Chapter 3

Tongue Tied

Cal Avernafey sat in his office looking over the maps of his Dungeon, The Rime Lords Cavern. He was always quite pleased with it. A submerged dungeon that required swimming and water breathing spells. His grandfather had founded the dungeon when he was a Master rank Keeper and passed it on to Cal shortly after Cal reached Advanced Rank though that was many years ago.

It was definitely unique in the Kingdom, perhaps even the whole continent. Of course, these maps were made by Delvers. They were incomplete and overlapped. He was still waiting for a group to find the new secret room the dungeon installed last year. But he was a patient man and content to tweak minor things while he waited.

A knock at the door drew him from his reverie and reminded him of his appointment. Pleased with his work he set the maps aside “Please, come in.” Cal opened a drawer and pulled out some papers and looked up as a young woman stepped into his office.

She was short with dirty blonde hair and brown eyes. She was a bit dusty due to the walk from the city, but Cal bet she would clean up to a very attractive lady with the right dress. Though she was masking her emotions relatively well, Cal could tell she was nervous. “Greetings, I am Keeper Avernafey, how may I help you?”

“Greetings Keeper Avernafey, I am Keeper Marc. I believe Keeper Kronbe sent you a message to expect me.”

He had been expecting her but not quite so early, Cal quickly collected his thoughts, “Oh, yes he did. You made excellent time getting here. His letter only arrived two days ago.” Cal set the papers down and motioned “Please have a seat, and if you are to be my son's master please call me Cal. All the “Keeper” business is fine for Council meetings and public image but I feel it bogs down regular conversation if that doesn't bother you.”

Gen relaxed, “Not at all, you can call me Gen, I am still getting used to the titles. But, No offense meant when I say, taking Byron as my apprentice is not yet set in stone. I haven't even met the boy.”

“Yes, and I'm glad you feel that way, I don't want to send him off to be with just any Keeper. I’m glad you are considering it, you were born into a Keeper’s family like he was, I wanted someone who would understand.”

Recognition flashed across Gen’s face, She knew part of what Cal was talking about. Keepers have a ritual that prevents them from sharing Dungeon Keeper secrets. All apprentices go through the ritual. A second ritual when they become a full keeper allows them to take on apprentices. Growing up in a Keeper Household can be isolating and lonely. Even from your own parents. They couldn’t tell you anything about what they did all day. The curiosity was maddening before she was made an apprentice.

Then an epiphany hit Gen like a bolt of lightning “Byron, didn’t try to go in the dungeon, did he?”

“I am afraid so,” Cal responded.

“When?” Gen went pale with shock. A child wandering into an Advanced Dungeon was one of the worst things a Keeper could imagine short of their Dungeon’s destruction.

“Two years ago, as you know anyone that enters a dungeon is seen as an intruder. Even if I was a Master Ranked Keeper I couldn't stop the Dungeon from being what it is.” Cal sighed. “But we got lucky. Some adventurers had just cleared the dungeon and were on their way out when they found him. He was about to be eaten by a Kappa. They saved him and brought him to the local healers. But the wounds were severe, magical in nature, and had set in. The best the healers could do was close the wounds. He is... permanently scarred.” Cal finished.

"That poor boy," Gen thought.

“I see the look in your eye, please don’t ‘Poor boy’ him,” Cal said in a serious tone. “He is of age to be an apprentice and he wants to be treated like one. Don't look surprised, that I can read your expression, I know how some treat him and how he hates it.”

Gen looked abashed, “I apologize, I was just surprised.” She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Alright, I think I understand the situation, the only question I have left before I meet Byron is, do you have his Long Sheet available? I want to know his full capabilities before I meet him.”

Cal sifted through the papers on his desk and pulled out a sheet of paper. “Here it is.”

Gen took the sheet and looked it over.

Byron Avernafey

Human - Level 2 Exp to next level: 100/300

Health 50/50

Abilities:

Strength 9

Dexterity 8

Constitution 10

Wisdom 8

Intelligence 8

Charisma 6

Skills:

Daggers 1

Spears 1

Swords 1

Armor (Medium) 1

Shields 1

Appraisal 1

Untrained Skills

Wilderness Survival 1

Spellcraft 1

Cooking 1

Brewing 1

Specialized skills: None

"That is certainly a large list of skills." Gen took the paper and added it to her files.

