The Wandering Spire

The next morning, Lady Kalina and Irvin visited Jeze. The rest of the Proven were sprawled along the floor with empty drinking horns scattered among them. Ziplocke enjoyed himself as he tried to throw pebbles into their opened mouths as they snored.

"Stop that!" Jeze snapped.

The Goblin sulked with his ears pulled back. He scowled at the two approaching Guild officials and faded into the early morning shadows.

"Good morning, Jeze," Irvin greeted.

"Do you have a moment?" Asked Lady Kalina.

"You buying breakfast?" Jeze responded.

Irvin chuckled, and Lady Kalina simply nodded. Jeze followed them to a comfortable pavilion that served eggs and smoked bacon. She helped herself to a heaping plate along with a warm cup of honeyed tea. Irvin had toast and coffee while Lady Kalina ate nothing. The Guild officials sat before Jeze across the small table. Around them, the morning crowds started to arrive. This included laborers, merchants, mercenaries, and teams preparing to enter the Spire.

"You two look serious," Jeze observed.

"We need you to train more Safe Zone Squads," Lady Kalina stated without preamble.

Jeze narrowed her eyes and set her fork down. "I'm Adventurer ranked now. You can't order me like when I was an Initiate," she growled.

"This is serious, Jeze," Irvin stated.

"Have the other teams do it."

Lady Kalina shook her head. "The number of Safe Zone squads has dwindled. We are down to yours and the Spirit Walkers."

The news hit Jeze like a dumped bucket of cold water. How was that possible? There were at least eight Safe Zone squads. That was forty adventurers! Jeze's lips trembled, but no words came out.

"I know many were your friends," Irvin said and clasped her hands.

Jeze couldn't recall their names, and she was barely able to remember their faces. But she spent a lot of time training many of them. The dangers of being an adventurer turned into a stark reality. Jeze didn't mind her own life being risked, but the idea of so many people dying was hard for her to come to grips with.

"What about Val?" Jeze stammered. "Val is more than capable of training. Heck, I hate to say this, but she is better skilled than me."

Irvin and Lady Kalina exchanged a glance. Irvin spoke, "Val is missing."

"What?!?!"

Lady Kalina answered, "We needed a Safe Zone established. We sent her in with a team. Later, we discovered the bodies of her teammates, and she was missing."

"Listen, we do not know if there are agents working against us hidden among our ranks. Or, if this Spire Event is different from the others where the Demons can travel freely through the levels and are specifically targeting Safe Zone Squads. The point is, the Guild needs your help," Irvin stated.

Jeze was Adventurer ranked now. It could even be argued that she was experienced. Jeze had faced death multiple times and suffered insurmountable hardships. As a result, the shocking news did not phase her. It was like another challenge set before her. It was no different than being trapped in a hallway with an army of raging Thralls.

"My team is recovering for one week. I will help you in that time when I can," Jeze stated.

Lady Kalina nodded, and Irvin expressed his gratitude.

"I will go back in with my team when they are recovered," Jeze added.

"Understood," Lady Kalina said.

"So, who am I training?" Jeze asked.

"Me," The Ironfist Kingdom warrior responded.

During the time of their recovery the Proven increased their training by small margins each day to accommodate their health. At the beginning the days consisted of running, lifting stones, and skills training. Toward the end they sparred and ran with heavy stones. Everyday, Dunar relentlessly drilled them through formations.

Jeze had a routine like she had when she was in Angston. After she completed training with the Proven, she would grab a quick bite to eat and then meet with Lady Kalina to train her on the Portal aspect. Afterward, they created Channeling Tools and trained others. Jeze fell asleep exhausted every evening, only to wake up early to start the whole routine again.

Hannah was true to her word and completed the work on the sets of armor in a little over a week. The merchant sent a runner to inform the Proven. Dunar, Helga, and Rolfe were fully healed. Jeze and Mikal's Will were refreshed, and the Adventurer-ranked team was eager to reenter the Spire.

"I can't wait to go back in!" Rolfe roared.

"Oh, ho! Same for me!" Helga cheered back.

"Carls! Adventurers! Form up!" Dunar barked.

"Hurrah!" Jeze and the others loudly chanted.

