“Okay.” She held out her arm.
Erik held her wrist, making Cai Dan tense up. She was only a young woman and having a strange man gripping her wrist wasn’t too normal.
“Okay, good. You should be fine in a few days. Need more food and water.” Erik moved to Ru Guo, who held out her arm with an awkward smile.
He nodded and took her arm. “Looks like your Mana pool will be increasing soon.” Erik cast a spell and green energy entered Ru Guo’s body.
Ru Guo let out a startled noise, followed by a relaxing sigh.
“Good stuff.” He moved to Liao Ah, who held up her hand to Erik as well. He nodded and let her hand drop.
“Okay, so everyone is on the road to recovery. Need food and water to keep your Stamina up but you should be fine.” Erik moved back to his seat.
“Now what we need is an oath from you all.” Rugrat put down his bowl.
Feng Yi and the others tensed up, feeling that this was the true reason they had helped them.
“Basically saying you won’t reveal our identities, our capabilities, this dungeon, or anything related to it or us,” Rugrat said.
“That’s it?” Liao Ah asked.
“Yeah. We’ve got places to be, people to see. Happy to help you out but we want to keep our own secrets, after all,” Rugrat said.
“Okay, we can agree to that,” Liao Ah said.
They all made an oath on the Ten Realms, satisfying Erik and Rugrat’s needs before everyone started to turn in for the night.
Rugrat continued to work on the cuirass as Erik moved off to the side and started to move through different fighting techniques.
***
Liao Ah cleared her throat, getting Erik’s attention as he kept on going through different fighting movements.
“I wanted to say thank you,” Liao Ah said.
“No worries. I wouldn’t be able to leave people there if I knew that I could help them and you guys seem pretty innocent,” Erik said.
Liao Ah fell into silence as he kept moving.
“Anything else?”
“Uh, where are you going?”
“Taeman city. It’s the closest and we have other things we need to do,” Erik said.
“Really?” That’s where we’re going next. Do they know or—? Liao Ah had to suppress her natural instincts to think the worst.
“Why do you ask?”
“We’re headed to Taeman city as well. Maybe we could go together?”
Erik slowed his movements and faced her. “Feng Yi said that you’re traders?”
“Yes.” Liao Ah nodded.
“Okay, we can take you there for a protection fee, or information. We don’t have any contacts in the city and we’ll need supplies. If you can get them for us, then count our debt as cleared,” Erik said.
Liao Ah thought on it for a few minutes. “Okay.” She held out her hand.
Erik shook it. “We’ll set off in a few hours when night comes. Get some sleep while you can. Rugrat and I don’t need to rest for three days before we stop.” Erik released her hand and started to return to training.
“Okay.” Liao Ah paused and faced him. “Was there something else in that stew?” She felt as if her strength had come back much faster than expected. A simple stew wasn’t able to do that.
A smile appeared on Erik’s face but he didn’t reply.
Chapter: Guest of the Lord
Jasper and all of the traders were escorted into a building separate from the main manor. The lord of Vermire’s home was a compound with multiple buildings to house various guests.
A number of guards watched the building but they weren’t trying to limit them in any way.
“What do you think they’re looking for?” one of the merchants asked.
“Information. Quiet,” another said.
Jasper pulled out his sound transmission device. “Does anyone’s sound transmission device work?”
After a series of nos, Jasper let out a deep sigh. There must’ve been something in place to stop any outgoing transmissions.
I hope that the council acts quickly. He might be acting nice, putting us up in a house and only limiting who we can talk to, but that might change in a hurry.
“The lord would like to see you now,” Pan Kun said as he entered the room.
“Lead on.” Jasper was interested to meet this lord. They might be trapped in his manor and compound but Jasper knew that his people weren’t pushovers. They still had their storage rings; they had enough high-value weapons and armor as well as devices that Rugrat and Erik had made to make one hell of a mess if it was necessary.
With this thought, Jasper felt more at ease as he followed Pan Kun.
He didn’t miss the look from the other man. His clear acts to try to intimidate and keep them on their toes had all fallen flat so far.
Jasper’s smile only grew as they walked through the manor. They passed through the compound and entered the main building. They passed guards. Again, most of them had some kind of horrible wound. They nodded to Pan Kun and showed interest in Jasper.
They came to a room with two guards wearing powerful armor.
Jasper looked at it. It was peak Apprentice-grade armor, not something that was easy or cheap to get in the First Realm. Even their weapons were of Apprentice grade.
He faced the door, which they opened, and entered. A man sat behind a large desk that fit his stature. Even though it was a large room, he seemed to take it up.
Different animal heads hung on the walls, as well as items on display that would make a merchant’s eyes sparkle.
Jasper looked over them with mild interest. He had seen better and although they were prized and powerful possessions for people in the First Realm, he felt that their grade was lacking. These were collector’s items and didn’t have the value of an item that provided a function.
“Mister Jasper, thank you for accepting my invitation.” Lord Aditya got up from his seat and came around the front of the desk.
