The Proven and Irvin set up camp in the Floor Portal Chamber of the second level. A steady stream of merchants, adventurers, and scavenger teams emerged through the Threshold and filled up the chamber. Hannah and her team arrived, and the merchant’s eyes lit up at the sight of the Helldrake.
“I don’t need any other customers. You five provide me with enough business!” She exclaimed and added a “tsk, tsk,” when she saw the state of their armor.
“How much for the Helldrake? And don’t try to cheat us,” Mikal stated.
Hannah’s smile faded. Jeze rolled her eyes, and Helga ruffled Mikal’s hair.
“Micky! Be nice to our friend,” the warrior maiden teased.
Hannah tapped her chin and consulted her team. Through all the happenings and her near-death experiences, Jeze never learned the names of Hannah’s scavenger team members. The merchant talked with a man with dark hair that was tied back into a ponytail. He had a jagged scar across his left cheek and a stubble of a beard. He wore a mixture of leather and mail armor, and Jeze guessed the man to be in his mid to late thirties. A seasoned adventurer. Hannah nodded and returned to the Proven.
“I would never cheat you,” she said with a pointed look at Mikal and continued, “The truth is. I can’t afford to pay you for the Helldrake.”
“That is unfortunate,” Dunar replied.
“How much is the Helldrake worth?” Mikal asked, greed clear in his dark eyes.
“There are many uses for a Helldrake body. The organs alone are highly sought after by enchanters, rune casters, and the like. I could make a dozen nice suits of armor that would put me closer to fancy rich,” Hannah answered.
“How much?” Mikal asked again. He was persistent, Jeze reflected, but she was surprised at how greedy the supposed holy man was.
Hannah glanced at her teammate with the ponytail, and the man shrugged. She turned back to the Proven. “Like I said, I won’t cheat you. The body could go for fifteen, maybe twenty thousand golden ducats.”
“What?!?” Both Helga and Rolfe exclaimed. The two then grimaced and gripped their wounded sides.
“That sounds about right,” Irvin observed with a nod of his gray-haired head.
“Now, folks out there will try to cheat you. So I propose we work together,” Hannah said.
“You said you can’t afford it,” Mikal responded.
Jeze shushed the Healer and nodded for Hannah to continue. The merchant and her scavenger team appeared excited that the Proven were going to entertain their proposal. They talked eagerly with each other.
Hannah pitched her deal, “So, here is what we propose. You allow us to scavenge the Helldrake’s parts, and we will get you eighteen thousand ducats in addition to me upgrading your armor at no extra cost. You five seem to not understand the meaning of caution, and with the scales here I can make you each a set of armor that would last longer than a week, which says alot for you crazy bastards.”
“I like the sound of that!” Rolfe boomed. His armor got shredded when the Helldrake chewed on him.
“Oh, ho! Me too!” Helga added in a loud voice.
“Fools! I think we should see if we can get a better deal. This is a Helldrake!” Mikal cried.
Irvin leaned in toward Jeze and said, “I would take Hannah’s offer if I were you.”
Jeze wanted to do business with Hannah because of their friendship. However, she recalled the richer merchants and craftsmen who wouldn’t hire her back in Angston. Hannah was a courtyard merchant meant for novice adventurers. Her and the Proven might be promoted to Adventurer rank! Jeze wondered if it was time for her to move beyond Hannah.
She quietly asked Irvin, “You don’t think we can get a better offer?”
Hannah studied Jeze with narrowed eyes. Irvin shook his head and replied, “Perhaps, but there are a lot of snakes out there. It is always best to do business with those you know. Besides, she is including sets of Helldrake Scale armor. I say, take her deal.”
Jeze nodded and told her team, “I vote that we work with Hannah.”
Mikal sputtered in protest.
“You are outvoted, Micky. Besides, we did all the work,” Helga teased.
The Healer’s dark eyes went wide. “What?!? You all would be dead if not for me and the Vitality Spring!”
