The Adventurer’s Guild was a buzz with activity over the recent events that occurred on the fourth floor. The Proven made camp just outside the crowded market stalls and food tents. For nearly two days, they were bombarded with questions from Guild officials and the Amber Guard.
Finally, they were given a little break. Rolfe and Helga wore somber expressions. They were polite with others and nodded in response to questions, but to Jeze, they lacked their usual joviality. She saw no change in Dunar, other than that the Leader was maybe a tad bit more serious. He was currently meeting with Irvin and Miss Heng inside an official Guild tent. Mikal was actually kinder. Jeze supposed that near-death experiences can do that. The Healer approached Rolfe and Helga with a warm smile.
“Are you two interested in learning a basic Life aspect cantrip?” Mikal offered.
He had a grin on his face that appeared odd. It was his attempt at a warm smile, but to Jeze, it still came across as sardonic. Helga and Rolfe’s somber expressions melted slightly as they perked up with apparent interest. Mikal’s grin widened.
“Very good, I wrote down the Rune chain here. You two need to study and memorize it,” the Healer said and provided the two with a long scroll with nearly two dozen intricate Runes.
Jeze chuckled. This was not a basic spell. It was one that she learned after studying Runes for over a year under the Old Crones. She winced as she rose up from her bedroll to join the others. Her body was still battered and, with Healing magic, would need another week to recover.
“I can help,” she said cheerfully.
Mikal nodded and provided ink and parchment. “These are what I like to call the Base Runes. You will find them in most Life aspect spells.”
“These last four are in the Spirit aspect spell that I use,” Jeze pointed out.
“Do not confuse them!” Mikal snapped.
Jeze scowled back at him, then her face softened to a grin. She stuck her tongue out at the Healer. Mikal shook his head and returned to instructing Helga and Rolfe. Mikal sat back as the two large warriors studiously tried to copy the sharp lines and curves of the Runes. He would occasionally step in to make a correction and give encouragement. Jeze helped in the beginning, but it became clear that the two were fine and just needed practice. They were disciplined warriors and accustomed to drilling and repetition. That applied to Runes as well, except it lacked the physical exertions. Jeze smiled at Mikal, who simply nodded back at her. This was wise of him, she thought. Rolfe and Helga’s moods improved as their attention and focus were redirected to something meaningful. Their minds were occupied away from their memory of failure.
“Micky, what does this Rune chain do?” Helga asked.
“Give it a try,” Mikal responded.
“What?” Both Helga and Rolfe asked at the same time.
“Tap the scroll with your Will, and complete the activation Glyph by shaping it in the air,” the Healer explained.
“Like the way we activate our enchanted gear?” Rolfe asked.
“Precisely,” Mikal answered.
Helga and Rolfe’s faces scrunched with skepticism.
“Well, this would be more delicate, but you two are ready,” the Healer encouraged.
Jeze was impressed with the dark-haired Healer. She had started a fire and was preparing to make more Recovery Broth but stopped to observe the two large warriors. It would mark a significant milestone if they were able to complete the spell. It took many tries, but the two were persistent.
“I don’t think I can do this,” Helga moaned.
“Did you feel anything?” Mikal asked.
“I felt some warmth,” Rolfe replied, and Helga nodded.
Mikal beamed, “Good! You have Summoned Life!”
“Are you sure, Micky? I just felt a little warmth. It didn’t seem important,” Helga said.
“Warmth is Life. You Summoned it. Good work! Now, keep practicing,” Mikal stated.
Jeze nodded and added, “It is the same pattern of Runes I use to infuse my Recovery Broth.”
“We can now heal our wounds?” Rolfe wondered.
Mikal shook his head. “No, you just Summoned Life. The next step would be to Shape it. But that is for another day. For now, learn these Runes!”
They, especially Dunar, have come a long way with learning Runes. Jeze thought to herself and then wondered how the Leader was doing. She would have been with him but was in no mood or shape to handle any more questions, especially from Miss Heng. Jeze continued to work on her alchemy and create more potent Recovery Broths. She had money and was able to purchase the proper supplies and recipes. The potion had a different name and still required a bone broth base mixed in with crushed herbs that were infused with Runic magic. Jeze still preferred to call it a Recovery Broth. Everyone was used to that name. Dunar and the Spirit Walkers approached with somber expressions.
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“How was the interrogation?” Jeze teased.
She regretted her joke when all she got was a polite nod in response. This was a serious matter, and the Spirit Walkers lost a teammate who was also a dear friend and mentor to them. Jeze quickly filled bowls of her broth and offered them to Dunar and the Spirit Walkers. They accepted the warm potion with polite nods.
Jeze added spices to make the broth have a pleasant flavor and it was better to eat it while it was warm. Typically in the field it was consumed cold from a glass jar. Everyone accepted a bowl as everyone was still in recovery both physically, and emotionally.
“Proven!” Dunar barked, and this got everyone’s attention. The Leader said, “Gather around. We have much to discuss.”
