BOOK SMART VS STREET SMART

  The atmosphere at school on Firstday is odd. Some students gather in groups whispering, while others go about their day as normal. Hand made signs appear on the walls denouncing the school's delving policy. A small group of first-year students are handing out the free Delvers Guild pamphlets. A few students claim with the guild’s resources on all dungeon information, the school’s delay is unjustified. Demanding the school to allow a guild instructor to administrate a test based on the provided information so they can dive this week. two weeks later, everything reaches a climax.

  “Morning students. I trust everybody has had a wonderful workout to start this wonderful day of learning.” Instructor Welch beams from the front of the class. “I trust everybody has read the material for today’s lesson.” “How does Essence affect our attributes, Squire Gleason?”

  “In my case, Essence enters my BG, filling my body with Essence, until my BA and my MA increases to the maximum it will hold, once my body has adjusted to the pressure my HP and MP rise.”

  “You forgot to introduce yourself. And does that alphabet you just spewed mean anything? Or were you having a seizure of some kind?” The classroom laughs.

  “Those abbreviations are acceptable per the Delvers Guild booklets. Sir.”

  “I see. Are those abbreviations in the textbook?” Squire Gleason looks at the Instructor and keeps silent. “I asked you a question. Can you answer it? Have you even read the textbook? I see by the fearful blank look in your eyes you have not. Time for a quiz, then.” Instructor Welsh takes several pages of paper out of his storage ring and starts passing them out. “You will begin when I say ‘Start.’ This is a simple quiz on the first five chapters in the textbook. What are you all waiting for? How many times do I have to say start?” The frantic sounds of panicked students scrambling to take a surprise test ensues. Thirty minutes later, Tanner and his friends, having read the book along with half the class, turn in their tests. After class is almost over, Instructor Welsh distributes the assigned reading of another five chapters in the textbook.

  The next class is one of Tanner’s favorite subjects, Affinities and Sub-aspects. Once the bell for class start rings, Instructor Shey, standing in front of the class, smiles and takes out sheets of paper. Handing the sheets to Squire Gleason. She request her to pass one out to each student. “It appears that some students believe the Guild information pamphlets can replace the textbooks.” Professors at Darton teach courses using textbooks that receive annual updates with the latest information available. We do not teach with Guild information. The Guild’s explanation of basic course concepts is lacking. You are attending Darton Academy, not the Delver’s Guild training program. We use the textbooks listed in the class syllabus. We teach in depth the latest theories and information known. Those that feel the Guild information is enough, please leave. Take the Guild test. You may start your test on yesterday’s reading now.”

  The other classes have tests for reading assignments, followed by course work. Then more reading for homework. After two weeks of reading assignments, then tests the following day. The first year class has finished reading each textbook's last page. Pressure from students to test for licensing increases, and instructors push back with course material mounts. Students receive a notification about a mandatory assembly in the First Year auditorium the following morning.

  “Good Morning All.” Dean Liafinor smiles from the podium at center stage. “Some among you have been actively working against the course curriculum and disrupting the advancement of your fellow students. There seems to be a bit of disgruntlement from some of you about your ‘Unfair treatment,' some have even left the Academy.” The dean pauses for breath while looking over the assembled students. “I am unsympathetic. Darton Academy has high standards. You will meet them, or fail. We go into much more detail than any of the guilds or even some of the other academies. The leading researchers in each field have written the textbooks. We have been teaching this way since the Academy system started. It is one reason Darton is the top academy in the Empire. Has anyone read all the Guild information about your current class assignments?” Several students raise their hands. “And have you also read the textbooks for the class syllabus?” Again, several students raise their hands. “Has anyone noticed the differences between the textbook and the guild booklets? After all, you can read up and study all the guild booklets and take the Delvers test. If you pass, you can get a provisional Delving License at your current age and a guaranteed License when you reach your Majority in two years’ time. The Guild test is in front of each of you, on your desk. You may take the test. If you pass, you can fill out the paperwork and take the contract to the Guild and have your license by day’s end. I will dis-enroll you, and even refund your tuition.”

