Deacon walked over to where Typhus met up with Elle & Sophie. It seemed like they’d come looking for them. Not knowing what was going on, Deacon cautiously strode up to them. He really wanted to go check out the alchemy lab and his new living quarters. Maybe even check the quest list to see if he could score some easy guild points. The others seemed to be very comfortable within the guild, he’d never seen Elle look so relaxed. Was she laughing? That was rare when it wasn’t at his expense. Deacon also wanted to test out that blade thing he was doing with his aura. So many things to follow up on.

“Deacon! You’ve got that thousand-yard stare. Everything ok?” Elle asked.

“What? Oh yea, everything’s fine. I was just running through a list of things I want to do.” Deacon replied.

“Well, that list will have to wait until tomorrow. We need to go meet Armand in the canteen. I believe you have met Sophie before?” Elle asked.

“Yes, we just met.” Deacon responded.

“I would love to get another look at your guild mark if you don’t mind? It’s some of my best work but I don’t think I did it. I mean, I must have since I received a skill increase to tattooing. I haven’t had one of those in years.” Sophie asked batting her eyelashes at Deacon.

“No problem.” Deacon said as he went to pull up his sleeve suddenly his shirt decided to give up. The whole thing just disintegrated around him leaving him standing in the hallway shirtless.

“It’s like your cursed to be embarrassed everywhere you go.” Typhus said holding his belly and chuckling.

“I don’t know. It looks like he has a mighty fine canvas to me.” Sophie said as she ran her hand down Deacons pectoral muscles and felt the peeks and valleys of his abs.

“Um…I’m a little uncomfortable with this.” Deacon said pulling away from her.

“I told you, like a little boy.” Elle said.

“Wait, what are you talking about?” Deacon said standing up straighter.

“We’ve never seen you take any interest in romantic entanglement.” Elle said with a smirk.

“There has been a lot going on. Can’t I figure that out at another time?” he said.

“Its ok, we know you’re only two months old. Plenty of time for love.” Typhus remarked.

“Aww leave him alone, its cute. Now that puffball of white hair needs some attention though.” Sophie said.

“Oh yea, I have an idea about that, but I have to go shopping to get some supplies.” Deacon answered.

“I’ll go shopping with you.” Sophie snapped out quickly.

“Much appreciated, I could use someone to show me around town and I’m sure these two are sick of me by now.” Deacon agreed.

“It’ll have to wait till morning. To the canteen.” Elle ordered.

The group made their way down to the first floor where they sat at a table in the canteen. There were several other tables with people at them. Various drinks and plates of food were delivered to the patrons. A waiter came over to their table and asked if they knew what they wanted. Typhus took the opportunity to place a large order. Food for all four of them and mugs of ale. He even ordered a pitcher for the table. When the waiter told him how much he just pointed over to Deacon.

“Come on man. I know you have money; I gave you a bunch of mine.” Deacon said.

“I just watched you give a kings ransom to the Teller. Don’t be a penny pincher.” Typhus replied.

“You did what? Why?” Elle asked.

“Well, it gives me flexibility with the money we found. I can get access to it at any Adventurer’s Guild in the kingdom. Its very reminiscent of a system from my world.” Deacon said as Sophie was taking a good look at his mark.

“He stumbled on a well-kept secret. I’ll be putting some of my coin in there as well. Don’t know why I never thought of it before.” Typhus said after a large swig of ale followed by a window breaking belch.

“Let me know how that works out. Sounds like a trap to me. Until then I’ll keep my coin on me thank you.” Elle quipped.

“You think everything’s a trap. Can I have my arm back now?” Deacon asked.

“Sure. I can swear there is an eye in that star watching me.” Sophie said.

Armand made his way into the canteen with a worried look on his face. It didn’t seem like he had changed or cleaned up at all. His armor was still on, and all his weapons were still adorned. This made Deacon a little nervous considering this is supposed to be a safe place. Elle caught Armand’s attention and directed him to their table.

“Oh, good you’re all here. Hello Sophie. I assume everything went well since I received a flood of Cheshire based notifications while I was in the meeting with my father.” Armand said as he sat down and poured himself a large mug of Ale.

“Not so good news I take it?” Elle asked.

“The Empire is making its move. My father has collected various intelligence to share with the King and I assume after that the garrison on the plateau will get rather busy. Nothing to worry about just yet but please keep this to yourselves for now.” Armand explained.

“Sounds bad. I’ll be sending a few messages tomorrow. Should I include a status update?” Typhus asked.

“No, we have open communication with the Shattered Teeth right now. It would be redundant.” He said.

“Well tomorrow I’m going shopping. Can I get anyone anything?” Deacon asked.

“No, we are fine. How did your discussion with Jacob go?” Armand asked.

“It went well but I was not a fan of all the secrecy and trap door chutes.” Deacon replied.

“What tier?” Armand asked.

“Novice.” Deacon said.

“Great, you don’t need a trainer. Did Jacob reassign you? Do you intend to stay with us? Was it like pulling teeth asking you about this?” Armand asked with a scowl.

