by Han Yang
“Two to fifty members can only be an adventuring guild, anything bigger can change titles. It really comes down to taxes. Well that and Gearnix migration and travel… norms. Ginli would know best, I… I don’t travel much.”
“Basically,” Ginli paused, checking out the area. Her worried frown dissolved while we found no hostels and she continued, “There are some common rules. Everyone has an identification tag based on what the readiness checker says. Planet wide, you can’t fool the devices.
“So if you got to Rett for example, about three cities north, it is right in the middle of a mountain valley. There are great crystals there, or so it is said to increase tourism. In order for you to go from here to there you have to have a reason and enough H to travel.
“It is important to realize, a Langshire coin is almost worthless in Rett. They use stamped gems. Another topic for another conversation. Everyone… uses hydrox. Hydrox is king while on the go.
“So we arrive in Rett, and say we want to leave the city to hunt for crystals.” She wagged a finger. “Like the one in the weapon Tarco handed you. Great finds those.
“Anyway, if we don’t have an official adventuring guild charter from a recognized city, then… we can’t go outside the walls of Rett. Foreigners will pay more to get a temporary charter to hunt outside the city.
“Basically you create an adventuring guild for a few reasons. Shops will want your business and be encouraged to see you grow.
“People looking for work will want to join a good team. Then there is the fact you pay less taxes, not much, but less. My favorite is that travelling is a smidge cheaper and it’s easier to go out and explore.”
I stepped over a fallen branch seeing the cave entrance in the far distance. “I take it the guild charters are worth getting.”
“Yes,” both ladies said at once.
“So… mercenaries. The term can have different meanings. Are there wars, like blimp invasions, ship invasions, or train heists?” I asked and held up a hand before they could answer. “Could we have hired them to clear this for us?”
Ginli sighed. “One at a time. It depends on hiring mercenaries. The facts are based on the contract you agree to.”
I smacked my lips in frustration. Half answers were common. “And the fighting?”
“Yes and no,” Ginli said, pausing our walk. “A little history. About eight rulers before my mother, Langshire reneged on paying a trade. The port city of Hasterbrin exports a lot of oak, great for smithy fires. Osca, our mayor at the time, promised some large fish shipments in exchange.
“The fishing season hit a dry spell. Osca diverted what was supposed to go to Hasterbrin to his people. There is no tribunal or council of mighty cities to settle minor disputes between two cities. Cities can fight however they choose to and just be careful of whom you upset.
“Hasterbrin resorted to piracy, capturing and claiming a dozen Langshire boats. Osca assembled his armada and went to war to get his vessels back. He lost. Honestly, both sides lost over a few thousand pounds of fish. Anyway, there are cases of cities being captured.
“Blimps soar in, soldiers repel down to capture key points, street fights break out, and huzzah you own a new city. Sort of. It depends on your leadership skills. Hasterbrin fell to Igorn in exactly such an attack.
“For about a dozen years Igorn controlled and operated two cities. Then the people got tired of paying taxes in Hasterbrin to Igorn. An exodus of population caused Hasterbrin to become independent again with favorable trade deals to Igorn.”
I grunted. “Sounds complicated. Anyone can fight. Seems the distance between cities and limited travel is the big issue.”
“It really is,” Joana agreed. “Thousands of cities are in essence: thousands of small kingdoms, nations, councils, and government styles. There is one sticking point. Ruling multiple cities becomes very hard. Especially when the trains are not controlled by the cities themselves.”
“Oh really,” I said with raised brows. “I haven’t been near the train station yet.”
“Covered in Gearnix guards. Spoiler, humans don’t defeat them. When they are enraged they generate shielding. The trains do not belong to the cities in any shape or form. While cities can impose fees and such, they cannot control who gets on in certain situations…”
“Okay you lost me,” I said with a grunt.
She shook her head. “Me too. There have been times where people trying to board a train are halted by the local governing body. The guards activate and… well, things get ugly.”