Rolfe and Helga put down their scrolls and Channeling tools to stand near Dunar and the others. Mikal came to stand beside Jeze. Next to Dunar was Rainia, Ahnau, and their two other teammates. Zena and Paca. Each had bags under their eyes that marked their grief over the loss of their teammate. Jeze went over and gently hugged each of them.
“Here is the situation. The Guild has come to the conclusion that Jeze’s theory was correct. The Cultists wish to make it to the top and free the Fiendish Lord. We do not know what implications that would have, but we can all agree that it will not bode well for our realm,” Dunar stated.
Helga snarled, “We will find them and crush their bones to powder!”
“Hurrah!” Rolfe cried and loudly thumped his muscular chest.
“There will be no Safe Zone or use of the Communication Scrolls. We will be entering the fourth floor in a random location,” Dunar stated.
“Oh, ho! We are not afraid. We are the Frostsworn!” Helga boasted.
“It is believed that the Cultists have established some sort of truce with the Ice Giants. The monsters could be prepared for us,” Dunar explained.
“Then we will show them our might!” Rolfe stated and flexed his impressive bicep.
Rainia stepped forward and added, “Our first objective is to reestablish a Safe Zone, but we will not be using our Communication Scrolls.”
Jeze looked up at that and asked, “Why?”
Dunar answered, “It is believed that the Cultists have spies among the Guild. That was how they knew where to find the Safe Zone the Spirit Walkers established.”
This news made even Helga and Rolfe pause and look somber. Spies among the Guild? Who could they trust? It was as if they were surrounded by enemies. Their camp was no longer considered safe, as a Cultist could knife them while they slept.
Jeze remembered something and asked, “What of Drake and Ozun? Were they always a part of the Cultists?”
Rainia shook her head. “It is believed they were recruited later. Drake helped Ozun escape from the holding cells. In return, Ozun introduced him to the Cultists. Our sources indicate that the Cultists had tried to recruit Ozun earlier, but he refused.”
Dunar spoke up next, “The Amber Guard has some intelligence on the other Cultists we fought. Since we discovered that Val was one of their leaders, the Guild has sent messengers to the University at Capitol City, where she was trained in Rune magic. As of now, we have little information, but based upon our descriptions, we know of one of Val’s associates.”
Jeze said, “The pale lady with the tattoos.”
Rainia nodded at her and said, “She goes by the name of Web and is an expert on the Nature Aspect, and also practices a rare subset, the Achrane aspect.”
“Not much is known about the one who killed Tallulah,” Ahanu growled.
“We will avenge her,” Rolfe promised.
Ahanu looked down at the ground and wiped a tear from his eye. Helga squeezed his shoulders. Jeze was about to offer comfort, but something strange caught her attention. A glimmering of light, similar to the illusions she witnessed from the Empire Rune casters. But there was something more. The shadows created by their campfires collapsed a little more solidly among them.
“A spy is among us!” Jeze cried and pointed.
In an instant, the others had their weapons in their hands. A raspy chuckle could be heard from the spot Jeze pointed toward. The air shimmered and a tall figure in dark red robes appeared. He was as tall as Rolfe with a gaunt body and bone white pale skin. The newcomer removed his hood to reveal a bald head and yellow eyes that lacked pupils.
“Master Couzart!” Ahanu exclaimed.
An Elite rank adventurer and the head of the Amber Guard. What was he doing here? Jeze wondered in shocked silence.
“Very good. Very few can spot me. You are remarkable, Jeze Zanchi,” the Elite said in a voice that was just above a whisper and he added, “Like your brother.”
Couzart, the Shadow Reaper, looked at Jeze, and she shivered in trepidation. What did he know about Daverius? Jeze wondered and wanted to ask more, but other matters were more pressing.
“Proven, stand down,” Dunar ordered and then bowed to the Elite, “Master Couzart, why do you honor us?”
Jeze noticed several Rune aspects that were at play. The Light aspect, and Darkness aspects to create the illusion. But, there was one more that tickled the back of her brain. The Mind aspect! How the Elite was able to weave all three seamlessly showed her that she had a long way to go.
Couzart chuckled gently and nodded approvingly to the Proven Leader. “I am delighted to see that the Frostsworn still teach proper manners.”
That comment annoyed Jeze, and without thinking, she growled, “And of what you, Master Couzart? Sneaking and eavesdropping on us is considered polite?”
“Jeze!” Rainia and Dunar exclaimed at the same time.
Couzart grinned and waved his hand as if what was said and done was inconsequential. He spoke in a raspy voice, “The final member of the team you encountered is a man by the name of Shiv.”
Ahanu snarled, and he asked, “Can you share more on this, Shiv? I will have my vengeance upon him.”
Couzart studied the Knight from Pana. “That will not be an easy task. Shiv and I have a history. We were brothers in the same Assassins Guild. Granted, that was another life. But, I am certain he remains quite formidable.”
“Then I vow to become stronger so that I can avenge Tallulah’s death,” Ahnau promised.
Couzart chuckled. It was a sound that reminded Jeze of shifting sand.
“Good,” the Elite stated. What Couzart said next shocked everyone. “And that brings me to why I am here. Spirit Walkers, I have come to assess you.”