Stumbling Up: A Loser's Guide to Progression - Chapter 10: Meredeath

"I like the heft of Ched's axe," Leo said as he swung the axe around. It sang in his hands, whistling as it cut the air.

I bet it's got a handling enchantment on it. It's a Rare [Enchanted Axe of Singing].

Richard's identifying skill was more useful than I thought. Tandy had been picking up the destroyed campground. It was a clear sign she was stuck in her head.

"Great job with [Tighten the Weave]. I'm glad it worked." I tested the waters, watching her response.

Tandy kept packing, confirming my theory as she muttered, "Yeah, we got lucky."

I frowned, bending down to help nest the dishes to pack. I reached over and put a hand in front of the towel she'd been trying to fold.

Tandy finally stopped, looking at me, so I continued, "You did it. You used one of your skills in a fight. It's exactly what you wanted, why don't I get the impression you're happy about it?"

Tandy set the towel down and sat back, "I wasn't sure it was going to work. It almost didn't, but a spider weaves its web, right? I spent most of the night staring at the canopy, trying to figure out how my skills would be useful in combat. What will I do when the next one fails?"

It was unsettling to see Tandy so unsure, especially about her skills. She was the ‘sage potential,’ consistently mastering the next skill. The most sure-footed and confident in our group, at least until Leo got liquor in him. We were all in uncharted waters.

"It didn't fail. It won't," neither of us believed my words. Tandy returned to folding at the meaningless platitude, so I touched her shoulder. “Hey,” choosing my next words carefully, "If your skill does fail, we'll figure it out together." That, I meant.

She gave me her half-smile, which meant I'd gotten her superficial agreement. I decided it was good enough. Fake it until you make it.

The charred husk of the widowmaker was sitting not five feet from us. We had to be doing something right. Tandy moved to collect some of the uncharred loose webbing draped across the trees.

Not wanting to push my luck, I turned to our latest problem, "So Ched, you ready to come out of that cocoon?"

"I've told you six times, I want out!" he struggled against the bonds of the weave. Although it'd lost the tightening powers of the spider, he was still trussed like a festival goose.

"Great, what can you tell us about the [Trial Dungeon] to help us survive?" Leo asked, holding Ched's axe across his shoulders, mimicking the [Axeman].

"I told you, I can't share any information. If I could, I would, but there are rules."

"You need to do something for us. Last night was a complete failure of your escort quest." I chimed in, joining the conversation.

Ched sat quietly until Tandy put it together, "Unless his quest had an ‘or’ clause. Either he gets us to the [Trial Dungeon] or we die as punishment for not making it."

"Is that true?" Leo was starting to lose his temper, and with the guilty look on Ched's face, I didn't blame him. Leo lifted the axe and swung it hard. For a brief moment, I thought he was going to hit Ched. Wood chips flew as it sank into the log, not a foot away from our spider-bound captive. He bent down, in Ched's face, "Is it true?"

Ched's face was white as he gave a slow nod, looking away.

As much as I hated Ched at that moment, I took one look at Leo's face and decided I needed to step in. We wouldn’t kill Ched or leave him here wrapped up like a present for some other lurking monster. I pulled out my belt knife and began sawing at the webbing.

"What are you doing?" Leo demanded. I knew he was going to need to be appeased.

"I'm doing what we should have done an hour ago: free the idiot." Ched's body sagged in relief as the fibers loosened.

"Thank-"

"Not so fast, you still owe us. We saved you even though you were prepared to let us die. I think," I pretended to look around, "that shiny axe of yours would be a good repayment for our trouble."

Ched looked at his prized axe. I stopped cutting to let him think. Leo leaned over and pulled the axe head out of the log with a yank. Glancing up, I could see him trying to hide a grin. He hadn't wanted to kill Ched. He just needed justice in the form of a new, very sharp weapon.

"Yes, fine." Ched was smart enough to understand he could buy a new axe. For us, it was a huge win. We just scored a real enchanted weapon. Surviving the [Trial Dungeon] just got a little more possible.

After cutting Ched free, we finished packing up and headed out. Every minute we spent packing felt like an invitation for another monster. We packed fast.