  “What’s the catch?” Someone from the audience asks.

  “No catch at all I am a woman of my word.”

  Agitated, Claire stands. “There is no catch, but it is not a good idea.” She speaks in a firm, rational tone. “Read the contract line about being awarded your delver’s license.”

  One student stands and reads aloud. “The examinee has passed all written and verbal exams and meets all requirements to be granted a provisional delver’s license. This certification will upgrade to a permanent delver’s license once the licensee reaches eighteen summers, as long as they survive and remain of sound mind and body. What does that even mean?”

  The Academy Dean smiles and answers. “It means exactly what it says.”

  Claire, still standing, asks, “Dean Liafinor, what is the mortality rate for people who go this route?”

  “Fifty percent.” The dean replies flatly. Dead silence spreads across the room. “Squire Gleason, Squire Contigo. Have you both read and understand the Guild information?” Both girls show they have. “Front and center please. You are each being given identical instructions. You will read and follow them.”

  As the girls are reading, someone brings out two covered cages and removes the covers to reveal a level 1 goblin in each cage. Curtains separate the cages and the girls, preventing them from seeing each other. “You may begin,” the dean announces. Gleason puts down the instructions and begins a timid advance to the cage. Opening it, she jumps in to fight the goblin. The goblin’s clawed hand pierces her abdomen, extracting things meant to remain unseen. A healer teleports into the cage, kills the goblin, and starts healing the injured girl. Claire, meanwhile, has placed the instructions on the podium and returned to her seat. Again, silence reigns throughout the room. “A simple failure to follow instructions has brought us to this point. One relied on guild experience, the other on schooling. “Please read them.” After a few minutes. “Does everyone understand what happened?”

  “Squire Gleason didn’t read the instructions properly. In tiny print, the first page's last line instructed the reader to flip the paper over. The back of the sheet reads arm your weapons before entering the cage or return to your seat.” Someone in the room says.

  The dean replies, “Correct. Now turn to the folder and open that segment of your note books. Here's a list of days and their corresponding failing grades in your classes. Does everyone understand why your grades are the way they are currently?”

  Again, the anonymous voice from the crowd. “Some of us failed to follow instructions.”

  “Again, you are correct. Darton Academy has reasons for what we teach and why we teach in the manner that we do. Squire Contigo, what is the average mortality rate for the two year Academies?”

  Claire stands and answers. “Ten percent.”

  “What about the four-year schools?”

  “About seven percent.” Claire answers.

  “Now what is Darton’s two-year mortality rate?” the dean asks.

  “Five percent. Two percent for the four-year programs.”

  “Now will one of you students please explain why Darton has those kinds of numbers.” Dead silence spreads around the room. “None of you can answer a simple question, yet you know better than this institution. Every single course you take at this institution is designed to not only teach the subject but also a little thing called resilience. Anyone know what that is?”

  After a brief pause, Tanner stands waiting for the Dean to call on him. “Part of the course work is training us to respond in positive ways to challenges, mentally, physically, emotionally and socially. This better prepares us for the dungeon's challenge so we are less apt to freeze and die.”

  “Excellent answer Squire Wilson-Alexander. Those of you that have failed your classes have until the week's end to make up your grades or you will fail the class. Has anyone filled out the Guild paper work? I know of twelve. You will come and see me in my office. Gleason, you are off for the next two days. You will keep up your class work. You also may want to consider this. Your father is the head of the Delvers Guild, but sent you here for four years, along with a few other children of high level parents in the Delvers Guild leadership. I am sure your father will be here soon. When he gets here, you will be in my office. You, your father, and I will discuss your future here. Your willingness to lead others into folly makes me unsure if you are the right fit for Darton. You are all dismissed for the day. Classes resume tomorrow morning.”

