Chapter 9

My nerves were wrecked. Most of the spine and backbone I'd showed two hours ago? That had been all bluster and bravado. It was hard to stop my body from shaking, and my head ached. Instead of running the dungeon, we'd gone to an inn right down the road. When I'd refused the ale they'd put in front of me, Gavin must have had a light bulb moment and cast heal, then cleanse and cure on me.

I took a long shuddering breath, and sat up straight. The five of us were joined by Fel's parents.

"Thanks, man. The adrenaline..."

"You must have been running on fumes, son," Johnathon Nesbit, Fel's father said. "You kept it together far longer than I could."

"I was running on fumes," I told him, picking up my mug finally and taking a gulp.

A beer had never tasted better in my life.

"I ordered the table some kebobs," Fel told me. "You seemed... to be in your head still."

"That's fine," I told her.

"How about you tell me the story of how you broke my daughter's future indenture to the Blackmans, and what this past week has been like," June Nesbit asked.

"Fel, this sounds like a you thing," I said, as a platter of kebobs was set down in front of us all.

She scrunched up her face and nose, then stomped on my foot.

"Owwww, hey... those are delicate. Gavin, the abuse, I think she broke my... pride..."

He laughed, and cast a heal on me. The headache? That went away as we all shared grins.

"So there was an honor challenge on the first day..."

WE STAYED at the inn for several hours, and when we were done, most of us were a bit tipsy. Fel's parents had to go and get their personal belongings from the Blackmans, and then they'd find a place to stay in the city and consider what came next. They could always earn coin as adventurers and dungeon divers. Good coin. They were both nearly level twenty.

We decided to head back to the academy. Gavin and his girlfriends had left ten minutes ahead of us, quite tipsy and giggly.

"I... don't..."

"Then don't worry about it right now, Fel," I told her.

I now had three indentured. Three. I felt sickened. It was for a good cause, but still, sickened. Fel stumbled slightly, and I put an arm out and caught her shoulder so she wouldn't go face first. That's when I smelled the familiar smell of Marlboros.

"That was the most I've ever seen grown men cry in my entire life."

Bamera's voice came out of the air close by.

"Thank you for telling the truth today," I told her, looking around.

"Consider it a good deed. What was it you were looking for in my shop?" Bamera asked, coming around the corner.

"Waterless cookware," Fel said, then burped.

"A heat stone for my potions cauldron and any cooking I do in my room," I told her.

"And... waterless cookware?" she asked.

"...and a partridge in a pear tree," Fel muttered, then started to slump.

I caught her and scooped her up.

"Crap, maybe some other time," I told Bamera.

"Give me two minutes," she said.

I walked towards the potions shop, the dungeon portal, and her shop right across the street. Fel was light in my arms, she weighed almost nothing. She really hadn't had that much to drink. I sighed. If she woke up and found I was carrying her princess style, she'd kick my ass.

As I made it to the steps of her shop, Bamera was already coming out. I gently sat down and put Fel on my left leg, leaning her up against me.

"Here's the heat stone. I have a self-heating cauldron however, and a self-heating skillet. Same rune idea as the heat stone."

"How much are they?" I asked her.

"One gold for all three," she said.

I pulled it out of my spatial storage and gave it to her.

"Sorry, but I spent some time talking to your new indentured as they left to go back to the city. You take care of the family. Every single one of them."

"I will," I told her. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure," she said.

"Even if it's... um... weird and personal?"

"Now I have to hear the question," Bamera said, sitting down and scooting to my side.

I sighed, not like that... I didn't mean...

"Gah... I just... is there a way to break a system contract for indenture?"

"As far as I know, no. For the paper ones you got today? Yes. Although it's a pain to do so. Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure," I told her, storing what she'd brought to me.

"Why would they want to be freed? If you treat them like you treat her."

"How do you mean?"

"What have you asked of her?" Bamera nodded Fel's way.

"To keep my secrets," I said with a shrug.

"And you're likely not to leave them in the cold, poor, and without means to help themselves."

"No, I'm not. But I'm asking... I mean... you've spent your life top side, here, under some sort of agreement or contract, right?"

"Yes, but I got my pay up front," she said with a smile. "It's not quite the same as you humans have, but would I want to be free? How am I not already free? I'm free of worry, because if I screw up badly, my master will fix things. If I'm threatened or injured, my master will take care of me. It does not have to be a horrible thing to be in service to someone or somewhere. Take Duke Kinson for example... He serves the Duchy, even though he rules it. To cheapen what he does is to cheapen the sweeping changes he's making, to try to make this world a better place."

I hadn't thought of it like that before.