Cal sighed, "Yes he has been overcompensating trying to learn as many skills as possible. I'm not certain if that is a good or bad thing… but I think you should meet him now that you are prepared."

The two stood and headed out behind the small home. Behind Cal's home was a flower garden where someone had set up a short archery range. Sitting at a stone table were two people. A woman that must have been Cal's wife and a young teenage boy.

"Camila, Byron. I have someone I would like you to meet" Cal announced as the pair approached.

Camila stood. She was a tall, pretty, middle-aged woman with kind grey eyes, dressed in a blue work dress and a crisp white apron. Her sleeves were rolled up as if she had been working with her hands. Gen guessed that she must have been the one making the delicious bread.

"Hello! I am assistant Keeper Camila Avernafey, Cal's wife." Camila said warmly as she extended her hand.

"Greetings Keeper Camila, I am Keeper Genevieve Del Marc." Clasping her hand Gen felt the strength Camila developed kneading bread.

"And this is our son Byron." Camila gestured to the boy who had been facing away.

Byron stood letting his long dark hair hide much of his face. One blue eye peered out and in a deep but quiet voice said "Greetings Keeper Marc."

Gen noted how he didn't extend his hand. "Greetings young Byron, do you happen to know why I am here?"

Scuffing his foot and looking down "No one tells me anything."

The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

"Heh, I know the feeling. I remember my mother said to me once 'Aunt Mildred had her baby!' and the only response I had was 'she was pregnant?" Gen acted out the scene of her elated mother and her confused younger self.

Byron blew a short snort and started to smirk "Yeah? Sounds just awful …"

"Well I can't exactly blame them for forgetting to tell me things, it was pretty ingrained in them to keep secrets, particularly about their Dungeon and all with the international Kings Treaty on Dungeon Usage."

"Why don't we all sit and talk?" Cal suggested. As they all settled into their seats he continued. "Keeper Marc is here because she is in need of an apprentice."

Byron glanced up, "Need? So it's some sort of requirement? And why do you mention a treaty that is hundreds of years old?"

The kid was sharp, Gen mused to herself. "A requirement… yes it is something like that, though I am sure you are tired of hearing it, but, the details are Dungeon Keeper secrets." This wasn't entirely true, apprentice selection was not a secret and neither was the fact that she would be founding a dungeon, but the details of the rituals were. And impressing on him Dungeon Keeper matters were important and generally, secrets would help lay a good foundation of all Keepers' expectations. Even if he didn't become her apprentice.

“As for the treaty, that agreement is a magical contract between all nations and formed the Dungeon Keeper’s Guild. It also is what compels our secrecy. That Magic isn't bound to any kings or line of succession either. It was bound to the land itself, so if a nation falls even that new one will be bound by the agreement lest the land turn fallow and crops wither away. Most think it's just an agreement not to train armies in dungeons. But it's much more. We can go into the details after you are an apprentice.”

Gen decided to change her tack. "Byron, you were recommended to me as an apprentice. From what I understand you wish to be a keeper, but due to unfortunate timing your father can't take you on. I am going to be setting up a new Dungeon… I won't lie to you. It may be tough at first, but it's an excellent learning opportunity. Few young keepers try founding their own dungeons. Most inherit them."

At this Byron looked up at Gen for the first time, his hair still obscuring most of his face. But faint lines of scars were visible around his lips. "How long does that take?"

Pleasantly Cal answered. "Establishing a dungeon is a long process, mostly guild paperwork… but the…" pausing it was apparent to the Keepers at the table Cal was fighting the magic that keeps him from divulging secrets. Once finding an acceptable word he continued "... the event itself can take as little as a day."

"I've already taken care of the boring parts, the paperwork, and selecting the general region. The next part is scouting the actual location." Gen paused to appraise Byron's reaction.

"So I would get to see some pretty unique stuff then?"

"Byron you will be seeing and doing things your father and I haven't" Camila chimed in. "That is if you two decide this is a good fit."

“Once you complete your training, what are your plans?” Gen asked.

