Chapter 148
Jay finished ferrying everyone across the golden pollen laden flower field in the moonlit darkness and took a short break to turn off his aura. One of the positive side effects of using his aura to help people pass the flower field was that it also cleaned them up. By the time the group had gathered on the other side of the field the entire group was sparkling clean.
M'redith didn't even have to say anything, everyone just got in to line in their assigned spots. “Moving,” she said softly, her voice sounded as it broke the silence. No one else spoke.
M'redith led the group in to the high grasses that bordered the flower fields and used the small device she had been given to track down their exit portal location.
The ground shook as a heavy footfall approached their position. M'redith waved everyone to crouch down and be quiet. As the footfalls drew closer they each tried to make out the shape of whatever had approached them. The moonlight streamed through the tall grasses and covered the group in dappled shadows.
A thick muscled creature stomped in to view. It was a bipedal humanoid, that much was clear from the way it stood on two legs and waved its thick arms about. The moonlight made it difficult to make out details but Jay could clearly make out two horns jutting out from either side of the creature's head.
Minotaur!
The creature let out a low growl and tossed its giant head from side to side. It was massive and had approached close enough that Jay could now make out its rippling muscles. With the body of a human body builder and the head of a full grown bull the creature would be a terror to fight. It carried no weapon, it probably didn't need one due to its size. It was taller than Jay, taller even than the tall grasses that the group had hid in.
The Minotaur let out a low growl and swung its head back and forth, searching.
Jay wracked his brain for more information. Did minotaurs have a good sense of smell? Or hearing? Did it know the group was there? Could it smell them? Jay tried to calm himself down and tried not to move or even breath too heavy.
The Minotaur hadn't seen them and stomped about. At one point the Minotaur walked so close that Jay could have reached out and touched it. He could smell the animal musk coming off of the beast. With a grunt the creature stomped off and away from the group.
No one moved but instead stayed where they were for a time as they followed the sound of the monster's footfalls as it drew further and further away from them.
Aiden was the first to speak which surprised no one.
“Didn't want to fight that one huh?” he teased M'redith.
She let out a chuckle, “Why bother? It hadn't done anything to us and we didn't need to kill it for a quest or mission or anything. You know we don't have to murder every living thing we come across just because they're hostile.”
Aiden grinned as the others smiled at M'redith's comment.
“Come on,” she finished. “Let's get out of here.”
They all stood up and got back in line and M'redith led them away from their hiding spot and away from the Minotaur's direction of travel. They walked for a short time before coming to a halt in a nondescript patch of tall grasses. The spot looked just like all the other spots with tall grasses. The only difference was that the little device in M'redith's hand led to this spot.
A fluttering flapping sound passed overhead and they all looked up just in time to see a flight of bats cross the sky above them, their flight paths seemingly erratic.
“Ok, let's hide the best we can while I activate the beacon,” M'redith said as she fiddled with the device and activated it. A red light on the device began to flash. M'redith set it on the ground and moved away from it to rejoin her group.
The idea was they hid themselves far enough away from the beacon that if it were attacked they could respond or flee before being discovered. At the same time they needed to be close enough to the portal to be able to see when it fully activated.
A few moments later they heard another sound and crouched down in their hiding spots before they identified its source.
The flapping noise drifted overhead and the group could see a single small bat fly overhead in pursuit of the other bats. It appeared that a baby bat had been left behind and was trying to catch up to the others. It appeared to be headed in the wrong direction.
Without even giving it a thought Norri reached out with her Control Creature Class Ability. She gently took over control of the creature's flight surfaces one at a time until she hit on the one she wanted. Carefully she nudged the wing just the tiniest bit until the bat's direction of travel had been corrected.
The bat continued to fly as if it hadn't even noticed and Norri watched it go with a content smile.
The flapping sound faded in to silence as the night wore on. The device continued to flash red at a steady pace.
Eventually the group was rewarded with a sharp crack as a portal crackled to life just above the device.
A familiar stomping could be heard and the group didn't need to be told but M'redith said it anyway.
“Hurry!” she hissed as everyone ran for the portal.
Norri got there first and didn't even slow down but instead hit the portal at a full run. She was followed by Aiden, and then Carly. Jay and M'redith reached it last and M'redith waved him through as she intended to be the last one out.
With a final glance she looked over her shoulder just in time to see the Minotaur charge towards her. She leapt through the portal and it snapped shut behind her. A sizzling could be heard as the device melted itself down to a pile of slag.
