Dawn blearily watched as the monkey man strolled over to the seating area and made himself at home, plopping down on one of the couches. He indicated to the opposite couch as he stretched, lounging like a king.

"Come sit! Sit! We have much to discuss—even if this place isn't... suitable for such pleasant conversation. Dreary as all hells it is. I wonder if we can spruce it up a bit."

He scanned around and spotted the adjacent hearth. He brightened, snapping his fingers.

"Ah, perfect! Just what we need to—O'Krall would you?

The monkey gestured with his tail and a slender orc nodded, striding over to a collection of firewood off to one side. The monkey yawned, shifting his gaze back to her.

"Well, what's the matter girl? Come on then, I haven't got all day!"

Dawn jumped and hurried over, sitting across from him as the Orc busied himself at the hearth. She squinted at the monkey man as she blinked the fog of grogginess from her eyes. She couldn't pin down what species he was—not that she knew a whole lot about monkeys—but she was sure that even if she did, it wouldn't help her here.

The talking monkey man was wearing a loose fitting robe or coat that he left open, exposing his fur covered chest, his modesty saved only by a pair of trousers cropped at the knee. He took a drag of a cigar, breathing out another cloud of smoke as the fire lit in the hearth.

"So, ol' Prontey was finally able to rope someone into taking this dump? Hehe, I thought whoever took this place would look crazier, anyone who listens to that fool has to be. Hm, doesn't matter I guess, but how'd you wind up here anyways? We should have seen you come in."

Dawn went cross eyed at the hail of disjointed thoughts as the monkey opened a satchel. He dug around with his tail and produced a grape, which he then proceeded to toss into his mouth. The orc got up, his job complete and flanked the monkey as Dawn—attempted—to respond.

"I, uh, why would you have seen me—? I mean, it's not like I had a choice. I just sort of... woke up here."

The monkey frowned, both tail and brow arching high.

"Just woke up? Really?"

Dawn nodded and the monkey murmured as he cupped his chin.

"Hm, teleported then? If it's him he can... no, no he doesn't work like that. What would—"

As the monkey monologued, Dawn was cast in shadow. She tilted her head up, puzzled. A dark figure loomed behind Dawn, a veritable wall of muscle that filled her vision. Dawn screamed and fell off the couch, scrambling backwards. She stared, eyes going round at the towering figure which she had somehow forgotten.

Even now, it was hard to look at... him? Her eyes kept sliding away. She gritted her teeth and forced herself to look, tensing her neck as her head tried to swivel away. She stared for a few seconds, the figure was foggy but she eventually saw—

Jet black hair covered a hunched frame, interrupted only by the barest minimum of clothing as shadowy as his fur. He, and it was a he, stood on all four appendages, his deepset face covered by a mask that only betrayed his beady eyes. It was—she blinked.

"A gorilla?"

The monkey broke off from his solo pondering, the crackling and popping of the fire becoming the only measure of time passing as she stared at the massive gorilla before her. It felt like an eternity before a piercing howl of a laugh erupted behind her. She spun around to see the monkey rolling around, clutching his sides as he wailed in laughter.

"Did you hear that Hass? She called you—she called—bwahahahaha"

He managed to glance past dawn, towards the gorilla, before the monkey saw something and erupted again, pointing, roaring with laughter. She turned to see the gorilla, massive even by gorilla standards. He looked... Dawn paled.

"Oh god."

The gorilla was furious, his eyes radiating thunder as he looked down at her with disdain. The gorilla grunted, his deep voice surprisingly soft.

"It's gorillo human."

Gorillo? But that was...

"Isn't that, like, practically the same?"

The monkey redoubled his howling, wheezing as he pounded on the couch. The gorillo's eyes narrowed.

"Should I call you a neanderthal then? After all, you're practically the same."

Dawn bristled.

"NO! I'm not a—a—"

Dawn met his flat piercing gaze and squirmed.

"Point taken."

The gorillo nodded, his face clearing in an instant, becoming statuesque. Dawn felt more than shame drawing her eyes away, her eyes sliding against her will. She gave in and glanced back towards the monkey, still laughing his ass off as the orc rubbed his temples off to the side.

"Ohohaha—ha—that was good, that one never gets old. Don't worry, I'm sure ol' Hass doesn't mind, us primates have to stick together after all."

Dawn heard a snort from the gorillo as she sat back down.

"I guess? What are you then? I'm guessing you're not a monkey man or something stupid like that."

The monkey giggled and gave her a savage grin.

"No. Though, I suppose I should introduce ourselves properly. After all, it's only polite."

The Orc rolled his eyes as the monkey man took another drag, blowing smoke rings as he gestured with his tail.

"So Hass is a gorillo, I'm guessing there is no need for explanations there. Pretty self explanatory. This on the other hand is O'Krall, he's a..."

The monkey paused, coking his head as he looked between Dawn and the orc.

"Do you need me to explain the difference between an orc and a mushroom?"

The orc smacked him on the back of the head and the monkey threw up his hands.

"What! If you want to be technical—"

The orc raised his fist and the monkey sighed.

"Fine! Fine. I don't get why you of all people would care."

He thwapped him with his tail and the orc hissed as the monkey man continued on.

"Anyways, he's the one with anger issues. As for me—"

He popped another grape in his mouth and indicated himself with his tail in one smooth motion.

"—you can call me Bosbie, I'm one of the atelin and leader of the little... group known as Skeleton Key."

