Chapter 31
Aiden and M'redith were gone by the time Jay returned to the dining hall but he still had time before bed. He felt a little odd walking around The Guild grounds alone. He had spent almost every waking minute with his friends since he'd arrived at The Guild. He'd gotten used to having them constantly around. After some thought he decided to head to the library.
Jay had been given a task by Alice – or Gaia. She was quite insistent that he find and use a Traveler's Stone of Rebirth to gain the ability to respawn, or come back to life, after a death in Eden. As Eden was a game world running on computer servers on Earth the possibility of life after death on Eden wasn't a miracle to Jay – it was just code, some fancy computer programming.
It was easy to forget that he was living in a computer simulation sometimes. Everything felt as real if not more real than life had felt on Earth.
The library was not empty as he had expected it to be. Back on Earth it wasn't unusual to be at the library and only see one or two other people. On Eden libraries were the closest things they had to the internet, and it was well used. Jay walked over to the front desk and waited his turn in line to speak with the librarian.
It was Jay's turn and he was just about to speak when a door behind the desk opened and Glenda the Librarian walked out of an office.
She stood 7 feet tall at least. Taller with her boots. She wore a shiny lacquered leather armor with red highlights. Jay wondered if she had a set of armor for each day of the week or if she just washed it every day.
“I can help this one.” she said in a deep yet still womanly voice and waved Jay off to one side out of line and allowed the next person to speak with the desk librarian.
“What you need?” she asked as she hunched over and leaned down slightly to reach Jay's height so she could look him in the eye.
Jay smiled, “It's good to see you again Glenda, thanks for taking time out for me.”
Glenda nodded but didn't say anything for a moment. “Good seeing you too. What you need?”
Jay grinned, “I'm looking for anything you have on The Dungeon of Rebirth and The Dungeon of Death.”
Glenda's brows furrowed in concern.
“Also, any old stories or tales of anything about a Traveler related to those dungeons.” Jay finished.
Glenda stared at Jay, “Not good place to go. You not need this for class.” she stated flatly.
“No,” Jay said earnestly, “this was given to me by someone else, someone important. I'm not looking just out of curiosity. I need to know. I just get the feeling that I'm not supposed to talk about the why..”
Glenda stood motionless for a moment as she thought. She didn't rush but took her time while staring at Jay implacably. “You no go there,” she said hotly and thrust a finger at Jay's chest. “Not safe.”
Jay nodded in agreement, “Right. I'm not trying to go there right now. I just need to study it.”
Glenda looked at Jay and tilted her head. “Big project? Or just curious?” she asked.
Jay shook his head. “I must learn more about that dungeon. It's very important to me, it's not just curiosity. I intend to go over every last scrap of paper you can find related to it.” he insisted.
“Come.” Glenda said simply before she turned on one thick boot heel and led Jay to the rear of the library then down some stairs. They went down a number of levels until they came to a level with marbled floors with corridors of just locked rooms. She walked over to a door that had a picture of a star on it. Every door had a different symbol.
She pushed Jay towards the door. “Put hand on door.”
Jay placed one palm against the door and felt a tingle almost like static-electricity for a brief moment before it passed.
Glenda nodded seriously. “Room yours now. You open, no one else.”
Jay opened the door and the two walked in to a brightly lit room with a main desk and four smaller desks around it. A book cart sat up against one wall but was devoid of books. Two walls had blackboards hung on them with a bin of chalk next to each.
“I have books brought here. Books stay here. Books not stay here, you go.” Glenda said with a mean expression.
Jay nodded. “I'm no book thief.”
Glenda grinned, showing all of her teeth. “Good thing. For you.”
Jay shivered slightly before taking a look around the room. “Thank you Glenda. This is perfect. I'll be able to get a lot more done down here than upstairs that's for sure.”
“Welcome.” Glenda said as she walked out and left Jay alone.
Jay waited for a while. Eventually though other librarians began to arrive with things. At first it was books. Then maps. Then eventually just scraps of paper held between transparent sheets to protect the documents.
Jay used the four smaller tables to organize what was brought to him. He opened up his Mighty Book and lay it open on the main table and found a new blank chapter just waiting for him simply titled 'Rebirth.'
As Jay worked he gradually filled out the chapter. He kept notes of what information was found where and when he was done with an item he'd place it on the book cart for its return. As he worked he discovered that there were multiple items he just couldn't read. Either the language was unfamiliar to him or the writing itself used alphabets he did not recognize.
