Chapter Nineteen

It was a new day full of endless possibilities. Sadly, Shuka could only think about all of the possibilities that led to her death. She could get mauled to death by a giant bear, or stabbed to death by a goblin, or even burned to death by a trap. There truly was no end to the many ways she could die.

What am I doing? I can’t go into a dungeon, what am I an adventurer?

She could barely eat her breakfast with how nervous she was. Xorvos wasn’t much better for all it was his idea. He was meticulously checking his armour for any imperfections that could lead to his death for the third time in the last hour. Every time he just ended up staring at the large gash in the armour near the shoulder from when Validus nearly killed him. Eventually they couldn’t delay it any longer though. They had both agreed that this was the best move they could make, even if it wasn’t the safest. So the two soon to be adventurers made their way to Videon’s shop.

What did they always say in the orphanage? Excellence doesn’t come without hardship? I guess this is the hardship they were talking about. I never really cared about becoming the best I could be before, but I guess I don’t have much of a choice now. Either I get better at defending myself or I die. I just wish there was a better way than risking my life.

It didn’t take long to reach their destination. Videon was even waiting for them outside when they arrived. This time she was fully geared for a fight though. Gone was her dress, now she wore armour over her entire body. She was already big, but now she felt like an unsurpassable mountain. The only part of her body not covered in probably enchanted metal was her head, but Shuka saw her holding a helmet under one arm so she knew that wouldn’t last. Her shield was already strapped to one arm and her baton was hanging from her waist from a belt that also held her bag of holding. There wasn’t a single thing on her that didn’t look like it would help in a fight. Even the bag probably held potions or other useful items.

“So, you guys finally arrived. I almost thought you were going to bail on me with how nervous you two seemed yesterday. Anyway, we need to get you two signed up at the adventurer’s guild first so follow me.”

Videon led Shuka and Xorvos to the adventurer’s guild. One building over. With her shop placed right next to the guild it certainly didn’t take her very long to reach her destination. Upon entering Shuka found the building to be mostly empty, with only a handful of unoccupied tables and a single secretary filling the insides. The secretary was a bored looking halfling women reading a book on her desk. She didn’t even notice the buildings new occupants until Videon coughed politely a few feet from her.

“Ahh! Videon, you snuck up on me again. I still can’t believe how quiet you are with all that armour on you. Every other hotblooded teen that walks in here with half as much metal on them sound like their trying to wake the dead every time they take a step.”

“And I keep on telling you its enchanted. And besides, you’re the one so caught up in your book you can’t even see someone five feet away.”

The secretary turned red in embarrassment and quickly tucked the book away after placing a bookmark in her spot. Shuka still managed to glance at the books title before it disappeared though.

‘A Lady’s Love’ huh. So, I guess she wasn’t working. Although I can’t say I blame her with how empty this place is.

“Anyway, I’m just about to head to the dungeon but I need you to sign up these two first.”

“Sure thing.”

Now the halfling took out a new book, one that look a little more related to her job. She opened up the large tome up to the page where a red bookmark had been placed and started to write something down.

“Let’s see… it’s looks like you’re up to Videon’s Group #35 now. One more month and it will be your three-year anniversary of doing these monthly dungeon runs. I’ll have to remember to do something special next time.”

“You don’t have to do anything for me, it’s only been three years. I’ve been adventuring for much longer than that anyway.”

“Alright fine, I won’t throw a party or anything, but you can expect something at least. Now you two, newbies. What are your names, I need to record them.”

It took a moment for Shuka to notice the secretary was talking to her and Xorvos. She was content to just let her have her conversation with Videon and was trying not to eavesdrop.

“Oh, sorry. My names Shuka.”

“And your surname?”

“Uh… Vondoom.”

Shuka was a bit nervous giving her surname. There were some bad rumors about the Vondoom Orphanages and her curse probably wouldn’t make it any better. But lying didn’t seem like a good idea either. Luckily the secretary just paused for a moment and then wrote it down without issue before moving on to Xorvos.

“And you? What’s your name?”

“It’s Xorvos.”

“Surname? Ah, right, Quanso don’t have surnames. Okay then, I think we’re done here. Good luck and may the blessing of Humanus be with you.”

Is that really it? I didn’t know becoming an adventurer was so easy.

Videon said goodbye to the secretary and then very soon after they were on the road heading to the dungeon. Shuka and Xorvos didn’t know the way, so they just followed behind the veteran adventurer as she led them to their destination. The longer they walked the more Shuka thought about the dungeon, and since she very much did not want to think about that she decided to talk to Videon instead.

