The Wandering Spire

“He’s here!” Jeze cried to Irvin.

“Who?” The staunch Guild official asked.

“Drake!”

Irvin squinted his eyes and asked, “The Official that completed your field assessment?”

“Yes!”

“Well that is splendid news. I’m sure he will be happy to hear that you passed the obstacle course,” Irvin said and clapped his hands.

“He does not know what Drake did, and remember, trust no one,” Ziplocke whispered into Jeze’s ear.

Jeze wanted to scream in frustration. The Goblin was right of course, though Irvin did express a distrust over the Empire, right? She wondered to herself as she paced back and forth with her fist clenched by her sides. Could she tell Irvin what happened? Will he believe her? Would the Guild believe her, a newly promoted Initiate over Drake, a Guild Tester in good standing? Jeze felt her chest tightened.

“Jeze, are you alright?” Irvin asked, concern clear on his face. Others in the room started to notice as well.

Are any of them agents of the Empire? Jeze wondered and looked around with wide eyes.

“You need to calm down,” Ziplocke hissed.

“Right,” Jeze said back and took a deep breath. She utilized the deep breathing techniques the Old Crones instructed her on in order to clear her mind and free her Will.

Rune casters needed a pristine mind in order to channel energy into their glyphs. In seconds, Jeze was calm and she turned to Irvin.

“Can you take me to the Diamond Bank?” She asked. Hopefully, Swordslayer and Rainbow were still there. They would know what to do, Jeze thought to herself.

“Don’t you need to do work here?” Irvin said.

“I’m finished. Seb said I can take the rest of the day off,” Jeze replied. A part of her was irritated, but she was in a calm state now. Jeze kept her breaths even and measured.

Irvin appeared to think about it, and Jeze realized she was not trapped there. Seb did, in fact, give her the day off, so she was free to find the Bank on her own.

“Never mind, I can find it myself,” she said.

I just need to make sure I don’t run into Drake, she thought to herself. Jeze needed to be careful now that the agent was in the Guild compound.

“I’ll show you, but I really wish you would consider what I told you. Rainbow and Swordslayer are trouble, and you’ll be better off with the Frostsworn or working with the Safe Zone Squad,” Irvin said and wagged his finger.

Jeze’s breathing had placed her in a state of calm; otherwise, she would have snapped at the staunch official. Instead, she simply nodded and kept her razor-sharp retorts to herself. Irvin sighed and led her out of the Training Facility and back to the lift line, where they waited to file in with dozens of others. Irvin swiped the Runes and they traveled down to a different floor, one that was above the main chamber. Jeze studied where they went and was confident she could find her way back on her own.

The lift opened into another wide chamber. It was so crowded! Jeze reflected. The massive space was teaming with adventurers coming and going. There were dozens of wooden stations scattered all about that were operated by clerks and ledgers. The room was filled with the sounds of quills scribbling onto parchment, the clicking of coins, and the thud of heavy tomes being opened and closed. People pushed past her to enter the lift, and she was forced to find a small open space where there were no jostling bodies. At the far end was an enormous steel vault guarded by a small army. The guards wore bright blue padded armor under silver cuirasses and were armed with heavy poleaxes. They wore brilliant yellow pantalones, and what caught Jeze’s attention were their golden helms with faceplates that looked like grinning skulls.

“Best behave yourself here, Jeze. That is the Grinning Death Guard. Each one is at least Adventurer Rank,” Irvin said.

Jeze nodded and wondered, “Why are there so many people?”

“The Wandering Spire is good business. Lots of treasure and coin to be made, that is why so many Guild members are willing to risk it. The Diamond Bank is a trusted source for guild members to deposit and invest their money,” Irvin explained.

Jeze nodded in understanding. Hundreds of adventurers came in to withdraw from their savings in order to purchase gear in the markets downstairs to prepare for the upcoming Spire. This reminded Jeze that she also needed to get gear, especially some armor. Daverius failed to mention in his journal how expensive adventuring could be!

“This is where I depart from you. You are settled and know the Bylaws. Jeze, I implore you to please consider traveling with a different team. The Frostsworn are a solid group,” Irvin stated.

Jeze scowled with annoyance, clearly written on her face. Irvin sighed and raised up a hand to keep the young girl from snapping at him.

“I lost a daughter to the Spire. She chose to travel with an ambitious team and paid with her life,” the staunch official explained.

Jeze’s face softened, but her will remained as hard as steel. “Thank you for everything,” she said.

Irvin nodded, his eyes moist, and the two shook hands. He turned and left without another word.

Jeze searched the crowd for the familiar faces of Swordslayer and Rainbow. Jeze made her way through the jostling bodies and began to feel a panic rise in her chest. What if they had already left? How would she find them in the Guild compound? Especially as more and more adventurers arrive by the day for the upcoming Wandering Spire? Ziplocke was useless as the Goblin clamped onto her back like a cat to a log in a river. There were too many people for him to hide, and what surprised Jeze was how little everyone cared that she had a Demon familiar.

“Are you lost, country girl?” A familiar voice boomed behind her.

