Myra wasn’t sure how she felt about these people investigating the ruins in the forest. Finding the cause of the miasma could make the forest safer but what if it made things worse. What if they unleashed the wrath of another deity or if they woke some ancient beast that attacked the cities?

“This is going to happen with or without me.” She muttered to herself. “Worrying about it isn’t going to help anyone.”

“If something goes wrong, Feta and I will do all we can to evacuate people.” Mika assured her.

“You heard that?” She was embarrassed that her worries were overheard.

“Kenku have very keen hearing. And I’ve trained to track my sister.” She replied with a smile. “What’s bothering you?”

She flopped back onto her bed in their shared room. “Olive and Tuck went closer to the ruins than anyone ever had.” She said to the ceiling. “3 days after they did, groups of monsters attacked Adortin, Riverside and Hoggle. 26 people died. It was too coordinated to be random. Since then the mayors all agreed no one can go closer than seeing the ruins in fear of another attack.”

“You’re worried that investigating the miasma will get more people killed.” It wasn’t a question but Myra nodded anyway. “We can bring that up to the paladins. They could send more members or members of the guild to stand guard in the cities while we investigate.” Mika suggested

Myra turned to look at her. “Do you think we would get better volunteers if they got to run the dungeon after the investigation?”

Mika shook her head. “That’s not a good idea. People are going to flock to the area as soon as they know there is a new dungeon. Advertising it before we are ready for that influx will be a logistical nightmare. Better to let the temple put out a quest for guards due to their investigation and make no mention of the dungeon.”

The selkie groaned. “I just know I’m going to be doing most of the paperwork for this dungeon.”

“Why’s that?” She was curious why a teen would be given such a job.

“I want to take over for my grandfather as mayor of Adortin. He knows that’s my dream and will likely have me all but running the office for the dungeon. I plan to ask Ludvik about setting up a small guild outpost in Adortin. I’m sure once things get up and running Olive and other locals would rather travel to and from Adortin than going all the way to Riverside. The setting up and leading people to the dungeon will also likely fall to me, the twins and the other teens. Organizing the teens into teams will be my job. Though Tuck and Hamish will likely help.”

Mika chuckled. “Is all of your family into politics?”

“Oh no.” Myra replied quickly while shaking her head. “My mother is a complete airhead. All she cares about are her looks.” She sounded annoyed. “My brother seems to think the world owes him something for nothing. He’s so lazy. He only takes easy jobs and puts in as little effort as possible. Dad has no interest in politics. He’s a merchant and loves to travel. He mostly works in the bay but travels through the gates every month for business. So nope. Just me, grandpa and aunt Minny.”

“Minny is your great-aunt, correct? Geon’s sister?” Mika asked for clarification. Myra nodded. “What about your grandmother or Minny’s husband?”

“Grampa’s wife died in childbirth with dad’s younger sibling. The baby didn’t make it either. My mom’s parents live in Saluga, I’m not sure where the nearest land to them is.” She shrugged. “Aunt Minny’s WIFE runs the chapel that you can see just outside the city walls.”

Mika was blushing and glad her feathers hide that fact. “Sorry for assuming.”

Myra chuckled. “I’m not offended but you need to be careful with your words if you are going to represent the dungeon.”

The kenku hissed. “Don’t remind me.”

“You can take it back. I’m sure someone else will manage the dungeon.” she offered softly.

Mika shook her head. “I don’t know how to put it in words but I know I’m meant to do this. Even if I detest politics.”

The teen giggled. “Olive seemed to have had a similar feeling. She’s been at my side since we were little kids. You should have her be your assistant. That should keep her from getting into too much trouble trying to defend the dungeon on her own.”

“You think she would do that?”

“Oh yeah. Olive is full of passion and would gladly ride or die for any of her friends. And I’m sure she considers that dungeon her friend. She’ll probably end up naming it so she doesn’t have to call it the dungeon anymore.”

Mika chuckled. “From what little I know of Olive I don’t doubt that. Feta already wants to train her in rogue and assassin skills.”

Myra’s smile was interrupted by a big yawn.

“We should get some sleep, it's going to be a long day tomorrow.”

“Yeah and then another first in taking the gate to Jodor.” She sounded more excited than nervous.

“I’ll introduce you to the best restaurants in the city before we head out.”

Myra yawned again. “That sounds great. I’ll have to get something for my friends too.”

Mika smiled at her. “Go to sleep.”