“Well, I always thought I would come back here and help my father run his dungeon. But I never considered growing my own or working at another. If I was there at the beginning, I would at least like to keep the option to remain as an assistant Keeper open.”

“Well there are several options,” Cal explained. Some we cannot get into the details of till you are an apprentice. But the one option you haven't considered is working for the guild directly. And they have several different positions that are excellent for young keepers to pursue after the apprenticeship ends.”

“That's a lot to consider,” Byron said as he seemed to be drifting into deeper thoughts.

"Byron," Gen asked softly. “Your father mentioned you went into his dungeon when you were younger. He mentioned you were hurt. Is there any lasting damage? Your legs or hands perhaps?”

Everyone else at the table froze. They hadn't expected Gen to notice so quickly with Byron's habit of keeping his hands in his pockets and distracting everyone with the hair hiding his face.

"Go on son." Cal encouraged. “You are who you are, nothing to be ashamed of.”

"I suppose you ought to know." The boy said as he pulled his hands from his pockets and laid them on the table. The Left was missing a pinky and the end bone of the ring finger. The right had heavy scarring.

"Thank you for showing me. Do the scars affect your grip?" Gen asked calmly.

"Not my grip… only delicate movements. But it doesn't really stop me, it just slows me down."

Although Gen was staring at Byron’s hands she abruptly changed the subject. "They say my father killed his dungeon. I don't know if that is true and will never know but he died in the collapse. I figure we both need all our cards on the table. That's why I have to start fresh.”

"Starting fresh… yeah I like the sound of that." Byron was smiling.

Camilla smiled "Are you sure Byron? You don't have to... if you could wait…"

“2 years?” Byron cut his mother off... “at minimum, possibly more? No, I’m ready. I won’t run away.”

“Last question, you have lots of combat skills, do you have a preferred fighting style? I am a spellcaster myself though I am no slouch with daggers in a pinch.” Gen said.

“I like the longsword, with a small buckler and moderately weighted armor,” Byron said quickly now that they were on a topic he felt confident with. “I got a new set of Splint mail and Longsword for my birthday last year. Tem has been doing some training with me. He was a soldier but he says he wants to go delving someday...” Byron trailed off after he realized he had been babbling.

Gen admired his spirit and turned her head to Cal. “Would you like to help perform the ritual?”

“I would be delighted! But do you mind staying here for a few days? I would have to prepare.”

“So that's it? You just accept me, just like that?” Byron was eyeing Gen with suspicion.

“Yes, you have all the technical qualifications, and I like the cut of your jib. One bad experience in your father's Dungeon and you are prepared to face it again. Some would-be adventurers don’t even get that far.”

With excitement in his eye, Byron asked, “Why do we have to wait? Can we do the ritual today?”

“Ahh,” Camila frowned, “here can be your first lesson about Dungeon Keeping… If you are doing anything there is going to be about a day's worth of paperwork before or after.”

“Possibly Both!” Cal added cheerily “I don’t mind it but your mother hates it. The guild isn't very hands-on, they will let Keepers make all the major decisions, but they do want to be informed of major goings on. We are charged by the king to grow dungeons. Curating high and low levels to ensure all Adventurers can progress in level as needed. Real danger is essential to hone some skills that are necessary for times when quests for the good of the realm need completion or local authorities are outclassed by gangs of roving monsters or bandits.”

“Thus paperwork.” Gen grimaced. “Logs of our daily actions and any unusual events. Lists of dungeon divers and possible spoils or treasure that can be generated from the dungeon. I am sure you have heard of quests given out by an older gentleman or scholar telling an adventurer a valuable weapon, potion, or tool can be found in a local dungeon and is needed. Well, how do you think he found out the item was there?”

“So, keepers inform the guild what the dungeon can create, and then the guild makes quests to get those items?”

“Not exactly.” Cal cleared his throat. “A person has a problem they can't solve, due to needing a special herb or something. They can pay a small fee to the guild and find out where that item can be found, they can choose to go themselves or find someone to get the item, but the usual course is to put in a request to the adventurers guild. They have branches in most major cities and will put up a quest bulletin in the closest branch to the dungeon that has what is needed. Then an adventurer can take the quest and enter the dungeon. There is much more to dungeons than just creating fetch quests for Adventurers, however… we can’t tell you more till after the ritual.”

