their principal trap finder and ranged combatant, who had now lost his depth perception.


    ¡°When we get to a temple, I¡¯ll see that you get that eye back,¡± promised Leo.


    Marty smirked to himself, ¡®If, not when,¡¯ he thought to himself.


    ¡°What do you think will happen next,¡± asked Rosita.


    ? Well, under normal circumstances they should withdraw to recover. Then they would be ready next time. As things are, they have to continue. I think I can take out Luminos on this level. ?


    ¡°What ¨C what about the other two, they are the really powerful ones. Aren¡¯t they?¡±


    ? Yes, but Leo is almost tapped out. And his melee skills are not that good. I think the Kappa and Luna, our little fox girl will be able to take him out. Especially, with some help from one of our dryads. ?


    ¡°What about Hainrich?¡± worried Rosita.


    ? Hopefully the elves will arrive before then. If not, we¡¯ll still have most of our dryads on the fifth level. And we can count on the Runners who were on the first floor. The elves, them I think we should send out of the dungeon. They aren¡¯t fighters. ?


    Rosita flitted out to pass on the message and give their guests their ideas, while Marty watched the Raptors.


    ? (The Raptors) ?


    Luminos the Brawler was feeling annoyed. He was embarrassed at having been surprised by that damn cat. He followed Hainrich through the overgrown caves, jumping at every rustle, his head whipping from side to side.


    Leo was starting to feel frightened. He didn¡¯t think he would survive this run. His divine spells were nearly all gone, and he needed to visit a temple to recover them. His spirit magic was still available, but his mana reserves were almost dry. The damn ants had drained him. At least he had the consolation that he was doing his gods work, and he would be rewarded. But he desperately wanted them to succeed so this wouldn¡¯t be all in vain.


    Then the bear attacked Hainrich, and when he turned in response to the growl coming from the rear, Leo found himself fighting two of those cats that had taken Luminos¡¯s eye.


    Luminos hesitated for a second, then deciding that the bobcats were a bigger threat, both because of their numbers, and the fact that Leo was the weaker fighter. He turned and moved to support his friend.


    He was surprised when a strand of brambles wrapped round his neck, surprising him because they came out of his blind side. The pull dropped him to his knees, and he dropped a hand to the floor to steady himself. Then he felt a stabbing pain in his cheek and reaching up he grabbed the king cobra that was attached to his face.


    Hainrich felt like cursing the gods. Here they were doing their work, and he had lost another friend. The chamber was a mess. Scattered around were the carcasses of the bear, two cats, two hooded snakes and one of those pestilential dryads. And then there was the body of their good friend, Luminos the Brawler.


    He bent his head in prayer; then he led Leo on. They cleared the level without further loss and contemplated the stairs heading down.


    ? (Berthold the Cunning) ?


    Berthold the Cunning dismounted and watched as Slasher jumped down from his perch on the saddle. He looked round at his warband and smiled grimly. He noted in passing that some grooms had taken their horses in hand.


    He raised his hand. ¡°It is time. The gods forsaken scum have invaded our ally, and slain some of our brothers and sisters. Follow me, Aldrya and the Forest!¡±


    The warriors of the warband roared out, ¡°Aldrya and the Forest!¡± drew their weapons and followed their war leader into the Rose Dungeon¡¯s new entrance.

 Chapter 30 – (Rose Dungeon)

    ? (Lady Rivanna) ?


    Lady Rivanna resplendent in her living wood armour, enchanted silver broadsword in hand led her hearth guard and her warband into the Rose Dungeon. She was determined to help Rosita, whom she had come to consider a friend, and her dungeon core Marty.


    She led the way across the lake and up the living stairway into the entrance passage of the dungeon. Once on the first level they hurried to reach the end chamber. On their way they discovered a cowering satyr. Him they left bound. They also found three dead runners and an slain elven maiden.


    So it was a thoroughly incensed band that descended to the second level of the Rose Dungeon.


    ? (Marty) ?


    Marty was surprised when Rosita returned to their heart room with the elves and runners that had been on the first level in tow.


    ¡°Marty, they refuse to leave. They want to fight for us,¡± said Rosita.


    ¡°Yes indeed master dungeon core, we know how to fight, we are all part of the militia. We just need weapons,¡± offered their spokeself.


    ? Please call me Marty, it is my name after all. Um... I haven¡¯t got many weapons... Um... are you sure you want to risk your lives... Hainrich and Leo are powerful, and they don¡¯t seem too sane to me. ?


    ¡°You are our ally lord Marty. We will fight. As for weapons, the Runners need whip-sticks, boomerangs and darts. We could use bows, short spears, swords and daggers.¡±


    Marty felt moved, even as he kept a wary eye on the two fanatics about to enter his fourth level. He marked them as allies and searched his archives for available weaponry, the Runners proved easy. They had made several attempts on him, and they were reckless by nature. As for the elves, he found himself having to use the standard System supplied templates for short bows, spears and daggers. As for swords he had managed to obtain something better thanks to the Raptors.


    ? Before I make the swords you are asking for, I notice that none of you has any iron... is there a reason for that? ?


    ¡°We are ... vulnerable to iron...¡± mumbled their spokeself.


    Marty thought about it, then he tried to merge templates. It proved tricky and expensive, but he managed to produce silver falcatas with basic enchantments for hardness and sharpness.


    Then he forgot about them and concentrated on his less welcome visitors.


    ? (The Raptors) ?


    Hainrich stopped abruptly when he obtained his first look at the fourth level. The room in front of him was huge. It contained scattered woods and close-cropped lawns. There were gravel trails winding around and two clusters of flimsy looking houses, two small lakes and a large stream crossed by two airy looking wooden bridges.


    He could see one exit on the other side of the stream, behind the cluster of buildings on the far side of the stream. Several greenish looking beings were clustered by the bridge leading to it.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    ¡°Goblins? On the fourth level? This doesn¡¯t make sense Leo,¡± observed Hainrich.


    ¡°Who cares? Finally an open location, less chance of ambushes,¡± replied Leo grimly.


    They prepared themselves for battle and left the path cutting across the lawn heading straight for the bridge.


    Leo slowed when he got a good look at the ¡®goblins¡¯. Whatever they were, they were not goblins. The size and colour matched, but these things had long, shaggy black hair in a bowl cut, and they had a beak for a mouth. Then they were covered in scales and seemed to have a turtle-like shell on their back.


    This hesitation probably saved Leo his life. Hainrich discovered the ant swarm by walking right into it. They swarmed him. Hainrich reacted by racing to the large stream, a near river, and diving in.


    The green humanoids froze for an instant, and then with a scream of ¡°Banzai¡± they all piled into the stream after Hainrich.


    Leo watched the grass carefully and did his best to reach the stream without stepping into the swarm. He found himself backing up as the swarm raced after him. Leo found easy to outdistance the ants but he was driven further from the stream and Hainrich.


    ? (Marty) ?


    Marty couldn¡¯t believe his senses. He couldn¡¯t conceive how Hainrich could have been so stupid as to dive into the deep stream he had created as a home for his Kappa. It was one hell of a fight, but there was no way Hainrich was gong to win against fourteen Kappa underwater.


    He watched bemused as Leo took the stairs and seemed determined to leave his dungeon. He contacted one of his pixies and asked her to follow him and when she could, to pass him and go and advise Lady Rivanna that he was fleeing into her arms.


    Marty was feeling dizzy. The bounty he gained from killing Hainrich was electrifying.


    ? Rosita ¨C we¡¯ve gone up two levels, nearly three. And there¡¯s still Leo. And he¡¯s running. ?


    Rosita, who had been reassuring the elves, that yes the funny looking silver swords were theirs. A reward for their friendship and loyalty, was startled into exclaiming, ¡°Hainrich Dead! HOW!¡±


    ? He jumped into the river in front of most of our Kappa. And the rest were waiting in the river ready to ambush anyone who was trying to cross the bridge. He put up one hell of a fight and managed to kill over half of them but ¨C he never really had a chance. ?


    There was a silence.


    ? And now the System is indicating that the Kappa, like the ants belong deeper in our dungeon. I wonder whose side it¡¯s on. I really do. ?


    ¡°Never mind Marty, you can create another two levels now. Possibly three once the elves, our allies capture or kill Leo.¡± Rosita was grinning from ear to ear, and she was weak with relief.


    ? Hum, I think I¡¯ll let the elves have the first two levels. That will allow me to thicken my defences on my deeper levels. Oh and here comes the cavalry. ?


    ¡°Cavalry! What do you mean cavalry? How can there be cavalry in our dungeon?¡± asked a bewildered Rosita.


    ? Um, it¡¯s just a saying where I came from. It means the reinforcements have arrived. ?


    ? (Berthold the Cunning) ?


    Berthold listened to Rosita while scratching Slasher under the chin. He grinned ruefully and congratulated her on her partner¡¯s prowess. Then he gathered his warband and accompanied by reinforcements in the persons of the ones who had been working on the first level he proceeded after Leo.


    He delayed slightly to collect Hainrich¡¯s head. Then they collected Luminos¡¯ head and, leaving the rest for the dungeon, continued on their way.


    They met Lady Rivanna on the third level of the dungeon. Berthold noted with a certain grim pleasure that his cousin had Daviinos¡¯ head and had caught Leo.


    ¡°Well Vanna, what are we going to do with that,¡± he asked his cousin.


    Lady Rivanna. ¡°Leo is clearly guilty of murder and numerous lesser crimes. Let us feed our ally.¡±


    The commander of her Hearth Guard forced Leo to his knees while the leader of her warband stepped forward and took his head.


    Down in the depths Marty reeled again as the life force and experience flooded in.


    ? (Faldara Swifthands) ?


    Faldara was racing northwards with her urgent messages. She had left the centaur lands far behind, and she was using her string of horses like a pro. Every so often she looked back and worried about her friends.

 Chapter 31 – (Randy)

    Randy was getting restless. His instincts were telling him it was time to make his own way. And yet he felt jumpy, as if he was the centre of constant attention.


