“Are you sure about this next contract?”

A shadowed figured whispered to another over the light of a small fire. They’d only recently made it to the center of the dungeon, it should have been a time for celebration and maybe a little feasting. Instead, some of them were starting to worry about the future. Their current journey was nearly at an end and that meant certain…unpleasant…tasks were headed their way sooner than some would have liked.

“No, I am not sure. Unfortunately, I don’t see another way to make it back before the end of the year. How long do you want to spend out here?”

“I see your point, it’s just…you know they aren’t going to like it.”

Both new who the first shadowed figure was referring to. It was a surprised, but the unknown individual they had met in this dungeon was a bright spot none had expected. When they had come out in this direction, looking for work and fortune, they had not expected to encounter so many difficulties.

Still, they all agreed it was worth it. A young, talented individual who they could help grow into a real asset to their team. A new way forward to advance as a group. Higher rankings, bigger jobs, and better rewards. Everything they needed to become even more comfortable. Maybe even start preparing for retirement.

“I know they won’t. I don’t like it. It is an unpleasant job. But sometimes those unpleasant jobs have to be done. Besides, would you doom the rest of them just because one is a slaver?”

“No, no…I just wish such barbarity weren’t legal. It’s part of why I’ll be glad to leave. So much beauty in this nation, and then some truly ugly parts.”

The two fell into silent contemplation for a while, neither looking up from the flickering flames. Idly, they listened to the sounds of the others shifting in their sleep. One particular individual, hiding away in a small personal tent, snored so loudly it was a wonder none of the rest were awake.

“I do not approve of it. Still, it is not illegal and simply refusing will put plenty of other innocent merchants at risk. That, along with our own personal needs…I think we have to accept.”

“And if they refuse because of it?”

The second figure shifted, clearly unhappy. If they first had to guess, the second had been thinking about and debating that very worry for weeks now.

“If they refuse, what can we do? We leave them with a way to contact us and hope they find their way back to us. For now, we do everything we can to leave them with a favorable impression.”

There was a brief pause, but the second figure eventually sighed and continued.

“Only thing we can truly control is how much we prepare them. I, personally, am in favor of giving them every resource we can afford to part with. If they stay with us, it will be a solid investment for the future. If they leave, it means we are more likely to see them again. Either way, it would be a shame if they died after all the work we’ve put in.”

The first figured laughed lightly at that, filling their small campsite with joy but not so much noise as to wake their resting teammates.

“A real shame! Can you imagine what they are like in a year or two…It’s amazing how fast they are growing.”

“It is impressive. None of us advanced so quickly. Though I will admit, we grew under safer circumstances.”

“Not necessarily… We just didn’t have the same guidance at those dangerous points in our youth. Couldn’t reap the same level of benefits.”

“True, true. Do you envy them?”

The first figure grunted at that. They pulled a stick from the burn pile and began poking at the ashes. For a while, there was silence. Eventually, though, the first figure returned to focusing on the second.

“I am happy, in the end, with where I ended up in life. There are things I’d change, and times I wish I had been stronger, but I think that’s true of anyone my age. I’ll be happy if our guidance mitigates the number of similar experiences they have.”

The second figure seemed pleased with that response, and their conversation once again died down. After years of working together and gaining both a professional and personal relationship, a few minutes of silence could hardly cause discomfort between them. Instead, they simply enjoyed the silence and each other’s presence.

“Maybe there will be another option when we get out of the dungeon? Not a lot of news travelling in here.”

The second figure sighed at the first’s comment. It was obvious this would be picking at the first’s mind all night. Still, they were friends and friends supported each other. For a little while they second debated agreeing. A little white lie to ease their worry. That wasn’t the second’s way though, and eventually they decided to force the first to acknowledge the situation.

“That seems unlikely. When we entered the dungeon, there were very few options. And nobody seemed hopeful of others popping up any time soon. This caravan will be the richest merchants leaving the earliest. Anything else means spending weeks or maybe even months here, twiddling our thumbs.”

“I know, I know. One can hope though, right?”

“Hope is fine, just do not let it cloud your judgement or push you away from uncomfortable truths. You know that.”

“ Yeah, it would be a shame is all. Still, you’re right. As always.”

A flash of the fire illuminated a sardonic grin on the second figures face at that.

“Not always, unfortunately. Not always.”

#

Far away from the first two shadowed figures, another hidden individual was preparing for their own clandestine meeting. Unlike the previous two, comfortably sat next to a dying fire, surrounded by the sleeping form of their allies, this individual had snuck away from their compatriots.

Quietly, they scanned their surroundings. At a glance, it appeared they were entirely on their surroundings. Straight backed and shoulders squared, they gave off no impression of fear. An alpha predator observing their domain.

Fitting their vigilance and apparent confidence, no sooner had a second figure snuck into the clearing than the first began to speak.

“What are your thoughts on the new addition to our group?”

The second figure seemed to pause, apparently nervous to be addressed. Despite the fine armor they wore, for a moment they seemed very, very vulnerable. A rabbit caught in the gaze of a fearsome eagle as it dove, too scared to do anything but await the inevitable.