The Minotaur looked puzzled as it arrived next to the spot where the portal had just been. He had been so close! The creature threw its hands up in the air in frustration and let out a bellowing roar.
Back at the Portal House the group entered the portal room at a dead run and most of them almost collided with the wall before they were able to halt their forward progress.
The sudden brightness and inside setting was a bit of a shock for the group members and everyone took a moment to get their bearings before realizing that they had made it. There was a lot of talking and smiling as everyone congratulated each other on making it back alive.
An employee wearing a funny looking hat collected the group members as the portal snapped shut behind them and led them all in to the next room.
The next room was exactly what the group had expected. The room was dominated by a large round table at which two men were already seated. They had been conversing with one another but stopped after the door opened. Both men rose to their feet as the group entered. One had a relaxed smile on his face whereas the other looked incredibly nervous.
“Welcome back Glimmerhides, Carly, you all look amazing! Are you sure you went on a dungeon run?” Walter said with a smile. They did all look great thanks to having used Jay's Tropical Island Aura just a short while earlier. “I see you had a rough time of it. Healers have already been notified and are awaiting your arrival. Would you like to go now or stay with the group for the after-action review?” he asked kindly.
Carly turned a bit red as everyone in the room turned to look at her. “I'm fine. It doesn't even hurt anymore. I'll meet with the healers when we're done here if that is alright?” she asked respectfully. Unlike Jay, Carly had a much better idea of Walter's position and the power that went with it. She spoke to him respectfully and seemed nervous around him.
The man next to Walter nodded enthusiastically. Brother Orin wore his normal monk robe and his cane was leaning up against the table. He could barely contain his excitement and still hadn't said anything, he didn't want to interrupt the process.
Everyone exchanged handshakes with Walter and Brother Orin before they were encouraged to sit down at the round table. As they did so the main door to the room opened and a gentleman carrying two trays set them on the table.
“I hope you don't mind but I took the liberty of gathering up a few things I thought you might like after a long dungeon run.” Walter said with a smile as the aroma of freshly cooked meat marinated in teriyaki sauce filled the room.
One tray held an assortment of meat on sticks. The other tray held a number of frosty mugs of ginger-ale.
Aiden looked at Walter with a reverent expression Jay hadn't seen on him before.
“Thank you!” Aiden said with a smile as he grabbed a stick of meat and began chewing. The others all laughed but M'redith thought it was sweet that Walter had remembered Aiden's favorite snack. The cold ginger-ale was a welcome refreshment after a long day fighting in a dungeon.
The group looked hesitant at first but Walter waved them towards the food and insisted they eat something first.
Aiden had already started eating and the others joined in happily. Jay was thrilled to get some real food instead of just a fifth of a grilled cheese.
“We really need to work on our food preparations for dungeon runs. I think we're under packing.” Jay said as he chewed on some teriyaki meat. It was hot and the flavor burst from the meat with every chew. It was delicious.
Walter and Brother Orin watched the group eat. Walter watched with a self-satisfied smile while Orin fidgeted constantly and looked like he was about to burst.
Jay finally took pity on him. “You can both relax. We found what you need Brother Orin.”
Orin's face bloomed in to a wide smile as he ran a hand over his bald head, “That...that is a relief. Things have become...untenable – the way they are now can't last much longer. Too many arguments, too many applicants!” Orin rambled on and used it as an outlet for all of the nervous energy he had acquired while waiting for Jay and the group to return.
“Can I have it?” Orin asked uncertainly.
“Unfortunately, you can not. Only Travelers can handle the item. Heck, you need a Traveler just to make the item.” Jay said in between bites of flavorful meat.
After the group had eaten their fill they each leaned back in their chairs, full and sated. Walter looked around at the group and decided that the group was probably ready to talk now.
M'redith took point on the descriptions at first and had described their journey to the lighthouse, the flowerbeds, the pollen. Her descriptions then segued in to each floor, one by one.
She couldn't remember everything – that was where the others came in, filling in details that she might have missed. Each monster they had fought was described along with its fighting habits and any special abilities they may have used.
They moved on to boss fights, and each boss was described in detail along with the fight mechanics they had encountered. Only after they had finished going over every combat related detail did they move on to loot.
There was almost none, and Carly described how she had found her Ruby Cutter in a hidden compartment in a desk drawer. She took out the item and allowed both Walter and Brother Orin to examine it in detail.
The model had fine details that normally wouldn't appear on a model. Nails, for example. Who used actual tiny nails when building a ship model?
Walter grunted and placed the ship back in its compartment and handed the entire thing back to Carly.