    There was a new tree by the main entrance to the town. It was a tree that gave him the creeps, Randy scuttled by it with his fur all on end. The tree was bearing five heads and one horned skull. It scared Randy, in the way it seemed to display its horrible fruit, almost as if the tree was boasting of its trophies.


    And that was why he was currently far deeper into the town than was his wont. Randy was sniffing around the homes of the elves. The way the town was formed out of the forest kept catching his attention. Case in point being the way several trees and bushes were woven together to form what he thought was an inn or tavern. It had a sign by he main door. And after much effort Randy thought it said something like angry grapes.


    He was just about to move on when he caught the tail end of a verse. It sounded as if a small group of people were trying to make a horrible song. A song celebrating the slaying of a band of misguided heroes, or murderous criminals. There seemed to be some disagreement amongst the would be songwriters. What caught his attention, was a name ¨C Marty.


    Randy wormed his way under a leafy bush, and listened in horror. By the time the songwriters had ceased their efforts due to an overindulgence in ale, Randy had a good ¨C if exaggerated ¨C idea of had happened in the local dungeon. He also knew whom the heads on the trophy tree belonged to. He also knew something about elves and their trophy trees.


    The whole thing repelled him. But he couldn¡¯t get the fact that the dungeon, the ¡®Rose Dungeon¡¯ had a controlling intelligence named Marty. He cursed the ¨C the, whatever he was, God, Angel or Demon that had cast the three of them onto this barbaric world.


    It was with extreme reluctance that Randy decided he had to find out if the Marty that was a dungeon was the Marty that was his brother. So in the dark of the early ours of the morning he headed towards the sound of the falls. The songwriters had been quite explicit about such details.


    Randy looked down at where the waterfall came out of the cliff. He screwed up his courage and made his way down the stairway that was growing down the cliff. Then after another long hesitation he headed into the passageway that ran beside the fast flowing river. He moved slowly, pausing every now and then to shake his paws free of water.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    Then he arrived at the lake cave. He looked with despair at the large lake, the small pier was totally inadequate to cross the lake, while the two large rowing boats were way to big for him to use. He stood there for half an hour or so before turning to make his way out again. Just before re-entering the tunnel, Randy looked back, vowing to return. Then he turned and almost ran into a pair of Runners. Randy jumped in fright, slipped on the slick stone and found himself in the river being carried swiftly towards the falls.


    A terrified skunk found himself swept into the air. He plunged into the turbulent waters of the lake at the foot of the cliffs.


    A half drowned and bruised Randy surfaced near the southern shore of the lake, close by where the Whitewater River left it. He instinctively paddled ashore and dragged himself into the undergrowth of the forest. After coughing out what felt like half the lake, he closed his eyes and welcomed sleep.


    * * *


    Randy woke with the sunlight filtering through the leaves. Surprisingly he didn¡¯t hurt, and something smelt good. He reluctantly opened his eyes, expecting to feel the pain of his bruises. But nothing hurt, and in front of his nose he could make out a polished wooden plate. It was filled with berries and fruit.


    Randy looked round warily and found an elf sitting cross-legged observing him. The youngster smelt friendly. Randy eyed him warily.


    The young elf smiled, ¡°Go on, eat. I mean you no harm. I promise.¡±


    Randy just lay there watching him warily.


    ¡°Look, I know you can understand me, I know you are blessed by the Beastlord.¡± The young elf reached out and plucked out a raspberry from the plate and popped it in his mouth.


    That proved too much for Randy and he bolted the offering down.


    ¡°Beastlord blessing. What is?¡± asked Randy.


    ¡°Creatures blessed by the beastlord are people. They think, they are sapient, and you have spoken, at least twice.¡±


    Randy mangled elvish once more, ¡°What want you me with?¡±


    ¡°I want to know you better. I¡¯ve only ever met one other being blessed by the Beastlord, and he is a cat. My name¡¯s Bardion by the way. What¡¯s yours?¡±


    ¡°Randy.¡±


    ¡°Well Randy, nice to meet you. I feel I should caution you against some of the spoiled young noble looking for Familiars. Most of them are ¨C thoughtless if not downright ¨C unpleasant.¡±


    ¡°Familiar is what? Like slave? Like friend?¡±


    ¡°It can be either, depending on the ritual. If you are asked don¡¯t just say yes. The System, you know the System don¡¯t you? Or are you too young? Well don¡¯t select the ¡®Y¡¯, check the conditions first.¡± Bardion watched the young skunk, and guessed that he was still too young. He looked to be almost old enough to be making his own way in the world.


    ¡°Want to home go please. Have to think,¡± offered Randy.


    Bardion smiled happily, ¡°Certainly, do you want me to lead the way, or do you know how to get home from here?¡±


    They walked through the forest companionably enough and made their way around the cliff. A couple of hours later Bardion waved a cheerful goodby to Randy, as he watched the young skunk get sniffed all over by his mother. Then Bardion, the Speaker to Others headed back to town to report to his liege lady.

 Chapter 32 – (Jasper)

    ? (Jasper) ?


    Jasper spent the first morning in her new hideout resting and doing a little light housework. She also figured out how to use the shattered core to claim the cave she had settled on as her new home.


    Around noon she went hunting. She was frustrated that ever since she had lost her bond to Vlad, she had to eat. And deal with all the messy results of eating and drinking. It made maintaining a habitable cave difficult.


    She found lots of small animals living near her new caves. Annoyingly they were all skittish and hard to catch. During her journey she had found catching prey rather easier. There were also an abundance of overly large bugs.


    It was evening when she returned to her cave dragging the corpse of a large horned and fanged rabbit. She dropped it by the entrance to her home, intending to eat it later.


    It was at this point that the System, as it pertained to dungeons, intruded on her.


    ? New creature discovered. Absorb Horned Rabbit ¨C Yes/No ?


    Jasper said, ¡°Yes.¡±


    ? New templates available: Zombie Horned Rabbit ¨C Skeletal Horned Rabbit ?


    Jasper bounced with joy and spawned one of each. Then she collapsed to the floor as her mana dropped precipitately. She panted as she felt as if she had been flying all out for an hour. She examined the new denizens of her cave. She started giving them orders, and a bubble of joy rose in her breast, at the way they obeyed her.


    Her joy was cut short when she realized she had just wasted her meal. She moaned to herself for a bit, then left her lair and went hunting again. She was lucky, almost immediately she found a weasel eating a horned rabbit. Not fancying a fight she conjured up a fireball and threw it at the weasel.


    She returned home dragging a badly burnt weasel and a partially eaten rabbit. She didn¡¯t notice the small being that watched her disappear into her lava tube cave.


    She only gained one new template; apparently the weasel was too damaged to serve as a template for a zombie. Jasper was soon watching her new skeletal weasel follow her commands.


    * * *


    Jasper woke abruptly to the sound of conflict. She looked round her new home with bleary eyes. By the entrance a strange grey skinned being was attempting to fight off her three mobs. It had small yellowish tusks protruding from its lower jaw. It stood about one meter thirty tall and looked frankly unimpressive. Despite that, her skeletal horned rabbit was no more and the zombie one was dragging its unresponsive hind legs.


    Jasper panicked when she realized that she couldn¡¯t summon more mobs while there was a combat going on. She grabbed her dagger and flew at the intruder while it was busy trying to scrape of the zombie rabbit that was attached to its right leg while, at the same time trying to fend off the hyperactive weasel skeleton.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    Jasper lucked out and managed to embed her dagger in the intruder¡¯s throat. It sank to the hilt and became stuck. Luckily for her it succumbed to its accumulated wounds.


    ? New creature discovered. Absorb Lesser Curseling Troll ¨C Yes/No ?


    ¡°Yes,¡± whispered Jasper, even as she savoured the inrush of energy, the shattered core was feeding her.


    ? New templates available: Zombie Lesser Curseling Troll ¨C Skeletal Lesser Curseling Troll ?


    Thinking furiously Jasper spawned another skeletal weasel and a zombie curseling troll. Then she claimed a length of the lava tube and created another small cave at the end of the claimed stretch. She sent the zombie and the new skeletal Weasel to guard the new cave.


    An hour later, cursing the itch, begrudging the energy it took; she surrendered to the inevitable and attached a drop to her mobs.


    * * *


    Shortly after dawn, Ritenzag the curseling herder found his count short by one. He was missing a food curseling. Not a great loss, but it was frustrating. He squinted painfully out into the day and decided to leave the main search for the morrow.


    In the meantime, he sent out two tracking beetles to locate and return the miscreant who had dared to try and escape. He watched fondly as his two-meter long pets scuttled out of the cave.


    * * *


    Next day Jasper went hunting again. She spent most of the day at it before returning home in the late afternoon with another horned rabbit.


    She started to relax when she entered her domain, but then she noticed that her first cave only contained the scattered bones of her skeletal weasel. Of the zombie curesling troll there was nothing. It was missing.


    Her heart beating rapidly, Jasper scuttled down the lava tube connecting this outer cave to her home. She almost collapsed in relief when she was greeted by her other skeletal weasel. And her shattered core was safe.


    ? (Vaspedian) ?


    Vaspedian was cursing his luck. That thrice cursed Duck Tarwin was leaving. He should have been happy, but he wasn¡¯t. Circumstances had changed.


    He stood at the door of his crude Guild house and watched the duck drive his four-pony chariot north along the crude treaty road. He watched until the cloud of dust disappeared in the distance. Last week he had done the same as Faldara Swifthands had ridden north with a string of three horses.


    His danger sense was screaming at him. He really didn¡¯t like how the elves and the centaurs were visiting back and forwards. It all screamed war preparations to him.


    He turned and looked towards the mountains and confirmed his suspicions. The nearest centaur patrol was being accompanied by several mountain rockfolk. It seemed the dwarves were getting involved.


    Vaspedian dropped into one of the chairs on the porch of the Guild building. He watched as the armoured dwarves marched by, most of them bore their strange tube-like thunder weapons. By the time they disappeared into the fort, the second centaur patrol was close enough for him to discern that they were escorting Trolls.


    He looked across at the tavern. Watching him from the door were Aristophon and Kalanthe of the Sable Tribe. Today Aristophon was wearing a sable tabard emblazon with the yellow moon of the Empire, and his helmet bore the silver crescent moon of an Emir.