Atelin? She shook her head and thought of the other thing he said. Leader? Of what? What kind of name was 'Skeleton Key' anyways? Her eyes narrowed as her mind screamed at her, trying to connect the dots through the mists of her grogginess.

Something wasn't right.

She looked at the orc who was rather short compared to the other one she met. He was about the size of a normal human—if not on the short side—and he wasn't nearly as built either. And yet she couldn't shake the weird, dangerous feeling radiating from the orc as the atelin grinned and gestured towards her, using his hands for the first time.

"Well that's us, so what's your name miss human?"

His voice knocked her out of her stupor and she glanced around.

"Um, it's Dawn."

She looked closer at the orc, her vision coming into focus. There was something on his belt—daggers? The monkey leaned forwards grinning like a madman as she broke out in a cold sweat.

"Nice to meet you Dawn. Now that the pleasantries are out of the way... we can get down to business."

Dawn licked her lips letting out a nervous chuckle, realizing far too late just who they were.

"Business yeah... Well, I don't have much to sell. New and all that—I'm sure you understand. So, I'm sorry but we're closed?"

The atelin's mad grin didn't move an inch and she wavered, realizing how moronic she'd been. Who just lets a bunch of strangers force their way in and just... goes along with it!? Dawn shifted her weight, glancing between the three.

"Yeah so I'm just going to—"

Dawn jumped up and turned to sprint for the door. She didn't even make one step before the room tilted, everything going white as her head was slammed into the low coffee table. She squirmed to get away but she was trapped in a vice grip, wheezing as she struggled to breath. She could hear another round of howling laughter past the ringing in her ears.

"Took you long enough! Though did you have to try and run? We could've been so civilized about it. Not that it makes a difference to me."

The atelin knelt down, his grinning face swirling around as her vision spun. She gagged as he blew a puff of smoke straight into her face.

"Why are you here? I didn't do anything to—"

"Do?"

He giggled.

"Girl, you did nothing. Nothing but set up shop on our turf—and that means we need to come to an arrangement, ya see? You need to understand who is in charge."

"Y-You mean the city right?"

Dawn blinked as laughter erupted around her, the stony orc and silent gorillo coursing in for once with the atelin's crazed laughter.

"Those fucks?"

The atelin wiped tears from his eyes as he ground his cigar into the table, singing the wood. He tilted her head by the chin, forcing her to look straight into his piercing yellow eyes.

"Listen here girl. Great Chief Gaz'Thul can kiss my steam soaked hairy ass. Both him and his posse don't run shit down here. You wan't their authority? Try about two levels up."

He dropped her head, lounging back as Dawn spluttered.

"But then what did I even sign? I'm in the city if—"

Bosbie cut her off with a dry, mirthless chuckle.

"Oh, they'll happily take your money. They'll march down an entire fucking army to do so—but the Watch? Guilds? Maintenance?"

He broke out into a fit of giggles.

"No, the gangs run the show down here, and you best learn that quick."

The atelin stood up, pulling another cigar from his pouch as he made a slashing gesture with his tail. Dawn felt the pressure on the back of her head relent and pushed herself up, head still spinning. She looked at the door. She could try to run again but... that was stupid. She looked back towards the monkey man and sighed.

"What do you want from me?"

"Oh! So she cuts to the chase! But you really can't figure it out?"

He popped the cigar into his mouth and lit it with a small jet of flame from a finger. He took a puff and shrugged.

"What could a gang possibly want from a clueless girl, one that ran around the steamwarrens like a headless chimera?"

"When you put it like that I really shouldn't have anything..."

Her brows furrowed.

"Wait, how do you know about—"

Her eyes widened and her head spun, her gaze finding the glint of a tin, still resting under a display after she kicked it there. Bosbie followed her gaze, and clapped with delight.

"What, did that concussion make you smarter or somethin'? Did you really think you just magically popped back into your shop after nearly wringing yourself dry?"

Dawn looked back to the monkey man and shrugged.

"No, but that was the least of my priorities. I had bigger problems."

The Atelin raised a brow.

"Like?"

...

Like trying to deny the fact you were in a completely different world? Dawn shook her head.

"Doesn't matter. But you saved me? Thanks, I guess."

He searched her face a second longer before he waved a lazy hand.

"Well it wasn't me and don't worry on our accord girl. We got our price."

Dawn looked at his carefree grin and frowned.

"You're price? But what—

Her eyes widened as she touched her pocket—the pocket where her phone should have been.

"Hey! You guys took my phone didn't you!"

Dawn jumped up furious, stumbling as she tried—and failed—to keep her balance. Bosbie cocked his head as Dawn tumbled over with a crash.

"Hm, so that's what it's called?"

Dawn glared up at him as the atelin gestured the orc forward. She could see her phone case—a pink mechanized bunny on a black background—as the orc produced it and handed it off to the atelin. Bosbies eyes shone as he inspected the phone, caressing the screen with satisfaction.

"Expensive, clearly. Such fine craftsmanship... you wouldn't happen to be a runaway noble would you girl?"

He glanced up, looking her up and down before snorting.

"No, definitely not. Daughter of some merchant? Well, whatever the case, this is valuable, however—"

He tapped the phone, circling around her as he pursed his lips in befuddlement.

"—it doesn't work. We know it has a function. We were able to activate it, to see this slate glow to life—!"

He made a fist and clenched so hard she could hear his skin stretch.

"—but we couldn't read it and it failed soon thereafter. We thought it must be a high grade artifact, one that ran out of mana, but when we went to charge it our mage told us this thing isn't even magical!"