I scratched my peach fuzz while contemplating that statement. “So Gearnix cares but doesn't cross a line and it’ll fix the situation. It seems odd with no real definers.”
“There are mysteries to Gearnix, that even a lady of privilege like myself does not understand. One thing is certain. Fighting each other, instead of the wilds, might be a short term gain, but is rarely a winning endeavor.
“And that is where the mercenary companies come into play. They are given an even greater tax break on farmin in the wilds. The cost… They have to defend the city they charter in if war breaks out.”
“Ah, and hence why they cannot be a small team. I take it a mining company could hire a mercenary company to clear this mine, and then reap the rewards with their mining picks?” I asked.
Ginli bobbed her head. “Yes and no. Generally speaking, a mine this small isn’t worth the attempt for fifty members to come out here. However, there are team ups, split companies forming small groups with miners, and such. The details are less: one hires the other. They both come to an agreement on the project in negotiations that tend to favor the fighters.”
“Ah, I think I get it. The mercenary company could just clear it themselves. So they figure out a better deal than being hired?”
“Something like that. Anyway, that is the gist of the situation. For you and Joana, an adventuring guild would be beneficial. Assuming you stay together when I finish helping you,” Ginli said and Joana nervously picked at the leaves with her boot.
I rubbed her arm, easing her tension. “I think we’re growing on ya,” I said and Ginli rolled her eyes.
“The cave clearing. It’ll be slow and steady in the sense we take a breather after every room. We have plenty of H. If you see something shoot it,” Ginli said. “This cart and bot will be at the entrance, stick your bags on the cart. It’ll help slow anything that comes up behind us.”
“Uh… is that going to happen?” I asked with hesitation.
“Maybe.” Ginli shrugged, continuing for the cavern’s mouth.
The empty guard towers stood tall, looming over the entrance. The dead had been burned while I was healing and the emptiness of the area gave an odd vibe.
Ginli had a blunderbuss with a tight shot nozzle, firm to her shoulder. When we exited the trees for the cave, Ginli’s top half was constantly swiveling as she picked up the pace.
Yesterday, I had been significantly more nervous. Maybe the fact I was not charging into the bad guys had me at ease. Or, I was feeling accustomed to being in danger.
I did notice the angst of wanting to be a bartender fading. There was a thrill of anticipated combat. A risk versus reward that spurred me on.
Sure, a nice break sounded great, when the time was right. I was still trying to figure out what I wanted besides to sip whiskey and have a nice view. I closed off such thoughts as we arrived.
The gloomy cavern’s tunnel gave little insight into what lay ahead. Ginli adjusted the cart to block the entrance the best she could. I wanted to giggle, but held it in when the little steambot assembled a metal spear.
The image of a steambot guarding a tunnel entrance wasn’t menacing or terrifying, it was cute.
I was sure the little fella would do its best to protect us. I gently set my bag onto the cart, ditching the heavy container.
I had a long rifle I was borrowing, Darcy - the fancy version, and a steam sword. A small purse of hydrox rested around my neck.
Gi
nli inspected us both meticulously. I returned the favor, learning from her expertise.
She whispered to us, “I don’t need to be whispering. Once we start killing with bussies, the defenders will know we’re coming. They should stick to their isolated rooms, tunnels, and caverns. The first room is one of the hardest and has our water.
“If we get overwhelmed or someone is injured we retreat here. If leperas follow us this far we fight or run. They won’t follow us into the woods.”
I raised a hand and she nodded. “Um, to be clear.” I scratched the back of my neck. “The enemy is contained in sections and won’t all rush us?”
“Correct. That will not happen here. Later, and in more challenging areas, yes, the enemy will consolidate and fight as a unit. Hence the need for big armies to defeat them. Even though this is a challenge for a small team, it is still small team specific, if that makes sense,” Ginli said.
We nodded eagerly.
