***** ASTRAL SPACE *****

James stood next to the Monolith and pondered the writing on the metal plates. His new Ability of PSI Sense detected the Monolith as PSI Active. He tested the range of 4 meters and confirmed that it was more an on/off since. He couldn't tell the direction or the strength, only that something was triggering the Sense. He had promised to meet with Soloman after seven days, but they never specified a time. James tried to guess the time of day they met last time and figured to aim for that period as well.

'You're sure that no one has ever heard of the names of these places?' James asked Rocko again.

'Very sure. We consulted with several sages, and none had ever heard of these locations. We tried to reach out to some of the Races that wander the Astral Space, but none have gotten back to us. Sorry.' Rocko sent back.

'I have been wondering if one of these paths would lead to Earth,' James stated.

'Earth. That is the world you are from, correct?' Rocko asked.

James nodded. 'Yes.' he replied when he remembered the Rocko wasn't there with him.

Last night, he spent an exciting evening reminiscing with a Vampire Lord. It was rather late by the time he returned to the Dungeon. The trip was a success. The Baron has agreed to purchase the Blood and provided James with a bottle of the scotch after James decided to return in a few days for another visit. His high Resistance - Poison prevented him from getting drunk, but it did allow him to enjoy the flavour. When James Identified the bottle, he was rated as Rare, so Glezda would not be able to reproduce the scotch. This was sad, as the bottles were worth almost fifty gold each. The Baron has advised him that they were hard to come by because of the size of the distillery. Other brands of scotch were just as good and were not as hard to come by. Some brands were expensive because they were considered status symbols and not because of their flavour. James enjoyed a good scotch and a cigar, but, at heart, he was a beer drinker.

Onyx barked once at James to alert him of someone approaching. Seeing who it was, James backed off from the Monolith and crossed his arms. He wasn't sure if he was doing it right, but it was how he was greeted the last time he was here.

Soloman glided across the billowy white ground at a rapid pace. Seeing James, he smiled and returned the gesture, folding his arms over his chest.

"Greetings, friend James. So glad am I to see you," Soloman called out.

James Sensed active PSI within 4 meters. Soloman had not approached that closely yet, and James had not moved closer to the Monolith. Onyx turned to the right and started barking. On impulse, James equipped his shield and drew his sword. At the same time, he activated Grasping Shadowy Tendrils in front of Onyx. The tendrils appeared feeble and disappeared quickly as there were no shadows.

"I do not understand your actions," Soloman stated, drawing his long-bladed spear and looking around.

"Ambush," James answered, activating his shield and creating a Zone of Darkness as he stepped towards the Grasping Shadowy Tendrils. Now that there was darkness, the tendrils became alive. James wasn't sure, but by the way, the tendrils moved, it looked like they had captured something. Casting PSI Ball, he launched a ball to target the area but did not hit himself. Finally, a figure appeared and tried to break free of the tendrils. James leaped forward and used Shield Slam. His opponent used Dodge and avoided the attack altogether. Now that he was closer, he could see that it was a female Glrick in black leather armour.

James was not one for hitting a woman, but he had fought female combatants before, and they were dangerous and ruthless. Onyx appeared from the flank and latched onto the woman's arm. She wielded two short blades, and both were black as night. She ignored Onyx for now and swiped at James. James had to use Dodge to avoid being hit.

Suddenly a sizeable bladed spear appeared and slashed across the woman's back. Three enemies now surrounded her, and the female Glrick had lost the surprise element. Dropping a smoke bomb, she attempted to flee. She needed to break free of the tendrils and Onyx. Leaping into the air, she ripped free of the tendrils and used her free arm to slash at the dog, who was still attached to her arm. Onyx yelped as the short blade cut through his chest and neck, letting go of his opponent.

James chased after her. Her leap took her about 20 meters away, but James used the advantage of travelling in Astral Space and moved using his Intelligence and not his Agility. He appeared where she landed and activated Darkness. Not being able to see the attack, James tried Shield Slam again. She must have suspected something, because she tried to Dodge, but failed to avoid the Shield Slam and was Stunned. James tackled her to the ground and cast Grasping Shadowy Tendril right where they landed. James was not affected by the tendrils in the area of effect. When the woman recovered from the Stun, she grabbed James with one hand and stabbed him with the other. Her blade skated along his armour and jabbed into his arm. It wasn't a lot of damage, but he was sure it was poisoned.

James cast Shadow Form and burst into shadow. It was the first time casting the spell, and it was never a good idea to use a Spell for the first time in combat. Once in Shadow Form, he evaded her grasp and backed up a bit but close enough that she was still in the Zone of Darkness. Soloman arrived, thrust his spear into her leg, and James cast PSI Bolt. He was happy to see that he could still cast in this form.

The battle was over a few seconds later when Soloman got a thrust that buried his blade into her chest.

James stepped back and dropped the Shadow Form. The tendrils faded when they were exposed to the light of Astral Space. James rushed over to Onyx but didn't need special powers to see that she was dead. The cut to her chest was deep, and the wound had blackened blood. James lay a hand on Onyx and sighed.