“Do you have any idea what this is?” Walter asked Carly seriously.
Carly shook her head uncertainly. She had no idea other than that it was a remote control model ship. Did she make a mistake binding it to herself? Should she have waited? Carly sighed and Walter raised an eyebrow.
“Sorry,” Carly said a bit sheepishly, “I'm tired and it just slipped out. I'm worried that I already bound it and maybe should have waited.”
Walter grinned, “Oh I wouldn't worry. You made a great call. It can't be taken from you now, and it is incredibly valuable. Do you know why?”
Carly shook her head again.
Walter inspected the kit and everyone read it as Walter continued to speak.
Ruby Cutter Racing Kit – very rare – this item is from the famed Zox's line of racing watercraft. Designed to be used in ranked competitions this model is a Ruby ranked ship, is packaged with a mast and two headsails, and may be piloted through the use of a basic controller, included. Powered by ambient magic this set will charge itself whenever it is stored in the case. Must be bound before use. Guests may pilot the Cutter with the bound user's permission.
“Zox was a wizard of great renown back in his day but he wasn't known for his combat prowess. He was a toy maker, quite possibly one of the best. That was roughly a thousand years ago. Not many of his kits still exist and no new ones have been produced since his death.” Walter paused and took another breath.
“Now about your kit specifically. Zox didn't make models, he made ships. Actual ships, full sized, built to perfection. The ship would be overlayed with various magics known only to Zox that would enable the ship to move under its own power. Only then would Zox use one of his Class Abilities to shrink it down to model size. Another of his abilities allowed him to overlay the remote control magic on to the model.” Walter explained as the others looked on.
“Do you know how much a normal full sized ship costs? Or specialty magic propulsion work? What you hold in your hands is worth a ridiculous amount of gold, and now that it is bound to you, it can never be taken away. It is yours. Forever. Congratulations!” Walter continued.
Carly looked a little shocked, “It's really worth that much?”
Walter shrugged, “Probably more. They're highly sought after by collectors as well as royalty. Only the very rich, lucky, or those with the funds to run a kingdom can afford to buy one outright. These were not just toys but the penultimate toy to own at the time, a symbol of status. An outrageously wonderful find on your part. Were I in your place I would look in to locating other owners – they would probably jump at the chance to actually race their Zox ship. You could sell tickets to something like that.”
Brother Orin looked as shocked as everyone else did. It was not unusual for an adventurer to find a magical item on a dungeon run – dungeons were chock full of them it seemed. The dungeon that M'redith's group had been sent in to however was well known to be bereft of any loot worth taking. The only items that were known to drop in the Landlocked Lighthouse dungeon were the cloth armor set items that were by themselves worthless.
M'redith's group had just doubled the Adventurers Guild's knowledge of the Landlocked Lighthouse dungeon while managing to add Traveler specific information that the Guild hadn't even been aware existed up until then.
Walter grinned while Orin continued to fidget. He didn't care about any of this, even though it was incredibly valuable to Walter and his Guild. All Orin was interested in was the item, whatever it may be, that Jay and the others had procured for him.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
After they finished talking about the Ruby Cutter Racing Kit they moved on to traps. This turned out to be Jay's turn to shine and he went over each trap he had found. When Walter got up, left the room, and returned with parchment and a drawing kit he had turned them over to Jay so that he could draw each of them in detail.
“What will you do with the drawings?” Norri asked curiously.
Walter took the parchment from Jay when he was done and sprinkled some standard drying sand on to it so that the ink wouldn't smudge or run.
“They'll be turned over to the Library, copied, and a copy sent to the Training Department for inclusion in future Traps classes. Any not in our records will also be made available for full members to learn from.” Walter answered simply.
“Anything else before we move on to Brother Orin?” Walter asked not expecting anyone to have anything.
Jay grinned and handed him the patch they had each gotten for beating the dungeon. It had the Landlocked Lighthouse on it and the beam of light rotated, its beam originating from a diamond that was set in to the patch. The bottom rocker had the date they had beat the dungeon. The top rocker read Lighthouse Keeper.
Walter smiled and made some notes. “Anything else?”
Jay grinned. “Just a few,” he said as he turned on his Gaia's Artisan title. Norri noticed and with a grin activated her Golden Acumen title. Carly smiled and joined in by toggling her Dawnbringer title on. She was surprised to find that the title showed up in gold. Aiden finished up by displaying his Lighthouse Keeper title over his head.
