The mention of the spite soured the expressions of Fritz's entire team, save Bert who merely seemed interested.
"Makes the floors harder," Rosie stated simply, from where she sat in their circle of armchairs and desks.
"Yes but do we know how it does that?" Fritz asked.
"More monsters?" Cal hedged.
"More traps?" George suggested.
"New rules, sense shrouding, and the beasts will be more aware of our presence," Lauren provided.
"Oh, is that all?" Fritz asked drily.
"No, though those are the most reported effects of the spite," Lauren said, not missing his sarcasm but ignoring it completely.
"So with that in mind, we should take the safest Door?" Jane asked.
"I have to agree," Fritz said. "At least until we know what the spite can throw at us."
"It'll be good practice," Bert said. "Accidents happen, crew die, we'll have to face the spite sooner or later."
"A bit morbid, Bert," Fritz said. "Fatalistic even."
Bert shrugged. "It happens."
"It does," Rosie said. "Sometimes life just puts the screws to you."
"True as the rain," Toby agreed.
Rosie smiled at him and Jane shifted her chair closer to his, giving the scaly woman a warning glance that she completely missed, or ignored.
"So it seems we're all agreed with the middle Door then," Fritz summarised. "Unless we want to brave a swamp filled with man-alikes or a rocky shore infested with monsters."
His team shook their heads, save Bert who nodded eagerly.
"Well, it's settled then. We'll rest the night before taking the middle door. We need it after that fight, or at least I do," Fritz said, leaning into his green armchair and letting out a sigh.
"Agreed there," Toby said. "I could sleep for a week."
With that, the team separated, finding space to place down their bedrolls, maintain their gear and sort their equipment, new and old.
From the corner of his eye, Fritz spied Toby secret away the 'Juggernaut elixir' he had meant to give to Larry. Somehow it had not been offered up with the rest of the Treasures.
Fritz wouldn't let this lie, and approached Toby and Jane's corner with a bland smile plastered across his face. They looked up apprehensively, more fear than hostility.
"The juggernaut elixir," Fritz requested amiably, holding out his hand.
Toby narrowed his eyes for a moment, before sighing, pulling the thick, glass flask out from a pack and handing it to Fritz.
The elixir was surprisingly heavy, like the metallic fluid within was made of liquid lead in truth. Fritz hefted it thoughtfully, appreciating its weight.
"Any reason you didn't present this before?" Fritz asked.
Toby scowled, but he soon smoothed his brow and replied. "Honestly I forgot. I was distracted by all the other Treasures and only just found it in my pocket."
"And the reason you decided to hide it after you discovered it again?"
"Old habits die hard," he stated darkly, truthfully.
Fritz could empathise, he himself had many secrets and a deep desire to hide away precious things born of the fear of losing them. However, that didn't mean that he could be lenient, especially to these two.
"Well, learn to be better," Fritz said seriously. "You two can't afford to look suspicious, not if you want to stay on for more than one floor."
Toby gulped down some biting retort, and instead said, "Sorry. You're right."
"I know," Fritz said. "Though let's not dwell too long on that. I need you two to tell me what kind of Abilities you have so you can aid the team properly. Jane, are you still a healer?"
"Yes, Medic Path. I have a Path Ability, Salve Pain. It does what it says and since I evolved it it also increases stamina recovery. I also have increased Lifewell from a Trait," Jane easily revealed. "Oh, and a Passive that increases Reflex. And for offence I have Water Bolt."
"A wonderful set of Powers," Fritz said, not having to lie. "Toby? What sneaky skills did you pick up?"
Toby glanced to Jane and she nodded sternly.
"I took the Shanker Path," Toby admitted. "Still have my Lacerate, but now I also have Venom Strike and a Technique Tara taught me that shrouds my daggers from Senses. Got a movement Ability, Shadow Slink, that lets me dart quickly from shadow to shadow and I also have Dark Vision and Sanguine Sight."
Fritz considered for a moment, tossing up whether to ask to be taught the Technique, but decided against it. While he wielded his dagger well and often, he was more comfortable with the sword and saw himself mastering it in time. A Technique like the one Toby knew would just muddle his fighting style even further. That, and there really wasn't the time to train it.
"Sanguine Sight sounds fearsome," Fritz said, with only a hint of envy.
"It's... interesting. I can see a creature's veins and heart through their skin, good for finding weak points," Toby explained with a smirk.
"You also have Speed," Fritz said, trying to confirm what he had guessed during their fight.
"Yes, and Reflex, not that it helped much," Toby grumbled rubbing at his chest. "Ran me right through even though you're slower than me. You're a slippery bastard you know that. Couldn't even touch you, no matter how quick I stabbed. How'd you manage that?" He added wryly as if praising him. Though the words could only be considered a compliment by his dark standards.
