The Wandering Spire

It was mid afternoon when Jeze left the Runic Research Division Chamber and headed to the lifts. She asked people where the Silver Chalice Inn was and they directed her to the sixth floor. She was in line at the Lifts.

"Jeze!" Irvin called out.

The teenager turned and saw the stocky Guild official hurry over toward her.

"I came looking for you as soon as I heard that the Safe Zone Squads will be assigned to the Legion," Irvin panted.

"They just told me," Jeze replied and entered the Lift.

"What are you going to do?" Irvin asked as he followed her inside.

"I'm going to see Rainbow and Swordslayer," Jeze stated. She was working to remain calm and focused. She will not be trapped.

Irvin narrowed his eyes and said, "Now, just think a moment. You are a part of a respected team. We can get Carl Jorgenson…"

Jeze cut the older man off. "I'm going to them for advice. I plan to stay with the Frostsworn."

Irvin looked relieved, and he said, "I think we can have the Frostsworn make the case for you to stay with them."

Jeze narrowed her eyes and responded, "And if they can't?"

Irvin sighed and replied, "Worse case, Jeze. You don't fight alongside them when the monsters and the Spire arrive. I am sure that you will be allowed to link back up with them when the teams are able to enter."

"I'll be dead by then," Jeze muttered.

Ziplocke found that funny, and he snickered from her shoulder.

"Now, hold up there, Jeze. We don't have proof that is what they are planning. Now, I agree that it is suspicious these efforts this Drake fellow is making to get you to work under him, but I wouldn't believe it would be for murder," Irvin responded.

Jeze fumed and gnashed her teeth. "He tried to kill me! You don't believe me, huh?"

The Lift stopped, and Jeze stormed out. Irvin rubbed his face and hurried after. This floor was a circular chamber, smaller than the Runic Research Division and the Training Facility, but it was still quite spacious. Ringing the chamber were doors to various inns and taverns. Jeze found the Silver Chalice right away. It was the more extravagant looking of the encircling taverns with a large sign depicting a Silver Chalice. The taverns had open doors where raucous laughter could be heard coming from within. The Silver Chalice's door was closed and guarded by two large bouncers. They stood in heavy mail with their burly arms crossed and two-handed longswords sheathed at their hips.

"Jeze, wait up," Irvin called out.

The teenager continued on and Irvin reached out and grabbed her shoulder. She spun to face him with fury clear in her eyes. The older man held up his hands.

"I'm sorry. It is just hard for me to believe that someone in the Guild would try to kill another member in service to the Empire. It's not that I don't believe you. It is that I don't want to believe you. Everything I have worked for and believed in is now being questioned," Irvin explained.

Jeze's face softened just a little bit.

"Fool!" Ziplocke snickered.

Irvin glared at the Goblin with bushy eyes.

"I understand," Jeze said and added, "And I appreciate all of your help. I do, but it serves me no good if you refuse to believe that there is corruption in the Guild. And that the Empire has a far reach."

Irvin glanced at the ground, and his chest trembled. After a moment, he looked up and said, "Let me come with you, at least. I know Swordslayer and Rainbow very well. I can at least make sure you are careful."

Jeze's eyes narrowed, and she was about to tell Irvin that she didn't need help. But that was not true. If she was wise, any help would be welcomed. Jeze had to accept that she was a young Initiate ranked adventurer from the country and was tangled up in a mess that was way beyond her ability. Unless she made use of all her resources. Irvin had demonstrated that he was sincere and, at the very least, not involved with the Golden Empire. His actions were for the betterment of the Guild, and his intentions were good toward Jeze. She simply nodded and continued on toward the Silver Chalice, where she was barred entry by the guards.

"I'm here to see Swordslayer and Rainbow," Jeze stated.

"Wait here," one of the guards rumbled in a deep voice.

The other large man entered the tavern and closed the door. After a moment, he returned.

"They can enter," he said in an equally deep voice.

Inside was dimly lit and much larger than what Jeze would have imagined from the outside appearance. Dark mahogany tables that were surrounded by chairs with plush dark velvet cushions were scattered throughout the room. A well-stocked bar stood across from Jeze and Irvin. It was made out of the same dark wood as the tables, and behind it was a bartender dressed in a fluffy cotton shirt and black bow tie. The conversations in the room were subdued, and the patrons wore expensive outfits. Jeze recognized many complex Rune patterns on the jewelry and clothes. She could practically feel the energy and guessed that every person in here was at least Adventurer ranked except for her and Irvin.

"There she is! Look at you! With armor and is that a new axe?" Swordslayer boomed.