    The man grinned at him while his wife and second inclined her head fractionally. They strode out of tavern, followed by the other members of their party. Vaspedian felt a sour taste in his mouth as he realized, by their costumes, that they were an official embassy from the chaos loving Empire of the Blood Moon.


    Vaspedian dragged himself to his feet and returned to his office. He went to the small collection of bottles he kept for his guests and filled a glass with the most potent brandy he owned. He returned to his desk and drank his brandy slowly while the looked at his map.


    The Solars were surrounded. If they came south the Lunars would gobble them up. And he didn¡¯t believe they ever contemplated an alliance that contained both Trolls and Elves. He settled back in his chair. Maybe he was safer here than somewhere up North where the war would occur.

 Chapter 33– (Sunhame)

    ? (Faldara Swifthands) ?


    Faldara finally slowed her headlong pace, her string of horses were, all three dusty and tired. It had been a long ride. She straightened and made sure her courier badge was in plain view as she approached the golden coloured walls of Sunhame. Behind the walls the gilded domes of the temples glittered in the sun.


    She trotted up to the southern gates and the militia manning them watched her come suspiciously. The sergeant in charge raised his detector and examined her badge through the enchanted lens. He snapped to a rather sloppy attention and waved her through.


    She continued trotting through the streets relying on the well-trained inhabitants getting out of her way. She barely noted the curses sent her way by the pedestrians who were forced to jump clear, or the occasional goods destroyed under the hooves of her horses.


    She dismounted in the main courtyard of the central temple of Sol Triumphant, throwing the reigns to a passing acolyte before striding into the temple proper. Behind her an indignant acolyte passed the filthy reigns to the sniggering stable-girl who came trotting up to collect them.


    An indignant under-priest barred her way, ¡°You can¡¯t come any further. The sanctum is only for followers of the Sun Lord.¡±


    Faldara shoved her left hand, where she bore Hainrick Sunlord¡¯s signet ring in the man¡¯s face. ¡°I bear messages for Heramakos from the Sun Lord Hainrick. Announce me.¡±


    Nose wrinkling in disgust at the smell the under-priest ordered, ¡°Wait here. I¡¯ll inform lady Constantia Goldray.¡±


    Faldara, rather ironically watched the man walk away. She decided to give him a small amount of time. She noted with some amusement that everyone was giving a fair amount of space.


    The under-priest returned before Faldara¡¯s self-imposed deadline ran out. He bowed minusculy and sneered, ¡°Please follow me. The Great Lord Heramakos is waiting.¡±


    Faldara narrowed her eyes in irritation and decided to ignore the insult for the time being. She followed him across to an unobtrusive side door. They made their way through several passages, that permitted them to make their way around the more public and travelled parts of the temple.


    Faldara banked the insult for future repayment. Being led trough the servant passages was excessive. When she had been here with Hainrich they had used the visitor¡¯s corridors. That had avoided the holy areas of the temple while maintaining dignity.


    * * *


    Heramakos, the High Priest of Sol Triumphant and Chairman on the Council of Stability, received her in his office. He was sitting behind his marble topped desk and didn¡¯t bother to rise to greet her.


    Heramakos dismissed the under-priest with a look before looking at Faldara with a frown. ¡°What do you have for me?¡±


    Faldara Swifthands passed over the leather pouch that contained the missives Hainrich had given her.


    ¡°Very good. Were any the elves open to our suggestions?¡±This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    ¡°No they weren¡¯t.¡±


    Heramakos narrowed his eyes, ¡°None of them? Are they all so lost to the truth?¡±


    ¡°What we see as the truth, they seem to consider arrogance sir,¡± offered Faldara.


    ¡°Very well, you may leave. For your information the Guild of Adventurers informed us that Lord Hainrick Sunlord and Leo¡¯s lifestones indicate that they are dead. As do the ones belonging to Daviinos the Mighty and Luminos the Brawler. Close the door on your way out.¡±


    Faldara staggered. She left Heramakos¡¯ office and closed the door gently behind her. She looked down the luxurious corridor with tearing eyes, and spotted the contemptuous under-priest waiting for her.


    ¡°Follow,¡± ordered that worthy, as he led her through the servant¡¯s passages to a side door. He watched her leave the temple before slamming the door behind her.


    Faldara glared at the closed door. Then she turned and walked down the side street and returned to the temple to collect her horses.


    She rode out of the temple in a towering temper. The priest¡¯s had tried to claim her horses, claiming they belonged to the temple. If she hadn¡¯t kept the papers proving she had purchased two of them she would have been robbed. She kicked her horses into a gallop and headed out of town.


    ? (General Leontinus Pelaelagus) ?


    There was a knock at the door. ¡°Come!¡± barked Leontinus.


    The door was opened by one of his Companions, his bodyguard for the day. The messenger that steped into the room saluted, rather sloppily, and said, ¡°General Leontinus Pelaelagus, The High Priest of Sol Triumphant asks that you and your staff repair to the temple immediately.¡±


    Leontinus stroked his bushy grey beard thoughtfully. ¡°Very well. Pray inform Heramakos that we will be there within the hour.¡±


    * * *


    Leontinus reined in his charger. He gazed at the mess on the main road leading to the temple of Sol Triumphant. It looked like a disaster scene. ¡°Iovivus, remain here and render assistance. Feel free to send someone to the barracks to fetch your assistants.¡±


    ¡°Yes my lord,¡± said Iovivus as he dismounted and headed for the woman cradling a bleeding child while ignoring her broken leg.


    Leontinus looked round and ordered another of his companions to remain and render aid before heading on towards the temple.


    * * *


    The group of people gathered in the conference room included all the heads of the various military units headquartered in Sunhame, the holy city of the Sun. They milled around chatting and joking, while waiting to learn why they had been summoned.


    Finally Heramakos arrived. He was accompanied by one of his secretaries. Heramakos moved to the front of the room and cleared his throat to gain attention. Slowly the room quieted.


    ¡°Ladies, Gentlemen. Pray give me your attention, I have called this council of war in my persona as Chairman of the Council of Stability.¡±


    Colonel Cressiida of the Night Wolves Mercenary Company inclined her head, ¡°Then I suspect I shouldn¡¯t be here lord Heramakos.¡±


    ¡°Stay. I suspect you will not object to this,¡± stated Heramakos.


    Cressiida inclined her head once again and stepped back.


    Heramakos continued, ¡°There is a new nature aligned dungeon in the realm of Queen Aldrya. It is potentially very powerful and bids fair to threaten stability.


    ¡°Queen Aldrya has refused to heed our most earnest advice, and has gone so far as to spread her forest and destroy Refuge.¡±


    General Leontinus looked around the room, most of those present showed a certain lack of interest. Cressiida was leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, seemingly uninterested. His eyes returned to Heramakos who was continuing with his oratory.


    ¡°The Queen is seeking to ally with the Centaur Khanate. The council will be sending the Khan a message warning him not to interfere with the business of the Council.


    ¡°I order you all to prepare for war. Gather your forces. We will be marching against the elves of Queen Aldrya to order them to put the dungeon down. And to teach her not to defy the Council.¡±


    There was a long minute¡¯s silence. Then Colonel Cressiida drawled lazily, ¡°The Night Wolves will not be marching. Our contract does not cover a major war.¡±


    ¡°Sunhame will need a garrison. You can do that? Can¡¯t you?¡± snapped Heramakos.


    General Leontinus winced inwardly. The proud northern beastmaster wasn¡¯t going to take that well, and truly her unit wasn¡¯t suited to garrison duties. They were scouts and saboteurs.


    ¡°Our contract permits that,¡± confirmed Cressiida as she squinted at Heramakos.

 Chapter 34 – (Sunhame)

    ? (General Leontinus Pelaelagus) ?


    Leontinus watched as his staff headed out of the temple. He turned and went to find Ancius Paalogus, Heramakos¡¯ private secretary and unofficial second in command.


    Leontinus smiled his thanks to his companion for opening the door as he entered the room. ¡°Guard the door, make sure we¡¯re private,¡± he ordered the man.


    Ancius passed a hand through the few strands of greying hair that were fighting a losing war against baldness. ¡°Sit, please sit Leon,¡± Ancius gave his friend a bitter smile. ¡°I suppose you want to know what¡¯s going on?¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± exploded Leontinus. ¡°That conference was absurd. What¡¯s got into Heramakos? The centaur Khan¡¯s going to go up in smoke. And insulting Cressiida was stupid.¡±


    ¡°The insult to the centaurs was calculated. The council has wanted an excuse to put them in their place for some time now. As to why Heramakos has seemingly gone off the rails, well...¡±


    Ancius tapped his nose, ¡°Do you know Heramakos¡¯ three spawn? And their spawn?¡±


    Leontinus scowled, ¡°Obnoxious, entitled, self-important twits.¡±


    ¡°Precicely,¡± Ancius nodded. ¡°They were spoiled and indulged from the instance of their birth. Well even Heramakos has come to despise them.¡±


    ¡°So?¡± asked Leontinus impatiently.


    ¡°Well, Hainrich was Heramakos¡¯ illegitimate son. His favourite son. And the elves killed him.¡±


    Leontinus¡¯ eyes opened wide in surprise. ¡°Why in Chaos¡¯ name did he send Hainrich on a suicide mission then?¡±


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t supposed to be a suicide mission. There are a lot of elves sympathetic to the council¡¯s aims at Aldrya¡¯s court. The death of some peasants would give Hainrich a sufficient excuse for his actions. No one would believe. But the nobles would be able to see that things died down. And his ransom would have been sweet. I honestly don¡¯t understand what went wrong.¡±


    Leontinus looked at his friend with disbelief. ¡°The dungeon is on the frontier. You won¡¯t find powerless peasants in that kind of town Ancius. As for the nobles you were counting on, they wouldn¡¯t voluntarily leave the comforts of court to rough it on the frontier.¡±


    ¡°Oh!¡± said Ancius as he digested the explanation. ¡°So you¡¯re saying Hainrich killed someone, and not some unimportant peasant.¡±


    Leontinus¡¯s lips thinned as he wondered once again at the oblivious blindness of the hereditary priesthood of the Sunlord. The way they denied the humanity of two thirds of the population of the world was criminal. And he feared suicidal.


