Chapter 7: Interlude – Ingsgate

As his spear tip broke off, sending the broken shaft through the nearest troll's chest, the knight of the Kingdom of Cadeep cursed his luck. Tossing the remains of the weapon on the ground, he drew his broadsword. The charge had taken him through the pack trolls that now began to turn so to attack the impudent human.

Moments later, a small dark-haired woman stepped out from behind a tree and raised a black bow. As she let loose an arrow, it burst into flames before slamming into the back of the head of the already wounded troll. Even the creature's thick skull offered no protection, and it collapsed into the swamps soft earth.

Suddenly a small ax flew out of the morning shadows and into the small of the back of one of their number.

"Got him!", a voice crowed.

As several of the beasts charged the mounted knight, others started to turn to face the new threats but not before being hit by two more axes. Then out from those same morning shadows strode forth, a heavily armored mailed warrior. Drawing a massive battle-ax, with a great bellowing shout, he charged.

After the last troll had been slain, the mailed warrior reached down, pulling a hand ax from the back of one the creatures, and growled, “Blast you Arthfaell, the purpose of the ambush was so they don't have a chance to fight back.”

“Seems rather unsporting friend, Uffe.” The knight dismounted to retrieve the broken spear tip from the troll's chest.

A small grin stood on the bowman's lips as she approached the fallen creatures. Finding several of her arrows had been driven right up to its fletching, she sighed theatrically, "I do believe I will allow the trolls to keep those arrows but Uffe, you have to admit, it was rather unsporting of us."

“You're no help, Gwendolyn,” the northern warrior grumbled, ignoring her giggle as he took off his nasal helm, wiping the sweat from his forehead.

Although it wasn’t bad now, being in the early part of the morning, the temperature in the swamp would become unbearable once the sun reached its zenith. It also didn’t help that the heavily armored warrior was a Wolfkin.

“Well, that’s another group of trolls that won't be threatening Ingsgate.”

“This is true,” Sir Arthfaell said as he scanned the horizon, searching for any more threats.

Moving to her husband's side, Gwendolyn began to check him and the others for injuries. “Albus's information about the increase in monster activity seems to be accurate.”

The knight and the bowmen smiled at one another but then turned upon hearing a splash.

Dropping from the largest of the trees was a man dressed in blue robes who snorted, "At least it's more accurate than his knowledge of the location to that lost city.”

The mailed warrior laughed. "That would require the guildmaster to have a sense of direction, Tulio. Even I knew that Autum should lie somewhere to the northwest."

"We did lead those imperial pikemen on a merry chase though," Sir Arthfaell smiled fondly at his wife.

"That we did my husband."

Shaking his head at the two annoying lovebirds, the wolfkin began the messy work of retrieving the troll's heart cores.

--0—

Inside the guildhall of Ingsgate, the adventuring band and a guild representative spoke of their most recent job. However, the most important aspect of the process, at least to the adventurers was the evaluations of the heart cores.

"Hmm, the quality is as almost as good as those from the labyrinth," the guild mage commented as she looked over the stones collected by the band.

She, however, didn’t just rely on sight but appraised them with the use of a small silver rod. As guild mage gently pressed it against each stone, the small crystal on top of the rod would glow a different color depending on the quality.

"I thought as much," Tulio grinned. All of the cores the band had collected appeared to be that way.

"Gertrudis, did I hear correctly the guild decide to raise the difficulty of the labyrinth?" inquired Uffe.

Looking up from her work, she nodded, "The guildmaster has informed the guards not to allow entry unless the band is C-ranked or better."

"Good."

"The younger adventuring bands aren’t going to be happy when they hear the news," Tulio chuckled.

The wolfkin shrugged, "Better for them to be alive."

"Oh." The guild mage smiled. "The Dawns March safely returned this morning."

"Egads, they must have Sarin's blessing," Arthfaell looked surprised.

"Who has Sarin's blessing, my love," Gwendolyn now wearing healer's white asked as she closed the door to the guildhall meeting room.

"Maria's band returned," her husband replied with a smile.

"There was never any doubt in mine eyes she would not," she stated as she took a seat.

"How far down did they go?" Uffe asked the guild mage.

"Rumor has it they made it passed the Blacks Falls."

