by TJ Reynolds
It was, by all measures, a fine day.
Alysand gestured to me after we had stopped and set down our gear in a pile.
“Do you know much of fishing?” he asked me with a grin.
“I know a bit. Not much to be honest, though.” I glanced at the creek and saw the sliver shapes of fish darting about in a nearby pool. “I don’t have a pole or any fishing equipment anyway.”
He reached into his mysterious satchel and produced a battered tin box. On its lid was a childlike depiction of a fish. He handed it to me and said, “Let’s give it a go, shall we?”
I opened the box and found a telescopic metal rod. It was collapsed into a six-inch pole but was over four feet long when I extended it.
Afterward, Alysand showed me how to fix the reel in place, then explained how to tie the knot of the fishing line, attaching a tiny hook. “Now you just need to catch a few crickets.” There was a twinkle of mirth in his eyes, verging on mischief, and I feared what was going to happen next.
I spent nearly an hour hopping around, diving on the tiny, springing crickets that roamed everywhere. Eventually I had seven of the beasts, and I put them in a jar Alysand had given me. Then we walked over to the pool together, where he showed me how to run the hook through its belly and cast. In just a few seconds, a hand-sized fish was wriggling in the air before us.
It took me a time to figure out the reel, but I got it down, and soon had a pile of the fish. We were lucky enough that the fish didn’t take the crickets off every time, so we caught a total of ten small trout. One was bigger, nearly a foot long.
After discussing my chosen path to become a ranger, Alysand also showed me a new herb to pick as well as a root that we dug up from the banks of the stream. When I’d found several of each, I cleaned them off and helped Alysand make a stew of a small fire. The sun was bright, and Alysand made me crack up by using a few pieces of perfectly dry tinder to make a near-smokeless fire. Building the fire underneath a tree, I was pleased to see that no trace of our cooking was visible in the sky above us. Sneaky sneaky.
We ate in the shade of a tall tree, something like a fir. Tejón complained that his share was too small, so Pachi led him to go hunt nearby. They came back sated, apparently having eaten a half-dozen rabbits. The magnitude of their appetite would become concerning soon enough.
I wanted to take a nap, but before I fell asleep, I reviewed some of my progress. The Pathfinder class rank would bring with it new skills, and I was excited to see how they might change my gameplay. I checked that first.
Pathfinder Class Rank Requirements:
Herbalism: Level 7 out of 10
Rustic Cooking: Level 7 out of 10
Animal Harvesting: Level 12 (Complete)
Stealth: Level 8 out of 10
Shelter Mastery: Level 5 out of 10
Fishing: Level 6 out of 8
Skinning: Level 10 (Complete)
Ranged Weapon: Level 11 (Complete)
Ambush: Level 2 out of 3
Pet Bond: Level 2 out of 3
Mountain Atunement: Level 2 out of 3
My Herbalism and Fishing had leveled up, and all thanks to Alysand. Perhaps when we were done with the mines, I could find the time to finish those skills. Even my Rustic Cooking had improved since the last time I checked.
I was a bit concerned about the Shelter Mastery. The need to make a shelter hadn’t presented itself in quite some time, either because I had been traveling or staying somewhere more civilized.
The Mountain Atunement was new. I had received Forest Atunement when I was with Selna in the woods outside of Taelman’s Pond, but since then, I’d done several days of travel in the higher mountains. The original skill requirement was Field, Forest, or Mountain Atunement. It seemed my Mountain Atunement had surpassed the Forest and was now the main goal of that skill. Hopefully I would finish it before leaving Benham entirely.
The Pet Bond irked me the most. It was only Level 2! Pachi and I were closer than ever. We’d gained a second level after I revived her, which gave us the ability to use Mind Speech. What would it take to gain another? I thought of asking her, but she was sleeping in an ungraceful pile of wings and limbs with Tejón.
And though I knew I was still Level 21, I checked my character stats anyhow. Having gained a couple new Epic items made me curious.
