* * * PARTHIA – DUNGEON EXCHANGE * * *

Penguintopia (cmp): Hi mum, I’m doing fine. The dungeon is expanding. We have portals!

Crag Cave (cmp): Portals! How did you manage that Duskbright?

Penguintopia (cmp): Rachel was lucky, she knew something Blue Lagoon wanted to know.

Winter Wolf: Blue Lagoon, Mary, Trisha, can you tell me what’s happening with the other me. Our link broke and I’m kind of worried.

Crag Cave (cmp): Is she keeping you well love? Do you have a comfortable set of rooms. Is it warm enough down there?

Penguintopia (cmp): I’m fine mom, Rachel is very considerate. She wants me to tell uncle Trapper thank you for the templates.

Goblin Town: Stupid name – Mary, can you do something for other me? He got careless and now he’s changed in our flat. It’s uncomfortable not being able to set down roots.

Crag Cave (cmp): Oh Duskbright love, those penguin things are so funny... even Trapper laughed. The adventurer’s hate the new ice flow room on the first level.

Blue Lagoon: Linny, your other half has withdrawn to one of the underhill realms and is establishing a new entrance further north. It seems to be in Canada. I suspect the Canadians will not be amused when they find out.

Winter Wolf: Don’t often see you on here Mary, something up with Trisha?

Blue Lagoon: *Snicker* Trish is fine, she’s just busy liasing with Marigold and Jerica. Poor Jerica’s been lumbered with the post of Head of Earth’s Dungeon Companions League. *Snicker*

Harrow Deep (cmp): Please stop harrasing my dungeon Crag Cave. Look we’re sorry we turned Duskbright away. But you turned me away when I was seeking. We all do that. I’m sorry OK?

Alligator Haven: Hey give my congrats to Jerica. Hey Andy my ol’ core, Gob Town’s not all bad as a name.

Turquoise Caves (cmp): Looking for an exchange. Rose has evolved and has woken. Our personalities clash.

Blue Lagoon: I’ll send someone with some treasure Andy. Where do you think they want ot relocate to and why isn’t Maddy helping?

Hell Pit (cmp): *sigh* What is Rose like Periwinkle. You know I need something to go on when I send out suitable companions.

Turquoise Caves (cmp): Sorry Marigold, she is growing flowers absolutely everywhere! Her newest level looks like a sylvan grove. She’s reclaiming all my nice swamps. My hay fever is killing me!

Hell Pit (cmp): So, a pixie or a sprite, one of the throwbacks possibly.

Hell Pit (cmp): And it IS not funny Blue Lagoon. Jerica is the only possible candidate on Earth. You’ve rubbed off on her and now she’s nasty and tough minded enough to do well. Alice is just too nice.

Blue Lagoon: *Snicker*

Goblin Town: Hum, funny, just noticed the only dungeons on here are the expats. Otherwise it’s just companions.

Sandy Cove: True, even those of us without links. Can any of you linked ones tell me how other me is doing? Helena Torres of Escabanas in Spain.

* * * EARTH – PARANORMAL DIVISION OF THE FBI * * *

Jeremiah Walker walked briskly through the large office weaving his way past numerous desks and exchanging greetings with his co-workers. He was surprised to see director Perez waiting for him.

Then he was in the director’s office, seated in front of her desk. “So Walker, how is the new dungeon? Any problems and can we use him as a safe precedent?”

“I’m not sure Ms Perez, Frank Goodyear was an old man on death’s door, and he had everything to gain and hopefully has the experience of years. I don’t think he’ll cause problems. But we will have to keep him under observation. Dungeons seem to have the potential of becoming far to powerful.”

“Watching brief? But what are we to do with the other new ones?”

“Which others?”

“The Brits have one, a David Fitzwilliam has become one in Hove. He and his wife live in a flat, which is causing problems. That’s two in a week. I expect more, don’t you?”

“I suppose it’s inevitable Ms Perez. I’d like permission to check some things out. I am starting to wonder why Ms Silvestre has been so silent when it comes to dungeons.”

Director Perez leant back in her chair and studied one of her more competent agents. “Fair enough, and you’re in luck. Ms Silvestre is visiting her father, she’s in Florida.”

“Thanks Ms Perez.”

“Take backup, and check out this adventurer’s guild thing too. I’m told the System is taking them seriously.”

* * *

Jerry quickly cleared his paperwork, introduced himself to his new temporary partner and reviewed what his department knew of the new guild.

Around noon the following day Jerry parked one of the ubiquitous government SUVs in front of a small urban strip mall in Ringwood New Jersey. He and Damian Hunt walked past a pet supply store, a Subways and a 7-eleven before they arrived at a newly renovated business that proclaimed itself to be the Adventurer’s Guild.

