Chương 96: Arc 2 - Chapter 38

The real pity was the prices listed by the Guides Guild. It was little more than gouging, just as Dayn had said. Everything from know-notes to rations were at least three times the price they had been on the landing. Though that was also exorbitantly overpriced.

"Why does it all cost so much?" Rosie whined.

"Because, intrepid Climber, we have to bring all these supplies up from the surface. And that is quite the perilous task," the clerk responded.

"Likely because they can, and Climbers will pay it," Lauren supplied cynically. The clerk scowled at the remark, but soon smoothed his face and his mustard yellow coat and continued watching over the team like a storm hawk while they browsed what the Guides Guild offered. The storefront of the Guild had neat shelves covering the walls and a couple of glass display cases for the truly valuable items. It was similar to Lauren's mother's shop, save for the fact that the shelves were behind bars of brass.

As the team were out of healing potions, that was the first thing Fritz scanned for, quickly finding them and blanching at the six hundred gold price embossed on the plaque below them. He went as far as taking a step back from the glass display case as if dodging an enemy's swiping claws. The potions weren't even high quality. He was shocked, disgusted, that the life-saving liquid was so monumentally priced over its actual value. But what did he really expect from the Guild?

It was a precious resource and a death averting miracle when needed. Of course, they'd charge so much for them. With a sigh, he searched the rest of the display and the caged shelves around the small shopfront. Most of the items were merely magical and of limited utility or potency. Eventually, it was apparent to Fritz that the most precious Treasures and equipment were kept somewhere else in the building, likely only accessible to the nobility or the Guild itself. Fritz said as much and Lauren agreed with him.

"Arseholes," Bert muttered loudly, much to the chagrin of the clerk.

"Well, It's not like we could afford any of the premium goods anyway," Lauren said.

"What? Even with all the monster bits we grabbed?" Rosie asked.

"Even then. That's if they are going to give us a fair price for them," Lauren said.

"Which you doubt?" Fritz asked, looking through some bars and at a set of dark blue silk gloves he thought might compliment his coat.

"Which I doubt," Lauren agreed, also searching for something both within their ability to buy and actually useful. The fine, thin gloves were magical, or so the brass plaque professed, increasing the wearer's grip to a minor degree. There was a cough from the clerk as another of the Guildsmen entered the storefront. Fritz had heard them coming but had decided to ignore them, thinking it was best he didn't look too perceptive, especially in the Guides guild.

Though he felt he had little reason to be fearful of getting uncovered, apparently, the only actual Guide on this floor was resting and already contracted to the 'prince's' team. Fritz looked up to see a woman clad in a functional, if pretty, dress the shade of pale butter. She was plain-faced, though cute, and had light, blonde hair that hung past her shoulders. Smiling, her soft blue eyes glided over them and keenly catalogued their gear and the obvious Treasures they wore.

"Greetings, my name is Sapphire. I have been informed you desire an appraiser," she said in a sweet tone.

"Correct," Lauren said slipping into the bored business-like tone she had used when Fritz had met her. She glanced over the woman, taking in her flowery jewellery and short, painted nails, seemingly sizing her up. Lauren must have seen something interesting because she smiled.

"I take it you're the Captain of this team?" Sapphire asked.

"No, but I've been asked to negotiate," Lauren replied, her boredom replaced with warm attention.

"And I'm not regretting taking on that task." Fritz thought was an odd change of demeanour, but assumed it was likely that Lauren had been missing the company of the more polite or feminine kind. He could hardly blame her, it had taken him years to become accustomed to the coarseness of character Bert, and now he himself, exhibited. And even then it still grated.

"A task is it? Hopefully, it won't be too much of a burden," Sapphire said, her eyes seemingly glued to Lauren's face. Concern kindled in her gaze as it alighted on the mostly healed bruise.

"I'm sure some bartering with a woman of your fine taste will be a delight, not a burden," Lauren said.

"And how can you be so sure as to my taste?" The appraiser asked playfully. Lauren merely smiled, her eyes dancing with embers. The clerk coughed again, and startled the two out of their prolonged staring.

