“Uhm… Mrk? Buddy? Can you say that again.”

“It is here for Mrk.” he sighed. “Is why I goes mad.”

“What do you mean?” Brom asked. “How do you know that?”

“This… this long story. But Mrk will tell.”

His friend was looking at the ground, as sad as Jack had ever seen him. Morose. Yet somehow determined. Jack knew there was more to Mrk’s tale than the ratling ever let on, but Mrk was the only one in their odd little group who played his cards close to his chest. Which is all right. They would each tell their stories in time. When they felt the time is right. If Mrk was telling it now…

“Mrk,” Jack started, not knowing if it was the right call. “I don’t want you to feel forced to tell your story.”

“Uhm, I mean, I understand the sentiment, but that tailed armored freak kind of speaks to the contrary.” Ava said.

“Then he’ll tell us what we need to know. But I’ve never forced any of you into telling your stores before you were ready. I don’t want us to do that to Mrk either.

“No.” he said. “Is ok. Is time. Mrk… Mrk wants this.”

Jack let out a shallow breath and nodded. In truth, he understood the need for them to know. He didn’t want to force Mrk, but he understood it. If his friend would have said no… he’d have found a way. As things stood, he was glad Mrk was coming out with the truth, even if it looked hard for the ratling to be doing so.

“This is story of home. Back home. Of old warren where Mrk grew up in. Understand, ratlings live in colonies. Warrens. Underground, but not in mountains like caves. Not too far underground. We find caves or we dig under earth and make home. Not always underground, but underground is safe. Mostly. Mrk warren big. Over ten thousand ratlings. I is born there. I live there. Mrk not special, not important ratling. But Mrk wants to be. I grows up with stories of above world. Adventure. Ratlings who gnawed at roots of world. Mrk wants that too.”

They were listening. Silent, stoic. His story started very much like Ava’s. Perhaps Brom’s too. A need to be greater. Lust, pride. Jack feared Mrk’s story would follow a similar path. The dwarf and satyr were certainly listening with a heavy air around them.

“So, Mrk tries get Class. Mrk tries to fight monsers. Warren had those too. Different than above. But monsters. Yet, Mrk to weak. I is still young. No Class. I tries digging. I dig. Much! I dig good. But no Class. Ratlings with digging Class say they get Class after years of dig. Mrk no waits that long. But Mrk wants Class. Mrk wants see the world. Be great ratling. So, Mrk wanders. No aim. No… direction. I goes here and there and I sad.”

He took a swig of his drink, before continuing and Jack used the moment to get a look at the other two. Ava’s face was serious, so unlike her, as if preparing for a story to match her own. Brom just looked calm. Perhaps he suspected a background like this from Mrk. And he was just happy his friend was getting it off his chest.

“That is where great ratling finds me. All warren’s have great ratlings. We no have rulers like humans. Or others. Ratlings make decisions together. But, when ratlings gets Class and then Levels… if ratlings keep leveling, then they become great ratling. What Class no matter that much. Good if |Warrior|, yes. But |Warrior| not always make best decisions. And great ratlings talk and make decisions. For all warren. So, yes, good if |Warrior|. If |Digger|, also good. Mrk warren had great ratling |Quantity Cook|.” He said, shrugging. “Good too. Not all things must be combat.”

“Then, ratlings live their lives guided by those who achieved the greatest heights?” Brom asked.

“No. Ratlings not like others. We free. We do what want. You want help, you ask. You give for help. Never order. But we all live in warren. So, when warren needs change… Mrk remember many changes, which way to dig, what to do with monster lair, what we trade and what we need. Many. So, when all warren needs to decide, we all talk. But great ratlings have bigger say. Not whole, just bigger. If great ratling speak stupid, many ratlings say no. Many ratlings win. If great ratling speak wise, then voice not lost among many. Not like normal ratlings.”

“Oh… I believe I understand.” The dwarf said.

“Sounds pretty equal to me.” Jack confessed. “Based on merit too.”

“I… really don’t know enough to say.” Ava smiled. “But if it works.”