The atelin stepped over and kneeled down, waving the phone in her face.

"So my question, what I require, is this. What do I have and why isn't it working?"

Dawn eyed her phone before staring into his eager, hungry eyes. She could tell him. In fact, she probably should. She knew she had no power here. But... Dawn smiled and stuck her tongue out.

"Not telling, you stupid monkey. That's mine."

She saw the orc cringe as the atelin's grin grew, his eyes...

"Well you at least have the arrogance of nobility, I'll give you that girl. But where in this did I say you had a choice?"

He drew in close, whispering in her ear as her blood froze.

"You won't survive long here if you don't learn respect girl. Nobody makes it alone. So, I'll give you one last chance. How can I fix it?"

Dawn shivered and bit her lip. She didn't want to tell him. Her phone was the only thing she had, the only thing she brought. Her only advantage. She was sure that if he knew how to charge it, she would never get it—wait that's it! She mentally slapped herself as she looked around the unmistakably medieval room. She smiled at Bosbie as her tension flooded out of her.

"Alright fine, you want to know?"

The atelin narrowed his eyes at Dawn's suddenly serine expression, twisting a ring on his finger.

"Enlighten me."

She nodded and leaned forward.

"You were right that it was out of charge—but the thing is... it's not out of magic, mana or whatever. It's out of electricity."

His ring buzzed and he frowned looking back at the orc who shrugged.

"And how do I get this electricity?"

She shook her head as she hid a triumphant smirk.

"Uh I don't think it's possible. This worl—continent wouldn't have it or anything close. Anything that won't fry it instantly anyways."

Bosbie watched his ring vibrate and he sighed, twisting the ring as he stood up.

"Well you're telling the truth. How disappointing. I suppose I'll have to—"

Dawn's hope soared as she looked at his vexed expression and put on her best innocent smile for the mumbling atelin.

"So, uh, if it is worthless to you then there's no reason to keep it right?"

He broke off and gazed down at her. He snorted in amusement, his eyes twinkling with the shine of an adult seeing straight through a child's mischief.

"Nice try girl, but your desperation isn't helping your case. There's something you're not telling me, and I'll find out. One way or another. But I guess I'll save it for later."

He handed the phone back off to the orc, dashing Dawn's hope.

"Besides, this... artifact, is your first payment. For services already rendered I might add. You would have died if dear O'Krall here wasn't tailing you and saved your hide. I think a priceless artifact or two is worth your life don't you?"

Dawn looked at the orc and scowled.

"Hey you took—! Just because you saved me doesn't mean you can just take my stuff! Though—"

Dawn frowned as she worked over another part of what he said.

"First payment?"

"Of course!"

The atelin took a deep drag from his cigar.

"After all that was just a taste. Saving your ass when you're in danger is our business! For a regular fee, problems on our turf cease to be problems... you get me?"

She narrowed her eyes.

"Wait, you guys aren't just a gang... you're mobsters! Raquetters!"

"Mobster? Never heard that one, but yes, that's what we do."

She spluttered nonplussed at his shameless grin.

"But—isn't that bad?"

He rolled his eyes.

"Alright, listen here you spoiled rich brat. I know that—"

"Hey! I'm not a—"

"—yes, yes you are. As I was saying—I don't know where you're from, but I'm guessing that the watch had full control right?"

"Yes? It—it wasn't the watch but... that's how it normally works right?"

He gave her a flat look and shook his head.

"No. Let me ask you this Dawn, what would you do if you didn't have access to the watch? Someone with the muscle to look after you?"

"Well obviously I would—would..."

Dawn's retort froze in her throat. She looked around and actually saw the people around her. Saw the look in their eyes as they judged her. It was something she had only seen in the safety of her home, a look she had seen only portrayed by actors as she lay curled up on the couch.

That of being tired, too tired to care. That of the resolve to do what they needed to do, no matter what. It was much more terrifying in person...

And heartbreaking.

"I-I... don't know."

He nodded solemnly.

"Exactly."

He took a drag, his faux smile gone.

"After all, what would you do? Let everything fall to anarchy? No, there needs to be order. No matter who is enforcing it. The streets have a code girl, without it, we of the gutter would be nothing more than the beasts they claim us to be."

He gazed into her eyes weary.

"I am not a good man Dawn. I'm greedy, as selfish as they come. I'm spiteful, and forceful, I have a million and one vices. But...

He thrust a thumb into his chest.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

"You need someone to save your ass? The steamwarrens have no better crew."

He smirked as he eyed her.

"Especially since you won't have me trying to force you to sell your ass, like some of the other crews."

Dawn shuddered and even the orc grimaced with disdain.

"If you tried that I'd end it first."

The monkey roared with laughter, his cheer coming back in full force.

"Hells, maybe I'm wrong. Are you some runaway noble girl? No? You certainly have pride to match. But no, if you're staying here you'll be paying in more regular ways."

Dawn rolled her eyes.

"Like what? I'm sorry, but this 'spoiled rich brat' left her bags of gold at home."

He gestured around the room.

"As if you don't know? Come on girl, you're smarter than that!"

Dawn looked at the mess of a room, her eyes vacant. The atelin gave her an exasperated glare and slapped the floor with his tail.

"You have a shop! An Enchanting Atelier of all things! Just like that!"

Dawn folded her arms.

"Well, I don't know. I never really thought about being a business owner..."

The Atelin hissed and thrust a finger under her nose.

