It took them more than a day to escape the murky swamp. Throughout the long journey, the two groups seldom interacted, and tension had been mounting ever since the confrontation between the two nobles.
Talax and his friends trailed behind the others, maintaining a safe distance. Talax sought a moment to confide in Franny about what he had discovered. He had realized that his interrogation skill had been alerting him every time they were being lied to.
The perfect opportunity came when they were suddenly attacked by an enormous lizard. The rest of the group was preoccupied grappling with a crocodile that continuously unleashed spectral beams of dark magic.
Franny turned to stone upon hearing the news, struggling to digest this shocking revelation. "What does this mean? Did they intentionally abandon me to my fate?" Talax shrugged, uncertain how to respond.
"I don't know for sure, but there's an obvious pattern here. There have been too many instances to be coincidence. Your uncle either wants you dead, or there's something else is going on." Franny looked troubled, with his new, dull suit, and grim expression, he looked like another person. He now resembled a seasoned warrior who had endured grievous trials and emerged on the other side.
In the background, the monstrous lizard leaped into the air, showering Edward and Walter with water as they gripped their swords with bloodthirsty determination. In an unexpected move, the crocodile activated an ability, causing its already long claws to grow even larger, crackling with dark energy, and it swiped at the men in front of it.
"You mentioned feeling that warning when I asked about Bryan. Do you think they might have killed him, or could he still be alive?" Hope filled Franny's eyes as he clung to the belief that his childhood friend might yet be alive and well.
“Again, I don’t know. The skill only lets me detect whether what I am hearing is true or not. I could maybe ask Vesperine some pointed questions, trying to fish out some nuggets of truth. But I can’t promise you anything.” Talax lacked confidence in his ability to find out the truth, as it appeared to work randomly. There had been instances when he knew someone was lying, yet his warning didn't activate.
There were still things he didn’t know about his skills, and the results were unpredictable. Nevertheless, the young noble nodded with a feverish gleam in his eyes. "Please do!" With that, they waited for the battle to conclude. The experienced adventurers swiftly dispatched the creature, and they resumed their journey.
Talax attempted to catch Vesperine's attention, but she seemed to be deliberately ignoring him. Her abrupt change in behavior was striking. Ever since they had first met, the masked woman had been clinging to him like a thirsty flea, doing everything in her power to win his favor. Now, she kept her distance, casting covert glances in his direction while monitoring his movements but never approaching him.
This was deeply troubling. He had assumed that Vesperine's infatuation would lead her to support him in case of a conflict with Edward. However, he now harbored doubts. It appeared that Edward's influence was greater than he had initially thought, making the situation more complicated. He was certain that the older noble was plotting something, and he was willing to bet his sword that whatever plans he had would unfold the moment they discovered the relic they sought.
Without Vesperine's assistance, Talax had no hope of surviving the dungeon. He was convinced that the older noble intended to have him killed once the expedition was over, and Ferdinand would likely follow suit.
Restless and uneasy, he decided to explore the watery expanse. Since they had cleared out the toad nest, the swamp had become eerily silent, with only the hum of insects hinting at any remaining signs of life. It seemed the toads had eliminated most of the monsters in their territory, making it relatively safe for him to venture out.
He attempted to activate his stealth skill, but with his first step, he felt his stealth drop. The swampy waters weren't very good for training his stealth. Nonetheless, he continued to make larger circles around the group, seeking some time to himself.
A couple of times his vision brightened when he discovered some herbs that shone with mana. When he picked them, information flooded his mind.
Water Dancer:
-It can be used as a basic ingredient for brewing potions dealing water-based damage.
-It can be used as a key component for potions that enhance agility in aquatic environments.
Grimvine:
-It can be used as black dye when crushed and steeped in boiling water.
-It can be used as a key component for crafting traps dealing dark-based damage.
Talax stashed the herbs inside his pack. He didn’t know where he would use them, but it was good to have options. Besides picking the small plants had another effect, his skill leveled up!
Herbalism skill, level 2
2% to successful herb gathering and preservation, identification of common and uncommon plants
While he was crouched trying to find more of the magical herbs, he heard voices drifting to his location. He froze and activated his stealth skill. He tried not to move, afraid his skill would fail and reveal his location.
"I'm tellin' ya! I ain't likin' it! Not one bit, not at all!" Walter's unmistakably whiny voice echoed through the dense swamp. Talax's gaze shifted to the man, observing him as he walked alongside Callum, both clutching small twigs and branches.
Talax, as discreetly as he could, lowered himself and took cover behind a skeletal bush filled with thorns. The withered plant afforded him some protection from being spotted, allowing him to discreetly observe the two men. He hoped that his stealth would be sufficient to keep him hidden from the ranger's keen senses.
