by J. T. Wright
“They loved him so much they hired strangers to drag him to a Guildhall, whether he wanted to go or not.” Trent didn’t share Kerry’s sentiments. A Guild Token could not be separated from its owner. “How gentle would Adventurers be for the promise of gold?”
“Uh, not very,” Kerry lowered his voice and leaned in to warn Trent, “You should keep that reward a secret. This is a pretty tame town, but good men can turn ugly over that much coin.”
“It’s not like I have it anyway.” Trent put the Token away. “There’s no reward chest.”
“Chest? Like in a Dungeon? Why would there be? You’ve got to collect it from a Guild Attendant or the Quest Giver.” Kerry’s opinion of Trent shifted again. “How can you be an Adventurer and not know that? How can you be alive and not know that? How old are you?”
It was another question that Trent was unwilling to answer, and he turned away from the Pillar without a word. Unlike the Guild at Al’drossford, this hall only had two Attendants working the counter, and Trent joined a handful of other Adventurers waiting their turn.
“I didn’t mean anything by that,” Kerry apologized, joining Trent in line. “I just… You’re pretty darn secretive, you know.” He was getting defensive. “Can’t tell whether you’re really green or putting one over on me. If we’re going to work together–”
“When would we do that? Challenge the Trial? Tonight?” Trent didn’t know what Kerry expected of him. He also did not remember agreeing to work with Kerry in the first place and was starting to think he didn’t want to.
“No, I have to clear it with the rest of my party first. They might have lessons in the morning.” Kerry brightened up, thinking Trent was finally coming around. “Tomorrow afternoon, well, I think the others might have field exercises, but I'll be available! We can delve the first floor and get to know each other better. Nothing brings Adventurers together quicker than a Dungeon. That’s what the headmaster says.”
Trent’s turn at the counter came and lasted longer than those before him. He had to present his Token to collect his reward, a fact he had been unaware of. There was a small hang up with the reward. Bellrise had never had anyone complete a World Quest before. The Attendant had to check with the Guild Master before she would pay out such a large sum. The Guild Master himself was hesitant to honor the Quest but, with the reputation of the Guild hanging over his head, he finally agreed.
After the coins were collected, Trent asked the Attendant how he could progress from Wood Ranked to Copper. Learning that he had to complete Quests, a lot of them, to do that, Trent looked towards the Pillar with a gleam in his eye.
“So tomorrow then? We can meet at the Lucky Pig for lunch, or if you want to meet the others tonight…” Kerry was torn between his own business and following Trent as he left the counter.
“Tomorrow!” Trent’s hand was already on the Pillar, and his fingers flashed as he picked out Quests. “Or maybe the day after. I'm going to be busy for some time.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Collect Iron Ore, 40 pounds – Reward: 50 coppers, 10 XP
Collect Cave Moss, 1 pound – Reward: 10 coppers, 5 XP
Collect Beetle Wings, 10 sets – Reward: 5 coppers, 5 XP
Trent felt lighter stepping out of the Guildhall with only Dreq for company, and a dozen new Quests filling his Status. All the tasks he had chosen were repeatable collection Quests for materials the Guild and local craftsmen needed. If he found 400 pounds of Iron Ore, he could earn 5 silver and 100 XP. Still no comparison to what he could earn in a Field or Instant Trial, but the Quests had opened his eyes to another possibility.
The Bellrise Trial wasn’t going to be difficult. 5 coppers and 5 XP for Beetle Wings? If the creature were dangerous, only newly Awakened Adventurers would be tempted by it. To go from Wood to Copper rank, Trent would be better off hunting Beasts in the wild.
However, Trent had other considerations. He glanced down at Dreq who was chasing a spider along the edge of the road. “It’s time for you to get stronger!”
