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Chapter 10

After entering the cave, they immediately came across a stone staircase. They weren't too steep and the steps were quite comfortable but looked a little worn out. Light was provided by lamps with sun stone. When they reach the entrance to the first room, they stop. The entrance was wide enough for two men to cross. The room was rectangular with an exit in the middle of every wall. It was empty and made entirely of steel.

-empty room built entirely from metal - commander said aloud.

-ay definity trap room.

-Methild, Hemben, can you see something?

-I have zero knowledge about metal traps - elf shakes his head.

-and I can only say that whatever that trap is, it’s not magical.

-so we need to go with the usual method - Lucius draws his sword and command - shield up. Methild, pay attention to every movement on the walls - slowly he starts poking with his sword tiles before him. The same was doing dwarf. As they predicted after entering something like one third of the length of the room they found a trigger. But the trap wasn't on the walls or floor. It was on the ceiling. Some panels drop out revealing two shafts with three rotating disks full of teeth. And they were descending down and gaining momentum.

-shields above heads! fall back! - commander shouts. When the disks touched the floor they stopped with a loud bang.

-well. Our young Dungeon Mistress is maybe a little soft, but she definitely knows a thing or two about traps - said Methild.

-ay. It's fine steel too. Heavy as fuck. Anyone too stupid to evade or fall back could lose his head.

-How does it work? I didn't feel any magic at all - Hemben was confused.

–see that groove on the wall? There is that wavy or theethy pattern on one side and there should be a gear wheel at the end of the shaft. Yep there it is - Thuldir smiled - simple as hell but what an effect.

-I found a prize for this room. Oh well it’s just one silver - Rafin was a little disappointed. After sharing it with everyone it will be just twenty coppers.

-ha, ha ha. What you expected, a chest full of gold? - laughs Thuldir.

-You know, there is that rumor about why guilds and temples are so rich.

-it's your first dungeon, however you shouldn't listen to what some drunkard says in a tavern. All of them are rich because all gold, and artifacts goes through their hands, and not for free - said commander - and divide the prize between yourselves. It will be your extra pay. Ready for the next room?

Everyone nod. From now on time start ticking. After an hour room will be restored and once again they will need to carefully trigger trap on they way back.

Upstairs Shewa saw that the Dungeon Mistress have closed eyes and is very nervous.

-you keeping an eye on them? - she asked.

-yes.

-They are good. Aren't they?

-probably? I have no idea. But they are disciplined and careful.

-that is the definition of a good adventurer - priestess nod - can i have a question?

-sure - Naomi looked at the priestess.

-how did it go with untying the dress?

-oh. I wasn't able concentrate enough to do it through magic, so i call one spider, and he manage to help me.

Adventurers start listening hoping that Dungeon Mistress slips something more than big spiders. For most of them this news was disappointing, and boring. Spiders? No dungeon use them beyond the fifth floor, and if they are it’s just a distraction.

-I bet you hugged him afterwards - priestess kept asking, seeing that her distraction was working. Adventurers were rather amused by how the Dungeon mistress treated some giant spiders as pets. but that proves that they aren't dangerous.

-he deserves it. and his hair was so soft and silk like.

Meanwhile, on the first floor, the adventurers were preparing for the next room.

-opposite doors are open. What about the side doors? - commander asked.

-tightly shut. No way to open.

-well let's the exploration team find a way to open them. We are going to see what is in next room.

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In this room the walls were plain and there were plant patterns made of copper in the corners. On the ceiling was a diamond pattern.

-ceiling or floor commander? I bet on ceiling - said Thuldir.

-you're probably right - Lucius agree - hold shield ready - Methild, watch the walls to be sure.

-yes commander.

A trap was sprung when they were almost in the middle of the room. Like they predicted it was the ceiling. Some of the tiles moved and spears made from steel jumped out from behind them and then fell on the adventurers.

-evade! - the commander managed to shout before the spears fell - report! - he demanded when silence fell.

-I got scratched in the hand - only Rafin reported hit - this strange dimensions make me sloppy.

-use healing potion. And you should be more careful. Although you are right that it looks like a dungeon mistress added a few inches to the yard.

-well it's a normal thing in dungeons. They love to use some obscure measurement length, or like here they just add a little to normal yard to confuse you - Thuldir said.

-and I have a prize. No gold again, just one silver - laught Methild.

-Rafin you good? - asked commander.

-yes. Just like I said, I was scratched. No biggie - he shows his hand.

-good. Side doors still shut tight?

-yes - Hemben answered.

