The Wandering Spire

The Proven were in the Safe Zone on the first level, where Hannah stationed her tent. The Spirit Walkers accompanied them and negotiated with the curly-haired merchant to upgrade their equipment. Hannah's scavenger team had set off with a wagon to gather the Hellhound hides. Unlike the Proven, the Spirit Walkers knew how to harvest the Hellhound corpses and had skinned hides for Hannah to work with. After they discussed prices and timeframe, Hannah began her work.

"She is very skilled," Rainia observed.

Jeze nodded in agreement.

"Thank you for introducing us," The Spirit Walker Leader added.

"Agreed, it is important to find quality craftsmen," Ahanu said.

The stocky merchant was happy to receive so many commissions and she promised everyone that she can have their equipment enhanced with the Hellhound Hides by the end of the next day. This elicited grumbles from Rolfe and Helga.

"We will lose so much time!" Rolfe whined.

"That is good. Your burns need time to heal. We will be in top shape to fight some more," Mikal stated. The Healer was happy that the team was forced to comply with his medical recommendations.

"Ya, and you two can talk to your lady friends some more, no?" Helga teased

Rolfe sulked, and he responded, "I'd rather be fighting."

"Oh ya? Well, we can always spar," Helga added.

"We will be using this downtime to train," Dunar promised.

Hannah had already melted down the Devil Steel she had collected from them and told them that she was able to reinforce their existing lamellar armor with interlocking Devil Steel plates.

"The beauty about this ore is that it absorbs heat and remains cool. We do not need to replace all of your plates with it. I can replace a few and spread them out in the areas where you will most likely be attacked. This will increase your armor's overall heat resistance," Hanna explained.

She also could reinforce their Frostsworn round shields with metal plates to protect the edges and she will replace the center boss with the Abyssal ore.

"These round shields are not as durable as Heaters or Tower Shields, but with my upgrades, they will be darn near close!" Hannah promised.

The Frostsworn accepted that. They were not willing to replace their shields with the other heavier and less mobile options. For them, they preferred a shield that allowed for maneuverability in combat, even though it resulted in a shield that would be damaged more easily. Dunar had shown Ahanu how the Frostsworn round shield could deflect blows with the flat end or the edge. With a center grip, the defender could rotate and twist the shield to offer different angles of protection. It could also be punched forward with the edge with similar reach as a sword.

"That is very impressive. I agree it opens up more options in combat. However, it is tiring on your arm to grip the shield in your hand. For me, I have it strapped. I don't have many movement options, but I can keep the shield close to me and easily brace against attacks. Plus, my kite shield covers a large area and reduces my opponents' attack options," the Spirit Walker protector replied.

Helga and Rolfe joined the conversation. They were fascinated with Ahanu's kite shield. The warriors engaged in friendly sparring bouts to demonstrate each shield's capabilities. They also discovered new combinations and learned from each other. Until Hannah collected the shields so that she could add the Hellhound hides.

The Safe Zone chamber they were in was quite large and filled with activity. There were a dozen other stalls set up that sold weapons, armor, equipment, and food. In addition, the entrances were guarded by prospect-ranked adventurers. Despite being in the Wandering Spire, the area was secured. Which was why the teams did not mind being in there without their armor. Without shields, the warriors turned to sword fighting. Ahanu demonstrated the style of blade fighting favored by the knights in Pana. Due to the warrior using a strapped-on shield, his style incorporated low stances and deep lunges. Because Ahanu also used a mace, he and Helga shared techniques and tactics.

"Speaking of swords. Jeze, it is time for you to fight like a Dire Wolf. Carl Jorgenson has already provided you with the Battle axe. Now you need to replace your knife with a sword," Dunar stated.

The Proven Leader presented Jeze with a sword made out of Devil Steel. The long knife she took from the Legionnaire was warped from Hellhound fire. Just like when she switched from the handaxe to the battleaxe, the balance and feel between the long knife and the sword was the same. The sword was a little heavier and was able to generate more momentum. Jeze attempted a few practice swings with the two weapons and noticed a major difference between the sword and the long knife when it came to fighting with her battleaxe. The sword was longer.