    ¡°What about Cressiida? She and her assassins are not the best people to insult. Especially if you are intending to leave them behind.¡±You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    Ancius laced his fingers together as he rested his hands on his ample belly. ¡°We only hired the Night Wolves to deny their use to our enemies. Heramakos snapped, he dislikes their patron goddess Lira''laasa Nightsky, just like all good followers of Sol Triumphant.¡±


    ¡°Then dismiss them and get them out of Sunhame. Or send them somewhere distant on a scouting run,¡± Leontinus almost begged.


    ¡°You worry too much Leon. We have the forces to crush the elves and the centaurs, and we will.¡±


    ¡°Our army is mostly foot. Pikes and spears mostly. The centaurs will run rings round us. Yes we will win, but it will be expensive. My men will die because they are not optimised to catch a mounted foe,¡± complained Leontinus.


    ¡°We can recruit more Leon. There are always lots of peasants available. And we will hire the animal nomads as usual. Heramakos sent Faldara Swifthands to raise her people.¡±


    * * *


    Back in his HQ General Leontinus sent out messages and arranged meetings. He had a lot to do before his regiments were ready to march. He had noble officers to chase up. He smiled grimly, maybe he would be able to get some of the worse offenders out of his hair.


    The temple would be angry when they finally realized that paying a noble born officer for one thousand battle ready troops that didn¡¯t exist, was going to hinder their grandiose plans. Now he had to safeguard his paperwork most carefully, or it would be his head on the block.


    Somehow, he suspected the animal nomads would not be showing up in numbers. His spies among the temple servants told him about the stable master¡¯s attempt to steal Faldara Swifthands horses. That and the way the lower level functionaries of the temple had seen fit to insult the woman. And she was a Storm Khan. The Storm God was hot tempered and proud, as were their agents.


    The fact the woman had left the temple at a gallop heedless of the citizens of Sunhame, was telling. His healer had been cursing her name for the work she had caused him.


    This coming campaign had all the signs of a gods awful fowl up. Oh, they would win. The elves lacked discipline; they couldn¡¯t stand up against his pike phalanxes. The problem was going to be the centaur bows. And the centaur armies were well disciplined and trained.


    ? (Cressiida Ioalovna) ?


    Cressiida reached out with her mind to her partner even as she followed the obnoxious self-important under-priest. ? Any problems love? ?


    ? Everything is fine Cressy, just caught a nice fat rat. ?


    Cressiida smiled at her weasel¡¯s happy thoughts, it relaxed her. Something she needed today. Heramakos was being especially obnoxious today.


    The under-priest opened the door to Ancius Paalogus office and waved her in with an insolent smile. Cressiida decided there and then to ensure the little swine met Buris¡¯ black mamba one night soon. She ignored the piglet and swept into the office.


    Anicius watched his visitor silently until the door was closed. Then he asked, ¡°What is the difference between silence and movement?¡±


    Cressiida froze for an instant, ¡°The sound of a man dying,¡± she offered suspiciously.


    Anicius grinned, ¡°What is the difference between a virtuous thought and a virtuous action?¡±


    ¡°Power,¡± snapped Cressiida as she sensed the power in the riddle. ¡°So you are an illuminate? A Riddler?¡±


    ¡°Yes. The Emperor calls you to service lady.¡±


    ¡°I have a contract. Much as it pains me,¡± offered Cressiida.


    ¡°I can release you from your contract. And I do. The Emperor calls you to service lady.¡±


    Cressiida thumped her chest with her left fist. ¡°I hear and obey.¡±


    Anicius smiled and relaxed. ¡°Just continue as you are for the time being. Check out the gates. You might have to open one soon.¡±


    ¡°As the Emperor wills,¡± replied Cressiida.


    Cressiida narrowed her eyes as she inspected Anicius, ¡°I honestly wouldn¡¯t have believed the power of illumination would hold in the heart of this temple.¡±


    ¡°You need to trust in your abilities Cressiida. The gods cannot see us. Not truly, you just have to be careful.¡±

 Chapter 35 – (Jasper)

    ? (Ritenzag the curseling herder) ?


    Ritzenzag inspected the struggling zombie that was clutched in the mandibles of his chief tracking beetle. The thing certainly looked to be the missing food curseling. Whilst it was still edible, it wasn¡¯t going to taste right.


    Cursing his luck Ritzenzag went to report to his superior. She wouldn¡¯t be happy.


    Zelorela has not been happy. She had sent the zombie to the kitchens and ordered him to find the necromancer.


    Ritzenzag stumped along grumbling to himself. ¡°Yeah right. Find out who¡¯s the necromancer Ritzenzag. Yeah, find the gods forsaken necromancer and don¡¯t get killed. Zombies need lots of spices Ritzenzag. They¡¯re expensive to cook. You don¡¯t want to end up in the kitchens Ritzenzag. Damn tyrant. Just cos they¡¯re bigger an¡¯ stronger they think they can bully us.¡±


    Ritzenzag rounded up his value curselings and cracked his whip while he continued grumbling monotonously. Soon he headed out of the home caves with six value curselings, his two hunting beetles and two guard beetles. The small party followed the two hunting beetles.


    Ritzenzag looked at the small lava tube and cursed again. There was no way he was going to fit in that hole. And he didn¡¯t want to send his value curselings up against a necromancer.


    ? (Jasper) ?


    Jasper looked out of her lava tube entrance. She was appalled, there was this huge grey skinned humanoid wearing a bronze ring-mail tunic. And he was literally cracking a whip. A swarm of curseling trolls were scurrying around. They were building a crude stone wall around the entrance to her dungeon. The ones dragging rocks and digging looked a bit bigger and more muscular than the one she had as a zombie. Then there were the handful of curseling trolls holding spears and wearing crude leather armour. Those just seemed more alert somehow.


    Jasper fled back to her heart cavern and tried to think what she could do. She knew she had to raise protectors. And it was time for some traps. She just hoped she would have enough time.


    Lucky for her Ritenzag wanted to accompany his charges. So the Trolls were laboriously enlarging her entry tunnel.


    Jasper decided to create another passage leading to a new room, to enlarge her nascent dungeon. It was at this point that she ran into another snag.


    ? Tunnel too small. Minimum size one meter by one and a half meters. ?


    ¡°What! Why? What about the lava tunnels?¡±This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    ? Existing structures can be claimed irrespective of size. ?


    By this time Jasper was convinced this world was conspiring against her. Nevertheless she created her new heart room before heading to see what her unwelcome visitors were up to.


    She fell back from the entrance and claimed more of the lava tube leading to the entrance. She was glad to reach the only junction. She had previously ignored the twisting tube heading off to the left, as seen when entering her dungeon. This she now claimed. She squeezed herself into the newly claimed passage and followed it down.


    She created a few simple traps and created two small caves to hold assorted small skeletons. Then remembering the core she fled back the way she had come. On reaching the original tunnel she could hear the trolls working on the original lava tube entrance.


    She raced to grab her core and was just managed to avoid the troll tunnelers.


    When she was feeling fairly safely hidden, she inspected her new dungeon and was surprised by its size and complexity. She summoned Red and four skeletons to occupy her now deserted heart chamber. She also added several curseling zombies in her original two chambers.


    She was just adding some new traps when she knew her dungeon had been invaded.


    ? Unable to modify domain when hostiles present. ?


    Feeling both frustrated and impotent Jasper watched the curseling troll workers widening her original tunnel. ¡®Yeah right. And I bet I won¡¯t be able to reduce the size of that tunnel again,¡¯ she thought. ¡®At least they didn¡¯t note the side tunnel and now it is mostly hidden with rubble.¡¯


    ? (Ritenzag the curseling herder) ?


    Ritenzag was beyond annoyed. Zelorela had him up before her nightly, and she never failed to nag him with his lack of progress regarding the necromancer problem.


    It wasn¡¯t his fault that his worker curselings were slow. They weren¡¯t very bright after all. And he wasn¡¯t going to waste his value curselings by making them dig. The tunnel was coming on nicely. He had asked for a borer beetle, but no, they were ALL needed! By the great la di da matriarchs, deep underground.


    And now, here he was reading a System message: ? Unnamed dungeon ? it said.


    Ritzenzag knew his limits. He collected his curselings and withdrew them back to near the start of the tunnel they had been enlarging. He set them to installing a stone door. Then once he was satisfied with that, he set them to work carving out a series of living and guard rooms.


    Only then did he head off to annoy his personal nemesis, Zelorela the keeper of the Outer Caves.


    Zelorela was not amused. Ritzenzag hunched his shoulders as if to hide his head and endured the screaming invective. He found it easy to hide his feelings even though he knew Zelorela was cursing because she had not passed on the problem. And now it was clear she had overreached.


    He almost sympathised with her. Bothering one¡¯s superiors led to invective, but then so did failing to bother them. Sometimes there was no way to win.


    ? (Jasper) ?


    When her dungeon was clear of intruders Jasper relaxed. Then she waited, and waited. Finally, cautiously she decided to investigate. And she found her exit blocked by a huge crude stone door.


    She reluctantly came to the realization that on discovering that he had found a dungeon, the whip-wielding troll had set a guard on her dungeon.


    She returned to her dungeon and looked over her domain. ¡®I have to create the best undead dungeon ever. I really want a vampire, one of the princes of the undead.¡¯


    And with that decision Jasper set to work, not noticing ¨C yet ¨C that her shattered core was melding and becoming one. She also failed to note that the bond she had with the core was strengthening slowly.

 Chapter 36 – (Vlad)

    Vlad was observing the latest group of adventurers to venture into his domain. He was getting considerably more from them, in terms of energy, than previously. He felt a distinct sense of satisfaction as he eavesdropped on their conversation.


    They were advancing cautiously down the stairs to his second level. From their grumbling Vlad figured he¡¯d better move everything down a level. The goat girls were now being seen as too powerful for a first level.


