Shae was at the adventurer’s guild bright and early, if a bit blurry eyed. Her lack of sleep, one too many alcohol treats, and her uninvited wake up call an hour ago, left her craving a bed. She had already dozed off once while the guild put together a kit for her. They did not really ask her what she needed, they simply asked her what she had. Then a runner was sent to the stores and fetch her a gear set. At least she had a couple of changes of clothes and her own travel pack, which was made a lot better than most normal packs in this world. She had forgotten her canteen which still had water in it from months ago. Whoops. That had required a good cleaning. And at some point, her old trail mix had spilled into the bottom of her pack, and she did not notice. At first, she thought something from this world had climbed inside her pack to make itself at home. That had led to a bit of a scream and cursing when she had pulled her old clothes out and saw the moldy mess under them at the bottom of the pack.

Needless to say, her trip was starting out on the wrong foot. Which led her to a thought and some hope for the future. What comes in like a lion goes out like a lamb right?

Then once she had cleaned her gear she stepped out into a downpour. At least she was taken to the guild in an enclosed carriage. ‘Small mercies.’ She thought.

Shae was awoken with a nudge, which caused her to overbalance and almost fall out of her chair.

She looked up into Mel’s amused visage. “Hot date last night?” Mel teased.

Shae groaned a bit, but still smiled at the older woman. “It wouldn’t have been quite so bad, if I had been able to sleep more than two shakes of a dogs tail.”

“Haha, Yeah I thought you might be a bit worse for wear today. Though this lovely rain does make it a much better day.”

Mel loved the rain, as did quite a few others. This planet was altogether way too hot most of the year. The only reason crops grew as well as they did was due to magic. The same magic that controlled local weather systems to keep them safe. Speaking of which…

“Hey Mel, are we going to be ok out there away from the standardized weather arrays?”

“Well, this expedition was booked for the beginning of spring when the weather calms down in the outer reaches. You know, I’m surprised you don’t know a bit more about such things being from up north and all.”

“Oh, well, we didn’t live in a region that saw huge changes is all.”

“Ahh.” Mel thought for a bit. “Well anyway, didn’t they teach you anything about the seasons at college?”

“Hehe, about that. I kind of turned out my geography teacher at times. My bad.” Shae shrugged sheepishly.

“Yes, Miss Brightmane was even scolded a time or two for nodding off in class.” The short gnome mage Nithonsandorthrope put in making Shae jump a bit.

‘Where did he come from?’ Shae wondered. After the hard training she had been doing at the college these last few months, she figured it would be harder to sneak up on her than that. ‘Guess I am more tired than I thought.’

“Sorry Nith sir. I really tried my best.” Shae gave him the puppy look.

“Yes of course, Mrs. Narn is a bit of a bore. Still, that doesn’t excuse your inattentions.” Nith halfheartedly rebuked Shae.

“Anyway, my dear, I am sure you know your adventuring partners here. Since they are the ones that brought you to us. What luck hmmm?”

“Hey, I wanted to tell her that.” Mel complained.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I thought I gave you two enough time together to sort out the small facts. My apologies. I also need to inform the two of you we are going to the briefing room to being the meeting.” Nith turned and strolled away to see to another small group of chatting people before making his way deeper into the guild.

“Well, there goes my surprise. Well, welcome aboard girl.” Mel said gleefully pulling Shae to her feet. “Lets go see what fun they have in store for us.”

Shae realized the three men from Mel’s group were not present, then saw them in their own little group, that got swept up in the others heading for the briefing room.

‘God I really am tired. But I guess in my defense I didn’t know they were the group I was going to be with…’ Then it dawned on her, that small hint Mel had dropped last night. ‘Gawd, I’m losing my touch, Uncle would not be happy with me right now.’ She looked at the ceiling.

“Something wrong Shae?” Mel asked.

“No, just tired. I hope I don’t snore during the meeting.” She snorted out a fake chuckle trying to make light of her plight.

“Don’t worry. I’ll pinch you if you do.”

“No! Anything but that. I’ve seen the bruises you leave on Kip” Shae chuckled a bit more naturally this time.

“Well, he is a bit of a hard head. Needs motivation.” Mel smiled almost maliciously. Then fake pinched at a dodging Shae.

The two woman made their way to the meeting sharing a lighthearted laugh.

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“My name, for those of you who live under a rock…” Nith started and them waited for his failed joke to garner a chuckle.

“Ahem, I am Nithonsandorthrope, Vice head to the Mage’s college here in Hombek. You have been hired and brought together for a college sponsored dungeon run.”

This had gotten the crowds attention and there were a few murmurs.

“We will be delving for one weeks’ time to gather as many ingredients for the college and the academy as we can. During this run as per usual, anything not required by the college or academy, the hired adventurer group and the hired team of butchers will be able to claim the leftovers for themselves. Also, as per usual all shares taken will be equal, there will be no fighting or arguments amongst yourselves whatsoever. If you are unwilling to abide by these rules, please step out of the room and resign your contract.” Nith stopped to wait for anyone to leave.

Shae was a bit surprised, Nith was all business up at the front. He had never showed a stern leadership side before. But then again, he was second in command at the college.

After his short pause, and no one made a move to leave, Nith nodded and continued. “I see by the gleam in your eyes you are all on board. The policies in your contract are non-negotiable. Anyone breaking said policies will be evicted from the group forthwith and transported to a random location no closer than five-hundred kilometers away. While we have the most lucrative dungeon runs for hired groups, we also deal the most harshly with villains.”

Nith continued on with his speech, confirming pay rates for each group, as it had been left open till the time of this meeting. More pay would have been required for dangerous weather etc.

The dungeon they would be running was nicknamed “the soup hole” as it was located in the northern part of the swampy forest. Not that swampy forest was a brilliant name or anything. The group would be leaving just after mid-day meal, or “lunch” Nith put in as a side note looking at Shae, who turned red at the attention. It was something her people called it she had to explain upon the slip of the tongue, when she had once asked when they were breaking for, well lunch, once.

Mel gave Shae a side glance, which required the explanation in whispers again.

‘Sigh, I really need to be more on guard about these things. Or you know what, maybe I should just own them. It’s not like they could ever go and find out.’ Shae ha read about the north a few times in the library. She was sure she was solidly covered. As no northern people allowed access to their lands or came out of them either.

Shae mentally shrugged and decided not to lose any more time worrying about little slips. They would just have to accept her for who she was.

During lunch, Shae and the four adventurers got together to eat, and had to explain herself once more to the three men. They chatted about things they did and what Shae was learning. Nick was actually engaging about college talk. And seemed like an almost new person to Kip’s relief. Which got the two men arguing playfully.

After mid-day meal everyone checked their gear set-ups and made sure they were not forgetting anything.

Just before they were about to set off Nith came over to Shae once more and handed her a pinky ring. He explained it was a spacial item, and her job was to help carry items for the college. “But you can also put you pack in there for now.” The gnome winked before leaving a stunned Shae behind with her friends. Which were also shocked and stared at the ring with awe.

Again, Shae was the center of attention, she was not getting used to it at all.

Once outside of town, the adventuring party, Mel’s group, took the lead, with Mel as scout. They were followed by the gatherers and butchers, which were followed up by the school’s group, led by Nith, floating along on his own magic flying disc.

‘Magic is sooo awesome!’ Shae mentally cried with glee. Then about four hours later began to whine mentally about how sore her feet were. These new boots really needed breaking in. ‘Wish there was magic for that.’ She lamented.