"This is exactly what I mean! You spoiled brat! Do you have any idea how much this shop's worth?!"

...

"No? Even then, didn't you say this place was a dump?"

The atelin, gorillo, and orc all stared down incredulously at her and she threw up her hands.

"Look, I just don't know, okay! I'm not even an Enchantress or whatever—wait, I think I am? I got this weird voice in my head when I slept... but I never studied and—what?"

All three were staring slack jawed at her. The orc cursed and murmured under his breath.

"—she got the class? Already? But—"

The atelin reached for another one of his rings. He tapped it and she shuddered as she felt something like a wave of pinpricks wash over her.

"My gods, it's true! Level two, and... no other classes? Odd..."

She looked at their shocked expressions as Bosbie deactivated his ring in a daze

"Is that not normal? I did enchant something, so wouldn't that give me experience or something?"

He blinked at her, lost in thought.

"Normal? Well it would be normal if you became, say, a Receptionist by filling out some paperwork or an Innkeeper by cleaning a few tables, but a mage class? You have to study for years before you can cast your first spell, let alone gain the class. What exactly did you do?"

"Well..."

Dawn's eyes began to glow. The orc's hands flashed to his daggers before Bosbie held up his hand. She could see the magic radiating, roaring off his rings, and his... chest? She pointed at her eyes.

"When I got here I read a book and gained... this! It's some kind of—I think it's called Mage Sight? That sounds about right. It messed me up pretty bad though and then after that—"

She unhooked her bracelet, looking with satisfaction at her little inscription.

"I got sucked into this... enchanting room? And then I inscribed this! I know it isn't much, I just inscribed a few words and my name. That must be pretty lame, but I just couldn't find out how to—hello?"

She heard a muttered curse from behind and saw the look the other two gave her. Bosbie stroked his chin in thought.

"You know, by all rights girl you should be dead. Most minds can't even process magic without preparation... Tell me, how much education did you receive?"

How much? Well there was pre-school followed by all the mandatory stuff and three years of college, so...

"17—no—18 years?"

The entire group sucked in their breath. The orc mouthed something to Bosbie and he gave a sharp glance back, nodding.

"Well that explains it. You might not have studied mage theory explicitly but that would certainly make up for it."

He began to pace, his tail swishing with agitation.

"Well I was going to suggest finding a more experienced mage. To rent out the shop and apprentice to them. You wouldn't get much for this place—given the state—but you would get something. Now though..."

He turned, giving the orc a look who's eyes widened.

"Bosbie!? Her?! She's only—you can't be serious!"

Bosbie smacked him on his head with his tail.

"Hey, we were looking for one. Just think about it."

The orc scowled and made a gesture at the atelin prompting a flurry of retaliatory strikes. Dawn felt her dizziness start to abate as the orc dodged in desperation and pushed herself up.

"What are you talking about?"

Bosbie froze, pausing in his tailborne assault before striding up to her and kneeling down. She yelped as he poked her, a brilliant glint shining in his eyes.

"A job. For you specifically."

She scooted back and frowned.

"A job? You mean for you? Yeah, no thanks."

His brows furrowed, nonplussed. He glanced around at the disaster zone of a room before spreading his hands, shrugging.

"It's up to you girl, but this is the best chance you got."

Dawn curled into herself and turned away, her gaze becoming sullen as she muttered into her knees.

"No. I won't do anything illegal. I won't become a criminal."

She saw Bosbie roll his eyes out of the corner of her own and sigh.

"Who said anything about it being illegal? It's an opportunity. That is—as long as a certain someone agrees!"

Dawn buried her head as Bosbie swiped his tail at the orc who dodged with ease. The atelin tsked and turned back to her.

"I suppose you don't have to do it. That's your choice... if you like starving to death that is."

Dawn glared at him through her knees.

"I don't need you! I can—I can fix this place up! It was a business right? I just need—"

Bosbie held up his hand and began ticking off fingers.

"Inventory, materials, about twenty more levels, a customer base... all of which require capital and time you don't have. And besides—"

He gazed down at her, blowing smoke through his nose as he gave her a superior smirk.

"I'd bet ten orichalcum that you don't have the most important part—something my proposal fixes quite nicely."

"The most important part? What would be—"

A system designed to execute something—something missing.

Dawn's heart began to pound and her eyes widened. She looked up at the atelin, trying to read his perfect mask of a grin.

"Wait—Are you talking about... tell me, please!"

His smile deepened as he looked into her desperate eyes. The atelin opened his mouth to speak and Dawn leaned forwards, eyes shining—

"Accept my proposal and you'll find out."

Dawn blinked as the monkey man flicked her, sending her rocking back; he broke out into a hysterical fit of laughter as Dawn hissed, her expression morphing into something more akin to a viper.

"With discretion like that girl I wouldn't worry about a thing, you wear your emotions for all to see! As if I would ever involve you in my more... sensitive matters."

Dawn curled back up into a ball, searching atelin's perpetual grin as she sulked. She did not want to trust him. She didn't trust him.

But—

Dawn gripped her bracelet tight, watching the floating glowing letters as she spoke through gritted teeth.

"If it isn't something bad, what is it?"

The atelin's laughter cut off and he blinked with surprise.

"You want to know? Really? Just like that?"

She shrugged.

"Like you said, I don't have much of a choice. So? What is it?"

He clapped his hands together with delight and opened his mouth to speak. But before he could, a green fist came down on the back of his head sending him tumbling forward. He whirled, glaring at the orc's stern look, before sighing.