Jasper looked from the man in front of him to the butler off to the side. He was a big man who had lost his leg.
“Interesting.” Jasper looked at the butler. “Well, to what do I owe the pleasure, Mister Aditya?” He smiled toward the butler.
“It looks like you have indeed been listening.” The butler stood straighter. A powerful aura came from him as the others in the room flinched.
“Oh?” Aditya said as Jasper didn’t show any differences.
You think that is impressive? Just watching Glosil and Blaze’s sparring matches is like a gale force wind to your breath.
“So, what can I do for you tonight, Mister Aditya?” Jasper moved to a seat and sat down, crossing his legs and pulling on his jacket.
“Level fifteen—indeed, you’re not simple.” Aditya moved to the couch opposite. The man who had been playing him and Pan Kun stood behind him, their faces hard as they traced their storage rings.
“Oh, don’t worry, boys. I’m not really the fighting type.” Jasper smiled as he looked to Aditya.
“More of a crafter type?” Aditya asked.
“My mother always wanted me to find a craft to make her proud, but I’m much better at bartering.” Jasper laughed away Aditya’s spiked question.
Aditya’s smile became more genuine as a spark appeared in his eyes. “Looks like you’re not at all like you appear.” Aditya laughed.
Jasper smiled simply and waited as Aditya’s laughter died down.
“I actually wish to propose a business deal to you.” Aditya smiled.
“Oh?” Jasper asked.
“It’s simple, really. With my resources and your contacts with crafters, I was wondering if you would want to make a trade?” Aditya asked.
Although the means of getting them to stay and meet them in the manor weren’t the best, it did put Aditya in a position of power. And he hadn’t done anything to them yet. Honestly, if I can get him to get all the su
pplies for us, then it would help us out a lot.
“I simply know of a good trade route, though it would make it easier if we worked together,” Jasper said.
“Mister Jasper, you and your fellows look tired. Why not retire and take a stipend every month to live out lives of luxury, with your needs tended to? With my name, no one will touch you. That way I can make sure to manage your affairs easily.” Aditya’s smile appeared to be caring but Jasper could see the fighting intent in his eyes.
“My mother also said that I should earn an honest living and retire when I am tired. I still have plenty of energy in my bones and things to do,” Jasper said.
“That really is too sad to hear.” Aditya made a sad face. “Well, please take a break. It must have been a tiring few days. No worries—I have some doves out looking for your friends in the Beast Mountain Range.”
“I’m ready to go back to my room now. I don’t think there is a need for any more negotiations?” He looked to Aditya, who quickly hid his frown with a smile.
“What is Mister Jasper talking about? I’m always interested in meeting new people. We’ll have to meet later when there are more guests!” He laughed. “Remember that I only seek cooperation.”
“Cooperation? Yes, Vermire Trading Outpost wouldn’t be bad,” Jasper said, having a new thought.
***
“We haven’t heard from Jasper and his group in Vermire Trading Outpost for a few hours now.” Elise’s tired gaze went to Blaze and Glosil.
“Push the scouts out into the mountain range—make sure that there’s no one coming for us. I’ll order the combat and trading parties to gather information about the Vermire Trading Outpost. I’ll send Special Team Two and two more combat parties under Roska to Vermire Trading Outpost immediately to find out more,” Blaze said. Glosil focused on defense and him on offense, but in military operations, Blaze was in charge.
Elise nodded. “Very well. Have them draw weapons and armor from the smithy. The council will cover the rental cost and they are to return it once they return.”
“Understood.” Glosil nodded to her and looked to Taran, who also nodded.
He didn’t want to give his items away for free, but with a group of theirs threatened, none of them would hold back.
Alva Dungeon started to move as people were called back on duty by the military. Three parties, numbering seventeen in total, moved through the Beast Mountain Range on panthers, aiming for Vermire Trading Outpost.
Chapter: Making Contact
The three parties didn’t talk as they moved through Beast Mountain. The panthers under them focused totally on rushing across the large mountain range. They were the strongest beasts that Alva Dungeon had raised through specially cooked meals, different potions, and battle.
The gnomes had raised a great number of creatures and Egbert had a lot of knowledge on them. He detested being around animals but still he happily gave lectures on the information he had gathered.
The creatures of the Ten Realms, if they were nurtured properly and ate high-grade materials, could increase their level and their strength.
This is what had happened with the Alva Dungeon panthers. They had broken through to level thirteen and were much stronger and faster than the same panthers that had attacked Alva Village.
Roska sat on her panther, moving with it. Her expression was cold as her cloak flapped behind her. Rain struck her in the face but she didn’t seem to mind.
On this operation, she was in total command of sixteen others and the panthers. Her job was to return the merchants unharmed and remove anything that might lead back to Alva Dungeon.
She was allowed to do as she saw fit to remove the threats and secure their people.
