“Here you are, gentsh. Delivered safe and sound to the library,” Gummish lisped.

“Are you sure you don’t need us to help with the search?” Mo asked.

“You all being new to the city would probably miss the cluesh we’d need to find. It’s no big deal having to eshcort ya a bit.”

“Do you think you’ll find him?” Ziggs asked concern evident in her voice.

“Don’t you worry, miss. There’s always hope.” He pat Gun-num-num reassuringly.”

“We won’t give up, Ziggsy,” Treegan added.

“Thank you, Treegan. I believe you.”

“So we’ll call you when we’re finished. If you’re on the trail of something we’ll get someone else to fetch us,” Mephi let Gummish and the others know.

“Whatever happens we’ll keep you abreast. Besht to keep searching. The clock is ticking.” Gummish and the others turned to walk away leaving Mo, Ziggs, and Mephi standing on the steps to the library.

Mo looked at his team. “C’mon guys, let get to work.”

They walked up the steps and through the doors. They were greeted with a large circular room with a vaulted dome that spanned the entirety of the room. Books covered every available wall. There was a wide second-floor balcony filled with bookshelves that radiated outward off of the metal and wood balustrade. The second floor had books on the wall covering every surface and was at least two stories tall. Mo spotted a tall rolling ladder that one would need to reach the books.

Long shelves filled the main floor and ran around the edge of the circular floor. Through one aisle Mo could discern that the shelves were surrounding other shelves and assumed there would be rows of shelves inside the formation.

They walked towards the wizened old man sitting at a desk in the front of the books. He was sorting books and checking lists. He didn’t even notice them approach his bespectacled visage buried in his work.

“Hello sir—” Mo began.

“Aaah!!!” the man screamed and clutched at his chest and flinching away from the noise. The sound of his exclamation echoed around the room and slowly faded.

“Forgive us for startling you.”

“You youngsters, always sneaking up on me. His forehead furrowed, and he glared at them. Next time announce your self properly!” He railed at them with a pointed finger.

“Again we apologize. We simply walked up to the desk and said hello before you screamed.”

“Is that so?”

Mephi and Mo nodded. The old man studied them once again.

“Well I see, I must’ve been rather focused.”

“It was wonderful to see such focus.” Mo flattered the man.

“You think so? I feel like my attention has been flagging as of late.”

“It was a mighty focus. My friends and I could feel the intensity as soon as we saw you,” Mo continued with his flattery.

“Well, in that case, I apologize for screaming. Danley Buttervogel, assistant librarian at your service. How may I help you?”

“We were interested in finding information on how to start a business in Drahtspule. More specifically,” Mo pointed out, “an overview of the types of businesses would be most helpful.”

“Hmmm…” Danley hummed thoughtfully. “I wonder if there is a volume with an overview available? Follow me if you would.” He stood up and dusted off his robes and checked the belt at his waist and walked through a small half door in the back of the kiosk.

They followed him to the left of the central grouping of shelves, as they passed Mo noted that they were octagonal in setup. With shorter shelves nested in-between creating eight main aisles to access the books. Upon reaching the back of the building, Danley turned left again leading then into a wing of the library not visible from the front. Here, shelves were set up across the space in two columns. Books, of course, lined the side walls. Finally, they reached some tables, Danley motioned for them to sit, and began poring over the books in that section.

His finger traced along the spines as he muttered to himself “No. No. No. Wrong and hasn’t been updated. Dated. Antiquated. Extremely verbose for no reason. This one is a malfeasant act that should be burned. Hmm… nothing with an overview or simple listing.”

He turned to the paladins. “Unfortunately, there is no simple overview of business practices in Drahtspule or even the larger areas of Techros or Majesta as a whole.”

“Danley, would you say that you could help us find this information?” Mo asked politely.

“I am an assistant librarian. I take my duties very seriously.” The affronted librarian folded his arms in a huff.

“I meant no offense. As I’m sure you can tell we are paladins, can you not?” Mo used his hands to direct Danley to inspect their clothing or lack thereof.

Danley’s face softened a little. “I Can.”

“Well, we have just noticed a hole. A hole that if filled could make you a significant amount of gold.” Mo buttered the librarian up.

Danley’s eyebrows raised.