“Yes. Now… this not known outside warren. So, secret. But some warrens, good warrens… some warrens have more than great ratlings. Ratlings no believe other ratlings have power over us. But sometimes, a ratling grows great. Great that other ratlings do as they say… just because. Because wise. This is ratling legend… but sometimes happens. Mrk warren had one. Just one. Ratling grandmother.

“Wait, she was your grandmother of just a grandmother?” Jack asked.

“Not Mrk’s grandmother.” He said, before stopping to think. “Mrk thinks she made babies sometime, because this ratling old. Old old. But no, grandmother and grandfather is ratling… title? Is what ratlings call ratlings better then great ratlings. Some grandfathers good. Take care of entire warren. Some grandfathers go outside. Start new colonies. Some just… live. But this grandmother good. She had |Matchmaker| Class. High level.”

“What?” Ava laughed. “Her entire deal is hooking you guys up? And she’s a ratling legend for that?”

“You no laugh!” Mrk said, sounding peeved. “Grandmother ratling is good for all ratlings!”

“My bad, Mrk. Carry on.”

She said that, but Jack could see how hard she was abstaining from laughing. He found it kind of funny himself, but he couldn’t exactly tell Mrk that, now could he?”

“Ratlings know, even bad Classes is great, when one gets many levels. Grandmother ratling made warren great. Ratlings helped by her make many babies. Healthy babies. Babies that when grow get Classes easier!”

“That’s… impressive.” Brom said, while Mrk nodded.

“So, how did she help you?” Jack asked.

He really didn’t see how that exact Class could have helped Mrk find a purpose. Unless the purpose she gave Mrk was in-

“Grandmother help Mrk find mate to make baby.”

Oh.

“Really?” Ava burst out. “So, wait, I can’t believe this. Are there like a whole bunch of mini-Mrk’s running around somewhere?”

“No… grandmother trick me. Or so Mrk thought then. Now… maybe, maybe not. But I knows this. Mrk wanted purpose. To be great ratling. Grow strong. Grandmother not give Mrk this. Grandmother use Skill. Skill find other ratling in other warren. Skill says baby from Mrk and new ratling will grow strong. Wise. Unite warrens. So, grandmother make connection in Mrk’s name with other warren.”

“Wait, just like that? Before you even met… her?” Jack asked.

“Trik. Her name is Trik.”

“Yeah. Her.”

“Is this a normal thing in ratling warrens?” Brom asked.

“Sometimes.” Mrk shrugged. “Ratlings free. You wants make babies with ratlings of other colonies, you makes. If can.”

“No, I meant of arranged marriages are a common thing.”

“Oh.” He said and his face grew darker. “No. Not common. Happens, but no. Mrk now thinks grandmother think of entire warren when do this. Understand. When warren has too many ratlings, it splits. Great ratlings leave, other ratlings follow. New warren is appears. Warrens no get united. Very are when do. Only because of grandfather or grandmother ratling. Like here.”

“You think she had ulterior motives?” Jack asked. “Like… a personal plan or something?”

“No.” Mrk shrugged. “Just… grandmother old. Too old to care for just Mrk. She cares for whole warren. She thinks if Mrk warren unite with Trik warren, then ratlings grow strong. Maybe ratling kingdom? Mrk not know.”

Jack noticed Brom stiffen at the mention if a ‘ratling kingdom’, but couldn’t ask why he had that reaction.

“Did it happen? Your… union?” the dwarf asked.

“No. Almost. Both warrens come together. Mrk see Trik. Good ratling. She likes Mrk. I like her. Great whiskers. Just… not want baby. Not like this. But grandmother says I have to. Other warren not have grandmother, but have great ratlings. Two great ratlings have ruler Classes. Very rare. Ratlings not need ruler Classes.”

“Ruler?” Brom choked. “Like Elia?”

“No.” Mrk shrugged again. “Not that far. Mrk thinks they is like Jack. |Leader|. Maybe |Mining Head|. Happens. Rare, but happens.”

