-

  The group of adventurers followed Segniture D’Aeggett through a gauntlet of traps, rats, and winding tunnels for nearly half a bell.

  They were each incredibly tense. Years of questing and guild training told them they should be ready to fight for their lives at any moment. Yet each encounter went incredibly smoothly.

  “Birt, this way. Set a 50 kilo snare. Just here.” James said and pointed to a large crack in the wall.

  The ratcatcher nodded and got to work. In a matter of seconds he had set a large snare around the hole.

  “There is a boss room this way. Yuri, we will need you momentarily.” James said casually.

  Yuri nodded. Up until then, her role had been fairly limited. She held a rope so party members could scale down a slope. She shoved aside a stone to make space on a ledge. She may as well have been hired muscle. Even with one arm, she was still strong.

  “See! I told you we were in the dungeon.” Marnie whispered to Clint.

  “We couldn’t possibly. We would be swarming in rats.” Clint replied in his quietest voice.

  “They roam randomly. And if he can see them coming then we could easily avoid them.” Marnie replied just before a rat lunged from the crack in the wall behind them. The snare Birt had set minutes ago closed around its throat and slowly strangled the monster.

  “Alright, I’m going in there, it will change me head on. Yuri, you strike the head with this heavy crossbow.” James said and produced the heavy weapon from his satchel without missing a beat.

  “Clint, Marnie. You two will flank on either side. Clint you intercept when it attacks me or Marnie and tank damage. And Marnie, you and I strike fast.” James said.

  Birt raised his hand to ask a question.

  “Yes Birt, you will be moving left around the room while we distract it to the right. There is a small annex, there are several crates and broken chests. We want a leather case, it’s circular with a handle. It’s the only green one. Grab it and run back here. Don’t open it.”

  James looked at each of the party members around him as he spoke.

  We will all survive this time, I’m sure of it.

  “Sorry, what are we fighting?” Birt asked with his hand partially raised.

  “Oh! That’s right! I haven’t told you yet. We are fighting the Crystal Serpent. The former familiar of the winter court’s councilman.”

  The group stared at him silently.

  “Oh yes. Sorry it’s a giant 30 meter long viper that’s intelligent enough to cast ice spells.”

  James pointed at Clint, then Yuri, then Marnie in order while he spoke.

  “Don’t stand still. Don’t look at its eyes. Don’t hit it three times in a row. It is quicker than you think. I picked you all for a reason,” He said.

  The group hesitated mulling over the simple battle plan.

  “Right. Let’s go in then, before you all over think this. Just do what comes naturally to you and we usually survive. Probably.”

  -

  “It’s the only green one! As if that helps at all!” Birt shouted.

  He was standing in the small annex filled with junk. What was described by Segniture D’Aeggett as several crates was in fact, a pile larger than Burt’s home with no hint of order or reason.

  “Well done Yuri! Now reload! You have 40 seconds.” James shouted as he dodged the vipers snapping strike.

  “Nothing to do, but wade through all this mess,” Burt said.

  He shoved a broken crate aside, and rusted armor scattered across the floor.

  Clint parried the swinging tail as the monster swept around to follow Segneture D’Aeggett. The monster shot a beam of ice at James but he switched directions and ran directly at the giant snake. Marnie charged into the monster’s blindspot and smashed her mace into its spine ending the spell.

  The serpent screeched. James thrust forward with his spear, activating his trust ability.

  The serpent parried the attack with a fang, and Clint was able to slam his shield into the monster’s face before it could strike James.

  “Watch out!” Clint cried.

  James recovered his stance and swung his spear around in an overhead whirl. The already off balance monster was knocked across the room.

  The serpent slammed into the archway of the annex. Birt dove to the ground and protected his head with his arms as things were scattered around.

  ”Nailed it!” Clint cheered.

  ”Keep moving!” James shouted as the serpent fired off its ice beam spell.

  Clint dove out of the way and the spell turned half of the room into an ice rink.

  The large serpent wound up and launched itself at James. Its checkered tail whipped back into the annex and shattered everything it touched.

  Yuri fired her second bolt from the large crossbow; it pinged off the monster’s back.

  ”Uhh, damn that monster.” Birt grumbled.

  He shoved a bookshelf strewn with moldy ruined books off his lap and spotted the green leather case beside his leg.

  “I got it!” He shouted, as he snatched it to his chest.

  “Alright! Time to go!” James hollered.

  Marnie and Clint worked their advanced guild choreography on the monster. Switching places to parry and block between heavy strikes.

  “You all could kill this monster any time now!” Birt cried from the annex.

  Yuri fired her third bolt and it pieced the serpent’s eye.

  As the monster reared back James swept the heavy crossbow back into his storage.

  “Move Birt! We will not need to kill it! Just run!” James yelled and pushed Yuri towards the exit.

