The Guild Core: The Complete Saga Boxset: A LitRPG Dungeon Adventure

by TJ Reynolds

  The river rushed by, darting under a bridge and pouring into an underground cavern.

  It was beautiful, his glorious chasm and the keep that stood within.

  And helping to train up his dragon in the midst of this tiny kingdom seemed just another privilege to Ban.

  Prepare yourself, Kai! Ban ordered, getting ready to drop a legitimate force on Kai’s toes.

  Kai held up his glaive and spread his legs, preparing for anything.

  Then Ban summoned a veritable horde. Two Amethyst Vipers came at the dragon first, both quickly dispatched.

  The Sludge Hounds took a bit longer to do so, and by the time the five dalgard soldiers had shimmered into existence, Ban knew Kai would be busy for quite some time.

  For a moment, Ban watched his friend struggle and curse, swinging his glaive in a desperate attempt to survive. Such has become my life, he mused fondly. If we had but more time to enjoy it.

  Knowing the young dragon could take care of himself, Ban set the minions to automatically spawn occasionally.

  Kai would have plenty of things to kill.

  He let his mind drift away from the slaughter, and he focused again on his delightful problem.

  I have a perfectly satisfying acid to work with, he hummed. Now all I need to do is figure out how to best douse my enemies in the stuff.

  And so the day went as Bancroft the dungeon improved the Sunken Keep.

  For though its lineage was noble, and those who’d fought to keep it standing brave, Ban knew it would be tested to its very limits.

  38

  A Time for War

  Rhona

  Saying goodbye to Tela had felt akin to pulling an arrow from her side. She’d known the departure was necessary, yet it hurt so much she almost wanted to avoid it altogether.

  Still, the ranger woman showed incredible strength upon waking.

  Without relighting the fire, Tela had removed some biscuits and cheese, handing some to Rhona.

  “I’m leaving as soon as I finish,” she’d said, her face devoid of any emotion but fatigue. “You can find your way?”

  “I can. The directions Kai gave me were simple enough. I need to head west, and I believe south to find the entrance to the Sunken Keep. With luck, I’ll be there this evening,” Rhona replied.

  Then, unable to prevent concern from touching her words, asked, “And you, Tela. You can find your way as well?”

  Pretending the question wasn’t more complicated than mere directions, Tela shrugged. “Easy enough to traverse the Hintari countryside. I’ll take the road another ten miles east before heading north. Royar’s mother lives in a small village called Breem. Should make it there by midday tomorrow.”

  “What of Tembar?” Rhona had asked, worried the ranger might have forgotten or changed her mind. The tactical situation had to be relayed to the Hintari commander if nobody else.

  Tela grinned sourly. “I’ve decided I don’t need to see the bastard’s face again. Not anytime soon at least. He was given a choice to stay and fight or follow orders.”

  Sensing Rhona’s emotions perhaps, the Hintari woman shook her head. “I know. He did what he could by indirectly encouraging the rebels to form. We never had a chance though. Less than forty of us in all against over two hundred of Brintosh’s finest? We never had a chance.”

  Chewing her food, Tela took her time before swallowing. Then she added, “Breem isn’t far from Tembar’s location. I’ll send a message first thing when I get into town. He will know the next day.”

  So, with little more than a stiff hug, Rhona had bade the woman farewell.

  The departure smarted.

  It felt almost like a betrayal. What the hell did I expect, Rhona had thought as she watched the woman gallop away that morning. A sister that might stand beside me on a wedding day? Fool girl. Tela’s fate has turned forever now. Let her go the way she must.

  She’d sent up a prayer to Yugos, Andag, and Briga, calling upon the Brintoshi godhead in its entirety. Guide and protect her, had been Rhona’s only request.

  Hours later, Rhona found the mountains rapidly approaching.

  Thankfully, Hintar, at least the southern reaches of the country, had firm soil and plenty of game trails.

  Rhona drove over land due west until she was forced to turn south. As she’d thought, Tela’s pell-mell dash into the heartland had placed them east and north of the Sunken Keep.

  Though she spotted interesting wildlife and passed two small towns, Rhona didn’t stop for anything but food and water.

