“That’s a Soothe spellbook! They’re worth a bloody fortune!” Igvild pasted a phony smile onto his face and apologized to the scowling barkeep. Pulling out a rag, the barkeep wiped the bar clean.

  “Many apologies to ye, Goodman. Went down the wrong pipe, ye ken? No offense to Bruhle’s famous Vodka or yerself.” The barkeep was only mollified after Igvild slid a few coins across the now clean bar, which the barkeep snatched up and ambled away without another word. Igvild sighed and turned back to Davros, one eyebrow raised.

  “Lad, pull the satchel under the bar nice and slow, don’t spill any of yer ale money now, there ya go.” I did as Igvild asked and then discreetly put the book back into the satchel. I couldn’t resist peeking inside the satchel once before I closed it. Other than the book, I had a small collection of coins mostly Silvers, a tincture of a blue colored potion, a pair of black, fingerless gloves…and another Upgrade Gem!

  “Soothe magic counters Corruption. Should I give it to Lieutenant Anya, do you think?” I whispered. Igvild shrugged.

  “Any Class, Awakened or Forged, can use Soothe magic. That’s one of the reasons for its high value. If you gave it to Lieutenant Anya, as a Combat Medic of course she could use it and be granted a spell that suited her Class. Same with me, as an Infiltrator, I would unlock a Soothe ability unique to my Class.”

  “Unique how?” I asked, intrigued at the idea of a single book granting different options based upon which Class used it. Igvild grinned.

  “I’d assume I would get some sort of Shadow or Stealth ability that both prevents Corruption and grants a Health Regeneration bonus or something along those lines. A minor Healing ability usually goes hand in hand with Soothe magic. Someone with your Class I can only guess it would play off yer connection to Fire. Give it to Anya if ye like, but for someone who has been wrestling with Corruption, I’d suggest using it yerself, but only when you get back to yer room and are alone.” I nodded in agreement. Igvild was right. Having access to my own Soothe magic could be a good counter to the Wrath Shield constantly increasing my Corruption gains.

  Across the room, I finally sited both Valka and Anya making their way towards us.

  “Here they both come. About time. Tell ‘em whatever ye want about the quests, but just remember that they ain’t Awakened. Competent Forged or not, our kind attracts trouble and we put them at greater risk the more we pull them into our affairs.”

  I mulled over what Igvild said, sipping my ale. I tried not to be so obvious in being overprotective as I was now keeping one hand upon my satchel at all times. I needed to be more aware of my surroundings. Fortunately, I was having an easier time of that lately with my higher Focus.

  Igvild is right. Anya and Valka were both seriously hurt inside the dungeons. It’s obvious both were harder than either of them expected. Valka was nearly killed twice, first by Garnak and then the Owlbear. The Dungeon Core made things more dangerous to challenge two Awakened. Is it really necessary to keep risking the lives of my friends in exchange for more levels? If I ever caused Anya to be hurt like that again…

  “Davros, what’s wrong? Is your robe chaffing your little bits without any undergarments on? You should find a shop that will sell you an enchanted pair of skivvies or two.” Valka snickered after he and Anya finally maneuvered their way over to them through a crowd of celebratory dock workers.

  “I was just thinking I might do just that,” Davros answered and Valka raised an eyebrow and glanced at Igvild who shrugged in response. Anya was smoothing back some wet hair from her face. Davros watched a rivulet or water run down her neckline to the pale blue shirt she now wore. She had clearly taken the time to clean the mud from herself thoroughly and put on a different set of clothes. It was the first time Davros had seen her in anything but her armor and leathers. She looked…really good.

  “If you want to go shopping tomorrow, there are all sorts of shops along the main street a few blocks away,” she offered. If she noticed Davros’ stare she didn’t comment, but the corners of her lips tugged into a smile. “You might find enchanted underwear a bit hard to find, however.”

  “I was only joking,” Davros shrugged. “I’m more interested in a Spatial Pack like you and Valka have.” Anya nodded.

