“This - is - fantastic!” Idris browsed the scroll with a large grin.

Not wanting to be overheard in the dining hall, the mercenaries gathered in their quarters to talk about their plans and they invited the captain. The four shared the room; the holy woman, Raya, had her own apartment, and contrary to what Nua thought in the first place, it was just as small as her own. A servant’s room, nothing more. Apparently, the priestess sought privacy, but at the same time, she did not care about the luxuries.

Two days have passed. The caravan was well on their way to Azure Falls, and that meant almost a week off for the team, except for Idris, who still needed to manage the core crew – paid extra - when trading. They bought the equipment and it was time to take Idris at his word. He brought a bunch of scrolls, and now he was comparing his old maps of the area – annotated here and there - with the one Anki found at the market.

“The Antiquarians use those in the field. They sketch floor plans and mark off exploited areas. Traps, exploration goals, resources, whatever you’ve got. This one was issued two years ago and is as current as it gets. Where did you get it?”

“Some peddler,” Zaina said. “Must be stolen. Say, isn’t this risky? If this is fresh, we might accidentally run into them.”

The captain nodded.

“I’ll compare our notes and design a safe route. I know how they operate and what is beneath their notice, yet still good enough for us.”

Nua observed Idris with a frown.

“I’m not sure if that plan was such a good idea. We can’t limit ourselves to ancient scrap.”

“Rest assured I know more about these buildings than the Antiquarians,” Anki was hovering over the captain, reading along. “I can already see a couple of details they missed. For example, a freight elevator was described as a pit trap.”

“What is a freight elevator…? Never mind. I can’t believe you remember all that.”

“I don’t. We used standardized plans and modular buildings. Some things are just where they are supposed to be.”

“You know, you make the ancient ruins sound almost boring.”

“After a thousand years of decay, multiple earthquakes, and the final stage of the war that I have likely missed, they will be anything but. We are not going for a walk.”

Nua shuddered. This was real. The danger was real. They were venturing into the unknown, and potentially endangering others. But if she did not commit to that first step, how could she think about going further down the road?

“So,” Idris continued, “Is it the four of you?”

“Five,” Nua said. “I am going.”

“They can take a vial of your blood mixed with leech extract,” the captain explained. “I have witnessed your courage, but you are hardly an explorer material.”

The girl glared at him. Leaving her out – especially after she goaded them into going – was not an option.

“I have an experience with the scrapyard,” she reminded. “I can climb and see in the dark.”

“And she’s a human abacus,” Lykomedes pointed out.

“What?” Nua stared.

“What?” Idris blinked.

“She does these fast calculations, you know?” the blond Mycean said. “I think she saved us a whole aureus at the market. Gods, did you have any idea how much these people swindle?”

“Well yes, I am fully aware, but what does it have in common with…”

“She does the same with measurements and directions. The length of that rope? She figured out it was less than the storekeeper advertised. The kid never gets lost. It is as if she had a sixth sense, telling her where to go. Have you ever wondered how she hit the town so fast?”

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

Anki performed a ghostly equivalent of pursing his lips.

“An astute young man, I have to say.”

Nua looked at her companion with confusion. The direction sense was, obviously, the king’s doing, but the rest was really her. Her newfound ability was, ultimately, not just about counting the crates of fish – she used them as an early example, but in general, she could easily turn numbers into images in her head and the other way around. And since she was always thinking in pictures, it was helping her not only with the money but also with anything connected to lengths and distances. She didn’t realize her skill stood out that much.

“Well, she is Hessa’s student,” the captain spread his hands. “Mercilessly drilled at that. It would be strange for her not to pick up anything. But here’s what I think. Hessa’s injured and she would not appreciate putting the girl in danger behind her back. She is not a mercenary and you already have a scout.”

“We don’t overlap that much,” Zaina shook her head. “I’m more of a… city scout.”

Nua snorted. Idris looked amused.

“Wait. There’s no such thing as city scout,” Lykomedes raised his brow.

Quintus put his hand on his colleague’s arm.

“Do not go further into that.”