Walter grinned and just shook his head as he began writing again. Brother Orin looked a bit overwhelmed as if he couldn't believe his eyes.
“Would you like me to show you their descriptions and effects?” Jay asked politely.
Walter raised an eyebrow, “What do you mean – effects?”
Jay grinned widely and began to share notifications with Walter.
Title: Gaia's Artisan – The Goddess Herself has recognized your achievement! For helping in the creation of an Artifact you are permanently granted +2 Int, +2 Wis, +2 Chr! All future crafting attempts regardless of rarity will now have a small bonus to their creation success rates!
Title: Golden Acumen – Your keen eye for the rare and valuable has served you well. For helping gather your first Artifact you are permanently granted +1 Int, +2 Wis! You now have a small chance to not consume recipe ingredients of rare rarity or higher!
Title: Dawnbringer – Eden goes still as a new item is born! Your hard work and quick thinking have paid off, and Eden is now one Artifact richer! You are permanently granted +2 Str, +2 Dex, +1 Int, +1 Chr! Your Destiny rating has been increased! Your thread in the Tapestry of Fate now has a higher chance of drawing those you need to you!
Title: Lighthouse Keeper – You have braved the Lighthouse and returned to tell the tale! You are permanently granted +2 Str, +2 Dex!
Walter showed special interest in the golden title, Dawnbringer. “Do any of you know what the golden color means?”
Everyone shook their heads.
Walter explained, “Well if my ancient history is correct the golden color is reserved for titles of great achievement. They're even rarer than normal titles, which are themselves not just rare but apparently unobtainable period without a Traveler present to trigger their award.”
Jay grinned. It was nice to feel special.
“The titles themselves are a wonderful mark of status. That golden title alone will get you some serious interest from anyone who knows what the color means. The stats provided are a bit of a letdown as none of you will need to worry about that for a while but they'll get you closer to reaching 20 in all stats which would unlock the ten levels after that.” Walter said thoughtfully.
“The extra effects though – I've never seen that before. It isn't as if there are a lot of them around to learn from. Crafting success rate bonuses? A chance to not consume rare or higher ingredients? I know crafters that would kill for those effects. Not actually kill, but you get the idea,” Walter said thoughtfully.
“What about the effects on the Dawnbringer title?” Brother Orin asked.
“I'm not familiar with anything called a Destiny rating. Do you have any idea how annoying I find that?” Walter said with a scowl as he sighed before he continued. “Tapestry of Fate? I mean I've heard of fate and the tapestry our lives are woven in but that was always supposed to be an allegory for how the world works – not an accurate description!” Walter admitted with a frustrated laugh.
After a moment of quiet had passed Walter spoke again, “Do you have anything else to tell me that is going to potentially reshape my world-view or are you done now?”
Jay laughed, “Yes. Let's talk quests.”
Walter groaned when he realized that Jay was serious.
The group broke in to discussion about the quest line they had completed. They explained each step and what they had needed for each.
“So your final reward was... I'm afraid to ask.” Orin said with a shake of his head.
All of the Glimmerhides and Carly too took out their six inch tall display cases and set them on the table. Jay offered his to Walter and M'redith passed hers over to Brother Orin. They inspected the item and Orin made an ooo sound as they read the notification.
Landlocked Lighthouse Armor Case – unique – The user may at any time select between two sizes for this case: Display & Travel. The case is currently set to Travel size. This case contains a full set of the Landlocked Lighthouse armor set and provides the following permanent bonuses: +1 STR, +1 DEX, +1 INT, +1 WIS, +1 CHR. Your personal statistics have been updated.
The armor may no longer be removed from the case nor may the case be opened in any manner. The case is bound to Jay and may not be taken from him or from his residence.
“So wait – this cost you an upgrade stone?” Brother Orin asked.
The group nodded and Carly replied, “One upgrade stone, a full set of dungeon armor, and a display case that was hidden and we had to search for.”
Walter rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “That's a great way to turn one stat point in to five. With this ability your possible stat increases would quintuple, this would make passing level 20 so much easier!” Walter's face fell as he realized something, “Jay had to trigger the quest though, didn't he?”
Everyone nodded. “So that means this will only work for groups that have a Traveler in it?”
Everyone nodded again.
Walter sighed. “This would be very helpful except for the fact it requires a Traveler.”
Jay nodded, “That's true – but for a select few I could help them out should the need arise. I can't help everyone, but I can help a few.”
Jay already had a couple of people in mind.
Walter smiled and nodded. “It's something I'll keep in mind, definitely. Good Goddess it's getting late. You all certainly took a long time in there.”
