Strong hands whipped forward and latched onto Alden, dragging him into a hug. He could feel his mom’s father shaking a little bit, even as he squeezed the air from his lungs. Alden didn’t care though, pounding Frank on the back just as hard. Finally, he was released, wet eyes staring at him. Alden blinked his own eyes. It must have been very dusty down here.
“Come in, come in. I don’t have much but your welcome to what I do have.” Alden was swept inside and into a small, but warm room. A low-slung coach was against the righter most wall, straight across from a small - well it looked to be some type of vivarium with small fungus and moss- and Alden thought he saw a frog hopping happily along in it. Various paintings hung on the walls, depicting different men who looked eerily similarly to Frank himself. A pot or two resided on intricate columns, intricately formed and adorned with gold and jewels.
As he relaxed into the sparse yet luxurious seating, his grandfather flew into another room, quickly reappearing with a tea set of some type. Two mugs were sat down as he expertly poured a serving into each before handing one to Alden. He took a sip- and his mouth exploded with flavor. Every inch of his tongue lit up and Alden almost groaned aloud at the feeling. Frank grinned at him. “Good, isn’t it? There’s a tea shop not far from here, and they have mages who specialize in making various teas. I’m not totally sure how it all works, but I do know that no one makes tea like them.”
Alden swallowed his saliva down as he spoke, trying to speak normally. “I have no doubt. This is far better than- well anything else like it to be honest.” He reached down calmly, and slowly lifted the mug to his lips. He had to force himself to only take one sip before setting it back down, the flavor saturating his mouth. They sat in silence for a few minutes, each enjoying the tea, before Frank finally spoke.
“You look just like her ya know?” Alden paused, teacup partway to his mouth, before setting it back down. He met Frank’s- his grandfather’s- eyes. “Honestly, I don’t. Mom was- I don’t have many memories of her. She and Dad disappeared before my teen years and left me with some friends.” Frank’s lips turned down as he set down his own mug. “They were taken far too soon. She was so full of life, and vibrant. Her smile could infect a room, and her voice could rival that of the High Ones. She was shorter than me and had the most beautiful golden blond hair.” He chuckled softly, eyes glazing over as he stared at the wall.
“When she left it felt like the entire city had lost something important. Something vital.” Alden was quiet for a moment. “And my father?” Frank hesitated. “He was a good man. He- didn’t come from the best family let’s say.” Frank’s eyes met his and Alden inclined his head slightly before moving on. “That’s why I came here actually. I- I want to find out more about my mom and my dad. I also want to find out what happened to them. What took them from me so soon.” Frank’s finger twirled around his handlebar mustache. “The first part I am more than happy to help you with. The second- the second I cannot help you with. I’m afraid that I only have the official reports to go on, and not much else.” Alden nodded, and a small smile split his face. “I’ve had about enough seriousness for one day. What do you do for fun around here?” Frank laughed and stood up, extending his hand. “I’ll show you.” Alden excepted the proffered appendage, and some small, broken part of him warmed up just a little bit.
Alden staggered as Frank’s fist smashed into his face. He blinked as his right leg arced low, slamming into his opponent’s thigh. Frank grunted and staggered a bit himself, before moving into close range, attempting to grapple him. Alden huffed as he fended off the seeking hands, another low kick slamming into Frank’s thighs. This time Frank managed to block, bringing up his leg and catching Alden’s shin. He kicked of his back leg, arms swinging as his front foot slammed down inside Alden’s guard. Alden’s fist was already racing towards his face- but Frank slipped under it, letting it glance off his skull. Before he knew it Alden was in a grapple on the floor.
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
Their spar lasted another few minutes before Frank managed to twist him into an armbar. As his legs wrapped around Alden’s extended arm Alden struggled for a second- before he sighed and tapped. Immediately the grip was loosened, and Frank was on his feet, hand extended. Alden heaved himself to his feet, rolling his shoulders. Frank walked over to the low bench, picking up a small jug of water and downing it. Alden came to a stop next to him and used a small towel to wipe the sweat off his face. “You know, when you said you sparred for fun, I have to admit I didn’t take it very seriously.” Frank chuckled and shrugged, wiping his partial-beard dry. “Well, there isn’t a whole lot else to do down here. You can go watch the happenings in separate caverns but, well, that has its own share of problems. Most other things either require more money or more talking than I prefer as well.” Alden grinned at that, leaning against the wall. “Not much for socializing, are we?” Frank quirked his lips and shook his head. “Not outside the ring. You want to go another round?” Alden stretched out his arms. “We can. Or we can try and do something else.” Frank silently looked him over for a moment, before nodding and picking up his jug. “I think there’s something else you would enjoy.”
Alden followed Frank from the communal sparring gym to a small alcove jutting out beside it. As soon as he entered a wave of heat and moisture hit him. Frank led him past a small reception desk, raising his hand towards the young lady sitting behind it. She nodded at him and smiled, eyes following them curiously as they moved into the next room. They swung through the righter most doorway at the back wall, trotting into a large circular room. In the center of the room there was a small pool, a swift current running through it. Frank grunted a greeting to the only other men their- an old, wrinkled man- before slipping into the pool himself. Hesitating for a second Alden shrugged and slipped off most of his clothes before following suit. He slowly relaxed into the water, simply letting his muscles unwind and relax. Frank resided similarly beside him, head leaning against the ground behind him and eyes closed. They stayed like that, simply enjoying the hot liquid and the small current that butted against his legs.
After some time, Alden rose from the pull and began to dry off, Frank not far behind. Alden moved to put on his sparring clothes- only to have a hand placed on his shoulder. “No need. We may live underground, but we’re not savages.” He gestured at a set of subdued robes. “Compliments of Mary. I’ll give them back to her by the end of the week, and she makes sure me and any of my guests have clothing after a spar.” Alden nodded as he gathered up his sweat stained clothes. “Where to now?” Frank grinned at him as he stroked his beard. “I think the next place you’ll find quite exceptional.” With that he moved out, and Alden followed.
After a short stop back at Frank’s room to pick up their own clothes, Frank led him through the twisting tunnels. As they walked Alden peppered the man with questions- although it didn’t take much to get the man talking. “Yeah, it caught me and your grandmother off guard when Lana said she wanted to be a delver. That was a job for professionals, for murders and scum not our daughter.” He shrugged and sighed. “I still believe that it’s a job for others, and not a Tunari woman. But… in the end she survived and made many strides. I still remember her coming back and showing us her first ever artifact.” He wore a wistful smile. “She was so proud of that stupid cube.” His eyes regained his focus as he made another turn.
“In the end however, it wasn’t the delving that got her.” Alden’s eyes briefly narrowed as Frank waved his hands as if to wipe the memories away. “But that is not the matter at hand. We’ve arrived.” Frank pushed open the door and entered, Alden following. He took a step pin- and blinked. Bins and massive piles of different fungi, stones, woods, and other raw materials resided on one side. An obstacle course was against the far wall with what looked to be some climbing wall, some parkour, and some random walls with spikes sticking out from them. Frank spread his hands our grandly, as if he were encompassing it all. “This is the Training Hall, where mages and aspiring young men and women come to improve themselves. Whatever you need it is here.” He paused. “Well almost anything.” He waved his hand. “No more of that. Let’s get to the good stuff.” He looked over at Alden. “Where would you like to start?”