"It doesn't matter whether you like it or not. You just have to follow orders," Callum replied flatly, dismissing the other man's hysterics.
"I'm tellin' ya, that young lad's got it all figured out, and he's whisperin' in the young lord's ear. I just wanna have me enough coins for some ale, not havin' them royal guards chasin' after me arse!" Walter's voice quivered with anxiety. Callum, unbothered, proceeded to a nearby island, approached a tree, and began breaking off dead branches.
"What are you afraid of? If the lord says to mind our business, then that's what we will do," the ranger responded, handing the dead branches to Walter.
"What if they manage to slip away and rat us out? Huh? What're we gonna do then?" Walter's shrill voice persisted, but Callum carried on with his task, unfazed. Walter continued to whine and clearly frustrated, Callum exclaimed, "Theldris give me strength! How are they going to escape? Don't you see where we are?" He gestured with his hands, indicating the gloomy cavern.
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"I just want me coin, that's it! I ain't lookin' for no trouble. When you brought me into this, you said I'd be servin' a lord, but that fella's more of a Viscosie cutthroat than anythin' else!"
"You'll get your money! The lord rewards those that follow him. Now stop yapping. The lord will get angry if we are late!" With that, they continued to work in silence, with Walter muttering intermittently.
Talax remained in his concealed position long after the two men had departed. He was left shaken, his suspicions having been confirmed. Upon rejoining the group, he found them gathered around a small fire, cooking a small creature. He chose not to join them, opting to sit further away, lost in his own thoughts.
The remainder of the journey proved uneventful as they reached the barrier of mana that separated the path from the rest of the cavern. They entered the magical barrier, and Talax felt the curtain of mana tugging him in a multitude of directions.
The narrow path forced them to cluster together, with Talax walking alongside Vesperine. He wished to talk to her, but the proximity of the others made it challenging to have a private conversation. Furthermore, what he had overheard from Walter and Callum made it difficult to trust the woman again. After all, she was a hired sword too.
Talax noticed the masked woman hesitating several times, as if on the verge of speaking, but each time she turned her head and occupied herself with something else. Occasionally, her hand brushed against him, and her cloak grazed his skin, but he couldn't be certain if she did it intentionally or not.
Their journey along the path grew monotonous. Wave after wave of spirits assailed them every few hundred meters. One of Edward's allies was tasked with clearing the way, and they continued on their course.
The spirits were feeble creatures, posing no actual threat to their group. They were likely meant to obstruct the path of the devout when the dungeon was still a place of worship. Those people sought the favor of their God, and they were simple men and women, not warriors. For Talax's traveling party, dealing with these spirits was child's play.
Days went by with little change, until they reached the end of the cavern. A sheer wall stretched to impossible heights, vanishing into the darkness of the cavern. At the terminus of the path, there was a small opening, a narrow hole that could accommodate only one person at a time.
The group set up camp just before the exit, resting and preparing for whatever might await them. Talax found himself sitting next to the red-haired man, and Walter shared stories of his youth and offered sage advice with the demeanor of a man who had seen it all. Talax took the opportunity to inquire about some aspects of the seasoned warrior's past.
"So, Walter, how did you become so strong? When I saw you fighting all those toad warriors I was in awe. You moved with such efficiency and grace that most warriors would turn green with envy!” Talax tried to flatter the man, trying to win his favor. He could immediately see Walter swelling with pride.
"Battles, lad, loads and loads of battles! I was blessed with a knack for fire magic when I was knee-high to a grasshopper, and they drafted me to serve in the king's platoon of firebreathers. Oh, what an honor it was! I trained under the finest and picked up all sorts of nifty tricks. But, after a spell, I got lured in by a pretty lass who turned out to be as sour as a sun-baked lemon on a scorching summer's day!" Walter spat out his words and bared his teeth, as if trying to rid himself of the bitter memory, then wiped his mouth with a grimy hand. Walter spat out his words and bared his teeth, as if trying to rid himself of the bitter memory, then wiped his mouth with a grimy hand.
"I tried to get outta from the king's army, but them mages can't just up and leave without some nobleman's paper. Ended up in a stinkin' cell, had to bribe a few greedy hands with me hard-earned coins to get out! When I rode back to me village to marry that gal, turns out she'd run off with the miller's boy, that no-good hussy!" Walter thumped his fist in frustration and shook his head indignantly.
“What a story...” Talax mumbled, to which Walter absentmindedly nodded. "While you were in the army, did you pick up any spells?" Talax inquired nonchalantly. He wanted to know the extent of the warrior's capabilities, and the man seemed ready to boast with the slightest flattery.