The warrior lounged with his shiny black boots resting on the table and a golden medallion twirling in his hands. He wore a white silk shirt and baggy dark pants. What's with the boots! Jeze didn't think the sword fighter would wear shoes and he looked so different from when they traveled together. His two swords were sheathed and rested on the table within easy reach.

"I knew you would be alright," Rainbow added.

The multi-colored haired lady rose from her seat that was beside Swordslayer. She looked the same with her thick dark jacket with purple orchids and a high collar that obscured the lower part of her face. Jeze noticed that Rainbow wore a new padded gambeson under the jacket along with a fresh set of dark brown traveling trousers. Where Rainbow looked like she was prepared to travel, Swordslayer looked like he was about to attend a party at a royal court.

"And you brought our old friend, Irvin!" Swordslayer exclaimed and sat up. "Bartender, please give us a round of ales!"

"No, thank you. I have lots of work to attend to today," Irvin grumbled. He appeared flustered.

"Nonsense! Hey Jeze, did you know that Irvin and us go way back?" Swordslayer said and he motioned toward Rainbow and himself with his hands.

Jeze shook her head, and Irvin emitted a low grumble from his chest.

"He gave us the orientation when we first became Initiates," Rainbow added and patted Irvin's hand.

"But, what was it he called us?" Swordslayer asked as he tapped his chin.

Rainbow grinned and answered, "Miscreants."

Swordslayer's face beamed. "That's right!" The sword fighter slapped the table, causing the round of ales to jostle and spill some liquid.

Irvin took up his ale and drank. He wiped his mouth and grumbled, "It was bloody miscreants, and I see nothing has changed."

Both Swordslayer and Rainbow boomed with laughter. When they subsided, Jeze leaned forward.

"I need advice," she stated.

Irvin grumbled and the other two stopped their laughter to listen. Jeze explained her situation to them with Miss Heng, the Frostsworn, Seb's death, and the Safe Zone Squad being assigned to Drake and the Legion.

"Hold up, you found a team? Our little Jeze is growing up so fast!" Swordslayer ruffled her short, dark hair.

Jeze scowled and slapped his hand away. Ziplocke enjoyed the look on her face and snickered while rubbing his hands together.

"Have you talked with the Frostsworn leader?" Rainbow asked.

"Not yet," Jeze answered.

"It is not certain if they can override Miss Heng's order," Irvin explained.

"You need to rank up to Adventurer. At that stage, the Guild can't tell you want to do," Swordslayer said with a sage nod.

Irvin grumbled and took another swig of his ale. He muttered, "Still supposed to follow the bylaws. Bloody miscreants."

Swordslayer laughed and slapped the old man on the back. "Ole Irvin, you have not changed!"

"The Frostsworn can stay with you. At least you will have protection in case Drake and the Legion want to make a move against you," Rainbow suggested.

"What? To stay in the back when the Spire arrives and miss the fighting? Not the Frostsworn! They love to fight!" Swordslayer stated with a slap to the table.

Jeze agreed. "They wouldn't stay behind. They would want to be on the front lines. We have been preparing for that, in fact."

"It is a pickle," Irvin muttered.

"No, it's not. Join the Frostsworn," Rainbow said.

"What about Drake and the Legion?" Jeze asked.

"Sneak away. You know the Darkness aspect, and we have seen your stealth ability. Play along and when you can sneak away from them," Rainbow stated matter of factly.

"And disobey a directive from the Guild?!? Are you mad?" Irvin growled.

Swordslayer laughed again. "What's the worst that can happen?"

"They expel her! Jeze, you have to find another way," Irvin pleaded.

"During the arrival of the Wandering Spire? It will be chaos, and they can't do anything. Jeze, Rainbow is right. Sneak away and join your team. The Frostsworn would understand. They prefer glory over the stupid Bylaws," Swordslayer added.

"After the Spire, they can punish Jeze for disobeying the directive," Irvin stated.

"In two years! Let's be honest, she may be dead by then so it's not an issue. Dead or rich, and in which case, it does not matter what the Guild does," Swordslayer exclaimed.

Irvin grumbled.

"Or," Rainbow interjected, "Do well in the Spire, where the Guild will recognize your value. Look at Swordslayer and I. We don't play by the rules, but we perform well and are renowned members of the Guild."

Irvin grumbled and drank the rest of his ale. "This was a mistake coming here. They are corrupting a young, talented girl."

Rainbow and Swordslayer chuckled and looked to Jeze. "What do you think?" Rainbow asked.

"I can sneak away," Jeze said with confidence in her voice.

"That a girl!" Exclaimed Swordslayer.

"I'm gonna need another drink," Irvin said and raised his hand to get the bartender's attention.

"Do you two have a team yet?" Jeze asked.

Rainbow nodded and replied, "We are getting there. We still have one spot open."