I grinned, feeling alive, and ready to earn some H. While my long term goals were mostly in the air I knew there were things I wanted to experience that could only be done with wealth.
Apparently, cave crawling improved stats, gave good hydrox, and it left me curious as to what metal this mine contained.
“Okay, we go down, observe, and whisper talk out a plan,” Ginli said, heading into the dark unknown.
I followed her confidently. Joana smiled, tucking a dangling set of locks behind her ear. Her smitten gaze had me excited in other ways. I could see her wanting to say something to me but holding it in. She nudged her head forward, letting me go first.
The tunnel floor declined steeply, to a point someone installed about a dozen even stairs. At the bottom of the steps we lost the light from the entrance. Ginli dug an object out of her pocket and indented a button.
A light emanated from something akin to a metal and glass cage commonly used to hold candles. The device belched a puff of steam and a blue box told me hydrox could be inserted. Ginli reached up to a wire line that was rusted with age.
She clipped the illumination device to the declining wire, dragging it with her as we descended. The slope was gentle with the tunnel floor full of grit, creating a crunchy sound from our boots.
I saw initials carved into the walls and a drawing of a penis. Joana chuckled that some silly man had taken the time to engrave such an image.
The trek was slow, with each step nearing an opening at the bottom of the decline. About halfway down, there was a note etched into the wall.
Reset point. May fortune favor you.
I couldn’t tell a difference except that the line for the light ended here. There was a warm orange glow from below, telling me that the first room had lighting of some sort.
Ginli left her device behind and for a few minutes I held Joana’s hand while using my enhanced night vision on my eye.
There was a sound of metal clanging against metal and a roar of battle. I grew confused until I heard cheering and laughter. Whatever was going on, caused the leperas to be awfully loud. I had no idea what to expect in this first room, but a mock battle was not it.
The smash of blades rang louder as we reached a series of tall to small rocks that concealed us from the inhabitants.
I saw a tiny village, bustling with activity. Four huts, a middle fire pit, and two big leperas fighting to put on a show. The humanoid creatures were cackling at each other as they fought. Their brutish taunts in their deep low tones were echoed to mix with the sounds of the mock fight.
Behind them was a large waterfall with water crashing into a decent sized watering hole. The trail of water cut through the mud hovels, leaving the cavern down a side exit.
Workers patched homes and I became intrigued. These were a different variation of the leparas I’d seen so far. Smaller, without weapons, or even armor. While this would be a minor moral dilemma, I saw no children thankfully.
There were a half dozen warriors, a single mage, two archers, and then a dozen workers. The beginnings of a plan coalesced in my head when I felt a tug on my sleeve.
Ginli pulled me into a secluded spot, with Joana joining us. We huddled up to whisper.
“The plan is fairly basic, kill the ranged, and hope to shoot the warriors that charge,” Ginli said, resulting in us frowning. “If they reach us, I’ll handle the melee at the rocky chokepoint, and you both just stab any openings you see. Any questions?”
“So… Um… do the workers just lay down and die?” I asked.
“Ah, right, no memories. Such a shame. Yes and No… They can be enslaved and killed when they finish digging or just killed. They do lay down when they surrender though. In the end, they’re magical creatures of Gearnix. If you choose to start growing a conscience, then you need to stick to workin a city job,” Ginli said with a scoff.
Joana patted my back with an encouraging smile and said, “If you want to retire, then have them help dig. It’ll help a lot.”
Ginli drew in the dirt, changing the subject. “The mage is my target. I’ll shift to warriors after. Joana gets left archer, and aim of five gets right.”
Ouch, the burn. I went to rebuttal but held my tongue. My mission was clear. Kill the archer on the right, and then help defeat the room.
Ginli didn’t afford me an opportunity to grumble. I wanted to mention my internal dilemma about killing helpless creatures, or forcing them to work before death.
She popped up, leveled her rifle, and found a good rock top to steady her aim. I huffed, heading to a right side rock, setting Darcy to lean against the wall nearby.