"We have a room we use for determining the value of the Treasures and materials you have acquired, this way, if you please," Sapphire said, turning and stepping through a door behind her.

"Can I come too?" Cal asked quickly.

"I'd like to learn how to do that merchant thing." Lauren gave him a withering glance, as though he were a hound that had rolled in something foul and now wanted to be let into the house.

"Fine," she allowed, with a sigh.

"I need you to carry the bags anyway. Get the lobster eyes, the lizard horns and claws. Oh, and the clearblood eels. Leave the venom though, we want to keep that, it won't go bad and it might be useful."

"Thank you," he said abashedly to her turning back. She followed the appraiser, leaving him to collect the various materials she'd outlined. When she was out of earshot and he had gathered the bags and sacks, as she had requested, Cal asked, "See the way she glared? What was that about?" Fritz couldn't help but smirk, even if he didn't fully understand it himself.

"It's a mystery," he intoned. Bert shook his head and sighed while Cal left. Fritz had decided on not joining in the appraisal, trusting Lauren to get them the best deal. It was a show of confidence in her judgement, and it wasn't really a risk. He also knew she wouldn't cheat them or cut a deal with the Guides. After all, it was her gold too. They had also decided on keeping all the Treasures, at least until they were outside the Spire.

There was no point selling or trading what could be useful unless they got something that gave them a considerable advantage in return. Especially seeing as the prices were as bad as had been rumoured. Worse even. Fritz grimaced and shadowed his way to Bert where he stood staring at some belts. However, when he looked closer he saw that they were of different colours, materials and sizes. Some were even small enough to be wristbands. That's when he realised that they were not belts but rather collars.

Collars for beast companions.

"An odd interest," Fritz said, revealing his presence. Bert barely jumped, then stared at him blank-faced.

"It's a bedroom thing. You wouldn't get it."

"Don't know why you'd want a beast in your bedroom. I can't condone such a thing," Fritz chided, smirking.

"I'm the beast," Bert said in that same bland way.

"So it's for you?"

"No." Fritz sighed, this was part of Bert's ill-kept secret, all the pieces were starting to fall into place. If Bert thought he was fooling him, he was dead wrong. Though it wasn't in Fritz's nature to ruin his friend's big 'surprise' to the others, so he'd keep quiet, for now. That and Bert might not be offered whatever Trait or Ability he was looking for. A companion Power might even be reserved for the generally more powerful Traits or Path Abilities.

"So you're keen on taming a beast companion?" Fritz asked.

"No. Why do you ask?" Bert said, furtively.

"Are you jealous?" Fritz graced that accusation with all the respect it deserved, which was none, and ignored it.

"Though I do wonder what terrible monster you plan on chaining to your cause," Fritz continued.

"We'll be best friends," Bert argued.

"Closer than blood brothers." Fritz scoffed. His friend was just saying that to rile him up, he couldn't be replaced by a beast.

"What are you looking at?" Cal asked, back from the negotiations.

"Hmm, just browsing," Fritz said.

"You came back quickly. Did you ask too many questions and were then promptly banished?" He guessed from the man's somewhat dejected demeanour. Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. Cal nodded, then added, "I don't think they wanted me there, but Lauren also said that she'd teach me the basics later."

"Lucky you," Bert said, slapping the man on the back.

"Even if I think it's a waste for you to become a merchant. Just stick with us, be our luggage lad. We'll treat you well, and pay you in grapes."

"Grapes?" Cal asked, completely confused.

"Grapes," Bert confirmed.

"What?" Cal said.

"Why?" Fritz asked.

"Not why. Wine. But that comes later. After the grapes have been squeezed and aged," Bert concluded. Cal blinked slowly and Fritz smiled blandly. It was a classic ploy to distract via confounding.

"But enough about that, see anything you like?" Bert asked.

"It all costs too many triads," Cal hedged.

"We have, what, nine gold? Barely enough to get one Know-note up here. Seems like a lot."

"Yes, we've noticed," Fritz said.

"Likely trying to trick us into trading away our precious Treasures for healing potions or other necessities."

"I'll stick with my flail then," Cal said, patting the weapon tucked into his belt.