"The benefits of high honour and great gallantry," Fritz said, soaking his tone in self-satisfaction.
"Just how high did you climb?" Toby asked.
"Never you mind," Fritz said. "Now, any other Treasures and potions you may have forgotten to mention?"
Jane held up her hand, showing off a dull ring that was a twin to his own.
"Fairly common, aren't they," Fritz said displaying his ring as well.
"One of the most common Defensive Treasures," Lauren said, politely barging into the conversation. "Though that doesn't make them any less valuable. For one, the king pays a good price for them. Each of his Scale Guard are equipped with one, or something better. For two, there are still fewer of them than there are Climbers, which means we're lucky to have them, especially seeing as we're all Rookies."
Jane eyed the other woman warily, glancing between her and Toby. When Lauren didn't so much as look at her man, she narrowed her eyes.
"What do you want?" She asked Lauren flat out.
The striking, if a little frazzled, fire mage frowned only slightly and smiled prettily. She put one pale hand into a robe pocket and pulled out some ration bars, these of far better quality than Fritz and the rest of the team were suffering through.
"Just something to pad your diet," Lauren said. "You're eating for two."
"Why do you care?" Jane asked acidly. "Is this some 'us women should stick together' skulg-slime? Trying to cosy up to me so I'll heal you or something?"
If Lauren was offended she didn't show it, much, the small crease between her brows deepening only slightly.
"I just want to keep you healthy," Lauren stated. "These are, by all accounts, better than the rations the rest of us will have to eat. More nutritious and easier eating."
"Less sawdust," Rosie added, shouldering in to stand beside Lauren. She smiled slyly at Toby, who deftly ignored her and her stare.
"A quick question, Lauren," Fritz said.
The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
"Yes?"
"Children don't have Sanctums and can't enter Spires," Fritz continued. "Why-"
"Why can Jane enter?" She cut him off. "It's because the Spires don't count the unborn as people. Not until they're... out."
"What if they're born in a spire? Are they ejected?" Fritz asked.
"Then they're born as normal," Lauren shrugged. "And when they reach a Well room they are ejected with whoever is considered their guardian."
"Huh," Bert said, revealing his eavesdropping to all.
"It's frowned upon to enter a Spire with child, if outright forbidden in other kingdoms," Lauren explained. "Though there are also some cultures who view it as the height of honour to be born within a Spire, despite the terrible risk, or rather because of it. I've heard that there's even a Spire Born latent Trait, though that's mostly rumour."
"Who would do something like that? On purpose?" Jane asked aghast.
"The Krakosi would," Fritz grumbled, which caused his team to flinch.
"I've also heard rumour of select noble families possibly partaking in such a 'tradition'," Lauren hedged. "Though it is kept quiet, and not spoken of in public."
"I've heard similar," Fritz said. "It could account for the prevalence of the Merfolk Strain in Rain City's nobility."
"Perhaps," Lauren allowed.
"No Spire Born trait for you?" Bert teased.
"No, nothing of the sort," Fritz sighed.
"Just all your Guide's-son benefits," Toby groused.
"All too true I'm afraid," Fritz said smugly. "That, and the great privilege of not having one half of my heritage be skulg."
"Arsehole," Toby murmured.
"We've meandered away from my initial question," Fritz said smiling at the insult. "Were there any other potions and Treasures you managed to loot?"
"There are two healing potions and there are some heating potions to ward off cold," Jane said.
"No water breathing?" Fritz asked.
"Oh, there are plenty of those too," Jane said.
"What sort of materials did you manage to scavenge on your Climb? Fritz asked.
"Not much, Larry and Jasper wanted to get through as quick as possible for some reason," Toby said. "And what we had gathered was rather heavy, we didn't grab the packs full of leather and shells. But we did snatch this," he added, opening a head-sized stack three-quarters filled with shimmering pearls.
"Nice find," Bert said greedily.
"Apart from that and what you've already seen, that's it," Toby said, and Fritz got the impression he was being truthful. This time.
"Got what you needed from us?" Jane asked. "Because if you're satisfied I'd like to get some sleep."
"Very well," Fritz said, "No more questions, for now."
He turned and left, beckoning the rest of his team to follow. They did; Rosie reluctantly and with a small limp; Bert with a shoulder slap for Toby; and Lauren with a few soft words while handing a wrapped bundle to Jane, who nodded thankfully.
"Rosie," Fritz said suddenly as they strode away.
"Yes?" she asked confused.
"Are you okay? You're limping," Fritz said with some concern.
"I'm fine, I'm tough," Rosie said proudly, hammering a fist over her breast.
"Of course, just thought I'd ask," he said "You took a powerful strike in that fight. I'm surprised you're still walking."
"As I said, I'm tough. Got a Trait for it and everything," Rosie replied nodding. "I'll be better soon, we've got two healers now they can patch me up before we leave. Once they got some rest."
