Dangerous Suspicions

The next day dawned bright, sunlight peeking through a knothole in the attic wall onto Arlan's face. He woke with a start, momentarily disoriented to be in a bed. The sounds of other boarders stirring and clomping down the creaky stairs reminded him where he was. With a yawn, he sat up and checked on Bones's bundle. All intact.

Arlan stretched and unfurled the cloth, looking at the inanimate pile of bones. "Time to wake up," he said softly, infusing a trickle of magic into them. In a blink, the skeleton reassembled and Bones was back, shaking itself in a gesture reminiscent of a wet dog. The rat hopped onto Arlan's shoulder as he donned his cloak. "Good morning to you too," Arlan chuckled as Bones nudged his cheek.

He slipped downstairs quietly to avoid paying for breakfast he couldn't afford. Out on the street, he bought a cheap meat skewer from a street vendor, eating the greasy morsels of pigeon meat and sharing a bit of the flavor with Bones as before. With his hunger sated for now, he made his way toward the guild, hoping to meet the others as planned.

At the guildhall, a commotion near the quest board caught his attention. A cluster of adventurers, some novice and some more seasoned, were talking excitedly about something posted there. Arlan sidled closer, Bones hidden in his cloak but peeking out slightly.

"—lost artifact, they say," one man was telling his companion. "A simple retrieval from the first floor, but it's a puzzle type."

Mira, already present, noticed Arlan and waved him over. Tomas, Leila, and Beren were there too, eyes on a new quest. "Morning!" she greeted. "We found a more interesting job to try."

Arlan scanned the notice they were looking at:

"Dungeon Scouting Quest (Beginner) – A valuable brooch was dropped by a merchant's guard on Floor 1 of the Duskhaven Dungeon. Retrieve it for a reward of 1 silver. Caution: Floor 1 has low-level monsters (slimes, giant insects, etc). Novice parties recommended with care."

A silver coin reward – that was quite enticing for them. And it meant going into the actual dungeon, not just local nuisances. It was a step up.

"Floor 1… So it's basically the entrance zone. Should be safe enough if we're careful, right?" Tomas said, almost to convince himself.

Leila looked eager. "I've been dying to see the inside of a dungeon. I hear even the walls have glowing crystals!"

Beren patted his axe. "I'm in if you all are. We can handle a slime or two, probably. And if we find this brooch, we split the silver."

Mira adjusted her mage's hat, which was slightly oversized for her. "We should be prepared for anything, though. I've only practiced one combat spell – a small fire bolt. It might not do much to a slime, but it could scare off insects."

They all looked at Arlan. He realized he hadn't yet used any obvious "magic" around them aside from Bones. Now going into the dungeon, he worried what else might come. "I, um, I can try to summon a stronger creature if needed," he fibbed. In truth, he doubted he could raise anything bigger than Bones yet, not without a proper corpse. And where would he find one in the dungeon? Unless something died there… Actually, monsters might leave bodies or parts. That could be a resource if desperate, but he'd have to be extremely cautious.

With everyone in agreement, they took the quest. A guild official briefed them that the merchant's guard had been attacked by a giant beetle near a certain landmark (the "Broken Arch") on Floor 1, where he dropped the brooch while fleeing. The guard survived, but couldn't retrieve it at the time.

Soon, the five of them headed toward the dungeon entrance outside town. Duskhaven's dungeon was famous enough to have a proper entry—a cave-like opening reinforced by stone and guarded by a couple of militia to prevent unsupervised civilians from wandering in. Torches flickered at the entrance, and a carved sign overhead read "Duskhaven Dungeon - Enter at Your Own Risk".

Arlan's heart drummed with a mix of excitement and trepidation. This would be his first time in an actual dungeon as an adventurer rather than a hanger-on. He recalled hearing that dungeons were almost like living things – they changed slowly over time, creatures inside responded to intruders, and treasures could appear in odd places. A strict system governed them too: the deeper you went, the more dangerous it became, but also the more rewarding.

The guards at the entrance gave the young group a once-over. One smirked at their obvious newbie appearance. "Stay on the first floor, kids. Don't go deeper, or you'll be sorry," he warned.

"Yes, sir," Tomas responded earnestly. They lit a lantern (Mira's light spell could only do so much) and stepped in past the threshold.

The air immediately grew cooler and damp. The walls were of natural rock in some places, artificial bricks in others—evidence of long-past civilizations that built parts of this labyrinth. Glowing fungi and tiny crystal deposits provided faint illumination along the ceiling. Leila's eyes shone with wonder. "It's just like the stories," she whispered.