Mo seeing he had the librarian’s attention continued. “You will come to find that most paladins are impatient when it’s simple things. For instance, expecting them to sit in a library and read through tome after tome to find out the information that they need. And as ignorant and oblivious as they are to social customs and norms, they will have one thing that will make dealing with them worthwhile. Strike that two things.”

An intrigued Danley was waiting for the two things as Mo paused dramatically.

“The first thing is ideas. Paladins have intersected Majestan culture at an angle that will bring about massive changes. Powers will topple new ones will rise all on the back of someone’s ideas and ideals.

“The second thing, can you guess what it is Danley?”

Danley shook his head no.

“Gold, Danley. The Paladins will bring a wave of riches across Majesta. A wave you are being offered the opportunity to ride if you see fit.”

Danley scoffed at Mo, “How would I be able to ride this wave of gold across Majesta?”

“By dumbing down books.”

“HA!!!” Danley yelled in disbelief. And then covered his mouth realizing he had yelled. “Dumbing down books? That is such an ignoble idea that I don’t think I wish to humor you any further.”

“But Danley you are underestimating one very simple thing.”

“And what is that?”

“The predictability of stupidity.”

“Explain.”

“How many Majestans have you met who have never read a book?”

“Most of them actually.”

“How many would you like to see read books?”

“All of them, I guess.” Danley scratched at his stubbly chin.

“Maybe it’s not the books that are the problem, but the starter material. Now I don’t know for sure, but it seems like most Majestan’s can read. But how come this place filled with all the information that the emperor has seen fit to give them remains nearly empty?”

Danley’s mouth worked but nothing came out.

Ziggs let out a quiet beep getting everyone’s attention. “When I was a little thing, my mother gave me stories that I came to love and I still read a ton of fiction to this very day. Now non-fiction is a completely different beast. It wasn’t until I went to college that I began to see how useful non-fiction could be.

“At first I would read an article that whets my appetite for the subject. Then I would read something written for the layman. From there, if I chose to continue, I could learn more and by reading specific works by different authors in the bibliographies.”

“So, what Booms is saying here when he says dumb it down, is to take the information and make it presentable for all levels of study.”

“When you phrase it like that, it makes more sense,” Danley said thoughtfully.

“Now, about that wave,” Mo interjected before Danley could slip back off into his head. “Would you like us to help you, as you help us? I believe that is the definition of mutually beneficial.”

Danley sat down at the table, fingers templed. “What idea do you have?”

“You create the book we need, we pay for the printing, and we split the profits. If it works, we’ve all made gold. If it fails all you’ve wasted was some time that we’ll repay you for.”

“I’m sensing a catch.”

“The only catch being that if you do a good job we’ll ask you to do it again and again—and that you keep quiet until the book, pamphlet, or guide is finished and ready for market.”

Danley scratched at his stubble again. “Well, I have always wanted to write a book.”

“This may not be the book you dreamt of but I can almost guarantee that you’ll have enough money to take a break from the library to write your book.”

“This sounds too good. I think I’ll pass,” Danley grumbled.

“Well then, let me couch it as a research commission.”

Danley turned back to Mo and waited.

“How about I pay you upfront for a research paper on the workings of the Drahtspulean business system for the layman? It would need full attribution to avoid any calls of plagiarism and contain any information that you have gleaned on the subject as well. I would also like the right to publish this paper and it can have your name or not, that decision will be yours.

“The last thing will be that, before we publish, we will ask you again whether you would like to partner with us. Again, we will cover the printing costs and will need you to take that into consideration. But since a commission will put more into your pocket now, we would ask for a small bit of capital back from you if you decide to become a partner.

“So if you are open to take our commission, what would you charge us to compile this document? And how long would it take?”

Danley was ticking off numbers on his fingers. His eyes rolled up in his head and the tip of his tongue stuck through his lips. He checked with Mo. “You’d want the publishing rights?”

“As a separate figure, if possible.”

Danley counted some more and seemed to decide.

“For the act of creating the document, I would like 5 gold.” Danley said boldly.

“And how long would you take to accomplish that document?”

“I can have it finished in three days,” Danley said proudly.

“For your quick turnaround, I won’t even haggle with you. Now what would be the cost of the rights?”

“Well, you know the rights to a work are infinitely more expensive than the work itself.

