375 days until the Arkon Shield falls

Gorkin,

Neither Fagan nor I can provide you with further aid. Our actions have not gone unnoticed by high command. Deliver on your end of the bargain soon, or expect repercussions.

—Shaman Jhaven.

While Thornton and Cass stood back, I released the four prisoners. Jain, Liyanda, Pierre, and Cedric scrambled out of the cage as soon as I yanked open the door, almost as if they were afraid I would change my mind. The four had had a discussion of their own and appeared to have reconciled with their leader’s decision.

From a few yards away, the scouts faced off with the strangers while I stood in between. Thornton and Cass kept their hands on their weapon, making no effort to disguise their animosity. I held dragonfire ready in my mind but showed no outward sign of wariness. Undeniably, the former prisoners had knowledge worth learning, but that didn’t mean I was going to throw caution to the wind, and besides, I wasn’t sure I believed their tale of a hidden dungeon yet.

I gestured to the four piles of belongings. “Go on,” I said to Jain. “Take them.”

The group re-equipped themselves quickly. I eyed the death magic scrolls enviously as they disappeared into Cedric’s voluminous robes. More than anything else, I had been tempted to keep one for myself, but I’d restrained myself. If I was going to travel with the group, it was best I did not antagonize them further.

When the four were done, Jain turned to me. “Now what?” he asked.

I shrugged, glancing up at the sky. Dawn was still far off. “We rest tonight. Then at first light, we set out.” I nodded to Thornton. “We will use one of the refuge scrolls to secure the camp.”

Jain and Pierre exchanged glances. “No need,” the rogue said. “Pierre knows the Technique already. He can activate it without wasting a scroll.”

I blinked. “Then why were you carrying the scrolls?”

“Backup,” Jain said succinctly.

In case something happened to Pierre? I wondered. “Well, in that case, go ahead.”

The scouts and I watched intently as Pierre walked a slow circuit about the former orc camp, pulling down bushes to disguise the boundary and brushing away revealing tracks. His actions weren’t purely physical, though.

In my magesight, I saw strands of spirit unravel in the hazel-eyed man’s wake. I pursed my lips. So the ability had elements of sorcery in it, too? I stepped up to Cedric’s side. “Pierre’s Technique uses spirit?”

The death mage, still busy rearranging his pockets, glanced sideways at me. “Many Techniques do, but the spirit is woven blindly.” He gestured to the archer pacing the camp. “If you asked Pierre how he did that, he wouldn’t know. Even being told he was using sorcery would astonish him.”

I nodded slowly.

Pierre finished with his task and returned to join us in the center of the camp. “It’s done,” he said.

“Let’s turn in, then,” Jain said.

“We will stand watch,” Thornton said.

Pierre looked at him in surprise. “There is no need for that.”

Thornton’s lips tightened. “Nevertheless, we will.”

Jain stared at the mistrustful scout but didn’t object. Thornton nodded to Cass, and the pair disappeared into the trees to watch for threats from outside—and within. Effecting a nonchalance I didn’t quite feel, I joined Jain’s party at the campfire—still burning all this time.

Liyanda eyed the dead orcs piled together close by. “What about them?”

“Leave them,” Cedric said. “Coming morning, I have a use for at least one.” His companions eyed him queasily but said nothing.

Pierre observed me intently as I lowered myself to the ground beside the group. “What happened to your foot?” he asked bluntly.

“Injured it in an accident years ago,” I responded in a tone that didn’t invite further discussion.

In the midst of shoving a fistful of food into her mouth, Liyanda paused. “Then you chose to enter Overworld like that?”

She hadn’t gotten or taken the hint. Before I could respond, Jain shook his head, “Don’t you recognize him, Li?”

The fighter looked at him blankly.

“He’s the crazy bastard who killed the squad of orcs back on Earth,” Jain continued.

Cedric’s head whipped around to stare at the party’s leader. “You’re sure?”

Jain nodded, “I thought I recognized him earlier. The limp was the final clue.”

Pierre cursed. “Goddamnit, Jain. If you knew, why did you let him join us? We’ve all seen the bloody notices,” the archer continued. “The orcs are turning the Dominion inside out searching for this idiot’s hide. Why the hell did you put us in their crosshairs as well by letting him travel with us?”

So, there it was: final confirmation that the orcs were hunting me, and desperately if Pierre was to be believed. I found the notion both comforting and scary. I said nothing, though, as the group turned their stares my way. I was miffed by the four discussing me as if I was not there, but their words had proved enlightening.

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Keeping my face impassive, I waited to hear Jain’s response. Admittedly, I was curious to listen to his reasoning, too.

“We made a deal, and we will keep it,” Jain said mildly. “We’ve all seen our rescuer’s magic, and after Marion—” a flicker of emotion crossed the rogue’s face—“we are a player short. Despite his notoriety, Jamie will be an asset in the dungeon.” The group’s leader caught and held my gaze. “For now, that is all that matters.”

I inclined my head in acknowledgment, not missing the underlying warning. Jain was willing to let me tag along, but only so long as I proved useful.

Pierre grunted, still unhappy. “How did you do it?” he asked. “How did you kill those orcs when everyone couldn’t so much as scratch them?”

“Grenades,” I replied, declining to explain further.

Liyanda barked out a laugh. “That must’ve been some fight. I’m sorry I missed seeing it.”

I smiled tightly, unamused by her delight in what had been a dark moment in my own life.

“What magic do you have?” Cedric asked in an abrupt change of topic.

I held out my palms, letting flames bathe them. “Fire magic, obviously.” I paused, considering how much of my abilities to reveal. “Life magic too,” I added a moment later, summoning a blue glow to replace the flames. “And death magic,” I finished.