"Gods you're such a nag! Always a killjoy."

The atelin turned, miming a flapping mouth with a hand as he made a stupid face. The orc's stony expression twitched.

"I'm afraid—as my insufferable subordinate pointed out—I have to make sure our associate actually agrees to this. If she does, I'll get back to you. For now..."

He pulled out a handful of disc shaped objects from a pouch and counted some out, placing them in a stack on the table. Dawn picked one up and rolled it around in her hand. It was small, around the size of her thumbnail, inscribed with the head of an orc, only just visible through the thick coat of green oxidation.

Even if they were different from what she was used to, they were, without a doubt—

"Coins?"

She looked up at the atelin, her eyes narrowing.

"Aren't you supposed to be selfish? What's with the handout?"

"Oh, it's not a hand out—"

He pointed down at the stack of coins with his tail.

"—it's an... investment. A small one at that. You haven't eaten right? Five bronze coins will get you a cheap meal or two. It'll hold you over until I get things sorted."

She looked at the coins, the pain in her stomach rearing its ugly head at the mention of food. She pulled her knees into her chest as she peered at him with suspicion.

"How did you know I was hungry?"

He shrugged.

"What? Other than the fact that you've been cooped up in this old ass place for three days now? No, I know. I've seen too much of it not to know."

He slid the small stack of coins towards her and spun, grinning as his coat billowed around him.

"So take it and eat your fill! After all, you're worth more to me alive than dead!"

Dawn scoffed, eying the spinning man with unrestrained cynicism.

"I'd hardly die from a week or two without food and I still haven't agreed to work with you, you know. Why are you doing this?"

He cut off his spin with a flourish and smiled down at her with a twinkle in his eye.

"Well sitting here starving your ass off is hardly being alive either is it? People become much more interesting, much more useful if they aren't huddled in some corner wasting away. I should know."

She looked up into the atelin's eyes and realized with a start that, for once, he had dropped his guard. She stared into bright amber eyes that reflected back actual concern. She didn't know why, but for some reason they made her feel so... guilty. Dawn bit her lip, bowing her head as she couldn't bear to look any longer. She closed her hand tight around the coin.

"Thank you."

He gave her a curious glance as he saw the look of disbelief on her face.

"For what? This is my job, my class, my purpose. I'm not some common thug; I have responsibilities. Speaking of which..."

He rummaged around and pulled out an amulet that had been buried in his chest fur. He examined it before cursing.

"Sorry to cut this short but... I have other engagements. None as pleasant as this, but you do what you have to do."

He started for the door and his two subordinates followed.

"So a parting word of advice Dawn, head up to the sixth or seventh level, that's where the topside markets are. Go get some street food and see the sights but don't go below the third level."

He paused at the door, letting the other two by.

"Also for gods sake, when you leave take a left this time? I do not want to send O'Krall here to fish you out of some other hole in the 'warrens. Later girl!"

With that he hopped out of the shop and into the mists, tail wrapping itself around the door handle to pull it shut.

. . .

The three sped down the corridor, the mists rolling and whirling as they passed. They turned a corner and began to mutter.

"Thief Sight"

"Eyes of the Owl"

"... Leaders Gaze"

The once dark hallway lit up for Bosbie as clear as—about a typical stormy day. He caught a glimpse of the unlit lanterns above and tsked, lashing his tail against the ground as he grumbled.

"—take our money at sword point and have the gall to suggest that 'the businesses' of the steamwarrens should 'invest for their own infrastructure'. As if this isn't some glorified slum!"

He plopped on all fours and increased his pace, using his knuckles so as to not sully his palms. Hass grunted next to him.

"Quit whining about it Bosbie. You knew they were going to push people out when they moved the steamworks up here. Everyone's heard the stories about what went down in the third level."

He whirled and hissed at the gorillo.

"Does that mean I have to be happy about it!? To tuck my tail between my ass-cheeks while they fuck us over!?"

Hass's eyes slid towards him, glaring as a portion of Bosbie's vision of the tunnel ahead went dark.

"No, but spare me the moaning, I don't have or want to hear it."

Bosbie groused as the gorillo looked back ahead and his vision lit up again. The gorillo grunted.

"Anyways, what're you going to do about the girl? I can't see her being something else other than nobility... even royalty."

Bosbie halted his—mostly—faux tantrum and pursed his lips.

"Yeah I don't know. I kind of regret making that noble joke. If she is a runaway she might get leary and try to book it."

Beside him the orc snorted, sarcasm thick in his voice as he opined.

"Well she doesn't act like one. If she was, we wouldn't have gotten half way through the fucking door without thrusting her nose up and calling us 'sub-human peons'... or some other shit."

"True."

Bosbie glared at them.

"Oh please, what else could she be? Did you see her clothes? The immaculate stitching? Hells, I couldn't even tell what fabric it was!"

The gorillo nodded.

"Hrm. Even the marks wandering around on the tenth level don't have clothes that finely crafted. Not as radiant though."

"But still, a noble?"

Bosbie rolled his eyes at the orc.

"Yes! Or have you heard of a merchant's daughter getting eighteen years of tutoring? At her age? She must have started as a toddler! Even minor human houses on the Isles don't start educating their heirs that early."

They came to a stop at an intersection, and the gorillo spat, his eyes scanning down the various paths of the murky steamworks.

"Yup, she comes from some kind of human noble house—it's obvious—so my question still stands. What will you do Bosbie?"

