Corvayne ended up spending only a few minutes picking through the bones piled with other scraps of hide and flesh that the goblins had no use for. Four skulls, near the top of the pile. One rodent, an elongated one, and two humans. Most of the other bones were small, and the goblins all had slightly blue bones. He was pleased that Grunt came over and started helping too. The big man helped him break the news to Hari, standing next to him looking contrite.

Corvayne didn't sift out the sorrow he felt for the elf woman and her poor friends when he spoke to her. “I'm sorry. I found four fresh skulls near the top of the pile.”

Hari sobbed, and Corvayne carried the skulls for her away from the village and buried them. He had decided he didn't want to spend too long on the floor, but they could go sideways from the village to the ambush site then climb back up to cube that had the door they came in, and get to the stairs that way.

A dozen goblins were loosely clustered around a door, this one slightly different then the stone arch they had come in: it looked like the door itself was stone too. Mister I timed his first arrow with Wick throwing out a disrupt. The Monk was a crack shot, driving his arrow dead center into a goblin's tiny neck. “I didn't know I disliked these little monsters until now. No offense to my fellow doctor.”

Corvayne felt that perhaps the monk would be better suited to running a hunting lodge rather then a monastery, but who was he to judge? Hari on the other hand used magic to vanish then did her version of [Backstab] on a goblin, blowing it apart. So much for clean robes. The little spells she used quickly moved her around, and she pulled her weight, killing two goblins almost as fast as he could run them down. Corvayne found he really liked fighting side by side with Grunt. Wick might be his business partner but Grunt was the brother in arms he never had in the Village.

Mosh tried using his glass bubble, forming it then blowing it. It touched a goblin and shattered but didn't down the creature or slow it much. Wick was near him and skewered the monster on her spear. Mosh gave Wick a thumbs up then yelled over his shoulder to Corvayne. “Tell your girlfriend thanks!”

“She's not my girlfriend.” Yet. Spear drives forward.

Wick growled. “Tell your goblin to shove it.”

Corvayne smiled a little. “She said you're welcome Mosh.”

There were two more cubes between them and where they started. The first had a few furry slugs on it and a ruined goblin village. It had larger trees then any other island, feeling like a slice of the third floor. Mister I shot the first slug they found and tied it to his pack while humming to himself. “I hope it tastes as good as it looks! All muscle!”

The next cube up had a tangle of roots that formed a short but extra wide pathway over the valley between it and it's neighboring cube. One half of them went down to the ledges around the cube and the valley that stretched between them. The split going up then branched into two paths: one to the wall of the cube and the other to the top of the cube. Corvayne went up to the hole in the side and saw both the familiar stairs and blue glow.

He reported back to the group. “There's another way up...”

Wick looked into the stairs. She then went back to the vine and sat down, then took out some stuff that had a lot of wires and dials. “Before we leave this floor, I'm going to get a reading.”

While she was taking her readings Corvayne explained to everyone what the floors they had seen already were like, how the monsters they had encountered acted, and some of the issues with floor 5 and how it was very different. Some of the questions they had were things he wanted to test. Maybe not today with 'how big are the floors?' as every new cube they went onto was connected to at least 3 cubes by roots and paths that he hadn't seen from other cubes.

“Wick, do you want to come over and we'll split the loot? We found a chest.”

He had the backpack that they had found and took the items out, careful when handling them. There were five things including the backpack: The wooden sundial, a rapier made of the same blue material most weapons in the dungeon were, the soft leather boots, and the two potions.

Hari blinked. “Oh, do you need help identifying them? I can investigate them.”

Interesting. “I'd appreciate that.” Corvayne laid the goods out on the little dip in the roots they were sitting around. He made sure there was no chance of the stuff falling off.

“There's also coins, which we plan to sell to help finance things like gas and guns, and so on.”

Mister I nodded, adjusting his camo cap. “I claim my share in meat.”

“I'd say we are all going to get plenty of meat before this is over.”

Grunt pointed at the boots. He pointed at his own worn ones that needed replacing.

“Yes, I'm sure you'd look good in them.” Corvayne gestured for Hari to start.

The elf woman looked at everyone, even thought Corvayne was the only one who understood her. “Are you familiar with [Investigator] as a class?”

“... class?” Corvette’s bracket alarm was going off.

