《Hollow Tale》


 Chapter 1.

    White knuckles gripped the great oak barricade, the last line of defense against the incoming wave. Long shadows danced in the distance, shuffling through the early morning fog. I stared at the haunting doorway, eyes still red, and said a quick prayer: ¡°Llyr, or any other gods who still listen, please see me through this. Steady my mind and hand, and let your blessing carry me through the trials of today.¡±


    I glanced to my left and sighed, long and low. The sound seemed to linger, stretching impotently to fill the still air. Reticent steps took me around the barricade, and the short journey ended too quickly. I pulled up short, hazy light diffusing through the windows. With one final, immensely weary sigh, I unlatched the doors, the nearly inaudible hum of the security glyphs lining the door ceasing, and flipped the sign to that most dreaded word: OPEN. Quick strides brought me back behind the barricade once more, the polished wood¡¯s touch calming as I took my place behind the desk.


    Within moments, the doors opened, letting in the cool breeze of early spring. My face flattened into practiced neutrality.


    ¡°Good morning, what can I do for you?¡±


    A broad, soot stained hand dropped a small bag of coins on the desk. ¡°Got somethin¡¯ infestin mah stores. Maybe rats, maybe a paluq. Maybe both. I dunno.¡±


    I frowned, leaning forward. ¡°A paluq increases the potential danger significantly. What have you brought for incentive?¡± Peering over the edge of the desk, I glanced over the dwarf. Clad in a worn but clearly cared for leather apron and a plain dark green tunic, the dwarf wore his short, bushy beard bereft of the trappings and ornamentation most preferred.


    I reached forward, opening the pouch and started counting as the dwarf shifted from foot to foot. ¡°Ah, well, ya see I don¡¯t know fer sure it¡¯s a paluq. Probably rats anyway¡­¡± his voice trailing off.


    A single raised eyebrow brought the stammering to a stop. ¡°Well, be that as it may, there is a possibility of increased danger, and hunters prefer either pay or certainty. We can list this, but after the guild¡¯s fee, I¡¯m doubtful you¡¯ll get any takers. Besides, the only way you would have known it might be a paluq would be if you saw it, heard it, or found some sign of it. So which was it?¡±


    A long sigh whistled through thick lips. ¡°Fur. Damn storehouse is covered in the orange fluff. Sets me to sneezin and coughin like ya wouldn¡¯t believe. Just need it gone, I¡¯ve got some helpers on the smaller side and¡­ well, you know, can¡¯t have them bein disappeared.¡±


    I nodded in performative sympathy. I happened to like cats. ¡°At least one then. I imagine no rats in the meantime though. I¡¯d suggest¡­ this figure.¡± I slid a sheaf of parchment across the desk, finger resting beside the sum for a Copper contract. The dwarf¡¯s eyes widened, jaw muscles working.


    ¡°That¡¯s nearly double!¡± he growled. I nodded, once more the image of neutrality. This song and dance were the same every time. ¡°Nearly, yes. Nearly as much of a difference between some overgrown rats and a venomous cat the size of you. Now, lets start with your name¡­¡± The dwarf deflated and slowly nodded. It was a simple matter of collecting information on the location of the storehouse and when any guild members could enter. Collecting the increased sum and signature from the dwarf was swift, though he did grumble at the liability clause, and I duplicated the details into the large ledger before me, before departing to the rear to deposit the funds. When I had returned, the dwarf had already gone, the door banging behind.


    I rolled my eyes, and leaned against the desk, waiting. My eyes glazed over, letting myself imagine the paluq and the battle to subdue it. The creature would be incredibly quick, and absolutely devastating should it sink its deadly fangs into you. My expression turned sour. Unlikely I¡¯d get a piece of that payout. No, the Bronze rank guilders wouldn¡¯t need a scout for one single store room, nor one more division of pay. I heaved another sigh. So many today already.


    The door opened once more, and I straightened. More customers, more haggling, more dragging information out of tightened lips. Great.


    A few hours later, I dried the quill and set it aside, letting the parchment of the ledger breathe. The usual crowd had gathered, and the wide hall was filled with soft murmurs and quiet conversation. Taking the stack of duplicate entries from the desk, I stalked to the large board along the side of the room and methodically tacked each new entry up. Many eyes tracked me across the room, and shuffling footsteps heralded the crowd. ¡°Hold your damn horses,¡± I murmured under my breath. With a loud smack, I placed the last of the entries upon the wall and whirled.


    ¡°New entries are up. As always, first come, first served. I¡¯ll be at the counter once you¡¯ve chosen.¡± I stiffly marched back to the desk, ignoring the smirks of some of the more richly dressed crowd.


    No sooner had I taken my place behind the counter than a familiar hand smacked the top with a meaty thud. ¡°So! What¡¯s the toughest ya got today, eh?¡± The face belonging to the hand grinned through a bushy, unkempt beard. I smiled thinly. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t presume to know, Varin, beyond the associated ranking. You¡¯ll have to judge for yourself.¡±


    The larger man¡¯s eyes narrowed, but the grin never faltered. It rarely did, in my experience. ¡°Humble today, I see. Perhaps even more sniveling than normal. Did one of the rats beat that into you on your last contract?¡±


    ¡°No, I haven¡¯t been on a contract in quite some time, actually.¡± As if you didn¡¯t know.


    ¡°Really? My goodness, that is a surprise!¡± Varin placed a hand over his heart in mock surprise. ¡°That¡¯s a right shame. But surely someone will come along and want you to join! You do bring such¡­ skill after all.¡± A gauntlet clanged as it clapped onto Varin¡¯s shoulder, as another grinning face joined him at the desk. ¡°Aw, ease off Varin. It¡¯s not his fault, the poor lad can¡¯t help it. Thin blood you know, and nothing to finance a core.¡± The lean, armored man leaned forward conspiratorially, immaculate blond locks draping around his narrow face. ¡°You know, I could maybe help you out. Father¡¯s always looking to hire more help, could get you a¡­ softer job.¡±


    My face had long gone blank of any expression. ¡°Thank you, Master Duchene. I¡¯m afraid I¡¯m tied to my current post, but if I ever change my mind, I¡¯ll seek an audience with your father¡¯s representatives.¡± Tyrion¡¯s smile grew sharp, accentuating his pale visage. ¡°Of course. Can¡¯t have this place falling apart without you!¡± With a thrust of his chin, he directed his friend back to the board. ¡°Come now, let''s find ourselves some quarry.¡±


    I barely managed to suppress an eye roll. Tyrion never chose a ¡®quarry¡¯. In the 6 years I had known him, Tyrion had only accepted a handful of contracts, and never for anything worth bragging about. And, strangely enough, that gleaming breastplate of his never came back with even a single scratch, though his gallery of ¡®friends¡¯ surely did. I knew all about how much of an adventurer he was. But he always paid his guild dues, and never stepped too far out of line, so in the guild he remained. And the risk wasn¡¯t worth antagonizing him, not with the power his father held over the city.


    ¡°Not worth the effort to worry about it, ya know,¡± a familiar voice said from behind. Leaning in the doorway to the many back rooms beyond the desk was Ezel, sharpening one of several knives hanging from a thick leather apron. She ran the file across once more, turning the blade up to run a sharp eye across the edge. ¡°¡®Specially not that one. He¡¯s a coward, but that doesn¡¯t mean he¡¯s any less dangerous. Besides, we both know with half the resources you¡¯d do twice as much.¡± Large tusks turned her comforting, friendly smile into the snarl of a warrior.


    I gave a half hearted grin in return, but it quickly faded. ¡°I know, but that doesn¡¯t change the fact that he has those resources and I don¡¯t. I heard he¡¯s nearly ready to complete his third binding.¡±


    That wiped the grin from the old orc¡¯s face: ¡°Well, all the more reason to avoid him then, especially if he manages it. Types like him like to throw their power around. Especially when they don¡¯t have a firm grasp on it. But don¡¯t focus on that, it¡¯s called the First Hurdle for a reason. Just keep your head down, and it¡¯ll be smooth cuttin¡¯. ¡±


    I rolled my eyes. It was fast becoming the order of the day. ¡°Was that a pun? Get out of here, get back to your butchering.¡±


    With a laugh, she turned and strolled back down the hall. ¡°Let me know if anything really interesting comes in!¡± She called back, then was gone around the bend. I let a small smile linger before fading. Back to work.


    It was no time at all before contracts were plucked and returned to the desk, expressions on the adventurers faces ranging from eager to bored to derisive as I entered their names in the record and provided any additional information requested. The quick conversation was almost soothing. Never enough time to really engage with them, just a transaction of information, perhaps a nod, and it was on to the next. As the contracts were picked up, the crowd thinned, until only a few indecisive stragglers remained. I drummed my fingers on the desk impatiently. Eventually one pair sheepishly ducked out the front doors without having chosen, though if they¡¯d asked me, I¡¯d have given them a pat on the back for their wisdom. Two Tin ranks wouldn¡¯t stand a chance with any of the remaining contracts, even clever ones. More jobs were always coming in anyway.


    Finally, only one remained. I narrowed my eyes. I didn¡¯t recognize them, and I would definitely remember someone that big. At least a half span taller than my own average height, and enough muscle to wrestle a chimera under that leather armor peeking out from under their heavy cloak by the looks of it. When they finally plucked a contract off the wall and turned to the desk, I had to fight to hide my surprise and awe. An actual ogre! Not only that, but an ogress, for there could be no doubt that it was a she, as she approached the desk with an easy smile. Ogres were practically legends this far south, their massive strength and iron skin the stuff bards sang of. She strode to the desk, long strides showcasing the impressive muscle mass, and placed down the sheet gently. Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take this one,¡± her voice rich in timbre, deeper than a humans, smooth without being overbearing. She wore a simple, rough leather cuirass, leaving the magenta skin of her powerful arms bare. I had to fight to tear my eyes away from her single, dull red horn and glanced over the contract.


    ¡°Kobolds in the sewers? Hmmmm. No great information on where the nest might be unfortunately. I¡¯d pack some food, might be down there for a while.¡± I glanced back up, noting the shine of some very sharp teeth peeking through her grin.


    ¡°I¡¯ll do that, thanks. Vera,¡± she said, extending a hand. ¡°Don¡¯t believe we¡¯ve met.¡±


    I smiled in return, wary of the sudden friendliness. Proper guilders typically didn¡¯t associate with the desk jockey. ¡°Bram, and no problem.¡± I shook the offered hand, feeling like I was gripping a bear paw. ¡°New in town then?¡±


    She nodded. ¡°Yep, always looking for new work, new skulls to crack,¡± she laughed. ¡°I think I¡¯ll be sticking around a while though, The Twirling Daisy is nice enough, and there seems to be enough work to go round.¡± She placed her palm to the ledger, and a brief glow enveloped her hand as her guild mark activated and her name appeared written across the contract entry.


    ¡°That there is. Well, if you need any further information, I¡¯m here most days, and the guard has a posting just down the road to the right if you need directions to any sewer entrances.¡±


    Tapping a knuckle on the top of the desk, she gave a nod then turned to leave. ¡°Thanks for the help, Bram. See you out there!¡± she called, doors closing behind her with a whump! I frowned after a moment. See you out there? I shook my head, returning to the ledger and finishing the entry. I tapped the quill on the inkwell. ¡°Vera¡­ no surname. Hmmm.¡± Turning, I fetched the thin volume marked ¡®Hunter¡¯s Guild: Members¡¯. Opening to the blank pages, I wrote in large, straight letters: Vera. Ink flowed across the pages, glyphs lighting up along the borders. When the entry appeared, my eyes nearly popped out my skull. ¡°Steel rank?!¡± I swore into the empty hall. ¡°No wonder it felt like she could have crushed my hand with an errant thought.¡± I shook my head. She could likely take on anyone local and come out on top, handily. I stared wistfully at the door. Bet she has some real stories, some real fights, I thought to myself.


    With a sigh, I sat on the stiff wooden stool, and perused the contracts accepted. It would be several hours before closing yet, and more still until I could finally relax.


    *****


    Isnapped the ledger closed with finality. With an easy grin, I strode to the doors once more. Latching them and engaging the security glyphs, I hummed as he tidied the wide hall. Cleaning up was my favorite part of the job, without question, for one very simple reason. The quiet. Even though it was gritty, manual work that was sometimes disgusting, wiping down the small standing tables and benches was a calm, serene effort at the end of a taxing day of speaking to irksome, frequently haughty adventurers.


    I finished clearing up, turning to survey the room. With a nod, I snuffed the final candle. Hanging my fitted work jerkin on the hook next to the back door, I stepped out into the rapidly cooling evening air. There was still a bit of light peeking between the ridges of the tall market street roofs, which I relished as I picked my way around the broken cobbles of the alley, humming.


    Circling around the front of the wide building, I broke out into a jog, shoulders gradually loosening as I wove between the light foot traffic. Turning off the main thoroughfare, the narrower street was largely free of other people this late in the day, letting me open up my stride a bit. The cool air was glorious after so long indoors. Moving much more quickly, it was only a few more minutes of running nearly full out, until I arrived at the forge.


    The small stone building was open at the front, allowing the smell of soot and steel to waft down the street. I darted around the side, leaping over a crate of indeterminate supplies, landing in the large yard attached. Passing a quick scan of the dusty dirt square, everything seemed just as I¡¯d left it. Pulling my shirt off, I hung it over the short stacked stone wall surrounding the yard, and went to work.


    I let out a long breath, focusing on controlling my heart beat, and moved to the small pile of spare stones piled near the back corner. Grunting with effort, I began lifting the stones into the wooden wheelbarrow waiting on the other side of the yard. By the time I¡¯d move all 25 stones to the other side of the yard, my back was glistening with sweat, and my somewhat thin arms were trembling. I allowed myself a minute to recover my wind, then grabbed the handles of the wheelbarrow, keeping my arms loose and lifting hard with slightly trembling legs. With one laborious step at a time, I very slowly walked to the opposite side of the yard. Stopping with a huff, I began unloading the stones again, stopping when one of the smallest remained. Picking it up and holding it against my stomach, I slowly began lifting it above my head, continuing to lift until my arms gave out, and I could lift no more.


    Setting the stone down, I sprawled in the dirt, chest heaving in the growing twilight as the small stones of the yard poked into my bare skin.


    ¡°Done already, are you?¡± Echoed the familiar voice of the forge¡¯s owner, Jerome. I managed to turn my head enough to aim a rude gesture somewhat accurately. Jerome only chuckled in response, the warm glow of the forge framing the shaking of his shoulders. ¡°You going to do any more, or are you ready to learn?¡±


    I grunted, rolling to all fours, before slowly making my way to my feet and grabbing my shirt. ¡°No, I¡¯m ready. What can I learn tonight?¡± There were only so many ways to become an adventurer worthy of the name, after all. I had to explore them all.


    Jerome waved me over, turning back to the forge¡¯s interior. The coals were still hot of course, but the heat was mostly contained to one corner of the squat room by softly glowing runes along the curved stone making up the forge¡¯s base. A piece of scrap iron lay on the massive black anvil in the center of the room, along with a set of chisels and a hammer. Jerome pulled out a piece of rolled vellum, placing it on the anvil. ¡°Today, I want you to work on one of the most fundamental combat glyphs, Endure. It¡¯s one of the most widely used glyphs, and the techniques are a good foundation.¡±


    I grinned, fists tightening. ¡°Yes! Okay, how do I start?¡±


    Jerome raised an eyebrow. ¡°Same as always. Read it. Once you¡¯re done with that, you¡¯ll draw it, then you¡¯ll carve wood, then you¡¯ll try it on metal. Today, I expect you to read and understand this,¡± he said, waving the vellum. ¡°Then you can draw it until I think it¡¯s good enough. Tomorrow we¡¯ll try carving, if I have the time.¡±


    I nodded, smile still splitting my face. ¡°Perfect. Thanks Jerome!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t thank me yet, you have to get it perfect before we try powering it. And just because I like you doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m not going to charge you.¡±


    I just waved his comment away. ¡°I know, I know, I¡¯m always good for it. Anyway, let me get into this.¡±


    The next two hours passed in what seemed like a blink, until I was presenting the slate I¡¯d been practicing the line work on got Jerome¡¯s seal of approval, and accompanying yawn. ¡°Alright, that¡¯s looking good enough. Tomorrow, you can start carving. I¡¯m locking up, get outta here.¡±


    I took one final look at the complex set of overlapping lines and surrounding runes, admiring my steady work before glancing over at Jerome. ¡°Sure, sure. Want me to pay now?¡±


    ¡°Nah, once you¡¯ve got the full lesson, then you can pay me. Now out, I gotta eat, and Brin¡¯s waiting on me.¡±


    ¡°Thanks,¡± I set the slate aside, cracking my back from leaning over for so long. ¡°I¡¯ll see you tomorrow then.¡± A grunt was the only reply as the wide barn doors shut and latched behind him. I stood there in the street for a moment, looking back at the forge. Jerome was a good guy, and I was under no illusion that I wasn¡¯t getting far more than he was paying for. Training from an experienced glyph smith was something few could afford, and the only reason I could was because Brin was such good friends with my mother and Mrs. Havers, my landlady, and what she wanted, Jerome did, no questions asked.


    Rubbing my hands together vigorously to remove the leftover chalk dust, I strode home. The open air stairs creaked a bit as I climbed up to the apartment I shared on the upper floor of a small house, skipping the third from the top, which was getting a bit too soft to trust. I needed to ask Mrs Havers to replace that. Pulling the wooden key from the string around my neck, I unlocked the narrow door into the central room. I grabbed a hunk of bread and a bowl from the pantry, ladling some of yesterday¡¯s still bubbling soup from the large softly glowing cauldron before dropping to the cushions laying against the wall.


    One of the doors creaked, and a head of wild hair poked out, bleary eyes scanning the room before focusing on my relaxed, lounging form. ¡°Ah, you¡¯re back. Think you¡¯ll finish the soup?¡± The body adjoining the head stepped into the room fully, rumpled clothes draping over a worryingly thin frame.


    I paused a moment, finishing the mouthful of thin soup before looking back at my strange roommate. ¡°Yeah, maybe a bit left, if you¡¯re still wanting some?¡±


    ¡°Oh, no, I just want to shut the pot off. The glyphs have been humming extra loud all day, driving me mad.¡±


    I rolled my eyes. That and it¡¯s expensive to keep it charged. ¡°Sure Marum, I¡¯ll turn it off when I¡¯ve finished up.¡±


    Marum clasped his hands in a mock prayer, ¡°Thank you, you¡¯re a lifesaver, truly.¡±


    I hummed. ¡°Sure. Did you leave at all today?¡±


    ¡°No, today was too¡­ present to go about in. So I just listened to the pot go on and on and on all day.¡± Marum shivered, eyes squeezing shut. ¡°Anyway, I¡¯m going out for the evening. Try not to choke and die on your soup.¡±


    ¡°Try not to get murdered in an alley.¡±


    ¡°Oh but at least it would be interesting. Alright, bye!¡± Marum practically flew out the door, leaving me alone in the dark room, lit only by the small heating glyphs on the soup pot.


    After another bowl of soup, saving the rich potatoes for last, I switched off the pot, and placed the bowl on the counter for washing later. Yawning, I stretched before heading into my room, stopping at the modest wash basin in the corner nearest the open window. I took a moment to clean up, wiping off the sweat and dust of the day, before resting my palms on the shallow basin, staring at the reflection in the tarnished mirror. I pulled aside a curl of dark hair, exposing vivid green eyes that Mom always said would land me in trouble some day. Trouble of that sort had yet to arrive, but the memory was still pleasant enough to tug a small grin out of me. I ran a hand over the stubble sprouting along my jaw, stark against the tanned copper flesh beneath. Probably time to shave. I sighed, leaving the task for the morning and flopped on the thin straw mattress lit by moonlight falling through the window.


    Before letting myself drift off to sleep, I rolled over, running a hand over the floorboards, finding the familiar gap by memory, and silently prying up the board. Reaching into the hidden alcove between the floor joists, I pulled out a small leather sack. Peering inside, I let the last of the day¡¯s tension drain away. Still there. Opening it, I ran a finger over the glittering multicolored shards before carefully placing the bag back in its hidden spot, replacing the board as silently as possible. Then I rolled over, and let the darkness of sleep envelop me.

 Chapter 2.

    I awoke with a smile to the sound of distant bells. Today was going to be excellent, just the absolute best day. It was Llyrsday, the holy day in the Brazian Triumvirate. And, far more importantly, it was my day off. The guild closed on Llyrsday, and I intended to make the most of it. The plan was simple: don¡¯t talk to anyone except as absolutely necessary.


    Climbing out of bed, I cleaned up and made my way into the common area of the apartment, and quickly sliced off a thick piece of bread, spreading some of the soft cheese I¡¯d bought last week on it. Moving to the shutters at the front of the apartment, I muscled the stiff hinges open, letting in crisp spring air. Leaning against the frame, I gazed out at the dusty streets and enjoyed breakfast for a few quiet moments.


    Down below, passersby quietly chatted in the street, or strode by on their way to errands or more likely the temple. There was only one in Balandor, and I could just glimpse the bell tower over the tops of the crowded streets, the red tiles of the roof catching the sun. Every temple had a red bell tower, a symbol of the spear that pierced Llyr and martyred the saint, and in so doing paved his ascension to the patron deity of the Brazian people, so they said. It could just be because it looked nice, though. While I wasn¡¯t particularly fervent in the faith, I¡¯d been educated by the priest back home in Parma and I could never forget the tenets of the faith, even if I didn¡¯t care much to recall them. The priests had been exacting in their requirements, and I¡¯d often wondered if they¡¯d been more concerned about teaching how Llyr died than arithmetic and writing. Probably were.


    I brushed the last of the bread crumbs off my fingers, savoring the final bite of the meal before stepping back from the window, shutting it firmly. Time to do a bit of shopping, maybe swing by the temple, then¡­ who knew? Maybe go to a tavern. Probably not, I was far too likely to see someone I knew, but I did like to pretend it might be enjoyable. After tugging on my boots and grabbing the satchel I left hanging by the door, I rapped on Marum¡¯s door. A groan echoed from within. ¡°Yes yes, I know you need your ¡®beauty rest¡¯. I¡¯m headed out for the day. Do try to get up before sundown, Mrs. Havers will have a fit if she finds the stew pot full again, and I can¡¯t eat it all. Alright, see you.¡±


    With that, I stepped out onto the stairs, careful to lock the door behind me. As I made it down to the street, I patted my chest, the reassuring feel of the coin pouch there soothing, before I started making my way to Market Street. The crowds had yet to fully bloom, likely still at the temple, which was just how I liked it. The low hum of quiet conversation pervaded the wide street, and I sucked in a lungful of air, savoring the bouquet of scents that always flooded the market on mornings like this. I spent some time perusing the stalls, picking out a nice ripe apple and several more dense breads and dried meats. Anything besides some cheap treats was beyond me normally, but on days like this, I liked to splurge a bit. Mrs. Havers provided a full stew pot twice a week as part of the rent, kept well by the preserving glyphs on the cauldron and Mrs. Haver¡¯s own mana, but I liked to keep some options for snacking throughout the day as well as breakfasts.


    After an hour spent perusing and my apple only a sliver of core, I finished up my shopping at the opposite end of Market Street, claiming a spot at the edge of the wide fountain dominating the main square below the gaze of the temple. Gazing up at the stone structure, I idly wondered if all of Balandor could fit within. Not comfortably, probably. I¡¯d heard the lord¡¯s manor had its own small temple, though I really couldn¡¯t imagine why they¡¯d gone to the expense. I shook my head at the foolish thought. Of course I knew why. Wouldn¡¯t want little Tyrion to have to spend time with the regular folk. I took a calming breath, dismissing the irritating thought. Today was my day off, and dealing with all of that, was not what today was about. Though, if I was being honest with myself, I wasn¡¯t spending the day entirely correctly either, glancing at the open doors of the temple guiltily.


    Sigh. Might as well. Pocketing the apple core, I walked up to the temple doors, and slipped inside as quietly as I could, taking a seat along the stone benches. Far to the front, a priest was giving a sermon, insistent voice magnified and echoing from the glyph inscribed pulpit. ¡°My friends, Llyr¡¯s sacrifice was the greatest act of love we mortals shall ever know! After the horrors of the Dread War and the banishment of the old gods, Llyr freed all of our many peoples from servitude to the wicked Hollow! His sacrifice saved our people from the collapse of the Hollow Empire, saved us from the devastation of the dragons¡¯ betrayal, and saved us from ourselves!¡± The priest took a moment to catch his breath, before resuming in a calmer, but no less powerful tone. ¡°The loss of our greatest champion and leader in such a calamitous time, when the war was reaching its final, most destructive notes, should have destroyed us. It should have driven us all to despair and infighting. And for a moment, it might have. But lo! After his demise, Llyr reached out across the gulf of the abyss to his great generals, his closest friends and allies, and blessed them with his newly wrought divine might! We, the many diverse Brazian peoples witnessed this miracle at Sundermount, where those three bravest, most loyal followers of Llyr were empowered, ensconced in divine light as they shielded our people from the final moments of the Hollow War. Don¡¯t you see, friends? We were saved by the light and love of Llyr! So each day when we love one another, when we care for those in need, when brave guilders defeat the evils that hunt we mortals in the night, our love praises and gratifies Llyr! That is why the Triumvirate decreed we shall have this holy day, so that we may come together in Llyr¡¯s house and show our love to Him. Now come, come and deliver your love unto him!¡±


    I had to admit, as the priest tapered off, that the man was fairly talented. The priest back home was much more¡­ stick than carrot. Still, Llyr¡¯s love only seemed to go so far. And in my experience, he only seemed to lavish blessings on those who were blessed already. Standing from the pew, I joined the line of the faithful up to the altar. This was always the worst part of going to temple, and the biggest reason I so infrequently attended. As I approached the altar, each person that left wore tired, blissful smiles. My turn soon arrived, and I knelt before the solid bronze spear tipped with red, rising out of the stone. Bowing my head, I silently prayed. Please, just let me get through another week. Please, if you can, I need some help. Anything to help me get back on the path I started here. As I finished the prayer, I placed a hand upon the spear, and a tingle of heat warmed me, followed by exhaustion spreading through me like a damp, oily chill. I huffed out a breath, then rose and left, feeling slightly lightheaded. How everyone could deal with it and even enjoy the feeling was beyond me. The priests said it was Llyr¡¯s boundless love flowing through them, but I had never thought it felt like love. It made me feel wrung out, limp like I¡¯d just run for hours, and it never seemed to get better. Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    I shook my head to clear it as I exited the temple, moving to the side so others could pass and sitting down for a moment on the stone steps. I heaved a sigh, looking over the cheerful faces of the faithful as they left the temple. I supposed they must have felt more, had more to be thankful for. My mouth pulled into a tight frown. I hated coming to the temple, hated listening to the priests tell me to be thankful for scraps, so why did I? It never made me feel better, or loved, or more thankful afterwards. And that when it clicked. I didn¡¯t have to come here. I didn¡¯t have to pray to a god that never answered. Not that the other, forgotten gods ever did either. I resolved right then and there that I was done coming to the temple. Perhaps for some this place was a comfort, but not for me.


