When Brandt returned, he gave an hour timeframe before they would leave. Daniel had a problem.

“If we are taking horses, I can’t bring Gerty,” he complained.

“We can’t take a wagon just so you can bring your big sword,” Brandt retorted. “Get stronger for next time.”

As he walked away, Orrin felt bad seeing the dejected look on Daniel’s face.

“I could try to put it in my [Dimension Hole] if you want,” Orrin offered.

Daniel looked up with hope. That hope turned to ashes when Orrin failed to make the sword disappear. His magical space pocket was too small.

Orrin looked over his choices and made another one of his spur of the moment decisions. I’m going to really regret not sticking with the plan.

Would you like to upgrade [Dimension Hole]? 3AP

Yes or No?

Yes.

Gertrude disappeared. Orrin was able to put all the rest of his supplies into [Dimension Hole] as well.

“What? It didn’t work at first, what gives?” Daniel queried.

“Upgraded it. I can try to bring more food too.”

According to Daniel, who had actually been doing the research this time around, most dungeon delves failed due to one of two main issues.

One, a party member or two died. Without a full party, it was pretty much pointless to try defeating a dungeon.

Two, the party ran out of food or water. Large packs were hard to carry and slowed an adventurer down. Finding the right balance between bringing enough food to survive, while also not overweighing yourself so much you were vulnerable, was a fine line.

“Water is probably a better idea,” Daniel suggested. “We can carry lots of jerky, but water is crucial.

“Isn’t the entire dungeon ice?”

Daniel looked at Orrin like he was an idiot. “You want to melt and drink magical ice from a magical dungeon that is trying to magical kill you?”

They went down to the kitchen and ‘borrowed’ a barrel. Orrin could fit either the barrel or Gertrude in his storage. In the end, he used another three ability points to increase the size of [Dimension Hole] again. The skill lost the Upgradeable tag.

With [Dimension Hole] maxed out in size, Orrin had no trouble stuffing a barrel of water, Gertrude, all his and Daniel’s gear, and the four roasted chickens sitting out to cool that he eyed nearby.

Daniel just shook his head. “You’re ridiculous.” They made their way to the front of the house.

Brandt and Jude had finished saddling the horses. Madi hugged her father and told him in no uncertain terms that he was to behave while she was away.

“You know, for someone who tried to kill us, Silas is a softie when it comes to his daughter,” Orrin said, standing next to Daniel.

Daniel readjusted his small sword. “You know. Madi promised that they had it under control. A [Healer] nearby and everything. They hired some local thugs to rough me up but they took it too far. Jude backed her up, he was there too.”

“And you just believe him?” Orrin asked incredulously. “I’m all for using the guy to get us some levels, but come on...”

Daniel fiddled with his guild ring. “I’m on your side. They went too far.” He paused. “But I think they didn’t mean to and really regret it. Silas has kept his word so far.”

Orrin sighed. “You are the softie.”

Daniel pushed Orrin. What a few weeks ago would have sent Orrin swaying, knocked him to the ground instead.

“Watch it, asshole,” Orrin muttered as he picked himself up.

“Shit,” Daniel said as he stooped to help Orrin up. “Sorry, I’m still adjusting to this new strength.”

Orrin let Daniel help him up. “You know I could just inverse strength on you. Knock you over like a kitten.”

“Knock a lot of kittens over, do you?” Daniel smiled. “Sorry, truly.”

Orrin waved his hand. “I’ll just summon an ice sword in your sleeping bag tonight.”

Daniel chuckled.

“You boys ready to go?” Jude asked. “We can make it about halfway before the sun’s down.”

Orrin was dreading riding a horse again. He wanted to just teleport them all, but it would require multiple jumps. Not to mention, he couldn’t use another Regen potion until tomorrow.

“Let’s head out then,” Daniel answered.

With a wave to Silas and the few knights standing guard, they made their way down the street and out of Dey.

The Aqua Chambers were located thirty miles due east. The plan was to travel the main highway that led towards the Kingdom of Odrana. Dey’s lands extended almost 200 miles from the gates in a semicircle. Odrana covered two-thirds of that border, with the Untamed Forest covering the bottom third. Trees littered the side of the road.

They didn’t talk much as they rode. Orrin tried not to complain, but the looks of sympathy turned sour after the first hour.