They moved cautiously, weapons and senses ready. The Broken Arch wasn't far in, according to the guard's directions – maybe a 15-minute walk down the main corridor, then a side passage. As they went, they encountered another party coming out, laden with a sack of something. The older adventurers gave them encouraging nods or amused smiles at the clear greenness of the team. One even said, "Good luck, don't poke any snake nests," which did nothing to calm Arlan's nerves.

Bones occasionally poked his nose out of Arlan's pocket, whiskers (well, bones) twitching. Arlan kept a hand over the pocket to ensure his minion didn't leap out or get startled by any critters. Would Bones react to other undead if there were any? There shouldn't be on Floor 1; undead usually populated deeper levels or graveyard-type areas.

They reached a fork where a section of the corridor had collapsed ages ago, leaving a half-arch of stone – presumably the Broken Arch. "This is it," Mira noted, comparing to the description. "The brooch should be somewhere around here, unless something dragged it off."

"Spread out and look, but stay within sight," Tomas instructed, taking a bit of leadership naturally. They all began searching the ground, moving aside rubble and checking under bits of debris.

Arlan and Bones searched near the base of the arch, where some gravel and broken tiles collected. Suddenly, Bones froze in Arlan's pocket, the little body rigid. Arlan felt a jolt of alarm through his link. Then he heard it: a faint clicking, scuttling sound, like nails on stone.

He turned and barely bit back a yelp. From a crack in the wall behind them, a creature emerged – about the size of a large dog, with a shiny black carapace and multiple spindly legs. A giant dungeon beetle, its mandibles clacking. And it wasn't alone; a second one crawled out just behind it. The lantern light reflected in their multi-faceted eyes as they regarded the intruders.

"Guys," Arlan called out, voice high with anxiety, "we've got company!"

The others looked up. Leila was the quickest, already drawing her bow. She fired an arrow at the lead beetle; the shaft glanced off its thick shell. The creature hissed and charged, surprisingly fast. Tomas rushed to intercept with shield (he'd borrowed a small buckler from his home) and sword. The beetle slammed into his shield, pushing him back with its weight, mandibles slashing at his legs. Tomas grunted, trying to stab downward.

The second beetle skittered towards Beren and Mira. Beren swung his axe down, striking the beetle's back. A brittle crack – he chipped its carapace, greenish ichor oozing, but the beetle responded by spewing a stream of foul fluid. Beren yelped as some got on his pants, sizzling. "Acid!" he barked, quickly wiping at it.

Mira raised her hand, chanting nervously. A small bolt of fire shot out and struck the second beetle in the face. It wasn't very powerful – just enough to make it recoil and wave its antennae frantically, possibly blinded in one eye.

Arlan realized he needed to act. Two beetles – these might be the ones that attacked the guard. Perhaps they even carried off the shiny brooch. But first, survival. He set Bones down. "Attack the eyes!" he hissed to his skeletal rat.

Bones launched forward across the rocky ground, heading for the beetle tussling with Tomas. The Holy Knight's son, Cedric, had once boasted at the guild that even a humble rat can fell a beast if it knows where to bite – Arlan hoped that held true for undead ones too.

As Tomas wrestled with the first beetle, Bones darted around and climbed onto the creature's back, small claws finding purchase in the cracked shell seam. Then, with precision, the undead rat jabbed its bony snout into one of the beetle's large eyes. A squelch and a shrill screech followed as the beetle thrashed. "What the—?!" Tomas exclaimed, seeing a pale bony shape scurrying on the bug, but he didn't waste the opportunity. He drove his sword into the now-exposed softer area under the beetle's head. The creature gave a final shudder and collapsed, legs twitching.

The second beetle, partially singed by Mira, turned to flee back into the crack. Beren wouldn't have it – he charged, swinging mightily. "Not this time!" His axe cleaved into the beetle's side, nearly splitting it. A gush of ichor spattered, thankfully missing Beren this time. Leila's follow-up arrow ensured it stopped moving.

It was over as quickly as it began, but the team was left breathing hard and shaken. They gathered together. "Is everyone alright?" Mira asked, voice quavering slightly.

Tomas had a shallow cut on his thigh from a mandible and Beren's pants had a burnt patch, but otherwise they were okay. The excitement turned into triumphant grins as they realized they'd taken down two dungeon creatures. "We did it!" Leila laughed, relief in her voice.

"Thanks to… whatever that was," Tomas said, looking at Arlan. Bones trotted back to Arlan's feet, one of its rib bones now cracked from the tussle. In the lantern light, the others finally got a good look at the creature.

There was an awkward pause. Mira's eyes widened. "Is that… it's just bones?" she said in a hushed tone.