"So what you're saying is that it's the few assholes who ruin it for everyone else?" I asked her.

"You got it. By the way, be nice to Samantha, or I'll beat your ass myself. She might be tough, but I've never ever seen her smile as much as she did last night. It's been more than a century, if I'm being honest here."

"You two go way back?" I asked her.

"At our levels, we all sort of know each other, even if we don't have burgers and beers together every weekend."

I grinned, nodding.

"Thank you, Bamera," I said.

"Pour an antidote/cleanse potion down her throat before too long, otherwise she might puke on you."

"Thanks. I'll be heading out now. I appreciate... well, everything."

"Don't be a stranger."

I scooped Fel up again and stood up. She laid her head on my chest and put an arm around mine as I carried her through the portal.

WE MISSED supper at the great hall, but only just. I got Fel into our building as the great hall was starting to empty. I was able to get her put on her bed before pouring the potion down her throat. She swallowed it and sighed in her sleep. Again, I pulled her boots off, and headed out to the living room.

I was still amazed and afraid of how today had gone, and was terrified of the repercussions. When I'd walked into Bamera's shop, I'd had no clue that life was going to spin the way it had. I had no clue that her master was the Duke. He'd paid for her services in advance. I wanted to ponder what that meant, but I was getting tired myself. I headed to the bathroom, and filled a pitcher with the hand pump. Then I filled a tankard with water, and put a small loaf of rye bread on a wooden plate and carried it into Fel's room.

She hadn't moved, so I decided to try to cover her up. She flailed around for a second, then her eyes shot open and she stared at me.

"What are you doing? Where are we?" she asked.

"I was going to cover you up so you could sleep off the food and drinks," I told her. "We're back in our suite."

"The room isn't spinning anymore," she said softly.

"I got you to drink a potion. It should have cleared up most of the alcohol in your system. I can go if you're all good now."

"I... how did we get back here?" she asked.

"I, um... had to carry you. You sort of passed out," I told her.

Fel rolled over on her back, and pulled a pillow over her head. I grabbed the blanket from the foot of the bed, the one for when it got extra cold, and pulled that over her.

"Who saw?" she asked.

"Nobody from classes. They were all in the great hall," I told her.

"I think I'm going to sleep now," she said from underneath the pillow.

"Want me to close the shutters and put out the lamp?"

"Please," she said softly.

I did, then closed the door behind me. There was still enough light coming in through the shutters that she wouldn't be in total darkness.

Grinning, I made my way to the living room. I was going to let my resistance build up, so I discarded the idea of getting a potion out for myself. Instead I got a loaf of rye bread out, and sat down at the small table.

I got my potions kit out, and the table was just the right size for it. I unfolded everything and got it all ready, except the heat stone and the cauldrons. I had containers for common ingredients. I wasn't surprised to see a small bag of plant stasis in the kit; I'd been the one to suggest putting it there. I took it and, with it being empty, put it on my belt.

I knew from experience that anything living couldn't go into a regular bag of holding. If I started picking or harvesting things I wanted kept alive, it'd have to go in the other bag, and worn until it was emptied. No big deal.

I got in my bag of holding and fished out my old, dog-eared notes. I had recipes. Some I'd copied, and a couple were theoretical. I obviously wasn't going to brew potions while inebriated, but I checked out what I had.

If I wanted to save coin for our group, I would brew potions. I just wished I had a skill for it. I wanted it.

You have learned Herbology. Skill is at level 4 from learning from a master!

You have learned Harvesting. Skill is at level 4 from learning from a master!

You have learned Potion Making. Skill is at level 7 from practice and learning from a master!

What the fuck...? I pulled my character sheet up.

Morgan Lovecraft Level 3 - Necromancer Strength - 10 Dexterity - 8 Constitution - 10 Intelligence - 12 Wisdom - 14 Charisma – 13 Skills:

Unarmed Combat – 2 Identify – 2 Mana Control – 3 Herbology – 4 Harvesting – 4 Potion Making – 7 0 Unassigned Stat Point(s) 0 Unassigned Skill Point(s) 0 Unassigned Class Skill Point(s) Equipment Without Stats:

Bag of Holding (Medium) Spells:

Level 1 Spells -Cause Wounds - Touch - Causes necrotic damage Death Bolt - Ranged - Orb of necrotic damage Mark of Death - Ranged - Marks a Target and prevents stamina and health regeneration for a short period of time.

Level 2 Spells -None Learned Level 3 Spells -Animate Undead - Animate a body to do your bidding for up to 24 hours mana dependent.

Undead Summoning - Summon an undead spirit. Most common are Specters, Ghostly Skeletons, etc.