“If it hurts, just heal yourself,” Madi finally said.

“I should save that for if we need it,” Orrin snapped back.

Daniel pulled his horse back next to Orrin. Of course, he had already figured out how to control his horse. “O. Just do it. We aren’t going to go into the dungeon until tomorrow anyways.”

Orrin grumbled but cast the lowest level healing spell he could. The chaffing went away and he let out a moan of pleasure.

“Somebody really likes horse riding through the countryside,” Jude joked.

The trip didn’t last much longer, as once the sun started to sink behind the mountains peaks at their backs, Brandt pulled them off the road.

“We will set camp here,” Brandt began. “Three shift rotation. Daniel and Jude will take first watch, I will take second, and Madi and Orrin can take third.”

“Why not Orrin and me,” Daniel asked.

“Because if we are split up, it’s less likely that we kill everybody and try to run away,” Orrin answered before Brandt.

Brandt shook his head. “I split it this way because I don’t know how you two are on watch. I trust Sir DeGuis to guard the Hero. I also trust Lady Madeleine to know how to keep a watch. We will all get to know each other’s strengths and weaknesses in the next week, so be patient with each other.”

“You really think we can defeat the dungeon in a week?” Daniel asked as he jumped off his horse.

“We won’t be going past the tenth floor,” Brandt answered as he began taking the saddle off his own horse. “If we are lucky, we can reach that in nine to ten days. Regardless, we will then turn around and come back. Dey will need us to help rebuild after the Horde.”

“Rebuild?” Orrin stood bowlegged and tried to squat the kinks out of his thighs. “Will it really be that bad?”

Jude slapped Brandt’s back as he passed him. “No, Brandt just likes to be a downer. We have enough notice. They’ll put a few hitters out in the woods to take the Fogbinder down quick.”

“What if we do defeat the dungeon though?” Daniel asked.

“My father asked that we not go past the tenth floor,” Madi chimed in. “Anything past that would be too dangerous. Not to mention, nobody knows how deep it really goes now.”

“That’s true,” Jude said as he began gathering fallen twigs and brush to start a fire. “Furthest anyone has gotten in the last decade is...what....floor twenty-seven?”

“That sounds about right,” Brandt replied.

“But if we get to level ten before the seven days, we could keep going right?” Daniel pushed.

Brandt and Jude shared a look. Jude shrugged and gestured to Brandt to answer.

“We cannot order you, but Sir DeGuis, Madi, and I will not be going further. At least not this time.”

“That’s bullshit,” Daniel argued. “What if we hit a great stride and click as a party? Taking out the dungeon would be a great morale boost for the city, right? They’ll need something to cheer at after a Horde attack.”

Jude laughed. “Silas warned us you were persuasive. Don’t worry. It’s very unlikely we get past the tenth floor anyways.”

“Why?” Orrin asked. He began pulling their gear out of [Dimension Hole].

“Because of the floor boss. Every ten floors has a boss monster. Something bigger, meaner, and nastier than what you’ve faced before.” Jude smiled as he talked. “In the Chambers, it’s a frost troll. Ugly thing. Quick too. It’s health regenerates so fast, I’ve seen it get an arm cut off and just pop it right back on. Truthfully, we probably won’t make it in that far on our first run. If we do, Brandt and I would take point and just tease it a bit. Just to show you what you’re up against.”

Orrin was regretting not going full library mode on this dungeon.

“What’s after the tenth floor?” he asked.

“Hell if I know,” Jude shrugged. “I’ve never had a party go further. Brandt has, but likely won’t talk about it. People who get further in keep the secrets to themselves. Greedy bastards.”

“Why wouldn’t you all share the information? Wouldn’t that make it easier to break a dungeon?” Daniel asked as he rolled his sleeping roll out.

“Of course it would,” Jude continued. “But then somebody else, other than you, might defeat the dungeon and crush the core. Somebody else would get those extra stat points given to the party who kills the dungeon.”

Silence surrounded the small party. Jude got a small fire going and Brandt finished with the horses.

“Enough chatter,” Brandt broke the stillness. “Sleep now. Orrin and Lady Catanzano, I’ll wake you for your watch.”