“You will have plenty of time to learn,” Gen assured Byron before he voiced his frustration. “It's a long journey to the small trading town of Heil.”

The next evening Gen, Byron, and his parents were gathered in Cal’s office. This was one of the few times Byron had been allowed inside. The desk was conspicuously cleaner than any of the times he would peek in from the doorway.

“Come, Byron, sit.” Cal gestured to one of the chairs near the desk. “We shall get that paperwork finished so we can perform the ritual. You and Gen will have to sign a few times I am afraid.”

Gen took a seat “Don’t look nervous, most of this paperwork is just duplicates for clerical reasons, and what it essentially says is a Keeper explained to you and your parents the nature of apprenticeship with the Keepers. An apprenticeship with the Keepers is more secretive than most other guilds. We will perform a ritual that binds your tongue. You will only be able to speak of Keeper related business with other keepers and apprentices. Then you train under a mentor Keeper for a minimum of 5 years or until a certain competency level is reached, there is a final examination conducted by the guild and not your mentor but most mentors will not send you for the exam unless they feel you can pass with flying colors. This means most apprenticeships last about 8 years.”

Camila sighed bored with this paperwork and she didn't even have to write out the majority of it “Did you understand all of that Byron?”

“I think so,” he replied as he shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “I’ll have to keep the secrets of the guild, and I will be an apprentice for about 5 to 8 years. Then pass an exam. And I am guessing the whole time I’ll be doing whatever Miss Gen says.”

“Excellent. But not ‘whatever’ she says, you are still your own person if you feel you want to petition the guild for a new Mentor you can.” Cal then gestured to a stack of 3 sheets of parchment “Sign here on each copy, then Camila just below that, and Gen over here.”

As each signature flowed onto the papers Byron felt more and more energized. Giddy with anticipation he asked, “Will we do the ritual today?”

“Right now, actually” Camila stood and began clearing the floor.

Once a large space had been cleared she began to pour salt in a large circle. After the ring was complete she began adding to the circle, swirls, runes, tangent, and interconnecting lines. All drawn from the salt. Once it was complete an intricate pattern dominated the office.

“Byron,” Cal began “Walk around the glyph clockwise several times till you feel a pull at your center. Then let it guide you to the center of the glyph. You will get a notification to know when it starts, but after that, your mother’s magic will take over.”

Confused Byron did as instructed, slowly walking around the perimeter. Once, he felt nothing, twice and he was beginning to feel silly, but the third full circle he felt it. Exactly as his father had described, a slight tugging in his center and a notification washed over him.

You are under the voluntary effect of the spell “Keeper’s Tongue” you may end this effect at will.

The magic pulled him further around the circle till he reached a point where he felt a force in front of him then the pulling began to tug him into the glyph and guide his steps as to not disturb the salt, he wasn’t out of control and knew he could stop this at any point if he so chose.

His feet were guided to just the right spots in the center; it felt good to be where the glyph was focusing. Gen then began to walk counterclockwise around the glyph. 3 times she circled him and then stopped on the opposite side Byron had entered from. turning to face the center she walked into the glyph. Standing in front of Byron Gen pulled out a small knife no bigger than a pinkie. Guided by the magic Byron knew what would come next and opened his mouth exposing his tongue.

“By this right, I bind your tongue,” Gen chanted as she pricked Byron’s tongue drawing a single drop of blood and letting it drip to the ground. “Your secrets are my secrets. My secrets are your secrets.” After wiping the blade on a white rag she pricked her own tongue and let a single drop of blood fall to mix with the first.

“Our secrets are the Keeper’s secrets.” They finished together.

And with the last words, a pressure built up on Byron forcing his tongue back into his mouth and gently but firmly pushing his jaw closed. As their mouths shut, the pressure ended and a slight tingle of magic could be felt in the air.

Gen saw a small notification pop up in her vision.

CONGRATULATIONS:

Quest update. Educating the young: Optional - Take Byron Avernafey as your apprentice. (Complete)

“That’s it.” Cal broke the silence. “I can now tell you whatever you want to know.”