“Uhm, I’m not really getting the tension here.” Ava said. “So what if they had ruler Classes?”

Mk hesitated, before speaking again.

“Curse Classes are given. You no say no. Ruler Classes… can give curse Classes easier.”

“Oh.” Ava said, in a small voice.

Yeah… everyone here had gone through that lovely experience. What a weird group we are.

“Then what happened, Mrk?” Jack asked.

“Mrk… no know what to do. Mrk not knows what I wants. But Mrk knows I no want that. So, when two warrens celebrate and Trik wait for Mrk… Humans call this after wedding. Ratlings no have wedding, but we make party. Aftter we make party, we make baby. Mrk not want this. Mrk want warrens to be happy, but Mrk want Mrk to be happy too. Mrk not thinks asks too much. But I… I sees no other way. Can’t stay. So, Mrk takes magic amulet, takes magic staff and Mrk leaves.”

“You bailed.” Jack stated.

“Yes.”

“And you got cursed for it.” Ava said, iron in her voice.

He nodded. He looked as if he should have been crying. But he didn’t. He just looked sad.

“Mrk heard voice after left. Two days after. Voice like magic Spell. It was grandmother. She said she used Skill and Skill said what may come from Mrk and Trik. Not what needed to come. Says she regrets not having Skill to test Mrk. Because if she knows Mrk runs, she never tell Mrk. She never even speak to Mrk. Because after Mrk run, other warren says they tricked. That they insulted. Other warren fights.”

“Really?”

He nodded.

“Grandmother says, warrens almost at war. Ratlings no fight other ratlings… usually. But this warren strong. And… feisty? Not word, but feisty. They thinks it insult. Mrk just wanted be Mrk. So grandmother says is my fault. Names me a traitor. Says I am not welcome back home. Never come back.”

He was shuddering now. Still, no tears. Like he had lost them all long ago.

“I is now ratling without warren. Tells me other warrens will know. All know. So, now, Mrk must only stay above. Next day, I wakes up with Class.”

“|Outcast|”

“No.” he smiled, but it wasn’t a happy one. “|Traitor|. Is Class she gave as punishment. She and other great ratlings, from other warren. So there is peace. After that… not much story. I run. I walk. I come to forest. I meet Jack. I meets you.”

Contrary to what everyone must have been expecting, Ava darted out of her place and wrapped Mk in a hug. The ratling froze, hesitating, before returning it.

“That ratling grandmother is an old bitch, allright?”

“A- alright.”

“Say it with me. She is an old…”

“Old?”

“Old bitch.”

“Old… bitch.”

“Good.” She said, letting him go. “Never forget that.”

“But, Mrk, why were you so ashamed of that?” Brom asked. “I see not much fault here of your own. Perhaps a little more communication was in order, but no more than that.”

“Yeah, poor girl.” Ava laughed. “Kidding!”

Privately, Jack thought. And really hoped the others didn't notice how he had frozen. Because he had just remembered. He remembered how he remembered Mrk using the |Backstab| Skill. After saying his Spell.

And I’ve forgotten about it again, haven’t I?

“Two reasons. Mrk is |Traitor| Level 8. So, Mrk no wants feel shame of that. But not only reason. If only that, Mrk tell. Second reason is Skill. Is… powerful Skill. Mrk not knows how I gets it at low Level. But, no works how Mk wants too. Just how it wants too.”

“I think I get it.” Ava said.

“Always on?”

“Yes.”

“What does it do?” Brom asked.

“Makes you forget.” Jack said, making Mrk startle. “I just remembered using |Dispel Compulsion| on myself. After that, I remembered you using |Backstab|. Even without it, I had… a hunch. About you having a weird Skill. Is that what the Skill does?”

“|Clean Reputation|. No matter if people see Mrk using Skills or Mrk tell them of Skills and Class. They forget. Forget, but always remember that something weird about Mrk. Weird and not to trust. So Mrk can’t say, because people no like Mrk if do. Just don’t remember. Mrk… Mrk risks now. I hopes you remember.”

“Did you tell us this before?” Ava asked.