“Can you open locks?” Nua asked. “Because I can’t. Not many people have them in the Bottoms.”

“Locks, traps, whatever you’ve got,” Zaina shrugged. “You can watch and learn if you come.”

“I will talk to Hessa.” The girl directed her gaze at Idris. “I know what she thinks about the explorers and that she won’t be happy with me coming. I’ve already guessed this would be a problem. But here’s the thing. I need to learn. As for the danger? Better prepare for it than avoid it. So far, it’s found me anyway. I can’t… I can’t let myself be scared anymore.”

She spoke the last words more to herself than anyone else, looking down and clenching her fists.

“Nua,” there was urgency in Anki’s voice.

The door screeched, then Hessa hobbled in. She walked mostly on her own, only slightly supported by Raya. Her face was pale, but there was clarity in her eyes. And she did not look impressed.

“Thin doors,” she threw in casually. “You’re lucky no one else was listening. You’ve got a way with words, Nua, but running headlong into danger is a bit more than being prepared for it.” She huffed. “And I cannot go just yet.”

She looked around the room.

“Let me in on your plans. That is not a request, Idris.”

“Gladly,” the man said. “I figured you’d be happy with the extra merchandise they could get.”

“Not at the cost of their lives. No matter how deeply explored, the ruins are unpredictable,” she shook her head. “Does any of you have ether?”

Nua raised her brow. She had her suspicions about why Hessa was asking.

“Three vials, no more,” Quintus said. “They go for an aureus per vial out there. We hope not to have to use them.”

“Who could use them and how proficient are you?”

“They’re for me, Zaina, and Oswald,” the poet said. “I can enhance my strength and let the Muses whisper where findings of interest are about. Zaina can get faster and nimbler. Oswald can strengthen himself as well.”

“I do not need that, though,” muttered the Northerner. “I am pretty strong on my own. I told you already, you can have my vial; it would be wasted on me.”

Hessa nodded along.

“And the Sight?”

“Me and Zaina.”

“Told ya,” Oswald shrugged. “Not exactly my specialty.”

Lykomedes gave Hessa a wide smile. “As for me, the only sorcery I have is my natural charm.”

Everyone groaned.

Nua listened intently, then glanced at Anki.

“Why do they use sorcery separately for getting faster or stronger? And how is it that Oswald does not have the Sight? I thought it all comes together, right?”

“There are specialized Techniques for speed enhancement,” the king explained, “The Antiquarian agent had them in his repertoire. But in this case, I wager they’re all minor talents. Either that or barely trained. Except, perhaps, for the Mycean poet. And the priestess, I guess, since she makes the concoctions. This is already rare for a couple of mercenaries and it tells a lot about their experience and prowess. But Hessa is probably more talented than any of them, and so are you. Most likely, they need to learn every aspect of basic ether manipulation. You have attained the ability as a whole in a matter of days.”

The girl mulled over this for a while. The comparison made her uneasy.

“No wonder people are afraid of us.”

“I’d love to have an opportunity to train you properly, with all my resources,” the spirit said. “We were gods of this Earth, but our generals and confidantes were the princes.”

Meanwhile, Raya stepped in.

“I will accompany the group,” she added in a stern voice. “It is obvious that you will need the One’s help.”

Hessa frowned.

“Raya, you can’t go. You are invaluable,” she coughed. ”Sorry to put it like that, guys.”

“I have already done for you all that I could,” the priestess replied. “Right now all you need is rest.”

Oswald shook his head.

“You cannot even climb.”

“Then carry me when necessary. I shall bring a vial of ether on my own.”

“This is getting more complicated than it should,” Hessa sighed, then pulled a small metallic object from her pocket. “I am not surprised, however. Nua. I brought a pendant for you. It contains a sorcerous working that allows the wearer to strengthen as if they had the ability with ether.”

Nua’s brow shot up. In an instant, she understood. The huntress investigated which members of the group could recognize her skills, and now she was creating a cover for her student.

Lykomedes whistled.

“Now, that must cost a fortune…”

“It is very limited. And it goes back to me afterward,” cut off Hessa. “Come, so I will explain to you how that works.”