  “Those can be expensive, but smaller ones might be in your price range. How much did you get from the Dungeon?” Valka ordered a mug of Vodka and joined the conversation.

  “Yeah, I’m curious to see if the loot split evenly or if your high Fortune drew more into your bag than the rest of us. I’m also interested in seeing if Dungeons treat Fortune attributes individually or as a collective group all together.” Davros hesitated.

  “I haven’t counted the coins yet. Most look to be silver, but there was a pair of gloves, a small blue potion and…a magic book.” Both Valka and Anya’s eyes widened and they looked at each other.

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  “I got coin and a Poison Resist potion. Probably dropped from that snake,” Valka answered.

  “Coin and some Owlbear feathers.” Anya stated.

  “Coin, Sprite wings and a vial of Purified Water Mana.” Igvild murmured.

  “I’ll buy that Purified Water off you if you want to sell it,” Anya said to Igvild and the dwarf nodded.

  “What can you do with that? I mean, potions are obvious, but what about Owlbear feathers and Sprite wings?” Davros asked.

  “Sprite wings are an Alchemy reagent in potion crafting. Owlbear feathers can be sold to a Fletcher to make special arrows.” Valka answered.

  “I can use the Purified Water Mana to boost certain Healing spells,” Anya added. I nodded in understanding.

  “Everything the Dungeon drops serves some purpose. That’s incredible.” I wanted a Spatial Sack more than ever. The next time I entered a Dungeon, I would grab up everything I could!

  “Have you inspected the gloves that dropped yet?” Anya asked. I shook my head and reached into my satchel to retrieve them, then stopped. I looked up and regarded both Lieutenants.

  “Do you want to see the Magic book too?”

  “No.” They both answered simultaneously.

  “I mean, I do, but don’t take it out here,” Valka said. Anya nodded.

  “Whatever you received, you should use it when…”

  “I’m in my room and alone. Igvild already said the same thing.” I removed the gloves, but didn’t equip them yet. I inspected them at the same time as the others who had crowded around to look over my shoulder.

  Gloves of Elemental Molding

  Crafted from the skin of the Mana Wyrm, these gloves can be used to break down and remake Elemental Mana into a different Elemental Aspect. Will only work with the Affinities of Earth, Wind, Fire and Water. Will covert at a 2:1 Ratio. Some Mana may be lost during conversion resulting in a weaker version of the cast spell or enchantment.

  “I’ve never seen anything like these?” Anya said. She frowned. “Elemental Molding? I don’t see what use you would get out of converting your spells into a different element, Davros? As it says, doing so will likely mean a weaker version of the spell if you did so?”

  “I’m sure you could sell them,” Valka offered.

  “A Crafter could certainly use something like this. Converting Elemental Mana on enchantments without the need for a Rune Circle?” Igvild leaned forward eagerly as he inspected the gloves. “Ye take this to any Forged Enchanter and let them make the first offer, then ask for double that!”

  “Oh yeah?” Valka asked, eyebrows raised.

  I frowned. I had been hoping to use them myself, but I suppose it made little sense for a Pyromancer to want to convert his Fire spells into something different. What would a Combustion Bolt look like if I changed it to Water Mana? Would it make sense to do so? It would be weaker, as the description indicated.

  The bar was getting rowdier as more and more people were celebrating the opening of Imbolc’s Eye. I was starting to feel self-conscious and the press of bodies all around me was making me feel uncomfortable.

  “I think I want to go outside awhile. It’s getting too crowded in here!” I had to yell to be heard above the noise of the crowd. Anya nodded. Igvild and then Valka refilled their jars and the four of us made our way outside.

  Everything was cast in red. The moon above was full as Imbolc gazed down upon us. I took a breath of fresh air and immediately felt better. We were close enough to the river that I could see the effect the red moon was having upon its appearance. It looked like blood.