Hari stared at him. “Everyone has a class. It's like, what you want to do. You have [Spearman] or [Lancer] right?”

“The way you said it... it's not like you're saying 'a man with a spear is a spearman'...”

“The voice of order is what we call it. [Weapon Skills], spells like [Shadow Step], and [Special Actions] like when I invoke my [Investigate] skill...”

He nodded “I know what you mean. There's a weird emphasis on words associated with my attacks. I feel like when you read a word that's in brackets... sort of like there's a weird emphasis on it but no audio.”

Grunt was thinking. He looked at Corvayne then mimed hitting something three times with a club: Oh, like with my skill. He then shrugged. Mister I leaned in. “So everyone should have one, how do you know what yours is?”

“My father always would use a deep voice to announce a skill so I feel like the words rumble a little or are underlined. Either way, [Investigate] is a catch-all skill that gathers information. I can at least tell you if an item is safe to try.” Now that she said it, her soft high pitched voice would drop a little when saying skill names. It was kind of funny.

Corvayne nodded. “I'd appreciate anything you can tell me about our things.”

“Are you familiar with tiers? Items range from mundane which are everyday objects with no special care or features to artifact, many of which are extremely powerful and quite a few grow when used. It is not always related to magic: many works of art are 'notable' even by the system, which is the first step up from mundane. Most minor magic items are notable.”

Hari bent over and picked up the boots first, and she let out a little surprised “Oh!” as she looked at Corvayne.

Hari's elf ears actually twitched a little. “You are extremely lucky. This is exceptional bordering right on reaching apex value...”

Corvayne felt his brow furrow. “That sounds... good?”

Hari nodded enthusiastically, stopped and her face flushed, then she looked away from Corvayne and started speaking quickly and half mumbled. “I am sorry let me finish reading them... though it's almost certainly...”

She took some time to feel the surface of the boots, and pinched the leather. They looked worn and soft but had a fresh leather scent to them.

“Boots... Boots of running!” Hari half gasped, then once more started motor mouthing. The mental image Corvayne had of a serene noble elf did not survive Hari assessing their first item. “I'm near certain, this is one of those items that everyone wants to use! They passively improve walking and running speed. They are different then the more common boots of speed in that running also passively improves coordination while walking or running so they feel more natural and are thus much more prized.” She took a deep breath and realized everyone was looking at her, and paled a little, averting her eyes. “Sorry, I know I am an odd one.”

Corvayne turned to Grunt. “She says they are boots of running. Anyone mind if I give them to Grunt?”

Mosh raised a hand. “I'd like to run away faster.”

Corvayne shook his head. “If he moves faster, he can intercept things coming at you sooner so you don't have to run. I already have movement tricks.”

Wick looked at the goblin. “Is he a little coward? Tch.”

Corvayne took a drink from his canteeen to parch his throat. “We'll say he's reasonably cautious.”

Mosh pointed at Corvayne. It wasn't hard to tell Wick had said something mean from her tone. “That's right! Tell her that's right! I am risk-adverse at worst!”

Hari kept opening her mouth to speak but stopping as went back and forth. Corvayne had to hold up a hand and nod at her. She had picked up the potion next. “Potion of healing. Not an exceptional one but it is a notable healing potion which can stabilize someone who's in critical condition or help if someone is anemic, but complex fractures for example need some assistance from a healer of course.”

Corvayne turned to Mister I. “Can you pull those bottles out of the cooler? Hari stated that the red potion is another dose of healing potion... Hari can you look at these and confirm they are healing and mana potions for us?”

She accepted the first bottle from Mister I, flashing a short nervous smile at the as she accepted it then quickly looking down at the container. She spoke slower this time. “I can read the label and it says healing potion... and my skill agrees it's also a notable healing potion.” As if she forgot, her excitement grew handling the plastic healing potion. “What an odd bottle though... if you drink the potion while I'm with you, can I have the bottle?”

Corvayne shrugged. “She says she can also read the label like we can.”

Hari was looking at the power drink design rather then waiting for Corvayne to answer her question. “It looks like it was made by an insane mage. Who lists the nutritional value of a healing potion?”

Actually Corvayne thought had a good point. “Hmm. You know, I didn't look that closely. It has ingredients on it?”

Hari nodded, passing the healing potion back and checking the mana potion. “Mana potions are a little less common but still notable. They can upset the stomach if used too rapidly.” Her expression and the flattening of her voice on the second part told Corvayne she had certainly had that happen to her.

