It was disarming the way Sindra smiled. She wore a true smile, the likes of which he’d not seen or felt in a long time.

Sindra smiled as if the world wasn’t the Grand Dungeon. She smiled like it was just a wonderful day outside, or she was going for a new book from the library. What surprised him more was Sindra, the massive presence of the woman, the Runner leader, didn’t even pass his nose. She was much shorter in person, and the spray of freckles covering her cheeks made her look so damn innocent.

Myles shook the thought off and thought about the strange question.

“What do you mean it’s strange to see Mournsong here?” Myles asked, circling back to her conversation.

Sindra turned at his words and looked at the depiction. “Well, I don’t want to offend your religion, but just look at him.” She motioned vividly with her hands, directing Myles's attention to all of the statues in the general direction of the wall. “He’s not even trying to act his part.”

Act his part?

Myles just smiled at that as he took the figure in again. “I don’t know about his part. Maybe he just doesn’t like how the others act?”

Sindra seemed to consider this.

“Maybe, but he could at least try to look the part of a powerful entity beyond our understanding,” she countered. “That’s not all though. There’s the issue with how the temple was constructed.”

He had been a [Baker], not an [Architect], but the building looked fine to him.

“Is there something wrong with the building?”

Sindra shook her head, making the hat look even more ridiculous as it flopped from side to side in time. “Well, sort of. It’s really more of a yes and no answer,” she began. “The foundation is good. The building will probably outlast the Run with how many stone vouchers we put into it. You do not want to know how much this place dipped into our reserves, but cost aside, the dungeon has a strange sense of humor.”

Myles was getting a sense for that, too. “Oh?”

She nodded. “How could someone who turned his back on his friends still be given such a place of honor and importance?” Sindra asked, motioning to Mournsong’s detailed alcove. “Have you noticed the design, Myles?” As she spoke, she motioned to each aspect of the room, making sure he understood her point. “Look how the rooms are set up and their placement. Mournsong is placed here, back to the Seven and looking out at the Outsiders and Starfallen alike. None of them can move or act without him noticing, but he doesn’t care what the others do. As if he doesn’t care that the Seven are watching us come and go.”

She was making an interesting point, but then again, Myles wasn’t a religious person.

“Like you watching me?” Myles asked, doing little to hide his curiosity at her appearance.

Sindra snorted and waved the comment off as if it were a bad smell, but he couldn’t help noticing she sped up her speech just a little bit.

“Oh, no. I’m not watching you any more than anyone else really,” Sindra explained, sounding a bit flustered. “I’m not really. I just happened to be visiting my patron. I didn’t even know you were here. Well, I could have known, but I don’t check my town interface for every single person to see who I’m going to meet when I go somewhere. That would be silly. Really, you can thank your monster for that. Once I saw her part the crowds at Rani’s altar, I knew you’d be somewhere nearby. You know people are still worried about her? They’re not used to tamed, sapient monsters. I did go looking when I saw her though, but I didn’t expect to find you back here. Not many worship the Outsiders and Starfallen.”

“I don’t,” Myles corrected, looking back to Mournsong, “But he does look like someone I’d like to listen to at a tavern on a cold Frostfall’s night. He probably has some good stories.”

Sindra didn’t argue with him and looked at the statue once more. A hand went to her chin, rubbing it slightly as she seemed to consider what he said. “He probably does, doesn’t he? Well, he is said to host the Grand Feast for those he deems worthy. They probably have great stories.” Almost as an afterthought, Sindra added, “What do you think he drinks?”

“From that smile, probably something strong,” Myles chuckled. “Having him nearly tip over in his seat laughing, it’d have to be. Maybe mulled wine?”

“Maybe he heard a good joke?” Sindra offered. She seemed to reflect on something for a moment, then after a few moments grinned, and turned to face him again. “Oh! I’ve got a good one!”

Myles couldn’t help but take the bait. “Okay.”

“What’s brown and sticky?”

