As the sun lifted in the morning, so did their spirits. They were safe, they were together, and they had a good night’s rest.

Merlin yawned, stretching his arms out wide. They’d slept in sleeping bags by the fire. Charlie summoned King Scalea and around thirty other scalers to guard their makeshift camp while everyone slept. He knew Vetica was still reluctant to sleep without a human standing guard, but she’d been too exhausted to care last night.

Charlie wiped his eyes and sat up. The sun’s rays felt nice on his face, and the birds were already chirping. Beside him, Mousifer and Bleedy stirred as well. Bleedy rolled over and went back to sleep. But Mousifer climbed up the leg of Charlie’s onesie and stood on his lap. “Squeak!” Mousifer said, staring at Merlin.

Merlin raised a brow. “What’s he saying? I still haven’t quite figured out how to speak mouse.”

“He’s wondering what’s for breakfast,” Charlie said simply.

Merlin laughed. “Not sure. I’ll go look through our supplies and figure out what to make. How’s that sound?”

Mousifer squeaked in delight. He laid back against Charlie and wrapped his paws behind his head. Charlie giggled at the sight. “Hey, I’m getting up now! You can’t use me as a bed!” He smiled and lifted Mousifer up to his shoulder. Charlie noticed Vetica watching him. “Good morning, Vetica! How did you sleep?” he asked.

“I slept well.” She was lying on her side, staring at the fire. “A bit too good, actually. I’m surprised I slept so long.”

Charlie nodded and crawled over to her, leaving the still sleeping Bleedy behind. She noticed the serious expression on his face and sat up. “Is everything okay?” she asked.

Charlie sat beside her, and his lips pulled toward the side of his face. He felt awkward about what he wanted to say, but he knew he needed to say it, anyway. He wondered how an apology could feel scarier than fighting a huge monster. Between the two, he’d take on the monster any day.

“I know you probably don’t want to talk about it anymore. But I wanted to say I’m sorry for what I did during the fight. I know you asked me to trust you, and I should’ve. I was just really worried about you. It was hard to watch you fight and get hurt. I didn’t like it,” he said. Charlie rubbed his hands together mindlessly while he talked.

“I understand. It’s difficult when someone you care about is fighting and all you can do is watch. Trust me, I know,” she said.

Charlie blinked at that. “Really?”

The sound of pots and utensils clanging together got their attention. Merlin was setting up to cook over the fire. “Of course, Charlie. We both do. How do you think we feel watching you fight monsters? Even just recently with that creepy bone serpent. Neither of us was much help. The two of us know exactly how it feels. We worry about you all the time,” he said. He added more firewood to the flames, which greedily devoured it.

Charlie hadn’t ever realized that was how they felt when he fought on his own. He’d never thought about it. “Oh,” he said simply. He didn’t know else what to say.

Vetica wrapped her arm around him. “I know, Merlin, and I don’t have the powers that you do. But we’re still good at things. I might not be good at fighting beast, but I’m an expert at fighting people. Part of being a team means we have to trust each other. It’s important that we do. If we don’t trust those around us, we’ll never be able to rely on them.”

It was true what she said. Vetica was good at fighting people. In fact, if she hadn’t been trying to spare Lilica, she would have ultimately won the fight. If Charlie had trusted her, maybe she would have been successful and got her father to declare her the victor even without killing her sister. Instead, she’d almost lost her free will, and he’d had to give up a very valuable book in exchange. It felt pretty bad to know how big of a mistake he’d made. “I’m really sorry. From now on, I’ll trust you when you ask me to! I’ll trust you even when you don’t!” he promised.

Vetica smiled and patted him on the head. “Good. I won’t let you down. I’ll be counting on you too, okay?”

Charlie nodded; a big grin broke across his face. Orb rolled over to them. Charlie wasn’t sure where he’d been, but when he looked in the direction the dungeon core had come from, he noticed a trail in the dirt. It looked like someone had been drawing all kinds of weird shapes in the dirt. “What’s that?” he asked.

Orb bounced up and down quickly in a shrug. “Got bored. It’s no fun when you go to sleep. I tried to make a racetrack, but I think I created a new language instead. See that weird thing that looks like a water bottle?” he asked.

Charlie nodded. “Mhm. What is it?”

“It’s the first curse word of my new language. Orbonese. It’s gonna be great. I have so many new curse word ideas. I guess I have to make normal words too, but for right now, I’m going to go where the inspiration is.”

Charlie frowned. “Merlin! Put Orb in the swear jar!” he said.

“On it!” Merlin dove before Orb could react and grabbed him.

“Hey! Let go of me!” Orb protested.

“Nope. I got Charlie’s permission to torment you, and I’m not missing the opportunity. Now…we don’t actually have any jars. So how about I put him in the pot instead? Oh, maybe we could deep fry him?”

Charlie giggled. He was just about to play along when he heard a scaler cry.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

“Arh!” the warning came just in time.

Vetica was the first to react. She drew her blade and shot toward the noise.

She’d scarcely made it to the edge of the clearing when a man appeared. A man wearing the clothes of a Rawlin.

King Scalea was close behind. Before the man could react, the scaler king had leapt upon him. The man fell hard into the dirt. King Scalea roared in triumph.

“Oh no. How’d they find us?” Merlin asked. He looked around, worried more might appear.

The man struggled against the scaler’s weight. “I’m not armed, and I haven’t been sent to hurt you. I came to deliver a message. A message from Master Hosuyo!” he shouted.

That gave Vetica pause. She didn’t know how to react. Merlin, however, stepped forward. He carefully inspected the man without getting too close. “I don’t see any weapons on him. He could be telling the truth,” he said.

