Dungeon Deposed

by William D. Arand

  “Yeah, I can’t escape from it,” Ryker said with a smirk. “As to the why, well, I assume to kill you? You are the heiress after all.”

  “Mm. Okay, let’s move to the more pressing matter of you and the dungeon then. There is clearly something going on there that you should explain,” Diane nearly demanded of him. She folded her hands into one another and crossed her ankles, staring at him.

  “It’s not that big a deal, really. I made a deal with the dungeon. I feed it spirit cores, it keeps me healthy and defers to me when it can. I don’t get a say in, let’s say, who lives or dies in there. That’s all the dungeon, really,” Ryker lied smoothly.

  “Ah…? My mother had heard there was something different about the dungeon and that the queen wasn’t simply taking it from you. She’d wondered about it briefly,” Diane said. Her brows furrowed and her eyes dropped down to the ground. “It certainly explains a few things. Like those pretty dungeon creatures following you around everywhere.”

  “Would you prefer if they weren’t pretty? I think I saw a Troll earlier,” Ryker offered.

  Diane’s eyes flicked back up to his face and she gave him a grin. “No. Not particularly. I don’t think it’d change the fact that they hang off of you. Though I would pay to see a Troll or Ogre trying to cozy up with you.”

  Hah. At least her humor is still in there.

  “But yeah, that’s why the dungeon has a vested interest in my wellbeing. I… er… I think that was the extent of your questions?” Ryker asked hopefully.

  “Ha… your answers are comically short. So short that they make my paranoia go up several degrees,” Diane said, quirking a brow at him.

  “Not trying to be evasive, it’s just that… there really is no other way to say it. It’s that simple.”

  “Hmph. We’ll see… don’t think we’re done with this with that smile and charm of yours.”

  “Charm? I have no charm. I’m just direct and I don’t spare time for considerations.”

  Diane sighed and slowly sank into her chair. Her left hand came to her brow and she closed her eyes. “Honestly, this has to be the queen, doesn’t it?” she asked.

  “Looks like after going through some of the memories from that dead man, we’re actually not sure where he came from or why. There’s a few bits and pieces, but I can at least guarantee you it isn’t Lauren. If I had to guess… I’d say alternate power inside of Veronica’s faction itself,” Wynne interjected.

  “Well, uh, it’d be the obvious answer. But I wouldn’t bet on it either. It could just as likely be someone hoping to secure the throne from your mother as soon as she takes it, couldn’t it?” Ryker tried.

  Diane blinked, giving her head a slow shake, and then nodding it once.

  “That’s… actually quite plausible. More so than I’d like to admit. Hm. I’ll have to write my mother about this…” Diane said, her voice trailing off as she started to internalize her thoughts.

  She recovered quickly.

  “She recovered rather quickly” Wynne said, having the same thought apparently.

  “Yeah. I mean, she was trained since birth by her mother though, right?”

  “That’s my understanding, yes. Unlike Lauren, she has always been the heiress, and nothing else,” Wynne clarified.

  Oh yeah. Lauren had an older sister.

  Ryker sank into his thoughts, leaving Diane with her own.

  ***

  Tapping the log book with a finger, Ryker smiled across the desk at the newcomers.

  “Just insert your card and move along from there. We’ll be able to let you know when it’s your turn to go in,” Ryker said smoothly to the group of people in front of him.

  He’d recognized two of them immediately

  Gavin and Nikki. Alive and well.

  Unfortunately.

  Ryker had hoped they’d died of a plague. Or at the very least, just died.

  They weren’t as high on his list as Rob, but they were certainly two of his tormentors.

  Gavin looked unchanged, though certainly older than he remembered. His half-elven heritage was ever prominent with his tipped ears and canted eyes. Brown hair and piss-colored eyes only rounded out his unimpressive visage.

  Nikki on the other hand was looking much worse for wear. Her steel eyes had a dullness to them. Though she was clearly a human and elf mix, she wasn’t a half-breed like her husband. The years were starting to wear on her, and he even saw a few strands of grey hair in those once pure blonde locks.