Those items all went in to a separate pile. He'd need to find someone to help him with those.
A knock came at the door before it opened and Glenda poked her head in to the room. “Late now. Books stay. You go. Night.” she said before her head disappeared.
Jay spent a moment making sure he wouldn't lose his place in his research and walked back to his room. It was a dark night with only a sliver of a moon showing in the sky, unfamiliar constellations spread across it. He'd gotten quite a bit done. He knew where the dungeon was now, which was the easiest part really. Its location wasn't that much of a secret and although it was never explicitly spelled out it was strongly hinted at if you put enough of the pieces together.
Still, Jay felt like he was missing things as he had studied the books. Jay just didn't know enough about Eden to know what to look for sometimes. Other times he didn't know enough to recognize things hidden in the stories – he lacked some of the required background knowledge a native of Eden would possess.
Jay went to bed a bit late that night and dreamed of running through a dungeon frantically, unable to find the exit.
----
Jay awoke the next morning to the habitual knocking at his door he'd come to expect as his wake up alarm.
“I'm coming Aiden!” Jay yelled, still half asleep. He walked to the door in his underwear and opened it up without looking, then shuffled back towards his room to get dressed, his eyes still not quite yet open all the way.
“Nice outfit.” he heard M'redith say in a soft teasing voice from behind him along with the sound of the door closing behind her.
Jay jumped and ran the rest of the way in to his room and pulled some clothes on. “Sorry about that,” he said blushing. “I thought it was Aiden knocking.”
“I wasn't complaining.” she said with a grin while enjoying his reaction.
Jay got a little flustered at that but was thankfully rescued from having to reply by Aiden knocking at the door. M'redith let him in as Jay pulled on his boots and laced them.
“Morning you two!” Aiden said cheerfully as he walked in to the sitting room and dropped himself in to a chair. “Are you ready to lose a limb today!” he demanded while trying to do an impression of T'lly.
M'redith laughed, “She does seem to love the idea of people losing a limb.”
Jay was fully dressed and grabbed his things. “She scares me sometimes, I'm not going to lie.”
“What class do you think she is?” Aiden asked as they walked down a stone walkway towards the dining hall in the dawn light.
“Well if weren't for her outfit I would have guessed Fighter. With the dress though I'm thinking Mage.” M'redith replied.
“Why not Healer?” Jay asked.
The other two laughed. “Right,” Jay said. “She doesn't have a great bed side manner, does she?” with a half grin.
They got in line for their breakfast but were too far back to see what it was yet. Whatever it was it smelled delicious. Jay thought he could smell bacon and got a little excited. He loved bacon.
“So what the hell happened to you yesterday anyway?” Aiden finally asked.
“You know we were worried sick about you. We thought you might have gotten kicked out.” M'redith said with a sad look on her face.
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Aiden looked over at M'redith with a grin, “No we didn't. We had agreed that you'd gotten yourself wrapped up in something you shouldn't have and probably without meaning to. It's the Jay Way.”
M'redith looked slightly embarrassed but continued, “Well, I was a little concerned at least.”
Jay grinned. “Well Aiden was pretty much spot on. Remember the ring I returned?”
Jay explained what had happened to him as the three friends got their food and sat down at a table together.
Jay was pleasantly surprised to find that breakfast was three-egg-omelets made with Monterey jack cheese and slim yet crunchy strips of bacon. Buttered toast and fresh orange juice rounded out the meal.
M'redith and Aiden listened to Jay talk about the night before and how he had been offered a reward for returning the ring.
Aiden choked on his omelet when Jay described the velvet lined case of four upgrade stones. “Good gods, what did you use them on! Do you still have them? Are you going to sell any?” he asked in a rush.
M'redith pursed her lips but didn't say anything, looking thoughtful.
“No.” said Jay, “I didn't end up taking them. I had a good talk with her about handling money and she arranged to set me up with a financial advisor.”
Aiden looked shocked and whispered aggressively, “You turned down four upgrade stones?!”
M'redith shushed him. “Let him speak. I'm sure he has a good reason.”
“I was thinking about what you two had said yesterday morning. I keep getting these large gifts or rewards and yet I'm not much richer than when I arrived here. I need help, someone I can trust.” Jay said earnestly.
“I think having a trustworthy financial advisor hand picked by her would bring me value that would last a lifetime as opposed to four stones that are gone once used.” Jay shrugged, “It made sense at the time.”