Corvayne took the potions back and put them in the cooler.

“Ok... how about the other potion?” Corvayne gestured for her to keep going.

She picked up the green potion. Hari's ears went flat against her head as she squinted at the vial. She gave it a small swirl. Then her eyes widened and she started speaking quickly.

“It's brimming with energy! I don't know what it is yet, but it's almost certainly powerful. Firmly in apex... and the way it was bottled, notice that the stopper has a pretty little latch to it? It's not meant to be opened in combat. Color on apex potions is usually closer to fixed. Green... green... I wish I had my book still! Those monsters took my pack...”

A miss, Corvayne supposed, given her frustrated tone. “Ok, well, we can put it aside. If we see a pack with a book, we'll get it back to you.”

She swirlled the potion a little. “Well, the good news is that at apex power and not hostile, with that stopper... it's going to possibly be something like a potion of evolution, a potion of augmentation... it'd be nimble fingers or vital essence... it's not divine intervention as that healing potion is pearly white and you never see it stoppered like that.”

Corvayne saw the others looking between her and him. “She know's it's something good... why are you sure based on the bottle? I think the dungeon itself put the chest and items there... it played a joke where it put the potions in drink bottles and lemonade and mustard in fancy flasks.”

Hari laughed. “Well, the theory many investigators had is that dungeons are semi-sentient. I was talking about how it will spawn doors, but only in doorways. It sometimes will repair a doorway, but there's a respect for what something was before the area became saturated in whatever energy forms the dungeons. Form follows function, but function follows form. It's rare, but dungeons with a lot of energy will create chests with nick-knacks, some of them developing into magic items. The theory some investigators have is based on, for example, that boots of speed all look like random shoes, but boots of running is almost always a soft, worn, but well cared for pair of boots.”

She held up the bottle of green stuff. “We think the Voice of Order responds to what people think. On our world, certain classes have gone extinct over the last several thousand years... [Scavenger] replaced [Hunter/Gatherer], [Spear thrower] has become [Launcher]. [Flower-tenders] advanced to [Druid] or [Gardener]. Many were old elves who thousands of years ago claimed they had once lived in paradise. They understood the class system... the requirements don't work because the concept of what they were has advanced. So it would be odd for the dungeon to use this kind of stopper for a potion meant to be drank quickly, hence the dungeon doesn't do so.”

Corvayne thought the point was interesting, but might be something to digest with Wick later rather then bog down assessing their things. “To sum it up: You're pretty sure it's a beneficial, long term effect. Could you explain what some of the effects do?”

Hari nodded, eager to talk about the items it could be. “Evolution gives you some sort of positive trait... there's a theory that such potions are the origins of many species as the effect is permanent and can be passed down to offspring. There's a noble house that only accepts marriages with people who've had a dose, with the goal of turning their line into a new race. Augmentation influences and improves a specific thing. Like, makes you stronger, more hardy, smarter... there is a king who claims to have stopped aging after drinking ten potions of vitality augmentation. It's possibly quintessence which is an oddball: some people say that it's like 'augment everything' and others note no effect. They are nearly impossible to make as any contaminant ruins the potion, and there are apparently invisible things everywhere that can ruin it, the glass not being perfect ruins it... there's potion of the iron mind, which allows access to the weave. Usually they are either glowing purple or shadowy but I think those can be any color. It could be aspect of venom, which is an elemental augmentation that adds poison effects to everything. That one is dangerous to others as it makes bodily fluids potentially lethal. It is, however, prized by venomancers and a very easy way to become one. The last one that I know of is potion of potent visions. It's another crap shoot, sometimes it does nothing, but investigators consider it the holy grail of potions because it supposedly can enhance someone's understanding of the world. It's also one of the few potions that's no one has ever brewed.” Hari handed the potion back to Corvayne. “Can... can I get some water?”

He handed her his canteen. “If you have more time, you said you might learn more? Drink, I'll summarize the info for them.”

He gave a foot note version to the group. Hari waited for him to be done then continued talking. “Using the power slowly fills me with information and will narrow it down. If it was an artifact or apex weapon, it would take longer. I'll use my skill on it over the next day or two.”

She reached for the backpack next and concentrated. She sighed with relief.