The puppy tumbled as Trent’s words interrupted his pounce. Rushing back to Trent’s side, Dreq jumped up against Trent’s leg and barked. He tried to communicate the words Food and Carry, but having been warned that animals should not be able to speak, he refrained from actually talking. Trent ignored him and went from his Quests to the main page of his Status.
Name: Trent Embra
Title: Shadow Hunter
Age: 12
Race: Al’rashian
Level: 14
Class: Survivalist Level 3
Class: Swordsman Level 11
Profession: None
Health: 630
Stamina: 630
Mana: 130
Strength: 37
Agility: 34
Dexterity: 40
Constitution: 12
Endurance: 3
Intelligence: 13
Perception: 2
Wisdom: 13
Free Attribute Points: 0
Free Skill Points: 11
Skills
Unarmed Combat Level 2
Basic Small Blades Level 5
Basic Shield Level 1
Basic Longsword Level 10/max
Thrust Level 6
Triple Slash Level 3
Chop Level 5
Long Slash Level 3
Archery Level 1
Disarm Trap Level 1
Create Traps Level 4
Detect Traps Level 3
Tracking Level 6
Dash Level 10/max
Dodge Level 6
Mining level 1
Appraisal Level 1
Identify Level 5
Herbalism Level 6
Harvesting Level 5
Armor Crafting Level 1
Riding Level 2
Animal Care Level 1
Mana Control Level 1
Stealth Level 3
Camouflage Level 3
Mana Manipulation Level 1
Throwing Level 5
Climb Level 1
Ocean Meets the Shore Level 1
Three Steps Level 5
Acrobatics Level 2
Steady Footing Level 3
Military Fencing Level 1
Block Level 1
Parry Level 1
Disarm Level 1
Leadership Level 3
Weapons Crafting Level 3
Sewing Level 1
Light Armor Level 1
Flash Strike Level 1
Enhanced Jump Level 1
Arrows Flight Level 1
Bloodletting Level 3
Abilities
Map
Storage Level 5
Heart of the Inferno
Fire Manipulation Level 3
Far Sight Level 1
Earth Manipulation Level 1
Spells
Spark/Charm Level 4
Ember/Charm Level 1
Spirit Flame/Charm Level 2
Self-Clean/Charm Level 4
Dust/Charm Level 1
Balm/Charm Level 1
Mend Level 1
Prepare Hides/Charm Level 6
His Quests were chosen with Dreq and his lowest leveled Skills in mind. Learning about materials and ores would help increase his Crafting and Mining Skills, as well as Harvesting and Herbalism. His conclusion after meeting Kerry and interacting with Martin, was that he was special, or at least, he had an advantage.
Skills! Skills provided Attribute Points along with knowledge and increased talent. Having an undeveloped Skill was like letting your sword rust. Kerry’s excitement at Trent’s having Detect Traps, and Martin's comparative weakness in combat, signaled to Trent that because of his Skills, he wasn’t the pathetic boy who collapsed from running anymore.
And he could get stronger using a minor Trial to develop his lesser Skills. He just needed a few supplies first. Potions, a pickaxe, food, and a sword were all on his list, and with Dreq trotting beside him, Trent set to shopping.
Between the open-air market near the northern gate and the general store Kerry had pointed out, Trent found all the basic supplies he needed and a few things that struck his fancy. He picked up a bag that he intended to pass off as a Storage device, concealing his own Ability, and filled it with Potions and food. He was delighted to find tools for Herbalism and Crafting. Those likewise went into the bag to end up in Storage, but one thing Bellrise didn’t seem to have was a decent weaponsmith. Every weapon or piece of armor Trent found had him rolling his eyes with disgust. They were worse than the Basic Blades he found in Trials or those he had been given by Sergeant Cullen.
He would stick to his Elwire swords, or Sorrow and Strife, rather than use the trash that littered Bellrise. He was also disappointed to find that Spells like Firebolt or Fireball were not available on the market. Too many young Mages kept the supply short, and all tier-one Spells were snapped up the second they were available.
