All in all the delve seemed like it would be particularly barren, the only truly worthwhile things gained being the experience and equipment that they collected from the previous floor. Ajax however wasn’t content with that, mostly because he had sensed a particular lack of magic inside the lava pond and he wanted to know what was there. There was only one issue, he couldn’t exactly dive in the magma to get it.

After explaining the issue to Trevor the man got the mages to go on a small fishing expedition to look for said item. It took the mages two hours before they found it, mostly because even Ajax couldn’t remember the exact location as he was more focused on running from the salamanders at that time.

“Holy shit is that what I think it is?” One of the mages exclaimed as they looked at the red oval that was dragged out of the lava.

“We… we found an egg... an actual egg” the other mage was just as stunned as the first.

While the two mages were busy breaking out of their shock and celebrating their good fortune Trevor was left with a very difficult decision. How would they deal with the egg? His initial plan had been to give whatever was there to Ajax as he was the only one to argue for going to get it and maybe give him a smaller cut of armor and weapons they took from the previous floor if it actually turned out to be valuable but a furnace salamander egg was something else.

This was all the more true for the Silvertongue family as Nina, their best smith had also been bonded previously. The monster had died almost a decade ago and the furnace salamander would be a massive boon. While the monster didn’t scale all that well into the higher levels it was one of the best bonds for a smith as they would have an on demand furnace, not only that but it would be one that was extremely precise.

“An egg bond.” Trevor said letting all the mirth at the event fill his voice as he stood next to Ajax hoping to judge his reaction to it.

Ajax had much the same reaction as all of them being extremely surprised by the egg that was found. While no youngling found in a dungeon guaranteed a bond hatching an the egg itself was successful nine times out of ten for people who had previous bonds and three out of four times for others.

Ajax’s issue with the egg was that the bond wouldn’t fit him at all. The salamander would be slow to grow and would most likely cap out at around level one hundred, maybe one hundred and twenty-five if it was well fed from early childhood. Other than that it was also long lived easily surviving for five hundred years meaning taking it would be a long term commitment unlike the bonds most people tried to form early in life that would survive half a century to a century at most.

“It sure is something.” Ajax acknowledged. “An ideal companion for a smith.”

“We’d be willing to give you all of the armor and weapons we got from the previous floor if we can keep the egg.” Trevor offered.

Ajax was initially taken aback by the offer. The egg was much more valuable than those pieces. Thinking on it however the egg wasn’t his, despite him pushing for it it was still part of the shared loot so being given all that equipment for his one twentieth share of the egg did bring things in perspective.

“Wasn’t the agreement that we just sell everything we find and then share the profits?” Ajax asked as he felt an opportunity, afterall he was dealing with house Silvertongue so they wouldn’t begrudge him a little bargaining.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“We’d like to keep the egg, for Nina.” Trevor said as he trusted his social skills when they told him to reveal the reason. The idea worked as Ajax was quite appreciative of the smith after having such a positive first delve under her watch.

“I’ll agree to that.” Ajax said, making Trevor almost breathe out a sigh of relief, that was interrupted as Ajax continued. “Under the condition that if the bonding is successful she’ll craft me a weapon when I graduate from the Academy in six years.”

“We’ll keep you an open slot and charge you nothing for the work but you’ll provide the materials yourself.” Trevor had almost agreed on the spot but thought better of it after he took a closer look at Ajax, who knew how strong he would become in six years and how expensive the materials for a weapon for him would be.

Ajax begrudgingly accepted the deal and felt his few merchant skills level one they shook hands. When Trevor went over to explain the deal to the mages their expression dropped instantly for a moment once they realized that Ajax held some small claim to the egg. Their jubilation quickly returned once Trevor explained the deal but the moment of panic was still funny to Ajax.

Trevor was carrying the egg like a newborn baby as the four made their way towards the exit archway, he didn’t want to risk anything happening despite the shell being strong enough that it would simply bounce harmlessly if dropped.

“What the hell took you all so long?” one of the frontliners asked as he got up seeing them all approaching at a casual pace. “Do you know how long we’ve…”

His words died in his throat as he caught a glimpse of the egg that was in Trevors arms.The momentary quiet was quickly broken as everyone broke out into cheers similar to the two mages previously.

In a moment of petty vindictiveness the mages quickly rushed up to explain the deal that had been reached with Ajax regarding the egg. The whole team reacted exactly as the mages expected with a few even cursing them out for not mentioning that a deal was in place before bringing up Ajax.

Once the realization that they would be keeping the egg set in a few of the more heavy spenders and gamblers did groan a little about how they wouldn’t get any of the weapons and armor they had collected from the seventh floor. While they were being generously provided for by the Silvertongue family they would also be expected to give up the egg without any immediate monetary rewards.

“Ignore them” Trevor told Ajax as he stroked the egg gently. “They’ll get over it real quick once they find out what benefits our team will get as a whole for bringing this out.”

“On that note we’ll be happy to take you with us anytime.” Trevor’s voice turned more serious now. “Your skills are no joke and you can look after yourself, I have to admit I did still have my doubts when I first saw you. I look forward to our next delve together, who knows you might just be our good luck charm.” He said the last part with a bit of amusement in his voice.

Ajax was surprised to find Nina, Trevor senior and a bunch of healers waiting on them as they exited the dungeon. It seems that they had taken quite a bit longer than he thought to retrieve the egg as the higher ups came prepared for some heavier casualties.

As the rest of the team came out with only a few scratches, burns and bruises Nina had started laying into them to give her such a fright. All of that cut off instantly as she saw Trevor II carrying the egg as he came towards her.

“Is that what I think it is?” Her words were high in pitch as she acted like a school girl who just found a puppy under the Christmas tree. “Hit me, hit me, somebody hit me so I know I’m not dreaming.”

Trevor senior was quick to give her the requested backhand as she was making a fool of herself and attracting too much attention. Nina however didn’t let that stop her and took it as the confirmation she requested, and then proceeded to go up to every member of the delve team and individually hug them.

“Er” her smile froze on her face as she got to Ajax who was standing next to Trevor .

“We already have a deal in place.” Ajax quickly explained, he didn’t think Nina would do anything to him but he also hadn’t expected such a reaction from her so he covered all his bases quickly. “The egg belongs to house Silvertongue.”

“Thank you!” her excitement quickly returned as she hugged Ajax. The only one to not receive a hug was Trevor II as he was holding the egg. “I’m buying for all of you at The Tapped Barrel, I just need to go and get the little one all set up you can all go start my tab.”

“After you get looked over by the healers.” Trevor senior was quick to intervene before everyone took off towards the tavern. “We did drag them all the way here after all.”

“You joining us?” Trevor II asked Ajax after he transferred the egg from his arms to Nina’s embrace.

“Sure I just have to go get these taken care of.” Ajax said as he patted the storage bag that contained all of the armor and weapons that were now his. “Do you mind if I take the bag and bring it to you at the tavern?”

At Trevor’s shake of the head no Ajax picked up the heavy bag that strained his strength to the limit and made his way towards his grandparents shop looking to wipe out the debt the had expected would take at least half a dozen delves all at once.