Jeze spun and gave Swordslayer a fierce hug. Next to the scarred muscular warrior was Rainbow in her deep purple jacket with the high collar that covered her face.

“I passed the field test!” Jeze exclaimed.

“That does not surprise me. You ran with us through the forest and scaled the high wall. The field test must have been easy for you,” Rainbow said.

“They ranked me as Initiate,” Jeze responded with disappointment on her face.

“That is what you are, little girl,” Swordslayer replied.

Jeze scowled at the swordsman and asked, “What are your ranks?”

The warrior snorted, and Rainbow answered, “We are Adventurer ranked.”

“How do I become Adventurer Rank?” Jeze asked.

“You prove yourself. Show that you can run many miles without stopping, scale frigid mountain peaks, and face horrors with a grin on your face that shows no fear,” Swordslayer answered.

“I can do those things,” Jeze stated.

“Sure you can,” Swordslayer said and rolled his eyes.

“Many do not make it to Initiate. The majority of the members are Prospects and remain Prospects their entire careers. Ole Irvin was a Prospect,” Rainbow said

Jeze’s eyes went wide, “Really?”

Rainbow nodded, “The Ranking determines what teams you can join and what missions you can take. Irvin started as a Guild Guard and worked his way up to an official, but he never passed the trials. You should be proud.”

Another thought occurred to Jeze. “Why are you two still here?”

“We are having issues with accessing our funds,” Rainbow answered.

Swordslayer slammed a strong fist into the wooden table they stood at. This caused the tome to rattled and inkwells to spill over. The Grinning Death Guards tense and Swordslayer scowled at them.

“Master Swordslayer, please do not cause another scene, or we will have to ask you to leave,” a man with a nasal voice said as he approached the table with a roll of scrolls tucked under his thin arms.

“Well, maybe if the Diamond Bank honors their end and gives us our coin. The very coins we entrusted the Bank to hold for us,” Swordslayer growled.

“As I have said, it is not that simple. The Golden Empire seized our caravans and accused us of working with criminals. Our lawyers are working hard, and we trust that this will be resolved, I assure you.” The Banker, with a nasal voice, explained.

“When?” Swordslayer boomed.

Rainbow rested a hand on her companion’s shoulder. “We need the money to gear up for the Wandering Spire,” she said.

The Banker nodded with an apologetic look. “The arrival of the Spire does complicate things and I’m afraid that we won’t be able to get you your funds in time.”

Swordslayer’s face turned red with rage.

“But,” the Banker said as he laid the scrolls on the table and continued, “You have options.”

“Go on,” Rainbow said.

“I am authorized to provide you with 500 ducats.”

“What?!?!” Swordslayer roared.

Two Grinning Death Guards approached, and before they could react, Swordslayer drew his blades and pointed their tips at their throats. Startled, the guards stumbled back to bring up their weapons. Jeze herself was impressed with how fast Swordslayer moved. She wondered if he was a higher rank than Adventurer.

Rainbow turned to the Banker and explained, “We had much more than 500 ducats with the bank.”

“I understand that Miss Rainbow, but that is all I can authorize. However, I can arrange for a low interest loan that you can pay back when your funds arrive.”

“You are kidding me!” Swordslayer cried. More Grinning Death Guards arrived to surround them.

Jeze began to understand why Irvin called Rainbow and Swordslayer dangerous. If a fight broke out the Grinning Death Guards saw that she was with them and she had nowhere to go. How would she fare against a fully armed and armored Adventurer-ranked fighter? She briefly faced off against Drake, Jeze reflected grimly.

“I agree with my friend here. You expect us to pay for the use of our money?” Rainbow asked.

“You must understand our circumstances. There are risks the Diamond Bank takes when doing business with you two,” the Banker hurriedly explained.

“What does that supposed to mean?” Swordslayer growled, his eyes narrowed.

Jeze was beginning to get scared that the situation would turn violent. All around the group, others paused to watch. More Grinning Death Guards moved closer.

Rainbow calmly stated, “We have kept substantial sums of money with the Diamond Bank. Money earned from respectable Adventurer contracts, and we know the Bank has profited off of our business.”

“Yes, and your Guild contracts are not in question. It is your other dealings that have given the Empire cause to seize our assets. Not just your money, but others in this very room.”

Rainbow and Swordslayer opened their mouths to respond, but the Banker held up a thin finger and continued, “Let me remind you that the Bank’s purpose is to make a profit. Allow me to be truthful. You two pose a risk to the Diamond’s Bank’s interests, and this trouble with the Golden Empire is costly. The Bank intends to recoup its costs, and that is why we are willing to offer a low-interest loan.”

Swordslayer growled. The Grinning Death Guards tensed with their poleaxes at the ready.

The Banker added, “The Wandering Spire is a lucrative endeavor for capable adventurers such as you two. One is where a low-interest loan can serve your needs. Let us not ruin a partnership over an unfortunate situation that is neither of our faults.”

Swordslayer glanced at Rainbow and she nodded. The warrior sheathed his blades as fast as he had drawn them. The Grinning Death Guards retreated slowly. The Banker wiped the sweat from his brow.