“I do. But this is also a commission. And I would be rather upset if you turned around and shared this idea with someone else and they took the wind out of my sails.” Mo made lightning arc between his fingertips.

“True. Very true. Well, since it is a commissioned work, the price for the rights should be 20 gold.”

“That is amenable on the condition that, if you agree to join us in a partnership, you will return 12 gold to us to be vested in the company.”

“If I agree I will return 10 gold,” Danley replied shrewdly.

“Danley, my friend,” Mo shook his head, “it’s 12 or you lose the commission and I find another librarian to take my commission. I believe that I’m being most generous. When you see the income from sales after thirty days you’ll be quite happy that you bought in. needless to say, you’ll still be 13 gold richer for compiling some information which we both can agree is extortionate.”

Mo had the thought to use his untested skill. And thought skinflint.

Danley was suddenly on board. “That is a fairly good deal when you put it that way. I’m not much of a gambling man but give me the 13 gold and I’ll give you the rights and see where this wave takes me.”

“Good man. So, as you know, secrecy is of the essence. So let us all swear together on this that no one is to know what we’ve talked about here today. We’ll write it out and swear to it, Deal?”

“Deal.”

“Deal.”

“Deal.”

…..

“Zhi'Zhu please let me up.” Malcipher struggled to rise from the chair but as small as she was, she was actually stronger than Malcipher.

“Now, now, lord Coad.” Zhi'Zhu winked at him conspiratorially. “What spider would let a struggling fly out of its web?”

Malcipher deflated and looked to the side, away from his captor. “We’ve been at this for hours. There are things that I would like to do if I’m not going to take the troops back right away.”

“Now we get to the important part, my little fly.” She grinned evilly, sending a chill down Malcipher’s spine. “What is it you would like to accomplish with your time here?”

Malcipher looked her in the eyes. Their noses a hair breadths apart. He could feel her hot breath on his face and see how sharp her teeth really were. With a growl he blurted out, “I want to get stronger.”

Zhi'Zhu let go of the chair and clapped her hands. It was a little dainty clap, and she squealed with glee. Malcipher saw his opportunity.

He stood bolt upright pushing the chair backwards and Zhi'Zhu forwards where she fell to the floor, halfway under the table. He rapidly stepped back out of her reach, and reach she did.

“You’re no fun” she whimpered.

“If you’ll excuse me, I have things to attend to.” He made a beeline for the door and when his hand touched the knob, he felt Zhi'Zhu’s arms slip around his waist. He froze, waiting for whatever would come next. One hand held up a platinum coin in front of him. He took it.

“Make sure you pick good trainers,” she whispered in his ear, and her hands slid free. Malcipher refused to turn around and quickly left the room. And found Halsh leaning against the wall opposite the door.

“I was wondering when she was going to let you go, Milord,” Halsh said stifling a laugh.

“What is so funny, Keyes?”

“If you don’t understand Milord, I don’t want to be the one to explain it.”

“Did you find the trainers that I asked about?” Malcipher inquired snappishly.

Halsh straightened up. “Yes, Milord.”

Malcipher shooed Halsh. “Lead the way.”

Malcipher followed out of Zhi'Zhu’s web and onto the streets of Drahtspule. He followed through the winding corridors and out of the way shops, making a note of things he may want to purchase. Past all of the nice houses and into a section where the roads turned to dirt and smelled of ammonia and bovine wastes. On the far side of this dirt section, they stopped in front of gate wide enough to roll a wagon through. From behind the gate they heard the clack of wood striking wood and people grunting.

“Are you sure this is it, Halsh?”

“Most assuredly, Milord.” Halsh moved to open the gate and let Malcipher enter first. They were met with a wide open space where pairs of fighters were pushing each other back and forth. Past that was a house with three steps across the width of the house and a columned arcade that covered the doors from the elements.

Draped upon a chair sat a man nonchalantly drinking from a skin. A few others sat on the steps watching the action in the dusty courtyard. Malcipher and Halsh moved forward along the edge of the courtyard keeping a wary eye on the participants. As they approached the steps, the people sitting there moved out of their way. They entered the cool shade and walked towards the man sitting in the chair. About eight feet away he raised a hand and yelled, “HOLD!!!”

All action stopped. Everyone froze where they were. His courtyard became a living sculpture garden.

