the molten fireballs crash into the wall next to them causing an intense ringing in their ears.

Zack lets go of the rope. Belle reaches for his hand and Naraly grabs hold.

"Belle you can't hold us both. let me go ill figure it out.”

"Enough with your dramatic chivalry, I'm not leaving you. You're precious to me as well. now pull your weight.”

Zack instantly starts stuttering trying to form words.

"hey say your vows later start climbing!”exclaims the miner.

the miners start to pull on the rope. doing their best to rig up a pulley on a nearby lantern post and a boulder.

guntar pulls out his banjo, he begins to strum it and fog seeps out from the opening. it crawls down past Zack and Belle towards the gecko. it starts to take form.

two masses start to contort into humanoid figures holding swords swinging wildly toward the creature. the gecko hesitates and takes a couple of steps back, hissing violently.

Belle makes it up and turns expecting Zack. but there's no one. She runs over and looks over the edge. there Zack is holding on to a couple of protruding rocks smiling.

"sorry the rope kind of snapped on me!”

"your hopeless you know that?” she sighs in relief.

Fiona's older brother pulls up Zack and shakes his hand firmly. “I misjudged you "sir knight" You have my thanks for protecting us. I suppose not all adventurers are no good. my name is Corbin.”

"Glad I could change your mind. Have you collected your haul for the day? I could go for a nice rest at the inn.” Zack said holding his arm supporting it with the other.

" yes, this should be plenty. he replies. take this.” he hands Zack one of the minerals.

“this can enhance that sword of yours it looks like those scaly bastards did a number on it.”

"thank you" he replies while bowing his head with his arm across his chest.

they begin to pack up camp and make their way back to the main floor. As they approach the main market place Corbin hands Belle a piece of paper with his signature on it.

"here hand this to the innkeeper. he will give you your reward, we look forward to working with you again.” they all bow and take their leave.

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Fiona before she leaves grabs belles hands.

"you were incredible out there. the way you saved sir Zack, and exploded the ceiling. you are awesome!” she then leans in and whispers to Belle. " better seal the deal girly that hunks a catch.” she smiles cheekily and runs off leaving a flustered belle stammering for words.

the three then make their way back to the scorched earth inn. A familiar emerald scale-covered face welcomes the back.

"well how did it go I heard you took on your first quest!?"

Belle promptly hands the piece of paper from Corbin to the scaly innkeeper. he examines it and looks up at the three.

he folds the document and walks into the backroom for a moment. when he returns he has with him three small sacks. he also has three green emeralds.

"based on what I read I would say your fit for the portal. give these emeralds to the dwarf at the obelisk tomorrow. For tonight your rooms have been paid for as well as your dinner. In these bags are your payment, as well as your room key. dinners in an hour so go get settled."

they head up to their rooms. It's nothing too special. there's a bed, a desk with a quill, and paper.

they change out of their gear into more casual wear. they reconvene in Guntar's room.

"I can't believe we did it were adventurers now, I wonder where that portal doohickey will take us." says an excited belle.

"Now lass I know you are eager but we must be wary. we never know where we are going. just that records show the same place has never been visited twice."

Zack is bouncing in place bursting with eagerness." that makes it even cooler."

gunters ears twitch and he looks to the door. he jumps up and runs to the door swinging it open and scanning the hallway. he doesn't see anybody but, swears someone was there.

“what's wrong guntar?” Said Zack with a tilted head of curiousity.

"lad there was someone there I just know it.”

"come on old man who is gonna be spying on us were flat broke and complete newbies." she laughs it off walking into the hallway and downstairs.

"Are you sure you heard someone guntar?” Zack wonders what it could have been.

"yes my boy I haven't a shred of doubt, let's catch up with Belle.”

they make their way downstairs. the tavern is lively. music, drinking, laughing, and plenty of food. guntar almost instantly forgets what happened upstairs and joins the musicians on the stage singing and playing his instrument.

Zack scans the room for Belle and spots her at a table, talking with a hooded figure. He approaches the table and calls out for Belle.

"belle have you gotten anything to eat yet I'm heading up to grab a plate now.”

“no, not yet been chatting with this fellow here. his name is a gargoyle. gargoyle this is zack, zack this is gargoyle.”

the two shake hands.

"so belle here tells me your taking your first crack at the portal tomorrow?"

" oh did she know? he replied looking at Belle.

she sheepishly sips her ale.

"yes, indeed friend I was just offering a helping hand of sorts. see my last party tragically departed the mortal plane. so you see I'm looking to help out earn a little coin I'm sure you understand.”

" I think I do. your a mercenary?”

"I wouldn't quite put it like that. you see I'm only asking we split things evenly as would any other party.”

Zack squints at the man. " what's the benefit of joining a couple of new adventures I'm sure you could do better.”

"zack! enough with the interrogation you heard him his friends died and he is trying to make a living where's that bleeding heart??” Belle looked impatiently for an answer.

"ahem of course a person in need shall not be turned away. were leaving in the morning you can meet us here.”

"Perfect thanks for having me.” he smirks as he is standing up to leave. a " belle darling your company was impeccable have a wonderful night, ill see you two in the am chow.”

the man walks away, up the stairs and out of sight.

the three then enjoy their meal and the festivities of the bar. after a ball of a time they head to their respective rooms and lay down for the night. Zack is having trouble sleeping, he has this pit in his stomach a bad feeling he can't shake off.

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