Chapter 52: New companions and enemies (1/2)
Chapter 52 New companions and enemies
Agor’s question to the incompetent scout was ignored completely as the supposed demon stepped out of the doorway. His instincts and experience told him long before identify even got him any further information that this was no demon. It was too late though as the more inexperienced parts of their defensive line already started to let loose their spells. All he could do now was maybe save the person’s life for his own but there was too much unknown.
Steeling his will he looked on as a piercing shot from one of the rangers was easily caught by the person in front of him. ‘Healer?’ he thought as a lightning bolt was dodged by the man with a slight tilt of his head. ‘Level 165? What is he...no...’ Fireballs and icicles clashed into the healer’s armor while the more pointy spells were dodged with minimal movements. ‘A woman...’ he thought as more spells reached the healer.
A sudden explosion of ash followed that left most of them searching for their enemy. “Cease fire!!” Agor shouted, accompanied by others shouting similar things.
“I believe we’ve met before but I assure you. I’ve come in peace.” Agor and some others were already turned around to find the healer behind Pete, holding a dagger to his throat. He looked at her and knew she was smiling. He too smirked behind his dark helmet. ‘Interesting.’ was all he thought as he advanced through the adventurers who were in states of anger, realization and confusion. More than Agor had expected had immediately stopped attacking after she’d stepped out.
‘Can’t believe Inström let loose his lightning though...that old fool is getting senile...’ he thought as he advanced to the tip of the poised adventurers. “So then you’re that defenseless healer girl we met a couple days ago?” he asked and continued, stopping a couple meters before the woman. “Then give me a reason not to cut you apart right now. And don’t think that useless scout will deter me...” he asked, having no intention at all of attacking the woman.
“You already told me two reasons my friend. I’m a healer and I’m defenseless.” the woman answered and played with the dagger in her hand. “Plus you’re in luck. I’m for hire.”
The adventurers stood there tensed before a laugh filled the room. Agor stopped himself after a couple seconds and finished with a chuckle. “Alright alright, come on girl let the man go. We talk. Inström, Jasper!” he said and shouted to the two other leaders before motioning for the healer to follow. He was confident of taking her down, she would certainly take some of the adventurers with her but it didn’t seem to Agor that she had such intentions. ‘Another one that loves the thrill has joined us...’ he thought and smiled.
Ilea took down the dagger and put it into her backpack. ‘Fuck it’s broken...’ she thought and looked at the still burning pack. ‘Should have left it on the stairs.’ the man scrambled to his feet after she let him go and looked at her hatefully. She shot him a radiant smile and followed the man with the spiky armor, not realizing her smile was covered by the helmet. ‘Worse than Arven that guy...where do they find monsters that horny?’ she smiled at the innuendo and started flicking the dagger in her hand. Her backpack was hanging on one side of her back, still burning a little.
‘I think that went pretty well. Didn’t get murdered, showed my ability without giving too much away. I can be incredibly useful to those people and they know it. Now let’s see what I can get out of it...’ she thought and looked towards some of the people cooking. One of the men shied back as he locked eyes with her. Some of the adventurers were whispering while others shrugged and went back to their games or preparations.
“Your backpack is on fire.” the spiky man said. Two others had joined her. She couldn’t see any of their levels but something told her they weren’t as dangerous as Edwin had been.
‘Close enough though...’ she thought as she got off her backpack and patted the fire out with her hand. “I’m aware. I’ll have to ask you to replace it.” she said.
The mage that had attacked her with lightning before wanted to say something at that but the third man stopped him with a gesture. “We’ll replace the backpack of course. So you sent quite the scare through some of the less experienced members of our party, although seeing their level I’m rather disappointed...I’m Jasper. One of the three appointed leaders of this expedition.” the man said and continued.
“Agor.” he motioned to the spiky man who simply nodded towards her. She nodded back with a smile, knowing he was smiling too behind his helmet. It wasn’t just her sphere that had told her that. “And Mr Inström, the third part of our leadership. Now we’re both aware that you likely have some rather interesting stories to tell and presumably some information that could help save us quite a bit of lives and time. I’d prefer not to get that information out of you with unsavory methods but I will if I must.” he finished.
