The next day finds us rising with the sun like usual. Enhanced stats makes doing so easy, even after a long night. Unfortunately, even if we're not the only ones awake, we are the only ones ready to go. Amelia explains that is somewhat common on the last day in any city. That all the wagon drivers tend to stay out late as though they're trying to stockpile as much fun as they can before leaving.
So, we head to the restaurant that Charlie took us to yesterday, and take our time eating breakfast. The place is mostly empty, but one of the few occupied tables is talking about how the 'Magic Wagon' is leaving today. I just chuckle when Amelia calls me a show off again, and steals the last piece of sausage from my plate.
After returning to the yard, I see Charlie going around from cart to cart, handing out large mugs of strong tea to barely awake drivers.
"Morning." I call out when he nears us. "Is it always like this?"
"It wouldn't be so bad if we had more time in the city." He explains. "I've got a rush order for the Capital though, and we've had a few setbacks already."
"Well, with us here you won't have to worry about breaking any axles, or getting the wheels bogged down in mud after a storm."
"I'd not even thought of that lad. Would it be rude to ask what all you can do?"
"I'm not sure how secretive other Awakened are, but I don't particularly mind sharing. Amelia?" She just shrugs. "Well, little Lia here-" I earn a sharp elbow to the ribs. "-controls Water and, as we learned yesterday, that seems to include any liquid. I can do a bit of everything, but have been focusing on the plant side of Nature magics."
"Amazing!" He exclaims. "If you could give the wagons a looking over. That'd be one less worry on my mind."
"No problem, it'll give me a chance to introduce myself to everyone." I pat the man on his shoulder. "I take it this shipment is a big deal for you."
"More for my reputation in the Capital than for monetary reasons. My regular routes are quite profitable, but getting, and more importantly, keeping a toehold in the capital is vital to any future chances of growth. That's why Lia's father is so fortunate to be able to set up there."
"He's right." Amelia adds. "Daddy works just as hard as Uncle Charlie here, but it was really just one lucky deal that gave him his connections there. You go say hi to everyone, I want to practice some before we leave. Though, I am a little tired of copying your weaves. It's good practice, but just doesn't feel right."
"I can see that. Fibers and weaving go hand in hand. Water and weaving, not so much. Maybe try some conjuring. It would be useful if you could use that water blast from yesterday without having to have a lot of water nearby first."
"Conjuring? Why haven't you showed me how to do that?" She says indignantly.
"Well, I never really used it. Not for Water at least. Thorndagger!" A wickedly sharp wooden knife appears in my hand. Lasting for a few seconds before fading away. "See, anything you conjure with magic just fades away once it runs out of mana. And water that evaporates as soon as you drink it isn't very useful, is it."
A gleam shines in her eyes as I explain how it works. "That. Could be very useful. Yeah, I can see a lot of options."
"Well, have fun, just watch where you're aiming." I smile before turning the merchant. "Mind introducing me while Lia figures out how to flood the city?" Another elbow to the ribs, and the shine in her eyes kicks up a notch.
"Haha, sure thing lad." He says while sending a slightly worried at Amelia's retreating figure.
He shows me around the caravan and I fix a few minor issues. Most of the driver's are young single men, but there's a few older couples. The guard captain has even brought his wife along. She's an herbalist with some basic healing knowledge. They're apparently a well sought after team and Charlie paid a bit of a premium to insure they were on this trip.
I want to pick her mind on herbalism, see how it lines up with what I learned from my botany classes, but the wagon train is finally ready to head out. So, I return to the vardo and ask Amelia to show me how to guide a horse. She happily agrees and we sit next to each other in the driver's box.
The basics of horsemanship come to me quickly, likely due to the influence of my increased stats. I had planned to work on the Soundproofing spell first but Amelia insists that I do something about the dust. And, after choking on it for the past few minutes, I readily agree.
Rather motivated, it only takes me a couple minutes to figure out Windwall. And we can both breathe easier. The upkeep for the shield is less than my regen. So, I'm quite happy that I can keep it up all the time we're on the road and, still be able to practice other spells.
Deciding to make today an 'Air' day, I move on to the soundproofing spell, while Amelia practices shooting water streams over the passing fields. Slowly increasing both their size and pressure.
