A nagging idea had been growing in the back of Tarn’s mind. Ever since arriving on the bridge, the systems of the dungeons had been insisting on a certain party composition, revolving around him as the focal point. The dungeon seemed to assume every group had a team leader, someone who made the tactical choices at the start of each battle.

That structure had a possible flaw, and it was time to test it.

“We’re going to go both in directions.” He paused for a moment. It was worth it to see even Urthin look confused. He didn’t get to see that often. “We’re going to split up.”

“Boss?” Lash was the first to question the idea, which didn’t surprise Tarn at all. “You leader. Can only have one.”

“That’s right.” Isca looked back at him incredulously. With her time alone in the Sword, she had more knowledge of how the dungeons worked than the rest of them put together. “At least in these new dungeons, there seems to be a need for a leader. And the dungeon chose you.”

“Did it, though?” Tarn shrugged his shoulders. “You all see me as team leader, and it’s a job I accept. But what if someone else in the group also thought they should be leading? The dungeons are always talking about ‘intent’, after all.”

He waited for a moment, then followed everyone else’s gaze as they fell upon Narsol.

“Why is everyone looking at me?”

“Narsol.” Tarn favored him with a smile. “You could form your own group. Remember, the dungeons are in your mind and are aware of your thoughts. Be honest, since the start you’ve been thinking you should be leading this expedition, not me.”

The orc turned red, speaking through clenched teeth.

“I have given my word follow you. That was part of our agreement. Regardless of my thoughts on your tactic and martial prowess, I made an honor-bound commitment to -“

“Narsol!”

“Yes.” He spoke clearly, pride creeping into his voice. “Though I was forced to pledge to follow you, I absolutely think I should be leading.”

“Then let’s use that!” Tarn threw his arms wide. “This is an advantage Yarex doesn’t have, and couldn’t have. We split into two groups for this next section, and collect twice the redeems and loot! Then we reconverge and reap both of the rewards!”

“The concept has merit.” Urthin steepled his fingers. “If it can work.”

“Tarn,” Isca said doubtfully, shaking her head. “I’m not sure the dungeon will allow this.”

“I think it will. You weren’t with Narsol and I outside the tunnel. I had the option of removing him from the team. We both wondered what would happen to him if I did. Out there – he might have frozen to death. In here…”

“The still-time will still kill him,” Bog said. “Tarny, I think he’s an ass too but-“

“It might.” Tarn shrugged his shoulders. “But that takes a long time … like…”

“Thirty seconds,” Urthin cut in.

“…like I said. A really long time. Plenty of time to add him back in! If he’s willing, that is.”

He turned to the orc, holding his stare..

“Narsol, I wouldn’t suggest this if I didn’t think it would work.”

“If this gives us an advantage against our enemies, I will take it.” Narsol stood a bit straighter. “There is nothing I would not do to save my people.”

Tarn quickly moved into his mental interface, wanting the confidence he was feeling to stay. With each new screen and setting, it eroded a little. He was asking a lot of the orc, of them all.

But that was part of leading. Sometimes you had to let others take the risk too.

//PARTY COMPOSITION

He scrolled down to the section with Narsol’s portrait over it, and focused upon it. Just as it had outside the tunnel, the option to remove the orc from the team came up in his interface. At the time, they had both been unsure if Narsol would even survive being separated from the party.

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And that may have been true on the bridge. Tarn was still unsure if the bridge was its own entity, or some combination of both the Axe and Swords intelligences.

But now they were inside the Axe, and Tarn felt he had a good handle on its motivations. Blood and combat. More parties meant more of everything the dungeon wanted.

He didn’t see even a hint of fear in Narsol’s eyes. True to his word, there seemed to be no price too high. Holding his breath, Tarn selected .

They all stared at the orc. Tarn could feel his chest tighten as he waited for the reaction. Narsol himself seemed frozen, his eyes unfocused as if his mind had been simply shut off. The gem in the center of his chest flickered, then went out completely.

Yet before Tarn could even give voice to his fears, Narsol’s gem burst into illumination again. Narsol nodded his approval, as a new screen suddenly appeared within Tarn’s thoughts.