A shiver ran through Ilea at that but compared to the fear of death it was more like excitement. ‘Oh I’d like to see you try old man...’ she thought but kept her smile going. “Perfect, then let’s trade. First thing’s first I have info on the room I just came out of. What do you have?”
“Before we trade we have to make sure you’re no danger to us or any of our adventuring party.” Agor said. “As much as I’d like to fight you I feel we could use another healer...and whatever else you have to offer.” the man said.
“And how would you confirm I’m no danger? My name’s Lilith as I’ve told some of you before. I followed a group of people down here but lost their track inside the great hall. My goal now is to clear out the dungeon and get as much info on it and the people I’ve followed as I can before leaving again. If I can do that with a whole expedition behind me then that is no problem for me.” Ilea said. What she’d said was certainly true, except for the expedition part. She would’ve preferred to be left alone in the dungeon but considering she’d already raided the treasury, there were only two ways left unexplored. And seeing the party hadn’t fallen on their heads, a meeting at some point seemed unavoidable.
“Well Lilith...then you may join us. All the artifacts we find go to the Forkspears. The more we find the more we’re paid. Contribution is taken into account of course and any information you could provide will be seen as just that. My condition is that you only enter a room when we tell you to and otherwise stay back. You’ll be guarded by me personally.” Jasper said at which point the other two looked at him.
“Do you not agree?” he asked them but didn’t get an answer. “Is that alright for you?” he asked Ilea.
“Sure. Some demands though before we start trading. If there are more than ten guardians in a room you let me go in alone. I assume the lives and time you might lose are more important to you than the experience?” she said. Agor chuckled at her demand.
“To me yes, some of the others will disagree though but I’ll convince them if they get too loud.” Jasper answered. “So what did you have in mind for the information. I’d rather be done with this quickly so we can move on.” he said.
“Is that seriously all you’re gonna check? You just believe her story?” Inström said, his voice still calm though.
Jasper looked at the man “I said I’ll be guarding her. Do you not trust me to take care of a level 165 healer?” he asked.
Inström shrugged to that. “I just think we should get some more information out of her before we start offering her anything.” a small spark formed on his fingertips at that but Jasper gestured for him to stop.
“Oh, some lightning resistance? That seems like a good idea. For the info on the room I just came from I want free service of the cooks you’ve brought, free food, free service of the smiths and some of your lightning spells.” she said, finishing while pointing towards Inström.
“Are you mad, I’m not gonna share my knowledge with you. Who do you think you are?” the man said in a calm and calculated way.
“What?” Ilea said.
“I think she means you blast her with it...” Agor said and chuckled.
Inström looked at him confused and then opened his eyes widely. “Oh for f…. sake...well you convinced me, she’s no danger to us...if anything she’s a danger to herself. Alright I’ll gladly use some of my lightning on you, it’s gonna be painful though I assure you.”
“I doubt that...” Ilea said and thought she might’ve just given away a bit too much information as Jasper’s eyebrows lifted up a little at her statement. Agor didn’t seem to have a reaction under his helmet.
“That’s a deal then. Agor alright?” he looked at the man who just shrugged “Tell us about the room then.” Jasper finished.
The adventurers watched on as the healer that had survived the attacks of over ten of their own followed their leaders to the map placed on a table in the middle of the room. Her greenish armor was a little singed and her backpack seemed rather unusable. People looked up from their games, cooking pots and from their conversations to see what was going to happen. Apparently a deal was struck with the proclaimed demon.
Some of the people started going closer to the table to listen in on the conversation while others with sharper senses let in their friends and companions on the discussed content. “….massive crater and parts of what I assume were a centurion...are you familiar with them?” the healer asked to which all three leaders nodded.
“Heard of them, never seen one. Agor?” Jasper said.
“Yea, got one a couple years ago. Took me damn near my life to take the fucker down.” he looked upwards reminiscing. “Our healer died as well to the machine...they’re smart. So you’re saying the people you’re following took one down?” Agor said.
“Maybe...could be longer ago too for all I know.” Ilea shrugged. ‘He took one down...had a team as well though. Is he stronger than Edwin? Edwin seemed to be protecting the others though. Using their spells was the safest method but I wouldn’t put it past him to take on a centurion...hell even two at the same time.’ she thought and explained the traps and rooms that led towards the armory.