"Let's not burn all of our enthusiasm. We are just heading to Hannah's to collect our gear," Mikal muttered.

Ziplocke snickered at the Healer's comment. "Knuckleheads!" He shrieked.

Heedless of the jokes, Dunar had them jog in formation to the Safe Zone portal that led to Hannah's tent. The First Floor was a great source of Devil Steel and rare gems, and the team had to wait several minutes in line before the Guild perfunctory allowed them to enter.

"Oh, ho! These look marvelous!" Helga observed.

Hannah had their gear fully repaired. For Helga, Dunar, and Rolfe, she had reinforced their lamellar armor with Helldrake Scales. The shiny dark scales were interwoven seamlessly within the mail and Devil Steel plates to form a thick layer of protection. The three warriors immediately donned their heavy armor. For Jeze and Mikal, the merchant reinforced their gambesons with the onyx-colored Helldrake scales interwoven to protect their chests, shoulders, forearms, thighs, and shins.

"I feel no difference in weight!" Mikal exclaimed.

"I know my craft," Hannah replied with a smile that showed white teeth.

"Thank you," Jeze said and hugged her friend.

"Don't mention it. Besides, you are making me rich after all," Hannah said. The merchant narrowed her eyes and added, "Try not to break this set, okay?"

"No promises," Rolfe joked back.

Hannah helped the team with tightening straps and other minor adjustments to ensure that the armor fitted perfectly. Afterwards, they bid the merchant farewell and exited through the portal. Outside they were greeted by Lady Kalina and Irvin. The Ironfist Kingdom warrior held a new spear in her hand with a dark shiny blade. Jeze recognized that the weapon was well crafted.

"A gift to you, Protector Rolfe," Lady Kalina said and presented the spear. She added, "Berserker Orn and the Carls had commissioned this weapon for you. Its blade is made out of the scales from the Helldrake you slain."

"Helldrake scales are said to be stronger than the finest steel. This is a worthy gift indeed," Irvin stated.

Rolfe's eyes lit up as he accepted the weapon. The large warrior had an observable dilemma as he tried to figure out how to hoist two spears over his shoulders in addition to his heavy pack and shield.

Mikal shook his head and snapped, "You have to pick one."

Rolfe looked up and replied, "But my current spear is still very good!"

Dunar placed a strong hand on Rolfe's shoulder and added, "You must choose, friend."

The joy that was in Rolfe's eyes dimmed as the realization kicked in that he would have to replace his old spear with the new one. In a last-ditch effort, he tried to wrap the two spears together so that they could both be hoisted over his broad shoulder.

Dunar shook his head with understanding in his eyes. "You won't be able to draw your spear in time for combat."

Rolfe took a deep breath and removed his old spear. He hugged it to his broad chest. Helga and Dunar supported him and rubbed his shoulders.

"Unbelievable! It is just a tool!" Mikal cried.

Jeze scowled at the Healer and joined the others to assist Rolfe with saying goodbye to his old weapon.

"Micky, do you want to take my spear?" Rolfe offered.

"No! The one I have is fine," Mikal responded and held his spear tightly to his chest.

"I think Rolfe's spear is more durable," Dunar observed.

"How dare you," Mikal growled.

"It's a better tool. Makes sense for you to switch," Jeze said.

"What? No way. Mine is of the proper weight, and I have etched Runes into the haft," the Healer explained.

Jeze's narrow eyes studied the Healer's weapon, and she shook her head. "No, you didn't."

"Well, I plan to," Mikal responded with his chin up.

"But you can etch Runes on this spear," Rolfe said.

"I don't want to! I will keep my weapon," Mikal snapped.

Helga laughed and tussled the Healer's dark hair. Rolfe continued to sulk. The Protector was happy with his new weapon. It was a mark of honor, but he had traveled long and far with his old spear. The weapon had served him well.

"Lady Kalina and friend Irvin, I have a request," Rolfe started.

"What is it?" Irvin asked.

"Can you deliver my old spear to Ahanu? He lost his on the second floor," Rolfe said.

"The Spirit Walker Protector? From the Kingdom of Pana?" Irvin asked.

Rolfe nodded.

"I will see to it," the gray-haired guild official promised.