“Wow they really do treat you like a child.” Sophie said.

“You don’t understand, Deacon is special. All of this is very new to him. But you are right. I apologize for my curtness.” Armand said to Deacon.

“No problem. You seem troubled by what I assume was an upsetting visit home. Anything to do with that Cullep guy.?” Deacon asked.

“Lord Cullep. I wouldn’t recommend leaving out the title should you ever encounter him. I didn’t have the time to discuss that in depth with my family. Perhaps tomorrow. Thanks for reminding me.” Armand said.

“I can answer that actually.”, said Sophie, “Lord Cullep has been taking a more active role in city management at your fathers request. Something about your father attending to affairs of the crown.”

“Well, he oversteps. I had to open the Ascend Road today. No reason was given for the closure. Baffles the mind.” Armand mused.

“Well Kenneth Cullep has been walking around town like he owns the place.” Sophie replied.

“Don’t get me started on him. We were only two years apart and he was thorn in my side all my life. I have no idea what his problem is with me. He left my brothers alone, but I was the butt of all his jokes. Water under the bridge. Some things you must learn to let go Deacon.” Armand said.

“Well, I’m tired. Thanks for the meal, everyone. I’m going to turn in and check out my new room.” Deacon said as he got up from the table.

“I’ll meet you at the entrance first thing in the morning.” Sophie said waving good night to Deacon.

“Don’t wander off, stay with Sophie tomorrow. This is a big city.” Typhus said.

Deacon made his way up the stairs to his new room. He couldn’t take anymore of the bickering and history lessons about everything. Sure, he was new to this world, but he just didn’t care about any of those things. Also, it was getting on his nerves to be talked down too. Now learning how to cut a man in half with an ice blade, that interested him. It was also a way he could combat large creatures. He needed to figure something out, at some point his enemy would either be fully armored or just be too large to punch. Deacon reached the door to his room and the key stone started glowing. He touched it to the door, and it opened. Inside was just a small cot and a table with an unlit candle on it.

He sat down on the cot glad to be alone for the first time in days. Deacon steadied his breathing in preparation to start meditating. He stopped himself thinking if he did that, he would definitely meet Cheshire and lose another nights sleep. But he was owed an item for reaching level ten.

New Message from Cheshire- Just do it already!

Deacon opened his eyes in his starry mindscape once more. There was no enormous grin there to greet him. It was nothing but the peaceful serenity of his meditative stillness. As Deacon relaxed, he all but felt a mouth next to his ear.

“Is this what you really want? Peace and quiet?” Cheshire asked manifesting as a very small grin hovering over Deacons right shoulder.

“Yikes!” Deacon almost jumped out of his skin as the Grin enlarged to fill the horizon once again.

“I calculated a twenty five percent chance you might die from a heart attack if I did that. Full of surprises aren’t you.” Cheshire said.

“What the Fuck man? Why can’t these conversations be more pleasant? Sometimes the God of Death is in here sometimes its you. Sometimes you are chasing the God of Death. Cut me some slack!” Deacon yelled.

“Are you finished? What am I the God of again? Besides you.” Cheshire asked.

“Gambling and Chaos.” Deacon mumbled.

“Right, so why would it be the same every time?” Cheshire asked.

“Point. Cheshire.” Deacon said.

“Great now do you want your gift or not?” Cheshire said bringing a wagging finger into being right in front of Deacon.

“You know I do. I’m still stumbling around this world; any help would be appreciated.” Deacon said.

“You are doing just fine. A little slower on the progression front than I’d like but just fine. Here this should supplement some of your short comings. Due to your particular handicaps, I’ve had to dig deep into the vaults for this one. Otherwise, I would have just given you a weapon that changes shape.” Cheshire said.

Floating in deacons right hand was golden six-sided die. He grasped it and looked at all its sides. Nothing special. It had the standard dots that counted to six. Deacon looked at the teeth and then down at the object in his hand.

New Item Received- Cheshire’s D6 of Adventure! You may roll this six-sided die twice per day. Each number corresponds to an effect. Some effects will be random based on the rolled category as follows:

1

Sleep Target

2

Paralyze Target

3

Summon Monster

4

Summon Soldier

5

Open Random Portal

6

Activate Relevant Prayer

“Ok now that’s cool and dangerous? If I’m reading this correctly, I could summon random monsters and portals? How do I control what I get? Couldn’t I make the situation worse?”

“That’s the Adventure! part. You know since you joined the Adventurer’s Guild. Nice move by the way. The odds were even that you’d do that after the slide into the fighting ring. Never know when that defiance will rear its ugly head.”

“Well, it’s still cool. Better only use it if things aren’t going well. Hey, remember when you told me to focus on my skills? Can I just create new abilities?”

“Give it a try. I think you’ll be pleased with the outcome. Finally, you should probably avoid doing that quest the priestess gave you. I’m not going to stop you. Just a bit of advice.”

“But the cauldron. It sounded useful.”

“Do what you want. I don’t care. Just remember I told you not to get caught up in all my siblings games. Who am I kidding? You’re going to do it anyway. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”