Orrin woke up before the sun. Daniel was snoring lightly as he pulled on his clothes and made his way back downstairs to the small training yard. None of the guards were up and training this early. Exactly how Orrin liked it.

Using one of the tables set out for equipment between bouts, Orrin started to clear out his [Dimension Hole]. He sorted the junk he’d accumulated into three piles: food; survival supplies; and loot.

He’d already cleared out most of the random monster parts that he had gathered since Daniel and he had woken up in the forest. He had a little food and two barrels of water as well. That pile could stay here until they left for the dungeon.

In the survival pile went his multiple vials and some penidrop clippings, along with a dwindling supply of alchemy supplies. His bedroll, rope, a hand axe, and a few knives left over from Daniel’s original bracer of daggers. His original clothing and a few new changes, as well. He had a myriad of other ‘useful’ items as well, including blankets, candles, torches, chalk, matches, flint and steel, a waterskin, and even fish hooks and a line. Madi had gotten him a few small jars of ink, a fountain pen, and a small blank book when he’d mentioned he wanted to make some notes and plans. Those went in as well.

He found a single arrow that had somehow missed his cleanings and put it in a quiver nearby.

For loot, Orrin had kept Samara’s whip. Silas had declined to keep it and Orrin hadn’t been able to find someone to buy it yet. Everything else had been sold and the few small pouches of gold, silver, and copper he had were a testament that Orrin could probably retire and live quite comfortably if he wanted to. He’d split the money as evenly as possible. Daniel had spent a lot of his original gold from sharing Quests with Madi on his weapon. Orrin hadn’t gone on any such spending spree if you didn’t count the small library of books he kept. He was planning on leaving most of those behind, except the bestiaries.

He slowly pulled one last thing he’d picked up out of his pocket.

The large hammer was heavy in his hand and the damage-dealing end slapped to the dirt with a ‘thunk.’ Jude’s family hadn’t wanted the weapon and asked Lord Catanzano to sell it for them. Orrin had paid double the going price for the weapon in an effort to help his former friend’s family.

“What am I doing lugging you around, though?” Orrin asked the hunk of metal. He wasn’t trained in the skill and didn’t plan on taking it anytime soon. He knew he would need to leave the hammer when they went to the Guild storerooms.

“I’ll drop it off in my room,” he said aloud.

He looked down at all his possessions and started writing in his new journal. Orrin knew Daniel would just try to wing things. Madi was intelligent but without Brandt, there wasn’t anybody to make sure they were properly supplied.

Orrin rolled his shoulders and started planning.

An hour later, he thought he’d made a good list for five people to survive ten levels in a new dungeon. See Daniel! All those late nights playing D&D in random online groups is paying off. He chuckled to himself.

Orrin stored away the things he didn’t want to bring and then left to put in a few orders. When he got back two hours later, Daniel was just making his way into the dining room for breakfast.

“Where have you been?” Daniel asked as he grabbed a small green fruit that looked like a strawberry.

Orrin just shrugged and filled up his second cup of coffee. “Getting ready. The Guildmaster is supposed to send over somebody to give us updates on the dungeon and who is going with us by noon. Then we have a few hours this afternoon to raid the storerooms. Did you really just wake up?”

Daniel raised an eyebrow. “Orrin, it’s like eight in the morning.”

Orrin filled up a plate with eggs and toast. He’d cleared half his plate when Madi entered the room. Her hair was curled again and put back into a bun. Her normal battle clothing was gone and she wore an elegant suit with a longer coat that almost doubled as a dress. She had lightly applied some makeup as well.

“Off to war?” Orrin joked.

Madi flinched. “Yes, actually. I have to attend a meeting with my father for the next few hours. I’ll be back before lunch. Don’t even try to start without me.”

“Everything alright?” Daniel asked from his seat.

Madi sighed. “Yes, it will be. We’ve had to take over Wendeln’s accounts and the other houses are fighting over the proper distribution.”

Daniel turned back around. “Sounds easy, just give an even split.”

Madi sat down and pulled Daniel’s plate toward her. She started to eat his food. “And what about the debts already owed to each family? Or our own debts owed to Wendeln? Should we all start from zero? What about the fact that the Timpe house is taking over most of his duties? What about the guards he paid for?”

Daniel put his hands up. “Okay, okay. I get it.”

Madi smirked. “That’s only half of it. Entire coffers were missing. We don’t know if they were stolen by some enterprising guard or if Wendeln was cooking his books.”

“Or paying off kidnappers,” Orrin muttered.

Madi nodded. “My father wants to hammer that point. Wendeln used city funds to try and kidnap Daniel. We spent manpower and resources. It’s going to be a long and boring meeting filled with math and lots of arguing.”

“Sounds like Orrin’s favorite pastime.” Daniel grabbed a pastry off his plate before Madi could eat it. “Maybe he should go with you.”

“I’ve got places to be,” Orrin responded. “I ordered some extra alchemy supplies, along with a few things I thought might make our trip in the dungeon easier.”

Daniel perked up. “Like what?”