-let’s see what is behind this doors - commander decided. What they saw made them stop for the moment. It was the shrine of The Smith. They sheathed their swords and entered. In the center stood a statue of a god with his arms crossed over his chest and the expression of someone who is challenging you. Before him stood an anvil, and on sides fire pits as only light sources.

-I Thuldir greets god ancestor - dwarf stood at front - I thank you for our weapon and armour made by those who follow your call.

-we thank you - repeat rest of the team.

They give the traditional thanks to The Smith. This shrine wasn't officially consecrated but still built by the dungeon mistress who was his protege.

Only then did they start looking around and what they saw amazed them.

-look at these walls. If i guess correctly they are depictions of crafter jobs - whispers Hemben when he gets closer to the nearest wall. And indeed on steel polished surface with great precision by using different coloured metals and small gems were depictions of people doing their everyday work. Smiths, smelters, alchemists, cooks, potters, glassmakers, architects and so on.

-and i think they could depict all existing crafters jobs. They are everywhere - added Rafim.

When they were looking on walls Thuldir get close to statue. In light of fire he saw something on its surface.

-ha, ha, ha - he laughed when he understood what he saw - she didn’t stop on the walls. There are tools drawn on the surface of the statue. Most likely all of them too - he pointed with his finger.

-we are going back. This is the third room and most importantly the shrine. We shouldn't break our word to the Dungeon Mistress - commander said.

-ay. Finding a hidden shrine just like that is like a sign. We shouldn't tempt fate - Thuldir agree, and rest of the team agree.

-ach, they are back - smiled Shewa seeing all five adventurers exiting the dungeon - and they all fine. But maybe i will take a look at them. I bet this will calm you down quite a bit.

-please - Naomi said. The priestess's constant question about anything made her distracted enough but she still feared that something could happen.

-and they fine - said Shewa after checking all five of them - and i even said very fine? - she added, looking curiously at the commander.

-we find the shrine of The Smith.

-and what a fine craftsmanship it was my lady - Thuldir laughed.

-and these pictures of jobs, no wonder that goddess of arts likes you. If we guess correctly they show every existing job. Isn’t it Mistress?- ask Methild.

-thank you - Naomi bows - and yes. Well probably, there is a chance that i miss one or two very rare ones.

-unlikely, there are so many of them that you can always find something similar - disagree Hemben.

-and there is a chance for a few extra pieces of gold - laughed Thuldir - these rotating discs with teeth. We can sell it at the temple of The Smith in the city. It could be used in sawmills or maybe by carpenters too.

-don’t count me in - said commander - as I said earlier, you have to divide every reward you find between the four of you. And your idea counts too.

-you heard that? There is a chance that we end with something around two golds for each of us when we get back - laughed dwarf and rest was really happy too. Even if they ended with just one gold it will be good.

-mister Thuldir. Can I take a moment of your time?- Naomi came closer to the dwarf.

-yes Mistress, absolutely - he answered immediately.

-thank you that you like shrine and found my dungeon inspiring but I have a small request.

-if it will be in my capacity I promise to do it - Thuldir swear.

For some reason all stood around them holding breath, and Jolana, like in trance, took a clean piece of paper and pencil for unexpected notes and got ready to write.

-Please promise me that whatever you create, small or big, you try through your creation the easy life of the poor and weak, or at least don’t add them new burdens. And please don’t be greedy. Because when you cut all trees for your creation there won’t be air to breathe, and you can't breathe money. Remember when you start drying all lakes and rivers for your creation that you can’t drink money. And when you rob earth from its reaches and she turns into a lifeless desert, remember that you can’t eat money.

-I Thuldir solemnly swear in the name of my ancestors that your words reach halls of grand smithy of Nezmaen, and even death will not stop me - dwarf bows before Naomi.

-ech, what… - Naomi was a little confused.

-shush - priestess jumps and touches her lips with finger - I will take that piece of paper. Thank you - she next swiftly grabbed a note made by Jeana - and now i and our Dungeon Mistress need a place for very private talk. I think the temple of The lady will be good. Commander can i ask you to ensure that no one will disturb us?

-it will be done - he answered.

-Come my lady - Shewa put her arm around Nomi and gently pushed her forward in the direction of the road leading to the center of the oasis.

When both womens disappear between trees, Venancijs comes to the commander and whispers.

-that was a prophecy. Yes? Tell me I'm wrong my friend.

-only the Citadel of light can decide if something is or not a prophecy - Lucius told him and for all gathered half truth. It was true that the Archpriest of God of Sun had the final word. But the verdict was always based on signs, and there were a lot of them.