"What if we want to trade away our Treasures," Rosie said, joining in their impromptu huddle in the corner of the store.

"This ring is bad." she added holding up a hand and displaying the coral loop around her index finger.

"Oh. I'd forgotten all about that ring," Fritz said.

"You'll still get a better price down on the surface. Or you could leave this dangerous life behind, become a fisherman and never have to Climb again." Rosie scowled, as annoyed as he'd ever seen her.

"I like Climbing, you get somethin' for taking risks and facin' danger. Unlike the gutters where it's only struggling for nothin'."

"An astute observation, Rosie," Fritz said.

"Did you align more to Awareness?"

"Nah. All Durability all the way," she said proudly.

"Also got a Passive Ability called Ruinous Resistance. So my cut has been feelin' much better."

"A fortunate offering," Fritz remarked.

"Not really. Had to get stabbed for it."

"Huh, I got a selection of Actives," Cal said.

"I took Guided Toss."

"Well that will be very useful when packing a long wagon," Bert said.

"Or perhaps felling a foe with a thrown stone," Fritz corrected.

"Are we talking about Abilities? I thought that was for later," George said.

"It is. Next floor when we're not so surrounded," Fritz said.

"If we keep Climbing," Cal said.

"We're not?" Rosie asked with a frown. Cal seemed conflicted for a moment before he was saved by the lively voices of Lauren and Sapphire. They came from the appraisal room laughing and chatting. Lauren spotted the team, huddled suspiciously as they were, and quickly said her goodbyes to the lady beside her with a hasty promise they'd see each other later. And she meant it. Lauren strode to them, waving at George to make room.

"Why are you all lurking in this corner?" She hissed.

"You better not be planning a heist, because that will go badly."

"What?" Bert whispered, false outrage evident.

"Just because we're thieves doesn't mean we're going to burgle the place... but what would happen if we did?"

"You would trigger the wards, which are ingeniously linked to the Guildsmen here and would burn them slightly."

"Which would be an attack, and kick us out of the Spire," Fritz finished for her, following the logic.

"Correct," Lauren said. Surreptitiously Bert stopped leaning on the barred shelves.

"How much did you get for the materials?"

"Let's get out of here before we start discussing the details," she suggested.

"It's too crowded." The party readily agreed and regrouped at the space outside they had claimed. They set down the gear they had been lugging around the whole time, unwilling as they were to trust the other Climbers in the Well room. Sitting in a circle Lauren resumed their previous conversation, in a low, quiet tone.

"I got about two-thirds of what we might have on the surface, the lobster eyes were worth around three to four silver a pair while the claws and horns were worth far more at around ten gold according to length."

"Makes sense, they were a bastard and a half to carry," Bert complained.

"I was the one carrying most of them," Cal complained harder.

"My shoulders are still sore, even with the healing from the Well."

"That means you'll likely grow some real muscles, and join me and George in the bulky bachelor crew," Bert said.

"Wait, why am I excluded?" Fritz asked as if his honour had been impugned.

"Are you a bulky bachelor?" Bert asked condescendingly.

"I'm well on my way," Fritz protested. Bert sighed and shook his head, putting a hand on Fritz's shoulder.

"At least you have hope. That's the important thing."

"Then there were the eels, they weren't as fresh as they could be, but I was able to get a gold for each of them," Lauren interrupted, continuing her report while rolling her eyes.

"We're rich then?" Rosie asked.

"Somewhat, the total came out to eighty-four gold," Lauren replied shaking the clinking pouch with a pleased, if tired, smile.

"That much?" Rosie squeaked.

"More than we spent refilling our Treasures, a great haul," Bert said.

"How do we split it?" Cal asked nervously.

"That is the question isn't it," Fritz said.

"With a few answers, depending on who's continuing to the precipice with Bert and I." Cal nodded slowly.

"We'd have to discuss the values of the Treasures and other materials you currently possess, including the raider's pack," he continued.