"How very gracious of you," Fritz said, meaning it.
"That's me, gracious," Rosie said. "Want to sleep in my bedroll tonight?"
Fritz almost tripped and he felt heat crawl up his neck at the sheer forwardness of the offer.
"I must decline," Fritz said smoothly. "I am spoken for. That, and it wouldn't be wise."
"Neither is braving the spite," Rose said with a shrug. "If we're already not being wise there won't be no harm in a bit of-"
"I appreciate the offer," Fritz lied. "However, no thank you, Rosie."
She smiled and she shrugged again, obviously not hurt by the rejection at all.
With that, they walked to his armchair in awkward silence and he was saved by Cal waving at him over.
Relieved he quickly made his way to his favourite Hauler.
"What's the matter?" Fritz asked.
Cal smiled, and from out of thin air a bow appeared and fell into his hand.
"Picked this up while we ran, you must have dropped it," Cal said with a smile, slight smugness lurking at the edges of his lips.
"I must have," Fritz agreed taking the wooden haft back and slipping it into the quiver hanging on his back. An intriguing thought came to mind. "Say, Cal, up for a test?"
Cal nodded with only some hesitation.
"Do you think you could try storing this quiver in your Personal Pack?"
"Sure."
He reached out to the object, laid a hand on it, and then winced. He took his hand away rapidly, placing it on his forehead and groaning, "Ouch."
"Are you okay?" Fritz asked worriedly, he hadn't meant to hurt the man.
"Yeah," Cal said. He squinted up at Fritz and continued, "Painful. It was like with the bronze chest, but worse."
"I see," Fritz said. "Well, thank you for trying it, and sorry for the...result."
"No complaints here captain," Cal said. "For once," He added with a self-deprecating chuckle.
"Now, now, none of that," Fritz said. "The past is the past, you've been nothing but loyal, which is more than I could say for some."
"You don't trust 'em, but you're still bringing them with us?" Cal asked, catching his meaning.
"That's right, we voted after all," Fritz replied proudly, then he sagged and spoke soberly. "It would feel wrong to do anything else."
"A surprisingly emotional decision," George said from where he sat organising his tiles into the right order. "Not very pragmatic."
"I think we shouldn't confuse pragmatism for cowardice." Fritz quoted from 'The Observations', finding its words meeting his mood. "When we have the power to do good, we should. And if doing good was easy, we wouldn't suffer so."
"Very nice," George said with a smile. "I like that."
"It's a bit high-minded for me," Bert declared, sitting heavily. "But who am I to argue with the esteemed Theodore Flynte."
"Yes, we are merely sparks to his bonfire," Fritz exaggerated. "George, how's the sorting going?"
"It's going well," he replied. "Should have it done in an hour or two."
"Good man," Fritz said. "And Bert have you had any success with the Mystic Arts of mist?"
"Not yet," Bert grinned. "Just trying out the stances and forms, they're very..."
"Delicate?" Fritz guessed.
"Flighty and flimsy," Bert corrected. "Really they'd suit you far better. The Arte Pugilist doesn't fit well with the Technique."
"Ah, too bad," Fritz said reconsidering the mist Technique and feeling it might be a good placeholder until he found his own sword style.
Ideally, he'd want to create a Sword Technique himself, but knew in his heart that he was no prodigy or great genius. Sure he was cleverer than most, and intensely witty, if he did say so himself, which he did. But it wasn't hard to be better than the dregs he'd found himself associating with. No, his advantages mainly lay in his upbringing, before the tragedy. Everything else was built upon the teachings of his father and the charms he inherited from his mother.
He wondered what she'd think of him now, and a deep, heavy melancholy rose from his gut, creeping and pulling him towards the ground.
He wasn't allowed to dwell for long, he was suddenly startled back into the conversation by the mention of his name.
"Fritz, are you listening?" Rosie asked.
"Hmm?" Fritz hummed, returning his attention to his team around him.
"I said: did you feel that?" She stated.
"No, I didn't feel anything," Fritz admitted. "Though, I was distracted."
"Are you sure you're entirely suited to being a Scout?" Lauren asked. "Sometimes you get...distant."
"What else could I possibly be suited for?"
"You'd make a good jester," Bert provided.
"What?" Fritz said, feigning offence.
"Yeah, I could see that," Cal agreed. "Just strap some bells to him."
"Or I could wear your ridiculous hat," Fritz retorted. "Would make me look quite the fool."
"Don't be mean," Rosie said, punching Fritz lightly on the shoulder. "It's his first nice hat."
"Yeah, Fritz, don't be jealous," Bert said.
Fritz rolled his eyes internally, but upon seeing Cal's badly hidden hurt he decided to apologise. Not because the hat looked any good at all, but because Rosie was right, it was one of the man's first 'nice' possessions and it wouldn't do to tease him for it even if he hated how bright it was and how the feather swayed stupidly.