  Honor galloped tirelessly, his pride ensuring his every step was well placed.

  Then she’d spotted it.

  As Kai had suggested, Rhona had ridden along the edge of the Zargan Mountains, keeping as close as she could. After a few more hours, she’d spotted the crest of the Sunken Keep etched into ancient stone.

  She’d spurred Honor up the slope, veering into the beautiful canyon. Rhona admired the view. A snow-kissed sky, clear and gleaming. Frosted mountains above, a sprawling canyon below, and beyond the rolling hills of Hintar.

  Kai and Ban had chosen a lovely place to die.

  At last, as the light of the day was fading, and a chill and gusting breeze poured down off of the mountains, Rhona found herself standing on a bridge above a chasm.

  “You’d better not kill me!” she screamed loud enough to wake a golem.

  Without waiting to be let in, Rhona strode across the bridge with Honor in tow. Then she rapped her knuckles against the wooden gate three times.

  She was cold and hungry, and had been holding her bladder for the last hour at least.

  So, when the gate at last clanked open, and Kai stepped out to hug her, she ducked around the attempt, demanding, “The privy first, then a meal. You can hug me after, dragon boy.”

  Good-naturedly, Kai chuckled. Despite her harsh words, the two embraced. Kai squeezed the monk until she threatened to pee on him, then he showered his affections on Honor.

  The weary horse accepted Kai’s warmth more readily. Driven by hunger, no doubt, Honor nuzzled Kai, sniffing his clothes for any sign of food. “Don’t worry, buddy,” Kai said, scratching Honor’s ear. “Ban can get you plenty of straw and some oats as well.”

  Ban was already there, all around them, she knew. But when she met Greg, Rhona took a moment to take the new champion in.

  “Didn’t go for subtle this time, Ban. Did you?” she remarked, honestly impressed with the creature. Never in her life had she seen so much power in a single monster, other than Hastings of course.

  Her thoughts drifted to the terrifying figure of Terrinore, and she amended her assessment.

  Still, the eight-foot champion had hands so broad they could wrap around her thigh. What the beast was capable of, Rhona couldn’t wait to find out.

  Kai and Ban prattled on about their achievements and activities as they worked their way down the tower. Apparently, Kai was still struggling to master Crystal Mind. No surprise there, but the news was troubling. If he couldn’t figure it out in a day or two, they might all pay the price.

  Rhona was told about the kobolds, the black fungal blight, and about Ross as well.

  Ban could barely contain himself when describing how wonderful it was to have a new friend. Knowing the only other Earth Core Ban had bonded with had died helped lend Rhona a bit more patience.

  Then of course there was news of the Soul Sphere. Ban explained how he’d integrated part of it already. She watched the sphere unwind its tiny thread. The progress was glacial to say the least, but it made Ban happy.

  That was enough for her.

  More intriguing to Rhona were the glistening dragon eggs. Tucked in their odd nest, with runes of power glowing beneath them, the eggs cooked away patiently.

  Rhona ran a finger on their exotic enamel, the swirling colors entrancing.

  Kai had entirely too much to say about dragon babies, but she did what she could to be patient. Surely, such creatures would be majestic, and who was s
he to deny Kai the pleasure of caring for them.

  Next came Honor’s turn to receive some of the attention he deserved. Kai helped Rhona unsaddle him, and they both brushed out his coat. When they finished, Kai fetched a large stack of straw, freshly summoned by Ban. Honor’s dinner was topped off with a small bucket topped off with oats.

  They watched the horse eat for a time in silence.

  Kai stroked Honor’s flank absent-mindedly, and Rhona was warmed by the gesture. He didn’t just care for her but had taken her shivving horse as a friend as well.

  Then the separation, the strain of acting the part of turn cloak, and her well-deserved fear well up inside of her. She slammed into Kai’s chest, hugging him fiercely.

  Time slowed.

  Kai’s arms wrapped around her shoulders, and for a moment, she thought she might weep. Shaking her head, she pushed the emotion down and broke off the embrace This is Tela’s wound more than mine. I will honor her mourning not indulge in my own.