  “I have some Quests from Imbolc I have one year to complete,” I began, after the four of us had moved a bit away from the crowds. It seemed the way the river currently looked was putting other people off getting too close to it too. “I need to get into Bludgard, then there is a Pyromancer Trainer in Kravlov or the Scarred Wastes I need to find. I’m guessing that means there are two of them, but I only need to locate one of them? Finally, I have to travel to Bloodcrag and find a Temple of Imbolc that has to be cleared of Wrath…”

  “I take it back. You can’t marry my Sister,” Valka groaned. I took some time to explain everything from Imbolc’s quests and there was a moment of silence before Igvild spoke up first.

  “I was hired by the Graf to open that room in Bludgard your quest speaks of. I don’t have a Quest, mind you, but I’m being paid well to do it.”

  “Kravlov is to the East. Hard to say how difficult it will be to get there depending on how far the Orcs have come.” Anya said with a frown. “The Scarred Wastes are far to the South and in Gnoll territory. Most of the towns there only exist as outposts for mining or other resource gathering. It’s a very hostile land. Still, it might be safer bet than Kravlov, however.”

  “Kravlov is much better defended than Torscow. Older, has a wall that was built by Mages during the peak of the Age of Heroes. The Orcs might bypass it altogether if they learned anything from the last time they tried to siege it,” Valka offered.

  “I’m sure that’s what the people of Torscow thought too, but the Orcs somehow broke those walls regardless. Other than that, I know nothing about Bloodcrag only that it is in the West.” Davros blinked as he looked on as his friends debated back and forth the logistics of his Quests.

  “You mean, you’re thinking of going with me?” Igvild snorted. Valka and Anya both looked at him with a mixture of annoyance and amusement on their faces.

  “I’m your Follower, ain’t I? You droop-faced git!”

  “I think what Valka is saying, is that once the Graf forces out Friedrich, we will both attest that your debt is repaid. Then, we will both ask to be released from our obligations to accompany you east to Kravlov or south to the Scarred Wastes.”

  “Why those places instead of heading West to Bloodcrag?”

  “Didn’t you understand what I said before? There may not be a Kravlov a year from now if the Orcs decide to veer North in their march. If you want to find that Trainer, best to head there as soon as possible. Going to the Wastes is crazy talk and I’m going to forget you even suggested it,” Valka said, crossing his arms. Davros looked down at the ground.

  “I…I don’t know what to say to you all. Thank you.”

  “Maybe we can find an Alchemist who isn’t a crazy woman to brew a potion to fix your face while we’re at it!” The soldier added. I couldn’t help it. I burst out laughing and the others joined me.

  It felt good to laugh with them. My friends. It was all truly more than I had ever expected to receive in my life and more. They wanted to help me, putting their lives at risk by doing so? Perhaps, as with the Dungeons, I had a high Fortune score to thank for this as well. The thought made the part of my lower lip that curved up and over the upper lip quiver.

  At the Orphanage, you rid yourself of tears through a gauntlet of silence and suffering. Alliances were temporary and friendships were only half-formed, uneasy partnerships for food and getting through completing work to avoid a beating. Davros had never sought friendships, because they had never been something he had interpreted as reliable in the long run. It was only after he had left that he had dared to hope the world outside of Madame Fevre’s Orphanage might be different.

  Different it was. It was bloody dangerous! Dungeons, monsters, incredible powers that he had been given that scared even him. A battle was coming that he would have to fight for a Graf that might not be in his right mind. Quests that he might not survive completing. Yet, he wanted more.

  Davros gazed up at the moon and for a moment it almost seemed like it really was looking back down at him.

  Can you see me, Imbolc? Can you see that I am happy, despite all that has happened? I’ll complete your quests. My friends will help me. I’m ready for whatever you send my way next!

  “SLYNT!” The cry echoed from somewhere behind them in the city. It was accompanied by screams and the sounds of confusion growing in volume by the second.

  “Slynt in the sewers! Eye protection us!”