  Penny emerges out of nowhere. “How do you do that?” Mick asks her. Smiling, she ignores the question. “I know you all are wondering what to do with the rest of your day. The answer is weapons training. Surprise.” She grins, “Let’s go lazy bums. Last one to the Combat Center gets twenty laps around the outside of the wall and wears two weight vests for the rest of the day. Instead of the one the rest of you will wear.”

  Tanner holds up his hand. “Everybody wait a minute. Penny, can you do a privacy ward?”

  Penny cocks her head to the side, examining Tanner. “Let’s move to a separate room.”

  After casting a ward. “Let’s hear it.”

  “What the hell was that? I know a setup when I see one.”

  Penny spits on the floor. “The short answer is Delver Guild politics.”

  “I want the long answer. Please.”

  “Okay everyone sit down, this may take a few minutes.” Penny takes a seat and waits for the rest to sit. “In the last sixty years, the Guild has shifted operations. They have become more like organized criminals than a helpful guild formed to foster the safety of its members. Volks Harbor was the tipping point, a step too far so to speak.”

  Claire interrupts, “Wait the guild was purged after that.”

  “That is an accurate statement. However, not everyone purged was guilty and not everyone cleared was innocent. The church figured out what was going on fairly quick, and those that looked like they were set up were not executed. Some are still under investigation. This lead to a change in the guild leadership. William Gleason came out on top.” Penny flashes a wolfish grin at her audience. “Bill is a reformer. He fooled everyone. He planned on taking out the criminal element once he got into power. William got a lot of the changes in place, but many of the more powerful are too entrenched to take out. This has fractured the guild. Our Squire Gleason, William’s daughter, was too na?ve, she was manipulated into becoming the scapegoat. She also damaged her father’s reputation with this little stunt.”

  Tanner stands pacing, “This was too organized for just her to pull off. It gathered speed way too fast. She had help and was encouraged to put herself out there. The dean is way too smart to have fallen for this, they forced her hand.”

  Penny kicks her feet upon the table and sprawls out. Watching Tanner with a small, proud smile. “What are you going to do about it Slugger?”

  “Me? I hate that guild. They are one of the parties that took everything from me.”

  “And if they were reformed, they could help many people out, like they used to.”

  Tanner stops pacing, eyes narrowed at Penny. Penny stands inches from him, her gaze on his. With a sigh, he nods his head, “You’re right, if I just stood by, I would be just as bad as the guild.”

  Penny puts her arms around Tanner’s chest and snuggles in hard. “This also gives you the opportunity to bring the one’s responsible to justice and maybe a bit of healing for your soul.”

  Tanner bows his head and kisses Penny on top of hers. “Not sure what I did to get a big sister like you. I will help her out.”

  Penny lets him go, unshed tears in her eyes. “Way to go Slugger.”

  “Tanner, you are very wrong about this. You will not do this alone. We will do this together.” Tanner looks up to see his entire party standing, looking ready to go into battle.

  “Alright, first let’s find out who she hangs out with, who are her friends. Find out their motivations and goals. Milly, you are the most outgoing, you will make friends with her. We are not using her. She needs real honest friends. If you befriend her it will look less suspicious. We will become her friends, not forcing anyone just if you can.” The other all nod agreement and acceptance. “Next thing is to find out who she wants to form parties with and who wants her in a party. Then, Jackson, can you use your Talent on them? We need to figure out all the players. Then we can form a plan on what to do.”

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  Connie asks, “Tanner how do you come up with plans like this? This is not normal.” The others, except Claire, also look puzzled and curious.

  Claire laughs. “He spent a few years in the Volks Harbor guard. He infiltrated street gangs.” The others sit stunned.

  “What can I say, Junior Guardsman Tanner Wilson-Alexander at your service.” He says, with a grin, giving them all a snappy salute.