The atelin chewed on his lip, his vision waxing and waning as his subordinates shifted their view. He came to a quick decision and looked to the gorillo, nodding.

"Alright, I only need one of you. Go. Keep tabs on her. If she is one she might be an... asset."

Bosbie strode ahead as the gorillo nodded and fell back into the mists, fading from view. After a second of thought he held out his hand, beckoning to the orc.

"Give it."

The orc sighed and muttered as he opened a pouch, producing a strange thin slate.

"I don't get why you have me lug it around for you."

The orc passed over the artifact, and Bobsbie took it with reverence, running his hand along the smooth, nigh perfect glass.

"I can't have it, when I do I get—impatient."

His vision ahead blinked out as O'Krall gave him a frown of bemusement.

"Why? There's plenty of weird shit out there."

Bosbie ran his hand along a material he had never seen nor heard of before and shivered.

"I... don't know, but when I look I feel like I'm missing something. I—"

He felt his amulet buzz and shook his head.

"No, take it, there are more—important things."

He took one last look as he handed off the artifact. He trotted through the inky mists muttering under his breath as he thought of the strange girl he had met.

"Just who are you?"

. . .

The lower-middle class girl from Nevada shut the door and locked it, squinting her eyes as she peered around.

She looked off to the right, to where she went last time. She knew she could get out that way. It would take a while and she might get lost again... but—she looked to the left, down the way she should go.

Apparently.

"Is this some kind of elaborate bait or something?"

She eyed the corridor with apprehension, feeling at the coins in her pocket. She paused, clutching at her head.

"No, that's a stupid idea."

Her head was still spinning from getting smacked by a sentient gorilla man. No, that guy didn't need to bait her into anything. Dawn shivered.

"Well here I go."

She crept forwards, head swiveling, ready to depart on another odyssey to get free of the choking heat. But after walking past an intersection she frowned.

"Wait, what is—?"

She could hear a—murmur? No multiple voices. She slowed. It sounded like... a crowd? She came to the next intersection as the steamworks began to disappear and popped her head around a corner.

"You've got to be kidding me!"

Ahead of her the steam dissipated and light filtered through an opening in the tunnels. She looked back the way she'd come, not but a five minute walk. She looked at one of the few remaining pipes, tempted to smack herself unconscious.

"I feel really stupid."

She shook her head and managed to restrain herself, shuffling towards the light as the murmuring grew louder, more distinct. It was definitely a crowd. She could see shapes moving in the light ahead.

Orcs.

Dawn only hesitated a step before she sighed and continued forwards. She felt like she should care, that she shouldn't be so calm about all this. But—

"It's all so normal."

As she got closer she could see the orcs going about their lives. The canal side street was busy with a dozen or so orcs passing by the opening every second, hurrying along somewhere or carrying a hefty burden. She could see groups standing around the railings, just far enough back to avoid the rain blowing its way past the overhang. She stopped at the edge of the full on street, eying the water as it fell on the soaked wood.

"Huh, I don't think I've seen the rain stop. I mean, I've been inside this entire time but..."

She stepped out into the street looking around. She drew more than a few eyes which unnerved her, but they quickly lost interest in her and went back to whatever they were doing.

That was, until she got in the way.

"Oi, human! Watch it!"

Dawn jumped as a cart almost plowed into her. She quailed, staring up at the huge female orc who bellowed at her.

"S-Sorry I was just—"

"Move it!"

She scurried out of the way as the six and a half foot tall orc woman grumbled, straining to get the massive hand cart laden with goods moving again. As Dawn moved to the side of the street, staring at the orc as she moved away, she realized something.

"Forget that O'Krall guy—orcs are huge."

She eyed the orcs around her that made the first orc she met look like a midget, feeling her knees go weak as she saw an orc that had to be at least eight feet tall.

She forced herself to go on, looking for the stairs, noting the extra large railing, the tall ceilings and doors. She didn't really notice before, but even the door of her shop was huge. She didn't think much of it but now she saw.

The scale here was just different, it had to be.

She felt like a child again as she waddled down the street, afraid of someone crushing her by mistake. The street was hectic with carts—both hand and horse drawn—ferrying goods between what looked like warehouses and simple hand cranked pulleys spaced along the side.

She was relieved when she found a set of stairs and leapt up the slightly oversize steps.

"Phew, that was crazy, hopefully this floor is less—"

She came to a stop as she reached the top of the stairs, seeing the thongs of people moving about.

"—busy."

She took in the high overhang with enough room to accommodate two story buildings which lined as large a four lane highway from her world. There were hundreds milling about in the street, moving between various shops and businesses. She could see a few atelin and gorillo but for the most part it was orcs. She felt sick as she whirled around, consumed by the mass of bodies that towered above her. She began to hyperventilate as she took it all in.

"Okay, maybe this isn't normal."

She worked up the courage and managed to shuffle forward, her neck straining as she warily watched the figures around her. Yet for all she was concerned about being trampled, she never considered the opposite. She felt a bump against her knee, followed by a cry and crash. She blinked and frowned, pulling her eyes away from the towering titans to see a rock hurtling at her face.

"Oh shi—"

The rock smacked her right on the nose and she bent over, clutching at her face as an outraged voice screeched at her.

"Watch where you're going fleshy!"

Dawn looked up as she rubbed her nose to see a small figure. She—or at least dawn thought it was she—was sprawled out on the ground, glaring up at her. She was practically buried, her scaled, snouted face poking out of a pile of red-grey rocks that had fallen out of a basket.