//ALLIED TEAM DETECTED – TRANSFER OPTIONAL

“It would seem your idea has worked.” Narsol seemed to try to choke back his impressed tone.. “Human ingenuity is almost orc-like at times.”

“Thanks, I think.” Tarn laughed. “I’m just glad you hate me enough for this to work. Okay, so we have the option of splitting into two teams here, which means someone has to go with Narsol. Before you put your hand up, make sure you’re really willing to follow him. I don’t think you can con the Axe on this one.”

Isca favored the group with a cautious look. “Remember, the dungeons are very focused on ‘intent’. If you don’t trust Narsol, don’t go.”

“Well, then you can count me out.” Aryo’s voice shook a bit as he stepped out in front of the group. “No offense. I trust you Tarn, and I don’t care that he’s an orc. I care that he’s lied to us. I won’t turn my back on him.”

Tarn almost laughed at Aryo’s sudden announcement. Good for you, kid. Even a few days ago, he hadn’t shown that level of bravery yet. His confidence gained after the fight with the slimes was already paying off.

“I respect your choice, child.” Narsol nodded to Aryo. “And your honesty.”

“We’ll, I’ll go with him.” Jental shrugged her shoulders and put her hand up. “We’re all liars sometimes, and I don’t care who I fight with. The orc knows his shit, and he knows to stay out of my way. That’s good enough for me.”

“I agree to those terms.” Narsol nodded in her direction, and she walked over to join him. “Though you are irreverent to the point of annoyance, you have proven yourself adequate in battle. I would accept you.”

“Sweet talker,” she said with a laugh.

“I would also ask for the gremlin, if he would agree.” Narsol looked over at Lash hopefully. “Your team functions well as a unit, whereas this one would benefit more from the cushion his healing would provide.”

“Lash go where Boss says to go, Big Green. But Lash always like trying new things.”

The logic was sound, and Tarn was confident he could keep his team out of trouble. Having Lash around would help keep the others safe.

“Done.” Tarn nodded, and with a grin Lash scampered over to stand next to Jental. “Who’s the last one.”

Narsol’s eyes drifted back and forth between the group, and he opened his mouth to speak several times before finally making his choice.

“Would the Kithikin consent to-“

“Her?” Bog stepped forward, incredulous. “Do you not want me? Am I not orc enough for your team?”

“I did not think you would accept.” Narsol held his ground, his face turning greener. His gaze shot to Tarn for an instant, then returned to Bog. “I am trying to … respect you. Your desire to remain apart from orcs, and your past.”

“I don’t see you as an orc.” Bog shook her head. “I see you as Narsol, someone who is stubborn to the point of stupid. That I can relate to. But you’re also passionate about what you believe in.”

“Very well. I would then be-“

“-don’t say honored.” Bog stepped past him to stand with the others, folding her arms. “Just say thanks.”

//Party transfer requests Jental, Lash, Bog > Narsol Accept transfer?

Tarn focused on yes within his interface. There was a momentary twinge down his spine, as if someone had dropped an icicle on his back. It passed almost immediately, and the trio’s portraits vanished from his team screen.

They were on Narsol’s team now, and he would control their fate. At least for the next few rooms.

“Don’t get killed Tarny,” Bog laughed as Narsol opened the far door. “This is just temporary. Smiley if he dies, I’m taking it out of your hide.”

“Boss no die.” Tarn heard Lash say as the door shut behind them. “Sourpuss need to kill him..”

Urthin turned, the ghost of a smile upon his face in response to his teammates’ chiding.

“It would seem your plan was successful,” the monk said, his eyebrow raised in curiosity. “It is a most unexpected strategy.”

“Maybe a stupid one.” Tarn chuckled as they began to walk towards the other door. “Now we have an elite to fight.”

“An elite?” Isca’s antenna shot straight up in surprise. “You didn’t say anything about an elite.”

“It’s in the room after the next one. Remember, only I can see the map. And if I had mentioned an Elite fight, we’d never have gotten Bog and Lash to agree to go with Narsol.”

“No more than I would.” Isca said dryly. “To think I would have said yes to him.”

“My point exactly.” Tarn laughed, pulling the door open. “Let’s go do our thing, and then we’ll figure out who gets to tell Bog she missed this.”