"I feel my two weapons will get tangled together," she stated.

Dunar nodded and replied, "They will if you rely on swinging your sword. A sword is effective with slicing but also with thrusts. When used with the battle axe, you should focus more on thrusting."

The Frostsworn warrior demonstrated the smooth circular attacks with the battleaxe and how he weaved in thrusts and stabs with his longsword. The two weapons never entangled, and one always guarded while the other attacked.

Jeze agreed that the sword was better than the long knife as it offered more reach, which was where she lacked in melee combat due to her small size. Dunar even showed her how she could greatly extend her reach with a sideways fencer's lunge. That was a brand new technique for her and the one she focused on the most as she saw many applications. Jeze was always smaller than her opponent, and they tended to be more aggressive against her. If she was clever, she could bait an enemy to over-commit and surprise them with a fencer's lunge where their own momentum would be used against them as they ran into her blade. She practiced a combination where she ended with a fencer's lunge.

"Very good! That would be most effective, especially if you land the tip to the throat or armpit where your blade can penetrate the weaker part of the armor," Dunar exclaimed.

Ahanu, Helga, Rolfe, Dunar, and Jeze lightly trained and discussed tactics with their weapons. Mikal went with Rainia and the other Rune casters to restock their food and medical supplies. Mikal showed them where to buy the Water Bricks.

"These are amazing!" Rainia exclaimed.

Later in the day, Helga and Rolfe assisted Hannah with the armor repairs. The merchant showed them what to do and how to make quick modifications in the field. Dunar and Ahanu took the portal out of the Wandering Spire to see what information they could gather from the large camp. Mikal and Jeze talked with Rainia and the other Rune casters about the aspects they used and the Rune patterns they employed.

"If you overlay the Spirit aspect with the Life aspect, you can create a Vitality Spring," Rainia said.

"Vitality Spring?" Mikal asked.

"It's best if I show you," the Spirit Walker suggested.

"Oh, I'm pretty academic. I think if you explain it to me, I can understand," Mikal said.

Rainia arched an eyebrow.

"He is scared of the Spirit aspect," Jeze explained.

"I am not!" Mikal cried.

"Then let me show you," Rainia said as she held her hands to prepare the gestures.

The dark-haired Healer sputtered but offered no objection. With a nod Rainia began to move her hands and arms to complete a series of complex glyphs in the air. This was one of the most advanced Rune magic that Jeze has ever witnessed. They all felt the energy snap into place and gentle soothing filled their bodies.

"That feels nice," Mikal explained.

"It enhances the healing of your body, mind, and soul," Rainia explained.

Jeze felt her mind at ease, her Will restored, and all her injuries faded away.

"Are you Summoning spirits?" Mikal asked with narrowed eyes.

Rainia chuckled and replied, "No. Spirits are a form of Spiritual energy, but not the only type. I am Summoning Mana.”

"Mana?" Jeze asked.

"It's another form of Spiritual energy. Raw energy that comes straight from the Spirit realm," Rainia answered.

Mikal tapped his chin. The Vitality Spring felt good, and it was a very potent healing spell.

"Can you teach me?" He asked.

Rainia smiled and replied, "I thought you felt the Spirit aspect was no different than Necromancy."

"I was wrong," Mikal said and bowed his head.

Jeze nearly fainted from shock. Was he just humble at this moment? Rainia nodded and began to teach Mikal the Life aspect part of the spell. It was already more advanced for Jeze, so she left them. She had her brother's journal to review, and Jeze knew that she needed to get a stronger attack spell. The Stone fists were losing their potency. But Jeze was getting more proficient with the Earth aspect, and her Will was strengthened considerably from the past few months battling monster waves and traveling the first two floors of the Spire. Jeze was ready to learn a more advanced spell. She needed to learn how to fling boulders!