Bert finished adding the chill runes to the storage carriage as the first supplies arrived. One of the advantages of coming across the Gardeners was the opportunity to get something they had been missing out on a lot.

Fruits and vegetables.

The variety of dishes and meals they would be able to make would more than triple with the huge stores they were taking on board. Salad vegetables and similar short-life things were placed in their other new acquisition.

Stasis Cubes.

The vast glass cubes were covered in a flowing spell script that was fed mana constantly by the Waystation. Anything inside was frozen in time from the moment it came to rest until it was moved again. If the Waystation didn’t take any big knocks, everything inside would be fresh and crispy for pretty close to forever.

The huge amount of glass they had acquired was absorbed by Way Way instantly, to be used later. For the moment, he was keeping the crystal windows they had. The panes could be used for a greenhouse as they were, but with some practice, Bert was willing to bet that Way Way and him could come up with better options.

His mind danced with the possibilities of lenses and screens. Binoculars, telescopes… maybe even moving screens controlled by Way Way?

They had only been on the continent for a single day and already had a significant upgrade for Way Way.

It was clear that technology had moved on a bit here in the new continent. It was exciting to imagine what other discoveries and upgrades were waiting just over the horizon.

Bell had pointed out that the people here also seemed to be of a higher average level, which was fun. They might be the exception, but he was still excited, given that he had seen a couple near level thirty.

It had been a long time since he had leveled, and he couldn’t help but wonder what other secrets his classes had yet to reveal.

Once the ground level was mostly filled, Way Way added a set of stairs and a second level. The Orcs helped with the loading, forming a human chain up the stairs while he and Bud ran around stacking everything in place.

It took hours, but it was worth it.

The Waystation was stocked and ready to serve customers again. At least as long as they were happy with a meat-free menu. As a bonus, they still had a whole third of the storage car yet to fill. With a bit of luck, meat would be what they found next.

“All done?” Bell asked as he trotted down the ramp from the Storage Carriage.

“Yup,” Bert grinned. “What’s next?”

“Someone that Milly wants us to meet,” Bell said. “She’s much less fun when she’s not fainting every five minutes.”

Bert chuckled.

As he and Bell crossed the lawn towards the massive glass structure, Bert couldn’t help but smile at the crowd that was surrounding Scruff. It was long past time that the girl got some encouragement from non-Waystation people.

The last time she had anyone appreciate her work, other than them, was the Undead.

Despite everything she had accomplished, Scruff still suffered from a lack of self-confidence thanks to a childhood spent being told repeatedly she was worthless or a disappointment.

He watched Bernhardt arrive, towing a resigned-looking man behind him.

A second later, he left looking dejected at Scruff’s refusal to trade seeds for another one of his children.

It turned out four of them were here. So far, three had been offered in trade.

Bernhardt had serious issues when it came to anything that did not include plants. Bert knew the type. Even on Earth, they had people who were geniuses in their field… but completely clueless in day-to-day life.

Of course, trying to trade your kids for seeds was taking it to a whole new level.

He was still chuckling to himself as they entered through the main doors of the Guild Hall.

“Welcome, honored guests!” Milly said brightly.

Bert and Bell stood in the doorway, looking around suspiciously. This meeting room was much grander than the one they had used the day before. It was also full.

Milly was flanked by a dozen men and women in a variety of clothing styles. A quick check with Analyze showed that there were more than a couple with levels higher than his own.

One was level forty-five!

Bert and Bell exchanged a look as they went in.

“Thank you for coming,” Milly said with a warm smile. “I thought a proper meeting would be in order.”

Bell held up a hand to stop her, then clicked her fingers.

“These are representatives of various groups in the area. I think there would be more, but they would all need longer to get here,” Lily’s voice came from next to Bell. “They didn’t discuss anything worrying while they waited and seemed genuinely excited to meet you.” She paused for a moment, “I suspect the woman at the back on the left has been able to see me all along, but I don’t think she told anyone.”

“Thanks, Lil,” Bert said cheerfully. “Have a seat.”

An empty chair beside him pulled out, then scooted forward again.

“There was someone hiding in here the whole time?” A man asked. “Why do they not reveal themselves?”

“She’s shy,” Bert smiled. “Sorry, Milly, you were saying?”