    I stood, shaking off the lingering effects, and decided to just take a walk. The day wore on, my walk taking me nearly the breadth of the entire city. As the afternoon sun disappeared behind the tall, peaked roofs, I came to a stop as I realized where my meandering had taken me. A blooming daisy twisted across the signboard, a rough attempt at lines of movement somewhat clumsily painted alongside. I shrugged, a hint of a smile playing on my lips. Might as well get a drink.


    Stepping inside I was immediately awash in sounds and smells, and boisterous conversations vied with a bard in the corner for control of the atmosphere. Stepping to the bar, I waved the barkeep down. ¡°A pint and whatever you have for dinner,¡± I called over the din. The burly orc nodded, holding up two fingers. Sliding the copper coins across the counter, I then pointed at one of the few remaining empty tables. At the barkeep''s thumbs up, I extricated myself from the confines of the crowded bar, plopping down into the small booth. My food and drink soon arrived, carried to me by a slender human lass, introducing herself as Ada. ¡°Bram,¡± I said, answering the unspoken question. ¡°Thanks for the food. Is the bard new? I¡¯d not heard the Daisy had music.¡±


    Ada smiled wide, glancing over at the spindly fellow strumming his lute like a lover. ¡°No, Derrick¡¯s new. He just arrived last week, he¡¯s wonderful. You should hear him when it''s not so crowded, he has a beautiful voice.¡± She sighed, trailing off as she stared at the bard. I waited a moment, grinning at the clearly smitten barmaid. Lucky bard, then. I cleared my throat. ¡°Well, I¡¯ll certainly have to stop by again then. Thanks for the food, Ada. I¡¯ll let you know if I need anything else.¡± Ada flushed as she turned back, nodding and leaving without another word.


    After she scurried off, I relaxed letting the music wash over me as I began to eat the admittedly delicious vegetable stew. So ensconced was I in the meal, that I failed to notice as a presence loomed closer, jolting up as it sat heavily in the seat opposite, nearly spilling my drink as the table jostled.


    ¡°Ha! Didn¡¯t figure you¡¯d be so jumpy, but that does look pretty good!¡± Vera¡¯s wide grin greeted me as she absently motioned to a passing barmaid for a round for the table. I waffled, unsure. Eating alone had become a habit. Comfortable. But her smile seemed genuine, crinkling around eyes the color of sunlight that seemed to see straight through me. So I settled for a nod, adding ¡°Yes, it''s¡­ uh, it''s pretty good.¡±


    Vera smiled wider, laying heavily muscled forearms on the table with an ominous creak. Her skin was a surprisingly deep red, reflecting pink on the polished table. ¡°Better than that bard, I hope, eh?¡± She chuckled, the sound warm and inviting. I grinned, suddenly much more comfortable.


    ¡°I admit, I¡¯ve heard better. There¡¯s this cat that frequents the alley behind my apartment, could probably give this fellow a run for his money.¡± This got another hearty laugh out of Vera, her shoulders still shaking as she gratefully accepted the pint that had been delivered by a wide eyed Ada, desperately trying not to stare at the brawny adventurer.


    She wiped a tear from her eye before downing a great gulp of the beer. ¡°Ah, that¡¯s the stuff. I knew I liked you, got quite a wit. And I expect a keen eye.¡± She leaned over the table, I quickly snagged my own drink as the surface wobbled again. ¡°I¡¯ve been looking for some new talent, someone to watch my back.¡± She waved a hand dismissively, ¡°Not just for the kobolds, could take them out in my sleep, just have to track them down. No, I¡¯m looking to take on some tougher game. You know anyone might fit?¡± she asked, a thick eyebrow raised over one of her glinting eyes.


    I sat back, careful to keep the vague disappointment off my face. I¡¯d thought for a moment¡­ but no, Vera was a proper adventurer, looking for someone with experience and talent. I sighed. ¡°Erm¡­ I¡¯m not sure. The guild around here is¡­ a little thin on real talent. Tyrion Duchene is probably the most powerful caster around, but¡­ I think you can do better.¡±


    Vera¡¯s nose crinkled with a smile as she leaned back. ¡°That so? Well, I suppose I¡¯ll just have to be on the lookout then. And I¡¯ll avoid this Duchene. What about you? I meant what I said back at the hall, I bet you¡¯re itching to get out there, eh?¡±


    I looked down at his nearly empty tankard, thoughts abuzz. ¡°Honestly, yeah.¡± I looked up into Vera¡¯s eyes, matching her gaze as the spark of hope within me flared just a bit. ¡°I¡¯d love to try again. But¡­ there was an¡­ incident. And I¡¯m now firmly off anyones list of potential party mates.¡± The smile had dropped from Vera¡¯s face, and she watched me with a calculating look. I waved a hand, breaking her gaze. ¡°I can¡¯t really though. I¡¯m making good money working at the guild, and I need to save. I, I don¡¯t have a binding. So, I¡¯m just another guy who¡¯s just alright with a blade.¡± I finished lamely, shrugging.


    ¡°Hmmmm,¡± Vera considered, tapping a rust colored finger to her chin. ¡°Well, ¡®just another guy¡¯, I think maybe you¡¯re underselling yourself. Listen, I¡¯m going to finish up this sewer job in the next week or so, but when I¡¯m done, I think you should consider ditching the guild desk, coming with me. No better way to earn some coin than doing the tough jobs out there. And Iron Rank, let alone Steel, opens up some serious ones. Plus, I¡¯ve got a good feeling about you. Think about it.¡± With that, the massive ogress downed the tankard in one huge gulp and stood, nodding before striding off through the crowd.


    I sat back, leaning my head heavily against the solid wood paneling. A part of me soared at the thought of dropping everything, joining up with Vera and making some coin. But another shuddered, fear creeping through me, like oil in my veins. What if I froze again? Vera seemed genuine, but in the face of cowardice, she would be well within her rights to drop me at the first village. I could just stay here, make enough to finally afford a binding, and then¡­ then I¡¯d have the courage to face anything, surely. I was just weak, and power would solve it.


    Right?


    I sat at the table long into the night, before trudging back to the apartment in silence.

 Chapter 3.

    Two days later, I idly ran a finger on a small knot of stubbornly rough texture along the desk as I read over the extermination report again. There had actually been two paluqs, guarding a litter. The enterprising guild members who¡¯d taken the job had actually rescued the kits, planning to sell them to a menagerie at the first opportunity for a tidy profit. My eyes drifted down to the payout, mouth turning down. More than I made last month. I huffed a sigh. Not like it was anyone''s fault but mine. I could be out there hunting creatures down, if only¡­ if only I wasn¡¯t such a coward. I dug his nails into the desk, leaving shallow divots in the carefully maintained wood, there were only so many ways to release the tension that pulled against my shoulders. I looked at the shallow grooves, recognizing a familiar contour in the random indents. Using a thumbnail, I carefully carved into the soft wax finish, connecting the lines and drawing the glyph for Endure. It had come out slightly lopsided, but still recognizable. I placed the heel of my palm atop it and attempted to buff out the scratches. There was only one person who worked at the guild and was familiar with glyph work, and I had no desire to be fined for damaging the desk. Again. After a few passes, the marks had only faded slightly. Annoying. Persistent little bugger. Putting a bit more effort in, I buffed harder, my palm sliding across the otherwise smooth wood, a loud squeak startling me. I glanced around furtively, worried it might have drawn embarrassing attention to the heat I could feel staining my cheeks. Fortunately, the hall was less empty than usual, and nobody seemed to notice over the idle chatter that filled the room.


    My eyes flickered across the broad, warmly lit expanse of the guild hall, catching a glimpse of several familiar forms all circling and chattering over one another excitedly around the preening form of Tyrion. The young noble had been the center of attention for several parties and his usual sycophants all morning, for some reason. Not that it was too out of the ordinary, you could count the number of adventurers with actual magic on a single hand around here. Balandor was fairly large, but far from the capital and any serious threats, which meant lower pay than real power could earn elsewhere. Lower pay meant any guilders with serious grit were elsewhere.


    A sharp rapping on the desk drew me out of my melodramatic thoughts, and I looked up sharply. Vera stood, looming over me with that lopsided grin. She leaned a heavily muscled forearm on the raised counter. ¡°Hello there! I¡¯m looking to offload some materials.¡± She lifted a large burlap sack, beginning to darken near the bottom.


    My eyebrows climbed as I rose from my wooden perch. ¡°Of course, what did you want to sell? I can get Ezel, our butcher¡­¡± My voice drifted off, mouth going dry as she began untying the sack, reaching a hand within and rummaging for a moment before beginning to pull out a familiar tufted ear. The blood drained from me as I paled, stammering, ¡°Oh, uh, no need-¡±


    ¡°Nah, I love showing off a clean kill!¡± Vera chuckled, revealing the severed head of the kobold, snout drooping, tongue lolling. My eyes had gone wide as saucers, my tongue mute, memories rushing through me, sweeping my mind away on an avalanche of dark thoughts. Vera finally noticed my silence, frowning. ¡°Hey, is something wrong? I¡¯d have thought¡­ Sorry, that was stupid, it is kinda gross.¡± She moved to shove the head back into the bag, but stopped short when a gauntleted hand slapped her shoulder accompanied by a loud chuckle.


    ¡°Ha! Oh my, what have we here!¡± Tyrion''s leering face peered around Vera¡¯s shoulder, glancing at the remains of the kobold before locking eyes with me. I stepped back by instinct, as the hairs along my spine stood on end. ¡°Here, mind if I borrow this?¡± Without waiting for an answer, Tyrion yanked the corpse from Vera¡¯s hand with surprising strength, tossing it directly at me.


    I choked out a gasp, leaning away as the head smacked my chest, the weight surprising even in my addled state. Coagulated blood and viscera fouling my jerkin, I took another step back, leg catching on the stool. I cried out, falling and slamming into the shelf behind, as ledgers fell around and atop me with a clatter. Stars danced in my vision as I shook my head, before scuttling back against the wall, barely drawing a breath while staring at the gruesome trophy as it glared up at me with glassy eyes. Blood pounded in my ears, reducing all other sounds to a dull buzzing far removed from where I cowered. Vaguely, I was aware of the sound of gales of laughter erupting above, as Tyrion wheezed, slamming his fist into the counter again and again. I felt my awareness slipping, falling away even as I heard the conversation above so clearly.


    Vera stood there, still as a statue. ¡°What. In. The. Hells.¡± she ground out.


    ¡°Oh, just a harmless bit of fun. You¡¯re obviously new around here, so you just don¡¯t know about Bram here.¡± he said. I could hear the smile through his pristine smile.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t seem very harmless,¡± Vera growled, the floorboards shook with a heavy footstep.


    ¡°Aw, taking pity on our little bookkeeper? You really shouldn¡¯t, or he¡¯ll never grow a spine. After all, he can¡¯t even stand up to a single dead sewer vermin.¡±


    Vera¡¯s voice was quiet, deadly, as she said ¡°Yeah, you¡¯d know all about vermin, wouldn¡¯t ya?¡±


    There was a pause, and perhaps a gasp. ¡°You- you dare speak to me in such a manner?! Do you even know who I am?¡± Tyrion sputtered.


    ¡°I don¡¯t much care, you puffed up insect. Now, apologize and I¡¯ll let you out of here with all of your limbs intact.¡± Vera¡¯s words buzzed, even as the rushing sound in my ears grew louder, louder.


    I couldn¡¯t look away from the macabre grin of the dead kobold. I ran my hands over my shoulder and chest, tracing the familiar lines across the puckered skin. Remembering.


    *****


    I¡¯d just arrived at the Hunter¡¯s Guild, staring around in awe. The broad beams of the building, interspersed by the by filigreed banners displaying the Hunter¡¯s Guild crest and seal of the Trinity granting them authority lent the space a feeling of majesty and justice. I inhaled deeply, taking in the heady scent of worked leather and steel, and hints of sweat and blood not entirely smothered by the high smell of soap.


    I took it all in with a grin. Straightening my crisp new leathers, I had marched to the imposing desk with a determined look. A tired looking older orc straightened at my approach, a small smile exposing yellowed tusks to match his graying topknot. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    ¡°Hello there, young fellow! I can take a guess as to why you¡¯re here, but why don¡¯t you tell me?¡± The orc¡¯s basso voice seemed to reverberate through me, jolting me awake. I puffed out my chest, youthfully certain of my place in this grand hall.


    ¡°I-¡± I cleared my throat, which had gone curiously dry, ¡°I¡¯ve come to register as a member of the Hunter¡¯s Guild. I¡¯ve got my own equipment, and I¡¯d like to join a party if you know of any looking for new members.¡± I nervously shuffled my feet, brushing a mutinous dark curl from my eyes as I matched the bemused glance of the clerk in what I hoped was a confident display.


    ¡°Aye, I figured. Well, I¡¯ll need to collect some information, then I can offer some pointers to parties I know are searching for some new members. First, what''s your name?¡±


    ¡°Bram, sir.¡±


    The old orc blew a sharp puff of air, chuckling. ¡°No sirs here, kid. I¡¯m Gerome, that¡¯s it. You got a family name?¡±


    My cheeks flushed, but I nodded and continued. ¡°No family name, just Bram, my father¡¯s Drevor, in Parma.¡± I struggled to keep my face from flushing further after mentioning my tiny village. It felt a bit embarrassing to be from such a small place compared to this massive city. It had taken me hours to find the hall the previous day, to the point I¡¯d had to wait and come back this morning. The wait had felt interminable, every inch of me waiting for this.


    Gerome nodded sagely, seeming to see right through me. ¡°Sure thing. I¡¯ve been out that way, not in a while though. Alright, let''s get the rest of this filled out¡­¡± The remaining paperwork was a blur, full of complicated legal jargon I barely understood at the time, Gerome patiently explaining in a tone that expressed he¡¯d done this a dozen times.


    I gave a friendly wave as I stepped away from the desk, moving to the notice board, eyes passing over the many contracts, eyes widening as I spied some of the payouts offered, practically salivating at the potential wealth. I shook my head, moving to the section dedicated to recruiting. Startin on the newest looking sheets of parchment, I frowned as I read over the flyers. All of these parties were looking for veterans, with several years experience at minimum, and some would only consider those with a binding. I fingered the hidden satchel hanging from my neck through the thick wool of my shirt. In a few years, or maybe less considering how much some contracts paid, I could have enough to purchase the remaining shards needed to form one of own.


    ¡°Hey there friend, looking for a party?¡± A jovial voice called out from behind. With a jolt, I spun, spying a young man perhaps a year or two my senior dressed in fine chain and leather. Sharp blue eyes surrounded by a strangely pale face sized me up as the stranger approached. ¡°Hmmm, yes, I think so. I¡¯m Tyrion.¡± I took the offered hand, grasping it firmly.


    ¡°Bram, pleasure to meet you. And yes, I am looking for a party, are you recruiting?¡±


    The tall youth¡¯s smile was wide, exposing a pristine set of perfectly straight teeth. ¡°Why yes, I am. Why don¡¯t you come join us and we¡¯ll talk particulars, we¡¯re just about to head out.¡±


    *****


    A crash wrenched me out of the vivid memory, glancing up as Vera slammed Tyrion bodily into the sturdy wood desk, pinning him by the neck. The skin of her neck was slowly fading from metallic gray back to red, and her face was a twisted mask of rage. Pinned as he was to the desk, I couldn¡¯t see Tyrion¡¯s entire face, but it was clear the fight had fled him, as he raised his hands over his face, cowering.


    ¡°You sniveling rat! You try to stick a blade in me, then curl up like a coward! I will end you, I don¡¯t give a shit who you are!¡± Vera¡¯s voice was like thunder, as she raised her fist high. This was going to get bloody, and that wouldn¡¯t end well for any of us if Tyrion¡¯s father found out.


    ¡°Wait!¡± Vera¡¯s head jerked up at my voice as Tyrion craned his own back, bloodshot eyes wide as I slowly clambered to my feet. ¡°This has gone far enough, and nothing has been done that can¡¯t be taken back. It¡¯s not worth the trouble, Vera. Trust me,¡± I pleaded, trying to convey my meaning with an insistent stare.


    Vera glanced back down at the defeated form of Tyrion, grunting. ¡°Yeah, not worth the effort of beating a lesson into something this dense. Fine.¡± She released her iron hold on his neck, stepping back and allowing the noble to rise, rubbing at his neck, murmuring under his breath. Vera rolled her eyes and turned back to me. ¡°Sorry about that.¡± She gestured towards the kobold¡¯s bloody remains on the floor. ¡°Is there a place that I could drop the rest off? I only came to drop this off and resupply.¡±


    I avoided looking at the head, nodding to cover my sudden nausea. ¡°Sure, Ezel can process it and give you an estimate.¡± I called out to the butcher, voice carrying in the silence. When I returned my gaze to Vera, something pulled my eyes back to Tyrion, whose hunched shoulders were still quivering with indignant rage.


    Vera followed my gaze. ¡°I suggest you leave, fancy boy. I let you off this time, but I¡¯m not so generous as to do it twice.¡±


    I could still hear Tyrion mumbling, even over the sound of shuffling feet and whispered commentary of the crowd dispersing. I moved closer to the desk, leaning forward to quietly suggest the same to the young noble, when I noticed blue-white light flickering around Tyrion¡¯s gauntlets. My eyes went wide, as the furious son of the city¡¯s ruler swung around, raising his hands as writhing electricity gathered between them.


    ¡°No!¡± I didn¡¯t think, didn¡¯t consider the consequences. I leapt over the desk, catching my knee on the lip as I tackled Tyrion to the ground, a wrist-thick bolt of lightning blasting up and over Vera¡¯s head as it went wide, carving a massive swath of destruction across the wooden walls. Tyrion immediately shoved me off with enough force to slam me into the desk, panels creaking over the sounds of shouting and swearing, which were rapidly growing in volume. My head bounced off the solid oak, my vision going fuzzy. I blinked slowly, trying to make sense of what I was seeing. A massive boot collided with Tyrion¡¯s armored chest, sending him spinning across the floor and halfway out the open door. The shouting was slowly replaced by a dull roar, and I slowly felt a hand around the back of my head, coming away sticky and red. Not good. My eyes slowly panned the hall, trying to blink away the blurriness. The crackle of flames brought my attention up as fire spread across the far wall, dry timber catching far more quickly than I would ever have imagined. The flames were like tongues, licking along the curves and splinters of the rough hewn timber above. Beautiful, I thought.


    The light of the fire dimmed as something crouched in front of me as I struggled to get to my feet. I stared for a moment narrowing my eyes to try to make sense of the black and brown and red blotches in my vision, before it resolved into the hulking form of Vera squatting before me as she grabbed my chin, eyes boring into my own.


    ¡°Got your bell rung pretty good there. Come on, we need to get you out of here.¡± She moved to lift me over her shoulder, but I shoved her hands away.


    ¡°No, no, I- I have to-¡±


    Vera interrupted me, squeezing my jaw just enough so it was too hard to speak, thick fingers rough against my skin. ¡°None of that now, this place is burning up, and you¡¯re not fireproof, my friend. And you¡¯re far too out of sorts to help with bailing.¡± With that she tossed me over a broad shoulder, jogging out the door into the street, strangely much quieter than the hall had been. Now I definitely was feeling nauseous, the jerky, bouncing movement threatening to upend my stomach¡¯s contents down Vera¡¯s back. I closed my eyes, focusing on keeping everything down. That''s odd, why was it so loud again? My sluggish brain finally put it together when Vera gently set me down against the side of the tailor¡¯s shop a short way down the road, facing the guild hall. I ran a hand over the dusty cobblestone, eyes glued to my place of work. Flames were shooting out of gaps in the tile roof as the building quickly became an inferno that I could feel drying my skin like good kindling from a hundred feet away. Probably won¡¯t have to work tomorrow. A delirious chuckle escaped my lips. As I sat there, quietly staring at the burning hall, I couldn¡¯t help but marvel at how loud it was. The wood of the structure cracked and splintered, but over all of it, the flames roared, like some great beast out of the stories the guild was always full of.


    I felt my eyes glaze over after an indeterminate time, as blurred figures ran to and fro, reminding me of the ants I used to watch as a child, only so much louder, none of the quiet order and efficiency. The shouting gradually faded, as the figures moved to an orderly sort of chaos, marching back and forth to the squat shape of the nearest well and the crumbling building. The nearest buildings were soaked repeatedly while the fire only burned brighter. Until another figure approached, wearing a sparkling blue hat, too distant to glean any details. I watched them raise their arms over the fire, a great wind gusting along the street jostling me away from the wall I was perched up against, before it settled, letting my head fall back against the stone heavily, only sluggishly remembering too late that perhaps I should be gentle. Everything went dark, as consciousness fled.

 Chapter 4.

    Ugh. I slowly became aware of pain, radiating from the back of my skull in waves. I groaned, shifting slightly and trying to turn my head, before a wave of nausea put that to a quick stop. So I just lay there, breathing slowly, trying to piece where I was together. I cracked my eyes, blearily blinking away the confusion and weariness. The wooden ceiling above was unfamiliar, and quite a bit dustier than Mrs. Havers would have ever permitted. Not at home then. I turned my gaze a bit farther, finding plaster walls lit by what was clearly candlelight just out of my currently limited range of vision. Even moving my eyes threatened to make me sick. I felt around, slowly so as not to jostle my aching head. I was obviously in a bed, and a fairly standard one in my experience. I could feel straw poking through the linen, which smelled fresh. Much fresher than my own, to be brutally honest. An inn, perhaps? The muffled sounds of clinking tankards and conversation rising through the floorboards certainly lent credence to that theory. But why an inn? It¡¯s not as if the apartment burned down too¡­ Ah. Everything began to click into place. The guild had burned down! And with the way the blaze had been progressing, likely down to its foundations, though that person in the fancy gown may have saved some of it.


    I blinked. That was a real mage that did that! True magic, without a doubt. I sighed wistfully. Wish I¡¯d gotten to see all of it. Seeing real mages in action was akin to seeing a unicorn, perhaps even a dragon nowadays. Surely the whole city would be talking about it, and I was probably the only person in the entire quarter who didn¡¯t see it. Ah, well. I was alive, and that was something to be grateful for. Hmmm. I frowned. I was alive, which was somewhat surprising. Vera had pulled me out of the building, but that had very little bearing on my future safety. Nor Vera¡¯s, to be truthful.  Tyrion was clearly spiteful enough to come after us both for petty vengeance, and that was before he¡¯d burned the guild hall down. The Magistrate would likely pay for the damages to the hall to continue his son¡¯s membership, but there had been quite a crowd during the scuffle preceding the fire. Tyrion didn¡¯t do embarrassment. I¡¯d seen him destroy a local¡¯s shop, publicly ridiculing the wares and spreading rumors of cut corners to the wealthy of the city after his daughter had beat Tyrion in a game of cards at the hall. Of course, nothing could be proven, and a public inquiry by the Magistrate¡¯s ¡°investigators¡± had found that the potions being sold were less effective than advertised, and no one would dream of even insinuating favoritism.


    So, that was going to be a problem. Unless it already was, I still didn¡¯t know where I was, though I had some information to go on at least. An inn, and very likely still within the city, or nearby. There was only one inn he knew of outside the city that was within a day¡¯s journey, and it was¡­ well, certainly not well kept enough for the sheets to have a pleasant smell. So, likely still within the city walls. That narrowed it down somewhat, but the city was a pretty damn big place, with several inns I could recall off the top of my head. Straw mattress narrowed it down a bit, a cheaper place. Obviously has a bar on the main floor, no music though. Could be one of a few places, but someone had to bring me here, likely Vera,  which meant-


    The door banged open from beyond my feet, surprising me enough that I jolted upright enough to see Vera standing in the wan light of the hallway, holding a pack of some sort in one hand, and paper sack in the other, before the nausea hit again and I dropped to the pillow again. I had to focus to wrestle the bile back down.