"Merciful Dinya," Tulio whispered, knowing that if the rumors were true, the B-ranked band had descended at least twelve levels. He then said, "I heard that King Charles's been pushing the guildmaster to elevate them to A-ranked."

Arthfaell looked thoughtful. "Did they return with all their numbers?"

"They did," the guild mage confirmed before passing the receipt for the mana stones and monster parts to the party. "Thank you. The guild considers this job successfully completed."

--0—

Tulio looked a bit harried as he took a seat across from his band. They had decided to celebrate a little, and considering the gold earned picked one of the better taverns.

"I just returned from the shrine," he leaned forward. "The Archmage of Estassa suddenly appeared while I was there."

"Why in Nemin's name would old Phexidis come to Ingsgate?" Uffe grumbled before downing half of his mug of ale.

"I am not surprised, my friend," Sir Arthfaell commented, and then said, "News of the sudden increase in the dangers of the labyrinth must have reached his honored ears."

Tulio rolled his eyes. "I doubt he was concerned for our wellbeing Arthfaell, most likely Estassa worried about their supply of mana stones."

"Why should they not be?" Gwen countered. "However, I have also heard that the Archmage is an honorable man. Besides, what you say might be true, Tulio, but cannot it be both?"

The Ocalan mage just shrugged.

"Enough politics for one night," the wolfkin groused. "Did you hear if the guild was going to offer the Dawn a job of searching the labyrinth for any of the missing bands?"

"It’s a fool's folly," murmured the party's mage.

"How many of them have not returned?" Gwendolyn gave Tulio a look as she asked.

"Six total, although according to Gertrudis from what she can tell, those that retreated to the surface right after the flash of light all returned safely," Uffe responded.

"Well, the only named band missing is the Ten Thousand Knives," the mage scratched his chin. "The others were unknown D-ranked and C-ranked."

"They should have known better, idiots." Uffe shook his head and then finished off his ale.

"Don’t speak ill of the dead, my friend," Arthfaell said then turned to his wife. "You mentioned before we left that a few adventurers were still coming out of the labyrinth in one's and two's?"

"Yes, although that is no longer the case." She gave the group a sad smile.

"Well, from what I heard," Tulio began, "The reason it took so long for the Dawn to return was that the way back had changed. Their maps for a lot of the labyrinth's levels were of no use to them."

The knight of Cadeep looked shocked, "That was most unfortunate."

"Makes sense, remember Gertrudis mentioned that the first and second floors had grown in size," the wolfkin grinned as another ale was set on the table. He waited for the barmaid to walk away before continuing, "This might be a good thing for us?"

"Missing adventurers?" Gwendolyn asked.

"Wait, no," the wolfkin waved his hands. "It's just that it's been a while since we've been in the labyrinth. With fewer bands entering, there should be a good chance for us to make some good coin."

The party's mage nodded in agreement. "Plus, Gwen, the guild pays well for accurate maps. If we don’t go any deeper than say the fifth floor, we should be fine."

"Don’t call me Gwen," she grumbled. "And don’t tempt Sarin's fury."

Arthfaell chuckled, "Our good friends have a point, my love. I believe you are also tired of the swamp around Ingsgate."

"I'm never going to get the stink out my gambeson," the wolfkin murmured in agreement.

--0—

The town of Ingsgate had grown over the years since the discovery of the living labyrinth. The walls were not just filled with adventurers but the many that supported them from innkeepers, to shop owners, and even the guardsmen that kept the peace. Everyone also needed a place to live, and the wealthy discovered that the higher ground to the north, the miasma of the swamp was less troublesome.

Arthfaell stood at the bottom of the staircase in his small manor for a moment before asking a passing servant, "Stella, is my lady taking breakfast in the garden?"

The servant bobbed a curtsey, then replied, "Yes, Sir Arthfaell."

With a smile and a thank you, he headed outside to find his wife sitting in the center of the small garden breaking her fast. Leaning down, he kissed her cheek before taking a seat.

"You're up early, my love."

"Yes, well, I thought about stopping at the shrine." She looked pensive for a moment and then sighed, "I spoke with Mathis this morning."

"Oh," the knight said, reaching for a loaf of bread. "And how is our fine cook?"

"Two of the missing adventurers were cousins of his."