"Though why take all the pains of counting and arguing right now when we still don't know what everyone's intentions are." A quiet enclosed the group at the end of Fritz's words, which he broke with a sudden, stern question, "Lauren, George are you willing to continue with us?" They seemed somewhat startled at his directness, but Lauren hefted the bag of gold in her hand. She looked at her white hide boots and she brushed her thumb over her lips, then she smiled wide and bright.

"I will. There's more to be gained and far more to see." Fritz turned his gaze to George, who was contemplating his response. Their eyes met and George smiled, then nodded slowly, stoically.

"Rosie?" Fritz asked.

"I'm all for it, beats the gutters any day," she stated.

"And, I'm tougher than ever." Fritz smiled at that and slid his gaze to Cal. The last of the group to make a decision. This was, of course, on purpose. Leaving Cal for last and having everyone else's approval first put him under a pressure of expectation. One that would be hard to ignore. It was manipulative, Fritz knew, to put the man in this position. But he could hardly countenance letting him leave with all that Treasure and gold they would have to split with him.

Especially after all the suffering he and Bert had been through to carry him this high. Cal took his time answering, this wasn't the same as the third floor. Too much had happened since then for him to be convinced by the begging of his sister or the pleases of the pretty. They all seemed to sense that, so they stayed quiet while he thought. Word of Courage might have helped here too, Fritz mused. Maybe I should take it as my Golden Seed reward. Although Treasure Sense is also a good choice.

How do Golden Se eds work in that respect? Now that I have all my Ability Channels full, will it replace one of my other P assives? Or is there another way to use them? Fritz was broken out of his distracting thoughts when Cal sighed and shook his head slightly. He clenched his fist, steeled himself and said, "I'll do it." The whole team voiced their approval with kind words. Bert, and then George, slapped Cal on the back before Rosie hugged him and he received a gentle pat on the shoulder from Lauren.

"Wonderful! A Golden Climb for a Golden Team," Fritz said. The team seemed to not have remembered this fact, judging by their surprised, then elated, expressions. However, before they could chatter and cheer Fritz interrupted their small celebrations.

"However, there is still the matter of mutinous manners. Cal, I need you to follow my orders, even if you doubt me. The same goes for all of you. I would have you all promise to obey me whilst we're a team. I can't Climb the rest of the way with those who don't believe in my judgement. For if they don't trust me how could I trust them?" Fritz channelled as much of his charm as he could into his voice and it resonated in his chest, ringing with Dusksong's own tones.

He could almost see his voice wash over them, enrapturing them one by one. A haziness entered their admiring, almost adoring eyes. Fritz frowned inwardly, but let none of his concern rise to his face. What was happening here? Were his words a spell? Was Dusksong's power influencing them somehow and subverting their will? All their stares were wide and somewhat glazed over. All save Bert who had that same wild gleam in his amber eyes and a grin on his face.

The others had relaxed features, and they smiled slightly as they prepared to give their oaths. Fritz couldn't let that be, they had to promise freely, not enthralled by some strange faerie magic he didn't understand. He clapped his hands loudly and pointed at Bert, they turned, stared, and the slightly dazed look in their eyes disappeared.

"What?" Bert said.

"You first," Fritz said, thankful that the subtle entrancement was so easy to break.

"Why me?!" Bert protested.

"I'm the most loyal!"

"Because you're second in command, you should set a good example," Fritz stated.

"Must I?"

"You must. Show them how it's done, no need for fancy words."

"Oh, Fine," Bert sighed.

"I promise to follow your orders, wash your clothes, make your tea just the way you like it. I pledge my entire being to his lordship's whims."

"Be serious Bert, just for a moment. It wouldn't harm your image any, for the team to see that you do actually have some sense and smarts." Bert grinned, then let his wide smile fall away to be replaced with a sensible, sober expression.

"You are my captain, and I follow where you lead. I'll obey your orders when you give them. This I swear," he intoned. And Fritz, somehow, could feel that promise settle around his friend's shoulder like a mantle.

"Who's next?" Bert asked.

"I will," George said with the appropriate amount of gravitas. Then he too swore the same oath, just as Bert had, word for word. Next was Lauren, who had no trouble with the words or promise. Surprisingly Cal vowed his support before his sister did, not having to be called upon last. It seemed that, finally, his loyalties lay in the right place. Rosie the last to swear, did so easily, eagerly almost. And then it was done.