    ¡°Aha! Back just in time I see.¡± I could practically hear the grin in her voice as I pinched my eyes closed. ¡°I brought you some food, if you can stomach it. And we¡¯d best get some water in you. Dehydration is a warrior¡¯s greatest enemy!¡± I heard her drag a stool across the floorboards, plopping down next to the bed. ¡°So, how¡¯s the head?¡±


    Speaking was an effort, so my voice was quiet. ¡°Not great. Think I might puke from that. When you came in, I mean.¡±


    Vera gave a throaty chuckle. ¡°You must be a hit with women. I can tell you know just what to say. I do understand though, pretty common with a solid hit to the old brain bucket. Here, have some water.¡± She wrapped my hands around a waterskin, helping guide it to my parched lips. ¡°That and some food, you¡¯ll be up and out of that bed in no time. Speaking of, uh, I didn¡¯t know where you lived, so I brought you here to my room. Oh, and you haven¡¯t been out too long, less than a day.¡± I reopened my eyes, finishing long draught, swallowing several times to clear the roughness in my throat.


    ¡°Thanks, I really appreciate it. And yeah, probably best we didn¡¯t go back to my place. Picking a fight with Tyrion¡­ well, I don¡¯t really blame you at all, but you¡¯ve definitely got a target on your back now, and likely I do too.¡± The water was working wonders already, and I risked turning to look over at Vera fully, rewarded with only mild dizziness this time.


    She raised an eyebrow. ¡°That little pipsqueak can come after me if he wants. I certainly wouldn¡¯t mind putting him out of our collective misery.¡±


    I chuckled darkly, slowly pulling myself up into a sitting position. ¡°No disagreement on that front, but it wouldn¡¯t be that simple. His cronies didn¡¯t step in yesterday, but I guarantee he¡¯ll have backup next time. That¡¯s not the real problem though.¡±


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    ¡°Oh?¡±


    ¡°His father is the City Lord, has everyone in his pocket. He could hire any number of less than savory sellswords to erase us, and nobody would bat an eye. His father would simply make something up, or have ¡®investigators¡¯ find evidence we were agents of some nefarious cult, it doesn¡¯t matter. So even if we did manage to get rid of Tyrion, and I¡¯m not saying that I¡¯m at all confident in that, we still have to deal with a pissed off Magistrate and an entire city of guards on his payroll.¡±


    Vera rested her chin on her palm, seeming to mull it over. ¡°I see. Not an insurmountable problem for me, but you probably have an interest in not getting that kind of attention. Got family nearby?¡± I nodded, grimly thinking of my mother. ¡°Hmmm. Yeah, so just killing him is probably off the table. Got a suggestion then?¡±


    I shrugged. ¡°Eh. We could probably just lay low, and he might let it go. I¡¯m not sure, he¡¯s a tyrant, swinging his little dick around. As long as he feels like he won, he probably won¡¯t feel the need to do anything else. Problem is, I have to work¡­ Well, actually I guess I don¡¯t, the hall is ashes.¡±


    Vera nodded, grimacing. ¡°Yeah, that place isn¡¯t going to be doing regular business for a while. And don¡¯t worry, I spoke to Nicolaus, he showed up while we were bailing. I gave him the whole story of what happened.¡±


    I let out a sigh of relief, tension I hadn¡¯t realized I¡¯d been carrying dissipated. My boss was fairly even tempered, but I had been worried about having to tell him how the hall had burned down on my watch. ¡°Good, that¡¯s¡­ good. But it does leave me out of a job until the hall is rebuilt. Not to mention everyone in the guild¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I was thinking about that. When I was talking to Nicolaus, he told me a bit more about why you¡¯re working behind a desk.¡±


    I averted my eyes, staring at the down at the bed. ¡°Ah, I see.¡±


    Vera blew a loud raspberry. ¡°Pffft. ¡®Ah, I see.¡¯ What the hell is that about? You think I¡¯m just going to tell you to kick rocks because you froze up, what, 5 years ago?¡±


    I raised myh head, brows drawn together. ¡°6, actually. But I mean¡­ yeah, I guess. I¡¯m not exactly useful in a fight. Probably best I just get out of town for a while.¡± I could practically hear Vera¡¯s eyes rolling in their sockets.


    ¡°Wyvern shit. You jumped across a desk and tackled a guy who can shoot lightning out of his fingers, to protect me. You call that freezing?¡±


    I paused, taken aback. I¡­ had done that, hadn¡¯t I? Vera gave me a moment, before pressing. ¡°Bram, that was badass! Trust me, I would know. And I knew it the moment I met ya, you got the right stuff. Guts. Or just the right kind of stupid, I dunno. But I¡¯ll be damned to every one of the hells if I let you limp off to some shop to beg for a job, when you could be out there kicking ass with me.¡±


    I chuckled. ¡°Vera, you¡¯re like¡­ 3 of me in a fight. Maybe more.¡±


    ¡°Definitely more.¡±


    ¡°Exactly. Sure, I helped you out with Tyrion, and I really appreciate what you said, that really means a lot to me. But¡­ I don¡¯t have a binding, and I can¡¯t afford gear of good enough quality to make up for it either. I¡¯m a liability.¡± My cheeks flushed. Money was always the problem for prospective adventurers wanting to make it big. If you weren¡¯t born with magic, which was extremely rare among humans, you needed money- a lot of it. With it you could buy a core binding through a few different paths, or enough enchanted gear to make you strong enough it wouldn¡¯t matter.


    She rolled her eyes again. It was becoming habitual in this conversation. ¡°Yeah, no shit. You¡¯re not going to kill much of anything as you are right now. But that doesn¡¯t mean you can¡¯t get better! And not to stroke my own horn, but I¡¯m a damn good teacher. Not to mention a consummate badass. And yeah, I know most of you humans aren¡¯t born with magic, but you want to make enough to get it? Hunting scary shit with me, that¡¯s how you rake it in.¡± She raised her eyebrows, grinning infectiously. I couldn¡¯t help it, I grinned right back. And she was right, after all that had been my plan originally. Save up enough coin and scavenged shards to form a core binding hunting small fry, then use the magic of the binding to hunt bigger and badder creatures until I could afford whatever he wanted, and make sure Mom was truly comfortable.


    ¡°Okay, I mean, yeah it¡¯s not the worst idea. But the guild¡¯s out of commission, how are we going to make any money?¡±


    She waved his concern away, like some errant cobweb. ¡°Did your brain get scrambled worse than I thought? I still have that contract to clear out the sewers. And there¡¯s a standing bounty on kobolds and rats from the city. We just have to keep clearing it out. Plus, being down there keeps us out of the blondie bitch¡¯s sight.¡±


    I sputtered, before laughing out loud. ¡°Blondie bitch! Ha, that¡¯s great¡­¡± My smile gradually dimmed before I continued, ¡°And yeah, I get it but¡­ I mean¡­ I¡¯ve had some trouble with kobolds.¡±


    Vera''s mouth twitched up in a knowing but kind grin. ¡°I know, I know. But the best way to conquer fears like this, and freezing problems is to face them. Trust me, I know. Used to have an absolute mortal fear of wolves. Not even the dire kind, just regular garden variety. Couldn¡¯t even look at ¡®em. My Da trapped one in a cave near our home, then tossed me in there alone. Never been scared since.¡± I just stared at her, aghast. ¡°Oh don¡¯t look at me like that, it was a little one, and I¡¯m fine. Plus, I promise I won¡¯t trap you with one, alright?¡±


    ¡°Why are you going out of your way to help me so much, Vera? We barely know each other.¡± I asked, brow furrowed. We were practically strangers, after all.


    She sat up straighter, tapping a finger on her chin as she mulled it over. ¡°I just have a good feeling about you. And anyone who would try to save a relative stranger from an asshole like that Tyrion guy is worth being friends with in my book. And friends help friends.¡±


    I just shook my head, unsure of just what kind of friend I was making here. ¡°You¡¯re obviously crazy, but¡­ Yeah, I guess I¡¯d rather be a little bit crazy than waste my life behind a desk.¡± I reached out a hand, and Vera clasped it up to the elbow, grinning madly.


    ¡°That¡¯s what I bloody well like to hear. We¡¯ll get started as soon as you¡¯re fit, we¡¯ll see how you¡¯re feeling tomorrow. Get some rest, and eat this. I need to go shopping.¡± She sat the paper sack she¡¯d been holding earlier in my lap, clapped me gently on his back, and was out the door before I had a chance to find any more to say.


    Shaking my head again, and wincing at the receding dizziness, I dug in. I was absolutely starving, and I''d certainly need every bit of energy possible if we really was going to face my nightmares tomorrow. I shuddered slightly, but firmed my resolve. It was pretty good food, after all.

 Chapter 5.

    Later that evening, I was feeling significantly better. When Vera had returned with a pack stuffed near to bursting with food and supplies, we¡¯d agreed that in the morning we¡¯d set forth into the sewers. I still had to grab my gear from home and tie up a few loose ends, so we settled down after I rented my own bed at the Twirling Daisy for the night. Going home was probably safe for one night, but we agreed it was still a slight risk, and the Daisy was very reasonable, at 6 copper pieces for the night.


    The morning light found the two of us meeting for a quick breakfast of porridge, before heading over to the apartment. ¡°Alright, wait here a moment, I just need to grab a few things, then swing by Jerome¡¯s Forge and we¡¯re good to go.¡± I jogged up the stairs, not waiting for Vera¡¯s vague murmur of acceptance. As it turned out, she wasn¡¯t much of a morning person, and hadn¡¯t said much more than the absolute minimum since waking.


    Sweeping into the apartment, I moved quickly, practically vibrating with excitement. I¡¯d hardly been able to sleep, the thought of actually achieving the dream I¡¯d held since childhood filling my mind with visions of adventure. Barging into the room, I rooted around beneath the mattress, pulling out the blade there, stopping for a moment to unsheath it, grinning all the while. I knew it wasn¡¯t chipped or rusted, the steel shortsword was my most treasured possession and I oiled it frequently, but I checked it over anyway. I placed it on the bed before grabbing my considerably rougher boiled leather armor from the shelf above the bed. Strapping on the bracers and greaves, I slipped into the heavy armored coat, draping halfway down my thighs. Strapping the blade to my hip, I turned at the noise behind me, finding Marum blinking sleepily in the doorway.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on? Why are you wearing that?¡± Marum¡¯s eyes narrowed as he scratched at his head, hand practically disappearing beneath his mop of curly hair.


    ¡°The guild burned down, didn¡¯t you hear? Anyway, me and Vera are going hunting. Needed my gear.¡±


    ¡°Uh huh. Wait, it burned down?!¡± Marum¡¯s head rocked back as shock wiped the sleep from his face.


    I chuckled, shaking my head as I shoved spare clothing, soap and a toothbrush into the bag. ¡°Oh yes, to the ground. You truly missed that? Anyway, I¡¯m paid up with Mrs. Havers for the month, don¡¯t go through my stuff while I¡¯m gone. If the blondie bitch or any of his lackeys start asking after me, tell him I¡¯ve gone hunting, or whatever you want.¡±


    ¡°Ooh is that what we¡¯re calling Tyrion now? Love it. Should I be worried?¡±


    I laughed once more. ¡°For me? Probably. Doubt he¡¯ll bother you though. Just tell them to eat shit if they try to bother you, I doubt anyone would assume we¡¯re close just because we¡¯re roommates.¡± I looked over my room once more, pointedly avoiding looking at the loose board beneath the bed. I couldn¡¯t grab the shards with Marum standing there, and besides, they¡¯d be safer here than bouncing around in my pack while I was getting into who knew what kind of scraps. Losing them in the sewers¡­ it might just break me.


    ¡°Alright, that¡¯s everything I care about. I¡¯ll be back¡­ soonish, I think. Maybe a week or two, don¡¯t know. If you¡¯re worried about Tyrion, talk to Mrs. Havers. Can¡¯t imagine she can¡¯t scare him off,¡± I grinned, imagining the tiny delphin woman going off on the arrogant prick. I brushed past Marum, walking to the door. Pausing, I glanced back at the tidy, if a bit barren space.


    Marum sighed, nodding at him. ¡°Alright, well, have fun I suppose. I¡¯ll see you when I see you then. Perhaps a beer when you return?¡± He added, sounding hopeful.


    I rolled my eyes. Marum was incessant. ¡°Fine, yes, we¡¯ll go out for a pint when I¡¯m back. One, though. I¡¯m serious.¡±


    The short fellow clapped, grinning. ¡°Excellent! See you then!¡±


    Closing the door behind, I breathed deeply, ignoring the unsavory scent of the back alley air. I jogged down the stairs, meeting Vera as she stood from where she¡¯d been leaning against the wall of the sturdy stone building.


    She muffled a yawn, stretching her back with a series of loud pops. ¡°Alright, forge next, right?¡±


    I nodded, already walking in the direction of Jerome¡¯s shop. ¡°Yeah, I just need to drop something off and let the owner know I won¡¯t be back for a while.¡±


    The journey to the forge was quick, though it felt longer than usual, anxious as I was to get moving. The heat greeted them first, then the muffled rhythmic pinging of the chisels Jerome was so fond of escaping through the open doors of the forge. I didn¡¯t waste any time, setting the guide down for the Endure glyph on the back table, and quickly explaining to Jerome that I wouldn¡¯t be back for a while, though I wondered silently if I would ever be back, truly. Glyphs were a hobby, expensive to use, and hopefully a way to make up for my lack of magic. But if hunting with Vera worked out, I wouldn¡¯t need their crutch much longer.


    Waving to Jerome, I strode outside to Vera once more. Sweeping an arm low before her, I looked up grinning. ¡°Shall we?¡± Vera only snorted, then strode away, shaking her head. We quickly moved to the outer wall, following it along the wide curve of the city.


    Finally deigning to speak, Vera muttered ¡°Closest and largest entrance is at the outlet into the river. There¡¯s a hatch, shouldn¡¯t be much farther.¡± True to her word, it only took another few minutes of walking to find the hatch set into the cobbled path abutting the wall, the overlapping circles of the Triumvirate crest stamped into the heavy iron. With a grunt, Vera twisted the latch and pulled the massive cover open, rusty hinges squealing obnoxiously in the early morning light. I choked back a gag at the smell wafting out. Setting her pack down, Vera dug around for a moment, before pulling out a lantern with a line of glyphs running up the side. Pressing her thumb to the topmost glyph, the tiny fleck of stone suspended within burst with radiance, shedding brilliant reddish light in all directions before dimming to a soft glow. She handed it to me, before pulling out a second lantern from her pack. ¡°Don¡¯t lose that, and let me know if it starts to dim, I¡¯ll have to refresh it every few hours.¡± I nodded and looped the chain around the belt on my right hip, out of the way of my blade. Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    Vera finished lighting the lanterns and shouldered her pack. ¡°Alright, once we¡¯re down there, no speaking. Sound carries far in the tunnels, and we want to hear what''s out there, and not have them hear us, got it?¡± Seeing my nod of understanding, she continued. ¡°I¡¯ll be in front, but keep your eyes to our flanks. The walls aren¡¯t in great shape, and they can be big enough to hide in. Don¡¯t want to be ambushed. If we¡¯re quiet enough, we¡¯ll sneak up on one of the kobold and follow it to the den. If that¡¯s the case, I want you to stay at whatever entrance we find, and stop them from leaving that way. I¡¯ll go in and do my thing, but every one that escapes is another one that we¡¯ll want to track down. I assume you know how to use that?¡± She asked, gesturing to the sword belted on his waist.


    ¡°Yes. I¡¯ve done a bit of training, watching some of the guilders in the training yard, and I killed a few rats back home with it.¡±


    ¡°Good enough. Best teacher is experience, anyway. Alright, let''s get moving.¡± With that, she grabbed the edge of the open hatch, lowering herself down on the rusty iron ladder.


    I swallowed. I hadn¡¯t lied, but it had been some time since I¡¯d really used my sword. I stopped to run my hand over the crest, whispering a quick prayer, ¡°Hear me Llyr, please guide and protect us.¡± I was done with the temple, but a little luck couldn¡¯t hurt. Glancing back down the narrow cobbled street I frowned, wishing I¡¯d thought to pray at one of the shrines along the way, placed at every large intersection in town. I shrugged, too late for that now. I¡¯d just have to hope that for once, the god was listening from beyond the veil. I stepped down onto the ladder, struggling for a moment to pull the hatch shut behind me before it slammed shut with an ear splitting bang. I cringed, looking over at Vera below. She shook her head, whispering ¡°It¡¯s fine, but we need to move.¡±


    With that we set off into the dark, walking along the raised stone walkway running along either side of a wide slow moving river of muck. Vera set a quick pace, just slow enough that we were still silent, as I followed closely on her heels. The air was thick and cloying, and seemed to diffuse the light from the lamps, lighting only a few paces in any direction. Whenever they reached an intersection, Vera drew a wicked knife from the sheath on her hip, marking an arrow with the number 4 on it into the crumbling stone of the wall. Turning away and seeing Brams confused gesture, she motioned him closer.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been down here before, remember? Day four for markings, don¡¯t want to get mixed up.¡±


    I nodded in understanding, it was a clever system. The sewers of the city were far more ancient than anything above ground, remnants of a much older settlement, the name lost to time. We moved on. It wasn¡¯t long before we began hearing the sounds of creatures moving about in the shadowed tunnels, and coming around a bend we spied a few of the massive rats so common to cities this far south. Vera motioned me forward, and I slowly drew my sword. Vera continued to wave me forward, silently mouthing ¡®Show me¡¯. With a sharp nod, I slowly crept closer, grip tightening as I passed from beneath the shadow of an overhang, light falling on the clustered rats.


    With a chorus of harsh squeaks, they turned, baring bloodied teeth. I didn¡¯t hesitate, stepping forward and stabbing down hard, pinning the first of the knee high rats to the stone below and kicking its nearest brethren hard enough to send it tumbling into another. Farther back, the light gleamed off of a beady eye as one of the rats coiled, springing forward and over their fallen comrade with black claws spread. My eyes widened, taking a step back and swinging my sword for the flying rodent, missing by a hair''s breadth. I twisted, the rat¡¯s claws raking across a bracer as it tumbled by, landing in the river of refuse with a flat plop! That one dealt with for the moment, I turned back to the remaining creatures, unable to spare the attention to wait to see if it would crawl back out of the muck.


    Gripping my blade with both hands, I slashed at the remaining 2 rats, recovered from their tumble and now surging towards my legs with a chorus of hissing. I managed to catch one across the face with a glancing slice, the creature scrabbling at its wounded eye, screeching. The second evaded my wide follow up stab, launching into my legs, sinking its massive teeth into my greave and fouling my footing. Tripping over a tail, I fell back, landing hard on the stone, kicking at the creature frantically to get it off as panic flared within my mind. Dislodged, the rat surged into the gap between my feet, but met only unforgiving steel, as I brought the sword down hard, nearly bisecting the rodent. The final rat was already fleeing incoherently, tripping over the body of the first rat as it sprinted blindly into the dark.


    I heaved a sigh, sitting for a moment to catch my breath as my heart beat slowed, before remembering the rat that had taken a dive behind me with a start. Whirling as I flew to my feet, I stopped as I got a good look. Vera stood above what remained of the rat, smashed flat into the grooved stone floor. She nodded at me with a small smile, coming closer to quietly add, ¡°Not bad. Need to remember every enemy in a fight, but not bad.¡± Clapping me on the shoulder, she jerked her chin past the strewn rat corpses. ¡°That made some noise, and we¡¯ll likely have attracted the attention of our real prey. Let¡¯s head back a bit and wait to see what comes poking around.¡±


    Retreating around the bend, we huddled into an alcove- shuttering the lamps, and waited. It wasn¡¯t long before the sound of loud sniffing alerted us that something had arrived. Motioning for me to stay put, Vera peeled herself out of the tight alcove, and crept along the bend in the tunnel with practiced grace. The soft leather of her boots made almost no sound at all, and as she crept away, I soon lost her in the near total darkness. The lack of light started playing tricks on my mind almost immediately, with Vera¡¯s absence seeming to drag on and on, and forcing me to strain to try and make out any movement in the darkness. A sharp bark from further up the tunnel made me clench every muscle in my body to stop from jolting and alerting however many creatures were lurking in the dark. My heart raced as I poked my head out from the alcove, seeing nothing but shadows in every direction. That bark was all too familiar, I had no doubt as to its origin. Kobolds. I gripped my sword in its sheath with white knuckles, barely daring to breathe in case the sound would cover the sound of approaching clawed feet. I waited like a statue, heart pounding in my ears, dreading discovery.


    I nearly cried out when a tiny speck of light appeared, lighting the floor in a small circle before going dark again. Then the sound of quiet footsteps reached the alcove, and Vera¡¯s shadow loomed out of the murk. Stepping up to the alcove, she again graced us with a tiny amount of light, opening the shutter on her lantern by a miniscule movement. The lantern lit her dangerous smile from below, adding shadows to her carmine complexion and lending her a terrifying visage in the darkness. ¡°Alright, just one of them showed, but they grabbed the rats. I bet they headed back to a nest, so we need to follow, at a distance. We¡¯ll keep the lanterns as low as possible, but we have to be extremely quiet. They hunt mostly by scent and sound, but luckily the water should help cover our tracks. Their nest will probably be lit within, so when we get close, we¡¯ll shut the lanterns entirely to give us an extra moment of surprise. Now come on, we don¡¯t want it to get away!¡±


    I swallowed, then whispered, ¡°Okay, let''s move.¡± Following Vera into the darkness once more, an icy fist seemed to grip my gut, as jitters made me feel jerky and reactive. I breathed deeply, nose wrinkling at the smell, focusing on the tiny pool of light from Vera¡¯s lantern as they slowly walked down the tunnel, closer to the kobolds, and I dearly hoped, closer to a reckoning.

 Chapter 6.

    Vera was an expert tracker, as it turned out. Silently, we followed the course of the retreating kobold, stopping at each juncture as she peered down at the stone path, somehow finding a drop of blood, or a clawed print left in the slick mold covering the path. It wasn¡¯t much time at all before we huddled, peering around a corner at the kobold as it shoved the last of the rat carcasses through a gap in the stone wall, lit by daylight filtering down from a nearby inlet grate. We stayed low and silent, watching the creature stand to its full height on spindly, backward bending legs before sniffing deeply and peering in both directions down the tunnel. The ruff along its hunched back was black and matted, and beady eyes glared out from a scarred dog-like snout, nose twitching as it swung back and forth. Raising a furred hand, it scratched at the mange peeking from beneath its uncured leather bandolier, decorated with bone and bits of glass. Seeming satisfied, it crawled into the hole in the wall, clawed feet scrabbling for purchase as it shoved its bulk through the gap.


    Vera and I pulled our heads back around the corner, and crept back another dozen yards before daring to stop and convene. Vera began whispering ¡°Alright, that¡¯s going to be a tight fit. Definitely one at a time, which means I¡¯m going in first. No offense, but I¡¯m a lot tougher than you are.¡± I raised my hands and nodded in agreement, motioning for her to continue as I schooled my heart to calm. ¡°So I¡¯ll go in first, and hopefully they aren¡¯t watching the entrance. If they are, well, it¡¯s going to get loud. If that happens, I¡¯m just going to go full iron and start swinging,¡± she continued, motioning to herself as she held up an arm, skin briefly transforming from red to the dark gray of unworked iron. ¡°I¡¯ll holler back and let you know when it¡¯s safe to come in.¡±


    I nodded in feigned nonchalance as I jealously stared at Vera''s skin as it regained its color. ¡°That¡¯s just plain not fair,¡± I whispered back, shaking my head. ¡°You ogres are blessed. But what if they aren¡¯t watching the entrance?¡±


    Vera grinned back. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it, if they aren¡¯t, I¡¯ll let you know to come on in. And isn''t that why we¡¯re down here? To get you some magic of your own, right? Focus on that, and remember it when you¡¯re staring down a kobold. They¡¯re between you and magic.¡± My eyes narrowed and I nodded sharply, all jokes forgotten. Just another obstacle.


    Taking a deep breath, I let it out slowly, letting it calm my nervous heart. ¡°Let''s go then. No reason to waste any more time than I have to without power.¡± Reaching over, Vera squeezed my shoulder with a grin. Shuttering our lanterns, we silently crept back to the kobold¡¯s entrance, nearly missing it even when we¡¯d just seen one enter, so cleverly was it hidden in the shadows of the crumbling stone. Peering into the crevice, Vera slowly took off her pack, placing her lantern within as she motioned to hand mine over as well. She placed the pack against the wall, then stood, stretching and limbering her shoulders. Then, in the dim light reflecting off the pools of stagnant water, gray bloomed along her skin, spreading outward along her limbs, flowing almost like water until even her hair changed, seeming to freeze in place, strands no longer moving even as she turned her head, looking over at me.


    Eyes wide, I stared up as she grinned, giving a thumbs up as she clambered into the hole, moving slowly so as not to scrape the edges more than necessary. She was trying to be quiet, but every time she brushed against the stone, what would have been almost imperceptible against flesh became the grinding of stone against her iron form. It quickly became apparent there would be no possibility of stealth. Vera seemed to come to the same conclusion as she stopped moving slowly and began shoving her way forward, shards of stone bursting around her as she exploded out the other side, landing so heavily I could feel it reverberate through the stone beneath my feet. Yips and barks soon erupted from the other side, but despite it all Vera¡¯s laugh echoed through the stone. Dear gods she was actually laughing. Loud bangs and yelps accompanied the thump of unbelievably heavy footfalls, as Vera yelled back, ¡°Come on in Bram! Quick!¡±


    I took several quick breaths, trying to ignore the sounds coming through the hole, remembering the sting of teeth as they sank into my flesh. My hands shook, but I clenched them harder. No, I thought, listening to the sounds of Vera working. No, I will not just wait for Vera to kill them all, if I want to do this, then I have to do it. Grabbing the edges of the stone I pulled myself into the gap. Vera had widened the hole considerably, and I was through almost before I was ready. The sounds of fighting were now echoing all around me in an overwhelming cacophony, and I stood in a puddle of blood beside a crushed corpse. The cavern was well lit, a glowstone perched upon a short outcropping of rock reflected off the low ceiling, and a curtain of leather crumpled on the floor explained why it hadn¡¯t spilled into the tunnel outside previously. A dozen kobolds were surrounding Vera as she spun between the piles of litter, bone and hide that made up their nests, their claws and crude stone knives glancing off her ineffectually as she twirled between them, striking out and sending them tumbling.