Soundproof takes me longer than I would like, but I get it eventually. The sun is around mid-sky by this point. So, Amelia crawls through the window to go prepare lunch for us. I may, or may not, have pinched her bottom when she did. And she may, or may not, have let out the cutest squeak I've ever heard before threatening me with dire consequences if do such a thing ever again.
Lunch, and the rest of the day pass without incident. Though, Amelia may, or may not have smacked me on the head when she was climbing back out the window. I spend the rest of the ride working on a one way version of Soundproof with Amelia's help. Causing her to blush beet red when I explained my reasons for the spell.
We eventually stop the wagons in a large field that seems to have been setup for just this purpose. There's a meter and a half high circular wall around it, and a deep well across the road. A sea of grass can be seen in the distance, slowly swaying in the light evening breeze.
Needing to use the facilities, and finding them... lacking, to say the least. I quickly cast Decompose and Earthshift. Then set about growing a row of my, now standard, living latrines. Filling each with a small stack of soft cotton wipes. Yes, I can make paper tissue, but cotton is still softer and it's not like there's a sewer system to clog up. The few women in the caravan are especially grateful for the upgrade. The men seem appreciative too, but are less vocal about it. I guess some things are universal. Everybody poops, and everybody gets a bit embarrassed about it.
Charlie approaches after I finish my business. "Thank you for that Sorrel. That one was... Bad! Normally they're covered over and a new pit dug a few meters away long before they get to that state. But the last few teams through here must have been too lazy to bother."
"Good to know they aren't all like that." I shudder. "I'll still be replacing any we come across." I state flatly.
"Thanks in advance then." He chuckles. "Now, about those marvelous wipes. I know you're with Lia, and likely to go through her and her father for any products you create, but..." He trails off.
"Hahah." Amelia laughs, walking up behind the man. "Trying to poach him already, uncle Charlie?" She teases him.
"You caught me." He chuckles while holding his hands up in surrender. "I wouldn't really steal him away from your dad. But, with him settled down and mostly running a warehouse in the Capital nowadays. Well, I'm sure we could come to some sort of arrangement."
"Uh huh." She tries to deadpan, but the corners of her lips curl up and a hint of humor tints her voice.
"I'm sure I'll need some coin in the future." I interject. "I can make stuff, but I have no idea what will and won't sell. Luckily, I have a beautiful merchant to guide me." I pull said merchant close. "Not sure about selling the wipes though. Don't really want to be known as the butt wipe guy."
"Hahaha, I think I can understand that lad."
"Oh, I don't know." Amelia chimes in. "Sorrel Rumex, purveyor of exotic spices, fine woodworking, even finer clothing, and... Butt wipes!" All three of us start laughing.
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"Oh girl, I needed that. Hmm." Charlie says before pausing for a moment. "Wait, did you say even finer clothing? I can't imagine anything finer than that." He gestures at the wagon. "Not unless..." His voice drops to a whisper.
"Starweave." Amelia finishes his unvoiced thought. "He figured it out the day before we reached Riverton." Pride fills her voice. "And that's with only learning how to weave the day we left."
"Well, I did have a good teacher." I kiss the top of her head.
"Yeah well, your teacher's gonna go see if they need any help with dinner. You go make the rounds with Charlie." She gives me a quick hug and wanders over to the central firepit.
Charlie takes me around and introduces me to the team. Most of them have worked for him for years, so they already know, or at least have met Amelia. They all expressed their awe at the vardo, and I got bombarded by quite a few questions about it, and magic in general. Though, as impressed as they seemed, it still didn't stop a few of the older drivers from grilling me about my intentions for Amelia.
I finally get a chance to talk to John's wife, who's name I learned was Rose, about herbalism. She agrees to tutor me in exchange for growing some of the rarer herbs. I agree readily, as it lets me add to me ever increasing seed collection.
The days pass quickly, with Amelia and I practicing our magics while we're on the road. We spend the evenings helping around the camp and chatting with the group. Then, after dinner Amelia goes of to practice magic some more while I learn what I can from Rose. And, our nights? Well, they're spent practicing, and learning... other things.
Until one day just after Amelia had ducked inside the wagon to prepare lunch.
"Sorrel!" Amelia calls out from inside the vardo.