Jerry noted that the five individuals present in the store were occupied opening and emptying a series of wooden crates. He couldn’t recognise the writing on the crates never having seen that particular alphabet before. Also the black skinned white haired elf and the gnome were speaking to each other in a totally unfamiliar language. They seemed fascinated by the contents of the oddly sized crates.

A young woman he recognised from his files as Jennifer Mendez the assistant guild master, looked up as they entered and said, “Hi, can I help you?”

* * * EARTH – BET YOUR LIFE * * *

Frank was relieved; Pettigrew had advised him that his situation had been resolved. He was delighted to learn that he was still a US citizen in good standing. The fact that he was still liable for taxes was inevitable even if not as welcome. Now he was chatting with Gonzales while they waited for Pettigrew and the rep from the Silver Dolphin Security Company.

« I wonder why a bunch of army guys who chose to become wolf men decided to call their company after a dolphin? Any ideas Al? »

“None Frank, I admit it seems strange. We could ask the rep, he should be here soon.”

* * *

Frank started examining the big wolf man the moment he entered his domain. Frank instinctively alerted his dogs but managed to remain calm enough to keep them in the other room. The wolf man, no Tobias Nelson was dual classed and had four magical items on his person. Four!

Then he surprised Frank. As soon as he stepped into his domain he stopped, then he looked up and said, “I mean you no harm, I swear on my goddess’s name that I mean the dungeon Bet Your Life no harm and will only fight if attacked.”

Frank sensed something, a flash of something akin to manna, puzzled he said, « Goddess? You don’t look like one of those Gaia tree hugger types. »

“I serve the Mother of Monsters Mr Goodyear, not Gaia or Hecate or any other goddess you may have heard of, though I do acknowledge Fortuna.” And with that Nelson resumed walking catching Pettigrew as he waited beside the lift.

* * *

Gonzales stood as their guests entered the room. “Please take a seat gentlemen, we might as well be comfortable before getting down to business. Can I get you anything Mr Nelson? Bourbon Mr Pettigrew?”

Pettigrew gave Gonzales a jaundiced look, “Please.”

“Coffee would be good if you have it, black, no sugar,” said Nelson.

Pettigrew looked round the room, noting the changes that had occurred since his last visit, the place looked cosy with tapestries covering the concrete walls, a set of armchairs set around a couple of coffee tables. And a large flat-screen TV mounted on one of the walls.

“Mr Goodyear believes we need some security, what do you think Mr Nelson?” asked Gonzales.

“I think you need a lot of security. A core, beyond being a person, is a priceless magical artefact. This,” Tobias Nelson explained indicating the room, “is far too open. You are far too vulnerable. I should not have been allowed to simply walk into your heart room. The core does not need to be present in the dungeon’s audience chamber. It should be in a safe room with some dedicated dungeon monsters. And no, I do not think my guards, or any outside guards should have sole responsibility for guarding your core.”

Frank felt as if he’d received an electric shock. He directed a thought to his Voice.

“Very well, please make your presentation.”

* * *

« Well what do you think Gonzales? Do we risk going with them knowing what we know now? »

“Well boss, I must admit I was surprised when he admitted he served that dungeon. I can’t see why an ocean dungeon would want to do us ill but... are you going with one of those companions he told us about? Can we trust them?”

« As far as companions are concerned we can. A companion is bound. As for guards, damn it, I’ve got nothing that could stop a determined assault. I think we will have to go with them. »

“What if I look into getting another security company to double team things. A kind of inner and outer detail.”

« Do that. »

* * * EARTH – MARY * * *

Susie was gossiping with two of her best friends in the front garden of her house when a familiar looking jeep pulled into their driveway surprising her.

“MARY!” squealed Susie as she raced to embrace her stepsister. “Welcome to Florida! How did you get Jeep here?”

Mary grinned as she returned the hug. “I used portals Susie, Jeep would have sulked if I’d left him behind. And did you know your home is exactly twenty-three and a half kilometres from the sea?”

“Our home Mary. And is that important?”

“Yes, very much so,” replied Mary, even as she checked out her surroundings. Tessa stood ready by the jeep as her sister prowled round cloaked in shadows and illusions.

* * *

Jenny heard her daughter squeal and glanced out of the living room window. She was startled to see her stepdaughter’s dull green jeep in their driveway. She made her way out to greet her guest.

Mary saw her stepmother coming to greet her with a smile. She noticed something different and sharpened her sight. Then she gently disengaged herself from Susie and embraced Jenny with a wide smile. “Congratulations mom. When’s he due?”