    I drew my sword, and stepped forward, intending to gut the nearest creature from behind, but it spun towards me first, snout lifted as it caught my scent. Diseased lips peeled back from yellow, chipped fangs as it raised a clawed paw. I stared into its dark hate filled eyes and hesitated only for a moment, before my resolve firmed. Just another obstacle. Surging forward, I swept down, catching the kobold across the chest as a spray of blood threatened to blind me. Taking a quick step back and risking a brief wipe of my eyes, the kobold was replaced as two more took notice of their fallen nest mate, yipping as they ran toward me. My mouth thinned to a line, and I charged right back, blade raised for a devastating slash from the side. In my mind, I intended to cut right through the first and into the second. I was wrong, of course.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    Cutting deeply into the creature on the right, the blade stuck fast as it met spine, lodging deeply into the bone and jerking to a halt. The abrupt stop caused me to run straight into the pommel, the force directed into my own gut as the air was forced from my lungs, sending me tumbling atop the creature as the other kobold skidded to a stop, claws passing over our heads with a whuff! Rolling over the corpse of the kobold below, the sword was ripped from my grasp. Panic welled within me. I was weaponless. The kobold still standing leapt, landing atop me as it tried to claw into my face. Raising my arms to shield with my bracers, I twisted and bucked, trying to throw the creature off, but it gripped me with furred legs, clawed feet easily finding purchase on the slick stone as it furiously scratched my arms and face. I need a shield! My mind raced, I was going to die under this thing if I didn¡¯t do something. Spying a glint of bone from between my arms, an idea struck. I relaxed my legs for an instant before shoving both knees up as hard as I could, sending the kobold sprawling atop me. Disgusting matted fur brushed my face as I gripped a trophy along the creature''s bandolier and ripped it free. As the kobold managed to raise itself up to bite with its fangs suddenly mere inches from my face, I drove the spike of bone up through its jaw as hard as I could. Dark blood sprayed down into my face, I gagged as it dripped into my eyes and mouth. The open maw froze and the creature collapsed atop me with a wheezing gasp.


    Shoving it off, I scrambled to my feet, searching for my blade. Vera was still tossing kobolds around like sacks of grain, and a few well placed stomps had taken several out of the fight already, littering the space around her. Catching a glimpse of steel, I leapt over a corpse and tugged desperately on my sword, as more of the creatures took notice. I braced a foot on the body of the kobold, finally tugging it free right as another arrived, raising the blade above my head as the creature swung its own stone knife. Before it could land the blow, I slashed downward, slicing its hand clean off. With a howl, the kobold stumbled back, clutching the stump. Behind it Vera surged, crushing a head in her hand as she batted another kobold aside. Glancing over at me facing another, she raised her hand and threw the dead creature in her hand like a stone, bashing into the one facing me and tumbling through the air. Long limbs entangling, the two creatures tumbled, crashing into the stone outcropping in the center of the wide room. In a moment that seemed to stretch out for an eternity, nearly every member of the fight still standing watched as the glowstone sitting atop the plinth rocked perilously, then tumbled down from its perch. My eyes widened, then shut tight as I turned away just before the stone impacted the ground. With a flash, the stone ruptured with an ear splitting crack. There was an breath of silence before the trapped gasses ignited with the fumes of the sewer and the roar of the explosion instantly eclipsed all other sound as I was thrown off my feet and catapulted into a nest at the other end of the room, smashing into a heap in a mess of fur, bone and refuse.


    I coughed, feeling something wet on my lips as I rolled to the side, ears ringing in the utter silence. The movement caused the stone beneath me to shift in response. I felt a deep judder within the earth, then the sound of crumbling stone as the entire room began to shake. I gripped the edge of the nest, trying to stand as I caught a glimpse of Vera across the wide floor, covered in the burning remains of kobolds. She met my eyes as I stood shakily, shouting something indecipherable and waving me closer urgently. My head lolled and I blinked blearily, taking a step towards her, when the stone beneath me shifted again. I looked down, trying to piece what was happening together. The ground lurched, and I barely caught myself from falling, looking back up at Vera in terror as I tried to leap forward.


    My foot met only empty air.


    Stone tumbled from beneath me, and I screamed, falling. Rock rained down around me as Vera vanished from sight and the cavern collapsed around us both. Stone bit into my side and back as the ground rose up to meet me at a sharp angle, rock bouncing around me as I tumbled down the side of a steep cliff, into an abyss of darkness. I screamed, covering my head and trying to tuck into as small a shape as possible as I was thrown into empty space again before slamming back into the ground with a wet thud. Huge stones continued to rain around me, slamming together with momentous clashes of sound that rumbled like the end of the world. When they finally stopped, I opened my eyes, adrenaline coursing through my veins. Looking up, I could barely make out the slope I¡¯d fallen down in the dark of the cave.


    Strewn everywhere along the slope were the shadows of boulders bigger even than Vera, and beyond that only darkness. Everything was painful. I drug myself to a sitting position, running my hands over myself, making sure all my parts were still attached. I was covered in cuts and scrapes, and I had a pretty decent lump forming on the back of my head. The tender area below my armor and labored breathing indicated a possible broken rib. I tried to take in a deep lungful of air, but constricted in pain, grunting out a whimper. I settled for shallow breaths, leaning back against a nearby boulder. I glanced up again, willing the light of a lantern to peek out at the top of the cliff, but was met with only darkness, and silence.


    Bracing myself, I did the only thing I could think of. I called for help. ¡°Vera!¡± I clenched, agony ripping through me as my chest constricted, rebelling against me. I huffed for a moment, then tried again, louder. ¡°VERA!¡± The pain made me want to pass out, and it was much longer before I could calm my breathing again, tears running down my face, from pain or fear, probably both. A sob wracked me, terror at the thought of being left down here to die shaking me to my very soul.


    ¡°VERA!¡± I shouted once more, with no sounds answering the gasping plea. My calls were loud, pounding in my ears, but maybe she couldn¡¯t even hear me. Maybe she wasn¡¯t even there to listen. Stone had collapsed under me, but what if she was trapped up there, buried beneath hundreds of tons of stone and street above? My labored breathing was the only sound in the darkness, and as I lay there, terror gripping my heart, I silently prayed. I prayed to Llyr the savior, to Aio for a glint of light in the darkness, and to any other god that might still be listening to the mortal plane to save me.


    I heard only silence.


    And after an hour of screaming, followed by attacks of debilitating agony, my battered body gave in, and responded in the only effective manner it could. I slept.

 Chapter 7.

    I awoke with a shiver, blinking blearily as the fog began to clear from my mind. For a moment I was confused, imagining my eyes refused to open, before remembering where I was. The darkness was oppressive, but after a few moments of looking around, I gradually began to make out the shapes of the boulders around me as my eyes finally adjusted. I frowned, sitting up slowly, hissing in pain as my ribs shifted in ways they were surely not meant to. Placing a hand on the ground, it came away wet. I was sitting in a thin puddle of dampness, and as I brought my hand to my nose, it smelled of precisely nothing. Probably not the sewer overflow then. Small blessings, as my arms were still covered in small cuts from the kobold¡¯s claws, and any infection down here would be a death sentence.


    Glancing up, I confirmed what I¡¯d noted before falling asleep. There was only darkness above, and I doubted any sound was traveling through the stone I assumed had blocked the hole. Even if it were, Vera was strong, but no miner. Turning my gaze away from the shadowed slope, blackness seemed to stretch in every direction. There was only one choice: find another way out, or sit here until I died of exposure or starvation. I just had to hope that there was another way out, and that I wouldn¡¯t fall into some other abyss before finding it. That, and hopefully nothing else was down here. My sword was long gone, I hadn¡¯t even had it when the ground had opened up, and I had no illusions that I could find it down here in the dark.


    Thinking of searching in the darkness brought me up short. Just how was I seeing anything at all down here? Narrowing my eyes, I strained to find any source of light at all, until I glanced down at the puddle I was still sitting in. Suspended atop the liquid were tiny motes of¡­ something, shedding the barest hint of blue-green luminance. Gently scooping a hand beneath one of the motes, I lifted it out of the water, holding it up to my eyeline. After only a bare few moments, it began to dim, until it had faded to the point I could no longer discern anything in my palm at all. Looking around at the strewn stones littering the area around me, it made sense. Before I¡¯d passed out, I could see the stones and the slope as well. The collapse must have disrupted whatever magic gave these tiny motes light, or perhaps just disturbed them. Regardless, I couldn¡¯t stay here, and I clearly couldn¡¯t take the motes with me.


    Groaning, I levered myself to my feet, leaning heavily against the boulder to catch a breath. Now at a higher vantage, I looked around, raising an eyebrow. The cavern I found myself in was large, perhaps 20 paces across and extending off into the distance farther than I could make out. Beyond my immediate surroundings, I could see more of the blue-green light as it lit the floor, and some even seemed to climb up the walls in a strange, grasping pattern. ¡°Well, might as well follow the light,¡± I whispered, before beginning the arduous process of threading between the fallen rock. Clutching my side and controlling my breathing, I inched forward. Several times I had to sit and catch my breath, shallow as it was, before mustering the effort to stand and continue.


    Moving beyond the boulder field, the going became significantly easier, even as it grew brighter. The strange light appeared to be some kind of slimy moss, or something similar at least to my untrained eye. I¡¯d never much cared for botany, and I had certainly never had my mother¡¯s green thumb. Whatever it was, it helped guide me in the gloom, and as I continued through what was apparently a natural tunnel, I began seeing irregular shapes looming ahead. Coming closer with steps as silent as I could manage, I examined one in more detail. What had appeared to be just a lump in the darkness, was a piece of something far larger. Running a hand along it, the cleanly shaped lines of stone spoke to some kind of structure, perhaps. I pursed my lips and moved on to the next, finding it much the same, and the next. The way they were strewn in this tunnel was strange, perplexing even. They seemed to be crafted, part of a building or perhaps statues, it was too dark to tell.


    Looking up at the walls and the ceiling hidden in darkness above gave few answers. This place had a natural feel about it, no stonework to shore up the sides or brace the ceiling that I could see. Shrugging, I put it to the back of my mind. If I found more clues, it might help me find a way out, but just as likely it was irrelevant to my current plight. Resuming the slow walk, I picked my way around more of the strange rubble, gritting my teeth as my stomach loudly made itself known. Without any idea how long I¡¯d been out, I could only judge times passing by my growing hunger. Currently, I thought it was likely early evening, perhaps even later. I wouldn¡¯t starve for a day or two at least, but best to move just a bit faster. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    Kicking up the pace a bit soon had me noticing a rather distressing trend. The tunnel was narrowing. Gradually, but noticeably, the walls were closing in as I moved further from the cliff. Fear wormed its way into my thoughts, whispering that there may be no exit at the end of this path, that I may have walked for hours just to find a wall at which to collapse, far from any rescue that might have been mounted for me, however unlikely that might be. Shaking my head, I tried to dismiss the worries. If there wasn¡¯t any path forward, I¡¯d go back, and try my hand at climbing. And nothing so far suggested this path would just end. Those stone fragments had come from somewhere, and I doubted they¡¯d made their way down here from a kobold¡¯s nest.


    Pushing through the fear, I continued and soon realized it was getting brighter. The moss was getting denser, and the ground audibly squelched with every footstep. Perhaps there was a spring feeding it nearby, or an underground river. I¡¯d heard a few of the dwarves in the guild mention them once, and if one was down here, I might be able to follow it to an exit or perhaps even to an old mine. Quickening my pace, I allowed a hopeful grin to play upon my lips. Soon afterwards, through the growing light of the moss, I finally saw the end of the tunnel.


    A wall of perfectly smooth stone covered it, save for a gaping crack running from the ground nearly to the ceiling that I could now properly see at 30 feet above. The wall itself was far more interesting than just the crack marring it, however. Looping runes and what looked like strange glyphs covered its surface, flickering with that same blue-green light in places, but as I drew closer, I realized the the markings were far, far more extensive than I¡¯d first realized, as most were extinguished, the power likely faded in whatever event cracked the wall. Whatever formation they had powered looked to be nonfunctional, and as I examined them in detail, the glyphs began to make some sense individually, though their purpose was still a mystery. The designs were infinitely more complex than anything I¡¯d seen before, and some of the runes were totally foreign, but I spotted pieces of what I thought were likely barrier and containment formations. But that made no sense, the concepts were completely opposed in glyph design, you couldn¡¯t repel and contain something with a single glyph formation.


    I shook my head. Another mystery, but as I glanced at the crack splitting the wall, I reckoned it wasn¡¯t one I needed to be overly concerned with. All the glyphs within several handspans of the crack were completely inert, and as I peered into the darkness within, I grinned. I could definitely squeeze through the gap, but a little caution never hurt. Stepping back, I scooped a bit of the strange moss from the ground near where it stopped, strangely absent from the wall itself. Cringing slightly, I tossed the handful of moss at the crack, flinching as it splatted wetly against the stone. My trepidation appeared to be for naught, as decidedly nothing happened. I released a breath I hadn¡¯t realized I¡¯d been holding. My grin spread wider, a bit of tension melting from my shoulders.


    Cautiously optimistic now, I approached the wall, staring up at the once magnificent designs. Tentatively, I reached out a hand, placing my palm on the stone. When I wasn¡¯t struck down or dissolved into a pile of ash, I silently pumped a fist in victory. Reaching into the crack, I began pulling himself through the thick stone, wincing as my leather armor scraped loudly in the quiet. Stumbling out of the crack, I bent over to catch my breath. As I raised my eyes, the breath caught in my throat.


    I was standing in the middle of something out of an adventurer''s tall tale. A pool of shimmering blue-green liquid spilled across the ground lighting a massive space the likes of which I¡¯d never seen or heard of spread before me. Strange devices glimmered in the wavering light, atop long tables littered with the rotted remains of parchments and broken glass under a thick film of dust. Brass pipes ran the length of the room along the high ceiling and over many of the walls. One of the pipes widened dramatically over the central table, like some great maw waiting to devour offerings to some strange purpose. Far to my right, nearly at the corner of the rectangular space, a wide copper door, covered in green verdigris, was set into the wall, glowing glyphs matching those outside covering its surface. Directly across from my position, an empty archway stood against the wall, strange decoration for such a place. As my gaze panned over the room, it was completely arrested by what dominated the far side of the room.  A massive stone obelisk stood against the wall, copper inlaid into it in a dizzying array of glyphs far more complex even than that of the wall outside. And before it, atop a plinth, grasped in copper claws, softly glowed a sphere of silver light.


    My mouth went dry. In mute rapture, I moved to the sphere, drawn as if by some invisible tether, threading through the tables, fantastic contraptions and discoveries forgotten. As I came to a stop before it, my breath caught in my throat, and tears began welling in my eyes. I gazed down at the core binding, barely believing my eyes. For that is what it was: a core binding, already formed and perfect, the primary, and most important component needed to change the life of any non-magical being. The key to the life I¡¯d been dreaming of since I was old enough to think. The key to adventuring.


    The key to magic of my own.

 Chapter 8.

    I closed my eyes, emotions raging, struggling with whether I should laugh or cry. All this time, all the humiliation, all the days spent facing adventurers who treated me like a broken, pathetic failure with a smile plastered on my face, and the key to everything was sitting just below. How different the last 6 years would have been, if only I¡¯d found this earlier. Perhaps I never would have frozen up, never been in debt¡­ My brow furrowed as I opened my eyes, gazing down at the silver sphere of raw potential. Why was it down here, below a city that seemed to be clueless as to what lay below? And who had created it? Core bindings were assembled from the shards of essence, a solidified -and condensed- form of mana  left behind by dead magical creatures, or distilled from raw mana by strange alchemy. Neither were a simple, or cheap undertaking. A binding, as the name implied, bound a mortal¡¯s soul to the fabric of mana that flowed through all of existence, enabling influence and manipulation of that mana, creating magic. Therefore, it was quite an exacting science, requiring a great deal of collected essence and balance, as essence carried fragments of will from their previous owners, and directly affected what magics a person gained. I had read a few horrifying accounts of terrible, disfiguring abilities granted by improperly prepared bindings. And every diagram I¡¯d ever studied always portrayed them as being made from many tiny, interlocking fragments, like those hidden in my apartment far above. But this shining sphere was nearly perfect. As I looked closer, miniscule veins of a slightly darker color webbed across the silver surface, in a seemingly random pattern of jagged lines and tight curls.


    Pulling my gaze from the gem like core, I looked over the spacious room again, looking for any hint as to why any of this was here. I hesitated a moment before stepping away from the core, an irrational fear that as soon as I wasn¡¯t poised to grab it, it would disappear. Shaking my head to dispel the baseless anxiety, I moved to the nearest table. Made of a metal I couldn¡¯t identify, it was perfectly smooth with a mirror like shine, and no sign at all of deterioration, unlike the many items cluttered atop and on the floor surrounding it. Glass vials and strange copper instruments decorated in sweeping lines of unlit glyphs were littered across the space, and between them were the rotted remains of what appeared to be crumbling parchment. I attempted to lift one sheet to get a better look, and it crumbled to dust at the touch. Looking back at the wall I¡¯d entered through, the rubble of more than just the wall littered the ground. Looking closer, it appeared to be a statue, though of who was impossible to determine. I could only gather a vague sense of the size from a single massive clenched fist, the incredible detail conveying a strength and wrath that made my chest constrict in imagined pain, before I looked away with a shudder. I estimated it must have reached nearly to the ceiling of the vaulted space. I looked upward at the crack in the wall, then at the crumbled remains. Whatever had made that crack in the wall, it appeared it had first destroyed the statue.


    ¡°Hmmm.¡± I started a bit at the sound of my own voice, now used to the complete, oppressive silence of the space. I dismissed the crumbled statue and slowly made my way around the rest of what I suspected was some sort of alchemy laboratory, carefully stepping over the debris, still acutely aware of my fragile ribs. I cursed my black luck that I¡¯d left my satchel with Vera¡¯s bag outside the kobold¡¯s nest. No doubt many of these artifacts would fetch quite a price on the surface.


    After searching the remaining tables, I sighed. No writing had survived however long this strange lab had been buried down here, the only clue to its age or provenance being the odd design of the glyphs on the equipment. It was a very different design than the glyphs I¡¯d studied with Jerome, and while I was certainly no master of the craft, the jagged design present in some of the glyphs was anathema to what I¡¯d been taught. Glyphs relied on flowing designs to in turn allow the mana to flow, naturally activating the designs when it was poured in from the inlet rune. In many of the glyphs, I couldn¡¯t even find an inlet rune, they seemed to operate in some fundamentally different way. With a sigh, I set a clawed copper instrument down on the table, my eyes inevitably returning to the core where it waited.


    I chewed my lip, nervous. It just seemed¡­ too easy. Why would anyone leave such a powerful, incredibly valuable thing out, unsecured. Glancing back at the cracked wall, I supposed that the room had at one time been closed, but anyone who could use the instruments in this lab would have been able to secure it, surely. Alchemists were always portrayed as dark, mysterious figures not to be trifled with in the stories. Robbing an alchemist was said to be a death sentence in a thousand ways. And that meant the bane of any adventurer: traps. Nothing in this room suggested a trap of any kind, which was what worried me the most. Invisible blades, explosive runes hidden in the floor or walls¡­ I¡¯d heard tales of all kinds of fiendish snares through wild stories passed around the guild hall. Still, I wanted that core. Needed it, really. And not just to improve my life above ground. I glanced over at the door that presumably led out and hopefully to the surface. There was no telling what lay beyond it, or if the trek would be as easy as it had been in, and I was hurting. A little magic could go a long way to helping me get out.


    Not that I actually knew how to do magic, even with a binding. From what I¡¯d heard and read, every binding was different, and granted power in varying forms, and most people who gained a binding said there was a certain amount of instinct that guided them to understanding their power, though study was always required. Still¡­ even if I got some unimpressive power, anything would be a boon in getting out of this hole. Best to have a backup though, so I approached the door, the softly glowing glyphs adorning it unbroken. I frowned. ¡°That might be an issue¡±, I muttered sourly. I recognized several of the runes, and they did not tell a friendly tale. The door was clearly warded to prevent opening, whether it was to ward intruders or escape, it didn¡¯t matter. And I dared not touch it to attempt to foul the glyphs, it was solid copper, and surely trapped against any tampering. A test then. Taking cover behind the nearest of the long tables, I grabbed a bent bronze funnel, and gently tossed it at the door. Peeking over the tabletop, I watched it sail toward the door, until it stopped abruptly in midair, frozen for a momentary delay before a flash of energy washed out of the door with a low hum, turning the funnel to ash in an instant. My jaw dropped.


    ¡°Shit.¡±


    Glancing back at the core binding still gripped in the claws of the pedestal, I tapped my chin. Glyphs ran down the length of it, disappearing below the floor. Perhaps connected to the door as well? If I took the binding, the glyphs might power down. Or it might trigger some devilish trap and spell my grisly end. And what choice was there really? But if I was just going to take it and run¡­ why not just perform the ritual at the same time? At least that way I might have a chance.


    My heart thudded in my chest. Two birds, one stone. Take the binding to try and disarm the door, and embed it within my soul at the same time. It would probably work. Maybe. And if it didn¡¯t, well I was probably going to die down here anyway. I rubbed my sweating palms together, grimacing as the muscle over my ribs constricted painfully. I¡¯d need a pair of circles, and blood. My blood, to be exact. Without my sword or even a knife, I instead found a sharp fragment of glass, and one of the wide brass bowls would serve as a vessel.


    Standing before the plinth, I swallowed loudly, the sound echoing off the stone. I¡¯d have to be extremely careful. I needed enough blood to draw the circles, but I was already injured and didn¡¯t have much to spare. My mouth was parched, but I took a deep breath, determined. This was the only way. Kneeling over the bowl, I unlaced my bracer, then drew the improvised blade across my forearm with a hiss, blood dripping down into the bowl, gradually filling. My hands were shaking, but I tried to steady myself. I¡¯d been preparing for this moment nearly since I could read. I¡¯d begged the village priest for weeks to borrow the manual for binding investiture, then spent far longer reading and rereading it. I knew this ritual better than any but an alchemist at this point, and I could draw these circles in my sleep.


    Dipping my fingers into the bowl, I forced myself to go as slow as possible, drawing the first of the circles around the base of the plinth. I considered if the glyphs along the plinth might interfere, but dismissed the worry. If it didn¡¯t work, nothing would happen, and I¡¯d just have to adjust the plan. After adding the runes along the outside edge of the circle, I turned to my own. Of the two, this was far more complicated. The ritual had to funnel the power of the shards, or fully formed core in this case, safely into my soul, so many of the runes lining the interior were about slowing the transfer of power into a manageable flow. So I took my time, careful not to let any of the blood drip and ruin the pattern. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Finishing the circle, I went over every rune again, ensuring they were perfect. Then with a deep breath, I began tugging off my armor, groaning as the movement pulled on the extremely tender flesh around my ribs. Using only my right arm I managed to get it off without vomiting, barely, and tossed the armor to the side. Pulling off the linen shirt beneath, I wet my fingers in the bowl again before placing them against my abdomen, drawing the anchoring rune of investiture with a practiced hand.


    Kneeling in the circle before the plinth, I found my hands no longer shook. This was it, and I found the worry had fallen away, only acceptance and focus remaining. I reached out, placing a single bloody finger against the warm surface of the core binding. The warmth seeped into me, welling up from within as the core began to glow brighter. For a moment it suffused my soul, and all my aches disappeared. I felt renewed.


    Then white hot power flooded into me, and I arched my back in a wordless scream. The spacious room flooded with silver light, as the core and ritual circles ignited in a blaze of power, a stream of ethereal silver flame erupting from the core and tethering to my chest. Every muscle in my body seized, contracting to the point I thought every bone in my body would shatter. Heat spread outward from the anchor rune, power racing through my veins like molten fire. The core¡¯s energy rushed into me in an unceasing torrent, battering at the edges of my sanity. I struggled to remain conscious, terror filling my mind. It wasn¡¯t supposed to be like this, everything I¡¯d read said investiture was a brief, warming experience. I wrestled to take control, to try and break the rune on my chest, to stop the impossibly vast flow of power.


    The core suddenly blazed even brighter, the light burning my eyes, yet I was unable to even close my eyelids. A wave of rage roiled into me, the emotion surprising as it warred with my terror. Phantom sensations assaulted my mind, a flood so great as to be incomprehensible. I caught flashes of agony, so all encompassing as to make the pain I felt now seem no worse than a pinprick, a fear to mirror my own, but above it all, rising like a great wave to block out the light of the sun, was a hungering rage, so dark and terrible that my very soul shuddered, a leaf in the wind before the fury.


