Antonio shared a look with Felicia as they waited in his office while Antonio’s confidential secretary was trying to get through to someone in the Russian Embassy capable of making a decision. The fact that it concerned the Russian expedition that had passed through his dungeon a few days ago should help. Finally the phone buzzed, Antonio answered and set it on speakerphone.

“The ambassador for you.”

“Thank you,” then switching to his accented English, “good morning Mr Ambassador.”

The ambassador also speaking in accented English replied, Good morning Mr Muñoz, I hope this isn’t bad news.”

“I believe your men are well, however they stirred the interest of the elven empire on Marcenium and they have sent a delegation to make formal contact with your nation. I suspect that as your expedition consisted principally of elves they believe Russia is also an elven empire.”

There was a startled cough on the other end of the line, Antonio was almost certain that it wasn’t the ambassador who coughed. “How soon will they arrive.”

“Wolfgar the – being I have an arrangement told me they’re at his door now, I arranged for someone to fetch them. They will be here sometime in the next half hour and I can delay them for a few hours, but they wish to visit Moscow and your government, and naturally they are mounted on horses and armed with assorted cutlery.”

“Hmpth, dungeon, you mean dungeon.”

“Well yes, but he is still an intelligent and powerful being, a bit limited in his outlook mind you.”

“Can you give us an hour then send them through to Moscow,” added a voice that did not belong to the ambassador.

“Certainly, but it would actually be easier to give you two considering where I have my inter world gate set up,” Antonio paused for a second, “security concerns you understand.”

A few more pleasantries were exchanged and the call was ended. “Felicia, I think we should advise someone at the Palácio de São Bento about our visitors and see about arranging some sort of bonus to our people who are going to field all the tantrums when they fail to get any of their parasites here in time.”

Antonio strolled down to the lobby of his hotel and arranged for some refreshments to be prepared in case of need. He also produced his phone and was soon talking to Silverfin.

“Yes a delegation and escort from the elven empire on Marcenium ... yes I thought you’d find that interesting ... Oh, just transiting to Moscow in just under two hours ... yes the Russians know ... of course they don’t know how to handle high elves ... stop shouting please, isn’t Elorinal guildmaster in Moscow? Why don’t you give him a call and brighten his day?”

* * *

Green’Tor and his men led their horses into the dungeon, the connections between levels had horse friendly ramps. They followed Helena down to the sixth level where they were led into a shrine decorated with statues and paintings of lionesses and domestic cats, the side with the lionesses depicted the art of war, the side with the cats featured courtesans and arts of love. The portal was in a small alcove behind the main altar.

“The portal opens into a clear dome under the sea, there are two further portals before arriving at the Hotel. Antonio is – wary – of possible uninvited guests,” explained Helena as she stepped through the portal.

Green’Tor blinked in surprise at what lay on the other side of the portal, a crystal clear dome about a hundred meters across on the bottom of the sea. They crossed the dome and stepped through another portal that opened into what was obviously a guardroom. Then after negotiating the inactive defenses they were through to a luxuriously appointed room, a brightly lit entrance hall of some kind where they were greeted by a handful of sea elves and the avatar of the dungeon they found themselves in.

Green’Tor and Sharp’Spur graciously accepted the offer of refreshments and gladly made use of the chance to clean in what turned out to be a truly splendidly luxurious inn.

Then they were politely and ceremoniously escorted by the dungeon’s Voice and the representative of the local government and his family, a sea elf and one of the local guard commanders to the portal that would take them to the capital city of Russia. On the whole Green’Tor was impressed with the local’s courtesy.

* * *

Ryan’s Crew – this being the name Ryan and his friends had decided to call their group of would be adventurers – staggered out of the dungeon, they were all battered and sported bandages but they were also all grinning widely. They gathered round Tessana, another of the Adventurer’s Guild officials and excitedly clamoured for another chance to try to beat the dungeon.

Tessana smiled ruefully, “why don’t you come to the guild later, say around four and I’ll go through your delve with you so that you don’t repeat any mistakes. Oh and for those of you injured why didn’t you take the healing potions?”

“Healing potions? We have healing... Oh wow! Potions work now, we could breath underwater!” exclaimed Ryan while his friends babbled happily amongst themselves.

“Yes you have healing potions, Antonio is quite generous with them, they’re the little plastic bottles marked with a red cross in a white circle.”

“Tessana, that lobster it was kinda tough, can we talk to the guys that killed the one in the guild hall, ‘cause we couldn’t scratch the one in there today,” asked Jimmy the group’s martial artist.

Tessana snorted in amusement, “If you really want to I’m sure some of them can be persuaded to turn up around five, they do have school and homework after all.”

Ryan’s Crew looked at each other and nodded, “please, we need ideas on how to take out that lobster.”

Half an hour later they were ensconced in the hotel’s bar, Ryan and Jimmy had each gained a level and their friends were all contemplating the classes that the System was offering them. Each had three options and they were excitedly trying to select the best choices for their next delve, all six of the excited adults completely forgetting – or simply not realizing that they would have to live with their choices for the foreseeable future. So Midgard gained a Warrior, a Rogue, a Healer and a Mage.

Further excitement was served when a delegation from another world arrived, they all grabbed video using their Smartphones, and were able to mingle and get a close look at real medieval type weaponry and gear. Then it was time for a late lunch.

* * *

Lieutenant Haas of the 101st airborne crouched in the bushes at the top of the ridge and carefully studied the scene below through his binoculars. Beside him Sergeant Briggs did likewise.

The slapdash encampment on the banks of the small stream held some thirty-two bandits, five of whom had chainmail armour, and a further twelve an assortment of bows and crossbows. More to the point were the dumbass reporters and the missionaries from Salt Lake City one of which they could see hanging from the branches of a tree.

Haas left a squad plus sniper in the bushes while He and Briggs planned the assault to rescue the idiots who had ventured unprepared into this world.

That night the 101st performed flawlessly and two days later they were back in the States with prisoners and traumatised former captives and one black bag that would be ceremoniously returned home.