“Who calls upon Altum Lobus?” the draped figure muttered while completely ignoring the two men in front of him.

“I am Keyes. Here to introduce lord Falx Coad.”

“Lord, you say?” his eyes turned upon Malcipher for a moment of study and he turned away unsatisfied. “This is no place for a lord, nor his manservant.”

“What is this a place for?” Malcipher asked.

“A place to break down the multitude of choices in life to two simple options. Kill or be killed. There is no room for the grey of nobility in this black and white world. Begone.”

“And if I don’t wish to leave?”

“It is not up to you. Nothing could stop me from killing you were it my wish, not even your shadow ranger.”

Halsh started at the man’s deduction, hand going to his dagger.

“As long as you don’t start any, there will be no bloodshed. If you do, well, then you were obviously not informed on who I am.”

“I came here to train with the best. And people say that the best is you.”

“They do say that. And you come to train with me? Well, thank you for telling me my business. I decline.”

Malcipher made no motion to move.

“Ah, this conversation isn’t going to end soon, is it?” Altum sighed. He sat up and turned to the courtyard.

“Everyone take a break.” He drank from his skin, a rivulet of the contents dribbling down his chin while he eyed the two men. He gulped loudly and sat back with a satisfied sigh.

“What makes you think I would take you on as a student?”

“I have only my own mettle and determination. You may say no, but I will keep coming back. I have heard you are the toughest and strictest teacher. I like a bit of abuse when I train. I think it helps to ingrain the lesson.”

“A bit of abuse, you say? So you’re not some spoiled fancy lord who fancies himself a swordsman?”

“I try not to fancy.”

Altum hopped out of his chair and fingered Malcipher’s cloak. “You don’t do fancy?”

“This is at my host’s demand. And I am sworn to obey.”

“A lord sworn to obey? Novel. What would you normally wear?”

Malcipher equipped his normal leather armor with the metal cuirass covering his chest. Altum nodded begrudgingly. He walked around Malcipher inspecting his gear.

“What weapon do you favor?”

“I do not favor. I use whatever is at hand.”

Altum paused at this, his eyes rising to Malcipher’s. “You have no weapon specialties or proficiencies?”

“No.”

“What kind of lord has no weapon proficiencies? I wonder.” Altum tapped his chin. “What weapon would you like to be proficient in?”

“All of them.”

Altum Barked a laugh and smiled incredulously.

“No weapon proficiencies and a wish to have them all. Very interesting. Do you have any hand to hand training or proficiencies?”

“No, but I have a few damage reduction skills which increase my endurance and constitution.”

“Such as?”

“Lesser Pain Resistance, Unflagging determination, and Unbreakable.”

At the last one altum stopped circling. And nodded in appreciation.

“What kind of lord gets these skills? Those are the skills of the enslaved and tortured.”

“I only recently came into lordship and have suffered greatly since I arrived in Majesta.”

A hand with an iron grip shot out faster than Malcipher or Halsh could react and grabbed Malcipher’s chin. The hand turning Malcipher’s face this way and that as he examined the half-paladin. He squeezed his arms and shoulders and shook him back and forth slightly. He nodded and struck Malcipher in the chest with the flat of his hand twice in rapid succession. Making Malcipher feel as if his chest had caved in.

“Okay, I’ll train you. Never seen a paladin before. I want to know what you can do in case I need to fight one.”

“The major difference,” Malcipher said while rubbing his chest. “Is that if you kill me, I will come back. And I will come back.” He growled the last.

“Good. That means I won’t break you.” Altum’s eyes turned back to the courtyard. “For today we’ll see what you can do.”

Altum motioned to one of his students who quickly jogged over. “Take lord meat puppet and let him discover his weapon.”

He then turned to Malcipher. “This student of mine is superior to you in all ways. His words are as my own. I will brook no arguments on that point—lord or not. If you can gain some proficiency, I might entertain your questions again.”

“What if I kill him?” Malcipher asked.

“I surely hope you would try.” Altum laughed, head thrown back. “Anything less than that will give you no results worth speaking of. My pupil has nothing to fear from you yet. So please, fight for your life or you’ll be in large amounts of pain.”

Altum turned to Halsh. “Shadow ranger, would you like a drink?”