Jeze had a mischievous grin on her face as she replied, “Hmm, about that. That spell uses the Spirit aspect, if I recall. Did you just admit to casting magic akin to Necromancy? I wonder if the Frozen All Father would approve.”
Helga and Rolfe laughed loudly. Even Dunar chuckled at the joke. Mikal fumed and glared at Jeze.
“Do not speak of the All-Father with ignorance. He helps those who help themselves,” Mikal preached.
“That is convenient. Forget morals, just do stuff for yourself, and everything will be fine,” Helga observed.
Mikal muttered, “It’s not that simple. Besides, I was wrong about the Spirit aspect.”
Jeze’s eyes went wide, and she exclaimed, “What was that? Can you repeat that? Did you just admit you were wrong?”
Ziplocke cackled with glee from the look that Mikal gave Jeze. The tiny Goblin fell over laughing.
“Do we have a deal?” Hannah asked.
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“Can you upgrade our armor right away?” Jeze inquired.
Hannah tapped her chin and said, “When do you need it?”
“One week. These fools should rest one week before adventuring again,” Mikal answered.
Rolfe and Helga groaned. “We are fine!” Helga exclaimed before coughing.
“I agree with Mikal. We should use this time to recover,” Dunar said.
Hannah stretched her back and answered, “I might need a few more days than a week, but I will work as fast as I can.”
Dunar grimaced and rubbed his side. The residual effects from their fight with the Helldrake. The Leader nodded and shook Hannah’s hand. “We have a deal.”
“Excellent!” The merchant replied.
The scavenger team worked on the Helldrake’s body. Hannah finalized the final details with the Proven, and they agreed to meet her at her camp on the first floor. Without armor, the team packed up their camp and went through the exit portal to the outside.
“What about Orn?” Helga asked.
“They can find you,” Irvin replied.
“Do you think we will advance to Adventurer rank?” Rolfe asked.
Dunar shrugged his broad shoulders. “It is no use worrying about what we can not control. We did our best, and now we should focus on the present.”
“That is true. From what I have seen, you five have improved tremendously in the weeks since Angston,” Irvin said.
The outside camp was enormous and sprawled like a tent city before the team. Jeze noticed at least a dozen more portals, which meant that more Safe Zones were established on the first two floors. The economy was bustling as more and more goods were transported out of the Spire and sold to merchants. Jeze saw a steady line of wagons ladened with raw materials exit the Wasteland while fresh, empty ones entered. In addition to the buyers and sellers, many merchants sold goods and services to the newly made wealthy adventurers. It was a bustling economy that had people from all over the world.
“We have money now. Let’s eat some delicious food!” Rolfe said while rubbing his large hands together.
“Oh, ho! I agree!” Helga boomed.
“It is a wonder if you two have brains in your heads or in your stomachs,” Mikal observed.
The two large warriors laughed and then grimaced in pain. Dunar turned to Irvin.
“Friend Irvin, do you have any suggestions?” The Leader asked.
The gray-haired Guild official scanned the camp and answered, “I know a good place.”
“Lead the way and be quick about it! Our stomachs need filling from our epic battle with the fearsome Helldrake!” Rolfe boomed. The giant Protector held his chest again in pain.
“Easy, Rolfie, you are going to burst your ribs again,” Helga admonished.
Irvin shook his head and muttered, “The enthusiasm of youth.”
The Guild official led the Proven through the sprawling tent city. They passed merchants selling enchanted armor, weapons, and other adventuring tools, from expanding ropes to Rune-powered wagons. Jeze’s eyes lit up with curiosity.
“Move along, Jezie, we are hungry,” Helga said and lifted the Scout easily away from the Rune-powered contraptions.
Irvin led the team to an area with dozens of food pavilions. Each one was more extravagant than the other, with thick carpets and plush seating arrangements. The aromas of meats, spices, and seasoned vegetables floated through the air like gentle, captivating music. Rolfe and Helga were enthralled, and their mouths watered.
“Can we eat here?” Rolfe asked.