"I see, give him my condolences, but that’s the life we all lead." The knight looked thoughtful as he chewed on the bread and then asked, "What ails you, my love?"

"I am wondering if we have fulfilled our vows to His Majesty."

The knight sat up, not looking all that surprised. "I see." Thinking for a moment, he said, "I believe we have done all that has been asked of us for these past two years. Hendrik is coming along well and his cousin…"

"Oswald."

"Yes, did you not say he is a good addition to the Healer's Hall?"

"All he lacks is experience." Gwendolyn took a sip of her berry wine.

"Didn’t we as well at one time, dearheart," her husband then looked into his wife's eyes. "We have put off starting a family long enough."

She laughed, "You know me all too well, my love."

"This has been on your mind since the untimely demise of most of Agatha's band."

"Indeed, she was such a sweet child. She didn’t deserve what happened to her," Gwendolyn said sadly.

As the knight looked around at the courtyard, he remarked, "We have built a lovely home here, but it would be good to walk on my father's lands again."

Sir Arthfaell's childhood keep might not be as opulent as the mansion in Ingsgate, but it was home.

"I miss the sea," she whispered then smiled. "Thank you, husband. I hope this won't cause you trouble."

"Nay, my love. His Grace informed me two years ago that this appointment was temporary. At the time, I was the one with the most experience. Still, I will pass on my responsibilities to Hendrik. He seems to get along with our comrade's well enough."

"Do you believe they will stay together once we have departed for home?"

Sir Arthfaell shrugged, "Uffe doesn’t appear to be wanting to leave the adventuring life anytime soon."

"And Tulio will never get out from under his gambling debts," Gwendolyn grinned.

Arthfaell scratched his chin. "Convenient that."

"Tell Hendrik to keep an eye on that one. He might be one of your eyes and ears, but I don’t trust him," she said suddenly serious.

--0—

"Raise the point higher, rhyfelwr ifanc," Uffe called out to the sparing beastmen, both E-ranked adventurers. "You will end up breaking your wrist otherwise."

The foxkin in question nodded with a serious look on her face, the other a catkin returned the same nod. Circling the two began to fight once more, much like the dozen or so other adventurers in the guild's courtyard. It was an excellent place to increase those skills necessary to survive, and there was always a higher-ranked adventurer willing to tutor those who had the coin.

"Greetings, brother of my father!" a young voice called out from across the training ground.

Uffe raised an eyebrow staring at the last person he thought he would see in this swamp-forsaken place. "It's Uncle, Hillevi!"

The young wolfkin shrugged as she approached. "Strange language, Uncle."

She then smiled, greeting him less formally.

"Why are you here?" he asked, trying to keep the displeasure from his face. He had a feeling he wasn’t going to like the answer.

"She's playing with him," Hillevi decided not to answer the question. Instead, she pointed to the two combatants. "The fylgja, she's not taking the spar seriously."

Sighing, Uffe turned and nodded. He watched the grinning white fox dance around the catkin, easily staying out of his reach.

"Aurora good, she's rated as an E-ranked, but she will be D-ranked very soon."

The young wolfkin stepped closer to her Uncle and whispered, "What is one of the fylgja doing this far south?"

"Maybe the same reason you’re here, Hillevi." He looked at his niece, who suddenly moved further away to watch the fight.

"Your right, though," the wolfkin sighed then raised his voice, "Aurora, are you sparing with Oscar or flirting with him?"

The two combatants jumped back, blushing, then with a nod to her opponent, the fox girl jumped in, and the next thing Oscar knew, he was on his back, staring at a training blade.

Raising his hands, the catkin sighed, "I yield."

"She's fast, Uncle," Hillevi said, surprised. "Are fylgja all that fast?"

"For the most part, that’s why Queen Clíodhna Rhyfelwyr Ysbryd were nightmares on the battlefield."

He then stepped forward and spoke to the two beastmen. "Good work, both of you. Oscar, go find Phillip and tell him I said you need to work on your footwork. Aurora had you stumbling over your own."

"Yes, Master Uffe." The catkin jumped up and stumbled off to the other side of the guild's training yard.

"Aurora, you keep dropping the point of your blade. Go and speak with Carl. See if that’s truly the right weapon for you."