    Vlad realised he had the cat to thank for it, the traps and ambushes had greatly improved the efficiency of his goat girls, and allowing them to fall back after a fight made things too difficult for the weaker adventurers.


    Vlad watched the adventurers as they forged their way through his second level. He concluded that his second level was easier than his first, despite his dragonsnails being far more powerful individually than the goat girls.


    He observed his guests as they looked in on his heart chamber and decided to leave without challenging his champion. As they were making their way out of his dungeon, Vlad looked round for his exasperating feline guest, not surprisingly, he found him curled up in front of the fire.


    Vlad summoned up a bowl of cream and a plate with some strong smelling fish he had found on a failed adventurer. He woke his guest by placing these two items near his nose.


    Vlad waited for the cat to loose interest then he addressed him.


    ? Your suggestions for the first floor were excellent. Have you any for my other floors? ?


    The cat blinked lazily and washed is front paw.


    ? The snail things are too big and slow for hunting. Put in more of them or just add some of the girls with bows and slings. ?


    * * *


    Over the coming days Vlad added a new level above his current first floor. He created a simple looping maze so as to be able to maintain his current first floor with as few changes as possible. He contemplated his stock of potential guardians and was startled at the variety of small creatures he had available. It didn¡¯t take him long to realize that these consisted of his feline guest¡¯s ¡®toys¡¯.


    So, finally biting the bullet, Vlad sealed his dungeon and replaced his entrance with an upward sloping twisty passage giving onto his new first level. He then added a new spiral stair giving onto the short passage that used to lead outside.


    To Vlad¡¯s exasperation his guest loved the new first level, populated as it was by cat toys and feline snacks. It also showed Vlad that he really had to ramp up the challenge.


    It was while he was considering this problem that Vlad sensed a vaguely familiar whiff of the infernal. He returned his attention to his home cavern and saw two unpleasant looking male imps. They were hovering about as far away from his biggest Cliff Toad as they could, Vlad sensed his toad¡¯s frustration at having missed one of the imps with his tongue.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    That being the case Vlad wondered why the other guardians in his cave were just standing there.


    ¡°Nice dungeon you have here buddy,¡± said the red skinned one.


    ¡°Yup, what happened to your old companion, the luscious curvy one?¡± asked the purple skinned one.


    ¡°Yeah, we heard about her from da boss. Hey ya wanna new companion huh?¡± stated Red.


    ¡°Yup, we both got top marks in companion training. But I was better,¡± informed Purple.


    ¡°Liar, best wus me. You doing great buddy, but I can helpya be better,¡± said Red.


    ¡°Yeah buddy, we know lots you need ta know. How about bonding wit me?¡± asked Purple.


    ¡°Nope. Wit me,¡± stated Red.


    ? No thanks. Armalor wouldn¡¯t like it. He severed the link and ran Jasper off. I don¡¯t know where she went. ?


    ¡°Dat wuss. Hey partner me little dungeon core. With my advice...¡± Red stared only to be cut off by Purple who just chanted; ¡°Me! Me! Me!¡±


    Vlad watched the two bickering imps. He slowly realized that they had invoked a truce by offering to become his companion.


    ? Cat, will you partner me? You¡¯ve given me better advice than the imps. ?


    The two imps froze in shock while the cat twitched an ear while the tip of his tail flicked slowly from side to side.


    ? What¡¯s in it for me? ?


    ? Fire, bed, fish, cream, toys... ?


    ? Partners ¨C that means you don¡¯t get to boss me around? ?


    ? Nor you me. ?


    ? Hah! But fine. Your home is mine from now on. ?


    ? I thought you already considered it yours. ?


    ? Yes well... it was. ?


    Ting ¨C ? Done. I now pronounce you Dungeon and Cat. Congratulations. ?


    The two imps looked at each other appalled, then they noticed Vlad¡¯s guardians begin to stir and move towards them. With a wail of outrage they fled.


    Vlad watched them go with a feeling of satisfaction. He observed the cat, who seemed a bit disgruntled.


    ? I can¡¯t keep calling you cat. What¡¯s your name? ?


    ? I¡¯ve been called Mittens and Ginger. Choose one or give me another. But nothing too energetic please. ?


    ? Ginger it is then. What¡¯s the problem? ?


    ? I¡¯ve just been gifted with a massive amount of information about dungeons and companions. It means I will actually have to work. Well, for a few hours every day anyway. ?


    Vlad felt very virtuous at having been able to suppress his laughter.


    * * *


    The two imps managed to escape the dungeon in short order. Once outside, driven by curiosity as to Jasper and her charms, they cast about and found a very faint trail that tasted of the infernal. Bickering and bemoaning their fates the two brothers followed it.


    ? (Vaspedian) ?


    Vaspedian looked across his desk at the leader of the Stinging Nettles. The woman had just come from the newly reopened dungeon.


    ¡°So Vestapia, what¡¯s changed with the Goat¡¯s Den? I believe that¡¯s the new name everyone is using.¡±


    Vestapia nodded, ¡°Yes ¨C Goat¡¯s Den. The Ossuary no longer fits. Even the centaurs have renamed their fort.


    ¡°As for what¡¯s changed, well there is a new first level, nine caves carpeted with a variant plains grass and inhabited with evolved vermin. The floor boss is a donkey sized three headed goat with a long venomous snake for a tail.


    ¡°Should suit the novices that the goat women prevented from delving. The other levels remain much the same. The challenge has been increased on the former second and third levels.¡±


    Vaspedian took the purse out of the drawer and passed over the reward for being the first to successfully challenge the dungeon after it had changed. Vestapia grinned as she rose and picked up the purse.


    Vaspedian watched her leave and placed a new sheet of paper in front of himself. He stated to write yet another report.

 Chapter 37 – (Marty)

    Marty was getting frustrated, he was almost sure that it was the correct time of year. And he also had counted the days with his greatly improved memory. Now he was a pile of jittery nerves, unsure if he should go ahead with his plans.


    He watched Rosita flit around the cave and two of his rose dryads play with the young runners. He thought of the help the elves had been so willing to give him, and that decided him.


    He started out in his home cave. Holly and Ivy grew around the walls of his home and some suitably enchanted mistletoe over the entrances to his heart room. After looking round he became even more convinced that this was the right thing to do.


    Next he grew an appropriate pine tree and covered in shiny baubles and glittering fluorescent berries. A little more effort and some of the berries learned to blink on and off. Next he added gifts for all his intelligent guardians and placed them under the tree. After a bit more thought he replaced the decoration on the top of the tree with a silver star.


    Next he basically duplicated the decorations and the tree in the final room on the first level of his dungeon. He placed paper wrapped gifts for all the elves he knew under that tree. The only difference was that the mistletoe was not enchanted.


    Then he waited for the morning. He found himself growing increasingly nervous as he waited.


    The first to discover his decorations was one of the young runners who was being followed by Petal. Petal¡¯s squeal of surprise on discovering her present woke Rosita and Thorn.


    To Marty¡¯s relief the gift unwrapping party that was taking part in his home seemed to be well received. Then his nerves made themselves felt again as the first of the elves and runners arrived to tend their crops.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Then he waited, and waited until, finally some elves arrived who wanted to tend their plants on the second level. The threesome who entered the end chamber on the first level were chatting about the cherry trees they had planted on the second level. On spotting the decorated Christmas tree they examined it curiously.


    ¡°Firomeena, one of these wrapped boxes has your name on it,¡± exclaimed Eriissa.


    ¡°What,¡± said Firomeena as she looked at where Eriissa was pointing. She knelt and picked it up. ¡°There¡¯s one for lord Berthold and there is even one for Slasher. Oh look. This one is yours.¡±


    Marty heard a delighted giggle and realized Rosita was sharing his viewpoint. Absently Marty relayed the scene onto the screen he had set up for these instances.


    ? Why are they being so careful with the wrapping paper? ?


    ¡°Because it is very good quality paper. Hadn¡¯t you intended it as an extra gift?¡± asked Rosita as she carefully folded hers up.


    ? Huh! But¡ª ?


    ¡°Yes, and it is all beautifully white on the other side, the scribes will love it,¡± asserted Thorn.


    ? You mean¡ª I can give PAPER as treasure! ?


    ¡°Huh huh, it really is valuable to the right person Marty,¡± Rosita explained.


    * * *


    Throughout the day every person that had a gift under the tree filed through the first level to collect his or her gifts. Lady Rivanna took Queen Aldrya¡¯s with her thanks, and an explanation as to the fact that Marty couldn¡¯t expect the queen to collect hers in person.


    Towards the end of the day Marty watched as Firomeena and few other elves collect a few of the florescent berries from the tree. He knew that for Firomeena, with her druid like powers, the berries would prove perfectly viable seeds.


    It was almost inevitable that they next collected cuttings and seeds from the holly, ivy and mistletoe.


    ? The tree I could understand Rosita. But why are they collecting the holly, ivy and mistletoe? ?


    ¡°Marty, Marty. You imbued those plants with the symbolic powers of the festival you were recreating. The local versions of the plants don¡¯t have those properties. I guess Firomeena is curious.¡±


    ? Oh! I see, I guess. Well I wish you and everyone Seasons Greetings. ?

 Chapter 38 – (Jasper)

    ? (Ritenzag the curseling herder) ?


    Ritenzag woke cursing as he slammed into the wall of his new room with an aching belly. He looked up in rage and froze at the sight of an armed and armoured Greater Troll, Dramtarog the rune lord of Torash Toreg. The damn refugee from the Scorpion Queen¡¯s breeding experiments was grinning down at him just waiting for an excuse to attack him.


    ¡°What do you want Dramtarog?¡± groaned Ritenzag.


    ¡°The keeper of the outer caves sent me to shape this pitiful excuse of a dungeon into something we could use. You will instruct your cureslings to obey me. They need toughening up.¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t have enough value curselings to waste Dramtarog.¡±


    ¡°They won¡¯t go to waste. Either they shape up or they go to the kitchens,¡± chortled Dramtarog.