A beast shot out from the trees, aiming to kill one of the riders. A crossbow bolt shot it down. The panthers didn’t even pause their advance. To the fighters of Alva Dungeon, the Beast Mountain Range wasn’t much of a challenge. To the special teams, the only challenge was one another; they spent their time honing their skills at the dungeon instead of out in the range.
The distance quickly fell away as they ran all night. By the next morning, the rain was still falling. It was only by the next afternoon as the rain was dying down that they saw the outline of Vermire Trading Outpost.
“We’ll go around. Lucinda, use your bird to scout,” Roska said.
Lucinda nodded, not even complaining about Roska calling her tamed beast simply a bird.
It moved out from under her cloak and shook itself. Lucinda scratched his chin; he seemed annoyed at first but reluctantly listened to her.
Then, with a cry, he jumped, his wings flapping as he quickly climbed. After a few moments, it was hard to see him.
They waited, all of them looking outward. The panthers lay low, their eyes scanning the area as they lifted their noses to find any unfamiliar scents.
Lucinda raised her arm as Night Terror flapped his wings, cutting his speed as he landed on her arm silently.
He cocked his head to her and let out chirping noises.
Lucinda’s eyes showed magical circles in them that were mirrored on Night Terror’s.
“Good boy.” Lucinda fed Night Terror a treat; he ate it, happy with the praise.
Lucinda pulled out her map. If someone went to a place, then it was discovered on their map. With Night Terror informing Lucinda, all of the information was put on her map and she linked it to the others’ maps, allowing them to get the rough outline of the buildings.
Roska looked over the map of the city and then the manor. “Guard rotation?”
“There are four guards on the wall. They’re at these locations.” Lucinda put down markers. “They looked bored and uninterested. If I am in close proximity to Night Terror, then I can see through his eyes and watch for movements.”
“First party will come with us. Seventh party will remain here with the panthers. Seventh party, you will act as backup or a distraction if needed. If everything goes to plan, then you won’t have to enter the trading outpost. If it goes wrong, you will head into the mountain range and wait for reinforcements.” Roska looked to Lucinda.
“Understood.” Lucinda nodded.
“Once we enter the trading outpost, we’ll move toward the lord’s compound. Yang Zan, Han Wu—you are our best at stealth. It will be your job to enter the compound and gain information about it and reach our people and make contact with them.
“We need to know their condition, to see what is inside the compound. Take your time. If you trip an alarm, then we will move toward the lord’s manor. If we get him as a hostage, then we can use him as leverage to free our people,” Roska said.
The two women signaled their understanding.
Roska looked over the map again. “If we are able to get to our people, Tully, you will need to create a distraction at the northern side of the trading outpost. Niemm, you will need to create one at the western side of the compound.
“Imani, Gong Jin, and I will be in direct support, with the remaining people from Niemm’s party for Yang Zan and Han Wu to recover our people and exit the same way that we entered. Niemm, your remaining people will mirror their actions and aid in covering our people’s exit.
“Once they are recovered, Lucinda, your team is to evacuate them back to the dungeon. The rest of us will meet up at this location.” Roska marked down a new position. “We will wait there for ten minutes and then scatter.”
The people around the maps looked at the different markings that showed their entrance into the trading outpost, then the lord’s compound, where the distractions would be, and the exfil route.
“Burn it into your heads. We don’t have room to screw up.” Roska’s look came to rest on Yang Zan and Han Wu. “Once you are inside, we will be coordinating off you. We need to know what is going on and what we need to do. If they’re in trouble, we need to act immediately so make sure that you keep us in the loop on everything that is happening.”
Roska looked to Lucinda. “Time to get Night Terror up in the skies so we can get over the wall. We’re burning night.”
***
The last of the group landed on the other side of the wall and ran over to where the rest of the group was waiting.
They moved out from where they were hiding and moved into the trading outpost.
People were moving around, going home or going about their day. Tully and two of Niemm’s people peeled off and headed into the trading outpost to prepare a distraction.
Another went to go and find a bar to drink in and relay the information between the parties.
The rest of the group broke up into groups of two and three, taking different routes to a rally point outside the compound. Lucinda used Night Terror to find a stall that had been closed down for the night and was close to the lord’s compound.
“It looks like there are formations on the compound,” she said to Roska as they walked through the streets.
Roska turned her head to the side but didn’t look back. “I’ll be heading in with you two. I can break down the formations.”
“Yes, boss,” Wu and Zan acknowledged.
They reached the abandoned stall. Then, with Lucinda watching out, they found a break in the patrols moving around the wall that surrounded the compound.
Imani, Niemm, and Davos rushed out with Roska, Wu, and Zan. The three men set themselves at the bottom of the walls. The women stepped into their hands, being hurled upwards as they jumped at the same time, reaching the top of the wall and getting over.
A spell formed on Roska’s hand as she touched a faintly glowing line. The line got brighter as it suddenly turned into dust.
She had used the butcher spell that she’d been given by Erik and Rugrat. It broke down anything that she cast it on, as long as it was dead and wasn’t too complicated.
The alarm formation was destroyed, just like that.
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