  Penny straightens and grins at Tanner’s young party, then announces. “Forget weapons training; you have a mission.”

  The others spread out to investigate. Tanner heads to the Dean’s office. Once there, he heads for her inner office door. Her assistant is an older woman, tries to block him. Tanner ignores her, proceeding directly to the door. The woman leaps from her chair, barring his entry. “Sorry this is important.” Tanner reaches and gently picks her up and moves her to the side. He knocks with three loud bangs, then he opens the door, like the trained guardsman he is. The Dean, along with two guests, stare, shocked, at the doorway. Tanner, finding no empty chairs, retrieves one from his storage, then sits and maintains eye contact with the Dean.

  A deep resonant voice says, “Young man we are in a meeting here, you need to leave.” Tanner, not responding to the man, continues his silent observation of the Dean.

  “Well Squire Alexander, what brings you to my office? Here to insure the Delvers Guild is kicked out of here for good?”

  “That would be correct ma’am.”

  Sobbing, Janice screams at him. “Why do you hate me? I’ve done nothing to you. You and your friends run around here, stuck up, and never even talk to me or my friends. Now you want to make sure I get kicked out? Well, today’s your lucky day. She just did.”

  “Good I got here just in time.”

  William Gleason stands and steps toward Tanner. The Dean says, “Bill sit down if you assault one of my students, I will see you in prison. If you live through it of course.”

  The guild leader sits back down and asks, “Who the hell does this ass think he is?”

  The Dean stands, “Lets all step back for a moment please. Introductions are in order and then we can have a civil conversation. Tanner this is William Gleason president of the Delvers Guild, you already know his daughter Janice. Bill this is Tanner Alexander. Now Tanner why are you really here.”

  With a teasing smile on his face, Tanner says. “One I wanted to express my disappointment with you.”

  “They pushed it too hard and too fast before I could tone things down. I didn’t think you would be this petty to see a delver guild prospect out the door though.”

  “Why do you hate the guild and me so much?”

  Tanner turns to Janice, frowning. “Janice, I don’t know you. I don’t hate you. Can’t even say I like you. I do not know enough about you to declare either way.”

  Bill observes, “But you do hate the guild. I just met you and can see that.”

  “Before his recent adoption Tanner’s last name was Wilson,”

  “I go by Wilson-Alexander, from Volks Harbor.”

  William Gleason’s shoulders slump. “Any relation to Jack Wilson?”

  “My father.”

  Janice snorts, “So what Volks Harbor was faked. It was a staged event to remove the guild from the city. No one really died.”

  The two adults and Tanner stare at Janice, shocked. Janice looks back at them, seeing the disbelief and dismay on everyone's faces. Her certainty falters.

  Tanner, with an anguished look on his face, stands backing away from her. “You do not deserve help, especially mine.”

  Bill stands, placing his hand on his daughter's shoulder, spinning her around. “Where in the Goddess’s name did you come up with that bullshit?” Realizing her world view may be incorrect, a now frightened Janice names some of her father's supporters and their children, her friends.

  Bill sits back in his chair, looking tired. “This is my fault. I sheltered you from the reality of guild politics, from the guild itself, truth be told. Janice, I love you. You are my daughter. Volks Harbor was real, Tanner lost his father when the dungeon split. All of those people died. The guild’s actions are often criminal.”

  “My mother too she was inside.”

  The Dean shakes her head in disgust. “This is all your fault, Bill I can not believe you allowed this to happen. This is beyond stupid.”

  “I was attempting to shelter her from the...”

  Now on her feet, Dean Liafinor interrupts. “You succeeded. In fact you succeeded so well the both of you may be dead in less than six months. Tanner please sit down, she is just an ignorant girl kept that way by her father. She knows only the crap he allowed her enemies to feed her. Damn it Bill I am so pissed off right now, if imperial body guards were not in the room I would beat the crap out you myself.” The Dean paces, Tanner sits back in his seat.