He wasn’t sure it was smart to buy from the merchants at the market anyway. Prices had gone up from his first purchase to his last. They were all smiling, calling out to him, holding out their wares, all the while extolling the virtues of their products compared to their competitors. Those smiles had only gotten wider, and the shouting louder, when Trent passed over the coin they requested without complaint.
There was something to this shopping business that he was missing. There was always a pause between Trent laying down his money and the merchants sweeping it away, as if they expected something from him. They never said what it was, though, and Trent had been happy to see his Storage filling up with Potions and rations, so he didn’t question it further.
Standing in front of the last shop he intended to visit before going to the Trial, Trent wondered if it was worth the time to go inside. Arden's Arms didn’t inspire a great deal of confidence. The white paint on the exterior of the wooden building was peeling, and the words on the sign were hardly legible. Only the thought of a decent sword prodded him forward.
Pushing open the door, Trent was confronted by racks of dust-covered weapons. Squeezing past Trent’s ankles, Dreq trotted inside curiously, kicking up dirt as he went. Dust tickled his nose, and a sneeze rocked the Dog’s body. A second monstrous sneeze tumbled him to his side, and Dreq rolled across the floorboards, clawing at his nose and attempting to bring himself under control.
“You’re not sleeping on me until you clean yourself,” Trent said, walking into the shop. His black and white companion had been replaced by a brown ball of fluff trying to eyeball him sorrowfully, but he couldn’t keep from sneezing long enough to convey how much of a traitor Trent was.
Leaving Dreq to his battle, Trent began Appraising the shop’s wares. Disbelief at what he found kept him from turning to go. Arden’s Arms was filled with weapon-shaped items that made the few blades Trent had seen in the market look like gems. Spears with dull tips, swords that had never been honed, iron capped staves that were of more use as walking sticks than weapons. Not a single item on display had a Damage Rating.
Picking up a longsword, Trent was astonished to find the blade seemed to have two points of balance. It wobbled in his hand, threatening to plunge downward one moment, then twisting to the side the next. He hadn’t even swung it! If the weapon-like object had been sharp, it would have been more of a hazard to its wielder than anyone else.
“You have a fine eye for quality. That is one of my best works!” The voice interrupting Trent’s struggle to return the blade to its rack was filled with pride. The face the voice belonged to might have been prideful as well. Trent found it difficult to tell, covered as it was in soot. “All the items on that rack are on sale. Seems you can spot a bargain as well as a masterpiece!”
“You made all these…things?” Trent eyed the man who had appeared from a backroom, curiously. The man did not fit Trent’s idea of what a blacksmith should look like. Narrow shoulders, weak chin, thin chest, stick-like arms, only the man’s too-large leather apron was appropriate.
“I did! The name is Arden,” he introduced himself while slapping his chest and sending a cloud of black dust into the air. “Finest blacksmith in Bellrise, if I do say so myself.”
“So, you made all these weapons on purpose, then.” Trent pushed at the pole of the spear with one finger and watched wonderingly as the long weapon spun in place. “Are you the only blacksmith in Bellrise?”
“What are you implying?” Arden crossed the room, nearly knocking over a barrel of swords in his haste to defend his work. “You doubt my craft! These are real weapons, not that garbage you'll find in the Dungeon. Each piece is forged with love and dedication! I won’t have you slandering me, young man.”
Trent nearly objected to the title Arden imposed on him. Up close, the smith was shorter than Trent, and his face, what could be seen of it beneath the soot, was as unlined as Trent’s own. If Trent were asked to guess, he would put Arden’s age at no more than sixteen, perhaps a few years less.
“What are you here for anyway?” Arden harrumphed, putting his hands on his hips. “You buying or selling? If you’re just here to disparage a craftsman, you can be on your way! Some of us have work to do!”