The teen made a humming noise as she wiggled her way under the covers. She was out almost as soon as her head hit the pillow. Mika shook her head and blew out the lamp before getting into her own bed.

PPPPPPPPPPPPP

The next morning they were woken by Cynthia and taken to a nice breakfast before heading to the temple.

Myra couldn’t help but stare in awe at the Twin Temple. It was an expansive marble building with scrolling inlays in gold and silver. 6 massive columns held up the porch roof alternating between inky black and vibrant blue. And on either side of the door was a statue of one of the gods. Piec in gold with blue opal accents and Siec in silver and onyx. The gods are known to be identical and rarely seen apart. Unlike Mirana and Sarina, goddesses of curiosity and mischief who are also twins and known for enjoying tricking mortals by impersonating one another.

She gave a respectful nod to each of the statues as they passed between them.

Just inside the doors was a massive room, bigger than the tavern/meeting room on the first floor of the Adventurer's Guild she’d seen yesterday. Inside the room had to be more than 500 people. They were all standing around as if waiting for some kind of announcement.

A stocky man that was about as tall as his shoulders were wide, came up to them from beside the doors. It was obvious he was waiting for them. What little skin Myra could see for his coal black hair and beard was a deep russet color. His green eyes seemed to both pierce and pin them as he looked the 3 ladies over. Myra has never met a dwarf before.

“High Priest Daernam.” Cynthia greeted with a bow.

The stocky man didn’t look like how Myra imagined a priest. He was in full plate armor that was covered in runes and symbols. Myra correctly assumed they had something to do with the gods as they were in glod, silver, blue opal and onyx. The colors of the twin gods. He also had a war hammer on his back that looked longer than he was tall.

“Morning, Cynthia.” He greeted her in a deep voice that seemed to rumble from his chest. “You must be the travelers from the Lost Forest.”

Mika nodded. “I’m Mika of Gorger, I hope to be a dungeon caretaker.” She said the second bit softer hoping that few would think about a new dungeon. “This is Myra Malstrom, she’s representing the Lost Forest.”

Daernam nodded to them. “I’m Daernam Lezin, High Priest of Peic and Seic. Blessed are their gifts. I’m in charge of this temple and have gathered our warriors to hear about this taint.”

He led the 3 to a raised platform in the back of the room where Daernam called everyone to attention. He introduced them and the issue before asking Cynthia to describe what she felt.

“The moment I first saw the trees of the Lost Forest I felt it. Like some dark malicious being was watching me hungrily. As my team entered the wood that feeling only grew until I felt sick with it. As though it was trying to infect me. When night began to fall the feeling only got worse. I don’t know how many times I checked my status and log to ensure I wasn’t poisoned. As that’s how the air made me feel.”

She paused and looked over the crowd for a long moment. “Then I saw it.” Those assembled seemed to be hanging on her every word. “A mist creeping out of the southeast. A purple miasma that tried to choke us with fear and confusion. Marius, triple S ranked, level 52, brawler was taken in by the miasma. It struck fear and panic in him. Our team leader, Hashash, had to knock him out as he couldn’t tell friend from foe and had attacked me out of the blue while we were chatting and setting up camp.”

Cynthia paused once more for that to sink in. Her orator skill must be insane for how invested in the story everyone was. “That night none of us slept. At first light as the mist was retreating we made the decision to follow it. Each sending prayers that this was not caused by a mad dungeon. However before we could find the source the mist had completely vanished and the signal to return to town had gone off.”

Mika and Myra each made a face when she mentioned a dungeon. They hoped everyone glossed over that part. Or assumed it was an old, mad dungeon, not a baby to rush and harass.

“Thank you Paladin.” High Priest Daernam said. “Now we will hear from Mika of Gorger.”

She took a step forward. “I was part of another team searching the forest. We had several days head start on Cyntia’s team and I encountered the miasma more than once. I am a B ranked Cleric of Alphriya but I was overtaken by the will-o-wisps that come with the miasma. It prayed on my sacred duty to help those in need. I recall hearing a young voice calling for help and sounding like they were in so much pain. I fought against my team and my dearest sister to go to the voice. A team member broke me out of it by splashing me with water. Olive, our guide to the forest gave me the grave news that the voice was leading me toward another beast.”

“The dryads of the forest are also mad. Attacking without thought or provocation. One attacked us like a wild beast the moment it sensed us nearby. It was a tragedy to Lady Alphriya to kill such a being but it felt more like putting the thing out of its misery. I don’t know what is causing this but it has leached into the very life of the forest.”