  Janice turns to him, “You said, Your mother too, what did you mean?”

  “Hold up.” Marta, one of Tanner’s body guards, breaks stealth, and places a small stand on the desk, then a hand size orb in the stand. “This is an orb of truth, it may help a little to shatter some misconceptions.” She explains, while gripping Tanner’s shoulder in comfort. With a dark look at the guild leader and his daughter, she vanishes into shadow.

  “Thanks Marta. My mother died inside the Volks Harbor dungeon along with four others. She was forced in by the old city lord. My father died leading the defense against the overflow.”

  The girl sits and digests the information she is given, glancing at the white orb sitting on the Dean’s desk. “I thought you didn’t like me, none of you ever talked to me or anyone else. I thought you were all stuck up. Then I over heard you tell your party that the delver's guild was not an option for joining that anyone that joined would have to leave your party. I just thought. I don’t know what I thought.” She trails off.

  Dean Liafinor tisks, “Squire Gleason, Janice. Tanner and his party spend most of their time working to excel. They train for two hours in the morning before class and two hours after class. Plus, they spend an hour every day on mediation training. Every single school day, on Sixthday they train for ten hours. This has put them all in the top ten of the first years. Tanner’s class standing is fourth. They literally do not have time for chitchat. That he is here to help you is surprising.”

  “Maybe I want to see the Delver’s Guild cleaned up.”

  “I’m leaning more towards vengeance for your parents.”

  “Dean Liafinor, that thought is there if I am honest, vengeance for my parents, for all the crap in my life I have gone through because of their greed. The real reason is all of the families of the murdered people of Volks Harbor that day need justice. The survivor's, all of the broken families, the friends left behind. It has been fourteen years, and it is still an open wound. Every single person in the city that survived that day still stops whatever they are doing, and stares toward the dungeon entrance. That is why I am here.” Tanner Glares at the guild leader and says. “I was told you are a reformer and a smart man. So far I don’t see it.” Janice opens her mouth to give an angry retort when Tanner changes his glare to her. “Do you even know why you are here? Your so called friends that put you up to this nonsense. Left you high and dry, why you ask? Because the man that is supposed to love you and help prepare you for the future was too dumb to make his daughter aware of her situation. So he has allowed you to be led around the school like an idiot, completely vulnerable to his and your enemies. Goddess I’m only sixteen summers old and I see it plain as daylight. It’s past time you grow up.”

  Bill Gleason breaks his silence, “Tanner, you shame me. Janice, let me tell you the truth of the Delvers Guild. The last sixty years have been shameful.” As the man tells his daughter the sordid details of the guild she idolizes. Tanner listens, gaining facts and information on the major players. Dean Liafinor watches Tanner just as intently. At the meeting’s end, Janice Gleason stays enrolled. She’s on probation. Failing even one class means expulsion. Plans for the Delvers' Guild form.

  The day's end finds the decuplet gathered in the suite converted for group study. Tanner standing in front of a large chalkboard, writing names with arrows and a brief sentence under each name. A knock comes as he explains his work.

  The door opens, and Tolbur walks in. “Penny informed me, you have a mind training project that I could help with.”

  Claire looks at him with a puzzled expression. “You are going to help train us?”

  “Of course Claire. Investigations are a large part of what I do for your father. I see you have started an investigation board. Tanner I assume this is your work?”

  “Yes sir.” Tanner answers.

  “And you are looking into the Delvers Guild. To what purpose?”

  Tanner unconsciously comes to attention as he reports, “One of our classmates, Janice Gleason, daughter of William Gleason. Is being targeted, she was setup to fail and give her father a black eye so to speak.” he says, pointing to the names on the board.

  “Why is the Dean’s name on the board?”

  “She has a close connection to the guild leader. Sir.”

  “You know this how?”

  “My observations sir.”

  Tolbur decides, “So you are investigating a smear campaign? What is your end goal?”

