As Zeni, Basim, and Yasmine crested a particularly steep hill, they were finally greeted by the cozy sight of Tethrys, a delightful hamlet nestled near the bottom of a cliffside. The sea, though unseen, could be heard and smelled in the distance, adding a touch of salty longing. Zeni's heart swelled at this new, charming location.
The path led them downward, with the sea's whispers growing ever louder, guiding them like an ancient mariner's song. Zeni appreciated the quaintness of this scene, and it had a sense of warmth that seemed to permeate the very air, as though the small community of inhabitants were one large, loving family.
They’d rested only briefly after the battle, knowing they’d need to make it to the settlement before nightfall and after applying some of Hesira’s tinctures and salves, felt ready to continue. The numbness from their recovering wounds seemed to stretch to their minds, as the trio did not feel particularly overwhelmed by the knowledge of their decimation of enemies. Yasmine had even taken weapons, armor and valuables from the Sand Strider’s corpses—at least, as much as she could carry—reasoning that they could be sold or repurposed.
That was fine with Zeni. She felt as though her flash of inspiration due to leveling up her class had allotted her a calmer understanding of the nature of their battle, and didn’t reflect on it much. It was a good thing. She imagined that, in the old world, it would have bothered her quite a bit. However, fortunately, they had a mission to accomplish that they’d nearly completed, so, duty called. They had spent the last forty or so minutes marching through the sands, knowing that the end was in sight.
Tethrys was an artist's dream, the kind of place one could get lost in for hours simply observing the intricate dance of daily life. Mud brick houses with thatched roofs huddled together like old friends, while the sandy paths wound lazily through the hamlet like a contented cat.
As they ventured further, Zeni noticed with delight that, despite how small it was, Tethrys was a veritable cornucopia of sights, sounds, and smells. The aroma of roasting vegetables and spiced meats drifted from an open-air communal cooking area, the scent so tantalizing that she could almost taste the warm, flavorful goodness. Though there were few of them, the children that were present shrieked with glee as they played boisterous games among the sun-dappled lanes.
The people of Tethrys were as inviting as the place itself. Neighbors waved and exchanged pleasantries with passersby, their greetings interrupted by the occasional humorous quip. The atmosphere was one of easy reverie, a place where one could truly feel at home. Even the trio was welcomed without fear or suspicion, which was a surprise to Zeni. She’d have assumed outsiders would be approached with caution, at the very least. However, when she heard several people nearby call out to both Basim and Yasmine, she understood—these people knew them.
Eventually, the group arrived at their destination: a humble apothecary hut nestled among the homes. The hut was like something out of a storybook, its shelves lined with various clay pots and papyrus scrolls filled with ancient remedies and knowledge. An elderly apothecary, called Aropuk, welcomed them with open arms, his gratitude for their assistance apparent.
With the remedies and tinctures safely delivered, Zeni, Basim, and Yasmine were offered lodgings for the night in a home, and they graciously accepted. It was getting late, and the dwelling offered a promise of comfort. Its low, beamed ceilings and crackling hearth exuded warmth and as the trio settled in, the sound of the sea beyond the cliffside lulled them into a sense of serenity.
As they sat around the low table, Zeni marveled at the spread before her, a feast seemingly transported from another land. The warm, hearty dish that Pol and Gatek, their hosts for the evening, had prepared was a sizzling, fragrant mixture of thinly sliced beef, an array of vibrant vegetables, and a generous helping of steamed rice, all brought together by a bold, spicy sauce that seemed to ignite her taste buds.
Beside the steaming bowls of this enticing meal, there were plates piled high with a variety of colorful side dishes, each offering its own unique flavor and texture. There were crisp, tangy pickled vegetables, tender steamed greens dressed in a light sesame oil, and a fiery, fermented cabbage which seemed to dance on Zeni's tongue with each delicious bite.
As the travelers savored each mouthful of the delectable meal, they found themselves immersed in lively conversation. The evening air was filled not only with the enticing aroma of the food but also with the distant murmur of the sea, creating a soothing atmosphere in which Zeni felt completely at ease. She couldn't help but notice that Pol, a sunburnt, but pale-complected man with a calm air about him, seemed to have brought with him the flavors of a far-off place—perhaps a land where the mountains met the sea, and people gathered to share stories and laughter around steaming, fragrant meals.