As she stepped back Daernam took her place. “Lastly we will hear from Myra Malstrom.”

She stepped forward and swallowed. “I am not part of any guilds, nor am I an adventurer of any kind. The only battles I have ever been in were against the things in the Lost Forest. It has been 19 years since the last official adventuring team entered the forest. The 7 person team left Adortin just after sunrise. 7 days later teams from the surrounding cities were sent in to look for them. A few broken arrows and 1 religious talisman were all that was ever found.” Myra paused and looked all of them over.

“Each year over 20 people go missing in the forest. Less than half are found and some of those have lost their minds or lost all touch with reality. The stronger your connection and reliance on magic the more vulnerable you will be. Magic doesn’t work as it should. No spell should be trusted in the woods. The closer you get to the ruins the more unpredictable magic becomes. Will-o-Wisps will lead you into traps, pitfalls and monster attacks. Staying in the purple fog too long will see you bombarded with fear, daze, panic and confusion status effects.”

She swallowed and looked down. “2 years ago my best friend and her twin entered the forest. They made it closer to the ruins and the source of the miasma than anyone in our recorded history. The twins had to retreat when Tuck was injured. Just 3 days after they returned, there were coordinated attacks by creatures from the forest on the 3 major towns of our region. 26 people were killed in the attacks and another 100 were injured before we could repel the attackers.”

Many of the listeners raised their eyebrows. “411 years ago there was a massive attack from the forest on my hometown Adortin. It caused a massive fire and killed 10’s of 1,000’s. Most of our records from before the fire were lost. But the earliest recording of the miasma and strange behavior in the forest was 1,200 years ago. Due to these counter attacks I ask that some volunteer to guard the cities. Anyone that wants to join this mission needs to be aware of what they are facing.”

With that she stepped back.

High Priest Daernam took her place and addressed everyone. Soon there were questions flying back and forth being answered by Daernam and Myra mostly. She could tell that some were taking what they said seriously while others thought they were exaggerating.

It took hours for the questions to stop so they could move on to choosing who would go and who should stay behind. In the end there were 4 groups going. 1 made of primarily physical classes to enter the forest and 3 to cover Adortin, Riverside and Hoggle. Healers were assigned to each group each armed with more potions than they would normally take.

The team to enter the forest had 11 members, 7 from the temple and the 4 adventurers that were sent by Ludvik to find the dungeon. Cynthia, Rioux, Rose, Kevin and Marius were all interested in the forest and the area for one reason or the other. Rioux was also hoping to stick around after and get a look at the dungeon that started this all before it had been influenced by many others. Hashash would have liked to join them but he had far too much work to do for another adventure. He’d be back to see the area and the little dungeon at some point.

Myra and Mika stayed 2 more days in Eslan as everyone prepared. There would be a flood of the 62 people going for this mission, 11 into the forest and 3 teams of 17. In addition surveyors and contractors would join them till Riverside for planning the guild buildings. Ludvik had approved a guild outpost being opened in Adortin and possibly Jahesteri. That’s not including all the merchants that were gladly taking an opportunity to travel to Jodor outside the scheduled gate openings.

When they stepped through the gate Mika had to drag Myra forward as she stopped to take in the new landscape. Once they were out of the flow of traffic the kenku let the teen look her fill. The gate was on top of a ziggurat that gave great views of the seemingly endless plains all around Jodor.

The top floor of the ziggurat, right under the portal, housed over 11,000 soldiers. Below that was 3 floors of markets, as they descended through the markets Myra could easily see a pattern. Closest to the many ramps were the most expensive shops and stalls. And it went without saying that the permanent buildings housed more luxury items than the stalls. Farther back, and out on the terraces would be the most affordable goods.

The last 2 above ground floors of ziggurat were government offices, including the offices of every guild in the city except the adventurer’s guild. The adventurer's guild took up the whole 1st floor below ground. Below the adventurer’s guild were 4 levels of emergency food storage and shelters in case of disaster.

Mika told Myra all this as they moved down to the 2nd floor, Retundi, the Magistrate of Nostalli, was waiting for them.

This was Myra’s first time meeting the elegant pantherling, but she knew the kitsune by the woman’s side.

“Myra Malstrom, welcome to Judor.” The sleek, sharp faced kitsune greeted.

“It is always nice to see you, Asha of Judor. Have you met Mika of Gorger?”

Asha’s eyes twinkled and one of her brown ears twitched in amusement. “Yes, I have.”