“Aye,” Halsh grinned as Altum motioned for a chair to be brought out.

Malcipher turned with a sneer towards the Altum’s disciple. The disciple said nothing and walked over to a weapons rack. He motioned for Malcipher to pick any weapon and then stepped a few feet away. Malcipher stared at the swords and polearms and cudgels and hammers and daggers.

He grabbed a sword and swung it to test the weight and turned to the disciple. The disciple stood there relaxed with his palms facing Malcipher in an open stance. He motioned for Malcipher to come at him.

Malcipher charged and struck at the disciple. At the moment before contact the disciple disappeared and Malcipher felt himself lifted into the air where he spun and crashed spine first into the ground.

He let out a wheezing breath and rolled to the side where he spied Halsh and Altum. Altum wasn’t sparing Malcipher a glance but Halsh’s face held a look that said, that must’ve hurt.

Malcipher struggled upright catching his breath and found the disciple by the wall of weapons urging him to choose again.

Malcipher growled and chose again with the full understanding that this was going to be painful.

…..

The entrance to clackers alley rolled up and presented its skull face. The Royal Death Claws strolled in armed with their new tree grenades. They also had multiple sheets of Surge (S), Over (F), Water (D), and Acid (D) grenades. They were also sporting Shield (F) and Aegis (S) ribbons. Mayah watched as Vergie hopped out into the lead carrying the rötten in her chest pouch.

I’m going to need to make that stronger so that Vergie doesn’t get poisoned during battle.

They proceeded into the tunnel and the shadow vision allowed them to see clear as day. Margaret was the one who stepped on the stone, triggering the trap. They all paused when the entrance to the tunnel closed behind them.

“Yaaaay…” Grax said wistfully.

Mayah whispered to her team, “The first room is going to be tarhandtulas. We’ll lure them out and then keep them at bay with Surge (S) grenades while we burn them with Acid (D) and Over (F) grenades. Mags you can use a few vuurm as a defensive line letting them crisp anything that gets too close.”

As they approached the room, Mayah noticed a skull lying on the floor. She ran up to it and clobbered it with a crushing blow not giving it a chance. A loud crack echoed throughout the tunnel as the dry bone disintegrated from the blow.

“Does this have something to do with your trash mob?” Grax asked

“Be smart, cat. If you see a skull destroy it.”

“Tuh-huh huh-huh-rash mob!!!” Grax sang as he sauntered along.

“You better hope I save you when you tangle with one by yourself.”

“If the mob is attacking him and I don’t save him does that count as breaking the truce?” Margaret asked.

“Not sure. I guess it depends on what else is going on, Mags. Try to take over any undead we come across. That may sway the battle for us. And remember your life drain. It may not work because… undead. But try it to find out.”

“Yes, dear. I’ll do my best.”

“I know you will Mags. And Grax, are you still doing what you do?”

“Don’t I always?”

“Unfortunately, yes. The tarhandtula bites give stamina and agility debuffs. So don’t get caught out there.”

“You got it, boss,” he responded glibly.

They came upon the cavern where Mayah had encountered the Tarhandtulas the holes in the wall staring at them like black empty eyes. They could hear tiny ticking noises and see strands of webbing hanging from the ceiling.

“Mags, first order of business is to aggro all the mobs. Put Over (F) arrows across the ceiling. That should get their attention.”

Mags complied nocking two arrows that detonated sending a wash of flames across the holes above them. She then called forth five vuurm to stand between them and the Tarhandtulas that were dropping from the ceiling on streamers of silk.

As the first wave approached, Grax threw a Surge (E) grenade and bounced them all back. The wave thickened and he repeated the process. Mayah tossed out some Over (F) and Acid (D) grenades. the Tarhandtulas squeal in protest.

“Mags, cover the ceiling. Surge (S) grenades. knock’em loose.” Mayah said loudly.

“On it!” the erstwhile noob replied, nocking arrows and commanding her vuurm to blast any mobs close to her friends with fire.

This battle was a simple defending action with none of the team having to get their hands dirty. And after eight minutes of battle a hill of charred and battered remains lay on the ground in front of them.

“Well, that was a nice warm up.” Grax said nonchalantly.

“Let’s gather these up before we move on.” Mags suggested.