There were a lot of things, some not so pleasant to think of, that might make a good punchline. “Carmel?”

She shook her head.

“Chocolate?”

“Oh, I like that, but no.”

Myles thought again, harder this time. “Tree sap?”

“Try again.”

“Hmm,” Myles put his mind to work. What would be brown and sticky that someone would…

He didn’t have to wait as Sindra lost patience and blurted out the answer proudly. “A stick!”

No…

Myles groaned. His dad didn’t even tell jokes that terrible. The joke actually hurt, or maybe that was just the playful punch that missed and connected to the soft tissue between his ribs and hip bones.

A moment later, a worried voice leapt across their connection.

“I am coming!”

No, it’s okay. Myles quickly assured, not wanting to make the situation more awkward. Finish your prayer. I’ll be out soon.

The quick conversation with Ashra took him away from his company just long enough for her to turn as red as her hair and fluster. He must have missed something.

Sindra moved quickly as she spoke, opening her inventory and starting to produce items. “Sorry! Sorry! I didn’t mean to hurt you. Here, have a potion. Do you prefer potions? What about salves? I have salves. Some people can’t handle the taste of a healing potion. They just throw it back up and then you have a wasted potion and vomit everywhere. It’s a real waste.”

It surprised Myles, but he brushed her concern away. “No, it’s fine. I just wasn’t ready is all,” he explained, rubbing at the tender area. “You pack a bit of a punch for a [Strategist], you know?”

The woman ignored his denial and pushed a small red vial into his hands. “Blame my mother for that, she was… well... she is very strong for such a small woman. Then again, you have to be as mayor.”

He nodded, but he felt bad pointing out physical strength wasn’t the same as mental. “For you to be here, she has to be. A good mayor and strong, I mean.”

“You could say that.”

An awkward silence grew between them. Myles wasn’t used to making small talk with people, and it was starting to show. Maybe he should bring up baking? What did you talk about with another Runner, let alone the de-facto Runner leader?

“So, were you looking for me or just wanted to meet?” Myles asked, nearly smacking himself after the words passed his lips, ignoring his filter.

“Oh, right!” she said as if remembering something that was on the tip of her tongue. “Right, Mitchel had a glowing review of your work, and I wanted to meet you. I came by the other day to see for myself, but your house was empty. At least, I think it was. I knocked several times, and no one answered. None of your neighbors seemed to know either. I know I could go in, but it’s rude to abuse my power, you know?”

She could enter anyone’s home she wanted?

More surprisingly, people considered him a neighbor?

Now, when had he been out…

“Oh, it was probably when I was in the lake dungeon with my party.”

“The lake dungeon?” her tone noticeable flattened, but Myles nodded anyways. “The slime one?” He nodded again, and she sighed. “So, you were the ones that were there?”

“Yes…” Myles ventured, feeling a bit unsure of himself now. “We saw the notice… well, Kendra saw the notice, and we went in to see how we could work together.”

“I see,” Sindra said, softening her tone a bit. “And Kendra Kessa, the [Berserker], is your leader?”

That was impressive. Sindra really did know everyone.

“Was,” Myles explained. “I ended up taking over the role, but everyone’s accepted it.”

“Everyone?”

“Kendra, Will, Tail, and Lyna.”

Another pause.

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

“A [Distortion Mage], [Lunar Illusionist], and a [Master of Arms] too…” She seemed to process that, looking distant for a moment before nodding. “I take it that the delve went well if you’re alive.”

“About as well as can be expected. We took the day off to rest.” Then, remembering his manners, Myles asked, “How’s your party doing?”

“We cleared three dungeons yesterday,” Sindra said proudly, though not fully returning to her perky self yet. “We were going to clear four, but…”

“Oh.”

“Yeah,” she said, smiling again. “It’s fine though, really. We can’t be the only ones to clear dungeons.”

“Couldn’t you have waited for it to recover?” Myles asked, unease growing at her darker smile.