“Let us discuss terms,” Rainbow stated.

Swordslayer growled and paced back and forth like an angry lion. He cared not for negotiation and left that with Rainbow. Jeze walked over to the warrior.

“Drake is here,” she whispered.

Swordslayer paused and glanced down at the young girl. “Who?”

Standing on her toes, Jeze whispered into his ear and explained who Drake was.

The dark-haired warrior nodded and said, “When we get some coin, we should buy a cloak.”

“A cloak?”

“Yes, so you won’t be recognized. Rainbow and I will also get one. We probably have dozens of agents looking for us,” Swordslayer replied.

“You just made a scene here!” Jeze cried.

Swordslayer chuckled. “You saw how they feared me? The famous Grinning Death Guard.”

“But if anyone was looking for you, they surely would know where you are now,” Jeze said.

The swordsman nodded and said, “You are wise, Jeze.”

Rainbow and the Banker finished their negotiations and shook hands. The multi-colored haired Adventurer came over with a heavy pouch filled with coins.

“How did we fare?” Swordslayer asked.

“I managed to get us a 1000 ducats, and dropped the interest rate down to 10%,” Rainbow answered.

A huge grin appeared on Swordslayer’s scarred face. “You are skilled at your craft!” He boomed.

The sword fighter filled Rainbow in on Jeze’s situation with Drake. The multi-colored haired Adventurer had a grave expression on her face and said, “We need to get you a cloak.”

“I need armor and better gear,” Jeze said.

Rainbow’s face softened. “Sorry, but we can not help you. We have limited funds and a loan to pay off.”

“You can sell off the weapons we took from the legionnares,” Swordslayer added.

“Speaking of which. Here is your share of coins from that fight,” Rainbow said and gave Jeze a small pile of coin. “It’s not much.”

Jeze nodded her gratitude and she didn’t expect the two to buy her gear. “How much is a good set of armor?”

“You should get mail. That could cost you several hundred for a decent shirt,” Swordslayer said.

“Several hundred!” Jeze exclaimed.

“A thousand for a flexible set,” the Swordfighter added.

“You can get padded armor for cheaper, but a good set is still going to run you at least two to three hundred,” Rainbow said.

“Lucky for you, the Guild Compound is flooded with merchants from all over the world. The Wandering Spire is a lucrative time for them, so prices should remain fair,” the multi-colored haired lady added.

“Rainbow can help you get a loan!” Swordslayer stated.

“A loan?” Jeze asked. Her brother had suggested that new adventurers avoid putting themselves in debt with the Diamond Bank. She glanced at the Grinning Death Guards and wondered if they were adventurers paying off their debt with service.

Rainbow shook her head. “Jeze is a skilled Rune Caster and can find work to make coin.”

“How do I do that?” Jeze wondered.

“What I used to do. Find a merchant and offer to enchant their items. You split the cost with them. When you make enough money, you can file for a permit and open your own stall,” Rainbow answered.

“We only have a few weeks before we have to set out for Mount Dragon,” Swordslayer reminded them.

The multi-colored haired lady nodded, “Right. You earn as much as you can. You will want to get armor, backup weapons, rope, and stock up on potions.”

Swordslayer added, “Antidotes, recovery, and water purification.”

“I know some alchemy,” Jeze offered.

“Good, you can craft potions and sell them for a merchant,” Rainbow answered.

“What if I sold them on my own?” Jeze asked.

“Without a permit? The Amber Guard will find you, and you do not want to tangle with them,” Rainbow replied.

“Unless you are me,” Swordslayer boasted.

Jeze had a thought. “Am I traveling with you?”

Swordslayer glanced at his companion, and Rainbow said, “If you gear up like we suggested, you can team up with us.”

“Move quickly, we are going to entertain recruits,” Swordslayer added.

Jeze felt the need to let them know that she was assigned to the Safe Zone Squad. Swordslayer boomed with laughter.

“What’s so funny?” Jeze growled.

“You got in trouble on your first day,” the man replied.

Rainbow tapped her chin. “It might be good to do a few assignments with her. We can earn some coin, and we will have access to the Safe Zone locations.”

Swordslayer snorted. “Only rookies need them.”

“Will allow us to get rest and preserve some of our gear,” Rainbow stated.

Jeze was confused over what they were talking about, but she was hopeful that she would travel with them. Despite the danger, they were highly skilled, and she could learn a lot from them. But, with a sinking heart, Jeze recalled Drake and the danger she was in. What was she to do? She wondered. Jeze remembered Swordslayer’s suggestion to get a cloak and that she needed to be vigilant while she was in the compound. The Guild Ledgers! Jeze recalled with horror. Drake, being an official, will have access to them. He could easily find out that she is here! Jeze began to feel stress build up in her chest.

“They are leaving,” Ziplocke said and snapped Jeze out of her thoughts.

The young girl hurried after the other two. Jeze had a plan. She would get a cloak, find a merchant where she can enchant gear to earn coin, and do work for the Safe Zone Squad. The teenager had plenty to keep herself busy and as long as she remained alert she should be fine. Jeze hoped to herself.