"By the Gods, no! Jeze, do not even think about it," Irvin growled.

Rainbow held a hand to her chest and batted her eyelashes. "Are we that bad, Irvin?"

Irvin grumbled and drank from his second ale that the Bartender had placed before him. Jeze laughed. She had a path forward, and she felt confident. In addition, she felt good that Rainbow and Swordslayer would still consider her as a team member. Jeze had met their expectations and she forgot how fun it was to hang with them. That came to halt when a commotion occurred by the entrance to the bar.

"Swordslayer!" A deep voice boomed.

Three heavily armed and armored men had entered the lounge. The speaker was the one in the middle, and the largest. He had brown curly hair, a thick beard and was thickly muscled under his dark plate mail armor. Slung across his broad back was a menacing two handed hammer.

Swordslayer was still lounging with his legs up when he asked, "Hello, and who do I owe the pleasure of meeting?"

"I am Alcard, the younger brother to Egan," the man boomed.

"Egan? Why does that name sound familiar?" Swordslayer asked Rainbow.

"Because you took his boots, his medallion, and all of his coin," she answered.

Swordslayer smiled. "Oh, that's right, he was the bloke that lost the bet."

Irvin leaned in toward Jeze and whispered, "We best leave, girl. These two are nothing but trouble."

Jeze shook her head. They were her friends and they might need her as it was the three newcomers versus them two.

"You don't possibly think you can help? That man there is a Templar to the One Goddess," Irvin muttered.

Jeze didn't know what that meant and glared at the old Guild official. Ziplocke snickered, he was anticipating trouble and misery. Jeze turned to look at the Templar and noticed the Runes that were etched onto the man's belt. He was a Rune caster!

"You cheated my brother!" Alcard accused loudly.

"That's not true. I did not cheat," Swordslayer responded. He remained seated with his legs up.

"You gave him a beating and took his boots and personal belongings," Alcard growled.

Swordslayer raised a hand and paused a moment before responding, "Now that is true. But you are leaving out an important detail. He lost a bet and refused to pay. It was only natural that I take what was owed."

"You took advantage of him," Alcard insisted.

"That I did, and that is the nature of gambling," Swordslayer agreed.

"My brother is a fool. You can keep his belongings and coin, but I demand that you hand over the medallion," Alcard ordered.

Swordslayer tapped his chin and replied, "No."

Alcard rubbed his face and sighed. "That medallion has been in my family for generations. Please, I implore you to return it."

Swordslayer responded, "Aww, see? You should have opened with that. But you were rude, and I don't like you. So my answer remains the same, no."

Alcard approached menacingly and Swordslayer was on his feet in an instant. Jeze had forgotten how deceptively fast the fighter could move.

"No need to come any closer. Our conversation is finished," Swordslayer hissed. The sheathed swords were in his hand.

The room quieted and the patrons that were seated between the two moved back. Jeze heard mumblings and whispers among the small crowd. She heard one patron express that they were excited to see the Sanguine Blades style.

"What's that?" She whispered to Rainbow, but the multi-colored haired lady shook her head and was focused on Alcard and his friends.

"We want no trouble here," the bartender boomed.

The two bouncers from outside entered. Jeze saw another pair approach from the corners.

Alcard and his two companions tensed. The larger bearded man glanced around and then looked at Swordslayer. "Perhaps we settle this with arms? Outside?"

All mirth was gone from Swordslayer's scarred face. A coldness was there that even made Jeze nervous. She saw that look once before when they fought against the Night Mistress. Even Rainbow remained silent.

"I understand that you are distraught. I will allow you to take back your challenge," Swordslayer said quietly.

Alcard chuckled deeply. "The infamous Swordslayer. I'm not afraid of you."

"That is your mistake," Swordslayer responded.

"I will see you outside, or you are a coward," Alcard stated and departed with his colleagues.

Swordslayer's face was stone cold. "Rainbow, I need you to second me. Jeze, I can't ask you to help."

"I'm here," Jeze said, despite Irvin's grumbling misgivings.

"This is madness! Rainbow talk reason to him. Hand over the medallion and avoid this unnecessary bloodshed," Irvin pleaded.

The multi-colored haired adventurer shook her head. "You said it yourself, old friend. We are miscreants with lots of enemies. The reason why they don't come after us is our reputation. It is our shield that protects us."

"I'm going to call the Amber guard," the old man said and rose.

"No, you won't," Swordslayer hissed, and his glare caused Irvin to pause.

"He is your friend," Jeze stated. She was shocked at the sword fighter's coldness.

Swordslayer's impassive face shifted to a grin. "It won't matter because the fight would be over by the time they arrive." With that the fighter headed toward the exit.