"I feel it too." I say. Scanning ahead. "I don't know what it is. Come take the reigns, I'll run ahead and warn Charlie."
"Be careful."
I nod before hopping down and running forwards to the front of the wagon train. I may not have superhuman strength and speed, yet. But, I'm easily able to outpace a laden wagon. Catching up to the lead wagon. I wave to Charlie, motioning him to make room for me on the seat. Seeing the look of concern in my eyes, her quickly scoots over.
"What's wrong lad? Is Lia alright?" The man asks a little worried.
"She's fine." I re-assure him after climbing up. "We felt... something. Some sort of magic pulse, I suppose would be the best way to describe it. It's coming from up ahead, and... slightly to the right." I say focusing on the sensation. "I've never felt anything like it before. Do you have any idea what it could be?"
"Are you sure- No, of course you are." He interrupts himself. "As far as I know there's nothing out here but grass. Hold on, I'm stopping the caravan." Turning around, he sends out a shrill whistle and flashes a hand signal to the driver behind him.
The hand signal passes quickly down the line. It seems unnecessary to me since everyone, alerted by my running past, already had their eyes glued to Charlie's wagon. But, it must be protocol to prevent accidents. The dust we've kicked up in our passing threatens to cover us as we stop, before I blow it away with a Gust.
Before we're even fully stopped, John, the head guard, comes running up. Amelia, charging in behind him shortly after.
"John, good." Charlie nods to his guard. "Sorrel and Lia sensed something magic ahead. They don't know what it is, and as far as I know, there should be nothing but grass out here. Do you have any ideas."
"Can you tell me exactly what you two felt?" John asks. A frown creasing his forehead.
"Hmm, it's a bit like a pulse... maybe a wave." I try to verbalize what I'm feeling.
"Not really a wave." Amelia adds. "It's not pushing out, more like it's-"
"Pulling in, yeah." I interrupt.
"But, it's not really removing anything." Amelia purses her lips before continuing. "I'd almost swear it's adding to the magic air."
John's frown deepens. "This could be bad. Boys!" He barks to his men. "Spread out, and eyes sharp."
"What is it? What's wrong?" Amelia questions fearfully.
"I can only hope I'm wrong." The man says while his eyes scan the tall grass. "But, I've heard that description before. Something that seems to draw on the world, only to leave more magic in it's wake. That's a dungeon!"
Gasps rise up from the wagon teams that have gathered up to see what's going on.
"Is that what I think it is?" I ask.
"If you think it's a pit in the ground that spews out monsters and the occasional treasure, then yes, it's what you think it is."
"Shit, and it's in the middle of nowhere, over a week's hard ride from the nearest garrison." Charlie spits out.
"Oh, that is not good." I breathe out. "Okay, let me see if I can find exactly where it's at."
"Don't." Amelia grabs my arm.
"I'm not going anywhere." I take her hand in mine. "All this grass is connected." I explain. "I just need to look for a big disturbance or hollow area in that connection." Pulling Amelia along with me, I walk to the edge of the road.
Kneeling down, I thrust my free hand down into the soil until my fingers grip the roots. Questing out with my nature magic, I trail along the interwoven roots. Reaching farther and farther forward, until I pick up a void around two hundred meters ahead, and maybe away fifty from the road. Pulling my consciousness back sense a lot of small ripples disturbing the plants, almost like...
"Oh fuck! Incoming!" I shout out. "Windblade! Windblade! Wall-of-Thorns!" I knock down the grass for ten meters in front of us, adding a barrier along the new edge.
"Guards forward!" John Commands his team. They line up in front of me, swords drawn.
"Amelia. Watch our backs." I push her behind me. "Cut down as much grass as you can, make sure they don't flank us. Everyone else! On the wagons, now. And, ready any weapons you have. They're small and fast, and there's a lot of them."
Less than a second later the first of the horde hits the barrier and screeches out in pain. They look like kangaroo rats with bodies the size of terriers. Long tails lined with barbs, claws and teeth now several centimeters long and wickedly sharp. The cries of those in the lead alert the ones behind. But, luckily they're so packed together that the first few rows still get skewered.
