Back to work the next day, submitting my schedule change request in the morning and reading the approval after the shift. My temporary schedule after these next two days: two at work, then four off for the trip over. Two on, middle day off, then two on while there. Then four off for the return trip, and back to the normal five day loop.

　　Getting back into the grid, tonight`s midnight special at this establishment, roast pork, scalloped potatoes and some greens. And a stout. Several of us coming in, the others bringing the food to their rooms. Sticking around the common room, finishing my food, and then packing it in for the night. About to fall asleep and then the tick, level 10. Swimming and climbing are solid, but we`re going to be heading over the pass on the trip. Continue with climbing until rank fifteen, and maybe swap back to swimming after that. Maybe start doubling up Perception? Dang, not enough free points, possibly after Transference hits five.

　　Name: Lucilia Macarthy

　　Profession: Runemage Level: 10

　　Sex: Female

　　Experience: 34,881 (7,210)

　　Age: 20

　　Until Next: 8,869

　　Health

　　77

　　Mana

　　65

　　Stamina

　　33

　　Spirit

　　8

　　Strength (STR)

　　56 (3)

　　Constitution (CON)

　　63 (6)

　　Dexterity (DEX)

　　68 (14)

　　Agility (AGI)

　　87 (18)

　　Discipline (DIS)

　　76 (13)

　　Aura (AUR)

　　81 (15)

　　Logic (LOG)

　　72 (16)

　　Intuition (INT)

　　75 (17)

　　Wisdom (WIS)

　　44 (-3)

　　Influence (INF)

　　76 (13)

　　Name

　　Trainings

　　Bonus

　　Armor Use

　　6

　　29

　　Physical Fitness

　　11

　　48

　　Simple Weapons

　　11

　　48

　　Arcane Symbols

　　16

　　62

　　Magic Item Use

　　11

　　48

　　Harness Power

　　11

　　48

　　Mana Control

　　11

　　48

　　Runemancy

　　11

　　48

　　Arcane Lore, Shaping

　　11

　　48

　　Arcane Lore, Transference

　　4

　　20

　　Survival

　　11

　　48

　　Perception

　　11

　　48

　　Climbing

　　11

　　48

　　Swimming

　　10

　　45

　　First Aid

　　11

　　48

　　Trading

　　11

　　48

　　Stalking and Hiding

　　11

　　48

　　Sitting at the West Gate the next morning, five after nine. Had been here for fifteen minutes so far, again. Neither Riley nor Wolfe had come. Statistically, one of them should have been here, either this time or the last. Statistically, that should have been the case. But maybe they`re not going to show. Maybe they had only put up with me because they didn`t think they had any choice.

　　Had asked Kate what she thought about me, how crazy. Less, she had said. Less than what? Maybe somewhere between a hatter and a march hare. Maybe that was it. And a month from now, or months, we`d run into each other, somewhere, and they`d pretend they didn`t see me. Probably for the best, everything in my path had ended up dead. The guild, my old friendships and, most recently, myself. So maybe they`re only looking out for their own best interests. Why meet up? A false promise from a false friendship, loosely bound by proximity and circumstance. Everything else has been lost, what does it matter if that last tenuous thing goes as well?

　　Sinking down on the side of the road, head in my hands, losing all motivation to do anything. A sudden urge welling up, the desire to get some of the sweet smelling resin and blot everything out.

　　"Lucy," a voice, familiar, coming from the side. Vision blurring, getting to my feet and running over, tears streaming down my face.

　　"Kate, I`m sorry," barreling in, "I`m so sorry."

　　"What`s wrong?" she said, shocked, buried in my hug.

　　"I`ll try to be a better friend, I didn`t think you were coming, I thought you never wanted to see me again."

　　"Lucy, where did this come from?" she said, returning the hug. "You are such a mess. What happened to you having it all together?"

　　"I don`t know." Petulant and sulky, nose clogged.

　　"I`m glad to see you, too," she said, letting me cling to her. "Are you okay?"

　　"Yeah, I`m," pulling away and using my cloak to dry my face, "I`m much better now. Hey Kate, I was wondering if you want to go on a trip for the next couple cycles. Out west. A real adventure."