Vetica shook her head. “He’s a Rawlin. Of course, you couldn’t see if he had weapons. Still…” She paused. “What’s the message?” she asked.

“Will you get this thing off me at least? I won’t attack. It doesn’t matter if you still have the Rawlin name or not, I’m not stupid enough to attack Vedic’s daughter. I wouldn’t stand a chance,” the man said.

Vetica nodded her head to the side. “That’s true. Fine, let him up, Charlie. If he makes a move, I’ll cut him down. Still, I don’t understand what Hosuyo would have to say to us.”

Charlie signaled King Scalea. The scaler eased up and backed away a few feet. He didn’t go far, though. He’d be ready to attack again if the man made any sudden moves. Even in the treetops and foliage surrounding them, Charlie could feel other scalers waiting as well. As far as trial runs went, this one had been pretty successful. He felt safer already, knowing the scalers took their guard duties so seriously. They’d stood guard before, but this was the first time an incident had occurred, and they’d responded well.

The man dusted himself off. “Master Hosuyo sends his regards. He says he was impressed with your resourcefulness.” The man was addressing Merlin mostly, but from time to time, he glanced over at Charlie. Maybe he still wasn’t fully convinced Charlie was more than just a normal baby. “As for you, Mistress Vetica, he expressed his interest in seeing what path you will walk. He’s curious about what you have planned.”

Charlie looked up at her. “You have something planned?” he asked.

She responded without taking her eyes off the Rawlin assassin. “I’ll tell you after.” She directed her next words at the man himself. “I doubt he sent you just for that. So, get on with it. What’s the rest of your message?” she asked.

The man nodded. “Master Vedic informed you that the cultists are currently hunting for dungeons. While that information is useful, Master Hosuyo wished to give you something more concrete. He received word recently that a high-ranking associate of the cult is operating along the capital road. There are also rumors they’ve taken standing contracts with the guilds in the area. They’re paying good money to anyone who brings them information regarding dungeons. Master Hosuyo believed this additional information might improve your odds of tracking down the cultists. That is all.” The assassin bowed to Vetica and tentatively stepped back, remaining wary of King Scalea.

King Scalea eyed him as he slowly crept around to make his way back through the forest and return to the Rawlin estate.

“Wait,” Vetica called out. She seemed just as surprised as the rest of them at her sudden outburst.

The man turned. “How may I be of service?” he asked.

“My sister…how is she?” Vetica asked.

He swallowed, hesitant to respond. “She is well. In truth, she’s ecstatic. Mistress Lilica is pleased that her inheritance is finally secured. Those are her words. I’m afraid that’s all I know.”

Vetica nodded. She had a sad look in her eyes. “Thank you. You may go,” she said.

Charlie blinked. When his eyes opened again, the man was gone. He waited a moment and then activated the Summon Minion ability.

Bonehead and a handful of additional Scalers appeared. Bonehead barked happily when he saw Charlie. Charlie patted him. “There was a man here. Will you track him for a while and make sure he’s alone? I want to make sure the Rawlins aren’t following us anymore. I don’t trust them,” he said.

Bonehead grew serious and nodded. “Arca!” he barked, assuming command of the scalers Charlie had summoned for him. Bonehead paused for a moment and lowered his head toward King Scalea before leading the small pack of scalers into the forest.

Merlin quirked a brow. “Very…strategic of you. I’m a little surprised if I’m being honest.” He nodded approvingly in Charlie’s direction. “I have to admit I’m curious as well, Vetica. What’s this plan he was talking about?” he asked.

Vetica sighed. “Hosuyo originally proposed that Lilica and I work with him to betray Vedic. I refused, and then, on top of that, I left a warning for my father. Truthfully, I wasn’t opposed to Vedic dying. I’m not convinced we could have pulled it off, but that wasn’t the reason I made the decision that I did. I was worried that Lilica would be a terrible leader for the Rawlins. She’s too unstable. Too unpredictable. For now, as much as I hate him, my father is a better choice. But only for now. I may be an outcast now, but one day I will return and reclaim my name. No matter what it takes. Until then, I’d prefer he remain in charge.”

Vetica looked in the general direction of the Rawlin estate. Though it was way too far to see from where they were. “I’m afraid of what the Rawlins might become if Lilica rises to power. I made a move that would ensure father’s continued paranoia and keep him wary of those around him. With Lilica and Hosuyo’s plan foiled, neither of them will consider another attempt any time soon. My plan was to buy time. I didn’t anticipate the duel going how it did or losing my name. But at the end of the day, not much else has changed.”

“I see,” Merlin nodded. “Well, when that time comes, I’ll help however I can.”

“Me too!” Charlie said. “We’ve got your back.” He looked back at the wagon. “At least now we know where to start looking for the cult. The only thing is, how are we going to find a dungeon to report?” he asked.

All of his friends turned to look at him. Merlin, Vetica, Orb, Mousifer and even King Scalea. He was sure Bleedy would have joined in as well if he were awake.

“What?” he asked, wondering what they were thinking. “Oh…” it finally hit him.

They had a dungeon. The perfect place to set a trap for the cult.

Orb bounced in the air excitedly. “Now you get it. You know what this means, right Charlie?” he asked.

Charlie shook his head. “Um, no. What does it mean?”

Orb twinkled. “Our first test run of the dungeon. We’re finally going to have some invaders to deal with. It’s gonna be a blast.”

Mousifer squeaked. He clapped his paws together.

The scalers crept out from the forest and formed a circle around them.

Orb bounced in a nod. “That’s right. We’ve got a lot of work to do. Come hither minions! To the brat cave!”