The ones far enough behind to react in time try jumping. But, I was waiting for that and send a pulse of magic into the barrier. Swelling it to over three meters in height, and catching dozens more of the vermin. Hissing in frustration at being stymied, the rest try flowing around the thorn wall.
"Oh. no you don't." I shout. Slamming the wall down onto the majority of the rodent army, giving the branches a twist before dismissing the spell.
"Sorrel" Amelia cries.
"Bog! Piercing-thorns!" The ground turns to soup before sprouting daggers. "That'll slow down the stragglers for you." I shout to John while running to Amelia's side.
She's panicking, but still holding her own. Over twenty meters of grassland has been cleared from the other side of the road. Amelia is using two streams of water, like twin fire hoses, to hold off a similar sized horde that keeps trying to get past her.
"I'm here." I re-assure her. "You've got this. They're already soaked, you know what to do now." I just smile at the beautiful woman that I was lucky enough to find in this world, and let her take care of these pests.
The panic on her face recedes only to be replaced by that fire I saw in her eyes on that first night we met. "Freeze! You bastards!" She screams out and the entire field turns into a glittering ice sculpture in an instant.
Panting, she almost drops to her knees before I catch her. Her spell fades a second later, but there's nothing living on that side of the road, not any more. After a quick glance at John to see that he and his team are doing alright. I carry Amelia in my arms over to Charlie's wagon and hand her up. Jumping up after her I take a quick look around.
The wagon teams are fearful, but not panicking. And the guards have finished off the few that came at them after the wall disappeared, and are now mopping up the bleeding bodies I left behind. A couple of the younger ones are decapitating them outright. While the older, and wiser, guards just stab the tip of their swords past the ribs and into the monster's hearts.
"Looks like we got them all. For now." I say to Charlie, but keep my eyes scanning the tall grass for any more disturbances. "But we need a plan."
"That we do son, and unfortunately... You're it." John says. Joining me on the wagon to scan for threats. "Excellent work, by the way, you're a born fighter."
"Thanks, and I was afraid of that." A deep sigh escapes my chest.
"Don't be so down, lad." The guard chuckles. "We're actually quite lucky. The dungeon seems young, and likely sent almost everything it had at us just now. But." He locks eyes with me. "It needs to be contained."
"So, I.. what? Go in and kill it? Can a dungeon even be killed?"
"They can." Charlie joins in. "Each dungeon has a core, and if that core is destroyed or stolen it will die. But, you can't kill this one-"
"Uncle Charlie!" Amelia joins in, having finally recovered her breath. "You can't be serious. We can't leave a dungeon in the middle of the plains."
"He's not saying that lass." John corrects her. "I'm surprised you don't know this. But, this Kingdom has a huge bounty out for new dungeons. There hasn't been a living dungeon around here in generations. Last I heard the bounty was 10,000 gold or, and this is important since you two are awakened. One percent of everything taken out of it. For life." He drops that on Amelia, shocking her into silence.
"Look. Money is great and all." I can almost feel Amelia and Charlie's glares at my dismissive attitude towards coin. "But, we are still in the middle of a field that might contain unknown numbers of monsters. I would like very much to have some solid walls around us right now." John gives me a grunt of approval. "The dungeon opening is about two hundred meters ahead off to the side there. Let's push ahead and I'll set up a fortified camp on the other side of the road from it. Once that's done. Then we can discuss this further." With that said, I hop down and start clearing grass away from the road ahead.
"Wait for me." Amelia shouts and chases after me. "Charlie, can you have someone bring up our wagon?" She calls back, over her shoulder.
"You sure you're up for this?" I ask.
"Yeah, I leveled up again. The extra stats help a lot."
"Congrats. I told you, you'd catch up soon." Bending down to give her a quick kiss.
*Ding*Ding*Ding*
"You didn't?" She asks, crestfallen.
"Hahahah!" I bust out laughing. *DingDingDingDingDing* And system-chan joins me. "Oh, she got you good. Haha. That was just a delayed Skill up for Wall-Of-Thorns. She's got a wicked sense of humor, our little System-chan does."
Amelia starts to pout, but I can hear the echoes of System-chan dinging to her, and it's quickly replaced by a sly smile.
"So, anyways. You want to take that side? Just ten meters should be fine. I think John is right and it sent everything it could at us. But, I'd still like to have some warning if anything pops out at us."