Pax kept up the facade that he was planning to stay with Team Tribal until they’d reached a couple of miles past the wall. They had split from the main road as soon as possible, leaving Aymer and his team to their own devices. Pax was glad to find that the small, hidden base was in a completely different direction from the way leading to the next closest city.

He'd spent the last few minutes examining his newly improved shield with excitement. Tyrodon, who’d finished it just in time for the trip, kept giving it proud glances as Pax carried it. Despite hoping some small beast or two would jump out and attack their group so he could test it out, the early morning remained still and mostly peaceful. Only the sounds of their team marching up the smaller road broke the silence.

Sooner than he'd expected, Venris and Grinheld stopped and stepped off the road, obviously waiting for Pax and Talpa to catch up. There were no visible markings leaving the smaller road they were on, but they were clearly ready to take him and leave the group. Everyone halted for a break while Turgan came over to check in.

“When you finish for the day, please return here,” Venris pointed to a small copse of trees just off the edge of the dusty road that looked to have an area to shelter in the middle. “Whoever gets here first can set up over there and take a break until it gets too late to be safe. If we're not back by then, don't wait any longer for us. We'll do our best to be back around dinnertime. But if things take too long, we’ll shelter in the base for the night.”

Nodding, Turgan glanced at the other crew leaders to make sure they’d heard and understood.

“Good luck,” Bryn said, a conflicted expression on her face as she gave him a quick nod.

“See you tonight.” Amil didn't look any happier about Pax going off on his own. “Hopefully, all of us will do well with beasts today, right?”

And don't forget, we've still got the Echoes until we're too far apart. Rin’s voice sounded matter of fact, not worried. So, if you run into trouble, call out, in case we're close enough to come help.

You too, Pax sent, unsure how he felt as he stood just off the road with Venris and Grinheld, while the rest of his team and crew moved on without him.

“First time out in the Wilds without your crew?” Venris shot him an understanding look.

Pax gave him a nervous nod before chastising himself for being silly. This close to the capital, there probably wasn't anything dangerous enough that Venris or Grinheld couldn't handle.

And you've got us. Whisk sounded a bit affronted. Talpa and I will keep you safe. We have lots of abilities. It's not too hard to keep one little human safe.

True, true. Talpa sent with a burst of support along their connection.

The encouragement was exactly what he needed, making a smile emerge on Pax's face.

“That's the spirit, kid,” Grinheld clapped him on the shoulder. “Let's get going and see what interesting creatures our people have trapped for us.”

Pax had already taken a few steps with them when his mind suddenly focused on her mention of "our people." Not sure about the right protocol, he tentatively asked, “So, you said 'our people'? Does that mean—?”

Venris gave him an amused look while Grinheld laughed out loud.

“Yes, our entire team has been part of the rebellion longer than you've been alive. We're not in the same section of the organization, so don't be mentioning any names.” Then she corrected herself. “Though I'm not sure that's going to matter much longer.”

When he gave her an inquisitive look, she explained further.

“Not to go into any details, but we've been a little too active in the capital. There are plans in place for our team to leave town soon. So, helping you and maybe gaining a few pets ourselves is perfect timing on our way out.”

Pax nodded, realizing he had no clue how large the rebellion organization truly was. His only contacts had been Incedis and the few rebels they’d rotated through the Purge camp to unlock their secondary elements.

A sudden look filled with almost childlike glee filled Grinheld’s face. “So, Pax, did they tell you what kind of beasts they've captured at the base? Now that the news is out about warriors getting pets, you'll be able to help me get one, right? And I can pick any element, right? Not like Venris here, who’ll be stuck with a water-based one.”

Pax relaxed as he began answering all of Grinheld's questions with as many details as he could about how a warrior Tamed a beast. Venris didn't interrupt, but Pax could tell he was listening carefully and taking mental notes. With the control Venris had over his mana, it shouldn't be difficult at all to help him Tame a pet. The challenge would be if Pax's abilities could wrestle the more powerful beast energies into line.