“No. First time. Can’t… can’t risk. Not with you. You is friends.”

“I managed to clear it before.” Jack said. “Even if I forgot again. But I’m better with magic now, than I was before. Let me try again.”

Jack pointed at himself and whispered.

“|Dispel Compulsion|.”

He startled. Already, the memory of he being told Mrk was a |Traitor| was starting to erode. The Spell pushed back on that. Only… unlike before, he could feel something more. He could feel how the effect wasn’t being eradicated… just delayed. He realized his magic was still pouring out. He could end it… recast the Spell.

Or I could push back.

Which is what he did. He focused, both on himself and on how the effect felt like, in his mind. And he did the same thing he did the last time he wanted to expand his Spells. He poured magic freely, opened all floodgates. He could almost feel it give. Almost get the sense of how the thing worked. Dimly, he could hear voices. But they were off. Unimportant. He hated these Classes. Hates how his friends suffered under them. And he had never had a chance to directly fight against it before, not like now.

I am not backing down.

It felt like his entire being was channeling itself against the effect. Which is when he heard it.

|Spell Received: Greater Resistance: Mental Manipulation|

Jack opened his eyes, not remembering closing them. He noticed that Brom was shaking him and that the others were looking at him with worry.

“I got it.” he raggedly said.

“Got what?”

In response, Jack just cast the Spell on him and Ava, as well as himself.

“This is so wow.” She said. “The Spell, I mean. Just how did you get a ‘Greater Resistance’ anything, as a Spell? Those are like really high-Level Skills. Or is it easier via magic?”

“I believe that with mental effects being less common, the Spells for resisting them are awarded more often.” Brom said. “Not that isn’t a great accomplishment. Well done, Jack!”

“Thanks.” He said, tiredly. “Well, now, Mrk. I’ll probably have to cast this again, once in a while. But now we know your secret. And no. We don’t judge you for it.”

He smiled and Mrk smiled as well. And for the first time since the start of their discussion, the ratling let a few tears fly. Maybe it could have been considered embarrassing, but they didn’t care. One of them was freer than he had been a few minutes ago. And that meant the world to them.

“Perhaps… perhaps now that we know your Class, it will start to disappear. Ava’s |Outcast| Class started to diminish when we and the others accepted her. My own |Oathbreaker| Class suffered the same fate as Jack and you two put stock in my word. Yet your Class was an unknown to us. Perhaps now that we know of it and we clearly consider you the opposite of a traitor, it will go away as well.”

“If Mrk loses curse Class, Mrk goes back and makes babies with Trik.”

They laughed, happy that they managed to lift that burden off Mrk’s back.

Yet the ratling shook himself, as if to remember that he still had things to do.

“Everyone… thanks. I never forgets this. Ever! But there second part to story. After war with Amenor end, Mrk hears voice again. Grandmother. She tells Mrk she takes Mrk back. I only needs come back and make baby. Then, I go, I stay, Mrk can do as he wants. No more need to stay. She sounds upset. …urgent. I ask why. She not tell. But Mrk no longer weak ratling. I have friends. I have Class. I is |Rogue|. So, I tells her this. Grandmother not know. She surprised. But she says, if Mrk comes and make baby and stays, then Mrk be great ratling. Maybe even grandfather one day.”

He huffed, as if to say ‘so what’.

“I say I not come back until me knows why. Grandmother thinks, waits, but finally tells. Says something happens with other warren. They grows too strong, too fast. Can use magic now. They want take over Mrk warren. I says, so? Warren make Mrk |Traitor|. Why Mrk care? She says that grandmother understands. But says is her fault. Only her fault and other warren great ratlings. Says not punish entire warren just for her. Also says that her Skill still says same. If Mrk and Trik make baby, that baby grows and unites warrens.”

I’m guessing he said no.

“I says no. I has friends now. Family. Other warren takes over, than takes over. It happens. No often, but happens. Only thing bad, grandmother no rules entire warren herself now. Has to share power. That is when grandmother starts scream. Voice in Mrk’s head go mad. Says I do not come, then others come get me. I not know what this meant. Other ratlings come for me? Let them. We are strong. I not know… how desperate grandmother is to stay grandmother. Not knows she goes this low. To send one of them.”