Milly gaped for a second before shaking herself and recovering.

“Uh, yes.” She cleared her throat. “I just thought you might wish to greet a few of the other Guilds and such before you set out on your journey.”

“Nice thought,” Bell said, smiling with way too many teeth. “Would have been nice to inform us as well.”

Milly paled.

“Mind if I take over?” The woman Lily had mentioned stepped forward and gently nudged Milly aside. “I’m Dana, and I represent the Explorer’s Guild.”

“Uh huh,” Bell said, her expression not changing.

“I’m level forty-five and a combat class, which I am sure you already know.” She said, her face calm and friendly. “Milly does not often deal with people from… interesting places. She had no idea how much this would look like an ambush.”

“What?” Milly looked appalled. “The very idea!”

Bert relaxed, but only slightly.

“Idiot,” A dark-haired man in leather armor laughed. “Hey, by the way, I’m Cyrus Combs, a rep for the Delver’s Guild.”

“Delver’s Guild?” Bert asked. “Get a lot of repeat business?”

“Not much,” He grinned. “But if they make it past the first one, they often last whole months before getting mashed.”

“How many runs?” Bert asked, sitting forward.

“Me?” Cyrus said. “Five, and the last one damn near got me.”

“You know,” Bell said. “We ran across a rabbit-themed one a while back.”

“No!” Cyrus said, sliding into a set at the table. “Did you close it?”

“Yeah,” Bert said. “It had converted a whole nearby town, so we didn’t have much choice.”

“That where you lost the arm?” Dana asked.

“Rude!” Milly snapped, but everyone ignored her.

“No, I lost that in an abandoned Dwarf Palace.” Bert winced at the memory. “Damn roof came down on top of me.”

“Worth it?” Dana asked, her eyes shining.

“Yes and no,” Bert admitted. “I did get this arm out of it, but not much else.” He grinned. “Fun, though. Until it suddenly wasn’t.”

“Ain’t that always the way?” Cyrus shook his head. “So what brings you to our shores? Looking for more dungeons?”

“Looking in general,” Bert shrugged. “It’s somewhere we had never been, so…”

Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

“Damn,” Cyrus grinned. “Looks like they are more your Guild than mine,” He flicked a coin to Dana.

“You seen that vehicle?” Dana winked. “Home from home that, pure Explorer.”

“That would be our Waystation,” Bell said proudly. “We have all the usual amenities on board.”

“Like Waystation. With a capital W?” Another man asked. He was very dark-skinned and even a good bit shorter than the others, but his muscles pressed against his shirt. He was peering over the top of his glasses hopefully.

“Definitely,” Bell smiled.

“Gods!” He laughed. “Legends said they all died out!”

“Not all,” Bert said sadly, “But most.”

“Yeah,” Bell took his hand, “We had to close one not long before we came.”

“I hate to think of that,” The man shook his head. “Rey’ala, Crafter’s Guild. Pleased to meet you.”

“Likewise,” Bert nodded. “That’s an orc name, isn’t it?”

“It is,” He nodded warily. “If you have a problem with that…”

“No!” Bert assured him. “I just thought the orcs we have with us would like to chat with you if you have time.” He leaned forward. “It has been a while since they left home.”

“I would be delighted!” He smiled.

“If I may?” Milly said desperately, “This was supposed to be a meeting to discuss any future plans you might have.”

“We don’t really have any,” Bert shrugged. “Just planning to wander around and see what is out there.”

“I see,” Milly said uncertainly. “I assumed your plans would be more…” She trailed off.

“Organised?” Bell offered, “That isn’t really what we do.” She grinned. “We do want to make stops to explore, trade, and so on.”

“Yup,” Bert nodded. “And, of course, if we find somewhere the Waystation is actually needed, we’ll set up shop for a bit.”

“I think we might be able to help with that,” Dana and Cyrus exchanged a look. “If you don’t mind dangerous areas?”

“They’re all dangerous if we’re in them,” Bell laughed.

Milly looked horrified.

===============

“It’s closer than I thought,” Bert admitted when they had adjourned to the Bear’s Fall a while later.

“This is actually the far end of the settled lands,” Cyrus admitted. “The Grower’s Guild just happens to like the area, so they keep everything nailed down pretty tight.”

