Algernon proved to be a font of stories about Blaes and his wilder youth, apparently he had been quite the rake about town. As the evening passed Micky found himself caught up in the easy companionship between the two men. They were obviously close friends despite the differences in their personalities.

Several glasses of bourbon later, and armed with a fabulous anecdote involving Blaes and an amorous Kula węża, Micky left the El Masri. He left Blaes and Algernon to continue reminiscing, but promised to present himself for work at Algernon’s compound after breakfast the next day.

Walking through the business district after the bazaar had closed was an altogether different experience for Micky. The chaos and life present during the day were entirely absent, instead the booths cast long shadows over the deserted alleyways. The whole place had an altogether ominous air, and Micky was sure he heard the echo of footsteps several times. Hurrying onwards, his head down and his shoulders hunched, Micky made his way through the poorly lit streets until he emerged at Ma Duke’s boarding house.

Slipping inside quietly, mindful of how he had awoken the residents the previous night, Micky made his way up the stairs and prepared for bed.

The sun slowly rising through his window awoke Micky in a much gentler fashion than his hangover had allowed the day before. Grabbing the Vaixell and making sure the plectrum was secure in his belt pouch Micky made his way downstairs. A much refreshed looking Opal was sat at the table with Ma Duke, each sipping on a fresh cup of tea.

  “Morning Ma” Micky said with a cheeky grin before pulling up a chair next to them. “You’re looking a bit more lively today Opal.”

  “It turns out not carrying a drunken housemate home at 4am does wonders for me. Who knew?” Opal deadpanned in response.

  “You’re a bit more cheerful yourself this morning boy” Ma Duke smiled while gesturing with a piece of toast.

  “I’m hangover free and off to my first day at work” laughed Micky, “What’s not to be cheerful about?”

  “You didn’t join that delving company Tanya took you to?” Asked Opal, her voice thick with concern.

  “No, I think you’re right about that kind of job. I don’t want to be fighting all the time. The TRC manager, Blaes, took me to meet with a friend of his who runs a salvaging firm. I guess I impressed him so he offered me a job.”

  “Congratulations boy, salvaging is good honest work,. Might help you put some meat on those skinny bones of yours as well.”

  “That is really good news Micky” echoed Opal, the concern in her voice replaced by a smile.

  “I’m pretty pumped about being some kind of archaeologist” confessed Micky, excitement thick in his voice. “But on that note I’d better run. Don’t want to be late for my first day.” Grabbing a slice of buttered toast from the platter he turned and raced for the door. “Don’t forget I owe you lunch sometime soon Opal” he yelled on his way out.

Following the hazy directions Algernon had given him over drinks led Micky along the border of Cheapside, all the way to the very edge of town. Crossing a board bridge over the small creek which served as the border to Baer’s Landing he looked about for the compound Algernon had described to him. 400 or so meters down the road leading from town was a ramshackle looking coach house with several buildings arrayed around it. Flying from the highest points was a green flag with the symbol of Algernon’s company, a white construction hammer over five dice. That will be the place then, Micky thought to himself as he walked towards it.

A hip high wooden fence surrounded the compound, leaving a paved path as the only way to approach the buildings. Walking towards the entrance Micky noticed a number of covered wagons, they reminded him of Oregon Trail era Conestogas, but instead of wheels they sat on metallic purple disks laid parallel to the ground. I wonder if those float he mused as he reached the door and headed inside.

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Inside the building was more of the ramshackle construction, raw wooden floors and walls with exposed iron and copper fittings. A reclaimed wooden desk stood against one wall, a simply dressed o’rgimchak stood behind it. Noticing Micky’s entrance he put down the book he was reading and walked casually over.

  “Ah, You must be the new hire mentioned in the note I received from Algernon? Ricky isn’t it?” The young man asked quietly.

  “I think so, yeah I’m Micky. I had a meeting with Algernon last night at the El Masri. He told me to come in this morning.

  “I see, Algernon has yet to come in this morning, I believe his meeting with Blaes may have run somewhat late. The note suggested you were to report for physical training this morning and then meet with Algernon again this afternoon.”

  “Ok, sure. That sounds good to me” Micky replied a little hesitantly, unsure exactly what this physical training would involve.

  “Very good, follow me this way. I’ll take you to Ingunn.”

The young man led Micky out from the reception area into a dusty bare earth square with straw covered mannequins and racks of weapons covered in cloth. Ingunn turned out to be a weatherworn older dragebarn, her red black wings crisscrossed with fine faded scars.

  “Good morning Ingunn, I’ve brought you a new trainee. Algernon has asked that you train up his Might and Grace.” There was an uneasy silence as the woman looked Micky up and down, her examination carried the air of a seasoned horse trader or butcher.

  Stepping closer until she was within an arms length of Mickey she held out her hand and ground out a single word. “Stats?”

  “Uh, sure. No problem”, Micky lifted his arm slowly and held out his hand to her, sharing his Stats and Abilities.

  “Weak. Slow.” She seemed to draw each word out with laconic disdain, as though she were annoyed by Micky’s very existence.

  “Yeah, I arrived like three days ago, I haven’t exactly had time to hit the gym” Micky replied, defensiveness coloring his words.

  “Stow your gear. We’ll run first” was Ingunn’s only reply.

Walking over to the box indicated, Micky deposited the Vaixcell before returning to stand before Ingunn.

  “Good. Follow me. Try to keep up” she said before beginning a slow jog around the edge of the reception building and out onto the road. Micky followed along behind her, matching her comfortable pace as he boots slapped against the dirt of the road. Maybe this won’t be so bad after all he thought as the run continued.

After a kilometer at a jog Ingunn began to lift the pace, forcing Micky to push hard if he wanted to keep up.

Another Kilometer passed as Micky began to sweat freely in the morning sun. Again Ingunn lifted her speed, forcing him to a dead sprint.

His legs weakening and his lungs heaving, Micky was relieved to see Ingunn falling back to a walking pace.

  “That. Wasn’t. So. Bad,” He said in between ragged gasps, his hands resting on his knees.

  “Halfway through warm up. Walk for five minutes then do the same back” was Ingunns reply. Infuriatingly, she didn’t even appear to be breathing heavily. Walking behind her Micky began to recover his breath.

  “Ok, I can do that” Micky said. “Wait what do you mean warm up?

The only response he received was a dry chuckle as Ingunn began to jog again.

Micky was sweaty, heaving mess on the verge of collapse when they finally arrived back in the dusty training yard.

Ingunn pointed him towards a spigot set into one of the walls with a muttered “drink”. Crouching down beside the tap Micky stuck his entire head under it first before cranking it open. The water was icy cold and Micky shivered in shock. After bathing his head he reached for one of the wooden mugs on hooks beside the tap and began to drink.

  “Rest for five minutes. Then calisthenics” Ingunn called from the other side of the of square as she set up an array of medicine balls and weighted sacks.

What followed was a nightmare of jumping, lifting, and rolling. Each movement was criticized by Ingunn, who seemed to see everything with the precision of a hawk. Micky grew to hate the very sound of the words higher and faster.

As Ingunn finally called time Micky collapsed onto his back, staring up at the clear, cloudless sky above the compound. As his breathing began to slow he eased himself up into a seated position. Noticing a System notification flickering in the corner of his vision Micky opened his Menu.

*Ding* Congratulations! Through physical training and exertion your Might has increased to seven.

Before Micky could think through this development he noticed Ingunn walking slowly towards him. She dropped into a low squat so her eyes were almost level with his.

  “Not terrible” Ingunn said as she handed him a mug of water. “Training is every morning after breakfast. Don’t be late.”