    Ritenzag dragged himself to his feet. ¡°Two of my value curselings can swarm a human warrior, they don¡¯t need your style of toughening.¡±


    Dramtarog stepped forward and buried a fist in Ritenzag¡¯s stomach. ¡°Take it up with Zelorela you pitiful excuse for a Troll,¡± hissed Dramtarog threateningly.


    Dramtarog eyed the wheezing Ritenzag. ¡°You must have Cave Troll blood,¡± mocked Dramtarog. ¡°You¡¯re weak!¡±


    ? (Jasper) ?


    Jasper was having a bad time. The troll with the whip had vanished, to be replaced by a hulking light grey skinned troll. This one stood three meters tall and wore dull grey coloured plate armour as if it was light as cloth. He was armed with a massive two-handed maul. The head of the bronze hafted maul seemed to be a cylinder of lead.


    The monster had waltzed through his first level in no time. Then the monster kept sending groups of curseling trolls through his dungeon. At the same time a party of workers was opening up the passage to the second level.


    Jasper found herself forced to keep spawning her mobs, she was having to spend virtually all the energy she gained just to keep her first level operational.


    At least she had been able to kill a few of the workers. To her frustration the trolls didn¡¯t seem to care, they just took the dead away.


    At this rate she knew that the trolls would open up a valid passage to her second level within the week.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    Then during one of the short breaks that the trolls gave her to respawn her mobs she sensed something different.


    Jasper felt a very peculiar sensation. Something was setting all her hair on end. Something was scuttling through her dungeon, but it was hiding itself. She was unable to pinpoint it. But it was getting closer to her.


    She prepared herself for whatever it was. It turned out to be two truly repugnant looking imps. Male imps. And considering they were naked Jasper had not the slightest doubt as to their maleness. Jasper averted her eyes ¨C horrified. The red skinned one had nasty hooked barbs on his... Jasper shuddered in horror.


    As for the purple skinned one, he had matchstick limbs and a huge pot belly. Both were greasy and they stank!


    The purple one let out a wolf whistle.


    ¡°Hey babe! Wotcha doin¡¯? Wanna good time?¡± said the red one.


    Jasper was all over goose bumps, she backed up against the wall and prepared to defend her honour.


    ¡°Youse a real doll, pay no attention to this doofus. Say yes and we¡¯ll have a good time,¡± stated Purple.


    Jasper started to get a vague inkling why she had so little luck with girls in her previous life. She kept glancing at the red one¡¯s cock and shaking her head frantically.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be likes that doll, we know all about the second mouth you dolls have going on. Thass far badder than Red¡¯s pride and joy,¡± Purple explained.


    Jasper gazed blankly at Purple even as a trickle of self knowledge made her blink in a mix of revulsion and astonishment. She realized that female imps were to all intents and purposes immune to rape. This helped her clutch at her courage.


    ¡°Wha¡ªwhat are you doing here?¡± she asked hoping to gain a little time.


    ¡°Wese here due to da big boss telling us about youse doll,¡± said Red.


    ¡°Yes, but youise wasna in da dungeon. Just da core and his cat companion. So we came looking for ya doll. And da boss was right, tha is a corker,¡± explained Purple.


    ¡°So waddya say we has a threesome doll?¡± asked Red.


    Jasper shook her head frantically and all but shouted, ¡°No!¡±


    Red and Purple seemed to wilt. They looked at each other before returning their attention to Jasper.


    Purple grinned ingratiatingly, ¡°Tell ya what doll, we gonna help ya gainst da Trolls. Give ya time to get ta know usuns betta.¡±


    Jasper licked her dry lips nervously. ¡°OK, but no funny stuff.¡±


    Red looked insulted, ¡°Weuns not stupid, we can regrow parts but it is a pain and it hurts. Weuns ¡¯ll behave.¡±


    Jasper looked at the two obnoxious males, she decided to invest a bit of mana to ensure they were minimally armed. So she summoned up a pair of steel bowie knives. She indicated them, ¡°Here, if you¡¯re staying, you¡¯d better have one of those.¡±


    Purple wagged his tail, ¡°Steel knives, oh wow ¨C wow! Thaas great.¡± Purple examined his new treasure carefully, even as he dodged Red¡¯s attempt to grab his knife.


    ? (Rune Lord Dramtarog) ?


    Dramtarog kicked the latest set of value curselings into this pitiful excuse of a dungeon. He watched as the threesome entered the dungeon, hiding behind their shields. Then he sniffed the air, there was something different in the air. A new scent. He grinned. The faint whiff of sulphur was stronger today. Either the dungeon¡¯s companion had evolved, or ¨C hopefully ¨C the dungeon had started messing with the infernal.


    Dramtarog threw back his head and roared in victory. Maybe, just maybe he would be able to force this pitiful excuse for a dungeon to become something useful.

 Chapter 39 – (War Plans)

    ? (Faldara Swifthands) ?


    The leaders of the Horse Raider tribe and their guests were sitting around the smoky fire that was burning sullenly in the fire pit in the middle of the chief¡¯s yurt. They had been listening with displeasure to Faldara Swifthands report about the Sun priests¡¯ plotting and doings.


    They passed a skin of kvass around as they pondered the news.


    ¡°It seems to me, as if they are seeking war to glorify themselves. There is glory in war,¡± offered Boltaris, the tribe¡¯s war chief.


    ¡°But not if they send us in to break the line, as they have far too often of late,¡± Lastatar, the priest of the Stormlord objected.


    Most of those present nodded including the tribe¡¯s paramount chief Yondalirio the Relentless.


    After another short silence, Sultaax, chief of the Rhino People looked at Boltaris. ¡°Our people suffered grievous losses in their last war. We are still recovering, both tribe brothers and beast brothers. I will be recommending to our tribe to sit this war out. There will still be some volunteers amongst the glory hounds. That will have to suffice for the Sun lovers.¡±


    ¡°The Mara Feldans have been pressing us hard. The Bison tribe will not join the Sun worshipers. We can not afford the losses if we wish to survive,¡± said Berrisima for her people. Then she turned to Boltaris, ¡°Join us, and we can raid the Mara Feldans. There is glory to be had there, and Sultaax, persuade your glory hunters to join us. Less will die that way.¡±


    There was another short silence as the skin of kvass made the circle of chiefs and dignitaries of the Animal Nomads.


    Lastatar regarded Faldara, ¡°The Sun worshipers truly tried to steal your horse brothers?¡±


    Faldara looked at him, ¡°Yes, but it might have only been an overly greedy acolyte.¡±


    Lastatar waved that aside. ¡°It would not have happened if the priests weren¡¯t prone to accept such treacheries.¡± Lastatar looked round the circle of gloomy faces. ¡°I recommend we stay out of this latest expression of the Sun worshiper¡¯s ambitions. Let us put the Mara Feldans in their place instead.¡±


    Faldara licked dry lips. ¡°We will have to keep a strong guard behind. The Sun priests are vindictive and believe in hostages.¡±


    Yondalirio jerked in surprise and stared at Faldara. ¡°Somehow that has the ring of truth Storm Lord. Very well, we will turn down any offer for our services. It is time the Mara Feldans were ¨C reduced in influence.¡±


    ? (General Leontinus Pelaelagus) ?


    Leoninus sat his warhorse surrounded by his companions. He watched the four hundred and eighty members of the gold shields march by at the head of the army with their six-meter pikes held vertical, as they marched. Their gilded shields and breastplates shone in the sun.


    Behind them came the silver shields, also four hundred and eighty strong. Once the two guard units had passed, there came the sixteen thousand pikemen of the temple¡¯s professional army.


    Then the light cavalry poured out of the gates. Approximately three hundred undisciplined rogues serving for plunder. They fanned out and galloped past to assume their posts as scouts and vanguard of the host.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    The next to leave the city were the armoured cavalry that represented the nobility and the adventurers. Leoninus made a rough count as they passed, not quite five hundred. He grimaced, there was a grievous lack of cavalry in the host. Hopefully the followers of the Storm Gods, the Animal Nomads would make up for the lack.


    Then came the trained militia. They marched past maintaining step. There were some twenty thousand of them, about half crossbowmen, the rest spearmen.


    Then came the wagons and pack beasts of the train. General Leontinus looked up at the walls of Sunhame and shook his head in disgust. He had lost the argument with Heramakos, and even at this distance he could see that the wall guards, drawn as they were from the citizen levy, were careless and ill equipped.


    He turned and spurred his mount towards the head of the column. His three hundred companions followed him.


    ? (Cressiida Ioalovna) ?


    Cressiida watched the army of the Sun Lords leave Sunhame while standing behind the Supreme High Priest of the Sol Triumphant. She stood at ease with her hands behind her back while her trained mind took note of all she saw.


    As for Heramakos, he seemed absurdly cheerful. He was grinning as he chatted and joked with his cronies. It always staggered Cressiida that he seemed oblivious to the snake at his back. Ancius Paalogus the snake in question was chuckling at the ¨C mostly stale ¨C jokes his superior was telling.


    After the last of the army emerged from the city, Heramakos and his cronies left. Cressiida moved to lean against the parapet and kept watching as the army¡¯s baggage and camp followers staggered after the army.


    When finally the entire host of the Council of Stability had left, Cressiida cast a look of disgust at the lackadaisical citizen levy manning the walls. They were both slovenly and ill equipped, not to mention completely untrained and full of resentment. They were not being paid, and were not earning a wage from their regular jobs. Some of them would be facing hunger, for them and their families. She felt an increasing degree of disgust at Heramakos and his priests.


    Cressiida made her way to her room in the ¨C mostly deserted ¨C city barracks. She sat herself at her desk and wrote a report detailing the date and time the army left. Giving their numbers, and her honest estimation as to the state of their training. As a postscript, she gave the numbers of the citizen levy, and of their shortcomings and morale.


    She looked at the sheets of paper covered with her careful handwriting. She bit her lip, then she pulled up another sheet, and wrote:


    ¡°My lord, I suspect we could buy the citizen levy. The Sun priests have made themselves obnoxious to the lower levels of the citizenry. I believe they are ripe to revolt, especially if they should realize that the only forces loyal to Heramakos are the ceremonial temple guard and the priests themselves.¡±


    She folded her report and used a blob of scarlet wax to seal it. Then with the briefest hesitation she took a small bronze ring from her pocket. With one last look at the report she slipped it into the limited storage device contained in the ring.