  - 122 -

  After they passed through the Crystal gate, Damien and Seraphina pulled the Winter court’s tabards down and stored them in the ceremonial chest.

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  “Bloody politics,” The yellow robed mage grumbled. “Guards! Take this chest away and you mages, get the Summer tabards up! We are behind schedule now!”

  Damien stepped back and sighed. He ignored the quest prompt from the gate. He was ready to get back to his wagon and books.

  Seraphina was ecstatic.

  “John dear!” She called excitedly. “Hurry now. We have much to do!”

  “You didn’t accept the quest did you?” Damien asked.

  “Of course I accepted it!” She replied cooly. “You should as well, before someone else hiding in the city takes your place.”

  “I have enough going on as it is in this city. Favors to repay, debts, second chances… I don’t need this whole mess on top of that.” Damien paused in the middle as a possible idea occurred to him.

  “What ever that means it will have to wait. The restoration of our court is the highest priority,” Seraphina said.

  “This is not a quest for the young and whimsical.”

  “I’m older than you are, Ressian.”

  “If you do this without me you will mess up the whole thing,” Damien grumbled.

  Seraphina scoffed at the grumpy old Enchanter but a smile crept onto her face.

  New Quest: Restore the Winter Court to Power. (Y/N)

  Damien accepted the quest.

  A new panel interface popped up before his eyes.

  It listed the Winter Court’s assets, income, and expenses. Everything was zeroed out. There was a panel for the members list and he pulled that open with a thought.

  There were only two names, Seraphina’s and his own in the third tier. The council member’s seat was empty. All of the other seats were empty. He swatted the interface away.

  “There is much to do,” He sighed.

  -

  “That’s good.” Drew said.

  “The gate?” William asked looking at the Summer tabards.

  “No. Damien and Seraphina. They seem close.” Drew replied.

  The mages raised the Summer Court’s tabard while William and Drew waited before the gate.

  “Huh,” William said with a shrug. “You would know them better than I would.”

  Behind them, John laughed.

  “I can see it. They are both war mages from times long past.”

  The Tempered Gate was ready and the mage in charge glared at them as he ushered their wagons through.

  A whole new city! What adventures will we find next!

  Drew passed through the gate and the thick walls of Valoria. The tingle of ancient enchantments washed over him, they scanned him. The mana ruffled his feathers.

  You’ve entered a moderate Mana Density area.

  New Quest: Puzzling: A New City: Points of Interest I (0/10)

  New Quest: Racial Quest: Nesting Ground I

  New Quest: Racial Quest: Find a Mate I

  New Quest: Racial Quest: Grow a Flock I

  New Quest: Puzzling: Secrets of the Depths I

  New Hero Quest: Restore the Winter Court

  New Quest: Puzzling: Return to the Court Ball

  New Quest: Puzzling: Learn Alchemy I

  Drew Squawked as the wave of quest notifications filled his vision.

  What is all this? I’m not starting a flock!

  The wagons rolled into the small plaza on the other side of the gates. The plaza was wide enough for market stalls to cluster on both sides and still leave room for wagons to pass each other if the drivers were careful.

  The buildings here were well taken care of by their wealthy owners. And the area bustled:

  Seraphina reached up to grab hold of the wagon’s frame and climbed back into her away.

  Why are all these quests popping up now?

  “Drew! Are you Alright?” William asked.

  I wasn’t even asked to accept them! They just dropped on my list all on their own. Can I reject them?

  Damien paused and gave Drew a discerning look.

  “It is the Mana Density notification,” Damien said. “There are layers in layers of conflicting enchantments on all of the buildings raises the mana levels.”

  “If there are tons of enchantments, wouldn’t those lower the ambient mana?” Drew asked, momentarily forgetting the laundry list of concerning quests.

  “They are all drawing in ambient mana from here to the horizon. Many of them simply reinforce materials of the buildings,” Damien answered in his lecturing tone. “Then the buildings leak that mana back out into the city causing a feedback loop.”

  “Okay, well Yeah. But I also got a ton of quests out of the blue,” He said.

  “Are they for the Courts?” Damien asked.

  “One is, the rest are about Skurr things. Building a nest, and finding a mate.”

  “That’s great Drew!” A John said happily. “There has never been a flock of Skurr in Valoria.”

  “Yeah, no thanks,” Drew said with a shudder, the memory of baby bird food threatened to bubble up. “I’m not starting a flock.”

  That’s disgusting! Doing that with a bird? Even in a magical world is too much.

  “What a haul!” Thrain’s voice cheered from a barn shaped building across the courtyard. It stood at the head of a long stockyard.

  Thrain and Krag rode their wagon out of the barn doors and Marcus trotted along behind on his trusty Garnt.

  “Who wants to get paid?” Thrain cheered and danced on top of his wagon. He hefted a sizable bag of coins as if it weighed nothing.