    My mind threatened to break under the assault, drowning in the sensations. I reached for something, anything to hold onto, to weather this storm of power and emotion. I latched onto my memories, fighting the foreign emotion threatening to completely consume my mind. Vera¡¯s encouraging smile as she led me to our first fight flitted through my mind. My mother¡¯s voice rose up, love apparent even as it shook with fatigue. The wave of rage pressed down, crushing me. Until Tyrion¡¯s face rose from my memory, snake-like sneer snapping my mind into focus. I felt the swell of rage halt, its advance stymied. I pressed the advantage, focusing on my own anger to bear my will, pulling on everything I¡¯d experienced over the last 6 years. The memory of my first fight flashed through my mind, the fear and self loathing both in the moment and for years after. The snickers of the other adventurers as they glanced my way as they mocked my cowardice. I recalled the fight in the guild hall, the derision with which Tyrion tossed me aside after I''d tackled him. Within the stream of power attacking my mind, I stood. I would not be cowed. This power would be mine. I would not shrink and hide from my own failures, I would overcome them.


    I would overcome everything. I screamed again, but there was no fear, only defiance. The power within raged uncontrolled, and even as it suffused my soul, I felt it burrowing into my body, searing flesh. The core surged again as it shrank, dissolving into a stream of silver light flecked with shadow as it flowed into me. I grasped at the power flooding my soul, trying to shape it, to direct it, but it flowed on unimpeded, completely unaffected by my efforts. The power fought me still, burning as it burrowed into my soul, but I held. I hardened my resolve, and I endured, the glyph of the same name flicking into my mind. I held onto the idea, repeating it in my mind as I mentally envisioned the glyph.


    Endure.


    Endure.


    Endure.


    I held onto consciousness, if only barely. The core had shrunk considerably, barely a pebble as it continued to stream into me.


    The flow of power finally began to ebb, the light dimming as the last of the core dissolved into silver light, impacting my chest with a final potent blast of power. I collapsed, spent. My chest heaved erratically as I tried to catch my breath. Every inch of me ached, but the pain was fading quickly. Sitting up, I was able to breathe a bit easier. Much easier, in fact. I ran a hand along my side, poking at my now unblemished ribs, and grinned. I had no idea how it had worked, but I was healed, and I felt good. I stood, my body feeling lighter than it ever had before. Before I could begin exploring just how much had changed, I glanced down at the ritual circles, eyebrows raising in muted alarm. The circles had completely burned away, leaving ashen scars burned into the stone floor.


    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ pretty certain that isn¡¯t supposed to happen,¡± I murmured, but my attention was diverted as I noticed the burns were getting harder to make out, belatedly realizing the room was growing darker. The glyphs running down the plinth and covering the walls and obelisk were dimming fast, even the pool of liquid near the crack I¡¯d entered through beginning to lose its radiance.


    A shudder ran through the earth, dust raining down from the ceiling. I looked up in alarm, picking out tiny fissures beginning to spread through the stone.


    ¡°Shit. Shit shit shit!¡± I yelled as the room began to crumble, scrambling for the door. The glyphs there were still lit, fading at a slower pace. I cursed again, uncertain. The glyphs were losing their potency, but they had turned metal to ash, and I wasn¡¯t keen to test that effect on bare flesh. I could head back the way I¡¯d entered¡­ but that only led to slow starvation and death. The stone ceiling began to fracture, a head size chunk slamming into the floor next to me with a heavy thud. ¡°Not happening. I am not getting smashed by rocks after all this. Not now!¡±


    Racing over, I grabbed the fallen masonry, heaving the stone with a grunt even as the room filled with the sound of crashing stone. Struggling under the weight slightly, I braced my feet and launched the stone with all the strength I could muster straight at the door. This time it managed to impact the door itself before flashing with searing light, melting much of it to slag before it dropped to the ground. The glyphs dimmed dramatically, and I was encouraged when several sputtered out and failed to rekindle. Turning quickly, I found another chunk of debris, keeping an eye on the cracks spreading above and dodging a falling section that crushed the full length of one of the tables. Lining up in front of the door again, I heaved another stone, the door buckling with the shriek of metal giving. After a delay, more of the glyphs flickered and went out, but the stone was still glowing red. And now there was a growing puddle of liquified molten stone at the base of the door. Stones were falling all around me, and I raised an arm in a vain attempt to prevent anything from crushing my head.


    I narrowed my eyes, watching the glyphs through the dust, waiting for the perfect moment to leap through. But they weren¡¯t fading quickly enough, and as more stone shattered the floor, I made my decision. Better to take a chance on the weakened magic of the door rather than the certainty of a stone crushing me. Taking a few steps back, I braced against some of the rubble. This only had a chance of working if I moved as quickly as possible, moving through the doorway before it could activate fully. Taking a few quick breaths, I didn¡¯t hesitate. I sprinted forward, leaping the puddle of lava and slamming into the door as hard as I could. The weakened metal buckled and gave, bending outward until I lay on the partially opened door, suspended above the superheated metal. The light on the door flickered, surging for a moment before dying completely. I didn¡¯t waste a moment, bracing my shoulder against the door and kicking against the frame, metal groaning as I shoved through the gap, dropping to the stone beyond.


    I rolled forward and away from the door, pulling my legs out of the way just as the opening collapsed, crushing the door beneath it in a shower of rubble. The rumble continued, and the cavern I found myself in shuddered. I panned my gaze around the nearly lightless cave as I stood. The darkness seemed somehow less, and I quickly saw the path forward. I ran, splashing through the shallow water spreading across the floor as collapsing rock crumbled around me in showers of dust. An errant thought flitted across my frazzled mind as I wondered if the city above would be okay. An opening in the rock loomed before me as the cave narrowed to a point above the flow of a shallow river, clearly the source of the water in the lab. Splashing into it, I dove into the water just as boulders started raining down, collapsing the cave behind me. Coming up for air, I found myself floating along in a slow moving current through a low tunnel inches above.


    With a sigh, I finally relaxed, letting the current take me where it willed.

 Chapter 9.

    I lay there as the water pushed me along, staring at the pitch black ceiling, thinking. My thoughts circled between an immense sense of satisfaction, and worry for what was to come. On the one hand, I¡¯d finally done it. I had managed to form a core binding within my soul and magic would soon be at my fingertips. Just as soon as I figured that part out. I¡¯d tried to sense the flow of mana within me and harness it over the last hour as I slowly floated with no success. For now that was fine, these weren¡¯t exactly ideal learning conditions. But without the distraction my thoughts invariably turned back to where I was, and how in all the planes I was going to get back to the surface.


    Raising my head slightly, I turned to look up the river but only saw more tunnel. That was something though. I could see the ceiling even through the complete darkness. It was strange, I could still perceive that there was a complete lack of light, but the craggy ceiling above was as clear as if I¡¯d held a candle up to it. No doubt it was due to my now somewhat magical nature, but I was unsure as to how. I wasn¡¯t actually doing anything, and yet I had perfect vision in the darkness. I¡¯d heard there were mages with advanced bindings who could see through any fog, across any distance, but that required a working of mana. Although¡­ I don¡¯t really have much experience with actual magic, could be wrong.


    I sighed, a long drawn out thing that echoed in the tight confines. The river was narrow, I could touch either side of the tunnel if I stretched my arms out, dragging along the slick rock. Pulling my arms back, I accelerated with the current. Might as well speed this up. I continued swimming, gently so as not to burn myself out. I had no idea how long this river might be, or if I¡¯d suddenly slam into anything submerged in the dark waters.


    As if to punish me for the thought, the top of my forehead suddenly slammed into a low nub of stalactite, scraping across my face as my curses echoed in the dark. Growling, I turned over to face forward and check the path for any more surprises, face halfway submerged to avoid brushing the ceiling before flipping onto my back once more. Nothing was coming that I could see, and I could only hold my breath for so long.


    To pass the time floating along, I tried counting stalactites at first, but soon grew bored as I passed a thousand. Then I started measuring my body length against the roof and trying to gauge the speed of the current. Roughly¡­ 1 length every two seconds, or thereabouts. Not terribly slow, but not getting anywhere in a hurry. After that I tried to simply relax, letting my mind wander. I was contemplating how to let my mother know about this most recent, momentous development when I began to notice that my pace seemed to be increasing. I¡¯d only noticed it as I tried counting stalactites once more and found them slipping away before I could count them all. I tipped my head back, concern furrowing my brow.


    The waters ahead had grown energetic, shedding their mirror calm, and as I increasingly whisked along the tunnel, a sound echoed up that sent a shiver of fear down my spine. A faint splashing roar reached my ears, signaling just one thing to his mind.


    Waterfall.


    I turned over and flipped my feet beneath me before paddling backwards, hoping to slow myself while keeping an eye on the tunnel ahead. I was definitely going over whatever fall was ahead, but going headfirst was an insane proposition, without even considering all the stalactites I might hit on the way through. I didn¡¯t wait long. The water was frothing ahead as the tunnel simply ended, opening up into empty space dimly lit from below. I had hardly an instant to yell in surprise before taking a breath as I shot over the edge, taking in a wide round cavern ringing a deep black pool before I plunged into the cool water in an avalanche of bubbles and currents that tried to drag me down.


    Fighting panic, I oriented myself, swimming down then out and away from the deluge of water hammering down before kicking back to the surface. Breaching, I inhaled a huge lungful of air, gasping as I blinked the spray from my eyes. Swimming to the narrow rocky shoreline ringing the cavern, I coughed as I dragged myself from the water. Leaning on all fours, I coughed up a bit of water, before I froze.


    Rapid plaps alerted me as I spun to my right, and I cursed under my breath at the frankly ridiculous luck that had landed me here. Running towards me and clutching primitive shell spears was a pack of dregs. The small fish-like creatures stood only a bit above my waist, hunched over finned bodies forcing their bipedal run to be almost comical, had they not been armed with spears and mouths crammed full of needle sharp teeth. Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    I stood, holding my hands up in a placating gesture. I¡¯d dealt with the creatures before, they were a common sight among the dunes back home. They were dangerous, but not overtly aggressive to land dwellers, usually. Although, I was beginning to suspect that wasn¡¯t going to hold up here as they fanned out around me, spears mere inches away from my naked torso. As the circled dregs bared their collective teeth, I stayed silent, waiting for their leader. There was always a leader when they moved in groups, no matter how small. They had a strict hierarchy, though it was simple. Biggest dreg is the one in charge. This typically wasn¡¯t an issue for an adult human and most other races, but I had to force myself not to take a step back as the distant torchlight revealed the hulking form approaching.


    This was by far the biggest dreg I¡¯d ever seen or indeed even heard of. The corpulent fish creature stood nearly eye to eye with me, and the waving fin atop its scaly back reached higher still. Drooping flesh sagged atop thickly muscled legs supported by a far more ornate spear that it used as a walking stick as it strode toward me, the ring of smaller creatures splitting to let it approach. A deep gurgling sound arose from the creature, echoed by the others, rising in pitch as it stood straighter, trying to match my height. All at once, the noise ceased, and the creature''s fleshy lips peeled back from rows of fangs as it began to speak in a gurgling, wet voice sounding as if from below the waves.


    ¡°Hume! No come here! Only food come here!¡± The creature waggled its spear staff threateningly as it made its opinion known. I nodded slowly, making the movement exaggerated and clear.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m sorry. I¡­ fell in a hole above, and I just want to go back to the surface. I will leave, but I don¡¯t know how.¡±


    The surrounding dregs hissed, and the leader slammed its spear down. ¡°No! No hole above, no humes come. Cannot tell humes dregs here. Death-war will come.¡± It took a step forward menacingly, and I took one back, scrambling for the right words.


    ¡°I won¡¯t tell anyone you¡¯re here, I promise. You will have peace, I promise. I will leave and you won¡¯t hear from anyone on the surface. I swear!¡± I said, trying to remain calm, or at least appear that way. My eyes flickered behind the leader, spying the rough huts ringing the shore. There were a lot of dregs here.


    The huge dreg shook its head vigorously, thick spittle flying. ¡°No! No leave, bring back more humes and orcs and nasties! No, only food come here,¡± it gurgled, raising the spear and gripping it with both hands now. My thoughts raced, and I found the decision was easy enough. Diplomacy hadn¡¯t worked. Maybe surprise would.


    I cowered for another moment, blood pumping hard in my ears, before my body language changed abruptly. I surged forward, turning to the side as I slid by the spear, the dreg reacting too slowly, stabbing forward an instant too late. I grabbed the spear with both hands, the jagged shells decorating the upper haft cutting into my palms as I twisted, planting a foot into the flabby chest of the dreg and kicking hard. I came away with the spear as the creature tumbled back, the surrounding dregs frozen in indecision at seeing their leader disarmed. Seizing the opportunity, I spun the spear and leapt forward, slamming the weapon straight down into the creature¡¯s chest, plunging deep into the spongy flesh.


    With a final gurgle, the massive dreg stared up at the spear and me above it, before its head fell back to the shore. There was an instant of utter stillness. Then, complete chaos. The surrounding creatures erupted in gurgling cries and shrieks as they fled and tumbled over each other. One or two thought to try and hold their ground, but I wasn¡¯t sticking around to find out if I could take them in a fair fight. Adrenaline spiked through my veins, my instincts screaming at me, urging me to move. I ripped the spear free, turning to kick one of the smaller ones away and knocking another out of the way with the spear before sprinting through the gap and leaping back into the water. There hadn¡¯t been any exits in the smooth stone walls of the cave, so I figured there must be one beneath the pool. The dregs had been concerned with being discovered, so the entrance must be hidden. I swam with all I had, blinking rapidly beneath the water to clear the bubbles in my vision. I turned every which way, and if the torches above hadn¡¯t been lit, I might have missed it entirely even with my much improved vision. Along the side of the pool was a low stone ledge extending from the wall above, and below it a narrow gap above the true floor of the pool.


    I kicked hard, pushing my arms awkwardly as I clung to the spear. Dregs were far more graceful swimmers than any human, I needed to put some distance between me and the frantic creatures. Reaching the gap, I squeezed under the ledge, scraping my back raw against the rough stone, but then I was away and free, though still far below the surface. Placing my feet flat in the sand, I pushed up powerfully, rocketing upwards as I felt my lungs begin to burn. Kicking as hard as I could, I continued to surge for a surface I still could not make out. As my vision began to darken, and the urge to take a breath became a nearly involuntary urge, I broke the surface of a glassy lake, heaving and gasping as I struggled to stay afloat.


    The stars of a moonless night reflected in the ripples around me, lighting the path to the shore, only a short distance away. Raggedly, I paddled over before dragging myself out of the water and turned to watch for any pursuit. I stood there for a long, tense minute before retreating from the shore and letting myself collapse onto the rising hill just beyond the shale beach, luxuriating in the feeling of freedom, chest heaving as I stared up at the sky.


    A sobbing laugh escaped my lips, as tears beaded at the edges of my eyes. The stars were beautiful. The vast expanse of tiny pinpricks was the most beautiful thing I¡¯d ever seen, because I¡¯d made it. I had survived not only my first guild contract in 6 years, I¡¯d survived an almost certain death twice over at least. I would need to find my way back to a road or village, then back to Balandor and Vera, but for now, I just lay there and stared up at the stars. Even as a chill wind raised the hairs on my arms and chest, I didn¡¯t move. The light of the stars was all the warmth I needed, just for a moment longer.


    The quiet was disrupted violently, when my stomach rumbled, echoing across the water.

 Chapter 10.

    Rick the guard was terribly, indescribably bored. Or, at least that was his excuse as he surreptitiously sipped from the flask dangling from the cord around his neck. Slipping it back beneath the tabard covering his too-tight breastplate, he leaned against the crenelations atop the gate to Balandor, letting out a fetid sigh. The pay was mediocre, and gate duty was agonizingly boring, but City Guard was a pretty good gig, he mused. Especially on nights like this. Quiet, relaxed, and perfectly boring. Not that he minded when something livened it up just a touch, or he needed to rough up a suspicious merchant. He could just appreciate an uneventful shift is all, and tonight was shaping up to be a good and simple one.


    So, when he first noticed the figure cresting the hill along the wide path in the dark, lit only by the starlight, he cursed. He hated having to deal with travelers this late. Opening the gate was a pain by himself, and logging the traveler was even worse. His superiors were big fans of duplicate records, so triplicate was necessary. With Rick¡¯s poor handwriting, he¡¯d have to spend ages writing carefully on the cramped ledger, else he¡¯d just have to rewrite it, groggy and tired once the Sergeant reviewed it in the morning. Rick sighed, propping an elbow beneath his chin as he waited for the distant figure to approach, and pulled out the small notebook secured at his hip.


    *******


    I trudged through the dark, the end of the dreg spear dragging against the hard packed dirt of the road behind me. My stomach rumbled audibly, sounding like nothing so much as an angry beast. And that¡¯s what I was certainly beginning to feel like. I had been walking for several hours at this point, and the gnawing hunger which had at first been motivating, now only made me irritable. I was so hungry, I felt like I was truly nearing starvation. My limbs had been trembling for some time, and every step was an effort. I didn¡¯t think I¡¯d been down in the caverns that long, though who knew how long I¡¯d been out after the first cave in.


    I shook my head ruefully. The fact that I had to specify the first cave in was frankly ridiculous. I doubted anyone but Vera would believe the story. I would have laughed any adventurer with such a tale out the door. A small grin twitched at the corners of my lips. The facts were though, that I finally had my own unbelievable tale of adventure, it didn¡¯t matter at all if no one believed it. If I could manage to get home to tell it without starving, however. I grumbled as my stomach once more made its displeasure known, my abdomen clutching involuntarily. At least the walk had been uneventful, the wide dirt road had been easy enough to find by starlight, and no further obstacles had appeared on the long trek. I had been surprised at how close I¡¯d ended up to the city, emerging on the shore of a wide lake not far from the road I¡¯d originally taken to Balandor years ago, and I had taken a moment to gaze down the road to the south. I hadn¡¯t visited home in quite some time, I really ought to now that I could, I thought to myself. It hadn¡¯t been easy to find the time, getting time off from the guild had been like trying to get blood from a stone. That wouldn¡¯t be a problem now though. The building probably wouldn¡¯t be up for weeks yet, and I planned on formally resigning as soon as possible. I had been on a successful quest, and more importantly, I had magic!


    I grinned, looking down at my hands, and the small, almost child-sized spear I still carried. I had tried to sense the flow of mana and begin the basic exercises I¡¯d read about the whole walk home, and while I hadn¡¯t had success yet, I was sure it was just nerves. I¡¯d read over them again tomorrow, after the sleep I desperately needed, and then I¡¯d finally get a taste of real power.


    Glancing up, a bit of energy returned to my tired limbs as I noted how much closer the walls of the city loomed in the dark, framed by the large glowstone reflectors atop the wall either side of the gate. I rolled my neck, joints popping loudly as I passed the edge of the final crop fields, eagerly anticipating my bed, and more importantly, a meal. A few minutes later, I arrived, looking up at the gate, and the head of the lone guard poking out from a crenelle, cocked to the side as their gazes met. Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    ¡°And who might you be, so late as this, hmm? What business have you in the city of Balandor?¡± the guard called down, voice tinny from within his helmet.


    I stood a bit straighter, planting the end of the short spear in the dirt beside me as I declared, ¡°Bram, son of Drevor. I¡¯m with the Hunter¡¯s Guild, returning to the city.¡± I lifted my right arm, showing the stylized H branded on my wrist, suddenly aware that I was still shirtless as a bit of color bloomed on my cheeks.


    The guard leaned further, squinting through his helmet for a long moment, before breathing out a heavy sigh. I wrinkled my nose, shocked that the stale smell of liquor had carried all the way down, before schooling my face to neutrality once more. Best not to offend the guard standing between me and getting home to a meal. Luckily, the guard didn¡¯t seem to notice or care.


    ¡°Alright. Bram, was it?¡± At my answering nod, the guard grunted, looking down at something out of view. ¡°Alright, gimme a minute.¡±


    With that, the helmeted head of the guard disappeared, and I only heard his muffled mutters and loud footfalls retreating until silence once more reigned. I was considering calling for the guard or circling round to the other gate when the huge doors of the gate began to shift, wood and iron hinges groaning as they swung open just wide enough to slip through. Stepping quickly into the gap, I nodded at the sweating guard through the gap in the gate house, who only grunted before turning the massive gear within, the gate slowly closing behind me. Not needing any more prompting, I strode quickly through the dark streets toward home.


    A strange itch crawled up my spine, and I stopped, peering around at the dark alleyways. I shivered, but moved on. Just the jitters, probably because I was so hungry.


    I made it to the steps of the apartment, my burst of energy flagging as I stared up the steep steps. Blowing a sharp puff of air, I climbed, only hoping there was something left to eat. A short moment of panic at thinking I might have lost the key later, I withdrew it from the buttoned pocket beneath my greaves and quietly entered the apartment. Tossing the captured spear in the corner, I stumbled to the hanging stew pot, unable to resist for even a moment at the scent spilling out. Grabbing the ladle, I greedily shoveled the thick stew into my mouth, humming in relief at the taste. I wolfed down ladle after ladle, delighted to find there was much more meat than usual, the savory flavor heaven on his tongue. When I¡¯d fished out all the meat and consumed most of the broth, I looked down into the chest sized pot, frowning at the remaining vegetables. I normally loved potatoes and carrots, but the remaining stew just seemed worthless now. My stomach rumbled once more, so I sighed and ladled more into my waiting mouth, though every bite was much less filling than before. By the time I finished the entire pot of stew, my stomach had finally ceased its caterwauling, and I sat back, exhaustion adding leaden weight to my eyelids. I managed to stumble into my room, not bothering to close the door.


    Collapsing into bed, I was asleep before my head hit the pillow.


    *****


    Deep beneath the earth, south of the city of Balandor, the dust was still settling. Within a laboratory which had once housed some of the greatest magical achievements in the mortal plane, the last sparks of power faded. Rubble now filled the space, equipment mangled and crushed beneath thousands of tons of stone. But one corner of the great lab remained whole. Upon the great obelisk, the light from the glyphs sputtered and went out, draping what remained of the ruin in near total darkness, only lit by bits of moss not pulverized in the partial collapse.


    As the final glyph went out, a low rumble shook the obelisk as it began to split, a long seam hidden within the intricate glyphwork along its face opening with a hiss of inrushing air. As the gap widened, long, pale fingers reached from within, forcing the stone open. When the obelisk stopped moving, the figure within collapsed, shaking hands splaying in the dust, before dragging chipped, blood crusted nails through it. A mane of shockingly white hair fell in tangled strands around sunken, emaciated features set in alabaster skin, a dangerous, feral beauty still recognizable beneath untold ages of torment as the faint turquoise light briefly lit a face set in a rictus grin.


    Bruised, bloodshot eyes darted to the source of the light, and one shaking hand caressed the small patch of moss tenderly, almost lovingly. The light began to fade, and as it did, hollow cheeks began to fill, trembling limbs moving to stillness as strength returned. A terrible sound echoed through the dark, a hacking, rasping noise rising from a throat raw from screaming, that slowly resolved into something close to laughter. And as the sound quieted, red eyes burned like coals in the darkness of the tomb.


    It would not hold her for long.

 Chapter 11.

    When I blinked my bleary eyes awake, it took a long moment to remember where I was. My dreams had been¡­ troubled. They were already fading from my waking mind, and I struggled to remember more than flashes of emotions. I shook my head, hair falling into my eyes as I sat up in bed. The motion made my head swim, as I struggled to acclimate, my body feeling strange, somehow ill fitting. Taking a deep breath, I stopped and just waited for the odd feeling to pass.


    When I was certain I was feeling better, I stood from the bed, stretching my arms above my head to brush the ceiling, joints popping loudly. I grimaced, looking down at the pants that still clung damply to my thighs. Sometime during the night I¡¯d kicked my boots free, but the thick wool of my socks was an unwelcome touch. Stripping down, I donned a fresh set of clothes, finding them a bit more snug than I recalled. I hummed appreciatively. The stone work at the forge might be paying dividends.


    As I moved to the door, I recognized the sound of a scrub brush and low murmuring, and my face split into a wide smile. Throwing the door open, I stepped into the common area, and finding just who I¡¯d suspected. Mrs. Havers knelt before the stew pot, her small furry hands moving with precise, aggressive motions as she scrubbed the brick surround of spilled stew¡­ I cringed, and cleared my throat as I moved to help.


    ¡°Good morning, Mrs. Havers! I¡¯m really sorry for the mess, I can clean that up right now.¡±


    The tiny delphin woman whirled, wiping her hands on her apron before affixing them to her hips in a surprising intimidating pose from one so small. Her pale, furred snout scrunched up in ire as she glared. ¡°Young man, I do not own a stable. I do not rent to farm animals, and I expect that you will not continue to eat like one. Is that clear?¡±


    I ducked my head, cheeks burning. ¡°Of course, I¡¯m so sorry Mrs. Havers. I got home so late, and I hadn¡¯t eaten in so long, I just couldn¡¯t stop myself. I¡¯ll clean it.¡± I stepped closer and began to kneel, but she smacked my knee and made a shooing motion.


    ¡°No, I¡¯ll clean it. You probably wouldn¡¯t do a satisfactory job anyway.¡± She glared at me for another moment with a single, dark eye as her long, pink tale whipped behind her, before she relented. ¡°It¡¯s fine Bram, I just don¡¯t want it to happen again, alright?¡±


    ¡°Of course! It won¡¯t, I promise,¡± I said quickly with a nod.


    The small woman nodded in return, before turning back to the stains. ¡°Now, I haven¡¯t seen you in a while, and not since the guild burned down. Dreadful business, and I¡¯m glad you got out fine. I assume that¡¯s not going to be a problem for rent?¡±


    ¡°Oh, no, definitely not. I actually just got last night from my first successful guild job! Well, mostly successful¡­¡± I trailed off, recalling the first collapse in the sewers. ¡°Actually, I need to go find Vera, make sure she¡¯s okay.¡± I tapped my lips in a short staccato, thinking. Should probably do that first.