  Her dragon friend watched her face intently. He wasn’t quite the fool he’d once been, and blast it all if his face wasn’t handsome.

  Perhaps sensing her need, Kai held out his hand toward the glowing doorway at the base of the keep. “Shall we?”

  Rhona smiled, shaking out her hands, and let Kai lead her back inside.

  Thirty minutes later, Rhona was seated at a fine table in Ban’s new core room. Kai shuffled nervously in his seat, and Ban peered at her through his champion’s eyes, looking quite ridiculous with a fork in his hand.

  Ban spoke aloud, for some reason favoring the booming voice of his champion, Greg. “We are truly pleased you’ve come back to us at last, Rhona. Kai was practically sick with your absence.”

  The dragon coughed uncomfortably, then avoided Ban’s line of conversation entirely. How did you like the countryside? Hintar is beautiful, am I right?

  Having someone speak directly into her mind didn’t have the intimate effect Kai might have been hoping for. Instead, Rhona felt her heart race as she remembered the last man who’d spoken to her thoughts directly.

  Not wanting to be rude, she humored her friend. It is as you say, Kai. If Brintosh is an Emerald, Hintar is a Sapphire.

  “An apt description,” Ban replied. “And ironically timed. Did we tell you yet that a small cluster of sapphires was discovered here in our very own Sunken Keep?”

  Rhona shook her head, allowing the Earth Core to ramble on without her assistance.

  Curious turn of phrase there, she mused. Our very own Sunken Keep, huh? I guess that is my official stay -if -you -will invitation.

  Kai chewed his food, and she noticed his eyes had changed yet again. Insight and a desire to please had replaced some of his boundless curiosity.

  Ban barged ahead into another topic, and Rhona felt her nerves fray a little. “I hope you like the food, Rhona. The fish in our river here are quite tasty, but I’ve taken some inspiration from the daldrim. You see, it was their idea to fashion a dozen types of sauce from the apples I’d given them.”

  Rhona chewed, one eye arched as she listened to Ban prattle off about his recipes.

  “Apple sauce atop roasted fish isn’t such a tasty prospect. But amongst their many failed experiments was the mushroom and beef variety they made by boiling the beef fat from strips of jerky and simmering mushrooms in it awhile. They stirred the lot in with apple sauce, and well, it tastes amazing, am I right?”

  She stared blankly at the hulking monster whose eyes twinkled with delight. Then she looked to Kai who appeared lost in his own thoughts.

  In what world is any of this normal, she wondered, taking more of the fish. And the two of them have come to almost see this all as natural.

  Rhona had to admit then that to a dragon and his Earth Core, this life was normal. Still, especially coming on the heels of losing her new friends and Tela’s despair, the indulgent meal and regal furniture smacked of excess.

  Seeming confused, Ban cleared his bottomless throat. “I’m sorry, Rhona, but did you hear my question? I was just wondering what you thought of the daldrim apple sauce. Just right? Or is it a little too sweet?”

  Suddenly, it was all too much.

  Rhona finished a few more quick bites, washing the food down with water. Then, while Ban continued to talk, she stood up.

  In a single, aggressive movement, Rhona swept her arms across the table, releasing a battle cry as she did so. The food and drink spilled from the table, making a mess of the core room.

  She couldn’t care less.

  “You think I shivving care, Ban?” she demanded, allowing more than a little anger to fuel her words.

  “I… I suppose I thought you did,” Ban replied sadly.

  Kai stared mutely at her.

  Growling, Rhona gave the two lackwits a piece of her mind. “I know you’ve both been busy, and I can see how much progress you’ve made. But I have been fighting Hastings day in and day out since we parted ways. He slaughtered the men and women I was beginning to call my friends, and now here I am talking about sauces!”

  Rhona paused, her attention drawn to the splatter of some gooey side dish as it dripped from the surface of the table.

  She sighed and apologized. “I’m here, Ban, not because I want to taste and comment on your cooking, fine as it is. I’m here because I wish to fight at your side. I love food and conversation as much as any man, but I’m afraid, can’t you see that? I care about stopping that monster of a man. You didn’t have to see what he did with the rebels! All of them, Ban! All but me and Tela!”