“I don't know what I'd do if this was something crazy. It's just a backpack of ease. They protect the items inside and reduce their weight by a quarter or so depending on the individual item. A common item.”

Corvanye held it up. “This one makes the stuff in it a little lighter.”

Mosh was a little sheepish. “Am I on the list for stuff? I need a bag...”

Corvayne looked at the group. “If it's ok with everyone, I think we give him the bag. We got several floors to go and, well, Mister I is going to need help carrying dinner sooner or later. We will also get you a better weapon.”

Mosh nodded. “Sure thing. Tell you what, when the HAF picks me up I'll give it all back anyway and put some of my Kudos down to give you something nice. Heck, maybe some of the old Adept skin-suits. Never imagined I'd WANT one, but the things are self cleaning, self repairing, tough as hell to rip but flexible somehow, and they adjust to heat and cold. When I get back I'm making that my pajamas!”

Wick looked at Mosh waving his hands as he spoke, then turned back to look at Corvayne. “You building bridges?”

Corvayne thought about it. “I think I am, if I understand you correctly.”

Wick gave him a geunine smile. “Ok. Then I agree.”

Grunt nodded.

Mister I thought about it. “I love the idea of a meat assistant! But let's hurry to the next floor. I refuse to eat goblin.”

Hari looked at Corvayne then sheepishly raised her hand. “Err, Mister Corvayne, I would vote yes to give him the bag, but I'm not sure what our relationship is.”

Corvayne was puzzled. “We are in this place together. Until you state you want to travel alone, I would say you're part of our team and you've been a part of adventuring teams. I don't know your experience, but this is our first intentional outing into a dungeon. That you can safely identify items was something that I was worried would be a problem. The invitation to be a part of our group goes out to Mosh as well.”

He took the bag and placed it in the goblin's arms. “I'll do my best to keep you alive and get you home. The previous time we were stuck here, it was me and Wick. We had to be as careful as possible, as a major injury, even something like a sprained ankle, might doom us. It was stressful even for me, and I wouldn't subject someone to face the dungeon entirely alone. So until we reach the end at least, Mosh, please help us with your insight and perspective. And hopefully we don't need to bother you for any more mending.” He smiled.

“Aww boss! You're a real champ. You know, even though I never thought I'd do something like this... If they put down an Arkstone I might be up for a weekend dungeon or two.” Mosh slipped it on. “It fits perfectly! Like magic!”

Hari picked up the rapier. Her ears fell and she looked at Corvayne. “How... how long have you spent gathering these items?”

Corvayne thought about it. “We found a chest while looking for your friends. These are all what we found in there. It was just a three minute detour, tops.”

“It's an airfoil rapier! Like, an air elemental enchanted rapier of super speed. A little under apex, again... it takes years for most adventurers to find an apex item, and that's if they keep at it. I'm going to ask if you can... let me use it for the rest of this dungeon. Please! I will give it back, but I always wanted to try fighting with one. My mentor actually was going on a two month trip to see if she could buy one they had found in Couerl Springs.” She held the item with awe then smiled. “I'd love to tell her that I got a chance to use one.”

Corvayne spoke. “She says it's an air enchanted rapier of speed, and it's also really good like the boots. Also she would really like to use it for the rest of the dungeon.”

Wick folded her arms. “I would say me or you should have it.”

Corvayne rubbed his chin. “I agree from a tactical perspective. But I already have the fire-breathing dagger if I need to use a short blade.”

Wick thought about it then offered a comprimise. “I vote we let each of us try fighting with it... if we see monsters we can prepare for. You need something that's fast on you at all times for things like these goblins. You keep having to use your moves to space the monsters away from you, and I know that it nearly killed you when you fought the trees. We will decide on an actual owner of the item at the end.” Wick dropped into a smooth voice before her throat closed up a little and the scratchy aspect returned.

Corvayne “Ok. I vote to let her use it first, then you, then I'll try it last.”

Hari seemed very happy, and set the item down by her feet to pick up the last magic item, practically tripping over herself bowing. Corvayne had to put an hand on her shoulder so she didn't keep bowing and trip. The vines they were taking a break on were double or triple the width normal for the paths but still he didn't want her to fall and break something.

She looked totally surprised to be touched but was still babbling. “Thank you so much, even getting to use one is...” Corvayne used her talking to take the last item and hand it to her.