After each oath, Fritz had felt them all becoming closer, bound by more than just the words spoken. That same ineffable air he had felt with Bert's oath cloaked their frames and sank into their Sanctums. Distantly Fritz thought he could hear the cold rustling of chains. Fritz wasn't sure that all had spoken true, though somehow he felt he would know if they had lied. Perhaps it was another feature of Awareness, or maybe Dusksong.

"Now that all that is out of the way, I should probably take a look at those Doors," Fritz said motioning to the three Doors to the Seventh Floor.

"Or I would if I wasn't so dead tired. We've had quite the day." The others nodded.

"I guess I should get started on dinner," Cal said, slinging his pack from his shoulder and pulling out some extra firewood they were able to scavenge from the jungle. It was still a little damp, but with Lauren's Fire Breath, it was no problem to get the fire going.

"Huh, smoke's just disappearing," Rosie said, following the thick grey plumes with her eyes as they seeped through the scaled stone roof.

"That's convenient," Fritz said.

"Very," Lauren agreed.

"Too bad there's no baths," Fritz groaned.

"There are actually, just behind the house and that high wooden fence. In fact, along with the gold, I also negotiated us a bath pass," Lauren explained, holding out a wooden token.

"Though it was more for my benefit than yours."

"Is that so?" George asked.

"It is. Sapphire was kind enough to ask me to dinner tonight. And once I had protested that I simply couldn't in my current state, she offered me the pass as a small gift."

"I see," Fritz said, glad Lauren had made a friend, but also suspicious of the Guildswoman's intentions. Was she trying to gather information on us, on me? Did they recognise me or my name? Am I caught? Fritz's paranoid thoughts were quickly interrupted.

"Does that mean you won't be joining us?" Cal said somewhat dejectedly.

"Indeed, your lessons will have to wait until tomorrow I'm afraid," she said, though she didn't sound that apologetic. In fact, under all her weariness she looked like she was looking forward to a dinner away.

"Take her some of the mangoes," Bert suggested.

"Yes, and try and pull as much information as you can out of her," Fritz said.

"She's got to know something about the current Doors, or how to make a little more gold from our Climb."

"Yes, yes. I'll see what I can do," Lauren said as she pulled a spare robe and her soaps and perfumes from her pack. She sighed as she looked her robe's blue wool over, "I wish I had something nicer, but this will have to do."

"Mind my things while I'm away, would you?" She asked, though she didn't wait for a response and strode away, keen to be clean. With a sigh, Fritz laid out his bedroll and set up his pillow and blanket, making sure it was all in contact with each other so it was still 'his'. The others followed his lead while Cal took care of the hearty stew he usually prepared. Lauren was back before they had even begun to eat another delicious meal of mango and crab.

She dried her hair by the fire and brought a well-worn wooden brush to set right the tangles and knots. And while she applied some powder to conceal the faint blue of her bruise, she handed the token off to the victor of their most recent great game of selection, Fritz. It hadn't been a true contest, he could intuit what hand sign they'd throw. That and Bert was his last opponent, and he always, always, always threw rock. The idiot.

"You place the token into the impression and the fence will open," Lauren explained as she stared into a small polished steel mirror and painted her lips a brighter shade of red. Fritz nodded and ran off. Within minutes he was behind the wooden fence, stripping off his armour and soaking in a wondrously hot bath.

Steam drifted around him almost making him forget he was in a Well room and only yards away were grizzled climbers munching on rations and cursing the Guides Guild for limiting access to the luxury of a good wash. There was even soap provided, which was good because he had used all of his up in the jungle. The heat was a soothing balm to his tired, aching limbs and he could feel his tension leeching away.

For just a moment, even though this amenity was provided by his most hated foe, Fritz allowed himself to relax and let it all go. Only four more Floors to go. He didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing, but at the moment it didn't matter. Worries melted away, and grudges old and new slunk back into the depths of his mind where they belonged. Right now he and his team were whole and of one purpose. Climbing to the top. Finally.