M'redith nodded with a sigh, “There was a lot to do – we weren't lounging around in there if that's what you're asking.”
Walter laughed and waved his hands in front of him, “I am absolutely not asking that question. You all did a great job in there. All of the information you brought back will help the Guild out in a number of ways, so, we appreciate what you did in there.”
Brother Orin's eyes shifted from the table and back to Walter. He was running out of patience and was desperate to talk about the reason they had been sent to the dungeon in the first place.
“Ok – anything else? I'm not sure if I'm hoping more for you to say yes, or no.” Walter admitted with a smile.
Jay laughed, “It's ok. Your world-view is safe. I've nothing else really if you'd like to move on to the item?”
Brother Orin nodded happily. “Let's talk about the item!”
Jay explained how they had prepped the bobbin with spider spit, how Aiden had run it across the pit of acid. He described the generator on the floor level and how it worked. He then moved on to the loom itself, how it was powered, along with what it required to run.
“The hardest to find item it requires is a Traveler's Upgrade Stone. Only a Traveler can pick them up or touch them. I've seen exactly two of them since I've arrived in Eden. They're rare and incredibly valuable to a Traveler. They don't give a stat boost but instead provide additional powers, powers that non-Travelers don't possess. I say this only so that you understand what I gave up in order to assemble the final Artifact. The cost of one of those stones is priceless to me.” Jay explained slowly as he tried to describe the value of a Traveler's Upgrade Stone.
That got Walter's and Brother Orin's attention. Jay paused to let his comments sink in before he continued.
Instead of speaking Jay reached in to a pouch and took out the small patch of fabric or whatever it now was and placed it on the table.
Brother Orin reached out to touch it before pulling his hand back. “Can I touch it?”
Jay was about to answer but Carly responded first with a smile, “No.”
Brother Orin looked confused for a moment before Jay explained, “No one can. Only me. You're welcome to try though.”
The head monk attempted to grasp the patch between a finger and thumb but managed only to touch his own finger with his thumb. The fabric looked completely solid but when he attempted to touch it he felt only open air. He used a sleeve to try to scoop it up, thinking that maybe his robe could touch it.
No such luck. Nothing was able to make contact with the patch. Jay waited a moment before he heard Walter and Brother Orin both make surprised sounds. It seemed they had just inspected the item and read the notification.
Minerva's Instanced Infinity Patch – ARTIFACT – This item is an artifact!! - This item is irrevocably bound to Jay!
Artifacts may not be damaged or destroyed. They may not be taken or removed from the owner. Any attempted transfer of ownership of an artifact is monitored by the System. Any attempt to force the bound owner to abandon or transfer ownership of an artifact will trigger severe repercussions for the offending party.
This patch will enlarge upon activation and will completely cover the entrance to a dungeon. Once used the dungeon will be unavailable for 24 hours, after which the dungeon will become instanced. Any number of groups may then run the dungeon at the same time. Each group will be put in to their own separate instance of the dungeon. Monsters will no longer be able to exit the dungeon.
From that point forward all users must pay a single silver coin in order to gain entrance. The coin is magically removed from the user's belongings and transferred to the bound user's possession once a user passes over the threshold of the dungeon. Should a user not have a silver coin they will find themselves physically barred from entry to the dungeon. This fee may not be altered by outside means.
“Wait, so people have to pay now to get in?” Brother Orin asked a little surprised.
“Before I answer that let me make something clear. We had no hand whatsoever in what the patch does. We only gathered the items and set them in to the machine. If you don't like part of the patch's effects then we don't have to use the patch at all. I can use the patch on a different dungeon so that no one will have to pay to enter your dungeon.” Jay said all in one breath. He had been worried that something like this might happen.
“Oh no no no! No, there's no need for that.” Brother Orin insisted. “I'm just surprised at the way it charges for entry now.”
Jay nodded, “I thought you might find that a little bothersome, but again, I had nothing to do with that.”
Walter looked at the patch and then at Jay before he looked at the patch once again with a shake of his head. “Jay...” he began but stopped. He tried again but stopped that too before just saying simply, “Goddess Jay.”
The monk looked thoughtful for a moment. “Do you think there's any way to transfer the item somehow Walter? That way the item would stay with the Church?” Brother Orin asked before Walter shushed him loudly with a worried look on his face.
The room suddenly felt hot and the air heavy as if the gravity had suddenly been turned up.