  “We sold all the Garnts!” Marcus added happily.

  “Come over this way.” The mercenary captain said impatiently. “Our other wagons are just ahead over here. Best not block the road.”

  “A fine way to lose your coins!” Joked a John.

  Quest Complete: All that Glitters: (210/210) 210 exp.

  They met up with the other two Johns and their wagons. Thrain passed around their coins to everyone and the group had a quiet moment.

  Crowds strolled by about their daily business. Heads down, and in a hurry. The people in this part of the city couldn’t care less about new visitors.

  We are going to get swept away by the pace of this city. How can our group stay together here! There’s no cellphones or anything to keep in touch. Do they even have a postal service?

  John had the same thought as he put his arm around Seraphina’s waist.

  “Well. We made it! Just got my exp for delivering you all safely.” John said with false sadness.

  “You old softie!” Another John cheered.

  “We will deliver you to the inn, and then our business is regretfully done.” The Mercenary captain said in all seriousness. “If you ever need to travel again we hope you consider the Battle Brothers your first selection.”

  “We are going to see each other again, right?” Drew said.

  He looked at each person for a second but nobody spoke up.

  These strangers have become like family to me.

  “We have been through an adventure together! Can we really head our separate ways? Just like that?” Drew asked.

  The mercenaries were all silent. Two John’s looked at each other awkwardly but the third smiled wide.

  “We will commandeer the Garnt’s Hoof down in the southern district. You can find us there performing any night.”

  “Or drinking!” Marcus said with a smirk. “I have my shop to run on the mezzanine. Anyone can tell you how to find it, or you can follow your nose.”

  His smile warmed and he gestured to include all present.

  “You are all more than welcome to stop by.” Marcus said.

  Maggie marched her way up beside the captain and spoke up.

  “We will garrison with the fall court’s guards. The offer still stands. You are free to join us for training or any quests that take us out of the city.” She said.

  “Or delve below it.” Scarlet chimed in.

  “Quiet in the ranks!” The captain barked and the group chuckled.

  “I haven’t the faintest idea where to start.” William said. “I need to find the blacksmith guild, register as a journeyman in the city.” He clenched his fists over the reigns.

  “Since I’ve used the armor, I’ll need something else to submit for my journeymen’s exam. Drew. I would be happy to have your help with my next project.”

  The closest John reached over and tousled the young blacksmith’s long hair.

  “You should come with us to the Hoof!” There’s a smithy around the corner, last time I checked.”

  “The Hoof indeed.” James said a little out of breath. “You do favor that dive bar.”

  “Ha! Our man on the inside!” John cheered.

  “Took you long enough!” Another John jibed as he reached out to clasp James’s hand.

  “I am still mad at you.” James said and refused the hand.

  James looked around at the group of travelers and met each of their eyes. He locked eyes with Drew for a long second.

  “We haven’t seen you in years egg head.” The John replied glibly.

  The third John clasped Seraphina’s hand before speaking up.

  “How many times has it been already today?” He asked.

  “Too many.” James said somberly.

  “How many times for what?” Drew asked.

  “Okay get ready for the quick version that covers all your questions in 35 seconds.” James said and the Johns all held back a smile.

  “I have a curse that forces me to restart each day over and over sometimes. No I won’t explain it further. Yes, it’s permanent. The exact words are: Every day is a perfect day.” James said.

  Seraphina gasped and traced a sign before her chest and spat on the ground.

  “It’s like Groundhog Day!” Drew exclaimed.

  “No it doesn’t have anything to do with hogs underground and you are weird for saying that every time.”

  How many times have we had this conversation? A dozen times? A hundred? A thousand times?

  “Yes, I experienced a single day a thousand times before. Yes, I did use the curse to get my wife to fall in love with me. No, I did not go on an internal journey of self discovery to become a better version of myself.”

  James rattled off answers to questions before they could occur to Drew, counting them on his fingers as he remembered them.

  Is this really possible?

  The look on Damien’s face made the Johns finally laugh.

  “You find this highly unlikely.” James said as he turned to Damien.

  “I do. I find clairvoyance highly unreliable,” Damien said taken back by the whole performance.

  “You always do,” James said. “It is not clairvoyance. I promise we had this conversation before. Try this. Think of a city, any city.”

  Damien looked skeptical but nodded to show he had a city in mind.

  “Sandlebar. Now that you all believe me-“ James said, ignoring the shocked look on Damien’s face. “We have to save Drew from the High Pyremancer’s familiar, Brontide. If we fail he will be eaten. You have to put Drew into one of the cages or the Chimera of Summer kills him.”

  Drew’s wings flared with anger.

  “Absolutely not!” Drew cried. “Who ever, or whatever this chimera is we can beat it! Let Bromtide do his worst! I will not be in a cage.”