Hana Kotoba: Level 21
Class Rank: Novice Hunter
HP: 5518/5518
Armor Rating 106
Vitality 29 (+3)
Strength 16 (+4)
Dexterity 26 (+15,+10% total)
Intelligence 17 (+3)
Stamina 22 (+12)
The difference was staggering. I’d gained 6 points in Dexterity and a whopping 8 in Stamina! The Vitality +3 from Marduk’s Mantle was reduced because I had removed the Swiftreed Cloak, but still, the extra +1 had boosted my HP. Then I had a thought. What kind of crazy HP did Madi have if she could absorb damage like she did? I would have to ask the next time a moment presented itself.
I continued to tinker with thoughts of level increases, juicy new skills, and what it might be like to dual-wield my swords. Anything to avoid the ticking time bomb that was my financial obligations. But soon enough my limbs were suffused with the gracious warmth of an unhindered but mild sun.
I let sleep claim me in its gentle arms at last.
If you sleep any longer, the warrior will kick you. It is time to wet our fangs, brood sister. Pachi’s voice woke me from a dreamless slumber, and I was pleased with how gentle it felt. Still, there was an edge of steel in her tone that told me she was looking forward to our raid.
“I’m up, I’m up,” I said, sitting upright and trying to get my bearings. I’d been exhausted, so I had slept deeper than usual. The night was closing its chilly grasp around me, and I marveled at the bear cloak. I’d simply rolled over on the grass, wrapping its bulk around me, and though it was cold now, I had slept cozy as anything. Thank you, Tumsley.
We decided to leave the majority of our gear in a pile under the fir tree. We took our weapons, of course, and Madi and I both took smaller packs that we had emptied, in hopes of finding some decent loot. Nothing was worse than scoring valuable drops only to have to leave it behind because you didn’t have the inventory space.
By the time we made our way back to our previous position, the sun was dying in an explosion of orange rays that lit the entrance to the mine. I made another count, and this time only saw a few ratkin guards to either side of the yawning cavern that led down into the mine itself. The larger one, the sleeper, was gone.
“Six?” I asked Alysand, and he nodded.
“Now, I will say this with as much reverence to your significant strength as possible, my dear,” Alysand began. “But Madi, you will need to stay behind while Hana and I take out the guards silently.”
Pachi growled low, and Alysand cleared his throat. “I will amend my statement. While Pachi, Hana, and I take out the guards. That only left one of our party members annoyed at being left behind. Tejón was too busy chewing on some grass he’d found to care. I watched him for a moment, wondering what it would be like to see him in combat. His mother had been a handful, and in spite of weighing at least three hundred pounds, he seemed so soft and mild mannered.
“I will go left,” Alysand said. “Can you and Pachi follow the trees and climb over the hilltop to get to the other side?”
“We can do that,” I said, reasoning out the plan. “It will take some time though. Wait until we attack first before making your move. That way Pachi and I have enough time.” It would have been nice to mind chat with everyone, but we were limited. Part of me wanted to split up, sending Pachi with Alysand, but I had the feeling that he could dispatch three guards much easier than we could, even combined.
The gunsinger nodded, and we slunk off into the trees together. Alysand followed us until we reached the base of the hill, then, without waiting to see us begin to climb the hill, darted forward to take refuge behind a large boulder
. He was in position, perhaps only a few dozen yards away from the guards.
Go first, Pachi, I said mentally. You are quieter and better at finding a trail than I am.
It is good you have noticed this. Stay low, sister. The trees up here are becoming shorter, their branches thinning from the wind. Pachi darted up the incline.
I jogged in a crouch behind her, marveling at the way her feather and fur seemed to drip between the bushes and trees, almost liquid in her grace. For the hundredth time, I considered my sheer luck in finding such a strong companion to bond with. The mountain cat had been lovely, but it was so bland, so normal compared to the mythic enfield.