“A few miles from here, and you are in truly wild country,” Dana agreed.

Bert looked closer at the map. The land of the Grower’s association was a long dagger that struck down from the borders of the settled lands, reaching all the way to the gateway.

On either side of it was empty wilderness. Empty, not unexplored. The spot in question was a good few miles off to the west of where they were. In the middle of all that wilderness was a small red square labeled in a strong hand as ruins.

“We tried to come at it from above, but cliffs make the way unpassable until bridges have been built,” Dana said. “And even with the Guild of Builders, that is going to take a while.”

“We have some experience with bridges,” Bert offered.

“Thanks,” Dana shook her head. “But the Builders can do that work. What we need is facilities on site.”

“Anyone qualified to be there can get there without the bridges,” Cyrus confirmed. “But my people are Delvers, not Builders. They need somewhere safe to sleep, rest, and prepare.”

“The Explorers are used to making do, but they won’t exactly complain about a soft bed and solid walls around them either,” Dana smiled. “In a few weeks, we will have bunk houses, storage barns, and the rest. For now? They are out there alone, worrying about wild animals, weather, and a hundred other things that stop them from actually doing their jobs.”

“A good place for the Waystation,” Bell said seriously. “It is exactly what Waystations do.”

“I was hoping you would say that,” Dana smiled. “I can’t pay much, but doing this will qualify your people for membership in the Guild. Anything you can find or learn will obviously boost your membership level.”

“Sounds good,” Bert said.

“And any delving you do will also qualify you for my guild.” Cyrus grinned.

Bert felt Bell tense a little on his shoulder.

“Thanks, but I’ll leave that to the experts,” Bert grinned. “Too much to see to be dashing into dungeons any time soon.”

“Can’t blame you,” Cyrus said, looking around. “You have a nice setup here. Good place, good people.”

“Thanks,” Bell said happily.

“You will be meeting up with a Builder’s Guild member called McRae,” Dana said. “He will let you know what’s needed and where is the best area to set up.”

“If any of your people can knock together a few small buildings, he’d probably let you join their Guild as well,” Cyrus added.

“They aren’t exclusive then?” Bert asked, surprised.

“No, not unless you end up running the place,” Dana laughed. “Thank the Gods.”

“The more Guilds you belong to, the more respect you get,” Dana said. “Also, some Kingdoms or Countries have ties to one Guild or another, so it helps to have multiple badges.”

“We’ll keep it in mind,” Bert said. “Thanks.”

“What do you think?” Bert asked after the Guildies had left.

“Eh, they seem okay.” Bell sighed. “Different from where we came from, though.”

“Yup,” Bert agreed. “I’m not sure I buy the whole happy families angle.”

“There is no way these Guilds all play nice,” Bell agreed. “Especially the bigger ones.”

“We’ll just play it the usual way,” Bert said happily.

“Be nice until they piss us off, then hit them so hard they don’t get back up?” Bell laughed.

“Hey, it works.” Bert grinned. “Let’s go round up our people before someone actually takes one of Bernhardt’s kids.”

Bell giggled.

It didn’t take long to find the first of their crew. Bud was lingering around the Waystation, his eyes scanning the grounds suspiciously.

“Hey, Bud,” Bert said. “What’s got you on edge?”

“The Brothers,” Bud said simply. “They found out the Growers have a brewery, and I haven’t seen them since.”

Bert laughed.

“Well, we are moving out soon. Round up anyone you find, okay?” Bell said.

“Where are we headed?” Bud asked.

“Some ruins a few miles out in the wilds need a Waystation for a week or so,” Bert said. “Should be fun.”

“Think I can do a bit of hunting?” Bud asked eagerly. “It’s been a while since I went out with Slothy.” He smiled fondly.

“Definitely,” Bert said. “We need to learn about the local animals.”

“Like how they taste,” Bell giggled.

“I’ll go find the Patrol,” Bud grinned and headed off.

Finding Scruff was easy as the crowd following her around was clear from a mile away. She was starting to look a little flustered with the constant questions, not to mention the occasional trade attempts by Bernhardt.

“Scruff!” Bell called, flying up over the crowd. “We are heading out soon!”

“Got it!” Scruff looked relieved.

“No!” A man cried out in alarm. “She must stay and teach us!”