  I wonder if they even recog—

  “Fuck you, one-pump,” Gavin said, shoving the log book across the desk.

  Ah, they do. This’ll be grand.

  “Well, then you can leave. Or I can have you made to leave. I’m afraid I’m not only the proprietor of this lovely inn and the owner of the dungeon, but also the Count of Dungeon and husband to Duchess Chas’s daughter. Be grateful you’re not on the ground spitting out your teeth,” Ryker said with a wide grin.

  Nikki hissed under her breath and grabbed the log book, dragging it back over to her side. With a flick of her fingers, her card appeared and she did as she’d been instructed.

  “Oh? Picked up some wisdom with that gray in your hair? Surprising. I wonder when Gavin here will trade you out for a newer model. Since, ya know, he’ll look the same while you’re an old dried up turd,” Ryker sat, batting his eyes at her.

  “Fuck you,” Nikki muttered, her eyes screwing up with anger.

  And hopefully a touch of fear.

  “Pass. I’m sure that our dear friend Gavin has been already been dick diving into the local whore-houses. I’m sure you’re swimming with diseases they can’t even name yet. Or hey, they could name it after you! Nikki’s crotch rot. Nikki’s pus puss. Niki’s nip—”

  “God damn you, Ryker!” screeched Nikki, one of her hands snatching out at him.

  A second or two after her fingers curled into his tunic, she was dragged away by her skull. The big Troll Avatar he’d seen earlier now had set up residence here in the inn. She looked about as pretty as a mud-pie covered in wood chips, which was rather pretty for a Troll, but was still rather horrific. Her hand was clamped down around Nikki’s head, the fingers curling up under her jaw.

  “Awww, looks like you clearly didn’t remember the rules from your time at that dancing hall. No touching,” Ryker said, holding up his hands. “Now, don’t pop her head, Eleanor. She’s a guest.”

  “Rude guest,” growled out the Troll. “Doesn’t need her jaw.”

  Gavin had at first moved to intercept the Troll, but was now backing up towards the door.

  “Yes. She is rude, but she’s also probably covered in fleas, ticks, and whatever else she picked up. Put her down, then go wash your hands,” Ryker said, grinning all the while. “Now, how about you sign my lovely log book here with your card, Gavin, and we can get you and your group in the lists.”

  Eleanor dropped Nikki, the woman landing on her knees and hunched over gasping.

  “Hey, look, you just naturally fell into a position you spend the most time in. I mean, that’s dedication for ya,” Ryker said and then looked back to Gavin.

  Gavin now eased himself over to Ryker, keeping himself as distant from the Troll as possible. He promptly flicked his card against the book.

  Nikki was on the ground panting, holding her hands to her head.

  Well, that was exhilarating.

  “Are you done playing?” Wynne asked him.

  “Maybe. Is there something more entertaining to do? I haven’t seen Diane since this morning when she left the farm. She alright?”

  “She’s fine. And so are those two assassins. We were able to bring them into the dungeon proper and get everything we needed. If possible, could you come inside for a meal and a talk?” Wynne asked. The way she asked it felt like a question, but Ryker knew better.

  It wasn’t a question at all.

  This was a firm request that was bordering on a command. Which meant something had happened.
>
  “On my way, dear,” Ryker sent back.

  Dismissing Gavin and Nikki from his mind, he turned the counter over to an assistant.

  Ryker then went into his office. Closing the door behind him, he entered the hidden alcove. Walking over to the Minotaur he gently patted her on her collarbone.

  “How ya doing today? All things the same as ever?” Ryker asked her. He reached up and carefully tilted her head down till he could peer into her pale eyes.

  There was nothing in there still.

  “Still cute as a puppy, but not a darn thing in there.”

  The ground to one side crackled and parted, revealing a set of stairs. It would lead all the way down to the Fairy Farm as he’d named it in his head.

  For now this was all being managed by Wynne, until she found a suitable Gatekeeper. The responsibilities for the job were increasing the longer she held onto the core.

