We rested for some hours, knowing what we were about to attempt might well lead to us running for our lives. Eventually, we exited the chest without any problems and took the path toward the closest of the pirate tunnels on the map, the sun still hidden behind the thick clouds.

The path looked like it would only be a short walk away but due to the strong winds, low visibility, and terrible snowfall, we barely managed to reach it before two hours had passed. The entrance to the tunnel was hidden by a series of trees loaded with snow, much of it barring the entrance of the cave itself.

We tried to disturb as little of the snow as possible as we entered, so as not to alert any pirates who might use this entry point in the near future. The walls around us were dark brown and held multiple coats of ice that gradually disappeared as we slowly progressed deeper.

We made sure to move silently but even the slightest of sounds was magnified and echoed in the underground caves. The noises we made seemed all the louder as we were walking in almost absolute darkness, which also contributed to our progressing very slowly, not to mention that we needed to remember the layout of the paths on the map.

For this reason, we decided to change our tactics and instead of trying to hide, we moved as if we were rightfully walking that path. We acted as the pirates we were pretending to be and did not need to hide.

I tried casting my basic illumination cantrip again so that we would at least have some faint light, but nothing happened. I was sure that I had cast the spell perfectly, since I had only done so a few hours ago. For the sake of certainty, I tried casting it again but, as I expected, nothing happened.

“Is this a null-magic zone?” Kai asked.

“I’m afraid so,” I replied, as he took off his bag.

“I don’t feel cold, though,” he said as he placed the bag down for me to search through, “which must mean that my cloak’s magic still stands. I guess magic items are still functional.”

“Let’s be prepared then,” I said, as I retrieved a small wand emitting a faint light out of the bag. “I’m only taking out a bag of rings that might prove useful, but also fit our story.”

“How are you planning to fit a bag of magical rings into our backstory as pirates?” he asked, as he took a shortsword out of his magically enlarged backpack. “At least this sword fits my story.”

“I plan to sell them to the people of the monastery,” I said, and brought the wand’s light down below my chin so I would appear frightening, “And maybe we’ll check out the security and layout of the place.”

“Oh, you’re good!” Kai laughed and acted as if he was shaking in fear. “You’re really good.”

***

Despite our lack of stealth, we didn’t encounter any people while crossing the intersections for more than an hour. I made a mental note that this part of the tunnel complex was not very busy at this time of day in case we would need to use it again in the future in order to return.

As we approached the large room in the shape of a seven-pointed star however, I could hear people talking. Since our plan was to act as pirates, we approached them as if we were walking on the streets of a city.

I could already distinguish three male voices and one female, though there was a chance we would see more people once we made the turn around the final corner and faced them.

Sure enough, there were four women and three men sitting on the ground, as if living there. They were all wearing loose clothes with a few animal pelts sewn onto them.

All seven, regardless of their gender, had long blond hair and black and red lines on their faces. It made them look terrifying, though they did not even notice our presence until we were actually upon them. Only two of the women saw us and immediately jumped back, making a sound which was half-fear and half-warning.

“Greetings, my kin,” I said in a merry tone. “Apologies for disturbing you.”

“Who the hells are ye?” said one of the men, who were now all on their feet, swords and javelins in hand.

Name : Rioma Jolmur

Race : Human

Class : Rogue

Level : 16

“We’re just passing through, my kin, ya?” answered Kai in a perfect blend of dialects, which seemed to ease the tension a little.

“How did ye find this place?” asked one of the women, who was holding a bow. “And where are ye heading?”

Name : Herena Jolmur

Race : Human

Class : Scout

Level : 17

“We’re heading to the monastery,” I replied, and took a step forward. “As for how we found this place, you must know this route is placed on maps, my kin. Hidden, but it is there if you know how to read them.”

“The monastery, ye said?” interjected another woman, who was still suspicious of us as Kai and I walked through the group. “The hells are ye doing with those spineless filth?”

Name : Manma Jolmur

Race : Human

Class : Rogue

Level : 14

“Trading, mostly,” I said and jiggled my pocket holding the little bag of rings. “Perhaps also seeing how secure the place is. Maybe figuring out its layout.”

“This one got guts!” one of the men shouted joyfully. “Not lots of brains, but guts nonetheless.”

“Ye got a plan to cross through the magical rainbow storm barring the path to the monastery?” asked Manma, the suspicious woman.

“We need to see for ourselves first, ya?” Kai replied. By this point, we had almost reached the southernmost corridor—the one that would take us there.

“Anyway, it was nice seeing you, my kin,” I said, as I was about to disappear into the tunnel.

“Wait!” shouted one of the men. “Where did you say you’re coming from?”

“We’re living in Leka An,” I replied, as casually as I could. “Just outside Yubna.”

“Yubna, eh?” said the always suspicious woman. “Who’s your king then?”