The others took up the cry, causing Scruff to start to look almost panicked.

“Such knowledge simply must remain in the Guild!” An older woman with human features said. “A prodigy like this is wasted anywhere else!”

“You going to stop her?” Bell said, popping into human form, Ringer in hand.

“What?” The woman leaned away from Bell’s feral grin. She looked around desperately for help. “Someone explain to these savages!”

“They are not going to listen,” Another sniffed dismisively. “The Head Gardener himself will not stop them,” They shrugged.

“Ridiculous!” The woman then made a horrific mistake. She reached out and clamped her hand around Scruff’s arm. “Come with me!”

“Let her go,” A quiet voice said. Something about it cut through the arguments going on.

“Who said that?” The woman looked around, seeing no one.

“Do you have nightmares?” The voice trilled. “Would you like to see mine?” Lily popped into the woman’s eyeline. “I have ever so many.”

The woman gulped and slowly and carefully released Scruff’s arm.

“Don’t touch the Fae without consent,” Lily smiled. “It is rude.”

“S-S-Sorry,” The woman backed away from the little Lily, who was fluttering in place a few feet off the floor.

Lily vanished again, and the woman turned and ran. The rest of the crowd suddenly found better things to do.

“Fucking hell!” Bell giggled. “That was incredible!”

“Thank you,” Lily sounded happy. “I have been practicing my menacing face in the mirror.”

“The deranged smile really sells it!” Scruff said with an uncertain smile.

“What deranged smile?” Lily asked in confusion.

“Never mind!” Scruff said hurriedly. “I’ll just go grab Wendy and head for the Waystation.”

Bert chuckled as he heard her muttering about scary pixies as she hurried away.

He was just starting to get concerned when he saw Bud hurrying over, looking furious. He and Bell had looked everywhere for Wendy, Gavin, and the Orcs. No one had seen a single sign of them for hours.

“I can’t find some of our people,” He said quietly to Bud as soon as the skeleton was in range.

“Oh, I found them!” Bud said. “But you better come see for yourself!”

“Are they okay?” Bell asked.

“They will be until I get through with them!” Bud growled.

Now less worried and more anxious, Bert and Bell followed him all the way back to the last carriage of the Waystation. The one with the Express in it.

Lily was standing next to one open ramp with a chastised expression.

Bert gave her a questioning look.

“I just helped them hide!” She said quickly. “I swear I didn’t know what they were doing!”

Bert broke into a run, getting there a second after Bell did.

The Express was still there, which was a relief.

The previously empty carriage was now full from the Express up, with barrel after barrel of something. Every wall was covered. A half floor near the ceiling also held what looked suspiciously like dozens of crates of wine.

Empty barrels almost covered the top of the Express, with the free space taken up by unconscious orcs.

Gavin was slumped against one of the barrels, singing quietly to himself.

The only fully conscious one was Wendy, who burped and waved happily with a wine bottle in each hand.

“We found their brewery!” She said happily. “It’s pretty good stuff!” She gave them a big goofy grin, “We decided to do a taste test!” She giggled and noticed the passed-out orcs and dazed dwarf. “Lightweights!” She took a deep glug from one of the bottles. “I like wine!”

Bell started to laugh.

“They stole it!” Bud said. “And they had Lily hide them, so I couldn’t stop them!”

“No one saw them?” Bert asked.

“No,” Bud sighed, giving Lily a sideways look. “Lily is very skilled.”

“Thank you, sorry,” Lilly said sheepishly.

“You’re sure?” Bert asked again.

Bud nodded.

“Right, help me close the ramp,” He said to Bud.

“What?” Bud asked.

“You think we should give it back?” Bert asked with a grin.

“Ah!” Bud hurried to help him close the side of the carriage.

As they were passing the Bear’s Fall, an irate-looking Milly came striding out of the Guild House.

“Excuse me!” Milly called. “I need to have a word with you, please!” She was going as fast as she could without running. “There is a matter of some missing supplies to discuss!”

“Sorry!” Bert called back. “Can’t stop.” He waved. “Must go, you know how it is!”

He pushed Bud up the ramp to the Bear’s Fall.

“Thanks for everything!” Bell waved happily and slammed the door.

“Leg it!” Bert yelled, and the Waystation started to move as Bell erupted into fits of laughter.