    Mrs. Havers turned, face lighting up. ¡°Oh dear, that''s wonderful! I had been starting to worry if you¡¯d ever give it another go. I know it¡¯s dangerous, and I¡¯m sure your mother is going to be dreadfully worried, but it sounds like you¡¯re already making a go of it! And finding a friend to boot!¡± She clapped, a small laugh escaping her lips. ¡°And did I hear you correctly? ¡®Vera¡¯ was it? Maybe more than a friend?¡±


    I barked out a laugh, ¡°Ha! No, Vera¡¯s just a friend, and a good one. She¡¯s a hell of a fighter, was kicking the lord¡¯s son around before he lit the guild up. You¡¯d like her though, she¡¯s nice.¡± Something else the matronly landlady had said tugged at my thoughts, distracting me. Mother. ¡°I actually haven¡¯t let Mom know about this yet. I should write.¡±


    Mrs. Havers went rigid, tail pointing straight up in an imitation of a pink spear, her rodent-like features quivering. ¡°You haven¡¯t even written! Bram, your workplace burned to the ground! And you went on a guild job! Unacceptable! You had best march your rear down to the post immediately, or better yet, go visit! I know it¡¯s been far too long. You can bring your new friend, it¡¯ll be good for you to visit.¡± As Mrs. Havers spoke, she was nodding more and more. ¡°Yes, you should visit. Your mother didn¡¯t leave you in my care just so you¡¯d never visit!¡± She crossed the floor, shooing him. ¡°Go! Out out out! I don¡¯t want to see you here again until you¡¯ve at least sent a letter. Out!¡±


    Bemused, I let the knee-high woman shepherd me out of the room, only stopping to grab my satchel and spare pair of shoes before I stepped out into the day. It was slightly overcast, though enough midmorning sun filtered through to warm my chest through the wide neck of my shirt. Clambering down to the street below, I strode purposefully across town, soon finding myself before the familiar sign of the Twirling Daisy. I grinned, stepping into the dim confines of the nearly empty tavern, the smell of ale, oiled wood and the vague hint of cleaned up sick filling my nose. My smile never faltered, and I strode to the wide, clean bar, the only face in sight the thick armed barkeep leaning against the wooden fixture as he idly cleaned a mug. The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    ¡°Good morning!¡± I said brightly, taking a seat. ¡°I¡¯m looking for Vera, do you know if she¡¯s in?¡± At the barkeeps blank stare, I continued. ¡°Has a horn, red skin, could snap a human like matchwood?¡±


    ¡°Ahhhh. Aye, the lass nearly emptied me cellars last night, upset over something or other. I haven¡¯t seen her pass back through so she must be up in her room.¡± The slightly portly orc grimaced, recalling his depleted stock. ¡°Why¡¯re you inquirin''? I¡¯ll have no trouble, ¡®specially not this early.¡±


    I quickly threw up my hands in a placating gesture. ¡°No no, I¡¯m a friend. We got separated on a guild job, but I¡¯m back and uh, wanted to make sure she was okay.¡±


    The barkeep eyed me up and down, and seemed to accept my story, as he replied, ¡°S¡¯fine, I suppose. I¡¯ll let you up, and here, you¡¯ll probably want this.¡± So saying, he filled a mug with water from a barrel behind the bar and handed it to me, before passing from behind the bar and leading me to the stairs up to the let rooms above.


    I smelled the room before we arrived at the door. The smell of sick, and alcohol tinged sweat was heady, burning my nostrils as we approached. I let out a sharp breath and waved a hand before my face. The barkeep turned, and only raised an eyebrow at my disgust, seemingly blessedly unaffected. ¡°This¡¯un here¡¯s you I think,¡± he commented with a gruff wave to the door. Swiftly unlocking the door with a small key pulled from a pocket at his waist, the broad orc trundled back off down the hall. I only shook my head, amazed the man could ignore such a powerful scent. Regardless, I pushed the door open, cringing at the sorry state of the once tidy room.


    Vera was passed out, fallen limply across the oversized mattress, one arm trailing along the floorboards with an empty bottle still grasped. Her face was buried in the sheets, muffled snores coming from within. I sighed. ¡°At least she managed to get it all in the pot,¡± I muttered, noting the lack of any spilled vomit. I plucked the bottle from her hand, placing it near the door and pulling up the lone chair next to the bed. ¡°Alright Vera, time to get your sorry hide up.¡± I opened the shutters, brightening the room considerably before bracing my legs, managing to flip the heavily muscled ogre onto her back.


    She groaned, weakly flopping one great red arm over her eyes. ¡°Wazzat¡­¡± she mumbled.


    ¡°I said, it¡¯s time to get up, you lump. I do hope you haven¡¯t spent all of the reward for the job on booze. I¡¯m still wanting my share, you know.¡±


    Vera grumbled, the words slurring, ¡°I hven¡¯t spent all ¡®s coin, y¡¯arse. Hvn¡¯t even collected¡­¡± Her voice trailed off, and she slowly lowered her arm, blinking away the sudden brightness before her eyes caught on my smug form standing above. ¡°BRAM!¡± She roared, and she moved faster than I¡¯d thought possible, leaping to her feet and sweeping me up into a hug that threatened to crush my freshly healed ribs.


    I chuckled weakly between huffed breaths, gently patting her side from where my arms were pinned. ¡°Yeah, I lived. But I might not, huff, if you don¡¯t let me down!¡± Vera set me down, face going dark crimson in embarrassment as she stepped back, still gripping my shoulders as she looked me over with a hopeful gaze.


    ¡°You¡¯re alright? Where in the hells did you go man? I¡¯ve been worried sick! I thought for sure¡­¡± She ducked her gaze, unable to meet my own for a moment. ¡°I was sure I¡¯d gotten you killed. That cave in nearly got me, and I¡¯m a lot tougher than little meat sacks like you.¡± She said this last with a bit of the twinkle in her eye returning as she looked back up.


    I grinned. ¡°It¡¯s quite a tale, and I half don¡¯t believe it myself. But I¡¯ll tell it to you over some food, I¡¯m starving. And you could use some washing up.¡± Vera looked down at her disheveled, grimy clothes and nodded.


    10 minutes later, a much cleaner and better smelling Vera joined me to sit down to a couple of plates of hearty breakfast sausage, hard biscuits and eggs. After a few ravenous bites to settle my stomach enough to talk, I launched into the story of what happened after the collapse in the kobold¡¯s lair. Vera listened with rapt attention, eyes wide as I told her of the ancient structure I¡¯d found, and mouth dropping open completely as I proudly revealed my greatest triumph.


    ¡°You¡¯re shittin¡¯ me. You¡¯re mana-bound?!¡± She leaned forward, narrowing her gaze as she seemed to look through my grinning form. ¡°Hmm, I don¡¯t know what kind of binding you formed, but the mana sure looks hazy and weird around you now. Have you figured out any of your powers yet?¡±


    My grin slipped, but only for a moment. ¡°No, I was hoping you could help with that actually. I tried to do some of the exercises I¡¯ve read about to sense the flow of mana, but I¡¯m banging my head against a wall. Not sure what I¡¯m missing. But all that can wait until later, because I¡¯m not done yet. Once I finished binding, the whole damn place collapsed on me, again!¡±


    Vera guffawed, ¡°Seriously?!¡±;


    ¡°Yeah, it was a real ride of a time.¡± With that, I set about wrapping up the rest of the tale, finishing with my encounter with Mrs. Havers this morning. ¡°So yeah, I¡¯m thinking of heading back to Parma, it¡¯s only a few day¡¯s hike down south. Need to check on my mother. And I figured, it¡¯ll give me some time to figure out how my binding works, as well as there might be some work available there. We just use a notice board back home, and any passing guilders pick up jobs. Anything too big they¡¯ll send for from here, but with the guild closed¡­¡±


    Vera picked up where I¡¯d left off, ¡°Right, there might be some jobs available. Sure, that sounds like a good time. And I¡¯m sick of sewers. Count me in!¡±


    We grinned at one another before tucking in to finish the meal. Vera didn¡¯t have much to say about the cave-in from her perspective. The remaining kobolds had simply been smashed flat in the collapse, and she¡¯d only been able to dig herself free because she¡¯d been so close to the entrance. Apparently some merchant¡¯s shop¡¯s basement had partially collapsed, but otherwise there¡¯d been no damage topside, and Vera had already spoken to Nicholaus the guild master, and it would be taken care of.


    When we¡¯d finished up and Vera had settled the tab, we strolled outside as I recalled one detail I¡¯d forgotten. ¡°Actually, in the cave in, did you happen to grab my sword?¡± It was a good blade, and had cost what would have been 2 months wages at the guild. Not only that, but I¡¯d been working glyphs into the steel in preparation for being able to channel mana for years now.


    Vera grimaced. ¡°¡®Fraid not, sorry. It was too fast, and with all that stone tumbling down¡­ Well, I doubt it¡¯s in any state to be used anymore.¡± I sighed and nodded.


    ¡°Well, just one more thing I need to resolve before we can head to Parma,¡± I sighed. ¡°I¡¯m not willing to trek the path without a weapon, even with you around. But first, my purse is getting low, and I hear there''s a reward waiting for us. Let''s go grab it.¡±


    Vera nodded, a greedy grin on her face as we made our way over to the ruins of the guild hall.

 Chapter 12.

    It was easy enough to find the guildmaster Nicholaus, standing as he was on a small wooden platform before the now cleared rubble of the hall as he called out at laborers shifting materials into place. Vera and I sidled up to the platform and patiently waited for a break in the shouted instructions. When at last there descended a moment of quiet, I hollered up ¡°Guildmaster!¡± Swinging his head round, the stocky dwarf¡¯s beard split around a wide grin as he caught sight of us.


    ¡°Bram! By my bristles I¡¯d half expected never to catch sight of you again! Hold a moment, let me get down to ya.¡± After clambering down from the platform, the guildmaster spun to face the two of us, placing hands on his hips as he addressed us. ¡°And a good morning to ya both! Now, what can I do for ya?¡±


    Vera handed over the canvas bag containing the ¡®evidence¡¯ of our quarry, explaining, ¡°Good morning, guildmaster. We¡¯ve completed the contract on the kobolds infesting the city sewers. I can confirm we found and destroyed the nest. Thoroughly,¡± she added, glancing at me out of the corner of her eye.


    Nicholaus took the bag with a raised brow, glancing inside briefly. ¡°Aye, well, good then! And Bram here was part of yer party as well?¡± At Vera¡¯s affirming nod, his brows rose higher before settling over eyes crinkling in a smile. ¡°Good! Good on you, Bram. Well, though the vault wasn¡¯t harmed in the fire, we did have to secure it during all a¡¯this, so you¡¯ll have to give me a moment. I¡¯ll give you a writ, you can stop by the Ealdorman¡¯s, he¡¯ll pay out from the Guild¡¯s funds.¡± Vera and I both nodded our understanding before the dwarf trundled off to write up the payment.


    Ealdorman Trust was a local money lender, though he¡¯d chase off anyone who said so. He insisted on being referred to as a ¡®Financier¡¯ as if that made a lick of difference to anyone who did business with him. We didn¡¯t have to wait long before Nicholaus returned, a writ of withdrawal folded neatly in his hand. He handed the writ to Vera, before clarifying the details. ¡°At two silver a head, verified with taken left ears, that is 18 silver, plus 2 gold allowance for destroying the nest. Now, anything else I can do for ya both?¡±


    I took a moment to answer, the sheer wealth described making my head swim. My total pay for the last six years would only tally up to around 3 gold and 30 silver. And we¡¯d earned 2 gold just for wiping out one nest? I had of course known the pay would be high, having handled payments to guilders for years, but now that it was me getting a payout, I could hardly believe it. I blinked, realizing that the guildmaster was still waiting, a small smile tugging at the edge of his beard. ¡°Ah, yes guildmaster, I wanted to discuss my employment here.¡± At the dwarf¡¯s consenting nod, I continued. ¡°I would like to formally resign, as well as petition for an increase in my guild rank. Having completed the kobold job with an Steel rank adventurer, I would like to apply for Bronze myself.¡± I forced myself to stand straighter, nerves pulling my shoulders into a hunch. I¡¯d been thinking on this the entire walk over, and hoped the guildmaster would allow it. I¡¯d been a tin rank, the most basic rank that anyone with a pulse could reach simply by registering with the guild, for six years. The only way to increase in rank was to complete a job of a greater rank of assumed difficulty, and the listed difficulty on this job had been Bronze, which meant two entire ranks higher than my own, passing Copper entirely. Each increase in rank raised the level of danger to a greater degree, with fewer guilders at each successive rank, all the way up to the highest, mythical rank of Adamantine.


    The guildmaster rocked back on his heels, running a hand through the long beard tucked into his belt. ¡°Hmmm, that¡¯d mean skipping Copper entirely, unless me memory deceives me. Quite an unusual request, and not one normally entertained.¡± He raised an eyebrow, glancing at Vera. ¡°However, the word of an Steel rank might sway me one way t¡¯other. What say you, Miss Vera?¡±


    Vera looked him straight in the eye, stating calmly, ¡°I have no doubts about this, guildmaster. Bram here was a staunch ally, assisting in a fight far outside of his prior experience, and surviving significant odds against him. Copper rank jobs would not trouble him at all, even alone. I would wager my own rank and pay on this.¡± This of course, was the general measure of a guilder¡¯s capability, especially at the lower ranks. The ability to handle a job of one rank lower alone ensured that a group together, could typically handle a threat of a higher rank together. This policy ensured the guild wasn¡¯t constantly losing members to threats outside of their capability, though accidents did still happen.


    Nicholaus seemed to take this in stride, nodding his head sharply. ¡°That¡¯s all the evidence I need. I¡¯ll get your rank updated in the ledger. Congratulations Bram, you¡¯ve earned it.¡± He ended with a wide smile, and clasped my hand, my mind a cloud of happiness as we said our goodbyes and headed to Ealdorman¡¯s. Our visit there was brief, the cloying perfume of the shop swiftly giving me a headache, all but forgotten as we stood outside and separated our pay.


    Just as promised, we split it equally, each receiving 1 gold trine, so named for the triangular shape of the coin, and 9 silver rectangular florin. I twisted the trine in my hand, watching the sunlight glint off the scuffed gold. Vera chuckled, watching as she tucked her own coin pouch away.


    ¡°Alright, enough ogling, we¡¯ve got tasks to be about. You need a weapon, and to replace the armor you lost, ey?¡±


    Cheeks flushing, I stowed the money, nodding to cover my embarrassment at my naked greed. ¡°Aye, I lost my coat and bracers, and my sword.¡± This last I said with considerable regret, I¡¯d bought that with the last of the inheritance my father had left, and it stung to lose it.


    Vera considered a moment, before responding. ¡°Well, good protection is worth more than a fancy blade for squishies like you. I¡¯d advise we get some good, light armor then see what we can find for a weapon.¡±


    With that, we made our way across town, to just off the main market street. The only armorsmith in town, Vargas did most of his business on commission for the guild, though I had only stopped by once before, years ago. Stepping into the wide open front shop, the gruff man behind the counter looked up from scrap leather he¡¯d been working on.


    ¡°Welcome to Nerves of Steel. What can I do for you two?¡±


    Vera answered first, placing a hand on my shoulder. ¡°Nothing for me, thanks. My armor¡¯s home grown. This fellow was separated from his previous kit, and needs to replace it.¡±


    I nodded my thanks to her, and added: ¡°I need a new coat of plates. I had a solid, reinforced leather one. I¡¯m looking for something solid, but light.¡±


    Vargas rolled his eyes, ¡°Aye, solid but light. You and every other guilder that wanders in. I¡¯ve got some good steel banded leather that might do ya.¡± The armorsmith eyed me over, and I had the strange sense that this man immediately knew my exact dimensions, even from across the room. Vargas nodded, moving into a room in the back briefly before returning with two items. One was a brigandine coat similar to my previous, rivets poking through along the warm brown leather along the torso and onto the shoulders, ending at the forearms where bracers would complement. The other was shorter, and would only cover perhaps a third of my thigh, along with being sleeveless. I frowned, immediately gravitating towards the longer coat.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    Vargas cleared his throat. ¡°Let''s not be hasty now. Try them both on, then we can talk about price.¡±


    The way the armorsmith seemed to relish that last bit caused me to frown with worry, but I put it aside as I tried on the long coat first. The leather was stiff, but flexed with me as I tugged it on. It was a tad narrow in the shoulders, surprising me and causing Vargas to frown. ¡°Hmmm, I might be able to let it out a bit, but not much. You¡¯ve got a bit more meat on you than I thought. Still, the length is good, and coverage of the important bits. Alright, try the other one then.¡±


    The smaller garment went on much faster than the first, and while it covered less, it flexed with me easily, fitting snugly against my shirt. Vargas nodded appreciatively. ¡°Aye, that¡¯s a better fit. And doesn¡¯t require any alterations,¡± he added.


    I twisted and bent, nodding. ¡°Yes, it fits well, but¡­I mean my arms are completely exposed. I was going to need new bracers anyway, but this is a bit of a leap.¡± I looked to Vera, raising an eyebrow. ¡°What do you think?¡±


    Vera hesitated before answering, pacing around me and looking from every angle. ¡°It¡¯s good protection, no doubt. Your arms are exposed, but you¡¯re typically going to be moving them around. This is difficult for me to really give an opinion on, since it doesn¡¯t apply to me. Smith, what¡¯s typical?¡± she said, turning toward Vargas, who stood off to one side.


    He sighed, running a calloused hand through his thinning, close cropped hair. ¡°That¡¯s tough, ma¡¯am. Most up close and personal fighters prefer either heavy plate n¡¯ chain, or hardly anything. This here¡¯s pretty close to the light end of the spectrum. I¡¯ve got long vambraces, but they¡¯re meant to complement a breastplate and chain, and they¡¯re entirely steel. Not to mention, they don¡¯t come cheap. This and a good pair of bracers, you could do worse, I say. And my gear is tough, it¡¯ll stop a blade or claw from most anything ¡®round these parts.¡±


    I ran my hands over the leather. It felt good, solid. And something tickled the edges of my mind, something that made me sure. It just felt right. I nodded sharply at Vargas. ¡°Alright, well lets see your bracers then.¡± It was the work of only a few minutes to find an appropriately sized pair of bracers, and I met Vargas at the counter, as he tallied it up.


    ¡°That¡¯ll be¡­ call it even for 1 trine.¡± My eyes nearly burst from their sockets at the price.


    ¡°What?! That much! My previous set was half that!¡± I looked to Vera for support.


    She grimaced, but Vargas replied first. ¡°Well I don¡¯t know where you purchased your old kit, but that¡¯s the price, and a fair one! Ain¡¯t easy, making armor, and I do a damn fine job of it.¡± He paused, considering. ¡°I could knock it down to 70 florin for just the coat, no bracers. But that¡¯s as low as I¡¯ll go, so don¡¯t be askin¡¯!¡±


    I looked to Vera again, and she considered for a moment. ¡°You do still need a new weapon. You can either get bracers, or a blade, I think. And this is better than your old coat, with all that steel banding. Grab the coat, I say.¡±


    I nodded, handing over my single trine begrudgingly as the smith counted out the change. Stepping out onto the street, I was struck by how my coin purse was now physically much heavier, and lighter all at once. Now significantly poorer than I¡¯d been when we walked in, we turned off down a side street and headed for Jerome¡¯s. I trusted the man, and figured I¡¯d get a better deal there than any of the merchants hawking imported blades.


    When we arrived at the forge, the sound of steel ringing filled the warm air, warmer still as they entered. Jerome¡¯s shop was one large space, where he created and showcased his wares for sale. Currently he was beating a glowing bar of square stock, folding and fusing the metal, before depositing it in the forge once more. Closing the doors of the fiery instrument, he turned to the customers waiting patiently, face splitting into a wide smile when he did.


    ¡°Bram! Didn¡¯t think I¡¯d be seeing you again so soon! And who¡¯s your friend?¡± he asked, extending a hand to each of us in turn.


    ¡°Vera, pleasure to meet you forgemaster.¡±


    ¡°Likewise, likewise! Well, what can I do for you both?¡± He folded his arms, looking between us expectantly.


    I scratched my head in mild embarrassment, and said, ¡°I need a new blade. Our first job went well, but my sword was lost.¡±


    Jerome frowned. ¡°Well, that''s a shame. Lot of work you put into that blade, and a fine piece of work. Looking for something similar then?¡± He turned, moving towards a standing rack with several swords of various length and style, picking out another short sword.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m not sure. I lost a lot of my kit, and funds are a bit¡­ thin for something so fine.¡± The loss of my trine still caused an ache deep within me, but I mustered myself. ¡°I¡¯ve got around 40 florin, if there''s anything you can part with.¡±


    Jerome cringed, sucking in a breath. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ not much for a good blade, Bram. Certainly nothing with any glyphwork.¡±


    ¡°I know, that¡¯s fine. Just need something that will work,¡± I sighed.


    ¡°Hmmmm. I¡¯ll be right back. Let me get you some options.¡± With that, Jerome poked into the store room, the sound of shifting crates and steel banging clear through the walls. I took a moment to look around at some of the new pieces, especially attracted to a massive greatsword partially assembled on a workbench against the back wall. It was enormous, nearly as long as I was tall. I could only imagine someone of Vera¡¯s stature being able to wield it effectively, and only in a wide open area. As I looked, Vera joined me, commenting ¡°This Jerome is a fine smith. These are good blades, no doubt. I could use one of these myself¡­¡± She ran a finger along the greatsword, humming appreciatively. ¡°Perhaps when we return from¡­ Parma, right?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, Parma. It should only take us a day and a half. Pleasant enough as long as the weather holds,¡± I said distractedly.


    There came a bang from the storage room, quickly followed by a hollered ¡°I¡¯m fine! Out in a moment!¡± causing the two of us to share a quiet chuckle. Soon enough Jerome emerged with a wrapped bundle, clearly heavy by the way he puffed as he laid it out on one of the work benches. ¡°Alright, found a few options I can part with.¡± Unrolling the bundle revealed several weapons. First, a straight bladed dagger, long enough where the line between dagger and shortsword became muddied. Next, a curved sword, though the blade was badly nicked and the leather wrapped handle was badly worn. And finally¡­


    ¡°A hammer?¡± I asked quizzically, looking up at Jerome.


    ¡°Indeed! But let''s go through one by one, starting with the dagger. I know you¡¯ve trained with a blade, and this was the closest I could get to something that would be familiar. Try each of them out, swing it around a bit.¡±


    I did just that, grasping the dirk and moving to make a few thrusts and swipes, but pulled up short. Immediately, it felt wrong in my hand, so strongly I nearly dropped it. ¡°No, definitely not,¡± I said, placing it down. Gripping the saber, a similar sense of disgust mixed with that alien sense of wrongness filled me. I shook my head, confused, but pressed on. Wrapping my hand around the haft of the large, heavy hammer tentatively, I was relieved when no phantom sensations assaulted my mind. Lifting the hammer, the weight felt¡­ neutral. Acceptable. I did a few test swings, stepping away from the table and the others to ensure I wouldn¡¯t accidentally catch them in the wide arc. With every swing, the hammer felt lighter, more balanced.


    I stopped, nodding. ¡°This will do. The others¡­ I¡¯m not sure entirely why, but they won¡¯t work. I¡¯m not even completely sure about this, but it will do for now.¡±


    Jerome nodded sagely. ¡°Indeed. A weapon is an extension of yourself, and it has to feel right. An interesting choice. That¡¯s a mining hammer, I took it in partial trade years ago, planning to use the steel for something else. It¡¯s dwarven steel, and hard as anything in the shop, but far too heavy for most blades.¡±


    ¡°Interesting. Dwarven steel is rarer here even than back home in the mountains. May I?¡± Vera held out a hand, and I placed the hammer in it. She grunted in appreciation, nodding her approval. ¡°Good weight. This¡¯ll knock some nasties for sure.¡±


    With that agreed, I handed over the 29 florins. Jerome said he hadn¡¯t touched it in years, and selling it at a loss wouldn¡¯t matter, to him or the smith¡¯s guild. I gratefully shook his hand before exiting, slotting the heavy hammer into a loop in a simple leather baldric the smith had tossed in for free.


    With that we stepped lively, gathering up the last of our supplies over the next hour. It was midafternoon when we finally met beside the southern gate, reviewing our packs one final time. I tightened the straps on my new armor, settling the straps of my pack as Vera did the same, her own supplies tightly packed into a compact travel pack. With a nod and a grin, we stepped out of the gate. To the next adventure.

 Chapter 13.

    Two days later, the sun was high in a cloudless spring sky and a warm wind blew from the south carrying the scent of the sea as Vera and I strode along the wide dirt road. As we walked, Vera was attempting to coach me through getting a grasp of the mana within to start exploring what magics I would be able to access, with little success.