With a grin, Pax realized he was looking forward to the challenge. It was a straightforward task to train his abilities to new levels. There would be no politicking or pretending to be something he wasn't. It made him realize how much he'd missed training with a simple goal in mind.

Realizing how important that was to him, he resolved to carve out more time to work on himself. If so many projects for the rebellion hinged on his abilities, then he needed to make sure he took time to improve them.

The trek through the Wilds passed pretty quickly as Pax answered more of Grinheld's questions while still hoping for a chance to use his new shield. It never came.

The base, when they arrived, was exactly what Pax expected. The rebels had cut an entrance into the side of a small hill and disguised it with a grouping of nondescript bushes and rocks that were no bigger or smaller than anything else in the area.

Venris held up a hand. “Time for your disguise. Put all your gear into your inventory and change into these.”

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

An armor stand with a very fine set of leather armor appeared. It was the gaudy kind wealthy ’crats liked to wear to impress others. But the long vambraces and leather gloves would keep his tattoos well hidden. The padded undertunic also had a soft hood that Pax pulled up and tightened once they helped him get the armor situated.

Pax was happy to comply with anything that kept him out of the limelight, especially among the rebels. He was still worried someone in power would want to imprison and take advantage of him.

When he finished, Venris held out a necklace. “This will block most Identify attempts and uses air mana to make your features indistinct and hard to make out.”

Pax took it eagerly, wondering if he could keep it or get his own. It seemed much more practical than the mouth inserts he’d used back in the Purge camp.

When Grinheld gave him a once over and approved, Venris verified they were unobserved before helping them quickly enter the base. They worked their way down a very long ladder built into one side of an excavated column with rough earthen walls. Though it was wide enough, Pax didn’t want to imagine how difficult it had to be to lower captured beasts into the place. At least Talpa could make his own way through the surrounding earth.

At the bottom, after navigating a dark hallway with a single small mage light, Pax's eyes widened in surprise. They stepped out into a surprisingly large space that was too big to be called a room, more the size of a hall.

After the crude workmanship at the entrance, Pax hadn’t been expecting something this nice. Patterned stone tiles lined the entire floor. Crafters had smoothed the walls to the abnormal perfection that meant magic was involved. The ceiling, supported by four massive stone pillars, soared high above, making it feel nothing like an underground base.

A soft, ambient glow emanated from mage lights embedded at regular intervals along the walls. They cast a warm and inviting light, further improving the underground sanctuary.

“Vitur’s robes, this place is nice,” Grinheld whispered, her voice full of appreciation. “This might be nicer than my entire apartment block.”

Venris scoffed. “Almost anything is nicer than your apartment block.”

Grinheld ignored the dig as they moved further in.

As Pax followed his friends into the hall, he saw various alcoves leading off to either side of the main hall. The low thrum of angry growls and squawks coming from the right made it clear where the rebels had caged the captured beasts.

Grinheld's attention snapped in that direction. But before they could move any further, a man appeared right in front of them. As his stealth effect faded, it was easy to see his sword and suspicious eyes. “Today’s code?”

Venris nodded. Standing behind him, Pax could tell he did something with his hands while speaking so softly that Pax couldn't make out the words. Whatever he did, it worked.

The man's entire posture relaxed, and his sword disappeared back into his inventory. At his signal, three more people stepped out from an alcove on the left, relieved smiles on their faces.

“It's about time,” a large warrior man said as he strode towards them. “We've been here four days already, waiting for you. Let's get the Taming thing done so we can get out of here before the Inquisitors find out about this place.”

Venris' attention latched on to the man. “Do you have knowledge that this location has leaked?”

The man shook his head, quickly raising a hand defensively. “No. There are just rumors flying around that the empire is taking out our bases. Stands to reason that the one closest to the capital is at the most risk. We were planning on taking off tomorrow morning, whether or not you showed up.”