"So, Zeni," began the rail-thin Pol, his friendly voice wrapped in a curious accent, "Basim tells us you've been training in potion-making. Is that true?"
Zeni's cheeks flushed with color, not expecting to be the focus of attention.
"Well, yes," she admitted with a shy smile. "I've been learning from Hesira, and I'm starting to get the hang of it."
“Hesira?” Pol exclaimed. “She’s still kicking about? Well, I’ll be—I suppose the old spirits can never rest, can they? Tell her when you see her next that little Pol the Plucky still has a welt on his backside from her broom, and he’s bigger now. Looking to even the score.”
Zeni laughed.
“Why did she use her broom on you?”
Pol shrugged.
“Apparently, she took umbrage to my waiting to sneak into her carriage and help myself to some applethorn root.”
“Wow,” Zeni said. “I won’t lie—it kind of sounds like you deserved it. You should know better than to touch an old woman’s stock of brewing ingredients.”
Pol laughed.
“Aye, that’s true enough!” He roared. “I suppose there’s no hard feelings then. I wish her well.”
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
The brawny Gatek, however, leaned in with interest.
"What's the most difficult potion you've worked on so far?"
Zeni considered the question for a moment before responding.
"Well… Probably the one I’m currently trying to wrap my mind around. A mood calming potion. There are so many delicate steps involved, and even the slightest mistake can render it useless."
Yasmine chimed in, her tone playful.
"Now, that sounds like a useful skill to have. You'll have to teach me how to make one someday."
Zeni nodded enthusiastically, happy to share her newfound knowledge. The conversation shifted to Basim, and Pol asked about his family and how they were faring.
"The work in the blacksmith's shop keeps me busy," Basim boasted proudly, "but everyone is doing well. My younger sister just left for the House of Dawn in Heliopharos last season, and according to her messages, she's loving it."
Gatek listened with a smile.
"It's wonderful to hear that your family is thriving."
“What’s the, uh…” Zeni began, struggling to recall the name Basim had just used.
“House of Dawn?” He offered. Then, noticing their hosts’ curious glances he smiled back at them. “Don’t mind Zeni. She’s new.”
This seemed to confuse them further, but neither pressed the matter.
“It’s like, oh, what do you call it? A place where…people go to learn.”
“School?” Zeni asked.
Basim snapped in her direction in emphasis.
“Yeah! A school. But, specialized, I suppose.”
“It’s wholly unsurprising that you couldn’t recall the word ‘school.’” Yasmine mused, earning her a piece of rice tossed her way by Basim.
Zeni wanted to ask more about this special school but the talk suddenly veered to Yasmine, whom Pol and Gatek knew little about. Pol, seemingly an expert at keeping a conversation going or finding common ground, pointed to her intricately crafted bow and asked about its origin.
Yasmine grinned, her eyes shining with pride.
"It was a gift from my mentor. It's made from the wood of an ancient acacia tree, and it's served me well in countless ranges."
“Ah, so you’re the hunter we sometimes see trading in pelts,” Gatek said merrily. “Always wanted to say hello, but…”
He paused, bashful.
“Not everyone is…friendly,” he finished.
“Great call, Gatek,” Basim said. “Yasmine is as violent as they come—more so, some might s—ahhh!”
He’d been interrupted by the hunter grasping his ear and twisting. It didn’t look to Zeni as though it were actually painful, but Basim was never one to turn down an opportunity to ham it up a little.
“I’m perfectly nice,” Yasmine corrected through gritted teeth, still holding on to the apprentice’s earlobe.
“She’s nice! She’s nice!” Basim exclaimed.
As the conversation flowed, Gatek shared stories of his own experiences as a sailor, navigating the treacherous waters and battling ferocious sea creatures. Pol chimed in with tales of his younger days as an adventurer, going into great detail concerning his exploits exploring forgotten ruins and ancient cities.
"I remember one time," Pol said with a laugh, "we stumbled upon a hidden temple deep in a jungle. It wasn’t a dungeon, but it may as well have been for all the grief it gave us. Filled with traps and puzzles, but all of it paled in comparison to the treasure we found along the way. Truly made it all worth it."
Zeni was about to demand to know what the treasure was, but realized, quite quickly—through the knowing looks the two passed one another—that the loot was metaphorical.