    I grimaced, focusing as much as possible while still putting one foot in front of the other. Vera calmly continued to talk me through the exercise ¡°Breathe, and feel the flow of mana through your meridians. It will be only a trickle, but you should feel the ebbing as it circulates through you and your binding.¡±


    I inhaled slowly, closing my eyes and trusting that I wouldn¡¯t trip. After a moment I let the breath out, trying to ¡®see¡¯ the mana within myself with senses that didn¡¯t quite seem to work. After a few more frustrating minutes, I huffed a sigh and opened my eyes. ¡°Nothing. I don¡¯t get it, I don¡¯t feel any sort of flow at all. Just¡­ myself. I just feel like me, I guess?¡±


    ¡°Hmmm,¡± Vera clutched her chin, considering deeply before replying, ¡°Mana and magic is different for everyone, I know that much. I¡¯m sorry I¡¯m not more help, it''s different for ogres, we¡¯re born with access to magic, so it¡¯s more instinct. I¡¯m just repeating what an old party member told me, and they weren¡¯t any sort of archmage or scholar.¡±


    I cocked my head at her. ¡°Really? I figured you¡¯d been trained in one of the academies, you seem so familiar with¡­ all of this. And you¡¯re certainly a good fighter.¡±


    She laughed my compliment off. ¡°Nah, those academies are full of tossers. They all think they¡¯re so high and mighty, and if you ever meet a guilder trained at one, they¡¯ll certainly let you know. No, for my people there isn¡¯t much to learn about how our magic works, just time and practice. But I will admit to being trained in how to fight, by the best warrior in the Clans,¡± she said with a wink, before adding ¡°Enough about me though, I¡¯m sure it will come to you in time. And after you feel it once, it will be all the easier to find again. Then we¡¯ll be a right force to be reckoned with!¡± She finished with a grin and raised eyebrows.


    I rolled my eyes, but returned a small smile. ¡°Sure, I¡¯d just rather figure it out before we¡¯re in a fight where I need more than just a bloody hammer,¡± I tapped the broad head of the hammer hanging at my waist in time with our steps. In many ways, it was the perfect weapon for me, matching my skill to my knowledge. I had swung a sword a few times, but I was hardly skilled in fighting with one, and while I¡¯d had some early schooling to learn to read and basic arithmetic, I¡¯d gained nearly all of my adventuring knowledge by reading the guild bestiary in my downtime, and spending much of my extra coin on the leaflets sold by some of the traders that came through town every now and again. Many guilders and most of the well read would tune up their noses at the hay-copper stories, but I lived for the adventures held within, even if they were mostly fabricated. I couldn¡¯t deny though, that her words did help. Her description of meridians and the flow of mana hadn¡¯t resonated at all with me, but I felt confident I¡¯d figure something out. Choosing the hammer earlier had me convinced that I¡¯d tapped into¡­ something. I just needed to chase that feeling, and I was certain I¡¯d find the strength to become the kind of adventurer I¡¯d always dreamt of.


    Returning my mind to the present, we walked late into the day as I fiddled with the hammer head, hoping that touching it would allow me to trace that feeling back to its source. Vera was mostly content to walk in silence, only occasionally broaching the quiet of the open road with a comment on the rolling hills of hip high grasses surrounding them, or quizzing me on what to expect when we reached our destination. I had little to offer there, my home town was¡­ well it was boring to be perfectly forthright. There just wasn¡¯t much to tell about the small village nestled into a small protected cove on the coast. Everyone just fished or farmed, and that''s all they cared about. It was the main reason I¡¯d left as soon as I could, there just wasn¡¯t anything exciting for a young man yearning for adventure.


    As the sun began to dip below the horizon, we stopped at a small copse of scraggly trees growing near the roadside, clearly a regular stop for travelers, as a ring of stones surrounded the remains of numerous cookfires. Slipping our packs off, we took a moment to stretch and luxuriate in the sensation of lightness after so long on the road before separating to gather kindling and deadwood for a fire. Once it was assembled, I took about the flint and steel I always kept handy, but Vera only grinned and shooed me back from the bundle of kindling.


    ¡°Nah, watch this!¡± The skin of her hands shifted from the dull reddish cast to the dark grey of iron, before she crossed her forearms, drawing one across the other quickly, sending sparks showering down on the prospective fire. In only a few moments, it was lit and adding a merry crackle to the quiet evening.


    I sat back, thoroughly impressed. ¡°That¡¯s a handy trick! Must be nice to be nigh indestructible,¡± I mused wistfully.


    Vera sat back on her haunches with a smug grin. ¡°You bet your backside it is. Although it¡¯s not free, you know. All power comes with a price.¡± With that her face took on a wistful cast as I leaned forward, the gentle breeze from the sea still coaxing our fire to further life. ¡°Ogres have access to our magic from the moment we can walk. It¡¯s easy for us. But we¡¯re limited. We can only access our true skin and a handful of basic cantrips. We have less mana capacity than almost any race, save for the dwarves of course. All of our meridians are aligned to making us tougher, stronger. So there¡¯s nothin¡¯ left to cast a mighty fireball or some such. That¡¯s the domain of others.¡± She looked at me with a shrewd eye. ¡°What I¡¯m saying is there are always ups and downs to power. Whatever powers you¡¯ve got, you¡¯ll find the best way to use em. Don¡¯t worry about it so much, it¡¯ll come. And in my eyes, you¡¯re already a damn good adventurer. Not just anybody could have survived.¡±


    I flushed, rubbing the back of my head. ¡°You¡¯re right, I just¡­ I¡¯ve always wanted to be some great and powerful adventuring mage. And now I¡¯ve supposedly got what I wanted, and I can¡¯t even figure out the basics!¡±


    Vera nodded, ¡°I get it. But it¡¯s there, I can tell. The mana in the air around you¡­ it moves strangely. I can¡¯t see it, mind you, but I can feel it¡­ moving a bit. Once you get a handle on it, it¡¯ll be no time at all before you¡¯re condensing your second layer. From what I understand, that¡¯s usually when you fleshies get some real oomph.¡±


    I grinned, shaking my head. ¡°Fleshies,¡± I chuckled. ¡°You¡¯re not wrong, but the 3rd binding is a much bigger leap. Which is relevant, because I think the blondie might have reached the threshold.¡± I looked at Vera with an eyebrow raised meaningfully.


    ¡°Hmmm.¡± Was all she said at first, before adding, ¡°Clearly he¡¯s focusing on lightning. Which is¡­ not ideal, obviously.¡± She gestured to herself broadly. ¡°I¡¯m pretty much an ideal candidate for getting zapped. But we¡¯ll just have to figure something out, I ¡®spose. I may be unable to transform if it comes down to a fight with him.¡±


    I frowned, nodding. ¡°Worse than that though, is the other parts of fighting someone like him. You can be sure if we have to, he won¡¯t be alone, and it will be someplace that favors him. Not to mention, killing him is pretty much off the table. His father would have us strung up for certain. And who knows what else,¡± I finished darkly.


    Vera nodded somberly, seeming lost in thought as we lapsed into silence, watching the fire. Eventually we warmed a simple dinner by warming some dried meat and cheese on one of the surrounding stones, eating silently. The breeze gradually died out, and I leaned back against a log, staring up at the silver slice of the waxing moon above, taking a deep breath of the night air.


    I froze.


    Something smelled¡­ off, setting off alarm bells in my mind. Sitting up quietly, I took in another deep breath, nostrils flaring as something flashed a warning to my senses. The scent - a tang of iron, mixed with the flatness of dust and a darker, deeper scent completely foreign to me was undercut by a hint of a heady scent, so familiar and yet I could not place it. Vera noticed my sudden stillness, pulling her gaze up from where she¡¯d been poking around the fire. I held up a hand for silence, smelling again and turning to the dark trees around us, the light from the fire turning the hollows between them into flickering voids. I stood slowly, speaking at the barest whisper ¡°Something is here. Get ready.¡± The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    Staring at the nearest patch of impenetrable darkness, I began to inch towards my bag, and the hammer that rested atop it. I narrowed my eyes, trying to see into the shadows, before I stopped abruptly. My eyes darted to the side, noting the clarity and distance I could see out over the fields of tall grasses across the road, before latching back onto the strangely impenetrable darkness, realization dawning even as the darkness shivered, undulating as it stretched upward higher even than Vera, resolving into the shape of a great black bird-like creature of terrible proportions.


    I blanched as a splinter of fear lodged itself in my mind, before I croaked out ¡°Shade strider!¡± I leapt to the side as the serrated beak snapped forward, missing me by inches. Vera rushed forward, heavy footfalls churning the dirt up as she moved to meet the sudden ambush. Swinging a massive right hook at the creature, the strider whipped its head back and let loose a terrible screech, the sound burrowing into both our minds as Vera faltered, stumbling. I covered my ears as I regained my feet, stumbling toward my hammer. I needed to reach it, and fast, shade striders were deadly foes, but what made them so dangerous wasn¡¯t their incredible stealth or powerful call -


    A dark form burst from the undergrowth, slamming into Vera¡¯s hunched form, bearing her to the dirt and raining savage bites and kicks down. Shade striders always hunted in packs. I lunged for the hammer, spinning in one movement to catch the rushing strider a glancing blow and driving it off for an all too brief moment. The massive bird turned and rushed forward, and silver light flashed as it struck at my chest with its razor sharp beak. It was so fast, I had no hope of countering this creature. I leapt backward in a panic, watching as its beak reached my chest.


    As I stumbled backward, I gaped down at my unblemished chest, the strider doing the same with a confused squawk. It didn¡¯t hesitate long, lunging forward to deliver a brutal kick, its leg glowing silver. I spun to the side, bracing for the blow I was sure would come. Nothing. The strider stomped in frustration as my mind reeled, trying to make sense of what was happening. As it wound up for another charge, I focused, watching silver light gather on its beak. My eyes widened as the light extended out separately from the monster, a phantom image of its attack. I dodged easily this time, watching the strider follow its silver limned phantom form, and it clicked into place.


    I moved to dodge another attack, but I stumbled, foot catching on a knobbled root. One of its massive talons raked along my thigh, slicing clean through the armor and opening a line of red hot pain down my leg. I screamed, collapsing to one knee, the creature tumbling down before scrambling to its feet, beak snapping in fury. I tried to rise, but my leg couldn¡¯t take the weight. Bracing myself on the upright handle of the hammer, I lunged to my feet, holding all my weight on my one good leg, and raising the hammer to swing, as the strider retracted its head, jaws open in a shriek that caused me to falter just as it rushed forward, leaping as its talons reached out in a deadly embrace.


    The moment stretched out before me, and for a moment, it was like I existed everywhere at once. Calm settled over me like a warm breeze, and silver light bloomed in my vision as I saw further.  Vera wrestled with the other strider, talons sparking off of her skin in shallow grooves sliced by the incredible strength of the beast, her wide swings similarly unable to catch the lightning quick bird. I saw myself, eyes half lidded as I tried to resist the disorienting call of the creatures, the strider¡¯s beak wide, talons spread as it flew in a high arc, destined to crash atop me. My vision narrowed, the world falling away as silver light blossomed to frame everything in a shimmering aurora. Possibilities flitted through my mind, as I watched the strider move forward at a snail''s pace within my expanded perception. A deep warmth suffused my mind and body as my eyes hardened, the light of my path crystalizing into truth, and I moved to fulfill it.


    I dropped my hammer, the head striking the ground with a dull thump, raising both hands above me. The strider fell atop me like a meteor, but I twisted as it did, talons scraping against the steel banding in my armor, slicing my upraised arm superficially, as I heaved, grasping the dark, oily feathers and using the creatures own momentum and my buckling leg to slam it into the dirt behind me. The strider let out a squawk of pain, flailing in the dirt with a wet snapping of bone. I let my legs collapse fully as I fell upon the creature, grasping its flailing neck with both hands, and squeezed, inching my grip up to the base of its head even as it tried weakly to kick me off, snapping its beak viciously.


    I growled, rage incandescent, urging me to fight, to struggle, to kill this impudent creature. I flexed my abdomen, raising the strider''s head closer, before slamming it back into the ground with all the strength I could muster, stunning it. I could feel it weakening below me, the fall must have broken something important, but the creature yet lived. I screamed at it, voice coming out in a hoarse roar that seemed to spark panic in its eyes as the creature realized its predicament. But it was far too late for fleeing, as I bore down on its neck, slamming its head into the ground over and over, anger flowing through me like fire in my veins, as I switched my grip on the long, flexible neck, the strider only offering a token resistance. Raising it high, I twisted and pulled with all my might, before a sharp crack split the air, the strider going limp beneath me.


    I surged to my feet, injured leg all but forgotten as I turned to Vera, who yet struggled as the other strider danced out of her grip again and again, having regained her footing at some point during the fight. Another growl ripped free of my throat as I stalked closer, before lunging into the beast''s legs in a low tackle. Taking the opportunity, Vera surged forward and stomped down with finality, crushing the massive bird¡¯s skull beneath her iron tread.


    I stood from beneath the creature, breath heaving as I looked to Vera, wide eyes taking in everything, and letting out a low growl, hands opening and closing slowly. She narrowed her eyes, crossing broad arms across her chest. ¡°You alright there buddy? Fight¡¯s over, they¡¯re dead. And that leg needs looked at.¡± She nodded her head down to the bloody remains of the armor dangling around my thigh. I blinked slowly, shaking my head.


    ¡°Yeah, of course. I¡­ couldn¡¯t focus there for a minute. Sorry, that was just- a lot.¡± I let out a long, shaky breath, wobbling on my feet as a cramp roiled through my gut.


    Vera placed a steadying hand on my shoulder. I hadn¡¯t even noticed her approach. ¡°Hey, are you sure you¡¯re okay? And I¡¯m serious, sit. I need to look at that leg.¡±


    I nodded, letting myself be helped to a sitting position. Vera kneeled before me, peeling back the blood soaked armor. I leaned back, staring up at the sky, trying to ignore the sudden surge of hunger in my stomach.


    ¡°Hmmm.¡±


    I looked back down at Vera, who straightened up from looking down at the wound with a frown. ¡°What¡¯s that about? I didn¡¯t think it was that bad¡­¡± I said with a frown, worry creeping into my voice.


    ¡°That¡¯s just it¡­ it¡¯s not bad at all. It¡¯s scabbed over already.¡±


    I let out a breath I hadn¡¯t realized I¡¯d been holding. ¡°Oh good. That¡¯s great¡­ I thought you were about to tell me I was going to lose a leg.¡± I finished with a chuckle that dried up as I looked at Vera¡¯s serious face.


    ¡°Bram, actually think about it. How in the hells is a wound that bled this much, that cut straight through armor, scabbed over in just a few minutes?¡±


    I frowned, looking down at my leg. I ran a hand over the long scab, running from my hip nearly all the way to my knee. As Vera had said, the blood had scabbed over, and as I pressed at the flesh, I winced but mostly by reflex. It was hardly tender, though it should have been excruciating. ¡°Magic¡­¡± I breathed, eyes wide.


    Vera huffed a short laugh. ¡°Magic? That¡¯s what you want to say? Bram, this is way beyond some healing spell. I¡¯ve seen powerful fifth binding healers struggle to heal something like this, much less in minutes. And you didn¡¯t even know you were doing it!¡±


    My eyes widened further, amazed. ¡°By all the planes¡­ this is incredible! What does it mean? I mean-¡° I suddenly doubled over, a pang of hunger ripping through me, much more insistently as my stomach gurgled audibly. Vera caught my shoulder, looking down at me with concern.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Bram what¡¯s happening?¡±


    I put up a hand to forestall any more questions, before heaving a breath. ¡°Just¡­ hungry. Really, really hungry.¡± My eyes swiveled, landing on the corpse of the shade strider lying nearby. I sniffed, and realized what had been so familiar about the scent before. They smelled delicious. My stomach gurgled again, louder. I pulled myself to my knees and hovered over the body. I swallowed loudly. I reached out an ever so slightly trembling hand, before a shank of dried venison was presented before my face.


    Snatching it from Vera¡¯s outstretched hand, I greedily devoured it. She chuckled quietly above. ¡°Why don¡¯t you work through the rest of that, and I¡¯ll get some of this on the fire. Probably taste better than just digging in raw, eh?¡±


    I nodded, too absorbed in the food to be embarrassed.


    *****


    Half an hour later, the smells of cooking meat were nearly too much to bear, as I leaned forward, swallowing hard. There¡¯d been no more talk since the fight, and I had polished off the last of the venison quickly, only picking at the hard tack and cheese before deciding my time would be better spent helping to butcher the shade striders.


    I had eyes only for the roasting haunch dripping over the fire. Vera had worked quickly, creating a spit with practiced movements, but still I was impatient, though I made sure to not voice such thoughts, the naked desire was clear on my face. Finally, Vera took mercy on me, pulling the still steaming meat off the fire with one iron hand, placing it on the stone before me.


    ¡°Now, I know you¡¯re hungry, but let it sit a moment, it¡¯s hot and I don¡¯t know how-¡° her voice dwindled to naught as I raised the haunch to my face and tore into it ravenously, uncaring of the heat that scalded my tongue. Vera watched me for a moment longer, eyebrows raised.


    ¡°There¡¯s always a cost,¡± she murmured, before turning away and placing another cut of meat above the flame.

 Chapter 14.

    I jolted to awareness, sitting up rapidly in the predawn light, breath heaving. I¡¯d had terrible dreams, fading from my mind already. I remembered¡­ violence. Pain. An all encompassing hunger, a void that had nearly swallowed my soul, just before I¡¯d woken. I ran a hand through my hair, damp with sweat though the morning air was chilly. I took a few calming breaths, whispering to myself ¡°Just a dream¡­¡± With a long exhalation, I looked around.


    I was laying near the smoldering remains of the campfire, smoke curling from the ashes. I cracked my neck, glancing over at Vera, leaning up against her own pack across the fire. One hazel eye cracked open, peering at me before she sat up, rousing herself with a shake. ¡°Morning. Bad dreams?¡±


    I blinked, yawning. ¡°Indeed, and fairly intense. How¡¯d you know?¡±


    Vera grunted as she clambered to her feet, stretching. ¡°You were tossing and turning, mumbling in your sleep. Don¡¯t worry, nothing embarrassing,¡± she chuckled quietly.


    I only nodded in response, trying to recall more of the strange dreams, but they were only fleeting wisps to my mind. Instead, I focused on the previous evening¡¯s events. I¡¯d eaten until I could stomach no more, and we had briefly discussed a watch plan for the night before I¡¯d passed out. Vera had set up some enchanted alarm line around the clearing, which would warn us of anything approaching in advance this time. She¡¯d not had a chance to set it out earlier, and she¡¯d sheepishly admitted to forgetting about it. The rest of the night had passed in blessed quiet. But I was more concerned about how the fight with the strider¡¯s had gone, and how my powers seemed to be manifesting.


    ¡°You ever fought shade striders before?¡± I asked, glancing up at Vera as she spooled up the alarm wire.


    She shook her head ruefully. ¡°No, but I¡¯ve heard of ¡®em. Nasty things, and quick too. Even managed to scratch me, no mean feat.¡± She held up a forearm, indicating a series of bright pink scratches marking her magenta skin.


    I raised my brows and whistled. ¡°Damn. No wonder it shredded my greaves.¡± I glanced down at the sorry remains in question, sighing. I¡¯d never imagined how frequently I¡¯d need to repair my armor, and the cost made my heart ache. Never mind my actual pants below the greaves, exposing a rather risque amount of skin when not covered by the armor, which I¡¯d just have to deal with until we reached Parma, where I could attempt to patch them.


    ¡°But I managed to harvest a single essence shard, so a damn good day¡¯s work I¡¯d say.¡± Vera fished out a tiny sparkling shard of purple crystal out of her purse, glinting in the growing light. My eyes widened, the condensed mana in the shard would go for a good price, even if it was quite small for such a powerful creature. Essence was the heart of trade, in the Brazian Triumvirate certainly, but also across the entire continent as well. It fueled glyphs, and was the key to creating a core binding, making it extremely sought after. I glanced over at the piled remains, considering.


    ¡°During the fight¡­ I¡­ well I¡¯m not sure what happened, exactly. I felt¡­ or I¡¯m not sure how to describe it¡± I fumbled for the right words to describe the strange vision, as Vera watched me, waiting patiently. ¡°I just felt this instinct to move, and when it almost pounced, it was like everything slowed down, and I knew I would die if I didn¡¯t kill it immediately. Does that make sense?¡±


    At this point Vera¡¯s eyebrows were threatening to crawl into her hairline, and she crossed the clearing to crouch nearer to me, motioning for me to continue, saying ¡°I think so, but keep going.¡± Her voice remained carefully neutral.


    ¡°So, the strider, it was sort of¡­ glowing, when I focused on it. And when it attacked, I just acted on instinct, and managed to dodge it. It was like I was being warned.¡±


    Vera stared at him for a moment, before letting out a short, sharp laugh. ¡°Well burn my hide, that¡¯s something.¡± She stood, fiddling with one of her short braids. ¡°Can you do it again?¡± She suddenly asked, facing me abruptly.


    The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    I raised my own eyebrows this time, before furrowing them in thought. ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­ It just sort of happened. I don¡¯t remember really doing anything.¡±


    Vera nodded, pacing now. ¡°I suppose that would be normal for newly awakened magic¡­ Ha! What am I talking about? I know fuck all about what¡¯s normal for this shit. What I mean is, it¡¯s normal to not understand how to activate your powers at first. But that¡¯s for an ogre. We don¡¯t have to study spell forms, or meridian paths to use our magic, but most of you squishies do. So¡­ I guess I¡¯m saying I don¡¯t really know what¡¯s going on with you. But I bet if we get in some more scraps, you¡¯ll figure it out,¡± she grinned savagely.


    I smiled distractedly in return. This was a lot to think about, and elation warred with burgeoning disappointment tinged with apprehension within me. I¡¯d always dreamed of crafting spells, of calling on mana to work wonders, like the legends of the mages of the Divine War, or even like the Trinity. Though attaining those heights of power¡­ it was said only a god could elevate a mortal to the power the Trinity wielded, which is why they ruled. But even now, I could feel no flow of mana within me, and none of the exercises for mages were working. I¡¯d tried again the night before, just as I had without pause all day previous.


    Vera was watching me, a glint in her eyes as she grabbed me by the shoulders and lifted me to my feet. ¡°Do you even know what this means?!¡±


    I only managed to answer with an ¡°Uh¡­¡± before she shook me, grinning fiercely.


    ¡°Bram, my friend, your wounds heal incredibly quickly, and you have some sort of battle¡­ precognition or sense or something! I¡¯ve only heard of that in stories, from back in the age of the gods. You have been given an incredible gift. You, my friend, are going to become one of the greatest warriors of our time!¡±


    I took a moment to think on it. That word, precognition, had a great deal of meaning behind it. Consequences, too. Many a grifter or would-be prophet had claimed some sort of future sight powers over the decades, and each ended the same way. Disgraced, reviled, and often executed. But the more I thought about it, the more certain I was that it wasn''t the case. I just was getting a feeling of danger. But that could be a power to rival anything from the stories. And it was real, true power. My face slowly split in a wide grin, matching Vera¡¯s. ¡°You¡¯re right¡­ That it¡¯s good, I mean. I don¡¯t think it¡¯s precognition, just a sense of danger. Whatever, though. I might not ever be an archmage, but I can work with this.¡±


    Vera¡¯s laugh shook me viscerally. ¡°Hells yeah you can! You and me, we¡¯re going to kick some ass.¡± She clapped my shoulders once more, and after a moment, my gaze turned solemn as I realized something important.


    ¡°Vera, thank you. I was going to be stuck at that desk for years, if not the rest of my life. But thanks to you, I¡¯m a real adventurer now, and I¡¯ve finally got access to¡­ well, some kind of power. And I¡¯ve already had an adventure. Can¡¯t wait for more.¡± My gaze was deadly serious, and Vera blushed slightly before her smile resurfaced.


    ¡°I¡¯m just a real good judge. And I did almost get you killed¡­ so we¡¯re even, far as I ken. Now, let¡¯s get out of here, those birds are probably going to attract some scavengers,¡± she said, jerking her thumb to where we¡¯d left the partially butchered strider corpses.


    ¡°Hells, that¡¯s right! We need to get those feathers.¡± I grabbed my satchel and hit my knees beside the birds, plucking the delicate, void black feathers one at a time, and placing them in a small pile. ¡°The feathers are where they store their shadow magic, and they go for a good bit of coin. Come on, help me pluck all the intact ones, and then we¡¯ll go.¡±


    Vera rolled her eyes, but pulled the more intact bird aside, plucking it quickly. ¡°How much coin are we talking?¡±


    ¡°Depends on how many we get, but if there are enough, a tailor will buy the lot. I¡¯ll have to check with Ezel on the going rate once we¡¯re back in town, but it¡¯ll be worth it.¡±


    Half an hour later, we set off, having dragged the two birds off the path and deep into the tall grasses. Hopefully far enough that other travelers wouldn¡¯t have any issue with scavengers. I crunched on an apple as we walked, hoping to ward off any more hunger pangs. The sun was now fully up and to our backs as we headed west, dispelling the chill of the morning with its warming light. As we walked, the road wound closer to the coast, as seabirds called overhead, riding the mild breeze blowing in from the sea.


    ¡°So, where does your mom live?¡± Vera asked, breaking up the monotony of the long walk.


    ¡°At the edge of the village, farther from the shore. Luckily, this side of town though, so we can head straight there.¡±


    Vera raised an eyebrow. ¡°Luckily? Looking to avoid the village?¡±


    I waived dismissively. ¡°Not really, but we¡¯ll probably be swarmed by the villagers if we head in. Not very much traffic comes out here, so they love to gossip. And, uh, they¡¯ve definitely never seen an ogre before, so¡­ they may be a little forward.¡± I finished sheepishly.


    Vera laughed, the sound mixing with the calls of the birds overhead in a joyous cacophony. ¡°Not the first time for me. I¡¯ll be alright, but I¡¯m fine if we just head to your mom¡¯s place first. It¡¯ll be nice to set our gear down.¡± I had to agree; my pack wasn¡¯t overly burdensome, in fact it was quite light on my shoulders, but the rough leather rubbed noisily against my armor, and it was beginning to grate on my good mood.