    Tossing the ring in her hand, Cressiida went to find Daaniilius and his shadow bat, Swiftwing. That evening the report would be on its way to the Empire. She didn¡¯t like it, but the Emperor had called her to service. And that was that. It was even in their contract of hire.


    ? (Lord Heramakos) ?


    Heramakos dismissed his friends and asking only his trusted confidant, Ancius Paalogus, to accompany him.


    Once in his private office, Heramakos sat himself behind his massive marble topped desk and gestured to the decanters on the side table by the door.


    Smiling, Ancius poured two glasses and made his way to the desk. Passing Heramakos a glass with white wine, he sat and sipped his brandy.


    ¡°Have the messengers we sent to the barbarians left yet Ancius? And our reply to the monsters¡¯ offer,¡± asked Heramakos.


    ¡°Yes my lord, they left early yesterday,¡± replied Ancius. ¡°But are you sure it¡¯s a good idea to deal with the Mara Feldans. They are monsters, and not to be trusted.¡±


    ¡°Pif! They will furnish us with one hundred of their berserkers. They will die for the glory of our god. And if their people do anything ¨C objectionable, we will have the excuse we need for crushing them.¡±


    ¡°But what about the Animal Nomads, their best will be with our host,¡± objected Ancius.


    ¡°Pif! They are Nomads. They can always run,¡± Heramakos smiled beatifically. ¡°Then we will save them. And hopefully they will be weakened, but not too weakened.¡±

 Chapter 40 – (Campaign)

    ? (Cressiida Ioalovna) ?


    Cressiida looked up at the priestling who was ¨C with extreem ill grace ¨C serving as a messenger. She tapped the folded message on her desk. ¡°You may inform Lord Heramakos that I will make haste to answer his summons.¡± Cressiida watched as the disgruntled priestling made his way to the door of her office, ¡°And I¡¯ll probably beat you to it. Now scram!¡±


    As soon as the insolent young man had left, Cressiida stood and made her way briskly through the streets to the Temple. She ignored the hostile looks from the populace as she went.


    As she entered the Temple Plaza she heard one of the temple¡¯s criers announce a newly discovered festival. From the sounds of it, Cressiida understood that the festival in question would feature a lot of free booze.


    Surprisingly, as soon as she stepped foot in the temple, an under priest scurried over to greet her, offering obsequiously to lead her to lord Heramakos¡¯ office.


    She found a worried looking Heramakos sitting at his desk pretending to study a document. To Cressiida it looked like one of the contracts the commanders of mercenary units had to sign.


    Heramakos gestured her to one of the better chairs in his office. ¡°You signed this? I note you had doubts. Can you please explain?¡±


    Cressiida lifted one side of her mouth in a barely visible half smile. ¡°It¡¯s simple. That contract puts me at the service of Ancius Paalogus, and not yourself or the Temple.¡±


    She waited patiently as Heramakos stared at her with narrowed eyes. Finally he said, slowly, ¡°But Ancius speaks with my voice. So you work for me.¡±


    ¡°Not according to that,¡± Cressiida inclined her head indicating the contract. ¡°I understand I was hired by you and the temple, but by the terms of that contract ¨C well I have to obey Ancius Paalogus and not you or anyone you nominate.¡±


    ¡°Hmm... I think I see... Nonetheless you work for me. You will take your unit and scout out what the filthy animal nomads are up to. If they need help against the monsters, provide it, so long as it¡¯s not a lost cause. You may leave.¡±


    Cressiida stood and snapped a salute. ¡°Very well sir,¡± she snapped. Then she turned and left. On her way out of the temple she diverted to visit Ancius Paalogus. She obtained his confirmation of her latest orders and left to round up her unit.


    ? (General Leontinus Pelaelagus) ?


    The army had been marching for two weeks now. They had been averaging fifteen kilometers per day. On the whole General Leontinus was satisfied. Or he had been up to now.


    They had passed several towns and cities, and at each the local nobles and adventurers had flocked to his banner. He now had just short of one thousand two hundred armoured cavalry. And his scout cavalry had grown to just over seven hundred. He was still grieviously short of cavalry but he had expected to find the animal nomads here.Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    Leontinus stared in consternation at the ruins of Fort Victory. He could see several columns of centaurs streaming out of the ruins. They were galloping south, and even more bizarrely, half of them seemed to have riders on their backs. Worse there was no sign of his expected reinforcements.


    He watched the leading elements of his scouting cavalry cautiously enter the fort. After some thirty minutes some of them left the fort by the southern entrance and probed after the retreating centaurs. He watched tight-lipped as two of his scouts came galloping back to report.


    The lead scout drew up his horse and snapped of a sloppy salute. ¡°Sir, the enemy are gone, but they poisoned the wells with the bodies of those members of the guarrison they killed. The survivors along with many of the um ¨C Mara Feldans berserkers managed to withdraw to the citadel and the enemy didn¡¯t bother them.¡±


    ¡°Any news of the animal nomads?¡± asked Leontinus.


    ¡°No sir. According to the garrison they never turned up.¡±


    ¡°Are the wells salvageable?¡±


    ¡°Possibly, the bodies haven¡¯t been down there for that long sir. Just three days according to the garrison,¡± explained the scout leader dubiously.


    The wells proved to be filled with some kind of semi-animated, fast-growing brambles. Leontinus was forced to fall back to their previous campsite, leaving only a strong guard and most of the army¡¯s labourers to dig new wells and repair the fortifications.


    There were sporadic skirmishes between the two armies¡¯ scouts. Leontinus wasn¡¯t surprised that his scouts were coming off worse.


    Just over a week later the army was finally able to occupy Fort Victory. They were just in time to receive fresh missives from Lord Heramakos. Leontinus read his orders and ¨C very carefully ¨C filed them, before leaving his quarters and heading for the training ground where he destroyed two training pells.


    After delaying as long as he dared, in the vain hope that his cavalry, in the shape of the animal nomads would show up, Leontinus led his host into the southern grasslands.


    ? (Queen Aldrya & Silvanna Ironhoof) ?


    The two friends examined the campaign map that was spread out on the table in the middle of the army¡¯s command tent.


    Aldrya looked at Silvanna. ¡°There are more of them than I expected. They must have stripped their home cities.¡±


    ¡°Foolish of them. The Empire will have an easy time. Unlike us,¡± agreed Silvanna.


    ¡°Looks like we will have to participate,¡± sighed Aldrya.


    Silvanna chuckled harshly, ¡°I was always going to. You know that.¡±


    ¡°Well yes, but I wish you weren¡¯t always at the forefront. Accidents happen,¡± observed Aldrya. ¡°Luckily it seems they have finally alienated the Storm worshipers.¡±


    ¡°Huh. And what am I then...¡± asked Silvanna with mock indignation.


    ¡°Well yes dear, oh great Storm Lord,¡± said Aldrya straight-faced.


    Silvanna snorted and looked down at the map once again. ¡°We can win, we will have to make the most of our mobility.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but that places most of the risk on your Khanate, and on us. I don¡¯t like giving the damn trolls a free ride,¡± huffed Aldrya.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. There will be a big battle once we¡¯ve bled them. The trolls and dwarves will throw themselves into the centre of the maelstrom. They always do. The danger is if they fail against the Solars pikes,¡± Silvanna pointed out.


    ¡°Fine. I know you¡¯re right, but I still don¡¯t like it. I guess it¡¯s time to go threaten the surrounding cities.¡±


    ¡°True. Well let¡¯s go do that. And the trolls will love scaring the poor little city folk. It¡¯ll keep them occupied until the time comes,¡± agreed Silvanna. ¡°Did those wicked brambles come from your dungeon?¡±


    ¡°Yes. And a few other interesting items,¡± smiled Aldrya.

 Chapter 41 – (Animal Nomads)

    ? (Faldara Swifthands) ?


    Faldara was accompanying chief Yondalirio the Relentless looking down at the combined encampment of the bison and horse tribes. It looked strangely deserted with almost all of their warriors away. They had ridden out gaily as if to war almost one week ago.


    After riding off in the direction of Fort Victory they had turned back after they knew the Mara Feldans scouts had lost interest in them.


    For two days now they had been hiding, waiting for the Mara Feldans.


    When Sivarus Keeneye came riding up Faldara and Yondaliro knew it was time. After waiting just long enough to receive confirmation from their scout Faldara rode slowly to the post she had been given. She stopped on the rise behind the encampment, as if she was keeping watch. Her presence on the rise alerted the women and children in the encampment and the army in ambush.


    She looked down at the combined herd that was the bait. The children acting as horse and bison guards were dressed casually in breach clout, moccasins and leather leggings. Her heart swelled with pride for Voice, her little brother who was playing the part of one of the horse herders. She noted that Loud Voice was lounging on Star, feigning boredom. Despite the fact that he would probably die, she was very proud of him and would make sure all the children won their adult names today. Whatever the result.


    ? (Loud Voice and Nose for Honey) ?


    Honey was twirling her lance, ignoring the grumbles of Black Thunder. She kept an eye out for the Mara Feldans raiders even as she grinned at the antics of her new friend Voice. She paid little attention to Sleeps, the third herd guard.


    Voice had his eyes almost closed as he feigned boredom. He was just a little envious of Honey, he wondered how she had managed to steal one of Fraaldar the Crafters¡¯ lances. Then he saw his sister ride up to the western rise, and though he didn¡¯t show it he came to the alert.


    He saw some of the long grass on the rim to the east move against the breeze, It took him all his nerve to remain slumped on his horse sister. The grass moved again and Voice assumed the Mara Feldans scout or scouts were now going to alert their raiding group.


    It was an hour later that Voice spotted the Mara Feldans¡¯ silent killers. He could see three of them, one was moving towards him, another was trying to sneak up on Honey and the third was making his way towards Sleeps all Day.