“So… you seemed to know that secretary pretty well.”

It was an awkward conversation starter, but she didn’t have anything better.

“Uhh… yeah. We should stay focused.”

Goddammit. That was the shortest conversation I’ve ever had.

Thankfully Xorvos saw what she was trying to do and continued the conversation himself.

“What’s her name? if you don’t mind me asking.”

“It’s Books. Books Floradren I think.”

Books? Oh right, halflings have weird names, don’t they? Something to do with changing their name based on what they are currently interested in.

“Does she read a lot then?” Xorvos continued. “Or is it more related to her work, writing team names in that big book of hers.”

“No, she’s a pretty avid reader. Every other time I see her she’s reading something new. And some of her books are pretty big too. I tried reading one of her suggestions one time and it took me over a month to finish.”

There was a bit of mirth in her voice now. Something that wasn’t there when she was answering Shuka. Or any of the times she talked to her for that matter.

Maybe I will just stay out of this conversation, she doesn’t seem to like me. I guess I should get used to that. No, I can’t think like that. This curse will be gone in a month or two and then things can just go back to normal. I think I’ve had enough of traveling and meeting new people anyway if this is how its going to be like.

Xorvos and Videon chatted for a bit more while Shuka listened in. It wasn’t quite what she wanted, but it still distracted her from the dungeon. The trio left the town, exiting out of the eastern gates and into the bog outside. There was a dirt road giving them a solid path to walk on that branched off into a side path that led to a mound of land amidst the boggy water. Videon took them to that small island where a single tree stood. Once they were close enough Shuka saw that there was a grey door with a one engraved on it set into the trunk of the tree.

“Whelp, here we are. You guys ready?”

No.

“Yes.”

“Alright then, ready you weapons and prepare for anything. I’ll go first.”

With her weapon and shield out, Videon pushed against the door with her shoulder revealing the dark void beyond it. Showing no fear, the veteran adventurer strode into the darkness, disappearing entirely in a matter of seconds. Xorvos was next. He entered with his gauntlets on, his hands up, and a grim expression that had a look of fear that could be mistaken for caution. You couldn’t mistake the look on Shuka’s face though. She was scared, plain and simple. But she had already come too far so she knocked an arrow into her bow and walked through the doorway. Towards danger.

*

Xorvos was handling the whole situation a bit better than Shuka. But only a bit. He still feared death and the memories of the pain he felt when fighting Validus was still fresh in his mind, but… he trusted Videon. He didn’t need to see her fight to know she was an expert at it. So yes, he was scared, but also in a way eager. Eager to see a master work their trade when they are not also trying to kill him or his friend. One look at Shuka as she came through the portal into the dungeon told him she did not feel the same way.

Is she going to run for it when we get into combat? Even if she doesn’t, can she even aim with how much she’s shaking? I need to trust that she will pull through when it matters, but… she’s making it really hard to do that right now.

Xorvos stopped focusing on her and started focusing on his surroundings. He was in a perfectly square room made of rough-cut stone. The only features of the room was the door shaped void he entered from, and a open exit on the opposite wall. Videon was already at the exit, cautiously looking out it, so he couldn’t see much with her body blocking the way. What he did see told him it led outside to a very rocky area.

I was in a swamp less than a minute ago and the environment changed this much? It didn’t even feel any different from walking through any other door. How can such powerful magic feel so mundane?

“Is it safe?” Xorvos asked Videon.

“More or less, yeah. I can see two monsters, but I don’t think they will be a problem until we get closer.”

Xorvos’ heartbeat spiked a beat when she mentioned the monsters. He got a little closer to see them for himself but couldn’t find anything. What he did see was a mountain. The peak of one at least. The room he was in seemed to be some sort of cave set into the side of a mountain very high up. Across from the room was another mountain with a deep chasm in between the two peaks. The only thing connecting the two was a stone bridge with ornamental statues on the other side.

“Where are the monsters? All I see is the bridge.”

“They’re on the bridge. You see those statues? Those are gargoyles. Well, pseudo gargoyles at least. I don’t think they would put the real deal in a tier one dungeon.”

Now that he looked a bit more closely Xorvos did see how the statues might be monsters. They were large, impish looking things with big bat wings and grey, rocky skin. They stood so still in their hunched over positions that it was hard to believe they were alive.

“What’s the difference between them and a real gargoyle?”

At some point Shuka had also come up to the exit and gave Xorvos a bit of a fright when she asked her question. He hadn’t noticed her, and he was, understandably, a bit on edge.