“I…um…they seem capable…”

The second figure responded neutrally. It was obvious they were unsure what the first wanted, and were cautious in their response. No reason to poke a bear.

The first figure rolled their shoulders, stretching muscles and grunting in pleasure as pops erupted down their back. As they stretched, head twisting side to side, they almost seemed to grow in the seconds eyes.

“If I decided they were unhealthy for the party would you fight me on that?”

The second figure could barely contain their shock. Their new addition had been nothing but a boon so far. Far beneath them in individual skill, yes, but the promise they showed… It was surprising to hear the first speaking like this. Especially after how much personal effort they had put into the new team member.

Suddenly, the second figure realized they had remained silent too long. The first was apparently growing displeased, as they were no longer focused on the surroundings, but upon them. The second did not like being the focus of that gaze.

Quickly, the second responded, “Of course not. How could I fight you on something like that. I’m just…surprised. What would make you change your mind so suddenly?”

The first stared at them for a long moment, and the second was worried they had gone too far. That the first was about to brutalize them for daring to second guess them. It was a terrifying thought, if one that had not yet manifested in all their years together.

If the second was honest with themselves, that was probably one of factors that had kept them around so far. The first only destroyed assets that had already been used to their fullest. The second still had worth, and would therefore be cared for and allowed to grow.

All for a better harvest in the end.

“Risk and reward. This is true for everyone in our line of work, regardless of affiliation. When you operate outside the protections of the adventurer’s guild, though, understanding this becomes even more important. There will be no cavalry to come riding to our rescue if we find ourselves in need of aide. There is only our own strength and our ability as a team.”

The first returned to scanning the surroundings. If the second did not know better, they would have thought the first was looking for something to fight and kill.

“I have recently come to believe our new companion is more risk than reward. At least in the long run. They still have uses, for now, and I would not discard them just yet. A need might arise for them later.”

The second nodded along, not wishing to contradict. Still, a thought kept pushing forward in their mind. A dangerous, dangerous thought.

“Certain others on the team may be…distraught with this decision. Not myself of course!” They added hastily, “But you know how emotional some of our team members can be. They have become…attached. Discarding our new ally may have…additional risks.”

The second figure winced as they said it, fearful of potential blowback. The first figure may have never harmed them, but their temper was not to be underestimated. They hid it well, beneath a strong façade and iron control, but with just the second figure here… The second already knew this secret and the first did not need to hide it.

“That would be unfortunate, but there always are complications when one discards an asset. This would not be the first time. We will simply need to be careful with how we do so. Others may never need to know.”

The first seemed confident as they spoke. As if their will was law, and their every wish would be made manifest. The second couldn’t argue with that, given the first’s history and personal power. If their will was not law made manifest, it would be soon enough.

“I…suppose. I worry about if they discover what has happened though. It is not as though it would be the first time, and I fear they would figure it out sooner or later.”

There was a long pause as the second figure made repeated false starts after this. They clearly had more to say, but it appeared getting the words out were difficult. Eventually, the second figure took a deep breath, closed their eyes, and went for it.

“The others are not as dumb as you believe.”

The first paused for a moment, apparently speechless. They gave the second a long look, seeming to be internally debating something. Eventually they spat on the ground and returned to surveying the surroundings.

“I don’t think they are stupid. They are smart enough they could have figured this all out long ago.”

The first grinned savagely, apparently pleased about something.

“No, it is far better than that. If they were stupid, I would need to be constantly watching over them. Making sure they are doing the right things, making the right decisions.”

The first looked at the second again. A piercing look, that nagged deeply at the second’s mind. One that left them uncomfortable and unsure if they wanted to hear the rest of this.

“What they are, is willfully ignorant. Just like you tried to be. They know what is going on, hear it as a little voice deeeeeep in the back of their mind. And every time it speaks, they tell it to shut up because they don’t want to know.”

The first figure gave a short cruel laugh before continuing, “Just like you tried to do. To bad you are so bad at ignoring a puzzle. I bet you’d be much happier pretending all this bad shit never happens, just like the rest of them.”

The second was quiet for a long time after that. The first just let them brew, knowing they were coming to terms with years of self-denial. Years of pretending they had stumbled on this little “secret” by accident or by being smarter than the others or some other delusion. Eventually the second spoke again.

“And if one of the others decides to stop being ignorant this time? If losing this one makes them decide its not worth it anymore?”

The cruel grin appeared again, reflecting the moonlight and leaving the second shivering. The first took a long pause, seeming to relish breathing in and leaving the second on edge.

“If they decide that, then I will simply need to explain things to them. They may not like what we do, but they’ll love what they get out of it. And in the end, that will make sure they do not complain too much.”

Turning around, the first appeared to dismiss the second.

“People like us do not have a lot of options for true wealth. You have to take what you can, even if that means going through, or over, others. A corpse can be just as good of a stepping stone as anything else if you are careful about it.”