　　"Out west. Why? Doing what?"

　　"Joining up with Ishtar for their trip. Caravan duty. Figure we get out of this town for a bit."

　　"I don`t-" she hesitated, caught off guard, "I don`t know that I can leave right now. I`ve been," her voice getting lower," I`ve been having nightmares from what happened. Seeing you just now, I forgot how strong you are. But you`re already getting over it, aren`t you? Getting it all back together. Several days ago, at the inn, the same thing. You had just died, but you were fine. You were worried about me, instead."

　　"That`s an even better reason to come. It`ll be a nice change of scenery and it`ll get your mind off it."

　　"I don`t know if I`m up for it. I`m not as brave as you are. You were actually prepared, you ran in and tried to fight that thing and I said something awful to you about that. I`m really sorry, but I don`t know if I can. Not now."

　　"Is that really why?" My face starting to uncontrollably frown, a second wave threatening.

　　"I`m sorry again." Pulling me in for a hug this time. "I insulted you trying to say something nice. But yeah, that`s why. That, and I already told Matt that I`d help him for a bit."

　　"Is that right?" Giving me a guilty look. "The truth comes out. You really like him that much?"Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

　　"He`s been really great." A coy glance to the side, the beginnings of a blush. Ah, that`s how it is. Good for you, Kate.

　　"That`s a much better excuse. Why didn`t you tell me that first?"

　　"I didn`t want you to think I was blowing you off for some guy I`ve only gone on one date with. If you can even call that a date." Looking down, muttering. "And I really have been having nightmares."

　　"Kate, you`re braver than you`re giving yourself credit for." That guilty look again, she doesn`t believe me. She didn`t have the vantage point to see herself helping at the gala. "In that case, we`re not going outside today. Oh, wait, have you seen Evie, what`s her schedule?"

　　"I saw her yesterday. She`s got one, three, five off. I`ve got three, four, five."

　　"That works out okay, I`ve got two, four, five. We can all meet up tomorrow."

　　"Yeah, we-" Stopping, cocking her head. "What do you mean we`re not going outside today? You look ready to go."

　　"We`re going somewhere else in order to help you. We`re going underground."

　　"To help me. What does that mean? I don`t know if I like that look on your face."

　　"Kate, this is to help you." Definitely doesn`t believe me now. My smile growing. "You said you`re not brave, but that`s not true at all. You`re plenty brave, and this is to make you braver." The truly unsettling things are further below, anyway.

　　"Fine," she said, clearly fighting against her better judgment, "I`ll go. But just so you know, I`ve got a lunch date with Matt at one. I was thinking about inviting you, but I`m going to hold off on that invitation until after we get back here."

　　***

　　"I`ve never been so happy to see daylight," said Wolfe, shielding her eyes, emerging from the sewers. "Those white lizards weren`t so bad, well, until they opened their mouths, but those other misshapen things-"

　　"Blind Stalkers."

　　"Those things skeeved me out. Their faces, their hands. Paws." Shuddering, her hands mimicking their grabbling claws. "Whatever they were."

　　"It`ll help you with your nightmares."

　　"It`ll make them worse!" she protested.

　　"I really liked that new spell you used, that was great."

　　"I never thought I`d use it. I never imagined a scenario where something so horrible would be justified. But one look at those things and all my hesitation right out the window. You really are a bad influence."

　　"When you start sleeping better I expect a full apology."

　　"If that happens," she said, removing one of her gloves and shaking off the grime, "you`ll get it."

　　"That`s all I ask. Am I invited to lunch?"

　　Fighting against her better judgment again. "If you`d like." Wolfe removing her other glove and shaking it out. "But before heading over we need to get some of the muck off these clothes."

　　Walker less than enthused to see me, but his mood improving considerably after seeing my pint duplication trick. Promising to meet Wolfe at the West Gate again in the morning, and also to give her the cut from today`s Disjunction and skinning. Heading to the furrier first to sell the newt skins, and then heading up to sell the pebbles from yesterday and today.