“Then I'm glad we got here in time.” Venris kept his tone even, which seemed to calm the other man slightly. Then he turned back to Pax. “Tell us what you need, and we'll get started.”

The man's tension suddenly flared again as he aimed a condescending look at Pax. “I thought you were the Taming guy, not him. He's just a young ’crat. I'm not sure I trust him to handle the monsters we've got caged up over there.”

“Then you don't need to Tame a beast with me. No one's forcing you.” Pax let his irritation fill his voice. Today, he'd been looking forward to finally dropping the pretenses he normally had to keep up in front of his superiors. He had no intention of pandering to an arrogant, judgmental warrior. “Grinheld and Venris are first in line, anyway. I don't know how long that's going to take. So, who knows when I'll get to you?”

The man's mouth gaped open as Pax turned on his heel and headed toward where they’d caged the beasts.

“Camden, you were asking for that,” Pax heard the leader say to the grouchy man. “You should know better than to judge by appearances by now.”

Pax heard Grinheld snicker behind him as she hurried to catch up. She dove right in, asking him more questions, as if she hadn't just spent the entire trek probing for answers.

“So, I'm thinking either something strong and formidable to stand by my side, or something sneaky and stealthy to shore up my weaknesses. What do you recommend?”

Her excitement was infectious, lifting his mood again as he considered how best to help his friend get a new companion. “I say we look through what's available and see which one feels right to you. I don't expect there will be anything too exotic, considering they trapped most of these in the vicinity. So, you should know the strengths and weaknesses of the different beasts, right?”

“Definitely.” Grinheld was so excited she outpaced Pax, and quickly disappeared between the cages.

Growls got louder as the beasts reacted to the warrior moving between their cages, but still out of reach. Venris was much calmer as he made his way through the cages, carefully evaluating his choices.

The size of the cages surprised Pax as he stepped closer. He’d become entirely too used to working with small enclosed cases holding baby beasts. Many of the beasts here were larger than he was. It made him reevaluate his chances of success today.

“Try to pick out ones that are juvenile adults, please,” he called after his friends.

“What? You can't Tame the big ones?” Camden said in a derisive voice behind him.

Pax sucked in a breath before he did something he'd regret. He turned slowly, and in a calm voice that he was proud he’d managed, he met Camden's eyes. “Now you've put yourself at the back of the line for Taming. Everyone else here goes first.” Then he turned back around to see what Grinheld and Venris had decided.

There were some sputtering noises of objection behind him, but harsh whispers followed, and the commotion subsided. With a quick shake of his head, Pax wondered why he hadn't ever unlocked a skill titled Dealing with Idiots. He'd sure had plenty of experience.

Putting aside those thoughts, he got ready. He pulled out two chairs and his box of Taming equipment. He flipped open the lid and surveyed his various Taming rods. By now, he had ones made from the bones of a variety of different beasts, multiple from each elemental type. He also had an assortment of leather cord coils impregnated with mana that he’d gotten better at using with warrior and crafter Tamings.

When Grinheld came striding out with a huge smile on her face, he grinned at her. Not only would he be helping her finally have her own companion, but the practice he gained here would be useful to help his friends gain adult pets when they reached Taming level 2 and unlocked a second pet.

“They've got a howlstorm wolf back there. I want it!” She waved an excited hand back at the cages.

Venris stepped up behind her with a more muted smile. “And I'd like to try Taming the aquamorph serpent. I've fought them in the past, and they've got some abilities to change shapes that could come in useful for me. Besides, carrying one wrapped around my waist or neck won't be as difficult as getting a full-grown howlstorm wolf into a pub with me.”

Grinheld’s expression fell briefly, obviously considering the social difficulties in her future if the Taming succeeded. Then she just shook her head with a grin and waved for Pax to follow her.

At least she'd picked an air-based beast, which was one of his stronger elements. A flush of excitement pulsed through him at finally attempting something challenging that could push his skills to advance. He'd been stagnating way too much with his busy responsibilities in Salman.