“Them?” Jack asked.

“Them.” He nodded. “Jack, remember when first meet Mrk? And I says about ratlings. And says by mistake about Mouselings?”

“Uh… no.”

It was entirely possible that Mrk spoke about that, but it had been a long time ago and Jack was more interested in the humanoid rat talking with him, then in remembering every little detail.

“Yes. Mrk speaks about mouselings. Then worries I says too much. But I remember.”

“What are those?” Ava asked.

“A subspecies of ratlings.” Brom answered. “Correct? My people know that much, but not much else.”

“Yes. Mouselings are ratlings… well, no. Mouselings not ratlings. But they says they are. Mouselings are ratlings that stopped living underground. Long time ago. When world was smaller. Ratling tribe said we no like living in dirt. In warren. They see humans and dwarves and others. They see kingdoms and cities. They says they wants this too. So, these ratlings go out. Above. They say they ratlings, but not. They forget what ratling is. But the live in cities. Not enough to make own city. Own kingdom.”

“And… why do you hate them?” Jack asked. “I mean, besides the whole they forgot what being a ratling is.”

“I… Is complicated. When first do this, ratlings had great leader. Long ago. Like king, but not.”

Brom stiffened once again.

“When leave, leader makes two curses. One on mouselings. Curse makes that mouselings never have Class unless Class is under other. So… no |Warrior|, not |Leader|, not even |Cobbler|. Always, |Royal Guard|, |Retinue Assistant|… |Mayorship Housemaid|. Always Class that serves other.”

“That’s a thing?” Jack exclaimed. “It’s bad enough that some people can give others curse Classes, but you can actually make it so that an entire race can only develop certain Classes?”

Mrk nodded, while Brom spoke.

“It is not unusual, but if one reaches a very high Level… I do not believe it would be possible now. But the times of great Skill and Magic are long past us. In those times… yes. I can believe it.”

“That is first curse.” Mrk continued. “That is punishment for leaving. Leader makes it so they never own people. Always must choose, between no power and serving others.”

“And what was the second curse?” Ava asked.

“That ratlings always know mouselings. Smell. Know even if never see or smell before. And always, always, hate them.”

“Do you want to hate them, Mrk?” Jack asked, a thought forming inside his head.

The ratling thought and came to a response soon enough.

“Mrk no thinks so. Mouseling not do anything to Mrk. When small, Mrk thought mouselings deserved fate. Now Mrk understand they just want be free. Like Mrk.” he said, shrugging. “And like Mrk, they pay for it.”

“Right, well, I don’t know if this would override an ancient ratling ruler’s curse, but I can try my Spell on you.”

“It might.” Brom cut in. “I do not believe a curse of that magnitude would stand perfect against opposition. Not when its range is every ratling and after so much time.”

“Here’s hoping you’re right, Brom.” Jack said, before aiming at Mrk. “|Dispel Compulsion|! | Greater Resistance: Mental Manipulation|!”

Like before, Jack felt himself pouring a vast chunk of his mana into the Spell. It was being drained and he could feel it fighting against something, but surprisingly, the resistance he felt this time was… feebler. Like an old tapestry, resisting being unraveled for a time, but breaking down anyway. Jack got the mental impression of claw and fang. Of something older and vaster than he was. But it was only a flash. And in seconds, he could feel the resistance wither and dissolve.

When he opened his eyes, he found his friends looking at him.

“Did it work?” Jack asked and realized he was seeing double.

“Mrk not know.” his friends shrugged. “Me no feel different.”

“Then let’s put that to the test, shall we.” A voice said.

They all turned and jumped to their feet, as a shape had just coalesced into being next to their table.

Or been here all along.

The guards were on their feet as well, but they seemed transfixed. Wary. One of them even looked as if he had frozen before managing to stand all the way up, hunching down while staring at her.