“Normally, but someone shattered the core.” To her credit, there was only a bit of accusation in her voice.

“We didn’t shatter the core,” Myles defended, wishing he had a glove for his hand.

“Shattered or not, Myles Chase, I’m not sure what your team did in there then, but you broke it,” Sindra accused openly. “How do you break a dungeon without breaking the core?”

“Luck?” Myles half-joked.

“I wouldn’t call that lucky.”

If Sindra only knew.

She paused for a moment, thinking on his words, and smiled. “Must be luck though.” Turning from him and walking to the door, she gave Myles an enthusiastic wave before leaving, then turning on a copper and coming back. “Oh! Did you want to register your party then? I noticed it’s not on the registry. Mitchel must have missed it yesterday in all the excitement.”

Myles thought for a moment. “Sure. What do I have to do?”

“Oh, that’s easy. You’ve done pretty much everything just talking to me. All that’s left is the name of your team for the bounty board,” Sindra said, opening a familiar blue pane like he’d seen before with a certain Korgan reporter.

Bounty Board?

“Oh.”

“Oh?”

Myles rubbed at the back of his head. “We didn’t quite have a name picked out just yet.”

“Well, you’re the leader,” she pointed out. “It doesn’t affect much, just lets me tell who is doing what, where to make sure you’re contributing to the community. Just come up with something good.”

He thought for a few moments as Sindra smiled patiently at him. Her deep green eyes were as disarming as her appearance as she waited. His mind swimming for just a moment before he smiled, remembering the words of his father.

Everything was about branding.

“Rising Star,” Myles said after a moment.

“Like your family bakery?” Sindra asked. Myles nodded, and she grinned. “Oh, I love your cinnamon rolls. They are the best on a cold day. My father puts them in the oven and lets the frosting melt, and it gets all gooey and delicious. Oh, I want one now. Do you have any? Can you make some for me? I can pay!”

Myles smiled, her mouth actually watering a little as she filled out the information. He had yet to meet someone that didn’t like a cinnamon roll.

***

Sindra confirmed the information and secured rights to the first batch of cinnamon rolls he could make. Before leaving, she had a smile on her face and a carefree attitude that didn’t seem to have a place in the Grand Dungeon.

All things considered, Myles was left feeling rather happy about the encounter.

He’d even gotten the update to the team’s name, so she had to be the real deal. Even knowing that, it was still hard for him to believe how that Sindra was the same Sindra from the night on the battlefield fighting Gregor. It was even hard to see her as the force behind the growth and organization of Runner’s Plaza.

She just seemed so…

So…

Innocent? Flustered? Distracted?

The wording was hard to come by, but she just didn’t seem like the leader he expected. Results spoke more than words though, and he couldn’t argue. Sindra was a force to be reckoned with.

Myles was stuck considering that when Ashra arrived, mentally nudging him as she approached from behind.

He turned, gave her a nod, and Ashra went about examining the other carvings, spending a particularly long time on a ruby carving of what to Myles looked like a Beastkin of some kind.

“Are you well?”

Myles nodded then realized she wasn’t looking and spoke. “I am. Sindra was just here. We had a nice talk about Mournsong and the party.”

That seemed to alarm his monsterkin, and Ashra turned to face him. “She was the one who attacked you, and you did not call me for support?”

“Sindra didn’t attack me,” Myles protested. “She made a bad joke, tried to hit my shoulder, and decked my side.”

“Oh,” Ashra let the comment fall from her shoulders. “I did not see her come in.”

“She said you were busy.”

“I did not see her leave.”

“So? Maybe you just turned when she walked past,” Myles rationed.

Ashra’s tone grew increasingly annoyed. “She did not pass through the entrance of the Keep. I was vigilant for anyone coming or going from this room when you said not to come in.”