The fox girl bowed at the waist. "Yes, Master Uffe." She then trotted off in the opposite direction.

"So, should I expect your brothers to be showing up here as well?"

Hillevi looked confused for a moment then sputtered, "I…have permission to be here…Uncle Uffe."

"Oh?"

Puffing herself up a little, she boasted, "Mama gave me her blessing, and so did Seidr Mari. I am a Morwyn Darian even that fylgja is no match for me."

Raising his eyebrow, the wolfkin threw her a training sword. "Prove it, daughter of my brother."

--0—

The C-ranked group, Menton's Company, made one last check of their weapons and armor. They went through the list of supplies the would carry into the labyrinth then checked again. If they didn’t take it with them, they would have to do without.

Their numbers had grown as well. Bands often hired more adventures or joined other bands when delving into the labyrinths. Small groups were often not heard from again.

With a frown, Uffe motioned to of their new companions to come closer. "You two will stay close to me. However, if Arthfaell gives you a command, you follow it. Your mother will be angry with me, Hillevi, if you don’t come home in one piece."

The young wolfkin appeared as if she was going to say something else but only said, "Yes, Uncle."

Aurora grinned; she had hardly been standing still since entering the room. "Of course, Master Uffe."

"Stick to Imperial, Aurora," the wolfkin commanded then begins to look over his niece's gear.

"So serious," teased Gwendolyn stepping forward to look over the two new members of the group. "You must have some pull with the guild we didn’t know about Uffe for these two lovely ladies to be able to join us."

He just shrugged. "Since our job is just to map the changes to the first floor, the guildmaster didn’t object."

Both his niece and the fox girl already held an E-rank. He knew, however, that both were quite capable, and only guild politics wouldn’t allow them to be D-ranked quite yet.

"And won't you introduce me to the other gentleman standing in the back of the room?" the healer frowned, noticing the strange tattoos on the stoics man's face.

Hillevi looked up then to the back of the room then shrugged, "He's my caethwas tarian."

"A slave, really," mocked Tulio, who had been sitting on a chair with his eyes closed.

"He was a gift from my mother," the young wolf-girl protested.

Uffe sighed, "He's been with the family for years, and his name is Wyborn."

Shaking her head, Gwendolyn gave the wolfkin a look before warmly greeting the large man, "Well, welcome to our adventuring band, Wyborn."

He bowed at the waist in reply, shifting his large shield to the side.

Tulio noticed the hammer attached to the slave's waist for the first time, "He's armed."

Uffe turned to the mage and growled, "Would you expect anything less?"

The Ocalan native only raised his hands then went back to napping but looked up when three more people came through the door.

Sir Arthfaell entered the room, gave his wife a warm smile, and then asked, "Everyone ready?"

"Hendrik, Oswald."

Both men bowed at the waist as Gwendolyn greeted the two men who had accompanied her husband.

"I assume that the Black Ravens will meet us at the gate?

"Hello to you too, Tulio," Hendrik chuckled. "And yes, to your question."

The streets were quiet as the group walked down the cobblestone streets. Unlike the lower portion of the town, they were relatively dry. At least the smell from the swamp was not as overwhelming, not that you could convince the three beastkin in the band of that.

"There's Cecilia," Gwendolyn waved as the band approached the gates. Along with the town guards, six more adventurers stood waiting.

As the two women greeted one another, Sir Arthfaell approached the Corporal of the Guard and passed him a letter.

The guard took it, read it then nodded, turning to his men he commanded, "Open it up."

Returning the document, he said, "My lord, be aware that Guildmaster Albus has decided to close the gates to anyone, not on official guild business."

"Can you tell me why?" the knight asked as he put the letter away.

"Archmage Phexidis orders. He, along with the Dawns March, entered the labyrinth early this morning."

The knight gave a sidelong glance at the band's mage, who looked at him and nodded.

"Thank you, Corporal."

The party of adventurers soon formed up, final comments were made, and with a cheerful farewell to the gate guards, they entered the Ingsmouth labyrinth.

--0—

Author's Note: Happy Friday, home for a few hours. I took a nap, made some food, and got to do some writing. And out the door again, but not before another nap, I think. At least its to spend a couple of days at the beach. Hopefully, work will be nice to me so I can get back on schedule.