  Suspecting she might lose control of her emotions, Rhona reeled it back in. She didn’t have to go there, not yet at least. But the situation, as it stood, needed to change.

  Kai cleared his throat. “You’ve got a good point, Rhona. And believe me, we both have our own fears.” Stoking up his courage, he met her gaze and added, “We’re sorry for the pain you’ve been through as well. It’s terrible what’s happened to Royar and the other Hintari. The dinner though… Ban and I just wanted to help you feel welcome.”

  Rhona smiled at the young dragon. “Thank you, Kai. That means a lot. For the record though, the mushroom-spiced applesauce was to die for.”

  The three laughed, the rest of the tension she’d brought into the keep with her melting away at last. Their peace had been blasted apart, sure, but Rhona felt glad for it. Now they could begin to discuss the problem at hand with some clarity.

  She sat back down and sighed, “Ban, if you can absorb the mess and forgive my temper, I think it’s time we begin.”

  In less than a second, the spilled food and liquid was gone. Though the Earth Core had complied, Rhona could see plainly the anger in his champion’s eyes. She made a mental note to compliment Ban’s hard work in the future. His priorities were different from her own. She needed to remember that.

  A few moments passed, and the young dragon asked the only question that mattered. “So, time we begin what?”

  “I figured it was the perfect time to begin our war council. Don’t you gentlemen agree?”

  Sure enough, both heads bobbed up and down.

  Rhona smiled, then turned to Kai again. “Tell me, Kai. How goes your mastery of the Crystal Mind?”

  39

  Pain for Progress

  Kai

  “I’ve told you already! There isn’t anything else in the skill book about the technique. We’ve gone through the steps already,” Rhona explained, her patience running a little thin.

  The two sat in the core room, legs folded and eyes closed.

  They’d been at it for hours already.

  It had been Ban’s suggestion the two start their night out with meditation. Considering Rhona’s frazzled emotions, and Kai’s enthusiasm, it had seemed a good idea.

  Groaning, Kai found his resolve and responded. “Okay. Sorry, Rhona. I can’t be impatient. You said this took you months, yeah?”

  “It did,” she admitted. “And Palben is a better teacher besides. He eve
n had this method where… hold that.”

  The monk stood up, blinking, her finger still poised before her face. Then she smiled.

  For some reason, the smile gave Kai pause. Then again, could anyone trust a smiling tiger?

  Triumphantly, Rhona formed a fist and thrust it in the air. “I know just what you need! And by the Three, you are not going to like it. Still, do you trust me?”

  Kai chuckled nervously, clutching the woman’s offered hand as he stood up. “Where are we going?”

  “Where you’re going is more accurate,” was Rhona’s only response before she stepped outside and left him alone.

  Following after, Kai called from the doorway, “Should I put on my boots? It’s a little cold.”

  Rhona laughed, but told him promptly that his footwear wouldn’t be needed.

  Kai’s shivering had gotten out of hand the moment he’d been, quite rudely, ordered to remove his shirt.

  The furious monk who stood before him knew how to fix that though.

  Bouncing on his toes, nothing but his fists to protect him, Kai fought with everything he had.

  “Guard up!” Rhona barked, coming at him once more with a hard kick. He blocked the heavy blow on his forearms, retreating a step after.

  That was how things seemed to go with the woman, trying his best but constantly giving ground anyhow.

  Shaking out his hands, Kai repositioned his feet and prepared for another barrage.

  Normally, Rhona preferred to beat up on Kai one on one. Having an Earth Core at her beck and call had made the monk up her game.

  Two lanky dalgard minions fought alongside the woman.

  Neither gave much of a fight to be fair. In fact, the shocking thing was that using Rhona’s hand to hand combat, Kai had actually been able to disable and severely wound the creatures.

  Ban simply summoned a new one to take the fallen minion’s place, but for Kai, there was no quick and easy way to refresh himself.

  Rhona had shown Kai the first five stances from The Path of the Bleeding Tiger yet again.