Life Steal - Damage caused with this spell active is returned to the caster as healing energy.

Life Siphon - Same as Life Steal but can be used on group members.

Only half as effective.

Death Speak - Perform the ritual and the spirit will speak with you for up to two minutes.

Despite saying to myself I didn't want to, I got a potion out and drank a cleanse/cure. Immediately my head cleared. Did... did the system finally recognize my work and skill because I'd bought my own equipment? Or was it intent? Was this what I'd been missing? I packed up my kit and stored it, then I headed to the bathroom and splashed water on my face. I got a hunk of mint root out of my storage and chewed a bit of it so I didn't smell like garlic and a brewery. Those kebobs had been divine, but spicy.

I debated changing, but mentally shrugged. Something I had never done, because I'd never been apart from her since day 1, was give Felicity a key to the suite. I realized that, because I was about to leave and leave her alone here. I didn't want her to feel like she was stuck here. I got the spare key out of storage and a bit of parchment, and wrote a quick note. Then, I got the fire stirred a bit and added a log. I left the note in the middle of the coffee table with the key to hold it down, and headed out, locking the door behind me.

I started to pass the common room, but slowed as I heard the discussion.

"...Blackman. She didn't show back up."

"...had a beef with the necromancer."

"...probably dead in a trunk in his creepy suite of rooms. Her and her friends."

"...nobody has seen them today?"

"Oh hey, there he is," said the Chad type dudebro from last week who'd been aggressive as I walked past. "Hey, where are the girls?"

"Who?" I asked him.

"Missy, the two with her, and their brothers," the Chad demanded.

"Oh. That. They falsely accused somebody of a crime that could have resulted in the accused's death. When it was proven false, they were forced to leave the academy as part of their punishment."

"Bullshit," he said, standing up.

"Whatever. I don't answer to you," I replied, not breaking stride.

"The fuck you don't—" "Stop!" a voice thundered, and even I stopped and turned.

Zeke was walking our way. "What he has said is true. I got the memo from the dean himself. If you persist in this, nothing good will go your way.

Either of you."

"I was just trying to take a walk... so if this no load, can't cut it, pencil dicked, numb nuts hadn't stopped me, I'd likely be outside by now."

"You son of a..." Chad dudebro swung.

I waited until he was fully committed and just dodged. My dexterity wasn't as high as his, but practice and reading body language had literally been beaten into me by folks in the mid-thirties and forties, level wise. Hell, I was the second kid who'd got to use a hip toss on Duke Kinson, and win a silver coin like the first one did. So this semi buff asshole? He telegraphed his move and I didn't have to be faster than him.

"Stop," Zeke yelled, closing the distance just as the dudebro swung at me again.

I dodged the other way and leapt back as he tried to sweep my legs. I straightened up as Zeke caught his leg.

"Mikey, stop now."

I held my hands up, palms forward. "Peace," I said, backing up again.

"You're inciting," Zeke hissed.

"I'm not going to eat shit and listen to their slander without talking back, day after day. If this guy has a problem with me, perhaps it should be a matter of honor, and a proper duel be called."

The Chad stilled as he looked at me, then dropped his arms. "You're not worth it."

"Once I get started, it's hard to slow it down and stop it," I told him.

"Make sure next time you come for me, you're willing to pay the price. I won't hold back the next time you do. I'll fight back."

Zeke turned and shoved me back. I tripped and fell on my ass, sliding a dozen feet until I hit a table. I snarled, and got to my feet.

"The fuck is wrong with you assholes?!" I shouted.

"Go cool down," Zeke snarled at me.

"That's exactly where the fuck I was going before this asshat came after me, Mister head of house Zeke." The last of that came out as a shout, making everyone in the area quiet down.

"Go," Zeke said.

As I walked away I made sure he saw that I thought he was number one.

All I wanted to do was take a walk to the gates, maybe wander over Samantha's way and see if she was out and about. She was not only somebody I was wildly attracted to, but she knew about skills and... she was so smart. I needed advice, and I felt like I'd been tossed bleeding into the deep, dark ocean with sharks swimming around me. I needed help.

Who could I go to? I'd gone from happy go lucky, to holy shit, I was a ball of anger. I walked out the front doors and saw that the sun had almost totally fallen. Instead of heading to the gate, I went to the main central courtyard, where a small fountain sat. I don't know why, but the soft burble of the water gently cascading from one level to another drew me in. It was calm and serene. Something I guessed I aspired to be at that moment.

I sat on the top edge of the lowest tier of the fountain, and let my left hand trail through the water as I watched things around me. I'd forgotten to change out of my dungeon gear, so I was probably a dark blob in the growing night. I was totally surprised when a woman walked out of the shadows to my left, so surprised I almost fell into the fountain.