"Thank you," Rolfe said. He hugged his old spear one last time before he handed it slowly to Irvin.

"What are your plans?" Lady Kalina asked.

Dunar glanced at his team. The others nodded back to him. Earlier, they had discussed that they would travel through the Third floor and continue on to the Fourth. Ultimately, their goal was to make it to the tenth floor in order for Jeze to repair the Seals put in place by the Ones From Before and prevent the Fiendish Lord from becoming free.

"We will continue upwards through the levels," the Leader answered.

"As I am sure you two are aware. The Exit Portal and the Floor Portal are no longer in the same room," Irvin stated.

Jeze and her team nodded.

Lady Kalina explained, "The Exit Portal for the third floor has been repurposed. It is now a Safe Zone. Other teams have mapped out how to get to the Floor Portal from there. It is a two-day treacherous hike."

Two-day hike? How big was the Third Floor? Jeze wondered. Dunar hooked his thumbs to the straps of his heavy pack and nodded. They were well-provisioned and prepared for the hike.

"Any word on the Fourth Floor? Any Safe Zones established?" The Leader asked.

Irvin shook his head. "We have no information beyond the Third Floor. We don't know if teams have moved on to the fifth or not."

"We will try to establish a Safe Zone on the Fourth Floor," Dunar said.

"Actually, we have assignments that need to be completed on the third floor," Lady Kalina said.

"We are Adventurer Ranked now. You can't tell us what to do," Jeze reminded the Guild official with a growl.

Lady Kalina glared back at the Scout while Irvin held up his two hands.

"We are not ordering you. We wanted to inform you of the Quest Board," Irvin calmly said.

"I've heard of that! It is something that Carls have access to. There are substantial rewards," Mikal explained with greed clearly expressed in his eyes.

"Why didn't you just say so!" Jeze exclaimed. She was tired of being ordered around. Jeze and her team paid their dues and were now in positions of respect.

"Where can we find this board?" Dunar asked.

Irvin produced a new Communications Scroll and replied, "In the old days, we had a board, but now, with more advanced Rune Magic, we have created a new set of Scrolls. This is for Adventurer ranked and higher teams." He handed the scroll to Dunar.

Jeze peeked over to look at the scroll and marveled at its craftsmanship as Dunar unrolled it. The Runes sparkled to life and glowed silver, and information appeared.

"How do I use this?" Dunar asked.

Irvin showed him which Runes to tap and how to adjust the information. Dunar nodded. It was similar but different from the Communication Scroll he had used before.

"I use the same quill?" Dunar asked as he produced the tool he used to write on the previous scroll.

The Guild Officials nodded.

"Which quest pays the most?" Mikal asked.

"To find and eliminate the source of the Mist," Lady Kalina answered.

"What about going to the Fourth Floor?" Rolfe asked.

"I think this quest is important," Dunar stated.

"I concur," Mikal said with a raise of his hand. The Healer was interested in the reward.

Helga removed her helm and scratched her blonde hair. "This will take time, no? We have lost time recovering already. Don't we want to make it to the Tenth floor?"

Jeze nodded in agreement. Ziplocke snickered from her shoulder.

"You speak like you all are even capable of making it past the Third Floor, let alone the Tenth!" The Goblin hissed.

Dunar ignored the Goblin and addressed his team. "We were out for a week. I think it is the wise choice for us to take this quest. It will allow us to build up our strength so that we can face the higher floors."

"He is right, you know. The running and training we did just maintained our bodies. It did not prepare us for real hardship," Mikal added.

Jeze inwardly cursed. The logic made sense, but she hated the idea of agreeing with the Healer.

Irvin had a twinkle in his eye as he said, "There would be great Glory if you can defeat the evil behind the Mists."

Helga and Rolfe perked up at that. "Really?" They asked.

Lady Kalina nodded, "Yes. Many teams have tried and failed. But, maybe this is too much for you."

"Oh, ho! Watch your tongue!" Helga roared.

"Aye! This Challenge we will face and be victorious!" Rolfe added.

Mikal grinned and rubbed his hands together. It was as if the Healer could feel the reward.

"It settled! We will complete this task," Dunar stated.

"For Glory!" Helga roared.

"Hurrah!" Jeze and the others responded back.