Mayah pulled out her wands and got to work. They crept across the room where Mayah found another skull and ran forward, smashing it with Happiness.

“That trash mob really got you, huh, princess?” Grax chuckled.

“Just wait cat. I’m gonna let you have one all to yourself.”

“You really shouldn’t tease her like that, Grax,” Margaret intoned.

“Tuh-huh-rash mob,” Grax sang softly, causing Mayah and Margaret to stare at him incredulously.

“C’mon let's go.”

“Right behind you, dear.”

“Tuh-huh-rash mob.”

Mayah glared one last time before going deeper into the dungeon. They reached the room with the funerary recesses and Vergie padded out ahead of them to range into the darkness. Mayah using her shadow vision could see the funerary recesses on both sides of the room and also discern its shape. Besides being diamond-shaped the ceiling slanted up to an apex forming a pyramid. There were regular spaced holes in the ceiling. It also had a door on the far side of the room opposite them.

“Stay to the edges. Everyone.” Mayah warned. There was a hollow Tonk, and then she spied it, right in the same place she had found it before.

“Hey Grax, see that skull over there? it’s solo time.”

“That thing? Sure no problem.” Grax’s chest puffed out as strode over to the skull. “This thing gave you problems?”

He jumped up into the recess and poked at the skull with his sword. Frost rimed the skull and nothing happened. He grabbed the skull and hopped down, coming back to the team. As he did, he held the skull aloft at the end of his arm and stared into the empty eyes.

“Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio, a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy.” Grax giggled as he held the pose for all to see.

That was when green streamers of snot exploded from the skull. They attached to Grax on his chest, arm, and face.

Grax yelled in surprise. Margaret started forward to help him when Mayah grabbed her arm.

“He said he could handle this right?”

“But we’re in a dungeon?”

“I didn’t die because it took all of my hit points. It choked me out. So if we save him before that point he’ll be fine.”

Mayah took out an Over (F) grenade and an Acid (d) grenade. And waited as Grax flailed and struggled to get the skull off of him. He had his thumbs in the skulls eye sockets holding it inches from his face and the skull was clicking its jaw wildly. Grax was grunting from the strain. That the ambushing cranial slime was giving him. It had pseudopods around Grax’s neck and Grax squeaked out a plea for help. His eyes begging.

“Okay, Margaret, I guess it’s time to save him.” Mayah tossed the grenades at Grax and they burned and melted the pseudopods away letting Grax toss the skull away from himself.

Mayah followed the skull and delivered a crushing blow destroying the skull and finding the slime still alive and climbing happiness. Another Over (F) grenade hit the mob and it fell to the floor where Mayah smashed its core.

Ding!!!

She was awarded a cranial slime core and greedily took it.

A soul for a soul!

She walked back to Grax who was lying on the floor breathing heavily and leaned over him.

“Tuh-huh-huh-rash mob!!!”

Grax just glared. “I guess I deserve that one.”

“Let’s go cat. We gots dungeoning to do.” She offered him a hand as Margaret was standing watch.

Mayah offered a suggestion. “Why don’t we search this room and see what’s here. I don’t want to leave any nasty surprises behind us.”

“That makes perfect sense,” Grax added while checking over his gear.

So the team began to search the room while Vergie and the rötten watched Margaret’s back. Mayah, smashed four more skulls, two of which were slimes. Then she examined the door which was made of metal banded planks and had a plain wooden handle. It bore no inscriptions or writing.

Just a plain door that’s most likely holding back a skeleton army.

They finally met at the center of the room and found a small lighter colored tile with an indentation. Laid in it was a key.

“You know we have to take this key right?” Grax said matter-of-factly.

“Yeah, but that door didn’t have a lock on it. So, the question is, what happens when we take the key?” Mayah eyed the ceiling suspiciously.

“Okay Death Claws, grenade up. Mags eyes on the ceiling. If anything comes out hit it. Try and stay together.”

“Yah, boss”

“Certainly, dear.”

“Okay, let’s do it.”

Mayah bent to retrieve the key. She lifted and found that the key was attached to a wire that came up with it.

“Shaz!”

The sound of stone on stone came from the ceiling and walls. Much to her horror the walls at the back of the funerary recesses dropped revealing large rooms filled with skeletal warriors.

“Double Shaz!!!”