Aiden still looked incredulous but M'redith appeared thoughtful and seemed to approve. “I think it was a smart move. I think you're going to end up getting plenty of upgrade stones after you finish basic training just by going on dungeon runs. Trustworthy financial advice on the other hand can be priceless.” she said.
Aiden didn't look convinced and still appeared a little upset at Jay's choice. “Sorry,” he finally said, “I'm just having a little trouble with this. The way you throw around wealth is just a little disorienting for me sometimes I guess.”
Jay grinned, “No worries. Besides, I've something new for us to worry about!”
Aiden groaned and M'redith squinted her eyes at Jay.
“I couldn't find you guys last night so I went to the library.” Jay began.
M'redith interrupted, “We tried to wait for you but Warren told us both to get lost and that you would find us when you could.”
Aiden nodded. “He didn't say get lost though, you know Warren. He was nice about it, just firm. Finally we gave up and just went and did errands and studied. It was boring.”
Jay smiled, “Glad to hear you didn't have fun without me.”
Aiden flashed a quick grin.
“Anyway. Glenda set me up with a private study room last night and I started studying up on the Dungeon of Rebirth.” Jay said as he launched in to his explanation of what he had found so far. “The thing is, I need help from you guys. I just don't know enough about Eden to be doing this alone.”
M'redith smiled, “That's easy. Besides, I like reading. I'll help you after classes if you want.”
Aiden nodded. “I'm in too. What is this all about though?”
Jay had talked a little about it with M'redith already at the play but hadn't said anything to Aiden yet. He looked around at all the people eating nearby them. “I'll fill you two in later. Promise.”
Breakfast ended and they all brought up their trays and headed to practice. Practice went well and Jay tried to focus just on what he was doing. He found he got hit a lot less that way. T'lly had them mix the groups up a bit to get used to being up against a different weapon but for the most part they did the same exercises they had done so far.
After class they went to lunch and were eating meatball subs with provolone cheese and a side of fried potato slices when their meal was interrupted by an unexpected guest.
The man had entered the dining hall looking confused. He was well dressed in a suit and coat along with a hat which he removed upon entering the building. He looked around the room until he spotted Jay and gradually worked his way over to him as he wove around the other tables.
He didn't ask if Jay was Jay or hesitate, he appeared to know exactly what Jay looked like. “Sir,” he said as he extended a hand holding an envelope, “I do believe this is for you?”
Jay thanked the man and took the envelope but the man remained standing at the table. Jay wasn't sure what he was supposed to do when Aiden tapped the table to get his attention. “Jay, open it, read it, and if you want to send a reply this man will deliver it. Otherwise simply tell him there is no reply at this time.”
The well dressed man straightened his posture as Aiden explained the process.
M'redith smiled warmly as she often would anytime she saw Jay confused over some simple Eden thing.
Breaking the seal and opening the envelope Jay found a calling card and a letter written on pale blue paper. It looked expensive.
Jay, I have agreed to take you on as my sole client at the behest of a mutual friend of ours who has made it well worth my time to do so. I would like to meet with you to discuss your current accounts and balances as well as any holdings you might have at this time. Should you have any financial questions or concerns in the meantime please do not hesitate to call on me. Please inform my man, who has delivered this letter to you, of when a good time is for us to meet.
Sincerely, Boland, 13 Balance St, Suite 2
Jay set the letter down and picked up the card. In the bottom left corner of the card was a photo-realistic drawing of a diamond laying on its side. The card itself simply read Boland with his address on the back.
“I can stop by tonight after dinner. Will Boland be available?” Jay asked.
The man nodded. “Mr. Boland is available whenever you need him to be sir,” he assured Jay.
Aiden raised an eyebrow at that and M'redith looked a little surprised as well.
“This evening will be fine.” the man assured him. “I will inform Mr. Boland of the appointment.”
Jay thanked him and the man left the dining hall looking pleased with himself.
“You know, being around you is strange. Things just keep happening. Normal life isn't like this. It's usually filled with a lot of nothing.” Aiden said as he finished eating.
M'redith had finished as well and sat leaning up against Jay's side as he finished his sub.
“I won't argue the point. I could use a day of doing nothing. I feel like I haven't stopped since I got here. There's just always so much to do and everything I do gives me more. Even a nap would be nice.” Jay remarked half joking.
“Aren't you a little young to be taking naps at lunch?” M'redith asked with an amused expression on her face.
“There's an age requirement for naps?” Jay asked as the three brought up their trays.