  “Wynne, you probably need to pick a Gatekeeper before we load the poor would-be girl up with a thousand different jobs,” Ryker said aloud.

  She could hear him of course. The dungeon truly was her domain. If she was actively moving things out of the way for him, she had to be listening.

  “We shall see. I’ll not rush into a selection. These are not temporary things,” Wynne said.

  Walking down the rough hewn stairs, Ryker grimaced. It wasn’t as if she was wrong, it’s just that he didn’t like admitting that was she was right.

  The walk down to Wynne’s apartment took two minutes. Most of that simply walking down the stairs. Ryker had been unwilling to engage in conversation again since it was unlikely she’d let the point go about simply handing out cores.

  He was practically on her doorstep by the time he unsnarled himself. The adrenaline rush from bending Gavin and Nikki to his will had left him feeling shaky and unstable.

  The door opened inward before Ryker could raise his hand to knock on it. Wynne stood staring at him from the inside, holding the door open.

  “I’ll take the silence as your acceptance of my point?” she asked.

  Wrinkling his nose at her he briefly contemplated turning around.

  “Don’t be a child. Come inside and sit with me. I already made you your lunch anyways. It’d simply go to waste,” Wynne said, indicating to the dining room with her free hand.

  “Uh huh. Right. And what was it you wanted to talk about?” Ryker grumbled, entering her living space and stepping to one side.

  “Really? Come now, let’s go sit,” Wynne said, closing the door. “Don’t be upset, my silly king.”

  Without another word, and ignoring him completely, she left him there.

  Unable to do much else, Ryker followed her.

  Taking him to the dining room, she indicated a seat which did have a meal already laid out. Bread, cheeses, simple meats, and what looked like a few greens.

  She’s got the ingredients for a sandwich but… I don’t think she knows how to assemble it?

  “It’s about Gavin and Nikki. I was listening in on them as they came down the road,” Wynne said, taking up the seat directly to Ryker’s right. “I find they say the most interesting things on their final approach. Trying to firm up stories, talk of their plans, what they need to accomplish. That sort of thing.”

  Ryker pulled one of the pieces of bread over and started loading everything onto it.

  “Huh, yeah. That makes sense. I mean, we’re all guilty of it. Probably don’t even figure that someone could be listening to them as they’re riding along.”

  “I see,” Wynne said, watching him put together his meal. “I admit I was rather confused when they listed out the ingredients. Perhaps it would have been a good idea to see the finished product.”

  “I sure as shit would bet, yeah. Like grabbing onto a dragon and trying to explain the part you’re touching blindfolded,” Ryker grumped around a mouthful of sandwich. “Gavin and Nikki?”

  His prompt managed to get a head shake out of Wynne, as if she were clearing her thoughts.

  “Ah, yes. Them. They’re employed by Lauren,” she said, imitating the same motions he’d just gone through with his sandwich.

  “Be’ur’padon?” Ryker said, practically choking on his food. Swallowing roughly, he put his food down and stared at her.

  Wynne gave him a polite smile and held a hand in front of her mouth as she chewed.

  Rolling his eyes, Ryker made a face at her and waited.

  “Fine, whatever. They’re working for Lauren? Queen Lauren?” Ryker asked.

  Wynne nodded her head once as she chewed.

  “And they’re here to, what, spy? Figure out what’s going on? Kill me or Diane? Err, you can’t answer all of that with a head nod. I—”

  “Sent to spy, gather information, and report back,” Wynne sent into his mind. “Are you always so rude?”

  “Huh. That makes sense. I mean, I’d want to know what’s going on myself. Alright. And?” Ryker asked, picking up his sandwich again.

  “That makes it hard for you to kill them, doesn’t it? My understanding from our last conversation was that you wanted to assist her,” Wynne said, laying her sandwich back down. Apparently she didn’t want to risk trying to eat while he questioned her again.

  “Oh,” he said, a bit of food spraying out of his mouth and onto the plate.