And it was a her. The mouseling was as armored as ever, not a patch of skin or fur showing. Except for her head, helmet hanging at her side, clipped to a belt. She looked like Mrk, but her features were softer. Her fur was smoother, while her whiskers looked more like actual whiskers than a moustache. She had short hair, swept back and both hair and fur were white. Her eyes blue. And when she spoke, her voice didn’t have the broken quality Mrk’s had, but was fluent and clear.

“Ah, no reaction. Well, outside surprise and wariness, but that is to be expected.”

As once, Jack, Brom and Ava stepped in front of Mrk.

“What do you want?” Jack asked.

“Merely to see if the great fool’s curse had been interrupted. It seems so. And from a human, no less. What a joke.”

She seemed so carefree. She hadn’t even drawn a blade yet, though they were had all drawn theirs. Ava’s arrow was a split second away from being released into her forehead.

“If you mean, what I was doing before that, I was doing reconnaissance. Do you know the word? It means gathering information. But, well, I heard what I heard and couldn’t help myself. A |Scout| is supposed to be more subtle, but what can you do.”

“And are we to believe you would give your Class away so easily?” Brom asked.

“Of course. After all, what are you going to do about it?”

Jack didn’t like the feeling she was giving off. She was being playful. Carefree. Like she didn’t even remotely see them as a threat.

“What do you want?” Jack asked again.

“I want him.” She said, pointing at Mrk. “Thanks for undoing that curse, by the way. I’m supposed to bring him in alive and it’s always a pain to have them attack you with no fear for their own lives, while you’re trying to carry them.”

Mrk shifted behind them, but didn’t run. There was no running from this. Only fighting.

“Look, this has been fun… Mrk. Am I pronouncing that correctly? Old world names. Anyway, Mrk, you either come with me quietly or I beat the souls out of your friends and I take you with me anyway.”

“Whe- Where Mrk go?”

“You know where.” She deadpanned. “Or you should. Has your collective intelligence degraded that much since we split off?”

Right, that’s it.

“He’s not going anywhere.” Jack snarled. “Now, fuck off! It’s four of us and one of you.”

It was more bravado, than anger, but both were intertwined in Jack right now. She didn’t put on her helmet after that. But she did let it drop to the ground, as her eyes narrowed.

“The only time numbers matter in this world is when they are used to describe your Level. Here. Allow me to demonstrate.”

She placed one foot forward and they charged, screaming.

“|Barrier|! |Blast|!”

“|Quick Swing|!”

“|Scurried Steps|! |Backstab|!”

“|Light Arrow|! |Piercing Shot|!”

Jack saw and felt… something. He didn’t remember what happened for a few seconds. When his mind cleared up, he was laying on the ground, his mouth being filled with a metallic taste. His ribs hurt. He saw Brom pinned to an upturned table, his axe cutting into his shoulder while embedding itself in the table. Ava was on the ground as well, one leg peppered with arrows. Her arrows. The guards were down too, though they weren’t bleeding, simply unconscious.

And Mrk?

Mrk was tied and hung over the mouseling’s shoulder. She was wearing her helmet again. He must have made a sound as he tried to stand up, because she turned to him.

“Ah, awake, are we? Good. Shows you got fire. Unfortunately, I will be taking your friend. I advise not to come after him, since it’s probable that you will meet me again.”

“Mrk…”

“Yes, that is his name. Then again, I see it in your eyes that you will not listen to me. Which means we will meet again. If you can figure out where I’m going that is. No, wait, I see that you’ll figure this out as well. Great, more fun!” she beamed.

Jack slowly raised a hand towards her as she talked and channeled everything, he had left inside himself.

“|Ensnaring Vines|”

Just… just hold her here. Until Brom wakes up. Or Ava.

But it wasn't meant to be. As soon as the vines shot up, her hand blurred. And the vines themselves burst into shreds.

“Yeah, nah. Nice try, though. I’ll be off. See you next time!”

And with that she blurred and disappeared, a rush of wind blasting through the open door.

His first friend. The first soul who had ever stood beside him.

Gone.