  “I think she may be in danger. We want those responsible exposed and also expose corrupted elements in the Delvers Guild.”

  Pursing his lips in though Tolbur nods, “Alright I agree to help guide you. How many of you have done research today?” As the entire decuplet raises their hands, Tolbur nods his head and grins at his young students. “Now how many of you have reports on your findings?” Tanner is the sole person to raise his hand. “Thought so. Tanner, good instincts, excellent job so far. The first thing you all need to learn is report writing. So let’s begin.” A few hours later, the reports are all written and corrected. Tolbur calls a halt. “Tomorrow we will start filling in the board and discuss, you have all done well today.”

  Milly, looking over her Status Sheet, says, “Holy cats, my mind Attribute went up 15 points.” The others all scramble to look over their Status Sheets. Tolbur smiles and winks at them as he walks out the door.

  The next morning when Tanner and the others line up for their workout. Janice approaches. “Can I train with you all?” The decuplet look to Tanner for his answer. Tanner tilted his head, regarding Janice. Moments pass, Janice collapses, defeated.

  “Why?” he asks as she turns away.

  She stops, turns back and looks him in the eyes. “You hurt me with your words yesterday. Deeply hurt me, you hurt my father, but you told the truth. I had a long talk with him after our meeting. Tanner, he cried, I have never seen him cry. He kept things from me to protect me, and made things so much worse. You told me it is past time to grow up. You are right. I. Want. To. Do. Better.”

  “All right, you can train with us. We trained partied up. We have our reasons. Before you suggest a raid party. We will not, not until we feel we can trust you. Understand?”

  “Yes that sounds fair.”

  “Good, where are your grades?”

  “Ugh not that great, I have a lot of work to do if I want to pass with a 90.”

  “Claire will you train her for the Study Skill?”

  “Of course, we want you to pass, so you will workout with us in the morning and Connie and I will tutor you after the evening meal.”

  The next morning, two more students joined the decuplet. Within a week, half of the first year class joins them on the field mornings and evenings. Working alongside the decuplet.

  “Hey Rhys got a minute I need you to check me out, I’ve not been feeling right for a couple of weeks.” Tanner admits.

  “I am not finding anything wrong. Physically you are fine. What are you feeling?”

  “I feel full, bloated, and stretched out. I’m not sure, it is just odd.”

  “Any of the rest of you feeling this way?”

  “Claire and I both, the others are but not as bad. Claire and I have been feeling really bad since we hit 300 on all our Stats.”

  “I will look into it.” Rhys says, leaving the training yard.

  “Hey, Tanner,” Brandon Wayfair, the Churches High Paladin, greets him as he walks into the Palace training yard. “Hey Bran.” Tanner smiles at the older man.

  “You don’t look so good boy.”

  “Claire and I have been feeling off. We seem to have hit a plateau or something on our Stats.”

  “What are you at now” “Mind and Body both at 300, for a little over a week now.”

  “300 huh. Wonder if you hit the Tier Zero cap.”

  “What is that?”

  “Been talk for a few decades now about Status Caps. The theory is your Stats can only go so high for each Tier. Maybe there’s some truth there.”

  “Claire is feeling as bad as me, hope we get over this soon.”

  “Tanner, I don’t want you working out. Sit, something is very wrong.”

  “Penny wants us here to train weapons I figure I would just do light training. Hope the rest show up soon, or Penny is going to work them to the bone.”

  “So that is why she had me show up here today. I am helping with that small giant of yours.”

  Tanner, laughing, says, “Mick is pretty big, we measured him the other day six foot, seven inches. 280 pounds all muscles, he is the front line all by himself.”

  “Well, here are those pretty girls of yours. Damn Tanner she looks rough. Don’t tell her I said that. eh? I want you and Claire to just walk around the compound neither of you will be training today. Connie get to doing movement and agility drills while you’re waiting. No sense getting that woman on your butt, if you don’t have to.”