Leo led, knowing the route best. He twirled the new axe in his hand as he walked. Tandy followed, fiddling with the ball of uncharred webbing she'd snagged. Ched was next, unarmed. He kept muttering about his quest. Richard and I brought up the rear of our group. I kept an eye on Ched while Richard watched for anything sneaking up behind us.

As the hours passed, the lowland, mossy forest of giant trees began to give way as our altitude increased. The trees were stunted, and the undergrowth became sparse. The [Trial Dungeon] portal was in the foothills of the Ursine Wall, the mountains separating civilization from the wilds. It got colder as we trekked, and pockets of snow sat in the shadows. Leo had linked us up to the main trail up to the ridge. The morning fog had given way, and the view was incredible. Woodsten looked so small nestled in the forests, the Eastern road snaking in and out of the city.

The narrow trail opened up on a saddle between two mountains. We’d made it to Bear Ridge. Over the millennia, a pocket formed at high altitude, causing an alpine lake to form. The basin also sheltered the area from the harshest blizzards. This is where a small [Adventurers] post sat guarding the [Trial Dungeon] portal.

Woodsten sent supplies for the area administrator, Malyc, who stood arms crossed in the middle of the path.

"You're late." Malyc was an odd fellow. He wore the robes of one of the bureaucrats of the Adventurer's Guild. He'd come to Woodsten seeking a post of isolation, and had begrudgingly become a mountain man to survive. Everyone knew he preferred his books to the challenge of Bear Ridge.

Tandy raised her eyebrow, "According to our quest log, we have twenty-two hours before needing to enter the [Trial Dungeon]."

A woman stepped out from behind Malyc. She was dressed unlike anyone I'd ever seen. Her hair was dark at the roots, fading into an unnatural slate blue that framed dark lines elongating her eyes. She wore all black, contrasting with her pale skin. Her thin pants were dotted with holes, and her white skin peeked through a design I realized was a skull.

"The countdown is to finish the dungeon, not enter it," the woman's words cut. She raised a clawed finger to rub at her forehead as though we'd already caused a headache.

"Oh shit," Tandy said. Distracted, I hadn't even triggered the quest dialogue for the [Trial Dungeon]. Tandy was on it, though. "She's right. We are so screwed."

"Yep, I hope the dungeon spits out my axe when it's done with you." Ched tossed the insult as he walked over to confer with Malyc.

Leo stepped forward, still in his pink sweater, holding out a callused hand, "My name's Leo."

She looked at his hand like he was a small child who had brought her an unwanted worm. Reaching out, she daintily touched the ends of his fingers, "Meredeath."

Leo's face blossomed into an interesting shade of red.

Trying to be suave, I stepped in to save my friend, "Hi, I'm Cole, and that's Tandy. What's your role in all of this?"

I didn't extend a hand, but I may have held my breath as her eyes scanned me.

"Is that a slug on your shoulders?" Meredeath stepped forward in curiosity. She held her finger out towards Richard, and I realized she didn't have claws. They were painted extensions to her nails. She waited, finger stretched as though letting a dog get a sniff. I don't know what Richard did, because she smiled and lightly moved to scratch his chin.

Her scent coiled around me. It was a dark woody musk reminiscent of secrets and dark promises. I hated how much I liked it.

I tried not to stare, but a skull amulet sat right between her breasts, almost pulsing with power.

"Cole, did you hear me?"

I blinked, looking back up into Meredeath's face. I could feel the heat from my cheeks as I stammered, "No, I missed it. What did you ask?"

She smiled, self-satisfied as she asked, "What's his name?" I stared at her stupidly, before she stepped away, adding helpfully, "The slug?"

The spell had broken, and I found my voice, "Richard. His name's Richard."

"If you two are done, we must get into the [Trial Dungeon] now. We have less than a day to complete our quest!" Tandy was almost panicked. I should have been, but this mistake confirmed what I already knew. We were destined to fail the trial.

"Why are you here?" I ignored Tandy, wanting to get one more word. Extend this moment when I wasn't focused on my imminent death.

"I'm here to join your party," Meredeath said over her shoulder as the silver chains on her boots tinkled as she walked away.