　　"This is quite a nice haul," said Ink, using a magnifying glass on each of the materials from the manticores, newts and stalkers. "These ones in particular," indicating one of the black stones, "I think are going to be very interesting. I don`t have enough coin on me to pay for these, but let me write a bank note and they`ll sort you out down there." Handing me a note in the amount of two thousand two hundred fifty silver.

　　"I`m heading out of town for the next few cycles with Ishtar on their caravan route. While I`m out in the desert, is there anything you think I should specifically be trying to get?"

　　"You`re going out with them to Tasnanca?" she said, pausing for a moment to think. "I have a relative out there. Could you come by in the next couple days to pick up a letter I`m going to write to him?"

　　"I can come by tomorrow, otherwise I`m not going to be here."

　　"I`ll get it done tonight, then. Thank you, you`re doing me a huge favor. As far as things to look out for, I honestly don`t know, but I`m sure whatever you bring back will prove valuable."

　　Leaving the shop and doing a jig outside looking at the value on the bank note. Enough money in one and a half days to consider going legit, full time. Well, maybe not. Part of this belongs to Wolfe, and magic items are never cheap. Certainly much better than a comfortable living.

　　Heading to the bank to cash the note before going to the pawnshop to find upgrades for the trip.

　　"Ms. Macarthy," said the bank teller, "the fee for cashing the note is twenty three silver, which leaves two thousand, two hundred and twenty seven silver. However, there is the matter of your current debt that needs to be addressed."

　　Oh hell.

　　"First there are the fines you have accumulated. Five counts of assault within city limits, one with a deadly weapon, and three against your compatriots. However, all misdemeanors. I`m surprised, you must be turning over a new leaf." The teller saying the last with a smirk. Fairly surprised myself, thought it`d be worse than that.

　　"One hundred fifty silver for the assault in the Rat Cellar, one hundred silver for the assault in The Red Lion, one hundred silver for the assault on the streets of the merchant district, fifty silver for the assault in the hair salon and one hundred silver for the assault in front of the castle." Rattling them off.

　　"And then there is the matter of your unpaid citizenship fees,"the teller continuing. "From this transaction I have been authorized to take five hundred silver, a full year, and apply it to your balance, leaving an unpaid total of three thousand five hundred silver. In thirty days I have been authorized to deduct another five hundred silver from your account, and each thirty days thereafter, until that debt has been paid in full. This leaves one thousand two hundred and twenty-seven silver from the value of the note. Would you like it deposited into your account or paid out now?"

　　"Paid out. Give me gold."

　　"Certainly. The current balance in your account is five hundred forty eight silver, forty eight of which is available for withdrawal. Thank you for banking with us."

　　Going legit? More downsides than anything. On the upside, using the shield only counts as simple assault. Barely a slap on the wrist. No reason not to accumulate a bankroll and start using it more liberally.

　　Now to place orders. Significantly less gold than anticipated, about fifteen on me, three and a half of which doesn`t belong to me. Maybe give Kate an IOU? No, completely unacceptable. Still have time to head back down there and get more. Need to, anyway, for experience. Check the pawnshop first, get a feel, and then place orders for desert gear, new shoes and new clothing.

　　The pawnshop, a nondescripted two story building, didn`t look like much. Peeling, old paint and some missing shingles on the roof. But that was all part of its charm. The entry, a clean, square little room. One guard inside the room itself, giving me a cursory inspection followed by a nod, but several more regarding me from the arrow slits in the wall. Easily one of the most heavily guarded buildings in the city, beaten out by the bank, the castle, maybe one or two of the houses, and Sam`s. The guild used to be up there, too, lots of nasty traps.

　　Standing in the entryway, waiting for the interior door to unlock. Hearing the click and then being allowed further inside. A guard inside the interior door, eyes on me at my entrance, but not hostile. Never had a problem here, had never been overconfident or shortsighted enough to consider robbing the place. And had bought and sold plenty of items over the years.

　　"Ms. Macarthy," said the woman at the counter, "buying or selling?"

　　"Buying."

　　"Stairs to your left," she said.

　　Going to the stairs and heading downward. Did the building even have a second floor? Probably. Perhaps they kept records or ther paperwork up there. Or maybe it was entirely a facade. Never seen it. The one thing the building had was a basement, taking up the entire block, with thick, magically reinforced walls. Warded, certainly, and undoubtedly guarded.