  “Ugh,” Wynne said, her lips pursed. “I think this is the last time you’re going to be allowed to do this. If you behave poorly I think I’m going to have to start sending Fairies your way until you behave.”

  “Bring it on. I can take a few more Fairies on in bed.”

  “Trolls and Ogres. Maybe a few who chose the more anthropomorphized monsters. I know there’s one with a head like a rabbit. I could—”

  Ryker held up a hand. “I get it. Okay, fine. Table manners, I’ll display them. I’m sorry. Anyways, back to the subject of not killing them.

  “I don’t care? We’ll just kill them. I’m sure Lauren will be fine. I want to see Gavin scream as a Hob skull fucks him.”

  Wynne watched him for a few seconds, and then shrugged her shoulders. She retrieved her sandwich. “Whatever you like, my king. It makes no difference to me who you support. Diane, Lauren, Veronica, whichever. They all serve only as a temporary distraction.”

  “Just like that? Human things are for humans? I should give it up since I’m not one anymore?”

  “Mm.” Wynne gave him a smile as she continued to chew, nodding her head.

  “Alright. So… let’s kill them tonight then and just move on. We’ll drop a group of blade holders on the second path. Preferably with a few victories to their names. We’ll up the rewards for both sides so we can adhere to your silly dungeon laws,” Ryker said, his words and tone mocking her.

  Wynne only nodded her head again, smiling at him even wider.

  She held up a finger to him and looked off to one side.

  Several moments later she looked back at him.

  “You’re in luck then, king of mine who will be working on his manners. Gavin’s group just entered, and there was a group waiting that we can utilize on the secondary path. I’ve activated both and changed the paths accordingly. The blades will get the high ground first.”

  “Oh good, I wonder if they’ll get them all on the first pass,” Ryker said.

  Stuffing the last quarter of his sandwich in his mouth he chewed desperately. He didn’t want to miss a single moment of their bleeding, screaming doom.

  With a swallow that was probably audible from outside the room, Ryker dove straight into his dungeon sense.

  Gavin and Nikki were moving steadily along the path with their group.

  “Clear all the mobs up to the first causeway. Let’s see if we can’t speed this along,” Ryker mentally called out into the abyss of the dungeon. He felt several other Fairies respond, immediately despawning all the creatures between the two groups and the first juncture.

  Switching his view to the other group, he could barely hold back a chuckle. The group
of blades, well versed in how this played out normally, were practically sprinting to the juncture.

  “I see they understand. First one there gets to set up,” Wynne sent his way. “Are you sure about this? There’s no way to go back from here. I truly don’t care one way or the other, but I think perhaps you’re underestimating what this will do to Lauren’s ability to gather intelligence.”

  “That’s her fault for using crappy people who made themselves my enemies, now isn’t it?” Ryker shot back, his anger getting the better of him.

  “I doubt she knew, but as you wish,” Wynne lamented.

  The group of blades made the junction in record time.

  Flipping back to Gavin’s group, he found that they’d only made it fifty feet from the entryway.

  “Speed this up,” Ryker sent into the dungeon. “Let’s get them moving. Have some rocks fall behind them or something.”

  “Ryker—” Wynne started

  “Do it. Just increase the reward at the end.”

  Wynne gave no response, but soon enough, large rocks began to fall near the entrance, herding Gavin and his group onward.

  They approached the junction like people who didn’t understand. Cautious, but forced to move onward without a plan. Forced onto the junction without knowing what it meant.

  No sooner had the entire party made it halfway across the causeway than the group of blades opened up on them.

  Arrows, spells, and even a throwing dagger arced across the way.

  Nikki and two others fell immediately. Pierced, burnt, and rent.

  They squirmed on the ground as they were turned into leaky pieces of meat.

  Gavin and the mage managed to survive for another few seconds before the second wave of attacks landed.

  Ryker was practically hovering over the married couple as they breathed their last.

  Watched the light fade from their eyes.

  Stretching towards one another. Dying with their fingers locked in each other’s.

  When it was all over, and they both passed from this mortal coil, Ryker didn’t feel what he expected.