    We lapsed back into a comfortable silence as they strode along the wide, rutted road. The sun was nearing its zenith when we crested a low hill, the village and surrounding fields spreading before us. And to the north, atop a small rise sat a familiar cottage, smoke rising from the stone chimney, and I imagined I could smell bread baking even from here.


    I took in a long breath, smiling as I stepped off down the hill. ¡°Come on. I haven¡¯t been home in ages, I don¡¯t want to waste any time.¡±

 Chapter 15.

    The timber & cob cottage sat at the end of a narrow path eroded in the threshed grasses over the many years. A low stone fence encircled a wide garden, cordoning off the homestead from the world, an island of calm. A lone figure in a careworn linen smock knelt in the dirt, fussing over the weeds that habitually plagued the garden. When Vera and I stepped through the wooden gate, she paused, placing the trowel gripped in rheumy hands down, before twisting to look us over.


    The smile that spread over her face was like the sun rising all over again. My grin matching her own, I strode over quickly, helping her stand. ¡°Hello! It¡¯s good to see you-¡± I was interrupted by a surprisingly firm hug, as she squeezed and clucked happily.


    Pulling away, she craned her neck up at me, eyes crinkling. ¡°Bram! Oh I¡¯m so glad you¡¯re home. And look at you!¡± She reached up to pat my shoulders, looking me over critically. ¡°What has Mrs. Havers been feeding you? You¡¯ve put on so much muscle!¡± She chuckled, before her face drew into severe lines. ¡°But more importantly: What in the planes took you so long? It has been too long, and you know it!¡± I grinned sheepishly, before catching myself and turning toward Vera, who was standing quietly at the gate.


    ¡°Mom, this is Vera, she¡¯s my new guild partner.¡±


    Vera smiled and walked over, kneeling to extend a hand to the significantly shorter human. ¡°A pleasure, ma¡¯am. Bram¡¯s not told me much about his hometown, but if the rest is as lovely as your home, I may never leave!¡±


    Giggling like a much younger woman, she clasped Vera¡¯s much larger hand. ¡°Aren¡¯t you sweet! Parma¡¯s nothing special, but I¡¯m certain we can find a place for you! You can call me June. Now, come inside! I can get something together, you must be hungry from the trip out here.¡±


    Despite our protestations that we had eaten and had no need of it, we soon found ourselves sat at the small round table, sunlight falling through the open windows as Mother quickly prepared some dried apple slices and cheese while peppering them both with questions on life in the city, and Vera¡¯s preferences for dinner. I picked at it, but in truth I was still content from the apple I¡¯d wolfed down for breakfast, more interested in quickly sewing the opening in my pants closed. Vera tucked in, happy to have some lighter fare.


    Sitting down carefully on her cushioned chair, June let out a contented sigh. ¡°So, what brings you out here, hmmm? Surely not just to see your mother, Bram?¡± She looked at Vera skeptically, ¡°It would be the first time, you know.¡± Even Vera raised her brows at this, as they both turned to me, setting my ears burning.


    I raised my hands, trying to ward off the intimidating gazes. ¡°I¡¯m sorry! My job at the guild only allowed days off for Llyrsday, and it''s a two day walk!¡± Mother harrumphed in response, but I pressed on. ¡°Truthfully though, I did come just to see you, mother. There¡¯s been a lot that¡¯s happened and I hadn¡¯t seen you in so long, it felt like the perfect time to come home.¡±


    She narrowed her eyes, catching on to what I¡¯d said. ¡°What¡¯s happened? You spoke like you¡¯re not working at the guild anymore. Did you do something? And don¡¯t think I didn¡¯t notice you patching your pants. Goodness, do I need to write to Nicholaus?¡± She made to stand, but I placed a hand over hers arresting her flight with a chuckle.


    ¡°Nothing so dire. And my pants just tore¡­ on the way here,¡± I said, dodging that question with all the grace of a bull. ¡°No, I have great news: I¡¯ve got a core binding!¡± I grinned, letting the news sink in.


    She blinked, shocked for a moment, before tears welled up in her eyes and she clasped my hand tightly. ¡°I¡¯m so proud of you! Oh Bram, this is wonderful, truly wonderful! Oh my word we¡¯ll need to tell the whole village! Oh I¡¯ll have to go get some supplies so we can celebrate¡­¡± She trailed off, clearly making plans for a whole to-do.


    Vera and I chuckled, before I interrupted the old woman¡¯s machinations. ¡°There¡¯s a whole story, a real adventure too. I can tell you later, but you don¡¯t need to go into town, Mom. I can go pick up anything you need, and we don¡¯t need to let everyone know¡­¡±


    My mother made a shushing noise, waiving away his protests. ¡°Nonsense. You¡¯re the first person in generations to get magic in the village, and I can¡¯t wait to tell everyone. Including that stuffed up priest and all those ninnying nay-sayers! My son is a proper mage!¡± She seemed to glow with pride, and I didn¡¯t have the heart to tell her I didn¡¯t quite fit the description of a mage. Yet, I thought, still clinging to some small scrap of hope.


    ¡°Ah, well, I don¡¯t really want to have to parade in front of the whole village, Mum. I just want to see you. And while we¡¯re here, we figured we¡¯d take care of any issues on the board.¡±


    This time she did stand, grabbing a scrap of paper and scribbling down some notes, speaking without looking up. ¡°I know, you always were such a good, humble boy. But you have to take life by the horns sometimes! Bram, you¡¯re a mage and an adventurer now, humbleness can only take you so far. The stories of adventurers aren¡¯t told about the ones who never talk about themselves!¡± She finished scribbling, handing the list of supplies written in a slightly jerky hand to me. ¡°Here. When you go into town, grab all of this. Tomorrow I¡¯ll head into town and let folks know they can come over and celebrate with us. Agatha is going to be absolutely sick with envy,¡± she cackled merrily. ¡°Now, I know you just got here, but I need to tidy up. So out, you two! Vera, it was an absolute pleasure to meet you, I can¡¯t wait to hear all about your travels, and what your plans are. Come back for dinner, and we can talk all about it!¡±


    With that, she ushered the two of us out the door, and suddenly we were standing awkwardly, glancing at one another as the sounds of cleaning and singing echoed out from the cottage. Vera threw her head back and laughed, and I joined in. After a few moments and wiping away a tear, she spoke quietly. ¡°Well, your mother is a whirlwind! Surprising, for someone of her age. I was not expecting such a fiery welcome!¡±


    I grinned, leading the way out of the gate. ¡°Neither was I. Mom¡¯s usually a bit more reserved. Though it has been a while, and without Dad to rein her in¡­ Maybe this is how she¡¯s always been, really.¡± Closing the gate behind us, we started down the path to the village, the houses arranged in a broad crescent around the calm waters of the lagoon. ¡°We¡¯ll check out the board, then we¡¯ll head to Alvin¡¯s shop, we should be able to pick up everything we need there.¡±


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    Vera nodded, stepping alongside as the path widened. There was a smattering of villagers strolling about the village, and already a few had stopped, shielding their eyes from the sun to get a better look as we arrived at the central part of the village. The small chapel, painted in the familiar white with a bright red roof, stood to the side of the square opposite a lone storefront- Alvin worked hard to ensure travelers saw his place. In the center a broad notice board stood, built with a small overhanging roof to protect the notices from the weather. We approached it as a few more curious souls stopped to watch the interlopers.


    ¡°Watching like gulls hoping we might drop a snack. Sorry about this, bunch of bumpkins,¡± I muttered as we reached the board.


    Vera just chuckled quietly, bending forward to read over the smattering of handwritten notices. ¡°I told you, I¡¯m used to it. Doesn¡¯t bother me a lick.¡± I grunted noncommittally. The stares sure bothered me. Not only that, but the smell here was nearly overwhelming. It had been years since I¡¯d been home, and I certainly didn¡¯t remember the village reeking quite so powerfully of dead fish and sweat. The strong scent was putting me in a foul mood, and distracting as I tried to peruse the board.


    Not that there was much to see. Several notes were postings of when to expect trader¡¯s through town, and asking if anyone had extra rope to repair a torn fishing net. One, however, caught my eye. This notice was requesting an escort into the Siren¡¯s Gullet to collect the moss that grew there. Siren¡¯s Gullet was a cave to the west, along the rocky shore of the coast past the lagoon, so named for the sound of the wind passing through the wide cave mouth at low tide, which resembled the singing of the deadly creatures. This wasn¡¯t the only reason the notice was interesting, however. The poster was Larrica, an old friend.


    I turned to Vera, who had finished reading over the notices, looking bored. ¡°This here, this escort into the Gullet, we should pick this up. I know Larrica, and we might be able to snag some of the moss too. It¡¯s got a numbing effect, it¡¯s great for healers. But it¡¯s also great mixed in ale, makes it extra fizzy as it numbs your tongue.¡±


    Vera laughed. ¡°Alright, sure, that sounds like fun. Though I¡¯m not sure I like the sound of this ¡®Gullet¡¯ place.¡±


    I waved nonchalantly. ¡°Aw don¡¯t worry. It¡¯s just a name, no actual sirens. There¡¯s just occasionally some dreg¡¯s that like to pitch up in there, so it¡¯s not safe for folk to go alone. We might just have to scare some off, or toss ¡®em out if they¡¯re stubborn. It¡¯ll be easy. Plus, I know Larrica, it¡¯ll be nice to catch up.¡±


    Vera pursed her lips. ¡°I feel like you¡¯re just temptin¡¯ fate like that. But alright, sounds like a simple job at least.¡± She paused as she turned to consider me. ¡°Should we go grab our gear? I¡¯m fine a¡¯course, but you might want your hammer at least.¡±


    I thought for a moment, before shaking my head. ¡°Might as well, I suppose. Mind waiting here for a minute? I¡¯ll just run back to grab it.¡± At Vera¡¯s ascenting nod, I jogged off. The breeze was cool, though the humidity was on the rise and the air felt thick and sticky as I ran. Leaping over the gate, I dashed in to grab my hammer and was out before mother could even respond to my quickly shouted ¡°Everything¡¯s fine just need this!¡±


    Returning back down to the village, I was unsurprised that Vera had attracted a small crowd, those who¡¯d managed to overcome their hesitancy to sate their curiosity. Slowing to a quick walk, I rolled my eyes at the barrage of questions heaped upon the ogress.


    ¡°Where are you from, miss?¡±


    ¡°Are you with the Hunter¡¯s Guild?¡±


    ¡°You must be strong, ever hauled on nets?¡±


    ¡°Did you come here to slay some beast?¡±


    ¡°Are you in a party? Did June hire you?¡±


    This last caused me to huff out a loud breath, startling some villagers in the back, who turned around, eyes widening.


    ¡°Bram?¡± Several voices echoed the exclamation as the group¡¯s attention swiveled, an almost physical thing as it landed upon me.


    I smiled thinly, my old front desk face back on. I gave a small wave. ¡°Yes, hello everyone. I¡¯m back, but just to visit. Vera here,¡± I motioned to her, arm slicing forward and causing the crowd to split as I stepped forward, ¡°and I are in the village for a few days. No, we¡¯re not looking to help haul in nets, thank you. Yes, we¡¯re available for hunting work. But before that, can someone point us to Larrica¡¯s house? It¡¯s been a while, after all.¡±


    That got a few chuckles, and before long we¡¯d been pointed to a house with blue and yellow flowers painted on the door frame, down the beach. It stood back perhaps a dozen yards from the edge of the gentle waves of the lagoon, and the windows were open to the breeze as they approached. Walking up to the door, I knocked on the frame twice before stepping back. Vera yawned, distracted by a small crab scuttling past.


    The door opened, revealing a somewhat frazzled looking woman, dark hair spilling out of her bun as she held an infant on her hip. Her cheeks were fuller than the last time I¡¯d seen her, and a wedding wreath now adorned her wrist, but there was no mistaking Lare. The small scar on her chin, from when she¡¯d been kicked by old Davrin¡¯s goat was still there, and the little one even had her bright eyes. She gazed over the two of us, eyes going wide first as she gawked at Vera¡¯s stature, then wider still as recognition flitted across her face. ¡°Bram? Is that¡­ really you?¡±


    I grinned, nodding. ¡°It is. Great to see you, Lare. We¡¯re in town, and we saw your notice. Thought maybe we could help.¡± Larrica just stared at me, uncomprehending. I glanced at the sleepily blinking baby, uncertain. ¡°If this is a bad time, we can come back tomorrow though.¡±


    That seemed to wake her from her stupor. ¡°No no! One moment, let me put him down, and we can talk.¡± She shuffled inside out of sight, cooing to the infant quietly. A few moments later, she reappeared, smoothing her dress and retying her hair. ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m a mess. Adrien¡¯s out past the reef today, so I¡¯ve just been with the little one all morning, and he doesn¡¯t mind if my hair isn¡¯t its best,¡± she laughed nervously, before clearing her throat. ¡°So, Bram, who¡¯s your friend then?¡±


    Vera stepped forward, extending a hand with an easy smile. ¡°Vera, pleasure to meet ya. I¡¯m with the Hunter¡¯s Guild, same as Bram.¡±


    Larrica¡¯s smile faltered, as she looked between us. ¡°The Hunter¡¯s Guild? So¡­ so you actually made it, Bram?¡±


    I tried to keep the slight annoyance out of my voice. Was it really so difficult to believe? Plenty of people joined the guild. ¡°Sure did. Vera and I are in a party, and we¡¯ve been in a few scraps together now. You¡¯ll be safe.¡±


    Vera nodded, adding ¡°Aye, we¡¯ll see you in and out of that cave, no doubt.¡±


    The young woman blinked, clearly struggling to order her thoughts. ¡°Well, alright then. I need to gather some moss in the Gullet. Hadrian - that¡¯s my son, I mean - he¡¯s teething. The moss¡¯ll take the edge off. And nobody¡¯s been in the Gullet in a bit, so I¡¯m worried something¡¯s moved in, but I need that moss.¡± She said this last bit with a desperation that put me off. Larrica had always been so strong willed and fiery. We¡¯d been close, but that was ever so long ago it seemed. The woman, no, the mother before me, was clearly very different from the girl I remembered.


    I cleared my throat. ¡°Well, we can do that. Should be easy enough, long as nothing too big has moved in. When do you want to go?¡± I turned to look out at the far side of the lagoon, where a thin strip of rock and coral separated the lagoon from the sea.


    Larrica hesitated. ¡°The tide is on its way out still, but not for much longer. If we could go now¡­ I should be able to gather enough before it comes in.¡±


    I frowned. That didn¡¯t account for any time spent clearing the deep cavern of any new tenants. And once the tide came in, the entrance was almost completely submerged. I voiced my concerns. ¡°I¡¯m not sure about that. If we run into something, we could be trapped until the tide rolls back out.¡±


    ¡°Well if we see anything we can just leave, and try again tomorrow afternoon. Please, I¡¯ve been waiting for weeks. Hadrian is miserable,¡± she pleaded. I averted my eyes, and sighed.


    ¡°Alright. Might as well try. Vera, that alright with you?¡±


    The ogress rolled her shoulders, cracking a grin. ¡°I¡¯m always up for something new. Never been in a gullet before,¡± she chortled.


    Larrica clasped her hands and glanced up, muttering a quick prayer of thanks to Llyr. I kept the distaste off of my face as we stood there awkwardly. Larrica ran inside to grab a large basket, strapping it onto her back before she made plans with an older neighbor that I only vaguely recognized to watch Hadrian while she was gone.


    Jogging back up to the two adventurers, she smiled nervously once more. ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m ready to go now.¡±


    I nodded, unsure how to reconcile this timid woman with the friend I had grown up with. I shook myself mentally, ignoring it. People changed. I certainly had, and perhaps this was just the natural course. Regardless, it was time to work. The three of us set off down the edge of the lagoon with the sun high in the sky.

 Chapter 16.

    The walk to the cave was short, though it seemed to drag out far longer than it should have to me. I had expected¡­ well, I wasn¡¯t sure what I¡¯d expected, but she was so different. I supposed it was only natural, a child would change anyone¡¯s perspective and priorities. I just hadn¡¯t expected it from Lare, she¡¯d been such an adventurous soul. I¡¯d been surprised to see the notice, not because the Gullet wasn¡¯t dangerous, but because I¡¯d have expected Lare to rush in alone if she wanted something in there, regardless of what anyone thought.


    I glanced back at her as we picked our way over the rocky terrain, the sound of the waves, along with the terns and gulls overhead making conversation a losing proposition, but I tried anyway. ¡°Lare! I hadn¡¯t heard you and Adrien finally tied the knot! When did that happen?¡± I wore an easy grin, ill fitting as it felt.


    Larrica smiled back, but it was a tired thing. ¡°Oh, a bit more than a year ago now. It took forever to convince his mother.¡±


    I laughed, and a bit of tension drained away. That didn¡¯t surprise me a bit. Adrien had lost his father before he¡¯d ever been born, and unlike my mother, his had tried to smother and protect him from the world. To hide him away from danger, which included that greatest danger of all to a mother, girls. I had carried many a note in secret between the two during their teens, and it looked like it had finally paid off. ¡°No surprises there. I¡¯m glad it finally happened! And young Hadrian looks to be hale and healthy, congratulations!¡±


    Larrica seemed to glow at the mention of her son, nodding. ¡°He¡¯s growing like a weed! Which is why I need this moss!¡± She said this as we made the final, steep descent across rocks smoothed by many feet and much sea spray. A large cave yawned before us, the opening ringed by stalactites and stalagmites, looming like teeth sure to have been part of the inspiration for the cave¡¯s name. With the water low enough that only shallow pools dotted the floor of the Gullet, the wind whistled and howled through the opening, and as I stopped to listen, it did sound vaguely of a distant woman singing a wordless tune.


    Turning to the others, I spoke loudly over the sound. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ve been here a few times, and know the way, so I¡¯ll go first. Let''s keep around 10 paces behind me, just in case any nasties are waiting for us. Vera, if you wouldn¡¯t mind keeping watch from the rear?¡±


    Vera nodded, stepping down to the slightly rounded floor of the opening, peering within. ¡°Sure. You sure you want to go first though? I may not know the way, but nothing in here is going to hurt me,¡± she asked, glancing over dubiously.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure. It can¡¯t always be you taking the beating. Especially now that we think¡­ that might not be as much of an issue.¡± I glanced meaningfully down at my leg.


    Vera cleared her throat, lowering her voice. ¡°I know I said you¡¯d figure it out in the moment, but we¡¯re looking at a whole lot of unknowns there.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯ll be fine. I¡¯ve got a good feeling about this. Plus, I can see better in the dark.¡± And it was true, too. I felt good about today. Vera eyed me for another moment, then nodded with a grin. I turned back to Larrica, who stood to the side, looking into the Gullet while wringing her hands nervously. ¡°Alright Lare, I¡¯m going to head in, you two give it a minute before following. I¡¯ll call out if we need to turn back, alright?¡± Larrica smiled weakly, but assented.


    ¡°Alright then.¡± With that, I unslung my hammer, gripping it tightly in one hand as I ducked beneath the ¡®teeth¡¯ and stepped within. There was quite a bit of natural light reflecting off the pools within, and I had no trouble stepping around them quietly. As I recalled, the Gullet was shaped quite like its namesake, though it did snake a bit from side to side. The sound of the wind passing through the cave surrounded me, though I knew from experience a shout would still carry due to the strange acoustics. Slowly prowling around the bend, the path was still clear. I allowed myself to relax a bit, and took a deep breath, the scents painting a picture of dank, dripping weeds, of crustaceans feeding on the remains of fish trapped within the small pools and unable to get away from their grasping pincers.


    I moved forward, more confidently now as the ground gently sloped upward. My sense of smell was clearly growing more sensitive, and while there had been some¡­ strangeness, with the shade striders, it felt like something I could trust. It wasn¡¯t long before I stood in the large, round chamber that marked the end of the cave system. The remains of dead fish littered the wide chamber, a shallow pool nearly filling it. From the roof, streamers of kelp dangled, along with root systems of plants growing through the ceiling. Low along the walls and filling the bottom of the pool was our prize, copious amounts of the mottled orange moss growing up and around the narrow fish bones and shells. I picked up a pebble from the floor of the cavern, tossing it into the water with a loud plop while watching for any movement. The chitinous mound of a large crab shifted in the mud, and nudged it with the head of my hammer, causing it to scuttle away to the rear of the cavern. It wasn¡¯t big enough to be dangerous, so when nothing else disturbed the mossy pool, I grinned.


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    Picking my way along the narrow path not submerged around the edge of the pool, I reached the last of the passage, ending where the rock unceremoniously ended, a small opening at the top letting in a spear of light, and beginnings of the wind that made up the Gullet¡¯s ¡®song¡¯. Turning back, I yelled ¡°All clear!¡±


    It was only a minute or so before Vera and Larrica stepped into the room, expressions varying from Vera¡¯s impressed gaze to the smaller woman¡¯s sagging relief. She wasted no time, wading into the pool and scooping handfuls of the moss into the basket she carried.


    ¡°Pretty in here,¡± Vera said quietly as she looked around. I took a moment to do the same. The song was quiet in here, only a low whistle not having picked up its full breadth of sound yet, but all the same it lent the space a nobility, a sense of unbridled possibility. I hummed in agreement, quietly appreciating it.


    ¡°Oh, sorry, Larrica, did you want some help?¡± Vera moved to help the young woman as she efficiently harvested the moss, but she was gently waived off with a smile.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m alright. I¡¯m almost done anyway. I don¡¯t need much, and we don¡¯t want to overharvest or the moss will take much longer to regrow,¡± she said, finally seeming to relax with a long breath. ¡°Thank you both for coming with me. I just get so worried¡­ with Hadrian, I have to make sure nothing happens to me. With Adrien going out past the reef, anything could happen. I know it might seem a small thing, and maybe even a waste of your time to come out here, but it means a great deal to me.¡± She looked between the two of us, the smile on her face genuinely thankful.


    My cheeks flushed, embarrassed at my earlier uncharitable thoughts. I ran a hand through my hair, looking away. ¡°Really, Lare¡­ that''s what friends are for. It''s not like it was far.¡±


    Vera nodded, her usual grin replaced with a kind smile. ¡°Aye, and gettin'' to see this place? More ¡®n worth it, even if there had been a fight. I should be thankin¡¯ you!¡±


    Larrica laughed, and the sound bounced around the room, lifting all their spirits. ¡°Mmmm, well I¡¯m glad to have brought you. It is a wonderful place. Though we should be leaving, we don''t want to have to swim out, after all.¡±


    With that, we filed back out quietly as we listened to the song of the wind as it wove past. When we reached the village, we bid our farewells, and Larrica paid us the small fee as promised in the notice. I intended to refuse it, as we hadn¡¯t really done anything, but she insisted. With smiles all around, they parted, Larrica promising to stop by my mother¡¯s house to say hello again on the morrow, and to bring Adrien too. The sun was in the west, but not yet setting as we stopped by the lone storefront, picking up flour and some fruit before heading back to the cottage.


    As we walked away from the village, Vera spoke. ¡°Hey, Bram. You mentioned that you see better in the dark than me, earlier. I didn¡¯t want to push with someone else around, but what did ya mean?¡±


    ¡°Ah, yeah. I¡¯m pretty sure that was the first thing that changed, after I got my binding. I see pretty much perfectly in the darkness. That¡¯s how I knew something was off with the shade striders. I couldn¡¯t see into the dark where they were hiding at all.¡±


    Vera let out a whistle. ¡°Damn, that¡¯s handy. Strange, though. I know we already figured your magic is pretty different, but I¡¯ve never heard of spontaneous abilities like that, for someone who wasn¡¯t born with it. And hey, that¡¯s something we should talk about. You should probably keep all of this to yourself. Magic and new discoveries are great, but a lot of folk would maybe take too strong an interest in you, if word got round, ya know? Might make trouble for you. And proper mages of any of the schools¡­ well they sure do like their dissections, if you know what I mean.¡± She wiggled her eyebrows meaningfully.


    I frowned, pondering before answering. ¡°Sure, I¡¯ve heard mages study magical creatures and effects, especially those from before the Banishment. But, you really think they¡¯d try to do something to me? I¡¯m a regular citizen, and adventurer. People would notice.¡±


    Vera shook her head. ¡°Accidents happen. And out on a quest, or some job outside of the cities? Anything could happen. Just think about it, and try to keep your secrets, secret. At least until you¡¯re strong enough to fend off anyone who comes snooping.¡±


    After a moment, I nodded. It was simple enough, and no harm could come from not boasting, I supposed. Especially since I was beginning to form a theory on the nature of my powers. I seemed to be getting stronger with each fight. After I¡¯d killed the dreg¡¯s leader, I¡¯d felt energized, ready to take on anything. At the time I¡¯d thought it was just the thrill of a fight, but now¡­ After I¡¯d killed that strider, it had happened again, and my leg had healed in moments. And ever since, I¡¯d felt¡­ solid. Strong. And my clothes were certainly a bit tighter than they were before. I was still changing, and more and more with each kill. I wasn¡¯t sure what to make of that, or even what it might mean I was changing into. I shook my head, letting the worries slip away as we arrived at the cottage, smoke puffing cheerily from the chimney spreading scrumptious smells of roasting meat across the countryside. Entering my childhood home, we were greeted by a very lively Mother, zipping about the kitchen far quicker than her age would suggest her capable of. Swooping in for a hug, I held her tight. For a moment I found I had no desire to let her go. So much had changed, and even more would in the coming days. But as she laughed and extricated herself, quizzing us on the outing and all manner of gossip in the village, I found himself smiling anyway. Change would come, of that there was no doubt. But here, now, I was happy. And I meant to savor it.