It took Orrin less time than he thought to fall asleep. It also took less time than he thought before Madi was shaking him awake.

“Orrin,” she whispered in his ear. “Our watch.”

Brandt was already laying down, his chest rising and falling slowly.

Orrin followed Madi to the edge of the small encampment. They kept their backs to the fire, so as not to lose their night vision.

“How far do you think we’ll get?” Madi asked quietly.

“In the dungeon? If Daniel gets his way, the whole thing. Honestly, though? Probably only to level ten. I don’t think Jude or Brandt will break Silas’ orders.”

They sat in silence for a few minutes.

“What was it like where you lived?” Madi asked.

Shit, Orrin thought. How did she figure it out? What should I say?

“Uhm...” he trailed off.

“It must be hard having to leave everything you know due to somebody else’s war,” Madi continued. “I’m sorry for everything you lost. But at least you gained a friend in Daniel. And me, I hope.”

Fuck, she meant my fake backstory, Orrin realized with relief. He let out a sigh.

“I am grateful,” Orrin whispered. “Daniel has been a better friend than I’ve ever deserved. You and Brandt and Jude aren’t too shabby either.” He grinned at her. She smiled back. "I'm not ready to talk about home. I hope you understand."

Madi nodded and put a hand on Orrin's knee.

In the darkness, with the moon above, Orrin kept watch and waited for his ‘friends’ to wake.

After a quick breakfast, but no coffee, they saddled back up and started down the road.

Seriously, why no coffee, Orrin complained to himself. What kind of insanity is that?

Riding at a gentle pace, Brandt said they had made good time. They pulled off the main road.

In the distance, Orrin could see a large tent and some movement around it.

“I will do the talking.” Jude rode ahead.

He returned a few minutes later and waved them ahead.

The tent was situated against a small tumble of rocks. It looked almost like a giant hand had pushed out from the ground, dislodging the earth and then...disappeared. Two guards stood by the tent entrance.

“You the party who gets to go for a spin in the Caverns?” One guard wearing yellow and silver livery asked.

“Yes, Pete,” Jude answered. “We just went over this.”

“Just doing my job, Jude,” the man grinned. He took a knife from his hip and started cleaning his teeth. “You know the rules.”

The other guard stood forward. “Once you enter the tent, you have entered the Caverns. If you leave, you are done for a month. Multiple entrances might spark an outbreak.”

He continued, “Once you enter the tent, be on your guard. The first level begins at the entrance. You’ll know it when you see it. Once you enter the tent, no other party may enter for one day’s time. In the unlikely event that you run into another party, you are not, I repeat, are not to engage with them in any way. Go in opposite directions. No more than two parties a week can enter the dungeon at a time. If you find evidence of a party’s failure, please bring proof of death, if you can. Once you enter the dungeon, all monsters on previously defeated floors will respawn. Please wait until exactly noon to reset the dungeon and also be aware of the noon cutoff for yourselves. As for current parties, only one party has entered in the last two weeks but has not returned. No other parties are scheduled at this time. The next party is scheduled in one weeks’ time. Good luck.”

With no further fanfare, the first guard spit, sheathed his knife, and stood to the side.

Brandt stepped through first, followed closely by Madi. Jude held his arm out, “After you two.”

Daniel hitched his sword on his shoulder and stepped through the tent flap. Orrin followed his friend into their first dungeon and Jude was on his heels.

Inside the tent, the temperature dropped. Madi and Brandt were waiting to the side. In front of them was a set of stairs going down. The first two steps looked like stone, but the third was ice. So was the fourth, fifth, and remaining steps that led down into darkness.

“Can you see down there?” Orrin asked Daniel.

Daniel shook his head. “I can’t see past the tenth step.”

Brandt spoke up, “I’ll go first. Jude will take the back. Daniel, you’re behind me. Orrin and Lady Catan-“

“Brandt, I swear to you, if you don’t call me Madi while we’re in here, I’ll kill you myself.”

Brandt smirked. “Orrin and Madi, you’ll be in the middle. Heads up at all times. First two floors are a gauntlet. Let’s go.”

He stepped on the first step and began to descend.

Daniel followed close behind.

Orrin stepped up next. As his foot touched the third step, the first one that was iced, a prompt hit his eyes.

Welcome to the Aqua Chambers!