Arlan's mind raced. How to explain this? Bones looked undeniably skeletal now. Perhaps in the chaos they assumed it was a pale live rat, but now...

He quickly scooped Bones into his hands. "It's a summoned bone spirit," he explained hastily. "A creature from the spirit realm that takes the form of bones. That's why he looks like this. It's, um, an ability of my Summoner class." He tried to sound confident, as if this were perfectly normal.

Leila, arrows in hand, peered closer but kept a slight distance. "A bone spirit rat... that's certainly unusual." She gave a nervous laugh, clearly unsettled but not outright accusatory.

Tomas scratched his head. "Summoners usually have elementals or animal familiars made of flesh, not actual bone... But I guess if it's a spirit inhabiting bones, that could happen?" He was trying to reason it out, not wanting to think ill of a teammate.

Mira nodded slowly, her scholarly side considering it. "There are folklore tales of ancestral spirits reanimating animal bones to aid people. It could be something like that."

Arlan seized on that. "Exactly! That's it. It's a bit quirky, but he's on our side. He's been helping me for years." (A little embellishment, but sounded good.)

Beren gave a thumbs up. "Weird or not, that little guy saved us back there. Nearly popped that bug's eye out. I'm not complaining."

The tension eased as they accepted the explanation for now. Arlan internally sighed in relief. That was a close call. He gently placed Bones back in his pocket with a subtle pat of thanks.

Now, the brooch. They searched the corpses and the area. Sure enough, wedged in a crevice where the second beetle tried to flee was a glint of metal. Leila pried it out and held it up: a silver brooch with a red gem, a bit slimy but intact. "Found it!"

They cheered softly and decided to head out before any more surprises. Exiting the dungeon was uneventful and when they emerged into the afternoon sun, they collectively felt like they'd aged a year from that short delve.

Back at the guild, they turned in the brooch and received the silver coin, which they split into smaller coins among them (a generous reward for newbies). Their success in the dungeon earned them some nods of respect from other novices. Even Gareth looked impressed as he logged their completion.

Arlan remained on guard internally; he noticed one guild robed official eyeing him curiously when Mira mentioned his "bone spirit familiar" during the recounting. But nothing came of it then.

As the group sat again in the tavern area, nursing some stew and drinks provided as part of the quest celebration, Cedric entered the guildhall with two older adventurers. The noble Holy Knight looked a bit dusty as if from a trip, but still every bit as prideful. His gaze swept the room and landed on the group of five novices. Perhaps because they were lively and clearly pleased with themselves, he took interest.

Cedric approached their table with a small smirk. "Well, if it isn't the up-and-coming heroes of Duskhaven," he said, dripping with mockery. His two companions, similarly well-equipped, chuckled.

Tomas blinked, starry-eyed. "Sir Cedric! We just got back from the dungeon – floor one – and completed our quest. Two beetles and—"

Cedric raised a hand to cut him off. "Floor one, how impressive," he said with a condescending grin. "Truly the realm of legends. Did you need a whole team to handle those fearsome bugs?"

Mira flushed, "We're just starting out... Everyone has to start somewhere."

Cedric leaned on the back of a chair. "Of course, of course. No shame in baby steps." His eyes landed on Arlan, who had been trying to remain inconspicuous. "And you. I remember you from yesterday – the tag-along summoner, right? You actually pulled your weight, I hope?"

Before Arlan could answer, Beren bristled. "He did. Saved us in fact with his familiar."

Cedric arched an eyebrow. "Familiar? Let's see it then. I'm curious what sort of creature a street kid summons." The tone was not kind.

Arlan tensed, one hand protectively on his pocket. "He's resting now, after the fight. Summoning him takes energy," Arlan replied carefully.

Cedric's expression sharpened as he noticed the defensive gesture. "Resting? In your pocket, is it?" Without warning, he reached forward, surprisingly fast, and snatched at Arlan's cloak.

Bones, sensing aggression toward Arlan, reacted instinctively. The rat shot out of the pocket onto the table, standing between Cedric's hand and Arlan, tiny bony teeth bared in a silent hiss.

For a moment, time froze. Cedric stared at the skeletal creature on the table, his face a mix of surprise and disgust. Mira and Leila gasped softly. Beren half rose, not sure what to do. The guild tavern grew quieter as a few neighboring tables noticed the odd sight.

Cedric's holy aura flared just slightly – Arlan could almost feel it, like a warmth pricking at his skin. The Holy Knight class's innate reaction to undead. Cedric's eyes narrowed. "What is that thing?" he said coldly.

Arlan's mind raced to salvage this. "I-it's like I said, a bone spirit familiar. A summoned creature," he stammered, trying to sound firm. Bones held its ground, tail rattling.