She stopped dead, going pale as she looked at the simple wooden sundial in her hands.

“Was this... in that chest too?” Her voice was a squeak.

Corvayne found he was enjoying her reactions. A perverse part of him could only imagine how she'd over react and become furious if she was handed a heap of enchanted weapons they had just found 'under a rock' or something. “Yes. Another Apex?”

“This is a high artifact... what is this place?!?” She started hyperventilating, almost pushing the dial back into Corvayne's hands.

He grew concerned. “Hari! Calm down. Mister I, can you help her?”

“Did the item do something?” The monk rushed over, with Mosh coming by too.

“It's a high artifact. I think that means it's very strong and possibly very rare. Hari, easy. Deep breaths.”

The monk dumped the contents of a paper bag back into his pack (mostly apples and potatoes) then looked to Corvayne. “Tell her to put it over her mouth, and to breath in and out with the bag. Have her cover her nose and mouth. Then after ten breaths or so, deep belly breaths without the bag.”

Corvayne related it word for word and the young woman took the paper bag and started breathing in and out of it. Corvayne handed the artifact to Wick. “When she's better we'll walk again. Boots on Grunt ok?”

Wick placed the dial in her pack. “It's fine. Hear that Grunt? You're going to be the fastest shaved bear in Cascadia.”

The big man mimed a bear and swiped the boots. Putting them on he then ran up and down the vine, his form nearly perfect and faster then a car. Corvayne thought his feet were sliding as he ran, perhaps the way those boots boosted speed.

Wick had done whatever her tests were and recorded a bunch of numbers. Then she lead them up the new stairs they found. Hari was using her staff to walk, rapier tucked in her robe's sash.

He offered a hand to steady her. “Do you need a hand?”

“I'll be okay.” She croaked. She looked down and away. “Sorry. Sorry!”

Getting to the top of the stairs, they came out under a vast night sky. Not just above them: Below the rim of the ledge he could see a reflection of the night sky. The horizon was the color of a setting sun, an dull orange glow, in a ring that faded to blue then deepened to black and purple as you went closer to the top and bottom of the sky. There was enough starlight and fading sunlight that the grassy path down was lit up. Looking on the island sprawled out before them Corvayne spotted a lake sparkling in the dusk as well as a patch of woods. The island had a mountain slope on one side linking it to the next island. Smaller islands floated around the larger one with wood constructs leading up to them.

“Well shit, this is a different floor!” Wick looked all around her then took a few photos.

Mister I laughed. “It's pretty! I wanna see what kind of fish are in the lake!”

Grunt perked up and Corvayne could see him miming pulling on a fishing line.

Wick turned and spoke partially to the group but facing Corvayne. “We can stay a little while, I wanna get a reading on this floor. Also see if there's different wildlife here.”

Corvayne considered that. “Cryptids or lunch?”

“Both hahaah! I bet Plesiosaur tastes great! Lunch ness monster!” Wick marched forward.

Mister I laughed at that. “You should come to meat club! They would die if you did a talk on meats the same way you do your other talks!”

They walked down the grassy hill. It was about fifty feet wide and the sides had little stone nubs like handrails. Corvayne was keeping his eyes open for possible threats. He was pretty happy when he saw a pack of six paint dogs coming up like a bunch of dark blobs. They had been asking for dinner, and the dungeon was all too happy to serve it up.

He barked “Incoming.” then readied himself to fight.

Grunt ran down, suddenly picking up speed, and darted between the two front dogs, just battering them as they tried to claw at him or leap. His speed meant they had trouble tracking him. Corvayne was running behind him, stabbing stunned dogs and keeping his eyes open for more packs or goblins who might pick up on the noise: he had vividly remembered the running battle on the previous floor 2. There was a twang and an arrow hit one of the painted hounds, sending the creature tumbling. Wick added a disruption blasting another dog, and in a moment the pack was dead.

Hari and Mosh had ended up too far back to do anything. Mosh from prudence, Hari because she was still wheezing a little from hyperventilating.

Mister I was estatic as they followed a path through the dark woods and reached the sandy shore of the lake. He undid his pack and pulled out a portable grill and coals. “Moonlight grilling by a lake in another dimension! Perfect!”

Grunt held out a hand and Mister I handed him a fishing rod. “My friend, see what you can pull out!”