    Judging that the Mara Feldans were committed, Voice yelled, revealing the reason for his name. After sounding the alarm he turned and urged his horse sister to the gallop. The other two herd guards followed suit and set the herd running towards the encampment.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Seeing the speed with which the children moved, the leader of the Mara Feldans¡¯ silent killers raised his head to the skies and let loose a yipping alert, before breaking into a lumbering run on his thick muscular legs.


    Hearing the signal the Mara Feldans¡¯ war party came charging over the ridge. Seeing the herds racing away they knew the plan to capture or kill the herd guards had failed. But hoping to capitalize on the chaos they assumed would envelop the encampment when the herd arrived they charged on behind it.


    Then Voice had the bad luck that Star stepped in a gopher hole, the old mare went down screaming as her leg broke. Voice jumped clear and laded running thanks to his cat like agility. His bad luck was compounded by the fact that the Mara Feldans silent killer that had been targeting him had continued chasing him. And the big monster was faster than a running human.


    Black Thunder snorted in fury and turned, Honey used her other stolen treasure, she cast the spirit spell flame lance on the lance even as she couched it and braced herself on her bison brother¡¯s back.


    The Mara Feldans chasing Voice heard the thunder of Black Thunder¡¯s charge. He turned to confront the rash child opening his heavily muscled arms and readying the ten centimetre claws on his hands. He roared his threat.


    Unfortunately for him a flaming lance tore through his torso before Black Thunder hit him at a full gallop, bowling him over and trampling him as he passed. Honey lost her lance when it impacted the Mara Feldans, and she urged Black Thunder after Voice once they were past the bloody, singed body of the monster.


    A shrill yell alerted Voice. He turned while still running and he saw Honey and Black Thunder tearing in his direction. He saw Honey leaning over with one hand firmly grasping Black Thunder¡¯s shaggy coat and the other reaching towards him. He recognised what she planned, it was after all, a manoeuvre all the animal nomads practiced assiduously.


    Voice caught her hand and leapt, with a little assistance from Honey heaving upwards. He managed to get one leg on the galloping bison¡¯s back. With a little scrambling and some luck he managed to clamber onto Black Thunder¡¯s back behind Honey.


    ? (Faldara Swifthands) ?


    On her rise Faldara watched the drama with bated breath. She raised her arm to signal to the ambushing parties when the main body of the Mara Feldans entered the wide valley that had contained their herds. When her brother¡¯s horse had fallen she had prayed for the Storm God to look kindly on his soul.


    She Watched Nose for Honey¡¯s heroics and decided that she would find out how the girl had managed to get her hands on that spell, not to mention the lance. She also intended to help the girl¡¯s parent¡¯s teach her not to be suicidal in the future. Despite the fact that she was very grateful.


    Then she raised her hand in the signal. And watched with satisfaction as the warriors of the horse and bison tribes left their hides and came charging down on the Mara Feldans, hitting the surprised Mara Feldans war party on both flanks.


    They crumbled, one moment they were chasing a fleeing mixed herd towards a virtually defenceless village. Then they were being assailed on both sides by a superior number of their enraged enemies. It didn¡¯t take long for the first of their number to break and run. And when one ran, others soon followed him.


    The Horse and Bison nomads didn¡¯t hesitate, they chased down the fleeing monsters. Only a very few lucky Mara Feldans tribesmen managed to escape the slaughter.

 Chapter 42 – (Jasper)

    ? (Jasper) ?


    Jasper had begun to hope the trolls were losing interest in her and her dungeon. There had been a marked reduction in the number of times they cleared out her first level.


    However they had not slackened ¨C much ¨C in enlarging the tunnel linking her first and second floors. And now, well, they were nearly through. And naturally, now that she could use them, Red and Purple were nowhere to be found. It was as if they had evaporated leaving a bad smell in their wake.


    She had put up with their obnoxious compliments and overconfident attitudes. She had even gifted them with iron knives, and now when they could have been useful ¨C they vanished. She had assembled the best of her forces in the big room, the first room of her second level.


    At least all the activity had allowed her to create a third level, and she had been able to unlock a new variant of undead. She wasn¡¯t sure Vampire Servant counted as undead ¨C but her system said they were. Anyway, they were too expensive, and ¨C in her eyes ¨C not real undead.


    Apprehensively she watched as the big troll with the huge maul came down the enlarged passage dragging two large burlap bags. The curseling workers scuttled out of his way, clearly terrified of the big lug.


    The huge bastard of a troll grabbed the weakest of the curseling workers and shoved him at the small length of the tunnel that needed opening.


    Whimpering, the poor thing slowly enlarged the opening. Then before she expected the big guy pulled the miserable creature back. Then he emptied one of the sacks near the end of the passage. Jasper watched in shock as the troll punted a ghoul through the hole into the first room on her second level. He then emptied the second sack and punted another ghoul into her second level.


    While her guardian skeletons were trying to deal with the two ghouls, the curseling workers were frantically working to finish opening the tunnel.


    Jasper ground her teeth in frustration. Just as her decimated defenders managed to put the ghouls down, the huge three meter tall troll burst into the room. His huge maul made short work of her damaged defenders.


    The big bastard collected three of the bigger curseling workers and leaving the rest to finish enlarging the tunnel. The big guy advanced deeper into her dungeon.


    Jasper cursed herself, her traps proved useless against the big lug. She had sized them for the curseling trolls. A mistake she regretted bitterly now. Also, she had denuded her second level to stuff the first room. The big so and so went through her second level in no time flat.


    He seemed surprised when he found the stairs to her third level. She watched apprehensively as he stumbled his way down the too small stairs. Despite a more even spread of mobs, her third level had suffered in relation to the second. So, once again the big bastard had no difficulty making his way through her defences.


    Jasper¡¯s only success came with Twofer, currently her final champion. The Skeletal Knight didn¡¯t last long against the invading trolls, but the wrathling that emerged from the destroyed boss ¨C despite being unable to possess the big troll ¨C was able to take over one of the curseling trolls. A surprise attack took down one of the other curseling trolls.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    The Greater Troll, Dramtarog rune lord of Torash Toreg easily killed the possessed curseling worker troll.


    Jasper cringed in her ¨C rather basic ¨C hide out. She watched Dramtarog inspect her core. He appeared puzzled.


    ? (Rune Lord Dramtarog) ?


    Dramtarog was still not impressed with this dungeon. The only thing he found promising was the second floor boss. The dual nature of the challenge it offered was interesting, he liked the concept.


    But the core was dead. It did not contain a soul, not even the seed of a soul. But it was ¨C nonetheless ¨C linked to a companion.


    He searched the dungeon¡¯s heart chamber carefully. His darkvision provided the clue he needed. He stared directly at the hidden cavern near the room¡¯s ceiling.


    ¡°Companion,¡± he rumbled in his deep gravelly sounding voice. ¡°I see that against all logic you are still linked to your core after its death. Your dungeon is still too basic. You will have to do better if you want to survive.


    ¡°I suspect you need a true core. I believe there are rituals that can fix that. Especially as you still have a viable soul link.¡±


    Dramtarog uttered a low laugh. ¡°You could use a companion to expand your options and ideas on how to improve your dungeon ¨C and survive.¡±


    ¡°After our wars against the hated Sun Worshipers we will need entertainment. Make sure you are up to it. I will see to it that the slaughter of our human prisoners will take place in your dungeon. Make use of their life force wisely.¡±


    With that Dramtarog made his way out of the baby dungeon. As it stood it would do to train the value and worker curselings. On his way out he collected up those curselings still in the dungeon and left the odd companion to her own devices. He had a couple of reports to make.


    ? (Jasper) ?


    Jasper was feeling weak. She watched as that damned troll left her dungeon. She didn¡¯t know what to think. She believed in the big bastard¡¯s threat, if it was a threat. But ¨C she didn¡¯t want to become part of the crime he... Killing intruders was one thing, but what the troll had said ¨C well, that was just murder. Plain and simple, and just the idea made her feel dirty.


    And she was really unsure about his suggestion that if she didn¡¯t improve fast, she would become a dungeon core in truth. At least she would no longer be female, but she would loose the freedom of movement, and she had become very attached to being able to fly...


    She was jerked out of her funk by a piercing wolf whistle. Jasper glared at her unwelcome guests, Red and Purple were back.


    ¡°Where were you when I needed you,¡± she screeched.


    ¡°Hey baby, don¡¯ be like tha¡¯. Weuns ain fightas ya know,¡± explained Red as he buzzed around her heart room.


    ¡°Yeah, weuns are all peeces an¡¯ love ¨C weuns lovers not fightas,¡± boasted Purple as he strutted in front of Jasper.


    Jasper fumed, even as she plotted her revenge. First she needed to populate her dungeon, and now she had the templates for ghouls. Then... well, then would come Red and Purple. Jasper wondered how much energy she would get for the two useless cowardly imps.


    ? (Cressiida Ioalovna) ?


    Meanwhile, far away from the troll hills, amongst the sere grassy plains of the animal nomads Cressiida was crouched down behind the crest of a low rise. She had made contact with a mixed band of Bison and True Horse Riders. The nomads had been wary of her and her command, but once she showed their war leader her orders, that had mostly faded.


    She grinned; High Priest Heramakos would be flabbergasted. The Animal nomads did not need her company¡¯s help against the Mara Feldans. She looked sideways at her ¨C liaisons ¨C with the tribes. She understood that the frustrated young warrior was there to keep the three cocksure children under control.


    They had only recently earned their adult names, it was obvious by the way they still slipped up and used the children¡¯s names they had answered to all their lives. She had been having fun asking them some of the riddler¡¯s riddles. Voice was the most perceptive of the three, closely followed by Honey.


    It was time... with the Sun Star just poking up over the eastern horizon. The earth shaking charge of close to one hundred Rhino Riders heading straight for the poorly defended principal encampment of the Mara Feldans.


    They were flanked on the right by the Raptor Riders on their toothy knife clawed feathered bipedal mounts. To the Rhino¡¯s left charged the Bison Riders.


    She knew that the Antelope Riders and the Horse Nomads were maintaining a noose around the Mara Feldans¡¯ encampment to prevent escape.