“Pseudo gargoyles have very thick skin that’s almost as hard as rock, but other than that they are a normal living creature. True gargoyles are about twice as strong and are made entirely out of stone. Your average tier one adventurer would barely be able to hurt it let alone kill it.”

I can see what she means. I don’t even know how I would start to hurt a creature like that. Am a just supposed to start punching rocks until they break?

“So uhh… what’s the plan?” Shuka asked. “If their skin is that tough, I don’t think my arrows are going to do much.”

“They don’t need to do much. They may look like statues, but they are still alive. Just apply a bit of poison and make sure you at least draw blood. It might not be enough to kill it, but it should make it much easier for me and Xorvos to take it down.”

“I… don’t have any poison. Isn’t it illegal?”

Videon looked a bit annoyed and let out a sigh.

“It’s only illegal if its strong enough to kill your average person. Otherwise, it’s counted as a self defense and adventuring tool. Although you still need a special licence to make or sell it. Here, just take some of mine, I’m sure you know how to use it.”

The annoyed shopkeep reached into her pouch and pulled out a small vial with a green liquid swirling inside and handed it to Shuka. The young hunter, who had never even seen a vial of poison before, cautiously grabbed the vial. She looked at it like it was seconds away from killing them all.

What is Videon doing carrying poison around with her? And what did she mean with ‘I’m sure you know how to use it.’ Does she think Shuka is some sort of assassin? She must have some sort of reason for it though, right? Maybe she confiscated the poison from someone else.

“Do you always carry poison around with you?”

“Only when I’m running dungeons. I don’t use it myself since most poisons need to enter the bloodstream and my weapons are all blunt, but it can still be useful for situations like this. It’s also good advertisement since I sell this poison in my shop too.”

To say that was not the answer Xorvos was hoping for would be an understatement.

She SELLS poison!? That’s insane, why would she do that? Tainting her honour for a bit of convenience and coin? And she is so casual about it too, its like she was handing out an apple from her lunch, not an assassin’s tool.

While Xorvos was silently freaking out and Shuka was silently panicking, Videon began taking out some rope, metal spikes, and a hammer out of her pouch. Her two companions only noticed when she began hammering the spikes into the stone floor. Seeing that they were paying attention again she began to explain her plan.

“So, from what I can see the bridge looks clear other than the gargoyles, but you never know with dungeons, so we need to be cautious. There might be monsters hiding underneath the bridge, or something might fly at us from behind the mountain and try to knock us off the bridge. That’s what these spikes are for. We will tie a length of rope to ourselves and then to the spike so that if we do get pushed off, we wont falling to our deaths. It won’t be pleasant, and it will take you out of the fight though, so try not to get pushed off.”

It was a simple explanation that made sense to both of the rookie adventurers. The reasons why it was necessary scared them though.

The gargoyles pretending to be statues was bad enough, but now we are supposed to worry about another sneak attack? And to be planning to throw us off the bridge too. Even with a rope tied to us all they have to do is cut it to send us to our death.

Videon saw the uncertainty in their faces and quickly spoke to reassure them.

“I don’t think there will be an ambush or anything of that sort, I’m just letting you know it’s a possibility. Two gargoyles are an ample enough challenge for a tier one dungeon.”

Once Videon saw them calm down a bit she continued explaining her plan.

“Once we have tied ourselves to the spikes, we will start the engagement with Shuka shooting a poisoned arrow at one of the gargoyles. Once they start moving, me and Xorvos will engage them in melee while Shuka keeps an eye out for ambushes on this side of the bridge. If you can manage to get another shot in before we get to them do so, but once we reach the gargoyles try to avoid friendly fire and just warn us if you see an ambush. Xorvos, you will take on the poisoned gargoyle while I will fight the poisoned one. Stick to punches instead of grapples and aim for their head. Try not to get too aggressive though, all you really need to do is survive until I finish with my opponent so I can help you.”

So, I get the weak one huh. It doesn’t feel right fighting a poisoned opponent. And does she think I can’t even take down one monster when it’s been poisoned?

Shuka had her own reservations about the plan, but hers were founded from fear rather than pride.

“What if there is an ambush, and the new monsters come after me while you two are fighting the gargoyles? I’m… not very good at close range fighting.”

“If that happens, then Xorvos will help you while I deal with the gargoyles. Just try to not die before he gets there.”

Xorvos wanted to rebuke her. Defend his friend or argue against her tactics. But he kept silent. What was he supposed to say? That she could defend herself? That he could handle the gargoyles and she should help Shuka? Those were both lies, and Xorvos didn’t lie. But the silence still hurt.

“Well, if neither of you have any more complaints, then I think its time to start. Just follow my lead.”