Gatek nodded, a gleam in his eye.
"Ah, those were the days, my love. We were young, foolish, and always looking for the next great adventure."
Well, I really almost embarrassed the hell out of myself there, Zeni thought, taking a deep breath. Basim might be right: I may have to cool it a little on the frantic dungeon talk before I end up looking really, really foolish.
Their stories captivated Zeni, Basim, and Yasmine, who listened with rapt attention, each one imagining themselves as daring adventurers in a bygone era.
As the evening progressed, the conversation turned to the local area, and that was about the time that Pol dropped mention of a fascinating development.
"You know," he said, leaning in conspiratorially, "there's been quite a buzz around here lately.”
“Oh?” Basim asked. “Did Tethrys get a fancy new fence?”
With a laugh, Gatek swatted at the apprentice, who deftly dodged out of the way.
Pol smiled, shaking his head.
“Even better,” he continued, his voice as quiet as a prayer. “A new dungeon has been discovered.”
Zeni's eyes nearly popped out of her head. Basim and Yasmine shared a glance, equally intrigued by the news. The idea of a fresh, unexplored dungeon was a thrilling prospect.
“Where!?” Zeni demanded, realizing with a start that she had stood and pointed directly at Pol, who was leaning back now, his eyes wide from the outburst. Slowly, the sunburnt host relaxed, and smiled, chuckling at her exuberance.
“...Not far from here. Quite the rapture it’s had over this little community."
Gatek chimed in, his voice filled with excitement.
"It's true. The dungeon appeared just a few weeks ago, and it's drawn the attention of adventurers from all over. You’ve found yourself arriving during a lull, but believe us—it’s been absolutely lousy with adventurers from top to bottom lately. We've been struggling with the temptation to explore it ourselves, but, of course, we have responsibilities here."
Pol nodded in agreement.
"And dungeons can be ferociously unkind to those that enter, especially ones that haven't been charted yet."
Zeni found herself drawn to the idea of exploring such an unknown quantity as the dungeon. She couldn't help but pepper Pol and Gatek with questions about its location, any rumors of what might lie within, and the adventurers who had already ventured inside.
Pol, delighted by Zeni's curiosity, shared what he knew.
"Well, it's located about a day's journey from here, in a hidden valley. There's talk of strange creatures and unknown treasures, but no one has ventured too deep yet. Most have returned with stories of narrow escapes and thrilling battles."
Gatek added, "We've seen some Rahhalah come back with valuable relics and artifacts, but others have returned empty-handed, or worse, not at all. It's a dangerous place, no doubt about it."
The mention of the Rahhalah reminded Zeni of the trio that had saved her life in Kephri’s Rest all those weeks ago, and she smiled at the thought of Tarek, Amara, and Faris—on the back of Azar, of course—excitedly plunging the depths of brand new terrain.
As the evening wore on, the conversation naturally drifted to other topics – favorite meals, hobbies, and even a lighthearted debate about the best way to prepare fish. But Zeni found herself continuously circling back to the subject of the dungeon, unable to shake her fascination with the idea of exploring its depths.
Yasmine and Basim seemed to be drawn in as well, their excitement growing as the possibilities of what they might find inside the dungeon expanded with each new detail.
Pol and Gatek continued to offer insight and advice, warning them of potential dangers and offering suggestions for how best to prepare for challenges, in the understanding that all of their conversation was purely hypothetical, of course—it would be foolish to assume these three would go off on their own into such a dangerous place. However, the two spoke with an air of wistfulness, as if they longed to join the cavalcade of explorers, but knew their place was here, tending to their responsibilities and keeping the community safe.
As the night wore on, the warm glow of the hearth and the comforting sound of the waves outside seemed to grow even more inviting, lulling the group into a sense of contentment. But beneath the surface, the fire of adventure had been stoked, and Zeni could feel it burning within her heart.
The liveliness continued well into the night, each member of the group sharing stories, laughter, and a genuine connection that transcended their short time together. By the time they finally decided to turn in for the night, Zeni, Basim, and Yasmine felt as though they'd known Pol and Gatek for years. Well, Basim had—but he claimed to know everyone.
As Zeni lay in bed that night, her thoughts raced with visions of the undiscovered dungeon and the mysteries it contained.
Soon, she thought to herself.