"My apologies, it wouldn't be a hat suited to a fool at all," Fritz said.
Cal nodded in acceptance and smiled.
It was then that Fritz felt what Rosie must have been talking about. An odd sensation of almost imperceptible vertigo or rather a similar smothering of Senses that he had felt in the Floor below. It seemed the spite worked fast, it had barely been nine minutes and already he could feel some slight effect.
"One moment, I need to check something," Fritz said frowning, standing, then striding towards the Doors.
He brushed his Awareness and Door Sense over them and could already feel the resistance, the clouding, of his impressions. He could still feel the Floors beyond, but it was more difficult to picture, hazy. And he noticed things had changed, the rocky shore for one tried to hide that it was filled with monsters, while the swamp door's bog-man-alikes looked more frail and less fearsome.
A trick to make me underestimate the dangers within.
"Has to be the spite," Fritz muttered to himself.
"Already?" Toby asked, nearly causing Fritz to jump. The man was as quiet as cat when he walked.
"Already," Fritz said, grimacing. "The shrouding is not so bad right now, though I heard it grows worse over time."
Toby mirrored the grimace, though his was more profound. That of an expert malcontent rather than a dabbler in doom like Fritz.
"So we need to get moving, and quickly?" Toby asked.
"We'll rest. Pushing ourselves right now would harm more than help us," Fritz said absolutely. "Make sure Jane gets some sleep, her healing will be invaluable."
Toby looked like he wanted to say something scathing, but he held his tongue. Seemingly he'd learned to keep his mouth shut or rather, and far more likely, he realised his precipitous position.
"I'll do that," he said, turning and leaving Fritz by himself.
With a sigh, Fritz returned to his team and ordered them to rest.
"Bert, you're on first watch," he declared, slipping into his bedroll and into the comfort of the sirensilk.
While he lay there he fell into his Sanctum, there was one last choice to make.
It was raining, he was standing before his willow, its long grey branches and dark, whispering leaves shading him from the falling water. Glyphs hovered in front of him and he considered what would be needed through the next Doors and the spite.
---------
Ability Evolution
Choose One
---------
---
Lethargy
---
Trap Sense
---
Danger Sense
---
---------
Improving Lethargy wouldn't help much in their current spite-fuelled predicament so he discounted Evolving that potent Ability for now. With that out of his way, he was torn between the two Senses. Though he had to concede that the more general warnings of Danger Sense were more appealing than the more limited scope of Trap Sense. While both were life-saving Abilities he felt he had to err on the side of versatility for now.
He chose Danger Sense and the glyphs changed and hummed softly in a new tone.
---------
Ability Evolution
Danger Sense
Choose One
---------
Warden's Instinct
Danger Sense may be anchored to one ally, you will sense harm done to them as though you were in their place.
---
Shrewd Sense
Danger Sense is less susceptible to shrouds and deception.
---
Discerning Sense
Danger Sense's warnings will reveal more about incoming harm.
---
Each of the Evolutions had their uses, two of them just made Danger Sense better at what it did while one added a new utility to it.
Being able to Danger Sense for someone else was intriguing. Very effective for keeping a vulnerable member of the team safe or perhaps serve as a rudimentary message Ability if the anchored person was willing to stab themselves. Though it was an interesting addition, he decided against the Warden's Instinct Evolution. He wasn't comfortable putting someone in the position of harming themselves, that, and he didn't exactly want to be someone's bodyguard either.
It was a toss-up between Discerning Sense and Shrewd Sense. He quickly landed on taking Shrewd Sense, as the most trouble he'd been having when fighting was from strikes shrouded by Abilities, Traits and Techniques. And it would hopefully help him against the spite.
He chose, and the power seeped into his Sanctum, his willow's branches stretched, the twigs and leaves splayed outwards, creeping and caressing the rainy wind, like fingers subtly searching for secrets.
With his Evolution taken care of, he turned to his last task before he could rest in truth.
---------
Attributes Gained
+3 Unaligned
---------
With the spite in effect, Fritz felt he would need to align more to his sensory Attributes to fulfil his role as Scout. And now that his mind was clearer than it had ever been, due to his Focus and Control, Fritz decided to progress his long ignored Awareness and Perception. Though he did so with caution aligning one to Focus, Awareness and Perception so as not to skew his Attributes too much.
The world bent for a moment, before coming into slightly sharper relief. There was barely any vertigo from the change, likely due to his reserved approach to his alignments, but also the fact his Attributes were already high in those particular areas.
Finally, he relaxed, then flew out from under the branches, escaping the rain.
He stretched his body, inhaled deeply and lay his face on his wonderful, siren-feather pillow. It only took seconds for sleep to claim him.