We reached the crest of the hill shortly and began our descent. Pachi slowed as the base of the hill approached. Luckily, a few patches of shrub extended out toward the mouth of the mine. I fell into a crawl and pulled myself up beside Pachi, and we peered out of the concealment.
Two guards stood about twenty feet away, slouching with boredom. I was finally close enough to inspect them.
Ratkin Guard
Level 18
HP: 2430/2430
Abilities: Call Alarm, Tail Whip, Bolster
I could work with that. The memory of experiencing the Tail Whip ability firsthand flitted through my mind and I ignored it. If this went well, they wouldn’t have time to use it. Worse yet would be the Call Alarm. If we could at least enter the mines, where the narrow confines of the passages would be to our advantage, this might be possible.
But where was the third?
As if sensing my unease, Pachi pointed out, The other guard is over there, playing in that pile of rubble.
I looked around and spotted a third guard bent over, rifling through a stack of ore. It was perhaps forty feet away, way out in the open in plain sight of the other two guards. How on earth were we going to pull this off?
Then an idea came. I whispered my plan to Pachi and she nodded.
From this angle, I couldn’t see Alysand. I had to trust that he was ready. Regardless of his position, he would be able to spot us soon enough, along with anyone else in visual range.
Three, two, one, go! I mentally shouted to Pachi. I crept forward, heel to toe like Selna had shown me, and closed the distance between me and the two guards. I chose the shorter wakizashi, relishing the smooth texture of its bone handle, and stood up to slit the first guard’s throat.
As I did so, the other turned its head to spit, and saw me in the corner of its eye. It gasped and turned on its heel to face me, but before it could say a word, I’d slashed up through its throat, spraying blood across his companion’s face. His fellow flinched, wiping the blood from his eyes, giving me just enough time. I used the upward momentum, letting my sword come to its zenith, before slashing back down. The short blade cut through the ratkin’s head, sending a spray of blood in the air.
The third guard looked up at the sound of the two bodies falling to the ground, but Pachi’s form blurred, covering the remaining distance between her and the miserable creature instantly. She leapt in the air and tore its throat out before any call of alarm could be raised.
My heart hammered in my chest, and I felt electric. Still, caution won out, so I put off any celebration. My sole concern was Alysand. How had the gunsinger fared?
Pachi and I regrouped and trotted over to the entrance of the mine, keeping close to the mountainside in case another guard was within. When we got there, Alysand’s sullen form stalked into view, two thin knives in his hand, dripping blood. He looked composed and unperturbed despite the spray of blood across his face.
The opening of the cavern that led into the mountain was empty of foes, so I ran out again and waved toward Madi’s position. In a moment, her athletic form ran out from the trees, followed by a loping and excited Tejón.
Our group formed up, taking in the arching framework of timber that held up the cavern’s ceiling. The first room we entered was massive, nearly as large as the town hall in Benham, though not as tall. At the end, three smaller tunnels veered away from each other, all burrowing into the mountain in separate directions: one up, one down, and one straight ahead.
“Well, I can’t say I’m surprised,” the gunsinger said. “It seems that we have a choice on our hands. I have my own opinion, but where would you two ladies like to start?”
Madi and I looked at each other and shared a grin. Both gamers, used to the natural progression of dungeons, we spoke our response in unison:
“We go down.”
4: “Often, it is the same wounds that wake us at night that shape our hearts and bolster our spines.”
— Sire Quinn Taelman III
MADI
I fought to contain my frustration over being put in the rear of our party—again. Tejón panted behind me happily, and I scratched his head. It seemed no matter what was going on, the bear was determined to be happy.
Hana looked at me, her bright eyes seeming to hold some unasked question, before she turned again and headed into the dark of the tunnel, the gunsinger on her heels. It was strange seeing the genial man holding two bloody blades. He looked equally prepared to open a throat or spread caviar on a cracker. The addition to our party wasn’t one I had originally wanted. Being alone with Hana was exciting. As much as she sometimes pissed me off with her recklessness, I hadn’t been able to stop thinking of her.
