We spent the rest of that day in a blur of pain. Most of us slept a lot. I kept a watch on my roommates. No, I kept a watch on my friends.

Niobe was the first one to awake. Her eyes came open with a groan. “Morning.”

“Hey.” I leaned forward. “How are you feeling?”

“Like I just got my ass whipped and was tied to a pole and had to watch everyone I know get theirs whipped because of me.” She leaned forward, putting her arms back to support the weight. The swelling around her eye had gone down markedly. It was still puffy but opened fine.

“Yeah, that was rough.” I nodded.

“Now they’ll all hate me.” She closed her eyes and barely shook her head. “I wasn’t trying to get anyone else in trouble. I didn’t think the consequences would fall on anyone else.”

“I have to say, that one caught me off guard too.” I agreed.

“That damned Mingelt acting all apologetic.” She mimed the gnome’s voice. “You’ve forced me to do this. I beg of you, please don’t make me do it again.”

I grinned. “That was pretty spot on.”

“Thanks.” A ghost of a smile flitted across her face. “When I got the last priority point, I put a skill point in perform.”

Jackson had been tossing and turning in his sleep. He flipped over on his back and came awake, just biting back a yell of pain. He hissed and pushed himself upright.

“I can’t apologize for that enough.” Niobe closed her eyes and shook her head. “I just… I’m so sorry.”

“You didn’t do it.” Jackson said, stretching and trying to turn his head to look at the skin on his back. “That bastard Mingelt had Goldo do it. The only thing you have to apologize for is not taking me with you.”

The cat woman smiled, actually smiled, for the first time since she’d returned. “Thanks.” She said quietly. Jackson bobbed his chin and kept twisting around to try and see his back.

Izzy came awake in that sudden way elves had. She transitioned from sleep to wakefulness instantly. The sea elves’ oversized eyes quickly scanned the room and settle on Niobe. “How are you?” both women said at the same time. Both smiled and answered, “Fine.” Also in harmony.

“Okay baby, that’s weird.” Niobe said, holding up one paw.

“Jinx. You owe me a coke.” Izzy told the cat woman. That got them both to start laughing.

“I swear, as soon as I can get my grubby little paws on a coke, bottle, can, two liter or whatever, I’ll give it straight to you.” Niobe held a paw over her heart.

Just then we heard the first notes of Drill Sergeant’s wake up call. “Line up, hands off cocks and put on socks!” He called from down the hall.

I looked at Niobe. “You ready?”

“Is there a choice?” She asked and stood.

The four of us filed outside, taking our positions on either side of the door. Drill Sergeant said nothing when he walked by our room but had a crooked smile. All four instructors were lined up at the far end of the hallway, like normal.

“Book keeping business first.” Drill Sergeant boomed, “Mike, you’re third squad leader. Got it?”

“Yes, Drill Sergeant!” I yelled.

“Good.” He nodded. “The job is yours until I find someone better. Now, you know the drill. Line up by squads and fall in on the parade ground.”

Jackson elbowed me and grinned. There was a little confusion. Third squad was used to lining up on Elyse. But we got sorted. While everyone was milling around Conan, the ogre from fourth squad, slammed into Niobe, knocking her hard into the wall.

“Oh, I’m sorry. Did I get YOU hurt?” He asked sarcastically.

Jackson jumped in between, “Hey big guy, there’s no need for that.”

“Were you on the parade ground yesterday?” Marko asked. “I saw you get whipped,” He pointed, “Because of her!”

“Did you see a whip in her hand?” Jackson asked. “Did you see her order anyone to beat on us? That was Mingelt and those sadistic guards. It’s US against THEM man, don’t make it us against us.” Marko gritted his teeth and after a pause went back to his place in line. Niobe patted Jackson on the shoulder.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

I thought a saw a smile on Instructor Goldo’s face at that altercation. It went back to its typical solemnity before too long. The four instructors marched behind us like they always did.

We filed out and lined up on the parade ground. There were a few extra guards around but nothing like it was yesterday. It was a sullen platoon that gazed at the drill sergeant this morning. Our breath steamed in the cool morning air as we stood, waiting.

“Platoon, today will be a simple warm up and stretching. You will all attempt the first level of the dungeon again today. First and second squads before lunch. Third and fourth after lunch. You’ll march the wall, then form back up here. Move out.”

Instructor Stethyr led my squad. We trudged up the tower and at the top did a few pushups and situps. Much of the squad was still huffing and puffing, but no one had fallen out. I’d take that as a win. Stretching out the new scars was causing a great deal of pain. The situps, especially, made it feel like your back was about to split open.

“You’re all doing well.” Stethyr quietly hissed. He patted Elyse on the shoulder as he walked by. “Fight through the pain. The one consstant in the life of an adventurer iss pain. Get accsstomed to it, come to regard it ass a friend.” It was the most I’d heard him say at one time since we’d been here.