Cedric was not convinced. He placed a hand on the hilt of his sword. "That's not a normal familiar. That feels like…" He didn't finish but the implication hung – necromancy. The word unspoken yet heavy.

Mira quickly intervened, standing up. "Sir Cedric, please. Arlan's familiar helped save us. It hasn't harmed anyone innocent. Summoners can have all kinds of unusual summons—"

Cedric gave her a withering look. "Stay out of this." Then to Arlan, "Summoner, huh? Who taught you such a summoning? The cemetery?" He practically spat the last word.

Arlan's heart pounded. If Cedric pushed, this could blow everything open. Others in the hall were watching now. One of Cedric's friends, a stocky cleric, whispered, "Should I get the Guildmaster? Or the templar?"

Seeing things spiraling, Arlan made a quick decision. He lowered his eyes submissively, a tactic he learned on the streets to de-escalate bullies. "I understand it's odd, sir. Honestly, I found the bones of a rat once and a wandering spirit took hold when I tried summoning. I was as surprised as anyone, but it's bound to me now. I mean no harm with it." It was mostly bluff and a prayer that this explanation would sow enough doubt.

Bones looked between Arlan and Cedric, its posture protective of Arlan. Cedric regarded the creature with a mix of revulsion and uncertainty. Holy Knights were trained to destroy undead, but in a crowded guild tavern, hacking apart a rat – which claimed to be a spirit familiar – might not sit well if he was wrong. And it hadn't actually done anything except exist.

Gareth, the clerk, approached hurriedly, sensing trouble. "Is everything alright here?" he asked, eyes flicking nervously between the noble and the novices.

Cedric held his gaze on Arlan a moment longer, then scoffed and released his grip on his sword. "Keep your...thing on a leash," he muttered. "If I see it out wreaking havoc or if one villager goes missing a corpse, I'll be coming for you." He straightened, smoothing his coat as if dusting off the encounter. To his companions he said, "Let's go. Nothing interesting here after all." Yet as he turned, he shot one last glare at Arlan and Bones, as though saying I've got my eye on you.

Arlan stayed rigid until Cedric and his entourage left the hall. Only then did he let out a breath, his hands shaking slightly as he pulled Bones back to him. The little rat was quivering too – maybe from Arlan's own fear echoing through the link or its own instinctual reaction to the holy aura.

The guild atmosphere resumed its normal buzz gradually. Gareth put a fatherly hand on Arlan's shoulder. "Be careful, lad," he said under his breath. "That one's got a stick up his arse, but also connections. Last thing you want is the Holy Order sniffing around." Arlan nodded mutely.

Mira offered a weak smile. "We know you're not a bad person, Arlan. Don't mind Cedric."

Leila nodded, though she still looked uneasy about Bones. "Jerk nobles. Pay them no heed."

Beren grumbled something about wanting to axe the pompous knight's head, which raised a bit of laughter at the table, easing the tension.

Arlan attempted to join in the chuckle, but it came out thin. Inside, he was rattled. That was a hair's breadth away from disaster. If Cedric truly suspected, he might not let it go. For now, Arlan had to be more cautious than ever with Bones, especially around the guild.

However, as they finished their meals and his friends talked of future quests (with Mira excitedly noting she leveled up from that dungeon trip, proudly displaying a new spell spark between her fingers), Arlan realized something else: Cedric might be a looming threat, but Arlan had allies now. These four, in their own way, had stood by him. Even confronted by a noble, they didn't immediately abandon or accuse him. That meant a lot.

When the gathering broke up for the evening, Arlan thanked each of them. "I appreciate you all having my back. I won't forget it."

"Of course, team sticks together," Tomas said, clapping him on the arm. "We'll see you tomorrow, right? Maybe we try that slime-cleaning quest Leila hates so much." He grinned and dodged a playful swat from the archer.

As Arlan headed out into the sunset streets, Bones snug inside his cloak, he felt a cautious optimism. Today had brought challenges and near exposure, but also a victory and camaraderie. He was still weak, still an outcast in many eyes, but not completely alone.

Walking toward the inn, Arlan whispered to Bones, "We made it through, buddy. Small victories." The skeletal rat poked its head out and nuzzled his cheekbone lightly, a gesture of affection that made Arlan smile. Despite the dark undertone of what he was and the dangers it posed, life had a spark of adventure and humor that he wouldn't trade away. He scratched Bones under the chin. "Let's get some rest. Tomorrow's another day, and who knows what trouble we'll find then."

Bones responded with a rattling purr, and together they vanished into the labyrinth of twilight alleys, an orphan necromancer and his undead friend at the very start of their long, secretive journey.