“Whatever you say old man.” Aiden chuckled as they walked to traps class.
Warren wasn't there, instead it was just T'lly and she was having a great time. Today's trap was a strange one with a trip wire that wasn't under tension but would still go off if you so much as brushed against it.
A lot of the students struggled with it as they expected non-tension trip wire traps to behave one way whereas this trap behaved a different way. After half the class had failed T'lly finally took pity on the class and began to break down the trap piece by piece while drawing it out on the blackboard at the front of the room.
“Who can tell me what went wrong here?” T'lly asked with a smile still on her face.
A woman Jay recognized as a mage raised her hand. “Yes, Carly?” T'lly said pointing at her.
“The trip wire was a diversion. It's magic. You have to put a pin in the hole near where the wire originates to deactivate it.” Carly said while trying to stretch her back muscles. Everyone was sore and hurting from the constant tension of working around a live trap for hours.
“Right! Now who here carries around a pin with them?” T'lly asked.
No one raised their hands. “Why would you before this class?” she stated. “How many of you are planning on picking up a couple of pins to carry around from now on?”
Everyone raised their hands.
“Good choice! Ok, class dismissed for today. Those of you missing fingers can go to infirmary now for healing. A missing finger won't kill you now stop complaining. Everyone OUT!” she finally shouted. T'lly wasn't exactly a 'people-person.'
Jay met Aiden and M'redith outside the class and was surprised to see that Aiden was missing a finger. “What happened?” Jay asked.
“What HAPPENED?!” Aiden hissed under his breath. “That vicious wench is training us on live traps, that's what happened! Lost a finger and it has hurt the entire class!”
Jay frowned in concern, “You want one of us to walk you to the infirmary?”
Aiden sighed, “No. I'm fine. Really. I'll just pop over there and then meet you guys at dinner. I'm just upset at messing up the disarm. And my missing finger.”
Jay gave Aiden a gentle thump on the back while avoiding the handshake. M'redith gave Aiden a quick hug, “Go get fixed up. We'll see you at dinner.” she said.
It began to rain as Jay and M'redith walked to dinner and the two ran to try and keep dry. All they managed to do was arrive at dinner a little early. They only got a little wet and dried off quickly inside the dining room.
Dinner was pan seared steaks of unknown origin. Jay wanted to believe it came from a cow but hadn't seen a cow anywhere so far. It was served with crunchy roasted peas that had been flavored with onion and garlic and then sprinkled with sea salt. A small glass bowl of glistening chilled pear slices filled out the tray.
They ate quietly as the two were exhausted from the afternoon's class. The constant fear of setting off a trap wore down at them throughout the day and sitting at the dining table they could finally relax.
As Jay speared a pear slice with a fork he asked M'redith, “Want to come with me tonight for my meeting with Boland?”
M'redith made a pinched look with her face, “Mmm. As fun as listening to conversations about proper fiscal spending with a man I've never met might sound I think I will pass. I had planned to help you in the library with research but it doesn't sound like we're going to be doing that. I think I'll just stay in tonight and study. I don't want to end up like Aiden. Sure they can heal it but... ewww.”
Jay laughed, “Ok, can't blame you I guess. I can't wait until we graduate and we can do whatever we want.”
M'redith nodded, “You'll still get told to do some things but at least you'll have more free time otherwise. Some of us will have to put up with that longer than others though.”
Jay stopped eating, “I remember someone mentioning that. We'll still be together though, right? They won't break up our group?”
M'redith laughed, “What group? We don't have a set group of 5 members so they'll put us where they need us until we get accepted in to a group. Or start our own. Or until we find something else to do.”
Jay looked a little upset at that. “I guess I thought we would eventually make a group with the three of us.”
M'redith smiled kindly, “And we still might! There is nothing to stop us from doing that. First we need to get some experience though. Don't worry, we'll be based out of K'tharkle so we can still all meet up when we're all in town. It's not goodbye. It's just a change, that's all. And its months away still.” She leaned up against him in an attempt to reassure him.
Jay perked up at that. She made it sound almost like it would be a good thing.
The two brought their trays up to the counter and left the dining hall. They walked to the main entrance, occasionally walking close enough that their arms brushed against each other.
As Jay went to leave M'redith gave him a big hug, “Don't worry Jay. I'm not going anywhere for a while.”
He grinned and hugged her back. “I'll see you soon.”
Jay made a point to not look back as he left; he didn't see M'redith stand and watch him until he was out of sight.