I raised my long rifle and kept my mechanical eye in tight to my face. A glistening of sweat from my palms left me anxious. I bit my inner cheek to calm my nerves.
My target was off to the side of the cavern, skipping rocks across the lake. There was undoubtedly lifelike mannerism in the leopard humanoid I was about to kill. When it swatted at a fly, I could see the archer sigh in frustration.
The scope lined up. A nervous twitch had me correcting the crosshairs back onto my target.
I pulled myself into a calm, controlling my breathing while the flickering flames of the fire bathed my target in an orange light.
Psst… Ginli shot air out of her mouth and then hissed, “Three, two -”
She never said one. Likely to control her breathing. I timed my exhale, steadied my aim, and squeezed the trigger.
ZAP! ZAP! ZAP!
We fired in unison. I grimaced, squinting my eyes as the flaring of magic suddenly brightened the expansion cavern.
The momentary distraction was enough to have to refocus on my target.
The archer was holding a shoulder that my round had punched clean through. He wouldn’t be firing any arrows.
With a spin, I rotated to face the charging infantry. I saw the mage was still alive, green blood bubbled from its lips. I hastily aimed and fired.
ZAP!
ZAP!
ZAP!
Our long range magical bullets whizzed out in staggered timing.
The mage’s channeling spell collapsed. His magic shot straight into his feet, exploding his legs clean off in a showering display of gore.
A brief glance showed three dead and two wounded. I set the long rifle down, snatching Darcy off the wall.
“Bussies, hit them before they reach the chokepoint,” Ginli cried out.
I was already in motion.
The exit flute on the blunderbuss was adjusted to wide.
I could feel the charge of the enemy infantry. The leperas roared in anger over us attacking their home. They were so big that the grit on the cavern floor bounced from their desire for blood. Their eyes bayed for blood, and spittle flew from their mouths.
I slid into the opening, laying on my stomach so Joana could shoot over me. Thirty feet became twenty in a single blink. These hybrid creatures were incredibly fast.
“Almost ready!” Joana said.
I was out of time.
With the buttstock firm against my shoulde
r I hammered down the trigger letting out a full charge.
BOOM!
The force was so great that I slid backwards. The crags and rocky bottom of the cave ripped at my soft flesh through my leather gear.
BOOM!
Joana fired in haste, not properly setting her feet. She went flying, her blunderbuss careening for the wall as it left her grip.
She tumbled down with a loud grunt. Her groans were drowned out by the dying foes we’d riddled with hydrox magic.
I peeled myself off the ground, forcing my mind to ignore the pain. Two leparas warriors had survived their charge.
Ginli rushed to meet. Out of nowhere a spear crested over the cover of the warriors. She was caught completely off guard. The spear slammed into her, sinking into her stomach, and spraying blood as it shot out her back.
Ginli eyed me in shock as she flew backwards, crashing into Joana. I saw a cheering worker jumping up and down at his amazing surprise throw.
At that moment the tide shifted, everything rested on me winning or we’d die.
Instead of panicking, I felt a surge of desire wash over me. A yearning to protect those ladies who had already saved me.
It was time to prove my worth and return the favor.
I wrapped my fingers around the hilt of my sword, yanking it free with a boisterous battle cry.
My long legs dashed into a sprint. The two leperas were jostling for position on me, giving a fraction of an opening on the left.
My charge converted into a spin with the blade flaring to life.
The first leparas swung with an overhand chop with all power, no finesse. The blade sliced only air as I barely managed to twirl out of the blunt sword. The right foe held his blade back to not hit his friend.
I had no such restraint. My rotation carried the steaming bluish sword in a waist high arch. The honed edge of magic parted leather armor, flesh, and even bone with ease. There was a sickening sound of guts splashing against the cavern floor, followed by a thump.
I didn’t stick around to watch the top half spill off the body.