She wiggled and pushed herself out of the pile, her large eyes alit with fury as she strode up to Dawn. She thrust a clawed finger into Dawn's face, standing on the toes of her oddly articulated feet to reach despite Dawn's hunched position.

"Look at what you did! How are you going to take responsibility?"

Dawn blinked at the claw watching the girl's thick tail as it swayed with agitation. Her eyes glazed over as she stared at the—

"Lizar—?"

Dawn clapped her hand over her mouth before she could repeat the same mistake. The girl's eyes narrowed.

"It's kobold, you stupid ape."

Dawn colored.

"Hey! I-I'm sorry. I thought that, but—"

"I should call the watch on your sorry hide."

Dawn paled as the girl took a deep breath.

"No! Wait! I'm sorry! I'm sorry about—oh god, god I—"

Dawn scrambled, looking around desperately, debating if she should run. She didn't see the stairs anymore. She looked back to the small girl, pleading with round eyes and shaking her head as the kobold looked at her with wroth—

For all of about two more seconds.

The girl's expression lit up with mischievous glee as she stuck out her forked tongue.

"Got you!"

She let off a hissing laugh at the blank expression that took over Dawn's face before trotting back to the basket, bending to sweep up her burden as she spoke and moved with lightning speed.

"Hey! Just a little prank! Don't worry, believe me when I say I know what it's like... You were worried about getting trampled weren't you? Just be careful next time 'kay?"

Dawn shook her head and blinked, her brain struggling to adjust to the complete tone shift. She watched the girl that—despite speeding around—made very little progress on account for her size, taking several steps where dawn would need one. The lizard... kobold picked up another rock and did a double take over to her.

"What, you still here? Don't worry it's not that big a deal, really. Off you go."

She made a little shooing motion with her clawed hands and got back to speeding around. Dawn looked at the girl as she had to work to pick up what was a small spill for her. Dawn wavered before stepping over and scooping up what was several handfuls for the kobold.

"Here, um, I'm really sorry. Can I help?"

The Kobold looked over surprised. She eyed dawn and shrugged.

"I mean, if you want. Don't worry, I'm used to it, 'happens all the time really."

Dawn dumped the rocks into the basket and turned, eying the girl who barely made it to her midriff.

"Really? Why is a girl hauling all of this anyways? Where are your parents?"

The girl's hand froze as she placed another stone in the basket. She cocked her head at Dawn and pointed at herself.

"You realize I'm a kobold right?"

"Yes, that's what you said?"

The kobold gave her a flat look as Dawn picked up another load of rocks.

"I'm twenty-seven."

The rocks went clattering back down as Dawn's eyes bulged.

"What!"

The three foot tall woman gave her a grin as Dawn stared and scrambled to pick up her fallen burden.

"What, have you never heard of kobolds before? Eh, maybe not. You are human after all."

"What's that got to do with anything?"

The Kobold rolled her eyes and smirked as dawn dumped another load into the basket.

"Only that you guys are the most narcissistic race? Well, maybe except for elves... or dragons... maybe even dwarves... look, the point is if you're in that company you guys are pretty bad."

The kobold woman continued to clean up as Dawn froze, her mind paralyzed upon hearing those magical names. The kobold swept up the last of the rocks and hefted the basket onto her back as Dawn stared off into the distance, daydreaming about meeting a dragon or perhaps a bickering dwarf axeman paired with a stupidly handsome elven archer. The kobold looked at Dawn's star struck gaze and frowned, slowly backing away.

"Well, uh, thanks for your help. Even if you caused it in the first place. I'll just—"

The Kobold began to shuffle away, struggling under the weight of the basket. Dawn was pulled out of her daydream as she looked at the small struggling woman with guilt. She called out.

"Um, would you like any more help?"

"What? Why?"

The kobold turned, frowning as Dawn fidgeted.

"Because—I really am sorry... and you look like you can use the help?"

The kobold narrowed her eyes as she looked her up and down.

"Hm, you're weird you know that? But I do have a ways to walk, so even if you're taking pity on me...."

Dawn spluttered as the kobold approached.

"Hey! I'm not weird, hey what are you—!"

Dawn cried out as the Kobold latched onto her, scampering up her clothes until she clung to her back. She smacked the back of Dawn's head and pointed.

"Alright, go that way."

Dawn squirmed, trying to look at the kobold.

"No! Why are you on my back?!"

The Kobold peaked her head around Dawn's shoulder, popping into the side of her vision.

"Because you have the long legs, we'll go faster this way."

Dawn felt her legs screaming at her as she tried to support what must have been a hundred pounds of kobold and... rocks? She frowned.

"What do you have in that basket anyway?"

"Iron! Ore that is. Well? Mush fleshy! We're going down Canalside until we get to Champions-Path."

The kobold poked her in the back of the head and Dawn craned her neck to glare at her. Regretting her decisions, she set off through the crowd with a grunt.

"Fine—I guess—but I don't even know where that is."

The kobold jumped and eyed her.

"You're really going to—? Hm, nevermind. New here? That would explain you walking around like an idiot. I guess I'll be gracious enough to show you around."

Dawn's back creaked as the woman scampered up even further, sitting on Dawn's shoulders. The kobold gestured around.

"This is the sixth level as you probably know. It's called the Makersquarter, this is where all of the trades set up shop."