"Aye! Them trainers, they hammered us like we was a piece of iron on a blacksmith's anvil! Learnin' new spells without no fancy spell tome or a master magician was tough, but we muddled through. I ain't no magician, mind you, but I picked up some tricks to make my sword cut real nice!"
Talax nodded somewhat disappointed. “Cool. I hoped you had some spell that can throw a fireball or something.” Walter grabbed a bottle and took a hearty swig. He then extended it to Talax, offering him a sip, but he declined with a shake of his head.
"That would've been real swell, but my affinity ain't high enough for all that. It's kinda like a miracle that I got Chains of Embers! Tychos must've been smilin' on me that day, or maybe it's 'cause I learned the spell from some fancy magic book. Yeah, reckon that's more likely."
“Oh! I saw that spell! It was so cool!” Talax exclaimed excitedly, “I wish I had something like that!” He continued, his voice sounding wistful.
"Don't fret, lad, you're still a young'un." Walter tried to console him and Talax nodded with an embarrassed smile, all the while trying to find ways to steer the conversation elsewhere.
“When you returned to your village as a trained mage, I bet everyone was in awe! I am sure your village doesn’t see many magic wielders.” Walter nodded with pride evident in his face.
"Aye! There were gals all lined up outside my door, hopin' to be my bride. But, y'know, I had to give 'em a little test before pickin' the lucky one!" He replied wagging his eyebrows.
“Lucky you!” Talax said, trying to hide his grimace. “But I bet it was difficult to live in a quiet village, after having tasted the life of the big city. What was your village called again?” Walter’s eyes had turned glassy from the booze.
"Little Harlow, that's the name o' me village, it's a quiet place, though a bit dull," Walter said, downing another gulp from his bottle. "After a while, I got weary of it all and turned into a mercenary. It's good coin, and if things start goin' to the pits, you just up and leave." He chuckled at his last words.
“Ah, so that’s how lord Edward found you. At least you get to get paid after all this will be over.” Talax murmured, just high enough to be heard from the man, but acting like he was talking to himself.
"Callum, he hollered for me. We're both from our little village, you know." Walter took another swig with one hand and picked his nose with the other. Talax looked the other way, trying to hide his grimace. He saw Franny and Qalo talking quietly with each other and Edward a little way to the side was sharpening his sword on a whetstone. Callum was ahead, scouting the tunnel and Vesperine was... somewhere.
"When Callum mentioned we'd be ridin' with some noble, I weren't too keen on it. Nobles can be a prickly bunch, y'know. But the deal he dangled in front of me was too sweet to say no to," Talax turned around to the drunken man and observed him for a moment. With a cautious voice he asked. “I bet he offered you a lot of coins!”
Walter began to respond but thought better of it and promptly closed his mouth. Talax narrowed his eyes, noticing the man's hesitation, and decided to exert a bit of pressure.
"I imagine the services of such an experienced warrior must be quite expensive. I mean, I'd wager I'd give up my entire fortune to have you at my side for protection!" Walter responded with a toothy grin, his self-importance and vanity on full display.
"Of course! But I'd never have dreamt of gettin' an offer like that!" Walter teased, relishing the attention he was getting from Talax.
“How much coin did he offer you?” Talax inquired, unable to contain his curiosity. Walter wore a smug smile and took a sip from his bottle before responding, clearly enjoying drawing out Talax's anticipation. "Let's put it this way, it was enough to hang up me mercenary boots for good if I fancied it," Walter replied with a sly grin.
Talax looked ahead, puzzled. “It must be a substantial sum,” he mused, and Walter chuckled.
“Not just coins, lad. He promised me an estate! Ha, ha, ha!” Walter's drunken laughter caught the attention of everyone in the camp, including Edward, who seemed to focus on their location. In response, Talax stayed silent. When Edward's attention eventually shifted elsewhere, Talax heard Walter snoring softly. The warrior had fallen asleep, clutching his bottle like a baby.
Talax sighed and resigned himself. He had gathered enough information. The promise of such an extravagant reward to a simple mercenary left him baffled. He had initially assumed that Walter might leave the dungeon with a few pouches of gold coins and perhaps a couple of artifacts, but the notion of an entire estate was beyond his expectations.
Lost in his thoughts, he observed the old noble. Callum returned, making his report and taking a spot to rest. Vesperine remained conspicuously absent, leaving Talax to wonder what the masked woman might be up to.
While he waited, he delved into his core and checked his persuasion skill, which he felt had leveled up during his conversation with Walter.
Persuasion skill, level 3
3% to influencing other people, 3% of using lies or deceit undetected
Satisfied with the progress he had made, Talax lay down beside the slender warrior and allowed his eyes to close, lulling himself to sleep by the rhythm of Walter's snores.