Orrin started counting on his fingers. “Small tents for the rooms between floors. Nobody should have to hear you snore. A barrel with a tap, so we don’t have to keep pulling water out the top with a ladle. A grappling hook in case we need to climb. A crowbar and climbing pitons. Extra blankets and bedrolls for the new members.”

“Do we really need that?” Daniel rolled his eyes. “They should have their own, right? And what’s a piton?”

“Climbing spike. Hammer it in and run a rope through it. Then if you fall, you won’t die.”

“Again, do we really need that?” Daniel asked.

“Better to be ready and have it,” Orrin said.

“Well, I’ll leave you boys to it then.” Madi mopped up the last of Daniel’s breakfast and stood. She reached back and bobbed her bun on her head. “Do I look presentable?”

“Absolutely,” Daniel said with a smile. Madi grinned and nodded at them both.

“Wait for me,” she demanded again and swept back out of the room.

Daniel saluted her as she left. Orrin shook his head.

“Want to spar a bit?” Daniel asked with a twinkle in his eye.

Orrin resigned himself to a long morning.

After Daniel proved to Orrin that he had in fact been letting his friend win, Orrin left to pick up the last of his orders. He hadn’t gone to Jovi for the grappling hook, crowbar, and pitons. That kind of work was below the weaponsmith. Instead, Orrin had found a small forge with a new smith and placed his request. The woman had said she only needed an hour and when Orrin arrived late, she hadn’t been happy.

“Storing your purchases will cost you extra in the future,” she snarled.

Orrin took his purchases and left without arguing.

He had planned on taking the main street back to the Catazano’s house but had only walked for a few minutes before he had to take a side street. Too many merchants were in town trying to stake a claim during the chaos of the recent Wendeln trouble. Men in slightly crisper clothing and their noses in the air passed him by. Orrin’s nose caught the scent before his eyes fell upon a growing line leading to a familiar corner.

Amir’s father’s coffee shop.

Orrin hadn’t seen his friend in the prior weeks. He felt guilty and worried as he rushed to the line. He didn’t really need another cup of coffee but as he stood in line, he justified that this was another crucial provision for the dungeon.

Amir’s father ran a tight shop and the long line moved much faster than he would have expected. Soon, Orrin stood in front of an older version of Amir. Orrin almost greeted him as his friend but noticed the crow’s feet about his eyes and slight wrinkles on his forehead.

“What’ll it be, young sir?” Even his voice had the same smooth calmness and patience.

“I’ll need a small bag of ground beans for travel and a cup of your strongest brew to go,” Orrin ordered first. He watched the man move swiftly about, turning the knobs with a utility of movement that spoke of much practice and love.

“That’ll be six copper.” The man was already done.

Orrin handed the coins over. He picked up the small clay cup and reached for the bag of heaven. “Is Amir here?”

Orrin’s hand gripped the bag of ground beans but Amir’s father did not let go. “Why do you ask after my son?”

The shop felt smaller. Amir’s father was huge and towering over Orrin. He realized that his father must know more about his son’s trouble at the Hospital than even Amir knew.

“He’s a friend,” Orrin answered quickly, feeling the heat lift some. “We met a few weeks ago but I haven’t been around. I just wanted to say hi.”

The hand released the bag of coffee and the smile returned. “Amir is studying. He is always studying. He should take a break and help his poor father more. A friend would remind him of this, yes?”

Orrin grinned and started to back out of the shop. “Of course. Will you tell him that Orrin stopped by? He should come visit.”

Amir’s father nodded. “Yes. I will tell him. Here, take a cookie.” He handed Orrin a dark brown circle. Calling it a cookie would be generous. It was flat and looked like mud.

Orrin tossed out a thank you and beat a hasty retreat.

Storing the last few purchases in his [Dimension Hole], Orrin made his way back to the Catanzano residence. He was almost to the front door when somebody yelled his name.

He turned and saw Emily the [Fireflower Mage] wave once at him. She marched toward him and gave him a small smile that barely reached her eyes. “Good morning. I hear thanks are in order.” She put her hand out.

Orrin took her hand, slightly confused. “Thanks? Oh! Did Pritus select you for the- “

“The mission,” Emily interrupted him. “Yes. The Guildmaster granted me the honor. I’m hoping to live up to her expectations. It is good to see you again. Tin has been beside herself since we learned you were part of the [Hero]’s group.” She pitched her voice higher in mimicry of Tin. “We almost had a [Hero]!”

Orrin laughed. “I’m not the [Hero], though. That’s Daniel. You’ll meet him soon. I was just heading back. I’ve been out all morning getting supplies. Are you here for the dun… mission debrief?”

Emily’s eyes lit up at the mention of Daniel. “Yes. We are all supposed to be there and then head out tomorrow. What kind of supplies?”

Orrin started explaining what he’d gotten and why. Emily’s nod of approval as he spoke gave him confidence that he hadn’t been wasting his time.

“Preparation like that is impressive,” Emily complimented. “But if you expect us to all carry a huge pack, it’ll be dangerous and time-consuming.”

“I’ve got it covered,” Orrin answered cryptically.

Emily squinted at him and shrugged. “Lead the way. Garret should be along soon.”

Orrin sputtered.