Dawn looked around at all of the shops. She could see they were all artisans of some fashion or another. There was a haze in the air as—weavers and clothiers, tanners and cobblers, fletchers and smiths—plied their trade. She eyed a dark dusty shop that was filled to the brim with glowing vials and ampoules. But as they turned a corner, one thing the Kobold said made Dawn frown.

"Sixth level? Isn't this the fifth?"

"Nope. Why? Don't you know where you are?"

Dawn looked up at the kobold perplexed, the kobold returning the look.

"I was on the fourth floor and I only went up a flight of stairs!"

The kobold pointed down another massive street leading away from the canal and frowned as Dawn turned.

"You probably took one of the express stairways, but you were hanging around the Steamwarrens? What is a girl like you doing in that place?"

Dawn went to shrug before realizing that was impossible given the weight.

"I own a shop, I just got it—an atelier? I'm actually an Enchantress."

Dawn felt the kobold shift as she heard a soft roar from ahead. Water?

"Huh, what a coincidence. I'm a Jeweler myself. I'm barely out of my apprenticeship but my master used to work with you guys all the time. But you don't look old enough to own a shop."

"Well, the thing is—"

Dawn was interrupted as she passed an intersection and an explosion of sound hit her. Thousands of voices joined as one, jeering in a way she had only heard at the sporting events her dad had dragged her too. She looked up at the Kobold.

"What the hell is that!?"

The Kobold rolled her eyes, raising her voice above the roar.

"The coliseum obviously! Here, we're going this way anyways!"

Dawn turned, heading towards the sound. As it got louder the rancid smell of tanneries and the choking smoke of the forges gave way to the heavenly aromas of food and drink, the artisan shops on the sides of the covered street giving way to what looked like taverns and pubs. Dawn's stomach cried for salvation, and even the Kobold woman heard over the intense din. She cocked her equivalent of a brow—a raised patch of scales—as Dawn blushed.

"Yeah, um, let's just say I haven't eaten in a bit."

The kobold appraised her before giving a slight slow nod.

"You're in the right place at least. Come on, I'll treat you."

Dawn jerked her head up in surprise.

"What, why? Aren't you still mad about—"

She gave a hissing laugh as she gave Dawn a soft bonk on the head.

"What, that? You more than made up for it. Hells, you're even lugging me around as an apology. That's going too far you know. In fact, I climbed on your back to get you to think I'm too much of a bother and leave me alone. Instead, you carried on like it was normal."

Dawn's flush deepened as she stammered defensively.

"Look, I just felt guilty, okay! To be honest, I thought you were the weird one but went with it anyway!"

The Kobold gave her a sly smirk as she chuckled.

"I just might be, but still, let me treat you ah—what was your name?"

"It's Dawn, and you're—"

The Kobold leaned over, smiling.

"Isa! Now what do you want? Not that you have many options, it's all bar food over here."

Dawn cast around as she came to another intersection, one of the sides falling away as she looked across a massive square abyss in the city that let the rain fall from above. Dawn stepped forwards, eying the street stalls and smaller shops that lined the drop. She smelled something divine coming from a stall and stepped towards it, entranced. Isa chuckled.

"Qilaq jelly? Well, figures, everyone new to the swamps can't help themselves."

"What is it?"

Isa opened her snout to explain before Dawn was knocked off balance by some massive figure. She wind-milled her arms, desperately trying to keep her balance as the kobold wrapped her tail around Dawn's neck and hung on for dear life. Dawn managed to right herself, whirling around with a glare.

"Hey! Watch it you—you!"

Dawn and Isa stared at the empty space behind them, a passing Orc giving them an aggrieved glance. They looked at each other.

"Huh, did you see who that was?"

The Kobold shrugged.

"Nope."

Dawn took one last look behind before turning back to the stall. She took one step towards it before she halted, frowning as she sniffed the air again.

"Mm, that smells even better I wonder where—"

Her eyes locked on to the source, a small set of stairs leading to a door, a sign hanging above. The Creeping Pools. Dawn pointed at the shop.

"Hey what's that place? It smells so good I can't stand it."

Isa sniffed the air and frowned, looking oddly at Dawn.

"You sure? A kobold's sense of smell is pretty good, and I don't—that seems like a normal pub to me."

Dawn didn't even feel the weight on her back as she practically floated over to the door, the tempting smell growing with each step. Her stomach roared in anticipation in sync with the crowd as she bounced down the stairs towards the door.

"Yes I'm sure! I can't even describe it... but I've never smelled anything so—so—"

Dawn threw open the door as the crowd reached a crescendo. She almost lost her balance as she looked down to a stone pit far below, but it was not the height that made her catch herself and pale. Dawn looked down, past the roaring patrons, past the tiered rows of tables which descended until they met the open aired side of the bar.

A head tumbled through the air as a freshly headless body collapsed. Twitching. Convulsing as his still beating heart desperately pumped blood, forming a pool of deep shining crimson.

An orc stood alone in the ring, surrounded by the remains of all who had fought, standing in a river of blood as it washed away. Dawn felt her body go numb, buzzing, the acrid metallic taste of fear on her tongue as she watched the wounded orc collapse and cry out in triumph, thrusting his fist into the air as Dawn was deafened by the crowd's furor.

Dawn tried desperately not to heave as a head of bright red hair entered her view, blocking her sight of the carnage below. She blinked down at the small, smiling man who thrust out a hand with all the cheer in the world.

"Pleasant surprise seeing a fellow human here. The name's Zasil, owner and purveyor of The Creeping Pools! What can I get ya?"