He smirked. Thumbs up. Corvayne noted he was holding a baseball bat and a fishing rod. Did you pull them in then beat them up? Ah. That's different from what he read about fishing. Wick started taking her readings. Mosh looked at Corvayne. “What's the plan boss? We camping here or just taking a break?”

“If you wanna come with me, I was going to clear out part of the island, make sure we don't get goblins.” Corvayne added quickly. “I mean bad ones.”

Hari stood up, using her staff to help her stand smoothly. “Could I come as well?”

Corvayne looked at the woods. Hari was an adventurer. He wanted to see how well she fought anyway. “If you've recovered, yes.”

Wick looked up then went back to her equipment with a huff.

“It's just the first time I've ever seen an artifact. I'm already feeling better.” She said, holding her chin up. Then she touched her hands together and concentrated, her form fading to a blurry shadow that was nearly impossible to see in the moonlit dark.

Mosh had a baseball bat. “Look! Your buddy gave me a club! More my speed.”

They started into the woods. He couldn't help but ask the goblin as they walked “Why the change of heart Mosh?”

“Well, it's one thing to be out in the open during the day. But the woods? At night? Perfect for running away. Also, I see ya girlfriend giving me the stink-eye. I need a break from the glaring. Besides, I figure you can tell us about you. Right princess?”

Hari totally ignored him. The little goblin's ears dropped. “Oh yeah, right, well... tell me your deal.”

“I was the most hated person in my warrior village. They exiled me and I somehow walked across worlds. I have no idea where I came from and only the barest of where I am. I like Wick both as a companion and, possibly more, but she is not interested in romance.”

“Buddy, some girls are for dating and some girls are for, well, I bet you do alright.” Mosh elbowed Corvayne. His shadowy limb elbowed the goblin back in the same friendly manner.

“That's too bad, did you try a love letter?” Hari's form was a little easier to spot now that he had looked for it a few times.

“I have a feeling Wick would be very, very, very annoyed with me.” He said. He had not seen Wick raging mad before but given that she tended to be a little volitile as-is...

“I won't pry...” Hari said, while looking up. Her ears were twitching, probably from a desire to pry. “But did something happen?”

“That's between Wick and myself...” Corvayne instantly felt he had made a blunder but also was not sure why he was sure.

“Haha! As if we can't figure it out. Mission accomplished, right?” Mosh held out a fist. Corvayne just looked at it. His shadowy fist bumped it. Traitor.

Hari meanwhile was talking, maybe to herself as she was looking away again. “Well, I'm sort of young and I've not had a real romance before, but I had a crush on a tall half-elf boy and waited for him to ask me to the harvest dance all summer. Years later I met up with him and he told me that he thought I hated him because I didn't ask him! I uh... set the record straight there.”

The shadowy arm switched sides. Corvayne felt Hari gave it a fist bump and saw her shoulders hunched, sheepish.

Corvayne kept his voice down. “Well, Wick has stated she plans to send me off on dates...” He stopped and squinted ahead. There was a pair of the dogs, trotting through the carpet of pine needles on the ground. They buzzed and started running around trees at them. “Hari, two ahead. I can distract them for you to try the rapier out.”

She blurred again, and cast something. She popped out behind one, blade ready to strike and her other hand held out. Corvayne trotted forward but she hit the dog with something like a green glowing net, then squared herself with it's back as it tugged it's legs helplessly.

He hadn't considered: if she was so excited about that rapier, and it was really strong... “Wait! If you do that it's-”

She clearly activated [Backstab] then attacked. There was a sound that reminded Corvayne of the wonderful sound of firing a displacer gun. Something like a fencing sword and sewing machine sound combined. The blade barraging out and hit the monster in a blur. There was a moment before the skill took effect where he swore he saw the weapon stabbed ten places at once, then the whole monster exploded, covering her with gore. She had got some in her mouth because she spit out a chunk of something, and sort of stepped back from what looked like a circle of blood someone had painted on the forest. Mosh whistled. “Oh hey, I think you just graduated to blood elf!”

“Are you okay? You look...” He stopped himself. Her disgust had turned to wonder as she went from staring at her gore covered hand to the other, holding the rapier.

Hari started laughing. “That sounded so nice! It feels so good to use it!”

Mosh looked at the blood covered elf laughing, then to her sword, then up at Corvayne. “Hey boss... can I try that thing?”