“I will show you a place,” Irvin stated.
Helga rubbed her hands in anticipation as she followed the Guild official and walked past cookfires and outdoor dining areas. They came to a smaller tent, but still large enough to seat a dozen people, with low wooden tables that were surrounded by seating pillows.
“A noodle shop?” Jeze asked. The familiar smell tickled her nose.
Irvin nodded. The spiced noodles cooked in a thick meat broth and served with diced mushrooms was a dish that came from her parent’s homeland. Jeze studied Irvin with her narrow eyes. Irvin smiled back at her.
“How did you know this was the food I grew up eating?” She asked
“Your last name,” Irvin answered.
“This is a cuisine from the Golden Empire?” Dunar asked.
“My parents were adventurers from the Jade Principality and traveled far and wide before settling in the province of Narcadia within the Golden Empire,” Jeze explained.
“Jade Principality? I never heard of that kingdom,” Dunar said.
“It is far to the east,” Jade replied.
“The food smells delicious!” Rolfe exclaimed, and the giant Protector immediately ordered the largest bowl.
The Proven wasted no time and sat on the floor mats. In moments they ate and drank to fill the long weeks they traveled without real food. The proprietor was a small bald man with narrow dark eyes and weather beaten skin tanned from the sun. He smiled and bowed to the Proven as he delivered their food. He stopped to study Jeze for a long moment.
“Can I help you?” Jeze growled. She didn’t much like the scrutiny.
The old man smiled with a nod and replied, “Apologies, young sister. It is rare that I see those from the East, and it brings me joy to see a reminder of my home. Did you enjoy the noodles?”
Jeze’s face softened and she answered with a bow, “I did, they were almost as good as how my mom prepared them.”
The proprietor grinned and said, “One who shares your resemblance said the same thing to me during the last Wandering Spire.”
Jeze perked up and asked, “Do you remember their name?”
The small man nodded. “Of course. I can count the number of times on my fingers that I have seen a fellow from the Far East. He had a Golden Empire name. Give me a moment,” the bald man tapped his chin and then perked up. “Ah yes, I do recall it now. His name was Daverius!”
Jeze sat up and exclaimed, “That was my brother! What can you tell me of him?”
The old man studied Jeze’s face for a moment and then bowed his head in understanding. “Your question saddens my heart. You have my condolences.”
Jeze nodded and tears formed in her eyes. It has been a while since she thought about her brother.
The proprietor continued, “He was a fine young man. Strong and very polite. Whenever he was able to exit the Spire, he would always seek out my humble shop and share his tales with me. It was clear from the respect his teammates showed him that he was a good Leader.”
“Do you know any other information?” Jeze asked.
The old man smiled gently. “He was very brave and capable. The last time I saw him, he said he was about to enter the 10th level.”
Everyone’s eyes went wide. “What was his rank?” Rolfe stopped eating to ask.
Irvin pulled out the Guild ledger to look up the answer. Jeze was surprised that she had never thought to ask that question! How far did her brother go?
Irvin’s eyes went wide, and he replied, “He made the Adept rank.”
Helga rubbed Jeze’s shoulders. “I never met your brother, but this confirms to me what I already knew. It is in your blood to go far!” The warrior maiden cheered.
Daverius made Adept rank? Jeze wondered. That was impressive, and it made her both proud and sad. She knew he was destined for greatness and regretted she would not see him again. What great advice would he be able to share! Jeze wiped the tears from her eyes and smiled at the old man.
“Thank you for that,” she said and quietly excused herself.
Her team, even Mikal, rubbed her shoulders to offer support. Ziplocke was unusually subdued. Even the Goblin recognized the importance of this moment to her and restrained himself from saying any witty barbs. Jeze did not go far, just a few steps away from the low table, before she walked into Orn and the Carls. Behind them were Lady Kalina, Miss Heng, and a small crowd of seasoned-looking adventurers. Jeze immediately spotted Swordslayer and Rainbow among them!
“It is time for you to hear our decision,” Orn boomed.