Myles wanted to point out how plain she looked, but he looked at Ashra now, felt her emotions through the link, and realized she wasn’t just annoyed but worried. Myles let the emotions wash over his mind as he examined them, and Ashra felt as though she had failed him by not noticing a threat. Then, she failed again when the threat slipped through her hands.

He didn’t make the same mistake he had last time. “You think she’s dangerous?”

“I could smell the blood on her that night at her home. She is more dangerous than many I have seen here today if not all of them.”

Looking back at the way she’d gone, he had to agree. “She’s stronger than she looks.”

“There are two kinds of people in this world, Myles,” Ashra began, seeming to recite the words rather than say them. “There are those that can take power and those that can hold onto it.”

“What’s the difference?”

“To hold power means it cannot be taken.”

“I think I’ve heard something like that before…” Suddenly, Myles stiffened as a thought occurred to him.

“Myles?”

“I forgot to tell her about the loophole!”

***

After leaving the temple and making it to the more affluent district, Myles and Ashra found themselves in front of the gated home of their leader. To their luck, Mitchel was stationed outside the gate, looking about as bored as a well-tended piece of lumber. When he saw the familiar pair approach, he stood up and smiled.

“I thought it was going to be a boring day. Hello, Myles. Ashra.”

Ashra gave him a shallow bow, and Myles held out his hand for a shake. Mitchel clasped it on the forearm, and they squeezed. “I have some information for the city.”

“Oh?” Mitchel said, putting his hand back to his side. “About what?”

“A loophole in protection.”

Mitchel’s face darkened and he nodded. “That’s pretty important. Are you sure it’s a loophole?”

Myles nodded. “I’ve seen it twice now, so I’m positive.”

The [Armored Wall] sighed. “Always on my shift. Alright, we need to confirm this. Come on in. At least we can enjoy ourselves with our impending doom.”

At his words, the gates opened, and Mitchel ushered the two inside.

Not to look a gift horse in the mouth, Myles had to ask. “That easy? You’re going to let us in that easy?”

“What are you going to do?” Mitchel joked. “Stab me?”

“I do have a knife.”

“And I have the backing of the most powerful Runner team in the dungeon. I’m not worried. If you had that kind of power and wanted me dead, you wouldn’t be here to report a problem with safe area protections.”

That was true enough.

Past the plaza, past the doors, and into the main hall, Myles was overwhelmed by the splendor. A roaring fireplace of polished red stone, deep brown, almost crimson, floorboards with gleaming planks of stone interspersed throughout the design, plaster walls with wooden beams, and light, so much light! It hung from the ceilings as a chandelier, gripped the walls in golden clasps, and roared in the fireplace. It was like the room could be as bright as day at all times, like it had its own sun.

“Pretty nice, eh?” Mitchel said, patting Myles’s back. “When you have people pooling resources, you get a pretty nice place to rest your feet.” Passing Myles, he walked to a small sitting area and unceremoniously plopped into a chair. Even in all his armor, the chair didn’t even creak in protect. “Sit, sit. We’ll talk as soon as refreshments arrive.”

“Refreshments?”

Mitchel smiled, made a dismissive noise, and raised his hand as if calling for someone. “Psh, you don’t expect me to entertain without being a good host, right?”

Right…

The pair settled in and spoke a little about their experience so far. Mitchel talked about what it was like as a breakpoint for his time, and Myles talked a little bit about what it was like being a [Monster Tamer]. All the while, Ashra continued to stand, discomfort radiating from her as she looked from one wall to the next in the greeting room. Myles had to admit he was a little nervous as well. He was just better at hiding it.

“So, why’d you come here to report it?” Mitchel asked as a small golem arrived carrying a pitcher and three glasses full of water. The four-armed creature handed one to each of them, which Ashra took only after a mental prompting of safety from Myles, before going as still as a statue.

Myles took a sip, letting the surprisingly cold liquid wash over his senses for a moment. “What do you mean?”

Mitchel shrugged. “Didn’t you already see Sindra today?”