"There you are," Myra said.

"Holy shit. You're way too good at that," I said, holding a hand against my chest.

"Yeah. Listen..." She hesitated, then sat down next to me.

I noted she was wearing all black like I was, her hair mostly underneath some sort of bandana.

"Yeah?" I said.

"What's your plans with Fel's parents?"

"Let them live their lives on their own terms," I told her.

"Yeah, I hear that, but what's your real plans? I mean, I know they have cursed rings that can hide your levels, and after what I saw today..."

I held up my hands, showing her I wasn't wearing any. Then I pulled off my boots and socks, splaying my toes out.

"Sorry, I'm not wearing any other kind of ring," I said, and mentally sent her my character sheet.

She snorted, then started laughing, and a moment later I did too. I don't know why. This entire... no, check that. Today had been good, but I was back in my funk. My depression was where I'd idled at, and for the past week happiness had infected me with something I wasn't sure I'd be able to handle. Hope. Still, I laughed, and it felt good again.

"Well thank God for that. How did you have the balls to stand up to Seamus like that?" she asked.

"They had no idea I'd been with the Captain of the Guard, like... the head of the guard, last night. They got caught out in a bad lie. Seamus?

Losing a hand would have sucked for him, but for his daughter and her friends? How many mages could afford to lose a hand and still be mages?" I asked her.

"He was a non-combat class..."

"Yeah, merchant and politician. It was sort of hilarious when he realized he'd gone all in on a lie, and might share his daughter's punishment."

"And you got them all thrown out, freed Fel's parents, and got a pile of gold that makes most folks retire... So, I ask you again... No, I'm..."

"I'm just a dumb kid from Earth who's just trying to do the right thing," I told her.

She chuffed a moment in surprise, then shook her head at me. "None of us are kids, and haven't been for years."

"True that. What really brings you out here?" I asked her.

"Um... well... the whole 'two girlfriend' thing Gavin has going on? I don't mind sharing him, but it's Seery's night."

"Gotcha. So not sharing at the same time?" I asked, truly curious and feeling confident she wouldn't kill me for asking.

"Oh, hell no," she said, bumping my shoulder with hers. "Listen... it's cool that you're with Professor Braylee."

"Why is that?" I asked her.

"Because we can be friends without the other complications."

I... let the silence grow.

"Shit, I'm sorry," she muttered, not looking my way. "I didn't mean it like that."

"No, it's cool," I told her. "Can I tell you something?"

"Sure," she said after waiting a heartbeat or two. Ok, it was four, but who was counting?

"I never really had close friends here in this world until... this week?

Like... I don't know why, but I'm starting to feel like the four of you are the family I never got a chance to grow up with."

Shit. Shit. Shit. Danger Will Robinson. I turned away as my face burned. Instead, Myra leaned in and rested her shoulder against mine.

"There will never be anything between you and I, but if things were different..."

"Don't," I warned her. "Don't open that door."

"I'm making sure it's closed," she muttered.

"You just told me where the key to the lock is," I said, "so don't make me go all edge lord dark emo cry guy. You're a cool lady. You're as much a friend as Gav is. That's all I want to see you as."

"I know. Listen, about Fel..."

"Yeah?" I asked her.

"She's kind of hot, right?"

"I honestly don't know," I told her. "She's like a little sister to me."

"You're serious?" she asked.

"Yeah?"

"Damn, I guess Samantha lucked out catching your eye then." Then she got up. "Don't stay out too late. Zeke's furious, and I think he's feeling guilty for having to go hard at you so he didn't seem like he was playing favorites. Just like... walk softly."

"Wait, he was what?" I asked.

"Oh, my God. You're that clueless?" she asked with no hesitation.

"I'm clueless. I need it beaten into my cerebral matter. What? Zeke was going at me so he didn't lose face with the rest of the house?"

"Duh!" she said, flicking my forehead. "I swear to all that is holy, you're almost completely hopeless. If you weren't a walking paradigm breaker, you'd be scary like people really think you are."

I didn't say anything and watched as she disappeared into a shadow. The soft burble of the water was almost as loud as my heartbeat that was thundering in my ears. Overhead, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and a cool wind started to blow. I sat there, listening to the academy as it settled in for the night.

I had things to do, places to be. I needed strength for what I thought was coming, but I had to prepare. With the money I had now I could do it in theory... but I also needed to catch up to the team's levels. I was literally the weakest link. No matter how people talked about how scary I was, my skills, or what I allegedly did, I was still a third level necromancer without minions. That had to change.