“Not buying!” Trent said quickly, heading off any possibility of walking out of this shop with one of Arden’s masterpieces. “Maybe selling. I have a few Elwire blades that–"
“Blades? Does it look like I need to buy weapons?” Arden flung out his hands to gesture at the racks filling the store.
“Yes,” Trent knew he was far from a great Craftsman himself, but at least his swords could cut.
“Well, aren’t you just a mouthy little…” Arden paused. Pulling a handkerchief out from his apron, he wiped his face, smearing the filth on it before saying, “You have Elwire wood for sale? How much? Oh, the things I could do with Elwire wood! Working with high grade materials I could finally…”
Arden jumped and glanced around the empty shop suspiciously. Holding up a finger to indicate Trent should wait, he crossed to the entry and bolted the door.
“So we won’t be interrupted,” he explained, drawing the curtain on the shop's only window. “Now… I say, did you drop a hairball on my floor?”
Dreq, worn out from his fit, dragged himself upright to bare his teeth at the smith. Abandoned in his hour of need by Trent and now insulted by Arden, whose shop was the reason for his present state, the Dog was in no mood for ridicule.
He would have sprung for Arden’s ankles if Trent hadn’t picked him up by the scruff. Patting Dreq carefully to rid him of the worst of the dirt, Trent replied, “He’s a Dog, I think. He follows me around.”
“Well, you should give him a bath, he’s a mess!” Arden began walking briskly towards the back of the shop. “Step into my office, and we'll talk business.”
Follows him around? Needs a bath? Dreq sagged in Trent’s grip as the hits kept coming. Exactly whose fault was it that Dreq needed a bath? If this Arden person cleaned his shop now and again, perhaps poor pups wouldn’t be driven to distraction by the dust! Dreq’s feelings were partially soothed when Trent settled the Dog into his customary spot in the crook of his arm and began patting the dirt from his fur.
Arden’s office was his forge, containing little else besides the tools of his trade. It was littered with misshapen hunks of metal and scraps of wood and coal. Arden leaned against an anvil at the center of the room and proudly watched Trent examine the hammers and files that were strewn about.
“Quite the workplace, huh.” Arms crossed over his chest, Arden nodded with satisfaction, taking Trent’s stunned silence for approval. “Finest forge in Bellrise, if I do say so myself. Now, what did you say your name was?”
“Trent, Trent Embra,” came the muttered reply. Trent had found a piece of scrap with a sharpened edge and was tossing it up and down with one hand. A flick of his wrist sent it spinning towards the wall where it stuck. The discarded trash had a Damage Rating and was the best weapon he had seen so far.
“Hey! Don’t go messin
g up my walls! Who throws things in another person’s workplace?” Arden stalked to where the scrap protruded from the wall and attempted to pull it loose. After several futile tugs to which the metal refused to yield, he stepped back. “Hmm, you know, I rather like it there. It’s kind of like a tiny shelf. Quite ingenious of you to think of it, Trent, and your method of installation is certainly novel.”
Arden tapped his chin and returned to lean against his anvil. “I like you Trent, you’re an innovator. You think outside the box, you remind me of myself! I'm willing to buy all the Elwire you have, as well as any other materials that you’re looking to offload. Are they with the rest of your party? When can you deliver?”
Trent kicked aside scrap to create a clean spot on the floor and took his new pack from his shoulder. He started to set it down, then gave the workspace and its owner a closer look. “Are you sure you can afford to buy my, uh, goods?”
Haggle, that was the word that Trent had been searching for while dealing with the marketplace’s smiling vultures. Haggle and trade. Trent had a firm grasp on the latter from his dealings with Agatha and Ranar, but the former only occurred to him now. Mostly because, from the looks of things, Arden didn’t have anything that Trent wanted to buy or trade for.
Trent would happily give a gold piece for a minor Health restorative. He would part with a Beast Core in exchange for a meal, but he wasn’t quite so unworldly that he’d take a sword, without a Damage Rating, as payment for items he could use himself.