　　Getting to the bottom of the stairs and finding tables and tables covered with magical items. A handful of other customers walking around, an associate here and there coming up to discuss certain features of a specific piece, and prices. Weapons, weapons. Edged. Hand axe or a knife. Got to go with the knife, its a classic. This guy right here has certainly done a good job, but its time for a replacement.

　　Considering the options, fingering the best of the bunch and then an associate appearing next to me.

　　"Good eye," he said, "the material on that beauty is top notch. An absolute steal at twenty two thousand."

　　"Very outside my price range. Fallen on hard times. What do you have for fifteen?"

　　"Fifteen thousand? Plenty of options. Why this one right here-"

　　"Fifteen hundred."

　　"I see." His face visibly souring at the vituperative. "We have a few modestly priced items over here that may fit your budget." Directing me to the next table over. "This one here at fourteen hundred. Fine material. Light. This one here, nine hundred. Decent material, but a bit heavier."

　　"How about," seeing one similar to one of my old ones, plain steel with a red glow, "how about this one."

　　"Eleven hundred."

　　"I`m either going to get the one for nine or that one. Let me see how they feel first."

　　Tracing. Drawing a Rune of Accuracy on the one for nine. Activating and giving a few practice slices and stabs. Very nice, the added weight actually a benefit due to being offset. Doing the same for the one with the red glow. More resistance activating the rune, but then taking. Grin coming over my face. Dagger like this, permanently enchanted with the rune, ten, twenty times the value. May as well be that in my hands.

　　"I`ll take this one."

　　***

　　Skipping the cobbler and clothing store entirely in my rush to test. Back underground. That very expensive dagger, enchanted, would be wickedly sharp, likely slice through chain, or tough hides, or carapaces, like butter. An absolute must purchase at some point in the future. The only downside being that an inevitable death would mean it was lost. A known consequence of field work, and the primary reason very expensive things were usually never brought into the field.

　　This dagger, though, normal steel, so no more sharp or sturdy than an ordinary one, although, when enchanted with the rune, very sharp and reinforced. But what this specific dagger brought to the table wasn`t the material, it was intermittent bursts of flame. Not quite intermittent, could feel them building up while fighting, could reasonably infer when the next strike would cause the built up energy to release into the target, searing flames left in its wake. The very expensive dagger was undoubtedly better, but this one, with price factored in, better in its own way.

　　And it was such a joy to use, knowing with certainty the next hit was going to be devastating. The energy entering from even the slightest nick, incinerating that general area on the target, leaving behind the smell of burnt flesh and hair. The newts weren`t so bad, although it did destroy the hides, but Wolfe had been right about the stalkers, at least in one respect, the smell was awful.

　　Finishing off another one, the gout of flame erupting from its head. Kneeling down to slice the Disjunction rune into it and then a feeling of unease, the hair on the back of my neck standing on end.

　　"Hey," said a man`s voice from behind me. Not too close, but close enough. Slowly turning, keeping my weapon down, non-threatening. Fighting the desire to run, wouldn`t do anything, likely counterproductive. Davos.

　　"I was passing through and saw your last two fights." Trying to steady my breathing and seek calm. "Its always pleasant to see a new face who seems to know what they`re doing. And a girl, at that. I`m surprised. The majority of the men around here aren`t worth a goddamn thing at all. And, as far as this activity, nearly all the women."

　　"Is that right?"

　　"Unfortunately," he said, shrugging. "So, some advice. Next level below here you`ll probably be ready for soon, but under that is the ruins. You`re going to want to head outside once you feel the next level down isn`t doing it anymore. Do something else for at least several months. There are some very ugly things in the ruins."

　　"I appreciate the heads up."

　　"Not a problem. Happy hunting." Disappearing from sight, his voice coming from the place he`d been standing. "Oh, and be careful on the next floor. Things can wander up. That deformed creature is the outcast runt of the litter."

　　Trying to keep my teeth from chattering. Still a very small fish in a very big pond. Fortunately, it seems he`s ignorant. Thought everything had come to a head hearing the sound of his voice, but there had been no hostility. And his hunting advice was spot on.