Though the tunnel was dark, a lantern hung from the ceiling, lighting our way intermittently. It was nice to know that Alysand had more flares, though. The idea of being stuck in the belly of a mountain made me want to puke. No thank you. I’d rather screw a porcupine than go that way.
Soon, we came to another fork. Hana whispered to Alysand, and they took the right passage. Again, I bit back my annoyance. It just didn’t seem like I was very vital at the moment. When the real fight started, though, I’d be front and center again.
A cold wind gusted up from the new passage, and I smelled sulfur and something like kerosene. No doubt from all the lanterns that were burning away. Who in the hell refilled these things anyhow?
Suddenly, the passage opened up into a wide cavern. And though there were no sounds of actual mining, a few dozen faces of grubby trow goblins looked up at us, pausing their eating. Everyone froze for a second, and I took the moment to scan them. All of them had the same creature marker.
Trow Goblin Miner: Ambivalent
Level 17
HP: 1530/1530
Abilities: Burrow, Smelt, Tackle
Alysand seemed to note them as well and stepped forward, speaking in a voice that I had to admit was straight from some legend. “Listen. We are not here to take your lives, but those of your masters. We will not leave here until they are all dead. If you would like to escape, now is your best chance.”
The group of miners stood and scurried past us in a single mass, fearful glances scanning us for deception. I thought we were in the clear until one scrawny worker screamed out in a shrill voice, “No! Masters good and powerful. You die!” It charged at our party, but Pachi flashed forward and pulled it to the ground, ending its miserable life.
I scanned the beast as it died to see what might have possessed it to act so differently from its friends.
Trow Goblin Miner: Zealous
Level 17
HP: 1530/1530
Abilities: Burrow, Smelt, Tackle, Call Alarm
Zealous, huh? That explained it.
Alerted by the creature’s Call Alarm, four burly ratkin ran into the cavern from a side passage. They wore leather armor augmented with iron plates. And though the metal was pocked with rust, it looked strong. Their descriptions made sense and promised more resistance than overworked miners.
Ratkin Lord Guard
Level 22
HP: 6250/6250
Abilities: ?
Finally, a fight I could join.
I used my Taunt ability and the beasts focused on me. Hana swept her katana out at one on the left, and Alysand ran to the tunnel the guards had come from.
The first of the guards slashed at me with a crude sword that must have weighed nearly as much as my axe. It was a miracle it could wield the thing at all, but as I sidestepped the blow, I saw it look me dead in the eyes. No matter. I activated Sunder—an upgraded version of the Cleave ability that I’d chosen after gaining level 20—and enjoyed the feel of my gorgeous new axe as it split the center of the ratkin’s breastplate. It fell in a heap at my feet.
Hana had dropped her first enemy already and was now turning on another. Pachi darted ahead of her and used her paws to pounce her target dead center, sending it slamming into the stone wall. A second later, his cries were drowned in a gurgle of blood.
One left, one for me. I spun my axe and ran at the beast who was raising his sword to slash out at me. His strike would be too slow, and even if I took a hit, I could regenerate quickly enough. But before I had the chance to land my attack, a figure bowled past me. Tejón charged the ratkin and tackled it to the ground. He climbed up on the guard’s chest and swept his claws across its neck and chest. Blood poured from the wound. The beast died almost instantly.
I laughed as Tejón looked back at me, his intelligent eyes seeming to ask one question. How’d I do?
Alysand returned, and said in a low voice, “I don’t think anyone else heard us. These four came from a small room at the end of this tunnel. It doesn’t go beyond that. We won’t have much more of this, though. Our element of surprise is about to run out. Let’s take a quick break here, then keep going.”
Hana and I checked the guards for loot, but only found a few silver coins and moldy food. Their gear was strong, but so crude it wasn’t worth the weight of hauling it.