The chubby mage’s eyes widened. “You’ve invested in three different schools of magic?”

I nodded.

“What possessed you to do something as daft as that!” Cedric exclaimed, snorting in disgust. “That doesn’t leave you enough Tokens to invest in anything else.”

He didn’t know I received double the standard amount of Tokens, and I saw no reason to enlighten him. I gestured at my foot, “Given my deformities, magic is the only way I am going to survive this world.”

“That’s the most foolish—” Cedric began.

Jain cut him off. “What spell did you use on the orc? I’ve never seen a Trainee mage do so much damage, much less to a Seasoned player.”

“It’s one of my own making,” I replied.

Cedric eyed me askance. “You can’t be suggesting you spellcrafted it?”

My lips curved upwards. “That’s exactly what I did.”

Disbelief warred with curiosity on the death mage’s face. “How did you do it?” he asked, leaning forward.

“Sorry, I don’t trust you enough to tell you that,” I said bluntly.

Disappointed by my response, Cedric sat back, and the conversation waned.

A little later, it was revived by Liyanda. The large woman had been shooting me glances, her gaze jumping from my hobbled foot to my face. Assuming she was simply curious about my crippled leg, I’d been ignoring her. “Why haven’t you healed it?” she asked abruptly.

I knew what she meant, but I would not make this easy on her. As it was, her questions already grated. “What?” I asked brusquely.

“Your leg,” Liyanda explained, ignoring my tone. “You have life magic, so why haven’t you done something about it.”

I stared at the dark-haired fighter. She wasn’t going to leave it alone, I realized. “The injury is permanent, fixed in place by a Trait,” I said at last. “It’s a consequence of me entering Overworld in my ‘old’ body. The Trials won’t let me heal it.” I’d seen hints of spells that could overcome a Trait’s effects, but I dared not even hope for attaining such. They were still too far out of my reach.

Liyanda’s face fell. “Ah, that’s too bad.”

I turned away, not wanting her pity. Silence fell around the fire, and for a moment, no one said anything.

A hand was shoved under my nose.

Turning my gaze downwards, I saw it was Liyanda’s. The fighter had removed her vambrace and rolled up her sleeve. From the elbow down to her wrist, her arm was red and puffy. I winced in sympathy.

“Can you heal it?” she asked neutrally, but despite the studied nonchalance she affected, I sensed the strain of anxiety beneath her request.

“I’ll try,” I replied. Touching the swollen appendage with the tip of my fingers, I closed my eyes and sent soothing ripples of life magic into her, mending the splintered bones and torn muscles I sensed beneath.

A moment later, I opened my eyes to see Liyanda staring at her hand. “It’s fixed,” she said in awe. Her eyes darted back to me. “Thank you.”

I inclined my head.

“I guess we’ll have to take you along after all,” Pierre said, sighing theatrically. “No way, Li is going to let you go after that.”

The fighter laughed. “Oh, definitely not.” All traces of the animosity she’d borne me had vanished. “I think Jamie and I are going to be the best of friends.”

✽✽✽

The five of us turned in soon after that. I was exhausted after the long day and night of traveling and fell asleep quickly.

At first light, I jerked awake to the sound of angry hissing. Rubbing eyes red from lack of sleep, I looked about. My new companions had already risen, and the two scouts had dropped from the trees to join Jain’s party as well. All six were looking towards the camp’s left.

Following their gazes, I saw it was the two great lizards that were responsible for the ruckus. I rose to my feet and joined the others. “What’s going on?”

Jain looked at me. “They’ve woken up,” he said, jerking his head towards the angry-looking reptilians.

“What are they?” I asked. I had paid scant attention to the creatures last night, and now I wondered if that had been a mistake.

“No idea,” Jain said with a shrug. “Neither I nor the others encountered their like before the orcs.”

I looked at him in surprise. For some reason, I’d not expected the knowledgeable adventurers to be ignorant of the beasts. It served as a timely reminder that my new companions were newcomers to Overworld, too.

“While we were prisoners, only one orc ever approached the beasts,” Liyanda said. “He’s dead now,” she added unnecessarily.

Cedric rolled his eyes.

“They won’t let anyone approach,” Pierre complained. “The brute on the right is particularly belligerent. He nearly bit off my finger when I tried to pet him.”

Liyanda laughed. “Serves you right. Why would you do a fool thing like that?”

Pierre scowled but didn’t respond.

“Enough gawking,” Jain said. “Leave the beasts be. We have a long day ahead of us, and it’s time for breakfast.”

The group moved back to the campfire, but Thornton, Cass, and I stayed put.

“What do you want us to do?” Thornton asked in a low tone that didn’t carry far.

I didn’t answer immediately. I’d been hoping the scouts could escort the wagon and great lizards back to Sierra. Both would be invaluable to the village, but doing that wouldn’t be wise if the beasts were unruly. “Leave the creatures tethered,” I said finally. “Cass, when you get to Sierra, have the commander send a squad to retrieve them.” I shrugged. “If the beasts are still here when the soldiers get here, well and good.”

Cass and Thornton nodded.

“You two better get going,” I said. “I’m sure you’re both tired, and it’s a long journey back. Best to make an early start.”

The pair showed no inclination to move, and I could see a protest growing on Cass’ face. I knew the scouts didn’t want to leave, and truthfully I didn’t want them to either, but making sure word got back to Sierra was too important. “Go on,” I added. “I’ll be fine.”

Stepping forward, I clamped a hand to Thornton’s shoulder and squeezed Cass’ arm. Reluctantly, the two returned my farewells and headed into the forest.