  Tanner laughing, “You are a very wise old man, sir.”

  The rest of the party shows and Penny declares they are all last. Handing two weight vests to each of them. “Tanner. Where is your vest?” Tanner freezes in shock. Dropping the two weight vests handed to him, he almost falls, picking them up. With a sigh of resignation, he just sits down. Claire stumbles over and half falls, half sits on him. Unseen, they cling together, spent. Bran and the rest of the trainers laugh at the rest of the group. “The more you sweat, the less you bleed.” He shouts out at them as they run by. “Move faster, ya lazy gits.” swatting them on the butt with the flat of his training sword as they run by.

  Penny approaches the seated pair, worry clear in her posture. Bran, standing back watching the trainees spar, unaware Penny has left his side, asks. “Is it my old eyes, or is Connie little erratic today? She can not seem to keep a steady pace.” Not hearing an answer, he looks around to see Penny standing over Tanner and Claire. Their body guards visible. Harold, Bree, and a few servants come running into the training yard. The rest of the Imps soon follow.

  Rhys running with several sheets of notepaper in his hand. “I believe I have identified the problem. We screwed up. They all need to get into a dungeon as soon as we can get them in. Now, right now.”

  “Rhys, that is against Church Law.” Harold warns.

  “They could very well die if we do not.” Rhys retorts.

  Bran exclaims. “Take them. Now, before it is too late. I will deal with the church.”

  Penny speaks up. “Closest is the one used for the Army’s novice scout training program.”

  “Sorry folks, we are running and you can not keep up.” Harold says, scooping Claire up and takes off running. The others collect Tanner and the rest of his friends, chasing after Claire and her father. “Who is going with them?” Harold asks approaching the Dungeon pillar.

  “I want to, but can not. Too many obligations.”

  “I am going.” Bree, still holding Tanner, “No arguments.”

  Harold nods his head. Looking over at Rhys, “You’re going too.” He says. Rhys bows and says. “Of course. They need a healer.” Looking at Connie and Iris, he says. “For now, at least.”

  The Imps place the soon to be delvers on their feet. Tanner and Claire stagger, looking around distractedly. “Tanner, you need to form a raid party, and you need to invite Bree and Rhys into your party.” Penny tells him. Tanner looks at the Dungeon pillar and sways towards it, moving like a sailor coming from a tavern on his first night of liberty. Penny reaches out and holds his shoulder. “Tanner focus. Invite Rhys to your party, form a raid party then invite Rhys.” Penny, not letting go, gives him a little shake. “Now your Mother.”

  “Mother is here?” Tanner mumbles, looking around in confusion.

  “Tanner, you need to invite Bree.” Bree says, giving him a sad, gentle smile.

  “Oh, that’s right. You are Mother too.”

  “Got it.” Bree says. “Now everyone in the party touches the pillar and selects YES.”

  As the delving group vanishes, Tolbur puts his arms around Eunice and Penny’s shoulders, hugging them. “They will be just fine.” He says, looking at Harold.

  “Bree and Rhys will take care of them. Anybody else notice Rhys got that ‘I just gained a Skill or Spell’ look on his face just before all of this?”

  “Damn that man, he did not say did he?” Penny grumbles.

  “Don’t worry, Penny those two are enough to take care of anything in that Dungeon.”

  “I know that, I could not go anyway.”

  Harold smiles for the first time since Tanner and Claire announced they were not feeling right. “We can celebrate tonight, and again when they come back.” He continues to smile at Penny.

  “Some celebration,” she complains. “I can not drink.”

  Eunice smiles, “Oh don’t worry, I’ll drink enough for you.”

  “And I’ll drink enough for Rhys.” Tolbur laughs.

  “I’ve got my wife covered.” Harold chuckles.

  “Oh how wonderful,” Penny sighs, “I have a baby in my body and three drunken louts to take care of. I hate all of you.”