With that, he motioned for us to stand. We marched along the top of the wall, crenels on one side and a long drop on the other. I could see a storm off in the distance, between us and the dawn. I wonder if that was an omen or something? Did this world use omens? I still have so much to learn.

We all gathered back on the parade ground and were dismissed to our rooms. The instructors told us they’d come get us when it was our turn in the dungeon. Jackson and Niobe went back to sleep. Izzy and I rememorized spells.

As the squad leader of third, I was the first one to go after lunch. Falaise told me, “You won’t get any experience for this run through since it’s set on priority zero. I’d get your summons and spells a workout though. Get some of the bugs out of the system.” I nodded, game face on.

The door opened and I strode through. The room was different this time. There was forest everywhere, mostly those slim bamboo like trees with the long purple leaves. I could see a couple of small clearings, but nothing substantial.

I did a quick scan using Spot. Nothing. Hmm, that’s not ideal. I pulled my shield in front of me and readied my axe. Taking one careful step, I moved.

I swear I sound like someone drops a bag of hammers every time I move. Between the armor check and my low agility, I might as well be banging a drum. It’s good practice though so I kept up the careful movements.

A flash of movement became visible out of my right eye. I spun and got behind my shield. One of those stupid rabbits bounced off the hide and wood barrier.

I peeked over the rim and there was the little bugger. It was right in front of me. It hopped, aiming its horn right at me. I swung my axe.

Missed it completely, but luckily I was behind my shield. Its horn jabbed the hide layer leaving a little cut right beside one I’d sewn up from last time. I kicked at the thing and knocked it away.

The rabbit and I circled one another. I’m sure it looked hilarious, this hulking dwarf having a face off with a ten pound bunny. Me behind my shield with axe raised, it with its stupid unicorn horn that no bunny should actually have. It hopped at me and I swiped. Got it! I clove the beasty nearly in two.

Taking a deep breath, I lowered my shield a bit and looked around. Just in time to see another one of the murderous creature lunging at my head.

-3 hp

Aaaah! It scraped that stupid sharp horn right down around the side of my head and might have hit my ear. I swiped with my axe, but got nowhere near it.

A voice boomed out from above, “Mike, you’re a spell caster. Cast spells.” It was Falaise, probably watching me on the mirror array they had rigged up in here.

I blew out a breath in frustration. Flipping my moustache forward for a moment. Okay, I took the basic stance of Volcano Strider. Huh, the left arm forward in front of my torso is a great way to use the shield. Hadn’t realized that before. I stashed my axe, twisting my fingers through the gestures as I quickly chanted the words to Summon Lesser Beast. Just before I ended the spell I drew the horn, wielding it like a knife. It glowed green for just a moment.

The damned rabbit jumped at my head again. I had a surprise for him, though. The horned bunny with one black ear sat up on its hind legs right in front of me. That put him right behind the one attacking me. My guy squared up and leapt, catching the other bunny as he fell off my shield.

HIT! His horn buried itself deep in the other rabbit’s side. Drawing my axe, I finished him off. I patted the bunny on the back and he flicked an ear at me. I cut another bandage, I guess I’d stolen this from a member of the platoon. Should probably return that.

Anyway, I cut a bandage section and put it across the cut on my scalp. Then I wrapped a tie around my whole head and put my leather skullcap on top of it. No notification. That sucks.

This chamber seemed clear with two tails collected. I moved carefully, practicing my silent movement, out of the room. My summoned rabbit disappeared after a few steps.

The next chamber was narrow bands of trees and short, wide clearings. I could see a horned rabbit chewing on a bush in the first cleared area. It didn’t acknowledge me.

I put down my shield and twisted my fingers through the gestures of Snowball as I chanted the spell. My target was perfectly still. I took the bowling stance with the snowball up to my face, walked forward and threw it underhand. Gutterball. Ugh, zeroth level is SO frustrating.

On the bright side, the rabbit is heading this way and looks upset. I fumbled for my shield and was trying to draw my axe when the horned beast arrived with trouble on his mind. He leapt at me and I deflected. That volcano strider teaching is on point for shield work.

Finally, drawing my axe I whirled to face him. He jumped and I deflected him again, chopping down. Hit! He was injured but not dead and crawled towards me. The tomahawk fell again and I had tail number three.

I tried to move silently to the next clearing but really was just wasting everyone’s time. Getting to the following band of trees I scouted. Three rabbits. Man, that’s a lot. If I weren’t careful, this many could mob and kill me.

Okay, have a plan. Taking a deep breath, I looked around. I’d memorized two Snowballs, two Summon Lesser Beasts and one Candleflame. So far I’ve used a Snowball and a Summon Lesser Beast. I looked around for some cover. There was a thick stand of bushes off to the left. Perfect!