Soloman approached and placed a hand on James' shoulder, "I am sorry about your pet. She fought valiantly. A true hero."

James stood up and stepped away from Soloman, "What the fuck is going on? Who is that, and what were they doing sneaking up on me? Did you lead them to me? Was this an ambush?" James shook his head. No, that didn't make Sense. If Soloman had been part of the ambush, he would have attacked him, not attacked the woman.

Soloman returned his speak to his back and spread his arms wide, "Trade. Are you alright?"

James surged forward and grabbed Soloman by the collar, "Answer me."

Soloman didn't move. He looked down at James and tried again, "Trade. Are you alright?"

James tried to push Soloman away from him, but all he ended up doing was propelling himself away from Soloman, "No. They killed my dog!"

'James, how is the meeting with Soloman going?' Rocko asked.

Soloman nodded, "Truth. I don't know what is going on. I don't know who she is, but I suspect she was here to assassinate you. But believe me, I had nothing to do with it."

James looked at the dead body, "How do you know she is an assassin?"

Soloman rolled his eyes and didn't bother responding. James nodded. It was obvious.

'It was an ambush. A Glrick assassin tried to kill me.' James spent a minute getting Rocko up to date and ending with the death of Onyx.

'That is not too bad,' Rocko replied. 'You can just resummon her tomorrow.'

James blinked. He had forgotten about that for a moment. She would be at level 1, but she would return. 'Thanks, Rocko. I had forgotten about that.'

'Ouch. I can see how that would not be very pleasant. I am sorry. But I am glad it is not a permanent loss.' Rocko sent back.

James looked over at the Glrick body and saw Soloman devesting it of its possessions. Checking pouches, searching pockets and examining documents, then throwing them in a pile for later. Once the body was stripped down to her under clothing, Soloman stood up and remarked on the contents. "There is nothing there to suggest the reason for the attack or what clan she was affiliated with. It is possible she was following me, but I suspect she was hiding here for a while and saw the change to attack you while you were distracted with me."

James nodded at the man. Nothing he said was a question but were statements of facts. James tried to reciprocate in kind. "It is possible that she was waiting here for the return of a Piraiba Barbels. I encountered a body a few days ago in Astral Space near a city called Ash Rumbo. The body was stripped, but hidden on the body was this letter. I suspect she was waiting for the assassin to return or for the Piraiba Barbels to arrive."

James reached into his Bag of Holding, removed the letter, and handed it over to Soloman to examine.

"Or she was the assassin who killed this other traveller," Soloman suggested. This letter is fascinating. The language is in Barbells, but I am not that versed in the language's syntax. It seems that there was a gift to be given from one family to another. Something called an 'Otunga'. I suspect it may be a wedding gift or a pre-wedding gift." Soloman shrugged, turning the letter as well. "One of the documents on the woman spoke of a bounty on an item referred to as an Otunga. One hundred bars of gold."

"I wish to make a Trade." James offered.

"Accept," Solomon responded.

"Have you ever heard of an Otunga?" James asked.

Soloman nodded, "Are you willing to split the assassin's possessions 50-50 with me?"

James laughed, "Yes."

Soloman nodded, "Truth. No, I have never heard of an Otunga."

James walked over to the body and examined the contents for himself.

Name: Poison - Paralyses Quality: Good Rarity: Uncommon Durability: 1/1 Special: Effect - Causes Paralyses for 10 seconds Name: Poison - Tacus Quality: Very Good Rarity: Uncommon Durability: 1/1 Special: Effect - Causes 10-40 damage. Name: Dark Steel Long Knife Quality: Very Good Rarity: Uncommon Damage Range: 2 - 8 +16 Accuracy: +4 Crit Chance: +4 Damage Type: Slashing Durability: 23/35 Special: One-handed, Enchanted - +3 to Melee - Dagger Skill, +3 to Damage Range, Durability Name: Dark Steel Long Knife Quality: Very Good Rarity: Uncommon Damage Range: 2 - 8 +16 Accuracy: +4 Crit Chance: +4 Damage Type: Slashing Durability: 19/35 Special: One-handed, Enchanted - +3 to Melee - Dagger Skill, +3 to Damage Range, Durability Name: Dark Drake Leather Armour Quality: Good Rarity: Uncommon Armour Rating: 12 Durability: 16/24 Special: Worn-Torso, Enchanted - +5 to AR and Durability

The rest of the items were mundane or Common. She had a few Potions of Healing, a Potion of Speed and a Potion of Strength. She had a bag with some Alchemical Items, such as the Smoke Bomb. She also had a couple of rings that enhanced Agility and Strength.

James was able to trade for the two daggers and the Dark Drake armour in exchange for the other items. He did make a request for one of each of the poisons, in case Ferdinand could make use of them. The rest of the items when to Soloman who seemed happy with the exchange.

"I ponder the idea of returning the item to its rightful owner. It would remove any danger to me." James mused, moving over to the monolith.

Soloman smiled, "Ponderings are always filled with wishful thinkings."