WARNING: Bound Artifacts may not be transferred. Attempts to do so will be dealt with harshly. No further warning will be given.
Once the notification faded the room returned to its normal temperature and gravity.
Walter had gone white and finally found his voice and hastily told Brother Orin in no uncertain terms to, “Shut up!”
Brother Orin looked terrified at the sudden change in the room and the appearance of a System notification – it was not a happy notification.
“Don't ever attempt or talk about an Artifact like that!” he hissed at Brother Orin. “Goddess, Jay, do me a favor and don't show this to anyone until you get a chance to use it. Please. Someone is bound to try to take it from you and only the Goddess knows what the penalty may entail.” Walter said worriedly as some of the color returned to his face.
Brother Orin looked a little horrified as he realized just how close he had gotten to experiencing that penalty. “I think it's a great idea that it belongs to Jay. Permanently!” he said loudly. He looked around after he spoke and was relieved when no further System notifications arrived.
Walter looked at him and nodded seriously.
“I didn't know.” Brother Orin said.
Walter shook his head, “You read the inspection notification just before you spoke. Artifacts are dangerous and not to be trifled with. The fact that one is in the possession of a trainee fills me with horror and trepidation. Please keep it hidden.” Walter practically begged Jay with a worried look on his face.
“Ok. Now that we're all nice and scared, I'm just going to put that back in its pouch, ok? There we go,” Jay said as he returned the item to its pouch.
“Brother Orin, do you agree to the item's terms? Do you still want Jay to use it on Kagan's Dome?” Walter asked in an official sounding tone of voice.
The monk nodded as he chose his words carefully so as to avoid a repeat of his recent near-death experience. “I accept the terms. I do want him to use the patch on Kagan's Dome.” Brother Orin wasn't sure why Walter was being so formal but it wouldn't surprise him if it had something to do with the System.
Walter gave a single nod, “Tomorrow then, after Jay and his group wake up, we'll all meet at the dome and Jay will install the patch. We can't wait any longer, too much could go wrong with an Artifact loose in the city.”
As Brother Orin had just witnessed what a simple thoughtless comment about the Artifact could trigger he hastily agreed. “Tomorrow. Let's say after lunch? I'll be at the dome all day waiting.”
“Anything else Jay? Please say no – I'm not sure my heart can take any more surprises.” Walter asked with a tired looking smile.
Jay shook his head, “No. That's all we have to say I think?” Jay looked at the others and they all shook their heads in the negative. That meant it was time for bed.
“Great work everyone!” Walter said and as the words left his lips an attendant entered the room to lead Carly to the healers. “M'redith if I could have a word outside for a moment please?” he asked as he stood up and shook everyone's hands. Then it was time for everyone to shake Brother Orin's hand. As they shook his hand Brother Orin would hand them a single golden coin – their payment for the dungeon run from the Church.
They thanked Brother Orin as the monk left the room. M'redith and Walter left as well, followed by Carly and the attendant.
That left Jay, Aiden, and Norri, who all leaned back in their chairs and closed their eyes. After a few minutes M'redith returned and sat next to Jay who raised an eyebrow.
“Had to give a report on Carly.” she said tiredly.
Jay nodded. He raised his other eyebrow.
M'redith laughed despite her tiredness, “I told the truth but gave her a good overall review. She has things to work on but I'd take her in another dungeon with me.”
Norri nodded, “Seconded.”
A little while later Carly returned to the group just long enough to gather them all up so that they could follow the attendant to their awaiting coach.
Norri, M'redith and Jay sat on one bench while Carly and Aiden took the other. No one spoke and the only sound was the jingle of the horse's harnesses and the crunch of cobblestone under the coach's wheels. The ride was relaxing and almost put the group to sleep by the time they finally returned to the Guild grounds.
The group exited the coach and everyone thanked the driver. Jay tipped him a silver, a bit much, but the driver was extremely thankful.
“Good run Carly, see you tomorrow,” Norri said with a smile and a wave. The others all said their goodbyes and Carly walked off in one direction as the others went towards the women's living quarters area. They had no idea where Carly was going but she was old enough to decide that on her own. The group felt no need to meddle.
They dropped Norri off and then M'redith, trading hugs with each before Aiden walked Jay home in the moonlit darkness.
Finally, after what had felt like weeks but had only been a single day, Jay opened his door with his keycard and bid Aiden goodnight before closing the door.
Jay took a few minutes to pull off his armor and clothing, his vest and backpack, everything. He fell in to bed and was asleep as his head hit the pillow. He slept a dreamless sleep.