Myles took a moment, drinking more water. Had she already made it back here? Quickly checking with Ashra, neither of them saw her in the street here, and Mitchel seemed pretty bored on duty...

“How’d you know I saw her?” he asked.

Mitchel shrugged, sitting up a little straighter. “When she goes out, she meets as many of the Runners as she can. Says it’s good for moral.”

Myles felt Ashra tug at him almost instantly, but he assured her it was fine. For his part, Myles just smiled, nodded, and continued. “Makes sense.”

His host relaxed, sitting back further in his chair. “So, what’s this loophole?”

Opening his inventory, Myles produced a small clear slime core. “You know what this is, right?”

Mitchel gave it a once over and hummed slightly. “A slime core, right?”

“Right.” Myles put it back. “Did you know that slime cores can regenerate in the safe zone?”

“That should be impossible,” Mitchel explained. “The magical aura of a safe zone is like the Shards of Heaven. Monsters can’t approach, let alone regenerate around one.”

“Monsters can regenerate if a Runner brings them back into the safe zone,” Myles pushed. “I’ve been attacked by a reborn slime in my own home.”

Mitchel looked a little more seriously at him. “Are you sure?”

“As sure as I can be,” Myles nodded. “I brought the core into my barn to tame it in a controlled environment the night we met in the square for Sindra’s meeting. When it regenerated, it didn’t waste any time and attacked Ashra and then me before we could stop it.”

Mitchel’s face darkened as his eyes went distant, a common enough motion when a Runner was looking at one of their interface functions. He seemed to be typing, then reading something. Long minutes passed before finally…

“You’re right.”

“I know.”

“No, I mean you’re right about the loophole,” Mitchel explained.

“I know,” Myles repeated, slightly more annoyed at repeating himself. “I was attacked…”

Mitchel groaned, holding a handout to interrupt Myles. “No, listen, Myles. You are the loophole.”

Did he hear him right?

He was the loophole?

“Run that by me again?”

Mitchel moved his hand in the air, and Myles watched as his eyes lingered in different areas longer than others. He must have been reading again. “We should have seen this coming with your particular class. There’s only been two other [Monster Tamer]s in the history of the Grand Runs across all of the continents, so information is sometimes harder to come by. It’s all right here though. Because of your Class and your unique individual magical aura registration, monster regeneration skills and monsters in your proximity are not as heavily regulated as they should be. In fact, your Class’s particular aura doesn’t stop monster regeneration at all unless they’re contained with an extra-dimensional space or on your person in a specially designed barrier.”

“You’re joking.”

He shook his head. “Because you need a connection to monsters for your Skills to work properly, any monsters brought within the vicinity of your property or your aura, about ten feet of your border or person in any direction according to the class notes here, can regenerate as if they weren’t in a safe area because the individual magical aura that normally hinders monster regeneration is modified to allow your class training to even be possible. It even negates a Shard of Heaven’s influence according to these Class reports from…”

It was Myles’s turn to interrupt and try to keep Mitchel on topic. “So, what does that mean?”

“Well,” Mitchel sighed and began filling out information on an unseen screen. “It means you’re a danger to the entire Plaza, and you’re going to require special attention from city resources.”

Sket.

As if reading the unspoken curse, Mitchel turned a bit of a sympathetic eye to the [Monster Tamer]. “It’s not so bad. We’ll just be stationing guards to keep an eye on your property during the most typical monster spawning periods to make sure your home doesn’t become a hotbed of monster activity and, you know, kill us all.”

“Oh, is that all?” Myles asked with all the sarcasm he could muster at the moment.

“Yep,” Mitchel answered absently, ignoring the dripping sarcasm of Myles’s wit. “Don’t want you accidentally starting the apocalypse and ending our run, do we?”

“No,” Myles grumbled. No, he did not want to be responsible for killing everyone.

“Alright! Let’s get started.”

“I told you so,” Ashra reminded him as Mitchel began going over the particulars that would be posted in the town square’s bounty board before he left.